Swallow Cafe makes a potent cup of coffee with an industrial Brooklyn vibe. The service is direct, blunt, and they cuss freely. But they also LOVE their regulars, kids and pups alike, and make sure the delivery guys get a warm cup too. Prices fair for Brooklyn. Menu includes pastries, Bagelsmith bagels, hot chocolate, chai, tea, and matcha. Coffee is Counter Culture. There are seats for about 25-30 people and most tables have outlets. Lighting is a little dim and moody. They are more laptop friendly than other shops in the area and have free wifi. Note that you have to climb stairs to get into the shop, so it's not ADA or stroller friendly. read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Aesthetic: Chill, hip little cafe What to try: Iced hibiscus Service: Attentive Parking: Street Rating: 5/5, I came in for a hibiscus to relax, and they delivered. It seems like a perfect spot to unwind, work, or meet with friends. read more

Swallow Cafe - Cute cup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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Got the strawberry rhubarb and thyme latte, which was a seasonal (and creative) summer flavor. the decor and ambience was 10/10 with cool repurposed furniture and the service was friendly. the drink itself unfortunately didn't have much flavor and was a bit disappointing, and the cafe is cash only (and has an atm inside). read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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A life saver when I suddenly needed to get off the train to attend an emergency zoom meeting! I came out the L train and stumbled into this beauty. It was 3 in the afternoon so not too crowded and everyone was working. I loved the ambiance because of the low, warm lights, beautiful art and plants. I went to order as I decided I was going to do work here and was taken aback because it was CASH ONLY. :-( it's okay, there was an atm there and I couldn't pass up trying the Seasonal Latte Let's get to that! The seasonal latte was a Strawberry Thyme Latte omg omggggg I love Strawberry & Thyme so I was curious of how well it would blend together so I ordered it iced with Oatmilk. I was not disappointed. It was sooooo good and I'm not much a person that likes berry flavored coffee but it was perfect. I would definitely be back and look forward to different flavors and next time being prepared with cash on hand. read more

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This was by far the best vanilla cardamom latte I've tried at a business. This place has ample seating (small tables, a community table and benches), music was moderate so keep in mind if you have to be on a call. Heads up, they accept cash only. There is an ATM adjacent to the cash register but it charges a fee. The restroom also requires a key for entry. Otherwise, the barista was attentive to all patrons as soon as they entered and took time making each drink or food item. Overall, great experience. read more

Swallow Cafe - Vanilla cardamom oat milk latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Oh, I remember the first time my mom gave me espresso. Argh, I spit it right out- it's an acquired taste. Now, I love coffee and definitely Swallow. Yep, was a nice cappuccino I got with a nice creamy head, no problems. Swallow is a great place for coffee... read more

One of the best spots for coffee! My daughter introduced me to this beautiful gem of a coffee shop awhile back and was happy to revisit with my wife! It's a great place to relax, as everyone is very mellow, and the staff have always been nice and polite. The place is very clean and I just love the rich history it's interior vibe brings! So welcoming and cozy, I want to sit there all day! The coffee was delish; I ordered a mocha and my wife ordered their seasonal Pumpkin Spice latte. Will definitely go back to this place MANY a time, as it's one of my fave spots! read more

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Their peach cobbler latte tastes nothing like peach cobbler, not even a hint fruity. It just tastes like sweet syrup that leaves a sour taste on the tongue-- a sign of cane sugar maybe? The barista didn't bat an eye when we said thank you, maybe they're too used to being thanked. Not really a big fan of this drink or their service. I Will probably not return to Swallow read more

Spacious and cute cafe, music/chatter were quiet enough that I could take Zoom calls in here without any issue. Cold brew was quite nice. Coffee is hit-and-miss in its effects on me but this cup kept me energized all day with no jitters. Cash only, but it keeps prices down I guess. read more

