Need an extra coffee while watching the Boston Marathon? Spots to get a cup on the route

If you’re planning to watch the Boston Marathon on Monday, and you need either a morning java or an afternoon pick-me-up, have no fear.

Wicked Local found five cool places along the Boston Marathon course where you can get your caffeine fix.

These spots have been preparing for the big crowds that are sure to arrive on Marathon Monday. And many businesses will offer special Marathon menus. Others will offer live entertainment to enjoy.

Here are five places to stop in and grab a coffee while you wait for runners to pass by.

Muffin House Café, Mile 1 (Hopkinton)

Near the starting line in Hopkinton, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., there’s the Muffin House Café, 43 Main St. (Route 135), where you can enjoy a variety of freshly brewed hot and cold coffees.

This delicious pit stop also has an assortment of freshly baked home-made muffins, bagels, pastries, salads as well as a breakfast and lunch sandwiches with indoor and outdoor seating.  

Muffin House has four other locations in Massachusetts, including Menden, Westwood, Medway and Natick.

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Fresscafe, Mile 6.5 (Framingham)

Fresscafe has two locations on the Boston Marathon route where you can take a coffee or bathroom break or fill up with a snack or meal. The first is at 82 Concord St. (Route 126) in Framingham, which serves breakfast from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Manager Julia Sartori De Boni said last year was the third day the business was open after being closed for three years for post-pandemic remodeling.

“We were in shock (at) how many people came in to use the bathroom and wait for loved ones to pass by or run to the end of the course,” she said.

This year, she said she will feel more prepared and is excited about it.

Fresscafe, Mile 11 (Natick)

Fresscafe's second location, at 158 East Central St. (Route 135), Natick, is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Marathon Monday for coffee, tea, snacks, breakfast or lunch. Breakfast is served all day and lunch starts at 11 a.m.

Crossfit New England will be hosting a rowing competition in support of Marathon runners in the parking lot in front of Fresscafe. Last year, Crossfit rowed 42,000 meters (nearly a marathon) for 3.5 hours.

Quebrada Baking Co., Mile 13 (Wellesley)

Quebrada BakingCompany is open on Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 272 Washington St. (Route 16), Wellesley. You can try locally roasted coffees and teas or freshly baked scones, croissants, cinnamon rolls, muffins, yogurt parfait or egg sandwiches.

Family-owned Quebrada Baking Company also has locations in Arlington, Belmont and Watertown.

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Elizabeth Home Decor and Design, Mile 21 (Newton)

Right at Heartbreak Hill, Elizabeth Home Décor and Design, 242 Commonwealth Ave. (Route 30), has its own coffee bar, Press and Petals, and will feature live music by the Orchid Reed band from noon to 4 p.m.

Elizabeth Home Decor and Design has been in business since 2005. Its brick-and-mortar shop on the Marathon route in Newton opened in 2016, but it wasn't a place to stop and get coffee until four years ago.

During COVID-19, owner Elizabeth Benedict saw a need in the community for an essential service during the pandemic shutdown. She decided to expand her brick-and-mortar footprint by taking over the other vacant half of the building and turning it into Petals and Press, a flower and Illy coffee shop.

Pandemic pivot:Newton home design store adds new cafe for community

Because it was also her 50th birthday on the day of the postponed Boston Marathon, Oct. 11, 2021, Benedict decided to hire a live band.

"We had such a great reception that we've done it ever since," she said.

Besides a full coffee and tea bar with cold brew, cappuccino, lavender and hibiscus teas and chocolate milk for children, Press and Petals at Elizabeth Home and Decor will have fresh pastries from Danish Pastry House in Watertown, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.