Downtown Beverly’s main shopping district was a major retail area until the rise of shopping malls, and now it’s staging a comeback – with new cafes, restaurants and shops.

“Downtown Beverly got skipped over, but we’re getting there,” said Jennifer Lynch, who jettisoned a corporate career two years ago to open popular restaurant Mandrake with her husband. “The area has become a restaurant destination place, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights.”

Eight new eateries have opened locally in the past few years.

Mandrake attracts a sophisticated crowd with live jazz, a huge martini selection and dishes like “Mandrake Mac” – gouda-cheese sauce over lobster, shrimp, scallops, tasso, sweet peas and penne pasta.

Nearby, Mediterranean-flavored bistro Soma is known for mojitos, martinis and a lively scene popular with younger patrons.

Other new eateries include upscale sushi spot Kame, trendy sports bar Overtime and intimate restaurant Tryst.

Diners can also enjoy fancy desserts at European bakery Cassis, gelato and espresso at Trevi Coffee and Tea or gourmet coffee at Atomic Cafe, which roasts high-end beans from around the world.

Atomic Cafe co-owner John Mahoney remembers when Downtown Beverly was in the doldrums.

“When we opened here 11 years ago, there were lots of vacant storefronts, but now it’s just filled up,” he said. “There’s been a huge influx of fine-dining establishments.”

An upscale grocer will soon replace longtime local stalwart Bell Market. Plans also call for adding a Black Cow restaurant and ground-floor retail to a harbor site that once housed a McDonald’s.

As for retail, Downtown Beverly hosts high-end clothing-consignment shops like The Golden Hanger, as well as long-time spots like Casa La Moda, which has sold gifts, cards, home-decor items and more since 1969.

“This was a declining area, but now it’s on the rise,” said Donald Preston, Casa La Moda’s co-owner. “There’s a unique blend of art and creativity here – with live music every night in many local restaurants.”

Other neighborhood offerings include the The Cabot Street Cinema, one of the suburbs’ few remaining downtown theaters. The cinema hosts first-run movies, as well as the long-running Le Grand David magic show.

Long centered on Cabot Street, Downtown Beverly’s retail district has been expanding in recent years along adjacent Rantoul Street.

Once a light-industrial stretch known for rowdy bars, Rantoul Street has seen new residential development in recent years – with retailers quickly following. New shops include the Bear Gallery, while an Aveda Hair Salon plans to soon open.

Monica Hatherly cut the ribbon on The Cupcake Cafe on Rantoul Street three years ago, offering 60 varieties of gourmet cupcakes, from Cherry Cordial to Bananas Foster.

“The influx of younger people has really changed the character of downtown for the better,” said Hatherly, a 25-year Downtown Beverly resident and a former local real estate broker. “The difference is astounding from when I first moved here.”

Downtown Beverly also hosts the 400-student Montserrat College of Art, as well as the Redbrick Arts Center, a mix of galleries, artists’ studios and a cafe.

Locals hope to attract even more art offerings in the future, as well as a shoe store, bookstore and high-end jewelry shop.

“We’re trying to promote the area as an arts district, as well as focusing on bringing more retail into the downtown district,” said Gin Wallace, executive director of Beverly Main Streets.

Beverly Main Streets already sponsors an art-oriented promotion called BAM! (Beverly Arts Matrix) on the second Thursday of each month. Local art galleries and associated businesses stay open late, while restaurants and stores offer evening specials.

Two Montserrat grads have also recently opened Cabot Street shops.

Jackie Musto and Shawn Barrett’s art-supply store Never Say Never Ink has quickly become a focal point for local artists. The shop provides a venue for local musicians to perform, as well as wall space where young artists exhibit their works.

“We’re getting all of the arts businesses here working together to get more exposure for the artists and make residents feel that the art here is for everybody,” said Musto, a 24-year-old illustrator and BAM! organizer.

Harper Della Piana, another Montserrat grad, recently opened Euro-style boutique Seams. The store sells the 42-year-old designer’s “Harper” label of dresses, coats and handbags, as well as her one-of-a-kind wedding gowns.

“Beverly is a good central location for me – without the Boston rents, and where there’s an art school and lots of working artists,” Della Piana said. “What RISD (The Rhode Island School for Design) has done for Providence, Montserrat can do for Beverly.”