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    Swoony's

    4.5 (85 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order Swoony's Takeout or Delivery

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    SWOONY'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Swoony's

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    Creamy Lobster Orzo
    Annalise W.

    Great neighborhood dinner spot I recommend checking out. Had a reservation for two people on a Friday and there was a steady stream of people coming and going so would probably try to get a reservation if possible. Ambiance / Service: I sat outside. A few covered (not enclosed) outdoor tables, which could be nice even when it's a bit chillier because there are overhead heaters. Inside is a little dark & moody, but feels intimate and lively and very much a local neighborhood joint. It's a bar, but feels elevated (though still casual in the sense you can show up wearing anything!) Service was amazing. Food: ordered the below and split between two people and it was too much food. -Potato Croquettes: comes with two. Would recommend ordering additional if dining with more people because they're not very big. Nothing crazy here, but exactly what I wanted: crispy and cheesy. -Creamy Lobster Orzo: I feel like this could be a main as well. Subtle taste, but enjoyed. -Greek Salad: fresh and light. Great balance to everything else we ordered. -Crab Toast: good to share with one other person (not very big). -Swoony's Burger: it has the name in it, so it's a must. Really enjoyed and would order again. If nothing else, get the side of fries - literal McDonald's copycat and soooo good. -PEI Mussels: the waitress warned us that it's not everyone's favorite... but honestly the more I ate the more I enjoyed. It has a unique flavor: creamy and not overpowering mustard-y at all. Lots of depth of flavors! -Short Rib Au Poivre: this was good, but I wish there was more seasoning on the meat & sauce. Between the two mains (burger & mussels) this was my least favorite. -French Toast: just get it. I would come back just for this. It's not very big and feel like I could eat my own order lol.

    Bonnie G.

    Loved sitting outside with our dog on a summer evening and feasting on their creamy lobster orzo with big chunks of lobster, their Greek salad with toasted pita which actually is the best Greek salad I've had (our waiter Misha was right), and the decadent two-patty burger, oozing with a little too much thousand-island sauce, but it was still great. I think I like Swoony's more than their sister restaurant Cafe Spaghetti, believe it or not! Every dish is a tad unique. 5 stars!!!

    Potato Croquettes
    Jillian B.

    Finally got to try Swoonys after all the hype around the burger, and it was worth the wait! We opted to share a variety of dishes for dinner.. a few apps and two entrees. The tuna crudo was refreshing, and the potato croquettes were among the best I've had (packed with cheese!). The swoonys burger of course was solid, and I enjoyed the au poivre sauce in the short rib dish. Fries were perfectly crisp and salted! Quick and efficient service. Would recommend!

    Clams casino
    david l.

    What an incredible meal along with top notch service. The hostess was very welcoming and we were seated right away. I suggest to get a few dishes to share to enjoy everything. We had the Brussel sprouts, Tuscan Kale Salad and clams casino to start. All were delicious and it was off to a good start. The entrees were the burger and short ribs. The Burger is among the best being served in NYC and the Short rib was on another level of tenderness. No knife is needed just break it apart with your fork. Finish off with the French toast. You won't be disappointed.

    Clams Casino
    Peter D.

    I really, really love Swoony's. There's not really much to criticize about this joint, except they made the terrible decision of not opening closer to my home. It's the local bar and grill we all wish we had...albeit a little fancier, a little pricier, and much more delicious (but harder to get into as well). It helped that we ordered perfectly. There were simply too many interesting starters, so the four of us decided to split the whipped goat cheese, the tuna crudo, the clams casino, the brussels sprouts with horsey sauce, the iceberg wedge and the spicy crab toast. Too many for sure, but we balanced it out by just getting a couple of burgers for our mains. I can't stress enough how delicious everything was. The iceberg wedge was brilliant in its uniform thickness and utter overload of bleu cheese. It takes the already laughable "salad" designation of a regular wedge, and obliterates it. It's just bacon and bleu cheese and frizzled onions atop a thin cylinder of crunchy water, and I'm here for it. The whipped goat cheese and chili crunch will be replicated in my home for years to come. There wasn't a bad bite in the bunch, but if I had to skip one I'd forego the tuna crudo (nothing wrong, but a little boring comparatively), and if I would get one every single time, it would be the perfection that is that crab toast. If you've ever enjoyed a McDonald's cheeseburger even a little bit, you should know that the Swoony's burger takes those flavors, uses far better ingredients, and places them on a Portuguese muffin. That is to say, makes it perfect. You can wash down all of this excellent fare with tasty cocktails (I loved the Black Manhattan and the [Something] Ember), and again, this is the local I wish I had. I'll be back for more spicy crab toast and that shortrib au poivre, which can't be bad.

