Sat at the bar Saturday May 2, we started with happy hour and ended up staying for dinner. My husband and I have never been here despite us living right up the road and I must say WOW! Everything was fantastic, from the cocktails to the food to the service. 10/10 ! The bartenders were friendly and gave us some history on the building and the farm. It's amazing to hear about all the farm fresh ingredients that both the bar and the kitchen use. I appreciated the attention to detail and enjoyed watching the bartenders at work, the drinks and food were all works of art. I could not recommend this place enough(although at the same time I want to keep it a secret for myself now that I will be a regular at the bar)!!! read more

The restaurant offers a mix of intimate and casual environment, depending on where you're seated. The service was pretty attentive despite us not being in the main room. Dinner tonight: Margherita and Mother's Little Helper pies, roasted broccolini, and roasted butternut squash. The pies were tasty, crusts were charred. The roasted veggies itself was good, though I felt it was a bit heavy on the vinaigrette. Had I known, I would've ordered a second dish that's more of a complementary flavor to the first dish. Due to time, we opted out of dessert. I would come back here for the slightly upscale setting and it's fun cocktail menu. You're here for the ambiance. read more

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Swyft is a modern tavern restaurant that opened in Kent, Connecticut in 2017. It was founded by award-winning chef Joel Viehland and owner & philanthropist Anne Bass. The restaurant is located inside the Swyft-Bull House which dates back to 1781. An extensive restoration was undertaken in 2016 in order to preserve the post-and-beam frame, matching original materials, respecting historic methods of construction. The end result is a modern tavern in a rustic setting. Their specialty is Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas, but they also serve shareable small plates, seasonal Italian-inspired entrees, smash burgers, and ice cream desserts. Their food follows the Italian philosophy, meaning that they work with seasonal, organic and the freshest ingredients possible from nearby Rock Cobble Farm. As Chef Viehland stated, "We try to have fewest components as possible and let the food speak for itself." A long-awaited unique upscale sister restaurant, Ore Hill, also opened inside the Swyft-Bull House in April 2023. In the early days of the pandemic, Chef Viehland left Swyft and Bass passed away from cancer. Before she passed, Bass left instructions for Swyft, Rock Cobble Farm, and Ore Hill to carry on. A number of notable executive chefs have passed through in the following years, including Sam Purrier and Ryan Connelly. As of late 2025, celebrity chef Tyler Anderson oversees the culinary direction of the two restaurants and the farm, while the kitchens are run by executive chef Ryan Carbone. My wife and I dined at Swyft this past weekend. To celebrate my wife's birthday, I took her for a drive in Western Connecticut to see the fall foliage and explore some wineries. We decided to end the day with a delicious birthday dinner at Swyft. It was our second visit there, but the first time that we dined inside. Our last visit was during the pandemic, so we just ordered a couple of pizzas for take-out. We absolutely loved the rustic tavern interior! We decided to begin our meal with some tasty seasonal cocktails. My wife had a glass of "Red Sangria" and I had a double of "There's Something About Pie" (bourbon, vanilla vodka, apple, cinnamon, lime, cinnamon sugar rim). For food, we shared the "Salad of Farm Lettuces" (lemon, olive oil, aged vinegar, shaved vegetables), the "Funghi Affumicata" (assorted mushrooms, smoked mozzarella, ricotta, chives) and the "Get Squashed" (koginut squash cream, mozzarella, kale, Swiss chard, spicy maple syrup). We absolutely love Swyft's unique take on wood-fired pizzas; they are so delicious! After the main course, I enjoyed another delicious cocktail: "Password Please" (pizza vodka, vermouth, tomato, basil, IPA foam). For dessert, we shared the delicious "Pumpkin Sundae" (pumpkin ice cream, canned pipits, pumpkin bread crumble, caramel). We had a truly memorable dining experience at Swyft and give them two thumbs way up! The next time we're in Kent, we'd love to try out Ore Hill. read more

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We had not been back to Swyft in several years and we were very pleased with our recent Friday night meal. We tried three different pizzas and each one was terrific. Swyft is a great location that is very comfortable and the renovated structure has great history. I particularly like the bar set up with the large chalkboard (which is very easy to read from the tables). Overall the service was good. However, we asked to see the dessert menu but our server disappeared and never came back to take our order. So we gave up on the idea. We were pleased with our meal for the four people in our party. read more

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Not the best in kent. I ordered a pizza for takeout and while I appreciated the new haven style, that was about it. It had a decent spice but for $24 for a small, it's left a lot to be desired. Service was okay, I didn't experience any snarkiness. It was packed inside and I decided not to sit down. I suggest going to kent kitchen two doors down! Just recently opened and it is like night and day! read more

This place is amazing. Service is amazing, helpful and friendly, and the food is incredible. I especially love the avocado toast for brunch and rigatoni all vodka for dinner. I also couldn't stop eating the risotto. The vibe is chill, but still super cool. Love this place! I don't live in Connecticut but I would go here for dinner. read more

