There was a lot of hype when Swoonys opened and reservations were hard to get. I grabbed one on a rainy day and realized it is in the former Longshoreman space, which I used to love. I went specifically for the burger and flavor wise it delivered. The smash patty was rich and well seasoned. The only miss for me was the English biscuit style bun. It tasted good but the texture did not fully work with the burger. Fries were excellent and easily a standout. Drinks were fine but nothing memorable. The space is dimly lit, romantic, and thoughtfully designed, and service was attentive throughout. Because the location feels a bit out of the way, I do not see myself rushing back, but I am glad I tried it. Also their matchbooks are beautiful and were honestly one of my favorite details of the night. read more

Swoony's - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Nice spot nestled in Cobble Hill area. Service was on point, drinks were Ok. For Appetizers, we had the Brussel sprouts (good!) and the smoked bacon (eh...). Don't bother with the bacon - nothing special. They're known for their smash burger which looked really good and my wife and cousin enjoyed theirs. I had the Short Rib au poivre and my cuz had the roasted chicken. Gotta tell ya - OK but nothing that really wow'd us on those two choices. The fries, though, were killer shoestring fries - hot n salty!! Yum. Glad we found this spot, friendly enough, but not sure anything's here to lure me back - maybe the burger and fries! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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!!! read more

See all

My wife and I absolutely loved this place. The decor, service were stellar and the atmosphere was fun but relaxed - we shared a bunch of items - the fries - Brussels Sprouts -clams casino- but the star for me is the Creamy Lobster Risoto - simply excellent and lastly the Crab Toast - we will definitely be back and then some read more

Excellent food! Beautiful decor! You step into this well appointed space that feels steeped in history. The warmth of the restaurant is in its ambience and the servers' attention to detail. The atmosphere is relaxed & the bar is bustling . Walk in, sit down & be prepared to experience clever twists on old favorites! Sample the smash burgers, (out of this world) & herb marinated chicken. Sides of brussel sprouts as starters were SOO delectable! Everything is perfectly seasoned & served to perfection! Cannot wait to return!! read more

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! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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! read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

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. read more

See all

I came here for dinner with a group of friends an about a year ago and we had a nice time because we were together but I remember the service being inconsistent and the food not being that impressive. Also for me coming from Manhattan this was in an inconvenient location and it was not worth the trip. If you live in the area I'm this may be a good option for you. read more

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. read more

Swoony's - Whipped Goat Cheese | Creamy Lobster Orzo - June 2025 - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

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 read more

Swoony's - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

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. read more

See all

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 read more

See all

Came in, had an early reservation, and was told to pick one of two bar stools, the last one up the step, next to a couple, or the first one down the step, next to a gentleman on his phone, I wanted the better 'view' so I sat up the step. Bartender was nice, took my drink order, gave me a few minutes to look over the menu, and by the time the drink came, was ready to order. -Cocktail - it was fine, i wish they would have allowed a modifier for the drinks; context, there were two drinks that sounded good, but would have preferred a different main liqor vs the one they chose, as i think it'd have made both of the cocktails better, but was surprised there would have been an upcharge considering the two substitutes would have had a negligible if any wholesale cost difference, if there was a wholesale price difference i'd completely understand, but, i digress. -App: shrimp cocktail, I had been in Boston recently and had some amazing raw bar shrimp, and was hoping, at a place in the Columbia St Waterfront, that it would pay an homage to some nice u/10 shrimp, maybe I should have asked, but to my disappointment, nope. The shrimp were, fine. The sprinkle of Old Bay was barely noticeable, and the aioli was fine, a little thin. -Burger - i've had a few people tell me I needed to go here, being someone whose like could be a cheeseburger. Presentation, I guess I wasn't expecting it to come out on the equivalent of a Thomas' english muffin. It's two smashed patties with american cheese and thousand island dressing. I'm a fan of all three of those things, it just, didn't blow me away. It was perfectly fine. It was cooked well, cheese melty, maybe the thousand island could use a slight modification and a pinch more of salt. The english muffin just didnt work alongside it though. For the price, I think it's not worth it. Is it bad, absolutely not, but there are plenty of burgers that are better, for the same price or less, in the city. TL;DR. -Nice place, def a cute date dinner spot. Justified price value, not for me. Will I be back, yes, just not in the immediate future. read more

