How to Eat in Boston on the Cheap

Boston has a lot to offer visitors and residents, including a rich and multiethnic history, a vibrant cultural scene and lots of great food. Here are some hints to help you eat well in Boston without blowing your budget.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Local Guidebooks
• Maps
• Local Newspapers
• Travel Services

1. Get a budget guidebook before your trip. Most travel guides contain lots of restaurant listings, organized by price range and type of cuisine.
2. Buy a local newspaper as soon as you arrive. Check out the "Boston Globe" or other local papers and magazines for restaurant listings and reviews.
3. Ask the management of your hotel or hostel for a list of good, affordable restaurants near your accommodations. Many hotels keep a collection of menus from neighborhood restaurants on hand for guests to peruse.
4. Visit Boston's North End if you're looking for tempting Italian food. You'll find bakeries, delicatessens and lots of restaurants there. Buy all the materials for a picnic or find a reasonably priced place for a sit-down meal.
5. Go to Boston's Chinatown (between South Station and the Boston Common) for a wide range of excellent Asian restaurants, priced for a variety of budgets.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask the locals where they eat or look for busy restaurants and cafés. You might have to wait awhile for a table, but the food will probably be worth the wait.
• University and college districts usually offer lots of dining options at student-budget prices, so check out the areas surrounding Boston's many campuses or ask a group of students where the best food deals can be found.
• Avoid heavy tourist areas when you get hungry. Restaurant prices should drop a few blocks away from the major attractions.