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11/20/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 11/21/2024 02:02

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Brighton

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)

In the City

Getting to Know Your Neighborhood: Brighton

A guide to eating, shopping, and sightseeing a short distance from BU

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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 whose goal is 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. It's only open Sundays, from noon to 4 pm, and Wednesdays, from 5 to 9 pm.

Brighton Bodega
328 Washington St.

[Link]Brighton Bodega, 328 Washington St. Photo courtesy of Brighton Bodega/Van Dyke Design & Photography

Located in the heart of Brighton Center, Brighton Bodega offers a contemporary take on street food from around the globe. Diners can feast on oysters from the raw bar, cheese and charcuterie plates, local seafood-such as Nantucket Bay scallops and Maine mussels-and assorted steam buns. The eclectic, small plate-focused menu changes constantly, driven largely by what's in season. After its 2017 opening, the restaurant quickly won over locals drawn to its nontraditional menu and cozy, modern dining space. It also features a wide array of craft beers on tap and a deep selection of seasonally focused house cocktails. The restaurant also offers a weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.

Devlin's Restaurant
332 Washington St.

Whether you're dining inside or on the outdoor patio, the ambience at Devlin's is decidedly chic. Come for a romantic dinner at an elegantly set table, a casual meal at a booth or high-rise table, a leisurely outdoor brunch, or a quick drink at the bar. The wood-themed décor complements the brightly colored walls, curtains, and artwork to create a lively feel. The menu is straightforward, with a mix of pizzas, bowls, sandwiches, and burgers, along with a few more esoteric dishes like a chipotle bison burger and "chicken parm-aroni." On the extensive drink menu are American IPAs and other beers and ciders. The bar is open until 1 am daily, making it the perfect destination for night owls.

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 up-and-coming local musicians 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 menu has a decidedly Gaelic influence: you'll find corned beef hash and a traditional Irish breakfast (a sunny-side up egg, Irish bacon, Irish sausage, black and white pudding, beans, mushrooms, and toast) available all day on the weekend brunch menu. And dinner entrées include Irish curry with chicken, shrimp, or vegetables, beer-battered fish and chips, and a play on shepherd's pie, with fish rather than meat. But for folks with adventurous taste buds, the menu also features some less conventional dishes, like Twix French toast and crab-stuffed salmon.

Cafénation
380 Washington St.

Cafénation, 380 Washington St. Photo by Jacob Chang-Rascle (COM'22)

Cafénation has everything you could want in a café: lots of coffee and tea options, a rotating selection of pastries (like scones, cookies, and cake pops), inexpensive bagel and egg breakfast specialties, an array of sandwiches and wraps, and seasonal soups in the winter. Try the blue flower Earl Grey tea, which is accented with blue cornflower petals, paired with the Hummer breakfast sandwich (hummus, alfalfa sprouts, tomato, lettuce, and red onion)-a healthy and filling breakfast for under $12. Other popular menu items: the Otom breakfast sandwich (a BLT with eggs, cheddar cheese, and spicy aioli) and a lox and cream cheese sandwich. 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. Be sure to 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 ($2.50 on orders of $8 or more) are available.

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 the premises daily. It 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. Three window stools accommodate those who need their sugar rush before hitting the streets.

Rogers Park
90 Rogers Park Ave.

Rogers Park, 90 Rogers Park Ave. Photo by Sarah Silbiger (COM'18)

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 runaway dogs are a frequent occurrence.

Stockyard
135 Market St.

As its name implies, this 200-seat steakhouse is a carnivore's delight. Stockyard has been serving up 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. Football fans can watch the game while enjoying $1 wings each Sunday. 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. The restaurant features live music-courtesy of the JP Heston Trio-on weekends.

American Flatbread and Brighton Bowl
76 Guest St.

