These restaurants are open for 24 hours, so you never have to be hungry at 3 a.m. again
Looking for made-to-order ramen in the middle of the night? There's a deli for that.
There’s nothing like 3 a.m. hunger pangs. Cravings that strike in the middle of the night — or the early morning, if that’s how you see it — arrive urgently, to be satisfied only by greasy pizza or greasy doughnuts or greasy omelets or anything, really, as long as it comes with a respectable coating of grease.
But late-night dining is a rare breed in Boston, and its vampire cousin — the 24-hour restaurant — is even more elusive.
To curb those nocturnal cravings, we found all of the diners, delis, and bakeries where the lights never dim, the doors are always unlocked, and the grease shimmers around the clock.
Customers at the counter in Bova’s Bakery on Salem Street in the North End.
Bova’s Bakery
When your sweet tooth strikes during the witching hour, Bova’s comes through. The North End bakery opened in 1926, serving Italian breads, cookies, and pastries at all hours of the day (and night). Find everything from Amaretto orange cream-filled cookies and Boston cream pie cake to biscotti and classic Italian tiramisu. And if you’re not in the mood for sweet? The shop sells savory prepared foods, too: calzones, party subs, Italian pizzas, and their specialty: arancini. (134 Salem St., Boston; bovabakeryboston.net)
Clover HFI
Clover spread like mad across the city after launching its first food truck in 2008, but only one location is open around the clock: Clover HFI in Cambridge, a cozy space that replaced the beloved Hi-Fi Pizza. In addition to its breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night menus, there’s a later night menu available from midnight to 5 a.m., featuring a classic breakfast sandwich, French fries with rosemary, spicy coconut lentil soup, and more. Clover HFI is a musician’s dream, too: Bands who show proof that they played a show at the Middle East that day can eat for free. (496 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge; cloverfoodlab.com)
Doughboy Donuts & Deli
Homer Simpson put it best: “Doughnuts. Is there anything they can’t do?” Within the doughnut shop section of Doughboy Donuts & Deli, doughnuts can keep you happy and full with the 24-hour store’s exhaustive selection of the caloric treat. Honey dip, Boston cream, Fruity Pebbles, maple frosted, jelly, powdered, butternut — the list keeps going, along with a slew of breakfast sandwiches that can be upgraded with bacon and sausage. The deli section closes at 10 p.m. on most nights, but the drive-thru is available 24/7, too. (220 Dorchester Ave., Boston; doughboydonutsanddeli.com)
South Street Diner
Breakfast and dinner are served all night at South Street Diner, a tiny corner eatery located across from South Station that was originally formed as the Blue Diner in 1943. The name may have changed but its interior blue lighting hasn’t; under the soft, azure glow, you can order thick cuts of French toast, cheese quesadillas, patty melts, and burgers. (178 Kneeland St., Boston; southstreetdiner.com)
Breakfast is served all night long on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at Victoria’s Diner.
Victoria’s Diner
Opening just a few years after South Street Diner in 1949, Victoria’s Diner has gone through plenty of iterations over the years while still remaining a steadfast neighborhood haunt. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, the diner stays open for 24 hours, inviting night owls to roll through and order a breakfast burger while most of the city sleeps. While you can get breakfast at anytime, the dinner menu has some solid options, like the chicken cordon bleu, fish and chips, and a roasted half chicken. (1024 Massachusetts Ave., Boston; victoriasdiner.com)
Wholesome Fresh
To many, Wholesome Fresh, which opened in Harvard Square in April, looks like your standard convenience store, albeit one taken up a notch with a hot entrée and salad bar that stays open until midnight. But it’s their 24-hour deli that truly steals the show, a knight in shining armor that saves the day (er, night) with made-to-order ramen, poke bowls, and sandwiches available whenever you want them. Ramen at 4 a.m.? You’re the real MVP, Wholesome Fresh. (60 Church St., Cambridge; harvardsquare.com/shops/wholesome-fresh)
