When the dinner rush fades and most kitchens flip their chairs, a few Boston spots still deliver real food after 10 PM. From Chinatown’s seafood stalwarts to 24-hour bakeries and late-running diners, these are the kitchens that keep the city fed after hours.
At-a-Glance
- Neighborhoods: Citywide
- MBTA: Red, Green, Orange, Blue Lines (varies by stop)
- Price tiers: $, $$, $$$
- Dietary tags: Vegetarian options, GF noted, late-night menus
- Hours: All verified open past 10 PM (as of October 2025)
- Updated: October 2025
- Outreach: Partner-ready; shareable checklist link included
- Last checked: Oct 24 2025
Chinatown & Downtown Core
Peach Farm — Chinatown
This basement seafood joint has been the city’s after-midnight legend for decades. Chefs and servers off shift line up for ginger-scallion lobster and clams with black bean sauce well past midnight. The dining room is pure chaos in the best way, and the kitchen hums until 12:30 AM most nights.
- Price: $$ (~$25–$35 pp)
- When: 11:30 AM–12:30 AM daily
- Dietary: Shellfish heavy, vegetarian sides available
- MBTA: Orange Line Chinatown
- Accessibility: Ground-level entry
- Link: Peach Farm
Dumpling Café — Chinatown
Perfect for late-night takeout or group hangs, Dumpling Café keeps its soup dumplings, beef rolls, and scallion pancakes flowing until roughly 1 AM on weekends. The xiao long bao arrive fast, and the staff stays unbothered by post-bar crowds.
- Price: $ (~$15 pp)
- When: Till 1 AM Fri–Sat, midnight weeknights
- Dietary: Vegetarian options
- MBTA: Orange Line Chinatown
- Accessibility: Step-free entry
- Link: DUMPLING CAFE
El Jefe’s Taqueria — Downtown Crossing / Seaport
Open until 2 AM nightly (and often later), El Jefe’s serves burritos, tacos, and nachos made-to-order for students and service-industry regulars. The salsas are fresh, the tortillas grilled to order, and the line moves fast even after midnight.
- Price: $ (~$12 pp)
- When: Till 2 AM daily
- Dietary: Veg and GF friendly
- MBTA: Red Line Downtown Crossing or Silver Line Courthouse
- Accessibility: Fully ADA compliant
- Link: El Jefe’s Taqueria
North End & Waterfront
Bova’s Bakery — North End
A true unicorn: open 24 hours since 1932. Locals drop by for cannoli, stuffed breads, and warm cookies while the rest of Hanover sleeps. It’s cash or card, quick in-and-out, and still the most Boston way to end a night.
- Price: $ (~$6–$8 each)
- When: 24 hours daily
- Dietary: Contains dairy, nuts; few GF items
- MBTA: Green/Orange Line Haymarket
- Accessibility: Narrow entrance, counter service only
- Link: Bova’s Bakery
South Street Diner — South End
Boston’s only true 24-hour diner keeps the coffee hot and the jukebox on all night. Waffles, burgers, omelets, and fries taste best after a show or late shift. It’s small, loud, and pure comfort at 3 AM.
- Price: $ (~$18 pp)
- When: 24 hours daily
- Dietary: Classic diner mix
- MBTA: Red Line South Station (5 min walk)
- Accessibility: Ramp at entrance, tight interior
- Link: South Street Diner – Boston
Back Bay & South End
Parish Café — Back Bay
The beloved sandwich spot quietly stays open later than most, with the kitchen running until 12:45 AM Fridays and Saturdays. Order the Zuni Roll, pair it with a draft beer, and grab a sidewalk seat for one last bite before the trains slow.
- Price: $$ (~$20 pp)
- When: Till 12:45 AM Fri–Sat
- Dietary: Veg and GF options
- MBTA: Green Line Arlington
- Accessibility: Street-level patio
- Link: Parish Cafe
J.J. Foley’s Bar & Grille — Downtown Crossing
A Boston institution since 1909, Foley’s blends pub energy with late kitchen hours. The corned-beef sandwich and steak tips hold up until midnight Fridays and Saturdays, with the bar open later. Expect locals, union crews, and an easy seat at the bar after 11.
- Price: $$ (~$25 pp)
- When: Till 12 AM Fri–Sat
- Dietary: Traditional pub fare
- MBTA: Red Line Downtown Crossing
- Accessibility: Single-step entry
- Link: JJ Foley’s
Fenway, Allston & Somerville
Tasty Burger — Fenway
The neon sign never lies. Fenway’s flagship flips patties until 2 AM nightly, serving burgers, fries, and milkshakes to Sox fans and bar crews. Grab a stool inside or hit the take-out window; it’s the truest form of Boston fast food after dark.
- Price: $ (~$15 combo)
- When: 11 AM–2 AM daily
- Dietary: Veg and GF buns available
- MBTA: Green Line Kenmore
- Accessibility: Step-free patio entry
- Link: Tasty Burger
Highland Kitchen — Somerville
This Somerville hangout blends comfort food and cocktails that last into the early morning. The bar runs until 1 AM, and even when the kitchen winds down, the mac n’ cheese or jerk chicken plate remains the right call.
- Price: $$ (~$25 pp)
- When: Kitchen till 10:30 PM; bar till 1 AM
- Dietary: Mixed; veg sides noted
- MBTA: Orange Line Community College + bus
- Accessibility: Narrow entry
- Link: Highland Kitchen
East Boston
La Chiva Restaurant — East Boston
Colombian comfort plates until 3 AM every night make La Chiva the city’s most consistent late-night option beyond downtown. Arepas, empanadas, and hearty bandeja paisas fill tables of rideshare drivers and night-shift workers long after midnight.
- Price: $ (~$20 pp)
- When: 11 AM–3 AM daily
- Dietary: Meat-forward, veg available
- MBTA: Blue Line Maverick
- Accessibility: Street-level entrance
- Link: lachivarestaurant
Recommendations
- After-midnight must: Peach Farm (Chinatown)
- 24-hour classic: South Street Diner (South End)
- Quick late-bite: El Jefe’s Taqueria (Downtown Crossing)
- Comfort with cocktails: Highland Kitchen (Somerville)
- Budget pick: Bova’s Bakery (North End)