Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Brighton
A guide to eating, shopping, and sightseeing a short distance from BU
Washington Street in Brighton Center. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM’22)
Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Brighton
A guide to eating, shopping, and sightseeing close to BU
Just beyond the bustling streets of Allston lies a more residential neighborhood—Brighton. Home to many Boston University and Boston College students, young professionals, and families, Brighton offers many pubs and ethnic restaurants providing affordable options for a leisurely afternoon or a night on the town.
First settled by Europeans in 1630, the area was originally part of Watertown. In 1634, the Massachusetts Bay Colony transferred the land to Newtowne (Cambridge today). The first permanent English settlement in what is now Brighton drew people from Cambridge, and the area became known as “Little Cambridge.” The moniker lasted until residents voted to secede from Cambridge in 1807, when the area was renamed for the English coastal city of Brighton and Hove. In 1874, Brighton officially became a neighborhood of Boston.
Throughout its nearly 400-year history, Brighton has seen many important developments. The Brighton Cattle Market was created in 1776 to feed George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, establishing the area as a major center for the cattle and slaughtering trades that lasted until the mid-20th century.
Today there are many restaurants, art galleries, pubs, and small businesses lining Washington Street, the tree-lined artery that runs through Brighton Center to Oak Square. BU Today has compiled a list of some of the best places to explore when you’re in the neighborhood.
Unbound Visual Arts
175 Washington St.
Established in 2012, Unbound Visual Arts is an educational nonprofit that aims to enrich and enhance the community with provocative and inspiring exhibitions and art expos staged in and around Boston. It also sells original works of art by local artists at the gallery space and online, and occasionally hosts musicians and speakers.
Peka Restaurant
304 Washington St.
Grab a quick bite or stay all night—this Venezuelan restaurant could entertain you for hours. Come for the dinner entrees or tapas bar—serving ceviche, PEI mussels, and empanadas—and stay for the live music and drink menu. The mixology bar and lounge are open until 2 am for dancing, mingling, and cocktail sipping, set to a soundtrack of live salsa, merengue, and bachata music. Dinner entrees include pabellon criollo (shredded beef, white rice, black beans, and sweet plantains) or the LaPaella (saffron rice, lobster broth, chicken, full brunch menu on Sundays and plenty of dessert options. Peka promises their Venezuelan dishes and lively atmosphere will provide “a unique experience for all your senses that you will always remember.” The restaurant also offers a patio for al fresco dining in warm-weather months.
Brighton Bodega
328 Washington St.
Located in the heart of Brighton Center, Brighton Bodega offers a contemporary take on street food from around the globe. Diners can feast on Wellfleet oysters from the raw bar, cheese and charcuterie plates, local seafood—such as Maine lobster and mussels—and assorted steamed buns. Try the Korean fried cauliflower with kimchi, gochujang mayo, sesame, and nori. The eclectic, small plate–focused menu changes constantly, driven largely by what’s in season. It has a loyal group of patrons, drawn to its nontraditional menu and cozy, modern dining space. It also features a wide array of craft beers on tap, a deep selection of seasonally focused house cocktails, and a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Devlin’s Restaurant
332 Washington St.
Whether you’re dining inside or on the outdoor patio, the ambiance at Devlin’s is decidedly Gaelic. You’ll find bacon and cabbage, Guinness pot pie, and fish and chips, alongside a mix of pizzas, bowls, sandwiches, and burgers. And be sure to save room for dessert: the Baileys cheesecake, Irish sticky toffee pudding, and crème brûlée are worth every calorie. On the extensive drink menu are American IPAs and other beers and ciders.
Porter Belly’s Pub
338 Washington St.
This Irish pub in the middle of Brighton Center is as well known for being a venue for local and touring musicians as it is for its food, drinks, and darts competitions. More interested in sports? Watch games on one of the plasma TVs. The brunch menu includes corned beef hash, cinnamon brioche French toast, and Texas hash (brisket burnt ends, home fries, peppers and onions, guac, chipotle mayo and tortillas). Dinner entrées include tacos, pizzas, lobster rolls, steak tips, and fresh haddock.