    Alex M.

    Great neighborhood joint! Came here for dinner with a friend and we both had a wonderful experience. We ended up splitting the clams casino (some of the best I've ever had) and the croquettes (also some of the best I've ever had) and each got our own cheeseburger. The cheeseburger was divine and reminded me of a highly elevated big Mac (minus the shredded lettuce) with perfectly crisp fries. Service was quick and friendly - even while the place was packed and bustling. Luckily we had a reservation or else we would've had to wait a while for a table. Ambiance was chic and cozy. Looking forward to coming back and trying the rest of the menu - that short rib looked delicious!

    Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives
    Cyrus A.

    Swoony's is a gem -- steakhouse vibes, without quite as high of a price tag! The restaurant has a classic American vibe, with a nice bar that stretches from near the entrance all the way toward the back of the restaurant. Plenty of smaller tables for groups of 2-4, they really don't waste floor space packing folks in. The food was excellent. They have a smaller menu and some specials, focusing on quality over quantity with the selection. The burger lived up to the hype, though it was more of a "smash" style patty than some of the pictures seemed to imply. It came with fries, which were crispy and nicely salted. The PEI mussels dish was delicious, it featured a unique mustard sauce that made the pasta much more interesting. Service was wonderful, very friendly and welcoming! I would definitely come back here, people in the area are lucky to have Swoony's nearby.

    Crab Louie toast
    Jason M.

    Swoony's fell onto my radar through Instagram - one of the food accounts I follow highlighted this spot and it looked like a cool place to check out. Since my brother works in Brooklyn and I was off from work, we thought it would be a good idea to meet up for an early dinner, so off we went. Swoony's is located on the Waterfront close to Carroll Gardens; parking can be a challenge but I managed to snatch a spot a block away from the restaurant. The restaurant itself is very charming - it gives of a very cozy aesthetic with warm lighting, earth tones, and touches of decor; the entire space was very hygge. The menu is mostly American fare with touches of seafood. We decided to start with three apps: the spicy crab toast (also called the Crab Louie Toast), lobster orzo, and the whipped goat cheese. These were all delicious - everything had great flavor and I was especially impressed by the goat cheese as it came topped with a sauce and paired with cucumbers and bread. The lobster orzo was also a standout - creamy without being heavy. Swoony's is known for their burger, and I couldn't leave without trying it so I ordered it as my main. This was a double-patty smash burger topped with American cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and pickles. In lieu of a bun, it was served on an English muffin and came with a side of shoestring fries. The burger itself was great - it's everything a smash burger should be and all the flavors worked really well; the fries were the icing on the cake. My only critique is that the English muffin was a smidge too soft which made the burger slightly messy. We shared a side of creamed spinach - this was good, though definitely more cream than spinach. For dessert I had the cheesecake mousse which was tasty - not too heavy with a smooth consistency and creamy flavor. Service was great, everyone was friendly and food came out at a good pace. Overall, Swoony's is a yes - the atmosphere was warm and inviting, the food was delicious, and the vibes were on. I wouldn't hesitate returning to explore more of their menu.

    Clams Casino
    John K.

    They went to McDon's and stole the french fry formula, I swear. They were bang on similar. Flavor, thirst quenching beverages, great vibes (awesome tunes) and friendly and attentive service. Burger lived up to the hype, excited to go back for the blue cheese olives, croquettes, and more good food and drink.

