By: SPENCER SHANNON | @SUSPENCY

Once an overlooked wasteland wedged between the Financial District and Southie, Fort Point has become a dining and drinking destination in its own right with the arrival of eateries and bars including Row 34 and Pastoral, as well as the craft brewery Trillium (plus mainstays like craft cocktail haven Drink). Populated by classic brick artists’ warehouses, Fort Point retains a funky identity that sets it apart from its commercial neighbors. The area has come into its own in recent years and, with this year’s victory as Boston’s Best Revitalized Neighborhood, we’d like to highlight some standout spots that have long been, or are fast becoming, favorites among locals and visitors alike.  

Blue Dragon [Best Ban Mi]

The brainchild of master chef and restaurant owner Ming Tsai, Blue Dragon serves up a tapas-style menu of East Asian small bites. Drop in from 2 to 5pm, however, and the menu offers hefty banh mi sandwiches—crusty rolls filled with generous servings of crisp, pickled vegetables, pâté and your choice of protein. Options include roasted pork, confit chicken, black pepper shrimp and slow-cooked lamb.

Drink [Best Neighborhood Bar]

At the cornerstone of every great neighborhood is a killer local bar. Chef Barbara Lynch helped catapult Fort Point to the hip status it enjoys today with her bar’s cultivation of Boston’s craft cocktail scene; the city’s up-and-coming bartenders apprentice under expert mixologist and historian John Gertsen. Custom drinks and a quirky culture elevate this spot to mainstay-status.

Pastoral [Best Neighborhood Restaurant]

Constructed inside one of the brick warehouses that are indicative of the area, Pastoral brings classic Italian comfort food to the fore with wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza and homemade pastas. The menu is rounded out with a sturdy cocktail menu and beer list, as well as 2014’s hottest new bar trend: wine on tap.

Row 34 [Best Raw Bar]

Workingman’s oyster bar Row 34 pairs seafood with an impressive selection of beer. With their raw offerings harvested by the Island Creek Oysters team, the menu is always fresh and presented with professional finesse. Matched with their collection of unique sauces—such as the chili-cilantro mignonette—it’s an experience that is refreshingly exquisite.

Hungry and thirsty for more great neighborhood spots? Check our our Best of Bars + Clubs and Food + Drink to see what’s good in your ‘hood!