Jim’s Deli
371 Washington St.
Grab a green tray and get in line. Jim’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner cafeteria-style from behind a counter, as your meal is prepared fresh before your eyes. Enjoy all-day breakfasts of omelets, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches, plus subs, burgers, hot dogs, salads, wraps, and dinner entrees like fish and chips, fried chicken, and steak kebabs. Don’t miss hot sides like mashed potatoes with gravy, mac ’n’ cheese, French fries, onion rings, chicken fingers, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella sticks, and assorted vegetables. This busy eatery attracts a mix of locals, professionals, and students—so slide into a booth and get eating.
Cafénation
380 Washington St.
Cafénation has everything you could want in a café: lots of coffee and tea options, a rotating selection of pastries (scones, muffins, cookies, etc.), bagel-and-egg breakfast specialties, an array of sandwiches and wraps, and seasonal soups. Try the blue flower Earl Grey tea (accented with blue cornflower petals) and pair it with the Hummer breakfast sandwich (housemade hummus, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, romaine, and red onion. Other popular menu items include the harvest sandwich (smoked turkey, roasted sweet potatoes, housemade cranberry-pecan chutney, mixed greens, Swiss cheese, and creamy rosemary mayo). The walls showcase the works of local artists that are available for purchase. Although great for a quick bite or cup of coffee (roasted by Square One Coffee in Lancaster, Pa.), the café is small and seating can be hard to come by. Luckily, takeout and delivery are available.
Little Pizza King
389 Washington St.
A menu brimming with appetizers, salads (more than a dozen), subs, gyros, calzones, wraps, Italian specialties, and more than 30 pizza combinations means Little Pizza King will likely satisfy anyone’s appetite. Come hungry—the place has low prices, large portions, and endless options. Their website promises: “We enjoy feeding you just as much as you enjoy eating our food.” And it’s true. Seating is limited, but takeout and delivery are available. Be sure to check out the lunch box specials and daily specials.
Daniel’s Bakery
395 Washington St.
This family-owned bakery has been a Brighton institution for more than 60 years. Founded by Daniel Handalian in 1959, it remained in his family for more than four decades before being sold to Wanda Silva, who runs it with her family. The cakes, pies, cookies, breads, pastries, and muffins are baked on-site daily. The shop has a huge assortment of ethnic treats, ranging from Brazilian and Italian pastries to Jewish sweets. Consider a custom or photograph cake for your next big party or special event.
Glasser Coffee Co.
589 Washington St.
Established in 2020 by Alex Kim (who also owns Coreanos in Allston), Glasser Coffee Co. is cozy—there are just two booths, counter seating, and a small table where patrons can catch up on work or meet a friend. Glasser serves a variety of espresso drinks, drip coffee, herbal teas, matcha lattes, and specialty items, like Vietnamese cold brew. The pastry selection includes scones, croissants, and muffins. For something heartier, try the breakfast tacos and bowls that include eggs, potatoes, cheese, black beans, corn salsa, bacon, and spicy mayo. Customers can also purchase loose-leaf teas and retail coffee from Peaks Coffee of Syracuse, N.Y. (served in-house).
Rogers Park
90 Rogers Park Ave.
Just steps from Washington Street, Rogers Park is a great place to gather with friends to play sports or just get some sun. There are baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, and a playground with a tot lot. The area is dog-friendly, as well, but beware: it’s not completely fenced in, and so runaway dogs are a frequent occurrence.
The Brighton Cafe
1597 Commonwealth Avenue
This family-owned café has been serving breakfast in Brighton since 2003. Grab a chocolate chip, corn, or blueberry muffin to go from the bakery, or sit down for a hearty and affordable breakfast. Omelets, French toast, steak and eggs, or a breakfast sandwich on a bagel, croissant, or bulkie roll will give your morning a fresh start. Try the Irish Breakfast—eggs, Irish sausage, home fries, toast, baked beans, and a cooked tomato for a breakfast that feels like Belfast.
Tasca Tapas
1612 Commonwealth Avenue
Sample the flavors of Spain at this lively tapas restaurant. Enjoy croquetas de chorizo (two homemade chorizo croquettes served with mojo picon sauce), or sample the Pincho de Pollo (a grilled halal chicken skewer served over toasted crostini). Diners can feast on $5 tapas from 4 to 6 pm Monday through Wednesday. Select nights feature live flamenco music, so bring your dancing shoes. Owners Pichoco and María hope “that every visit feels like a journey filled with tradition, flavor, and good company.”