    Whipped Goat Cheese | Creamy Lobster Orzo - June 2025
    Kay C.

    I discovered Swoony's through @eatsbynyc on Instagram and knew I had to try it for myself. We wanted to get a good sense of the menu and decided to share a couple of starters and a main. First up was the Whipped Goat Cheese served with chili crunch, cucumbers, and grilled sourdough. This was a delightful combo - creamy, spicy, cool, and crunchy all in one bite. Next came the Creamy Lobster Orzo, which had tender chunks of lobster that were definitely a win. "Creamy" felt like a stretch and the dish leaned more toward a soup. It was tasty, just not what I expected texture-wise. For the main, we split Swoony's signature burger that comes with a double patty and topped with Thousand Island dressing and American cheese on a soft Portuguese bun. The burger reminded me of an elevated 7th Street Burger, except the bun, and the freshly cut, crispy and golden fries had a nostalgic nod to McDonald's. Service was friendly and attentive. Our water glasses were never empty and the food came out fast, which is always appreciated. The vibe was relaxed and everything ran smoothly. Overall, Swoony's is a solid spot and worth a visit if you're nearby.

    Iqrah C.

    Visited Swoony's on my birthday eve and had the absolute best time ever! The restaurant is located in Cobble hill which is one of my favorite neighborhoods, and it's actually quite spacious and large inside ideal for a big party or a casual dinner date. The staff is so friendly and attentive and they knew it was my birthday so flooded me with lots of love and wishes. Ordered the burger which is one of their popular dishes, lobster orzo, potato croquettes, whipped goat cheese toast, and French toast and vanilla ice cream for dessert. The drinks were great as well I had a margarita and a cocktail. The food was all flavored wonderfully and fresh, the burger was a double patty smashburger served with fries! Overall my favorite dish of the night. The food is heavy and portions are good so I recommend coming hungry. For my birthday celebration, they brought out a green colored cake and sang to me and then brought out dessert which was so lovely. The French toast was immaculate and the soft serve complemented it very well. Lobster orzo was also cooked wonderfully and paired amazing with everything else. I loved it here and can't wait to come back! Highly recommend

    Menu Nov 2024
    Jenny E.

    I had a great experience at Swoony's. I love the interior and the cozy lighting. Waitstaff and hosts were friendly. The Swoony's burger was delicious! Fries were the exact kind that I enjoy -- not too thick, with a good amount of salt. Very easy to make a reservation. My only complaint would be how close together some of the tables are.

    French toast
    Kimmy U.

    Check out Swoony's during the holidays! Their decor is so festive and cute We were able to snag a last minute reservation for an early dinner We mostly came for the burger, but also got the clams casino and kale caesar salad. We all loved the kale salad! It was so cheesy but not too overpowering My friends also raved about the cocktails (especially the mezcal one), so I can't wait to come back and try it after our little bebe comes. The burger is more of a smash patty style and is quite simple with thousand island dressing and cheese. The bread is very unique! I read online that it was a portuguese style bread? It looks very similar to an english muffin, but definitely doesn't taste like one. It's pillowy and soft and I do wish they maybe toasted it for a slight crunch, but it didn't take away from the overall burger and was still delicious. I love that they serve it with real fries and not just potato chips or something else, like other gourmet burger restaurants. The fries actually reminded us of mcdonald's fries! We ended with the French toast for dessert, and while it was good, I don't think it was necessary. We went down a few streets to Brooklyn Pharmacy for ice cream, which I think is a better move for dessert

    Creamy Lobster Orzo

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    2 months ago

    Best GF burger! Bun is nicely toasted and you forget you're eating gluten free. I am celiac and haven't had a reaction yet

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    Phenomenal food, the burger is out of this world! Place was nice, I will definitely be returning.