The one star rating is for how beautiful the decor was. Otherwise I would give this place no stars. Went for a happy hour on Saturday. I asked for a cocktail of theirs I had seen on instagram. I was told "I could'nt have a swyft cocktail during happy hour" with no further explanation as to what that meant and in a very rude manner. Not sure if I could only order off the happy hour menu or if there was confusion that if I ordered off the happy hour menu I would have to pay full price which I was prepare to do. Ended up ordering off the happy hour menu and while having the drink overheard the waitstaff talking poorly about my husband and I within earshot of us. Extremely rude when we did nothing to receive that kind of treatment. We left after the one drink, went down the street to the Kingsley Tavern and had a great time there instead. We talked about our Swyft experience to other patrons there and were told it's a known fact the staff there is very rude. Wish we knew that ahead of time but Kingsley saved the evening. Thank you Kingsley Tavern!! read more

This place has slipped. I've been coming here for almost 10 years. Over the years I've watched the food become less less impressive. The service is still OK. The atmosphere is busy yet subtly comfortable. I just can't get over the food. The main reason we're here. It's just not very good. read more

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Easily the best place to eat in Kent. The Smashburger is off the chart unbeatable!!!. We would travel an hour to get it. Drinks are outstanding, and the peaceful ambience of the outdoor patio is perfect! read more

5/5 for their pizza collection. Went there with a group of friends. We ordered Al Diavolo, Randy Savage, Funghi Affumicata and another one with duck on it. All of them were absolutely fantastic. Al Diavolo was my favourite! read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

I don't wish to further amp up its popularity and squeeze myself out of a table, but.... boy do I like this place. :) The food menu* at Swyft looks fairly ordinary on its face (think: omelets, burgers, pizza), but in execution, almost everything we've tried has been extraordinary. They have a relationship with Rock Cobble Farm, local to Kent, which sources absolutely gorgeous produce and herbs, and some dairy products, especially in the summer months. * The cocktail menu, on the other hand, looks anything but ordinary! More on that later... By way of example, a gorgeously fluffy omelet ($19; mushrooms, gruyère, sourdough, salad), studded through with buttery, firm oyster mushrooms, came with a side of salad that almost outshone the perfect omelet. These greens were no mere afterthought; they were tender and flavorful as only the freshest greens can be, garnished with pretty microgreens and violets, perfectly and simply dressed (NOT overdressed) so that you could fully taste the vegetables. The omelet came with lovely bits of finely julienned herbs on top and a wee bit of tender thyme inside. I loved that the gruyere was included in moderation and did not overwhelm the other ingredients. I'm certain that a lot of ink has already been spilled in praise of the wood fired pizza -- but they really are praiseworthy. The dough is perfectly proofed, perfectly chewy / thin / crisp for our New York / Neapolitan-partial crowd. The San Marzano tomato sauce is naturally, vividly sweet, not sugary. Toppings are in balance. The Randy Savage ($20; San Marzano tomato sauce, housemade mozzarella & Italian sausage, onion, aleppo, oregano) came with just the right amount of crumbled sausage and mozzarella (e.g. not a thick, rubbery, overwhelming layer), a touch of heat. I didn't try the Al Diavolo ($20; San Marzano tomato sauce, housemade mozzarella, soppressata, hot honey, aleppo, oregano), but it was reportedly excellent and "very rich." The pizzas are sized for a single person. Our 12-year old had 3/4 of his pizza. The Pardner had 1 1/4 pizzas and some of our daughter's Combo Breakfast ($17; two farm eggs any style, sourdough, bacon, homefries). That combo breakfast? The eggs were perfectly cooked to her tastes, neither wet nor overly hard. I wasn't super fond of the thick cut bacon on my last try, but hers were beautifully made, pleasantly crisp, not rubbery. And the home fries were perfectly browned, the varietal of potatoes used actually a touch sweet, but with a Russet-like starchiness. I don't know if this was just the result of using a very fresh potato or whether this was a different varietal of potato. (We are accustomed to grocery store fare, which is typically far from being farm-to-market fresh.) Now the best part of the restaurant: the cocktails! They are inventive and interesting full of herbs and unusual flavor combinations, e.g. avocado or date or cheese-infused / bacon-washed vodkas or tequilas. We don't frequent fancy cocktail bars in NYC nearly as often now as we did before we had children, but I can safely say that Swyft's genius mixologist(s) has/have nothing on what we consider the City's finest. (We have in mind Little Branch, Employees Only, Milk & Honey, Death & Company, etc...) The two we tried on this visit: - Pomelo Meadows ($15; crystal infused vodka, date vodka, jasmine tea, grapefruit, pomelo, matcha) -- hmm, not sure what kind of crystal they used to infuse the vodka, but it sure was tasty. It was only a touch sweet, but had just the right touch of richness and bitterness from matcha, a clarifying touch of citrus. It came garnished with the loveliest sprig of flowers -- I think elderflower, but could not confirm. - Something to Greek Out About ($15; vodka, cucumber, fennel, yogurt, black pepper, lime, basil) -- perfect for those who like savory cocktails over sweet ones. I loved the fragrance of the cucumber, lime and basil, didn't detect much fennel or black pepper though visually, it was present. Very refreshing in the summer heat. Love the cocktails, love the food especially when it incorporates fresh produce. And we love sitting on the patio under the wild cherry tree with our pup, secluded from the bustle of Main Street by a thick hedge. Prices may seem high based on the menu descriptions at first -- but when you taste the food you'll well understand why it's at this price point. What a magical place in Kent! read more

if you like throat tattoos - go here never felt such discrimination from an establishment- we are locals - and sat at the bar. rude people all around. read more

