My crusade to get more people to visit East Boston and appreciate this highly underrated neighborhood just got easier. Enter Cunard Tavern, a small neighborhood pub just a few blocks from Maverick station. This newcomer to Jeffries Point area of East Boston is the creation of local restaurateur Phil Frattaroli, and occupies the property on which his grandfather operated a woodworking shop for fifty years.

Cunard Tavern honors this legacy with industrial-chic decor that includes woodworking equipment and accents. The bar is made of a shipping container, paying homage to the nautical roots of this neighborhood and the hardworking immigrants who landed at nearby Cunard Wharf — the entry point for generations of people who came to Boston in search of opportunity.

If Cunard Tavern’s story doesn’t impress you, its welcoming atmosphere and tasty comfort food with an international twist may do the trick. My dietary restrictions make it so that I can mostly only eat the salads here (which are delicious), but I’ve heard great things from friends about the Cuban spring rolls, the Samuel Cunard burger, and the bacon-wrapped dates.

The menu at Cunard Tavern is admittedly difficult for vegans…but did I mention this place has a roof deck? Offering a view of Boston Harbor and a the surrounding neighborhood, it’s worth a visit simply for the deck alone.

The deck is open seasonally 17:00 to 23:00 Thursday through Sunday, and is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the magic of Eastie.