Best Restaurants For Carbo-Loading Before The Boston Marathon

With 36,000 Boston Marathon runners looking to fill up on carbs the day before the race, area restaurants are going to be busy. And while you may have to wait, know that visiting any of the following restaurants will assure that you're getting a good carbo-load ahead of the race. Here are our top picks:

Anthem Kitchen and Bar

South Market Building, Faneuil Hall
Boston, MA 02109
(617)-720-5570
www.anthem-boston.com

You're looking for a place to gorge the night before the marathon. Well, Anthem Kitchen is running a special that night (and the day of the marathon) for a $10 bottomless bowl of pasta. That means you can order up seconds and thirds and fourths, and even 26ths if you want (one for every mile). There's not much more that needs to be said about that.

Bottega Fiorentina

313 Harvard St
Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 232-2661
bottegabrookline.com

As thousands of people descend on the city, hop the Green Line outbound (C-Line) to Coolidge Corner in Brookline and check out this fantastic Italian twist on fast food. Take your pick from a number of different types of imported pastas and delicious freshly-made sauces. Bottega's menu includes a bunch of tasty daily specials. If pasta isn't your thing… heck, even if it is, try one of their subs. Words cannot describe just how fantastic Bottega's sandwiches look and taste. Seating is limited.

Pasta Beach

30 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 439-6900
www.pastabeachrestaurants.com

Right on the Waterfront, Pasta Beach offers up pizzas, pasta and more, with a great selection of wines as well (not recommended if you're running). As the name suggests, pasta dishes abound here. While it does offer classic spaghetti with tomato sauce, other Italian classic dishes are worth venturing out of your comfort zone for. One of its signature offerings is the spaghetti aglio olio featuring garlic, red pepper flakes, olive oil and parsley. Prices are very reasonable here.

Giacomo's

431 Columbus Ave. (South End)
(617)-536-5723

Giacomo's on Columbus Ave. does fine Italian at a reasonable price. Customers rave about their buttnernut squash ravioli and squid ink papardelle with swordfish and tuna. You probably won't be drinking the night before your big race, but for the rest of your party – wine and beer prices here are super low. Know before you go – this place is cash only.

Dino's Cafe

141 Salem St.
Boston, MA 02113
(617) 227-1991

The North End is the place to go for Italian restaurants galore. Dino's is the go-to for a casual dining experience or even take-out. Its massive subs are shareable and the pasta portions are hearty.

The Official Pre-Race Dinner

City Hall Plaza
Official marathon entrants and their guests can eat their fill at this giant carb party held the Sunday night before the race. This year's is Sunday, April 20. Just to give you an idea of its size, in previous years they prepared more than 11,000 pounds of pasta, more than 3,000 pounds of fresh vegetables and much more. No backpacks are allowed at this year's feast.