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    Sailor - Arctic Char Paté

    Sailor

    4.3(103 reviews)
    1.7 miFort Greene

    Had a date night here on a weekday recently. No reservations, just walked in and asked for a bar…read morespot. Waited about 20 minutes next door and got a text that our table was ready. Great-looking menu, ended up getting the Caesar salad, stuffed radicchio, and chicken to share. Everything was top-notch. The Caesar was one of the best I've had, and the stuffed radicchio was on another level. Didn't expect it to be as good as it was. The wine reduction was really special. The chicken was the star of the show. I'm one of those people who never order chicken out because I can make it at home, but this was just on another tier. I couldn't, on my best day, cook chicken this well. Couldn't recommend enough. The staff was super helpful and friendly without being overbearing sitting at the bar. Will definitely be back here this summer on the patio!

    Solid neighborhood brunch spot with fun vibes and a stellar french toast. However, it falls a…read morelittle short of all the hype based on service + the other dishes we tried. Made a reservation for Saturday brunch with a friend and was instantly charmed upon arrival. I love the layout of the restaurant with the bistro tables facing inward-- it really feels like they are making the best use of the space. For food, my friend and I opted to share the french toast and the burger. The french toast was delicious, although dare I say the slab of butter they put on the top is a little too thick and too cold, so it's hard to get it to properly melt. The burger was good but nothing spectacular and I think they could have a much better bun. However, the fries were delicious! I got a flat white and my friend got a grapefruit juice. For the price, the sizes of the drinks fell flat, and my flat white was also too much like a cappuccino. Service was friendly but extremely slow to take our initial order, and our drinks then took 10 minutes to come out too.

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    Sailor
    Sailor - Grilled Cheese

    Grilled Cheese

    Sailor - French toast

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    French toast

    Baba Cool - espresso martinis

    Baba Cool

    4.0(331 reviews)
    1.3 miFort Greene
    $$

    Baba Cool was wonderful! Lovely warm welcome when we arrived and staff remained very attentive and…read morehelpful throughout the evening. The food was delicious ! You must have the Brussels sprouts!! I'd go back for those in a minute! I very much enjoyed my salmon dish. Lovely presentation and preparation but portion a bit small. However, the Brussels sprouts were so generous portion that even after sharing there was "take home" for us. The chocolate mousse was extraordinary! I don't even want to know the calorie count - but worth it!! My one negative was the chill of the Cabernet Yes, I know that's the trend but personally I prefer room temp especially in cold weather The restaurant owner was gracious, staff actually charming and accommodating We are recommending this place to family and friends and plan to return especially when going to BAM ENJOY!!

    Definitely a hip spot to grab drinks and catch up with friends but the food was somewhat of a miss…read morefor us. We came on a Saturday night for an early dinner at 5pm. Walked in and was able to get a seat without reservation, but it definitely filled up by 6/7 pm. The place is dimly lit and the tables are quite small. For the food, we got their Brussel sprouts, shrimp, salmon entree and chicken entree. Our favorite were definitely the shrimp. But everything else when eaten together tasted a bit too greasy and felt monotonous in terms of flavor. Brussel sprouts were fried and held to a decent amount of oil, then the addition of tahini made it even more oily. Pan chicken we expected whole pieces of chicken but it was more like a thin chicken cutlet. The salmon came with a cauliflower puree which tasted so rich (with butter), but I couldn't finish it bc it was so rich.

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    Baba Cool - Cafe seating work w/ a laptop or grab drinks with old friends

    Cafe seating work w/ a laptop or grab drinks with old friends

    Baba Cool
    Baba Cool - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Dinner Party - Jewel Box tomatoes, cucumber, and yellow Jimmy Nardello peppers in tomato water with feta gelato and mint

