Boston University has the ideal urban campus; with easy transportation, great access to the scenic Charles River, and the entire city at your disposal, there is always something new to explore. (Left/Right Credit: Instagram @bostonu) (Middle Credit: Instagram @bretclancy)
If you’re new to Boston University and looking for cheap eats, this is the list for you. Whether you are a student on a budget or just looking for new spots in Boston, check out these restaurants for a delicious and affordable meal!
Cafés
Pavement Coffeehouse is conveniently located right next to Nud Pob, a Thai restaurant mentioned below. It’s popular with BU students, and it offers “counter culture” coffee. This includes a Spanish Latte, Matcha Latte, Death Cream, and all your conventional coffee needs. Lots of sandwiches, pastries, and vegetarian options. Free wifi, good atmosphere. The components of a perfectly hospitable coffeehouse are all present.
Left: Pavement Coffeehouse has a great atmosphere with lots of different drinks to try — however, you can never go wrong with a classic latte either. (Credit: Instagram @pavementcoffee) Middle: Caffé Nero has lots of seating options, providing the perfect warm and cozy environment to grab an Italian coffee. (Credit: Instagram @caffenero) Right: The Japonaise Bakery & Cafe has amazing sweet treats, like this Totoro bread and pastry filled with custard cream and strawberries! (Credit: Instagram @tammie.eats)
That said, I personally prefer Caffé Nero, by West Campus. This is for the simple reason that Caffé Nero offers more Italian style coffee, including amaretto flavored syrup shots. They also have a larger seating area.
Both options are trumped by the Japonaise Bakery & Cafe, which is located closer to South Campus. The pastries, in addition to being cheap, are adorable: some of them are decorated to resemble anime characters, such as totoro or keroppi. They also offer special drink options, like barley tea and hojicha lattes.
Thai Cuisine
The Brown Sugar Cafe near Babcock Street is a great restaurant, but it can be on the pricey side. Fortunately for BU students, Nud Pob is planted in the middle of campus. This little eatery offers big servings of quality food for low prices. Students sing praises of the Indonesian Fried Rice, Pad See Ew, and Crispy Chicken Basil. My personal favorite is the Chiang Mai Curry Noodle, with a glass of ultra sweet Thai iced tea. Condiment bottles full of fish sauce and hot sauce are found near the door, and specials are drawn up on a chalkboard.
Nud Pob has affordable but amazing cuisine that’s great for anyone, college student or not. Whether you choose the Pad Thai (left) or the Fried Rice with egg, shrimp, and cucumber (right), you get a taste of Thailand right here in Boston! (Left Credit: Instagram @thebostonbites) (Right Credit: Instagram @whatmayishaeats)
Pizza & Burgers
If you like gourmet thin crust pizza, OTTO is the place for you. You can get any slice for just $3.50, except for the cheese slices, which cost a measly $3. OTTO serves traditional pies, such as cheese and pepperoni. However, they also offer quirkier options, including a pizza with mashed potatoes, bacon, and scallions.
Left: OTTO, founded in Portland, ME, has both classic and unique options. While this pizza with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes will always be a staple, don’t be afraid to try some toppings like butternut squash or buffalo cauliflower! (Credit: Instagram @feedthechu) Middle: If you have a late night or are just crazing extra cheese, this Mozzarella Stick pizza from T Anthony’s is a must-try. (Credit: Instagram @northshorefoodiez) Right: Sometimes there’s nothing better than a good old-fashioned burger and fries, washed down with a cold strawberry frappe from UBurger. (Credit: Instagram @boston_beyond)
For a more old school pizza joint, there’s always T Anthony’s Pizzeria. Decorated with BU sports memorabilia, this place sells everything but the kitchen sink, including a few all-day breakfast options. Speaking of “all-day,” T Anthony is open until 1 AM. For a city where businesses generally abide by an early curfew, this restaurant is a godsend for night owls.
UBurger offers daily student specials, including $1 hotdogs on Mondays, and a $6 combo deal on Tuesdays. You can build your own burgers and chicken sandwiches, all of which are genuinely good quality. There’s also plenty of flavors for milkshakes (called “frappes” in Boston). Sure, there’s a humble McDonald’s across the street, but based on taste and quality, UBurger is worth a visit.
Asian Fusion
Compared to other options on this list, MeiMei is more of an upscale restaurant. However, it still warrants a mention, in the off chance you want to treat yourself. Offering Asian American fusion options, their menu is short, but consistently tasty. MeiMei cooks dumplings, fritters, and fries, but their main draw is the scallion pancakes. Students flock to the restaurant to purchase the Double Awesome, which consists of two oozy eggs, Vermont cheddar, and a green pesto, wrapped up in a warm scallion pancake. You also have the option of adding bacon and ham.
Left: MeiMei’s homemade dumplings, stuffed with savory meat or hearty vegetables, will leave your mouth watering by the end of the meal. (Credit: Instagram @meimeiboston) Right: Sharing is caring! If dining with a group, try getting a variety of dishes and splitting them for a taste of each. (Credit: Instagram @meimeiboston)
Ramen
Isshindo Ramen, inside the Super88, makes bowls of steaming ramen. This includes tonkatsu, and even spicy tan tan men. They have starters, including takoyaki and shumai. They have rice dishes, such as pork tatsuta curry, or crispy chicken don. This much is true: they will meet your Japanese comfort food cravings. But it doesn’t end there.
The Super88 food court offers a variety of Asian foods: Vietnamese, Chinese, Indian, and sushi. Without having to take the train to Chinatown, this food court allows BU students to easily access Eastern cuisines. Don’t hesitate to try out the other eateries as well.
Isshindo Ramen has a variety of ramen dishes to try; there are spicy options, veggie options, and a plethora of toppings, like aijima eggs, to top it off! (Left Credit: Instagram @foodinvazn) (Middle Credit: Instagram @emilybeeating) (Right Credit: Instagram @beli_eats)
