If you’re looking for cheap eats while visiting Boston, will cover some of the best options you have to satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.
Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe
Address: 86 Bedford St, Boston, MA 02111
The secret to finding cheap and high-quality food in Boston is to seek out a local-hole-in-the-wall. And Gene’s Chinese Flatbread Cafe lives up to this promise, offering unique flatbread sandwiches and many other unique Chinese dishes from the Xi’an province that’ll keep your belly (and wallet) satisfied. Located in Chinatown, this low-key spot is a favorite among budget-conscious students and foodies alike.
Galleria Umberto
Address: 289 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
For an antidote to high-end Italian meals in the North End neighborhood, Galleria Umberto offers Italian favorites such as their signature Sicilian-style pizza slices and arancini (deep-fried rice balls). Be forewarned that galleria Umberto is cash-only and is a popular foodie destination, so you may miss an opportunity to visit a Boston mainstay when they sell out (which is often).
Kelly's Roast Beef
Address: 410 Revere Beach Blvd, Revere, MA 02151
If you don’t mind venturing slightly out of Boston’s metropolitan area, hit up Kelly’s Roast Beef in Revere. As the name implies, you can get some of the best roast beef in the area piled high on a toasted sesame bun and smothered with delicious fix-ins - all for less than ten bucks! You can also get cheap New England favorites like lobster rolls and pastrami sandwiches to keep your family’s picky eaters satisfied. Since 1951, this spot has been consistently pumping out the best-kept secret in the area right on the beachfront, making it worth traveling to for the beef and the view.
Tasty Mo:Mo
Address: 503 Medford St, Somerville, MA 02145
For a taste of the Himalayas, Tasty Mo:Mo is your destination for cheap eats in Boston. If you’re not familiar, momos are a Tibetan/Nepalese-styled dumpling stuffed with meat or vegan/vegetarian ingredients, but Tasty Moo also offers dishes like chow mein and aloo dum (a potato-based curry). An eight-piece order of momos is less than eight dollars, which can be a healthy light meal to power your explorations through Boston.
Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery
Address: 25 Bow St, Somerville, MA 02143
To get your money’s worth while in Boston, there’s no better destinations than the aptly-titled Neighborhood Restaurant & Bakery. As a Summerville institution, this is the place to go if you want to fill up on the cheap. Be sure to try the breakfast combos (~$11) if you are a heavy eater, or try the Newark Portagee (chorizo patty, peppers, cheese, and onions on a homemade roll). And on your way out, be sure to take some of their baked goods with you, such as their homemade jellies and sweetbreads.