    Dinner Party

    4.3(61 reviews)
    2.0 miClinton Hill

    This was an easy five star review for dinner--we had come here a couple of times for their four…read morecourse menu and were just delighted by the exceptional food and experience, not to mention the well-crafted cocktails and excellent wine to pair with your thoughtful meal. We were, however, a bit disappointed over recent times that they pulled back from their original plan and stated mission of including the service charge in the cost--it both seemed worker forward and made the cost seem more reasonable, with service charge built into the fixed price. Now the cost seems like any other nice restaurant--far above and beyond the printed menu price. Don't get me wrong, it is exceptional dinner and still well worth it, but a mental adjustment. Their rotating dinner menu (fixed menu, now 3 and 5 course options for different price points) is a brilliant move, meaning you can find something seasonal and new and inventive every couple of weeks. We can't afford to come every two weeks, but we do look forward to the new menu release every two weeks to judge our level of temptation. I'd also note that they apply their same model to breakfast--it is slow service, without bar service as far as we could tell. It was dinner speed at a more bustling brunch time. The food was still stellar--delicious sourdough breakfast sandwich and fabulous spiced pumpkin waffle (even if I had to fight for the advertised maple syrup)--but the service painfully slow. It works over a four course dinner with cocktails, but feels a bit more interminable as you stare at your number for breakfast for 30+ minutes--I think they need to adjust their approach here. Overall we are so grateful to have this gem in our neighborhood--fabulous food, great service... truly some of the best food and service in a neighborhood lacking great options for both. I know we are all feeling tariffs and inflation and cost of living, but the pricing approach/change has moved it from a "let's see the new menu every two weeks" to a more occasional splurge, and I'd be wary of the breakfast/brunch experience if you aren't prepared for a very leisurely day.

    I was able to catch the tail end of the four course menu, but this will no longer be available…read morestarting next week. Beignet - unexpected, I really kept expecting it to be sweet but I'd get hit with the olive tapenade instead. The texture is nice, but I was a bit confused. Jewel box tomatoes - bright, fresh, and light. The mostly neutral but slightly savory feta gelato was very unique. Risotto - creamy, but still a bit of texture on each grain of rice. I loved the sweetness from the corn and richness from the squash. The peppers were delicious pops of flavor. Mille feuille - light and refreshing cream with a flaky exterior. Definitely come on Tuesday to save $16 (if the discount continues in the future). $83 for a high end-ish four-course prix fixe (includes tax and automatic service charge) isn't too bad in terms of pricing.

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    Dinner Party - Inside

    Inside

    Dinner Party
    Dinner Party - Corn and squash risotto, pickled Biquinho peppers

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    Corn and squash risotto, pickled Biquinho peppers

    Emily - Brender pizza

    Emily

    4.0(996 reviews)
    1.9 miClinton Hill
    $$

    Everything on the menu at Emily is sooo tasty! We were drawn to the place for the famous burger and…read moreit did not disappoint but the pies, wings, apps, drinks and deserts are all good! It has an impecable NY vibe, super friendly service and a charming interior. When we went it was very busy, clearly a very well loved spot! Would come back on another trip to NY!

    Greetings all, it's been a while but here I am. Let's talk about Emily a quant pizza restaurant…read morethat you could easily walk pass and not know what they sold. Today however it wasn't pizza that brought me here, it was the famous Emmy Burger. To begin with the atmosphere of the restaurant is dim lighting a few tables with a reasonable sized bar in the middle of the room. They also have an open kitchen concept where just past the bar you can see the cooks working. My server Inda was polite and knowledgeable about the menu. My burger was excellent, normally I don't eat my burger with a knife and folk, but in this case with all the cheese and sauce oozing down the sides, not to mention the caramelized onions, it was necessary. (If I were home I wouldn't mind having burger juices running down my arm, but other people were eating in the restaurant also). The tiny pickles which I can't remember the name of were an added treat to the burger. I decided to order mine with the loaded fries. Just imagine the ground burger with all the toppings covering french fries and add melted white cheese. Since I was alone I didn't order a pizza because how would I eat it all, but next time I will try the pizza. I don't mind paying extra for a burger when it's aged beef and the taste is great. I definitely recommend this location. There is a fast food burger restaurant next door to Emily's but I can't imagine there burgers compare. I will try them another time and let you know. That's all for now, see you on my next review.

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    Emily
    Emily - The Emmy Burger

    The Emmy Burger

    Emily - The Emmy Burger

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    The Emmy Burger

    Swoony's - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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