Ahh, Boston, a wicked smaht city and home of the most brilliant janitor ever to live. Beyond its world-class universities and hospitals, biotech and fintech centers of excellence, and deep-running fibers of American history, it’s also home to the legendary snack kingdom airfare calls home. Boston holds such intellectual grandeur that it was once called The Athens of America, which is still evident today in the genius of smaht pahk.

But despite the 44 institutions of higher education in the Boston metro area, the city is fairly dumb when it comes to healthy food options.

Any city an #actuallyhealthy snack company calls home should be…#actuallyhealthy itself, but not so in Boston’s case. Don’t be fooled by the nickname Beantown and the city’s rich historical ties to the the fibrous super-plant.

In fairness, there are some definite gems around The City on a Hill, like Root, Live Alive Café, True Bistro and Plant Pub (shoutout to airfare friend Pat McAuley). But the professional sports prowess in Title Town doesn’t translate into it being a health haven.

Like in other cities, food options get progressively worse as we close in on the major airport (see LAX, ORD, DEN, LGA, and ATL). Boston Logan International Airport is no exception.

Since our team is in and out of Logan like it’s their job to spread snacks like magical fairy dust (it is), we’ve done the work of unearthing the go-to stops at BOS.

This is how to survive when flying through Beantown.

Terminal A

Currito

Survival Guide faithfuls will know that Currito falls squarely in the M&M category that is an airport savior—Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine. This spot near Gate A17 is basically Chipotle, where a trusty, healthy option is the make-your-own bowl with beans, brown rice, fajita veggies, corn, tomato, lettuce,and obviously some guac.

Alta Strada

Head to Gate A8 for the Tuscan Vegetable Antipasti. It’s a not-too-oily mix of balsamic roasted vegetables, which is a nice, light option in a pinch.

B.GOOD

This is a solid, standard option near Gate A6. Go with the Harvest Kale Bowl, no bacon, dressing on the side.

Best quiet space

Try the seating area next to Currito, at the top of escalators in the half of Terminal A farthest away from the main airport building. Find nice, comfortable seating at a high bar looking through large windows out to the tarmac and away from the hubub of busy gates. Throw in your headphones and turn on some Boston-formed classics like Aerosmith, Guster, or New Kids On The Block.

Terminal B

Coffee secret reminder

Before we get to the health food, remember that the best caffeine boost in all of Logan Airport is stashed secretly inside N.e. MKT near Gate B29. If you’re looking for cold brew or drip coffee, walk right past the massive lines at Starbucks and Dunkin’ and head straight for the mahket.

Trade

Aside from another B.GOOD location in Terminal B with a few solid salad options, one healthy highlight can be found near Gate B29 at this offshoot of chef Jody Adams’ downtown Mediterranean-focused restaurant. Grab the Eggplant Foldover, which is roasted eggplant with tahini, hummus and veggies and comes with a side salad. It’s high-quality and worth the $20 meal.

Best quiet space

There’s a small lounge area next to Legal Sea Foods and Gate B28 with tables, comfortable chairs, outlets, standing desks and isolated corners. Grab the aforementioned eggplant sandwich, a La Colombe cold brew, and toss on some hometown heroes like Pixies, New Edition, or Mighty Mighty Bosstones.

Terminal C

Mother Juice

Inside the Boston Public Market food court area near Gate C28, check out this gem’s great menu of salads and juices. We think the Harvest Bowl is the move.

Mija Cantina

Another solid M&M option, this spot near Gate C12 is standard operating procedure. With time to sit down or when in the mood to deal with the lively bar scene, grab a nice salad and some hummus.

Mija Cantina Shojo Modern Asian Cuisine

To switch it up with some Asian flair, stop near Gate C19. Stay safe with the Thai Veggie Spring Rolls,and a garden burger. Is a garden burger Asian cuisine? Not particularly, but we’re here to keep you healthy, not culinarily accurate.

Best quiet space

Find a lovely lounge next to Starbucks and Gate C10 with sofas, outlets, tables and plenty of space. This time, let’s switch up the music and hit it on the nose: Boston. More than a feeeellliinnnnng. Alternatively, head back to the walkway between Terminals B and C and relax in one of 16 rocking chairs painted by local artists with sweeping views of the tarmac.

Fun facts about BOS

• The airport gets its name from General Edward Lawrence Logan, a Massachusetts man who fought in the Spanish American War, became major general in World War I, and eventually became a Massachusetts state senator.
• Speaking of the military, like many airports, Logan began as a U.S. military project in the 1920s. Full ownership didn’t transfer over to the city until 1956.
• In 2020, Boston Logan was the 19th-busiest airport in the country.
• American flags hang over Gates B32 and C19, where two of the ill-fated planes took off from on 9/11. In September 2008, the airport dedicated an onsite memorial to the victims.
• Logan is in East Boston, a part of town that was once made up of five islands that were connected by a landfill in the 1940s.
• A short 5.8 miles due west of the airport is the town of Cambridge, known as “the most innovative square mile on the planet” thanks to famous institutions like Harvard, MIT, and…the airfare crew. Come say hi and grab a snack 🙂