Came for the burger. Stayed for the vibes. Swoony's was such a fun experience. The burger-- where do I start? The bun soft and buttery but perfectly toasted. The patties were juicy and flavorful. Cheese and sauce the perfect ratio. It's just a damn good classic. Fries salty, crispy and simple. We also got the lobster orzo and nearly licked the bowl clean. The drinks were good too! Great service. Clean bathrooms (extra points for the burning candle) Dying to go back. read more

See all

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

Swoonys is cool Cute place and atmosphere a little tight in regard to the seating. We had the burgers, potato croquettes and the tuna crudo. All good flavors no complaints there. Service was quick and efficient. read more

Swoony's - Swoony's Burger - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Swoony's in Carroll Gardens is an American comfort food restaurant and sister to Cafe Spaghetti also by Salvatore Lamboglia. We came to try the burger which is consistently ranked among the top burgers in NYC. We started with the deviled eggs, lobster orzo and croquettes with mozzarella which were the best croquettes we've had in NYC. For mains we got the tender short rib au poivre with a rich peppercorn sauce, wedge salad and the famous Swoony's burger which tasted akin to an elevated Big Mac with its thin patties and thousand island dressing. Dessert was their French toast drizzled with maple syrup. This was the best French toast we've had in NYC surpassing even our latest front runner, the French toast at Sailor. We are a huge fan of Swooonys and we can't wait feast on their burger and French toast again soon although we are hard pressed to choose between that and cafe spaghetti right across the street read more

See all

Came here for the burger and it did not disappoint! The burger comes on what I thought was an English muffin but was told it was a Portuguese muffin. The burger was inspired by McDonald's style burger. Also got the Deviled eggs with trout roe. Was told to come back for the short rib with au poivre. read more

Swoony's - Swoony's Burger - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Very good! I will forever be swooning over this burger. We got the tuna crudo, burger, creamed spinach and the French toast. But the one that stole the show was the burger and we did really enjoy the creamed spinach. The tuna crudo was alright but not my favorite. The French toast was also super buttery and full of maple syrup- very sweet & tasty but $10 for one slice of bread didn't feel worth but we would return for the burger alone! read more

See all

Swoonys is a cute cozy please which would make a perfect date night. Came here twice because the burger is a must. Also must try the goat cheese dip. Delicious read more

See all

I see why this place is popular on social media for their food; it's delicious! Went with what was recommended as the top hits: burger (loved) the Portuguese bun definitely makes this burger stand out, French toast dessert + soup of ice cream, I'm not a huge sweets snob but this was quite good, I also got the deviled eggs per my mood, also a delicious fun pop before a big meal. Service was great and the space is elevated casual, which I liked! read more

See all

Love this new addition to the neighborhood! Swoony's was opened by the same people behind Cafe Spaghetti, and it did not disappoint (in fact, I might like it better). We got a little carried away and ordered about half the menu.... We got the whipped goat cheese, crab Louie, clams casino, lobster orzo, lamb meatballs, mixed greens, zesty chicken, and short rib au poivre. For me, the highlights were the clams casino, lobster orzo, lamb meatballs, short rib. The absolute must order? The French toast dessert. One single slice of the most delicious, crispy, saturated French toast I've ever eaten. Decadent. A great neighborhood restaurant with some really solid and memorable dishes! read more

See all

Two stars only for the waitress service . Otherwise it's ONE star . This establishment is actually nothing more than a gastropub. Orzo was salty , pasta was not ready and burger was slightly better than 5 Guys . The dessert a cheesecake mouse that juniors would do better. Terrible acoustic , specifically with people who needs to shout so they can be heard ..... A Fraud . Completely AVOID . read more

Right around the corner from Cafe Spaghetti comes an amazing new spot from the same team, serving up a totally different cuisine. The closest thing on the menu to pasta is the Lobster Orzo, one of the excellent starters. The rest of the menu is very different from their sister spot, featuring a lot of red meat, great fries and a number of starters you should try. The Swoony's Burger is incredible, a double patty served on a Portuguese roll. The Short Rib au Poivre is another must, both accompanied by excellent fries. For dessert, don't miss the French Toast, finished tableside with maple syrup, as well as the soft serve and chocolate mousse, which go perfectly together. read more

See all

The vibes... impressive. Old school Brooklyn updated in such a hip modern way. Bar is adorable, tin ceilings so retro, and service was the perfect balance of helpful and accommodating. Great cocktail list and very good wines by the glass. I was happy with all the choices on the menu. I highly recommend the clams and the whipped goat cheese for an appetizer. The mains? Honestly they are all pretty amazing. Try to snag a resy or press your luck walking in. read more

