It’s Small Business Month (May), and Brighton is truly a destination for incredible food, culture, and community. With hundreds of years of history and an amazingly diverse restaurant scene, Allston-Brighton continues to build a lasting legacy of culinary excellence — and there’s no better time to support the local businesses that help feed and connect our community.
This month has been filled with opportunities to come together, support neighborhood restaurants, and experience the hidden gems that make Oak Square and Brighton so special.
One exciting new addition to the neighborhood is the Allston-Brighton Community Food Tour Series, created and led by local food advocate and historian Will Hansen (@willhh.png). Through these guided walking tours, participants explore local restaurants, learn about the rich history of the neighborhood, and connect with neighbors over incredible food and conversation.
Tours begin in a public meeting space and include short walks between several food establishments, with food shared along the way. Accessibility is a core value of the project, and sliding-scale tickets starting at just $5 help ensure everyone can participate. Subsidized tickets are also available for anyone for whom cost may normally be a barrier, thanks in part to the support of Brighton Main Streets.
The pilot tours have already been a huge success. Participants enjoyed fantastic evenings of food, local history, and community connection — including visits to favorites like Pizza Project Boston and Ariana Restaurant, along with a beautiful sunset walk along the Charles River. Guests described Will as a “treasure trove” of local knowledge and interesting stories about the area’s food and cultural history.
Oak Square’s food scene is richer and more diverse than many people realize, and these tours offer a wonderful opportunity to discover your next favorite local spot while supporting the small businesses that make our community thrive.
Thank you to everyone who has participated, supported, and shared these events. Please continue spreading the word and supporting local businesses throughout Small Business Month and beyond!