Stockyard
135 Market St.
As its name implies, this 200-seat steakhouse is a carnivore’s delight. Stockyard has served hearty meals for hungry patrons for more than four decades. With four cuts of steak on the menu, along with steak tips, beef tenderloins, and hickory-smoked back baby ribs, Stockyard is in some ways a throwback to the steakhouses of yore. But non-meat eaters will also find plenty to choose from. The restaurant has an impressive raw bar, a selection of New England seafood classics, like lobster pie and a salmon burger, and a small selection of salads. One of the city’s largest restaurants, Stockyard is anchored by an enormous horseshoe bar and is open daily. Reservations are accepted, and brunch is offered on Saturdays and Sundays.
American Flatbread and Brighton Bowl
76 Guest St.
Fans of American Flatbread and Sacco’s Bowl Haven in Somerville’s Davis Square already know pizza and candlepin bowling are an irresistible combination. But you don’t have to cross the river to enjoy them together. American Flatbread’s Brighton location near Boston Landing offers the same trademark all-natural, wood-fired clay oven pizzas and candlepin bowling. At 12,500 square feet, it’s significantly larger than the Davis Square location. On the main level, you’ll find seven bowling lanes and a bar and dining room. Among the standout pizzas are the Flyin’ Hawaiian (topped with free-range pork shoulder or chicken, mango barbecue sauce, organic red onions, pineapple, goat cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan) and the Squash Buckler (roasted butternut squash puree, balsamic onions, Great Hill blue cheese, fire-roasted kale chips, whole milk mozzarella, and Grana Padano and herbs). There’s also a dairy-free vegan option, organic salads, an extensive beer list, and a selection of mouthwatering desserts.
Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum
20 Chestnut Hill Ave.
Established in 2007, the Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum provides a glimpse of the neighborhood’s history, heritage, and culture. The main room of the museum, located in the Veronica Smith Senior Center, features old photographs and articles chronicling Brighton’s development, some dating as far back as the 1600s. A separate gallery has rotating exhibitions, often showcasing the work of Brighton artists. Admission is free.
Moogy’s
154 Chestnut Hill Ave.
This Philadelphia-inspired sandwich shop, located between Cleveland Circle and Brighton Center, is renowned for its Philly hoagies (better known as subs here in New England), cheesesteak sandwiches, casual atmosphere, all-day breakfast, and daily specials. Some of the standout subs: the Bluto (chicken steak, spinach, pizza sauce, and mozzarella) and the Jolly Green Giant (chicken, broccoli, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard). Be sure to check out their discounted weeknight specials, available from 5 to 8 pm Tuesday through Thursday. And you can play a board game while you wait for your food!
Community Rowing, Inc.
20 Nonantum Rd.
If visiting Brighton’s restaurants and pubs leaves you anxious to burn off some calories, you can take a spin on the water. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced rower, Community Rowing has a class and an instructor to fit your needs. You can sign up online or on location. The nonprofit was established in 1985 on the premise that access to rowing changes lives and communities. One-person shells and sweep rowing for groups of eight are available. All rowers must have a swim test on file before using the club’s boats. You can complete this test with any certified lifeguard or at the local YMCA. Class prices vary, so check the website for more information.
The Corner Art Room
6 Academy Hill Rd.
This space is a must for anyone interested in arts and crafts. The Corner Art Room is a nonprofit offering a range of programs, including painting, knitting, and quilting workshops, arts and crafts classes for children, family art drop-in sessions, group guitar lessons, and more. Check out the calendar for a full list of programs.
Boston Public Library Brighton Branch
40 Academy Hill Rd.
The Boston Public Library’s Brighton branch is one of the most tranquil places in Boston to relax and catch up on reading. Curl up on the lounge area’s beautiful red couch overlooking the library’s serenity garden, relax on one of the bean-shaped chairs in the story nook, or grab a seat at a high-rise table in the teen café area. The branch offers a wide selection of readings, lectures, and concerts and has a collection of books on Brighton-Allston history, as well as photographs from the Brighton-Allston Historical Society’s archives. The library also offers a wide selection of reading materials in Spanish and Russian, as well as book discussions, children’s programming, ESL classes, and homework help for young students.
This article was updated October 1, 2026.
Getting there: Take the MBTA #57 bus along Commonwealth Avenue and get off at Washington Street in Brighton, or take an MBTA Green Line trolley to the Boston College stop.
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