Swoony's - Clams casino - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

This has easily become my favorite burger spot. The vibe of the restaurant is great, the service is awesome and the food is incredible. The burger is top notch. I no longer acknowledge any other burger locations in Brooklyn. read more

See all

Ok Brooklyn!!! Service 10/10, food was actually incredible. The burger was a spinoff of a smashburger with an English muffin style bun and thousand island dressing - was sooooo good. The mussels and lobster orzo were delicious. Highly recommend. One of the best restaurants I've been to in a while read more

See all

They have the best burgers -- juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection. Honestly, everything on the menu is delicious, and the vibes are always awesome. Perfect place to hang out, eat great food, and relax! read more

Swoony's is a contemporary yet retro bistro restaurant with wonderful service. We arrived half an hour before closing, but they were kind enough to seat us outside to accommodate our dog. Every employee kept coming to say hi and provide water and treats for our dog, which was much appreciated. Not only are they dog-friendly, but they treated my dog like a princess. Onto the human meal, we started off with the Whipped Goat Cheese ($14). This starter was my favorite as I loved the combination of the chili crunch topped over the goat cheese. It was served with both cucumbers and grilled sourdough for a great balance of options. You can also ask for more sourdough bread to savor the rest of your goat cheese. For the main dish, I got their most popular dish: Swoony's Burger ($26) with a double patty, thousand island, American cheese, and fries. The unique thing about this burger is that it's served on a soft Portuguese roll. All the filling made it a delicious burger complemented with the skinny fries. I also sampled some of Hanger Steak with Mixed Greens ($33). The dishes were yummy, although I wish they were bigger portions. To end the meal, we also got the Vanilla Soft Serve ($8) and French Toast ($10), which were both recommended by the waiter. It was a good combo, but I didn't find it really worth it. Overall, delicious good with great vibes and the best service here. read more

See all

Ambiance is super chill and relaxed. Great for a low pressure date or dinner with friends. Amazing service and even better food. The Swoony's burger was so saucy and melts in your mouth. Creamy Lobster Orzo was great but it wasn't creamy at all, would have preferred for the tomato flavor to be cut with some cream. Pei Mussels were life changing, as a vongole and piccata fan. It was as if the flavor profiles morphed into one and with mussels. So sooo good! read more

Swoony's - Tuna Crudo and Creamy Lobster Orzo - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

My only complaint about this place is that they reaaaaaly pack the tables tightly. The woman next to me could not get into the booth and it just really kills the vibe. Overall food is topnotch. I would skip the short rib au poivre (although my bf loved it). The burger is my favorite in all of NYC (so I guess that means the whole world). read more

See all

The vibe is super old school, a little noisy but in a fun way. I had a fantastic martini with blue-cheese stuffed olives. One of the best burgers in the city, hands down. The butternut squash risotto was sooooo delicious. Potato croquettes were exceptional. I might skip the spinach next time. Service was okay. They were slammed, understandably. We'll def be back. read more

Swoony's - Butternut Squash Risotto, Burger, Creamed Spinach - New American Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

See all

Swoony's is simply a bar and grill. Yes, just a bar and grill. But a bar and grill perfectly executed. The food is great with amazing cocktails and a wonderful vibe. The service is terrific as well. All the food is excellent. Dessert was straightforward but a huge treat. Only regret is that Swoony's is not in my neighborhood! read more

See all

Downtown tavern style bar and grill. Dined in on a cold weeknight and the restaurant was still very busy. Needed a few minutes to be seated. Service was spectacular. Ultra attentive. Extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Water was always filled. Waitress consistently came around on time for drink orders. Some of the best service that I recall in recent memory. Drink wise, they have a big wine list. I'm not wine expert but there seemed to be a solid variety though there were only a few options available by the glass. I opted for a beer first and then switched over to a cocktail. I had the old pal which was a take on an old fashioned and I also tried a pistachio and mezcal cocktail. For food, we started with the butter beans and the lobster orzo. Then came the mixed greens salad, the burger, and one of the daily specials - mushroom au poiuvre. The burger was a double smash burger which seemed to be their specialty. It was excellent! Super savory and crispy meat, but pricey at $26 for the burger with a side of fries. Loved the mushrooms too, but again pricey for the dish. I believe there were two gender neutral restrooms. The one I used was spacious. Atmosphere was very chic. It was nicely decorated and everyone looked nice without it feeling like anyone was trying too hard. Comfortable balance between trendy and cozy. read more