American Flatbread and Brighton Bowl, 76 Guest St. Photo by Lexi Pline (COM'19)

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 one in Davis Square. The top mezzanine level is an option for private events, with two lanes, a large bar, and a dining room. Downstairs, you'll find seven bowling lanes, and another bar and dining room. It's ideal for after-work gatherings and for families looking to host a child's birthday party. 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 Punctuated Equilibrium (topped with Kalamata olives, rosemary, red onions, goat cheese, sweet red peppers, mozzarella, Parmesan, and homemade garlic oil). 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. The museum is open Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm. Admission is free.

Moogy's
154 Chestnut Hill Ave.

This Philadelphia-inspired sandwich shop, located between Cleveland Circle and Brighton Center, is known for its inventive hoagies (better known as subs here in New England), casual atmosphere, all-day breakfast, and daily specials. Some of the standout subs: the Full Monty (steak, bacon, provolone, and barbecue), the BU (chicken steak, provolone, and American cheese), and the Jolly Green Giant (chicken, broccoli, Swiss cheese, and honey mustard). Moogy's also offers $1 PBR drafts and old-school board games and boasts 10 types of french fries. Be sure to check out their discounted weeknight specials, available from 8 to 10 pm. And you can play a board game while you wait for your food!

Peka Restaurant
304 Washington St.

Grab a quick bite or stay all night-Peka could entertain you for hours. Come for the dinner entrées 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. Dinner entrées include grilled flank steak (with chimichurri, chorizo, rocoto peppers, and Roquefort butter) and pollo asado (with black bean rice, yuca, and plantains). Plus, they have a 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."

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 are required to 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. But remember, it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Boston Public Library Brighton Branch
40 Academy Hill Rd.

BPL Brighton Branch, 40 Academy Hill Rd. Photo by Sarah Silbiger (COM'18)

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 (currently outdoors only, but that may change shortly as the cold weather approaches), ESL classes (online only), and homework help for young students.

Boston College

Although most of the Boston College campus is in nearby Chestnut Hill, in 2004 the school extended its reach into Brighton with the purchase of 43 acres of land from the Archdiocese of Boston, including what was formerly the archbishop's residence. Subsequent purchases from the archdiocese increased the size of BC's Brighton campus to 65 acres.

Founded in 1863, this Jesuit institution began life in Boston's South End and moved to Chestnut Hill in 1909. With its superb Gothic architecture, the park-like campus is a wonderful place to stroll. The college also has a small but excellent museum, the McMullen Museum of Art, in the former archbishop's residence on the Brighton campus. It includes works by American artists John La Farge, William Trost Richards, Frank Stella, and Jackson Pollock, in addition to classical and Christian Flemish tapestries, Italian paintings depicting sacred scenes, and American landscapes and portraits dating from 1840 to 1940. The museum has had special exhibitions of work by artists such as Edvard Munch, Roberto Matta, Paul Klee, and Carrie Mae Weems. Museum admission is free and open to the public (vaccinated individuals only), but the museum closes between exhibitions and is typically closed summers, reopening in September. Hours during exhibitions are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 pm. Find more info about dates and hours of operation here.

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. Open from 6 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday, and from 7 am to 3 pm on weekends, you can count on Jim's to satisfy your cravings. Enjoy all-day breakfasts of omelets, pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches, as well as subs, burgers, hot dogs, wraps, and dinner entrées like roast beef, meatloaf, grilled chicken, and fish and chips. Don't miss hot sides like mashed potatoes with gravy, macaroni 'n' cheese, french fries, onion rings, chicken fingers, jalapeno 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.

Glasser Coffee Co.
589 Washington St.

Glasser Coffee Co. Photo courtesy of Glasser Coffee Co.

Established in 2020 by Alex Kim (who also owns Coreanos in Allston), Glasser Coffee Co. is on Washington Street. The cozy, natural-light-filled space offers 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 peach limeade and Vietnamese cold brew. The pastry selection includes scones, croissants, and muffins. For something heartier, try overnight oats, and 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).

This article was updated November 20, 2024.

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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