Swallow Cafe - June 2022 - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Best service in Bushwick neighborhood at art-photographer district center gathering, the staff are amazing skill cappuccino coffee art for all customer for beatdown or take out coffee+pastries are fresh in easy morning. This was my base station for six weeks in Bushwick, love the neighborhood and attitude of community. A little away from Manhattan, seem fell like home. read more

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The epitome of a hipster Brooklyn joint to get some tasty espresso and coffee. Chill and relaxing vibe. Graffiti art coves the front of the place. Single and large wooden communal tables. Warm and cozy feel. Hot and cold coffees, small selection of bagels, hot chocolate, iced tea, and such. Terrific environment and relaxing setting to read or use your computer with the free wifi. read more

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A solid neighborhood cafe. This is a no-frills place with a ton of seating. We went close to the end of the work day for a pick-me-up and found several people chatting or working on laptops. The barista was very friendly. She had been sweeping when we came in but made sure to wash her hands before prepping our drinks. A+ there! We ordered two regular lattes, and it came out to $10. I feel like that's not unusual for an indie cafe in Brooklyn. I'm not sure why anyone who actually lives in NYC would complain about this price. Also, it's important to support small businesses right now. As for the latte, it was fine. Not my favorite. We actually only came here because Sey was closed for the day. I believe they serve Counter Culture coffee. If you're into that, this might be the place for you! It's a bit light and fruity, which isn't to my taste. Strictly for that reason, I likely won't be back. It's cash only, so keep that in mind. Also, the barista was more than happy to break a five for my boyfriend, who used some of the singles to put in the tip jar. If you're in the area, at least check out the amazing art on the building's façade. It's definitely unique for a cafe! read more

Swallow Cafe - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

it's cash only, eccentric owner was very loud when i was there, very good house made syrups. Pastries were sold out when l was in around 4pm. read more

Loved it so much that I went three days in a row. Reasonable prices, fast service, quiet, lots of seating.

Cute cafe with a wide variety of treats and drinks. I had the matcha latte with oat milk which was good and my friend had the iced cappuccino which they enjoyed. You pay at the counter, service was quick. read more

Finally started getting my butt out of my apartment in the mornings when I work from home and decided to stop by Swallow Cafe since is literally a 5 min walk. So far I have visited twice and am loving it! The cafe is spacious with lots of seats and a nice rustic vibe. Online, people say it's hipster but maybe it's the crowd that visits? I'm not too sure. However when you visit remember it's CASH only! Don't be like me... My first visit I casually ordered Almond milk Cortado and Pumpernickel Bagel with cream cheese. When I realized it was cash only I had to use the atm. But like a dummy I forgot my atm pin. After about 5 to 10 min of fumbling with the atm machine I gave up and told the girl I would go home and get cash. She asked me where I lived and decided it was fine to let me have it. ( I am so grateful for this because I needed the caffeine to get my day started ) Like the other reviewer said, they know how to froth their almond milk which is awesome. They did put butter instead of cream cheese on my bagel though but I'm not gonna complain this time. I eventually went back again and asked to pay for the coffee and bagel I got free the following week. Personally I don't think the workers were pretentious at all on my visit. They weren't super duper friendly, but I wouldn't say unfriendly either. Just down to earth? But hey, maybe just they got new workers since last year. Overall my experience was great and good spot for coffee and quick breakfast or even just chilling. read more

Swallow Cafe - Pumpernickel Bagel and Almond milk Cortado to-go - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

The strawberry blond at the order counter was rude and incompetent. It took over 25 minutes to deliver an oatmeal. By the time it came, I had to get it to go. When I asked about the order during the extensive wait, she snapped so rudely that the other customers noticed. It later appeared that she had neglected to put in the order but never apologized. The other gal at the counter took over. I will never spend a dime in that coffee shop again. No one needs to pay to be disrespected. read more

Very cute spot! Loved the ambiance. I got a maple bourbon latte that quite honestly tasted like a regular coffee. But I'll be back to try their homemade lavender syrup and give it another go! read more

