Best places for college students to eat and drink around Boston

Restaurants

Welcome (or welcome back) to Boston, students.

September is when Greater Boston comes alive, teeming with college students who attend one of the many universities in the area. 

Boston is one big college town, after all, thanks to schools like Harvard University, Northeastern University, Boston University, Boston College, and many more campuses.

But unlike most college towns, Boston isn’t the easiest city for young, broke college students. The bars close relatively early for a city of its size, and a night out can easily end with a $100 tab. 

Luckily for students, the restaurants and bars that cater to that demographic are usually near campus and at the right cost point. 

Doing research (i.e., looking at Reddit, TikTok, and chatting with our interns), Boston.com compiled the student list to use when in need of a late-night burrito, coffee study break, and everything in between. 

We broke the guide into the most important food groups: pizza, Tex-Mex, Asian, coffee and tea, pub food, and bars. Want to see how close each spot is to your school? Use our map below. 

Map: Best food and drink for college students

Best Asian food

Double Chin: Open until 4 a.m. on the weekends. Known for its eccentric cube toast, a dessert dish that’s French toast filled with candies or ice cream. 86 Harrison Ave., Chinatown-Leather District

Nud Pob Thai Cuisine: Quick, counter-service Thai restaurant with four different Pad Thai dishes and multiple fried rice options to choose from. Popular among Boston University students. 738 Commonwealth Ave., Fenway-Kenmore

Pho Pasteur: Most bowls of pho fall around $15 for a small and $17.40 for an extra large — which is inexpensive for Boston! Popular among Emerson College students at its Chinatown location. 682 Washington St., Chinatown-Leather District; 1462 Hancock St., Quincy

Yamato I and II: One of the only daily all-you-can-eat sushi options in Boston proper. Popular among Boston College students at its Brighton location. 117 Chiswick Road, Brighton; 545 Boylston St., Back Bay-Bay Village

Best Bars

Lansdowne Pub: A popular post-Fenway game bar that also offers a College Night on Thursdays with free cover for college students. Popular among multiple university students. 9 Lansdowne St., Fenway-Kenmore

The Tam: Dive bar that offers weekly “TAM Thursdays,” the night to go for college students. Popular among Emerson College and Suffolk University students. 222 Tremont St., Downtown Boston

Wusong Road: A tiki bar that offers collectable tiki drink mugs. Popular among Harvard University students. 112 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge

Best coffee shops and cafes

Matcha Cafe Maiko: Get matcha as a tea, latte, frappe, float, or Kokuto jelly. Popular among Emmanuel, Simmons, Wentworth and Mass Art students. 115 Jersey St., Fenway-Kenmore

Pavement Coffeehouse: A variety of coffees and teas, hot and cold, available. Choose between two dozen specialty bagel sandwiches, or build your own bagel starting at $2.75. Nine locations near multiple universities

Ten One Tea House: Choose between fruit, floral, or milk teas — including the very popular matcha. leading it with four boba options. Six Boston area locations near multiple universities.

Trident Booksellers & Cafe: This bookstore and cafe hosts an array of events, including trivia, comedy shows, and romance book clubs. Popular among multiple university students. 338 Newbury St., Back Bay-Bay Village

Best pizza for Boston college students

Penguin Pizza: Specialty pizzas include the Ultimate Penguin (bacon, ham, meatball, sweet sausage, roasted potato, hot cherry peppers, caramelized onions) or a mushroom and mashed potato Fungus Amongus. Split a cocktail with friends with their famous bucket drinks. Popular among Northeastern students. 735 Huntington Ave., Mission Hill

Pinocchio’s Pizza & Subs: Both round and square Sicilian pizza available. It’s former Harvard University student Mark Zuckerberg’s favorite pizza. Popular among Harvard students. 74 Winthrop St., Cambridge

T. Anthony’s Pizzeria: Slices available for $3.50, while whole pies start at $12.95. Open until 2 a.m. Popular among Boston University students. 1016 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline

Best American and pub food

Shy Bird: An all-day cafe and bar known for its fried chicken. The Fenway and South Boston locations offer Work From Shy Bird, which buys you breakfast or lunch and bottomless coffee or tea for $19.95. Three locations near multiple universities.

Tasty Burger: Boston’s local version of a speedy-food burger joint. The Starvin’ Student discount gets you a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, and a Tall Boy. Four locations near multiple universities.

The Bebop: Serves bar food (like burgers and flatbread pizzas) along with Irish pub entrees. Catch Berklee College of track students playing at weekly open mic nights. Popular among Berklee students. 1116 Boylston St., Fenway-Kenmore

Best Tex-Mex

El Jefe’s Taqueria: Choose between tacos, burritos, or bowls, and a variety of proteins. All locations close between 2 and 4 a.m. Five locations near multiple universities.

Felipe’s Taqueria: Mexican restaurant with a full bar and roof deck. Open from 7 a.m. for breakfast until 1 a.m. (2 a.m. on weekends) for drinks. Popular among Harvard students. 21 Brattle Square, Cambridge

Sunset Cantina: A popular student hang-out and Mexican restaurant. Taco Tuesday offers $3 tacos and $5 margaritas. Popular among Boston University students. 916 Commonwealth Ave., Brookline

We want to know: For those diners who are no longer students, or maybe you’re grad students: Where do you go out around Boston specifically to avoid undergraduate students? We’re looking for restaurant and bar recommendations. Fill out the form below, or email us your recommendations at [email protected].

Katelyn Umholtz

Food and Restaurant Reporter

Katelyn Umholtz covers food and restaurants for Boston.com. Katelyn is also the author of The Dish, a weekly food newsletter.