If you're in a hurry, the Dirt Cowboy Café, at 7 S. Main St., is a good choice for coffee and a snack. The beans are roasted right downstairs, then served upstairs in a number of inventive combinations (I like the breve shot) alongside smoothies and good baked items. Sit at a table, twiddle at your laptop, or just eavesdrop on professors and students enjoying their down time.
Another good spot for a quick bite or drink is Zins, an informal wine bistro offering about 30 wines by the glass, concealed off the lobby inside the Hanover Inn on Wheelock St. It's open daily, serving light meals of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and grilled fish with the wine. Helpfully, they also offer a short menu of kids' meals.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