Swallow Cafe - Maple bourbon Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Coffee shop beautiful very vintage. Feel barista was patient with us while we figured out where we were going to get cash from because we had no cash and it's cash only. They have an ATM. I see that a lot of people are saying they don't like the coffee but personally my latte was great and the hot chocolate was yummy. read more

Swallow Cafe - two cups of coffee on a marble table - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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There was a time where you can wander into any cute, independent coffee shop in this neighborhood and stumble upon a place that had if not good, then passable, coffee. Those days are gone and Swallow Cafe is a prime example of that. I purchased a cold brew and 2 bakery items a few days ago. All horrible: the cold brew was salty and undrinkable. The bakery items: stale, as if they've been left out overnight. Yelp reviewers: there's more to a good coffee shop than having somewhere to write your terrible manuscript for hours at a time (but perhaps not). The ratings are misleading. Avoid at all costs if you care about having a decent cup of coffee. read more

Needed a midday pick-me-up and stopped by Swallow for the first time! The barista was super helpful and recommended me their cold brew and their iced mocha. He let me sample their cold brew to help me make a decision as I'm a indecisive person hehe The cold brew was super refreshing and had chocolate undertones and hit the spot with oat milk. Definitely will be back to try their iced mocha! Side note: They are cash only, but they have an ATM inside! Tldr; get the cold brew or iced mocha! read more

Swallow Cafe - Cold Brew - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Visiting for spring break, im so glad that Is tumbled upon Swallow. the wooden furniture and dim lighting gave a very nice atmosphere and made me feel like a real new yorker. By far my favorite part was the friendly staff. Anna made me feel so at home and I stopped by several more times for great coffee and chatting. Their matcha is ridiculously amazing, the best matcha i've ever had! Highly recommend this little place and it's definitely something i'll always remember! read more

Swallow Cafe - Macchiato - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I came in to meet a friend and get some work done, went up to the register and saw it was cash only so I sat down to ask my friend if they had some cash on hand before they showed up (I didn't). The barista came up to me to tell me I had to buy something to use the space, I said ok and went to text my friend their eta. About two minutes later the barista said from behind the counter, "are you going to buy something orrr.." This was pretty embarrassing and made me feel really unwelcome, especially as it was said in a room with maybe 4-5 other seated customers. Rather than explain my plan to the barista I decided to leave, a bit red in the face honestly. Huge bummer since I just moved in down the street and was looking for a place like this to work in from time-to-time, this for sure would've been that spot for me. Can't comment on the food or drinks as I didn't make it that far! read more

After the mandatory beesting pizza around the corner at Roberta's, stopped in for a mexican cortado. It was good. Barista did a good job. Seating was a plenty, comfortable environment and bathroom was clean. If you are in the area, I recommend it. The murals are pretty neat too. read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Good coffee and friendly folks running the counters. Wish I could eat the pastries, but that stuff will kill you.

Lot of seating, pretty good coffee, occasional selection of bagels, friendly neighborhood vibe. Everyone is laughing at you if you don't have cash read more

So many negative reviews here and I'm not sure why :( Swallow Cafe is such a nice cafe with nice decor and lots of space. Their coffee is delish despite being a bit pricey. I would come back again. Very nice place. read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

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They have a CBD mint latte that is pretty great. It's a bit on the expensive side but so is anything with CBD. Staff is always friendly. read more

Came on a Brooklyn trip with my boyfriend for a nice date night and while waiting to be called for a table at Juliana's, we decided to go outside for a nice stroll. As New Yorkers, we wanted to check out every corner store in Brooklyn and came across this cute cafe. The door of this cafe is led by a small staircase upstairs inside to a warm and hipster cafe. Everyone inside was there with a laptop to do work or simply with another individual to quietly chit chat. My boyfriend and I got a small Cortado to share and we just sat down and chilled. I give this place a 5 stars not because of the drinks (because I tried basically nothing), but because of the chill vibes. If I was living in this neighborhood, I would totally come here to study or just chill. :) read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great Cafe to get an expresso to start your day! The expresso is strong and will give you a good wake up for any day activities. There is only 1 guy behind the counter but he seems great at multitasking and engaging with all customers. I appreciated his demeanor and I would definitely come back to just chat and enjoy a coffee at the Cafe. read more

