Places in Copley/Back Bay area to eat a bagged lunch

[rebs]

Kind of a different question. There's lots of places to buy lunch in the area, but I'm trying to save some money by bringing lunch with me to work. Can anyone suggest some good spots in the area where I can sit and eat a bagged lunch? Eating in my office can get a little monotonous and I'm often bringing leftovers so it can stink up the place depending on what I'm eating. Plus it helps to get out of the office and take a real break.

I know the library has a great outdoor courtyard, but that's not a good option in the winter months. There's also a cafe there, but I don't feel right bringing my own food to a place that sells food and taking up one of their tables. Is the mall my only other option?

Thanks everyone!

[y2000k]

Hmmm... In the winter, I usually just eat my bagged lunch at the Pru food court. I tend to go b4 noon so it's never crowded, and I sit at one of the tables looking out at the outdoor plaza (facing Boylston).

I'm interested in others' suggestions!

[BostonZest]

I'm with Y200k, I would love suggestions in any area where the food trucks are allowed to park. We are going to need warm places to eat our truck food this winter.

[C. Hamster]

One of the food trucks parks directly across from the JH building's cafe (as I tired to describe, above).

Another thought is the Au Bon pain in Copley Place. Its huge and you do see people eating other food there. Not far from the library or JH trucks.

[BostonZest]

There are inside tables and seats in a few places at the Prudential Center in addition to the food court. One group is over between the Post Office and Sovereign Bank.

You could also check out the Prudential Center corridor between Lord & Taylor and Boylston Street entrance. It's quite there and there are benches.

Penny
http://www.bostonzest.com/

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Post Office Cafe
11 Main St, East Greenwich, RI 02818

[purple bot]

Years ago I used to take my lunch into the wintergarden atrium, on the mezzanine level of 500 Boylston/222 Berkeley. However, I suspect that post-9/11 you need a building ID to get in to that section. Can anyone confirm? Otherwise, there's a similar atrium space, ground floor, on St James Street. It's a public pass-though that goes from St. James to Stuart Street, near the Arlington Street end. There's tables, benches, etc.

Edited to add: the place C. Hamster mentions is the one I'm talking about as well, on St. James.

[C. Hamster]

I am directly across the street but walk thru that buliding all the time and you need an ID to get into the office part, so I imagine the mezzanine is off limits.

There is a public take-out food place in the lobby of the John Hancock building on the Stuart St side which is pretty nice but they sell food and I cant recall anyone not eating what they bought there.

There is also an eating place in that lobby on the other side, but I think it's employees only.

[C. Hamster]

Tables in the office buliding lobby near Davio's take-out window.

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Davio's
75 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02116