Swallow Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Average coffee menus and baristas are friendly but the downside is they only take cash! There are some outlets inside but it's usually kind of dark and dingy. I prefer to just grab on my way to or out of the subway. read more

They have great oat lattes here. Sometimes it gets crowded and you have to wait a while to order, but it's a tiny cute place so it's worth the wait. The only bummer is that it's cash only, so we don't go as often because we don't always have cash and don't want to use the ATM inside with an additional fee. read more

Swallow Cafe - Indoor ambiance - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Been here a couple time. This is my favorite coffee place in brooklyn. Unfortunately it was pandemic on the last visit so we cannot sit there but definitely will go back. read more

Swallow Cafe - Espresso - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

CASH ONLY Solid almond milk latte here ! Nice and creamy with bold espresso. They use pacific barista almond milk which really makes such a difference. I believe they also have macadamia milk for lattes! Good non dairy options. They have gigantic vegan cookies !! As well as other pastries (non vegan) and bagels. Lots of seating with a rustic feel- old refurnished wood decor. Very comfy for working in a chill quiet space. Service can be slightly slow if it's busy but everything is made to order. Overall a great cuppa in the neighborhood!!! There's a bathroom, ATM. I usually return whenever I'm in the area ! read more

Damn what is in this cold brew?? They must do coffee different in Brooklyn I feel like I could fight a bus and win lol

Chill place to do work, music wasn't too loud and the decor was good. I was a bit frustrated when I went to order a hot tea, and the bartender says "We don't have a tea menu, just tell me what you want. We have all the teas!" Well, after playing a guessing game through 4 fairly standard tea options, I finally got to a tea they DO have. (Note: They don't have all the teas...). How difficult is it to print a tea menu and laminate it? Also, they don't have ceramic mugs. Everything is in disposable paper cups, which is so wasteful and unnecessary. Oh, and all of the seats are hard wood or metal, no cushions anywhere. With a few small changes, I would give this place 5 stars but sometimes it's the little things... read more

staff was pretty rude and cash only. coffee is okay. love the inside but wouldn't come back

HEY! Why doesn't this cafe have mugs/cups to stay? This is one of too many NYC cafes that puts all their drinks in to-go cups. So much expensive and unnecessary waste. Our environment is suffering. It's wasteful and infuriating. read more

Matcha was amazing! Ceremonial grade & honey - surprisingly good for a coffee shop!!! read more

Swallow Cafe - Matcha Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

My husband and I came here at the recommendation of our AirBnB hostess to kill some time before our flight. We were in one of those binds where we didn't really have enough time to go do anything in the area but didn't want to show up hours early for our flight so killing time here is was welcome. After sitting here there for a while I remembered that I had actually been there almost a decade ago when I was in Brooklyn selling at the Renegade Craft Fair. It's a hard place to forget, the interior is unique with lots of repurposed furniture (think old sewing machine tables, rows of old wooden auditorium seats, etc), but it took me a while for my previous time there to come into focus. Had a good visit then, too. Anyway, back to the present....we definitely spent a nice chunk of time here on a Sunday afternoon and it was perfect for that. The unique seating makes for not the most comfy of lounging but there's plenty of it so it was a-ok. While killing time there I had a bagel with scallion cream cheese, an iced coffee, and a chocolate croissant. All were fantastic. I liked the bagel best. Toasted up a bit with that oniony cream cheese? Real good. I sat and read my book and my husband got a little work done on his laptop. We had our luggage with us and it comfortably fit in the back corner with us since the shop is pretty spacious. No one gave us a hard time about hanging out there for a few hours and it was nice and quiet. Would definitely kill time or grab a snack and caffeine here again. Thanks for being our pre-flight refuge! read more