Snooty staff. Snooty overdressed New Yorker City patrons who think they're the . Nice symbiosis they have going. Not a fan. Lights are turned up too bright and feels more like a scandinavian ski lodge than a New England Colonial. They obviously sunk a bunch of money into the decor, do better. After waiting what seemed like forever to be served at the bar someone took my drink order. Automaton bar staff, zero personality, no smiles. Felt like eastern Europe vibes circa 1987. Zombies. Found a long course/wirey hair in my burger, the hard way... in my mouth while chewing and pulled it out like fishing line. Politely and discreetly let the staff know. A staff member grumpily snatched the plate away and sneered. Hadn't barely eaten a few bites but the staff shot stink eye as if I were pulling some sort of grift. Giving a second star for the apologetic manager offering a comp desert which I declined. I said to the harried manager re: the hair "No worries, it happens." They should've comp'd my drink since I left hungry. Went home and made dinner. Oh well, won't be going back. If accustomed to rude wait staff like one might find in NYC, go here. Otherwise, go down the road to Kingsley where they treat patrons like family. Side note. Had been here a few times way back when they first opened and it was much more laid back at the bar... With the exception of what they were calling "happy hour" @ 2019ish... which, btw was literally "happy half hour" and I openly poked fun at this fact and called it a bait & switch to rope people in. The manager tried to make excuses. Happy Hour is usually 1-3hrs long. Swyft's was 5:00PM-5:30PM. Laughable. Like a bad sketch comedy skit. read more

I was honestly really disappointed with my visit here. We came for brunch at 2:15. (The hours posted for the location are 11 a.m.- 3 p.m). The hostess who sat us made us feel like we had shown up 5 minutes before closing time. She explained their hours, and after checking my watch, and assuring her we wouldn't be that long, we were finally escorted to a table. #awkward. We were a table of three for reference and we were the only people there. As we waited to order we then watched a large parade of employees come from the other side of the restaurant and go into the kitchen to get plates of food. It was pretty loud at one point and became difficult to hear each other at the table. It was obvious they were having a staff meeting which is a pretty normal occurrence, but not while your dining room is open. Which we then realized was the reason we received the odd if not rude greeting at the door. My breakfast was good, but it was eggs, bacon, and toast. The French toast dish was very good and more like a baked casserole, very decadent. We overall were in a hurry to eat and get out which isn't the vibe anyone wants when going out. read more

Cozy place with great comfort food and ambiance in a town that is unfortunately short of choices like this. Service stretched and a bit rushed but still good read more

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I honestly didn't know this was here until I attended an event for House of Books. Swyft is tucked behind a fairly impressive hedge! There is parking in back, and close parking in the Barns area in general. Swyft has (weather permitting) outdoor dining within the hedge and on the porch, as well as indoor seating with a bar area. The upstairs seems to be just for events and accessible by stairs. The decor I would describe as modern colonial - very neutral colors, but metal lighting overhead. I was seated outside, and when it gets dark, it can be hard to see. They do have little table lamps to offer, but it's also very buggy. They did have at least two employees taking orders and serving primarily outside, so there was no threat of being forgotten to the crowd inside. The pizza with potatoes was delicious, with a good crust with a perfect crisp. It also had an abundance of toppings. I ordered a burger to go for lunch the next day - the seasoning stayed present, and made it feel freshly made when reheated. read more

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Gorgeous period building and grounds with lanterns illuminating the property. Rustic bright interior of warm pine, "fireplace", long bar, comfortable seating. Both a tavern side and dining room. Service is unrushed, friendly, and accommodating. Excellent bar chemists. Solid selection of spirits & beer. Curated seasonally driven cocktails were thoughtfully designed and worth trying. The Notirious FIG was a stand out. Menu is pared down but something for all tastes. Locally soured products. Jacob's claw cocktail was outstanding. The Neapolitan 10" pizzas we tried Margarita,Tiger king, & Fungi we're all good. Billowy blistered and charred crust was chewy, tomatoes were tangy, cheese was buttery and salty. Nicely balanced pies. A pleasant, relaxing, and satiating evening here. read more

Swyft knows it's way around string fries, smash burgers, shrimp and grits. All the food was so good which I was in such the mood for. We started with the Al Diavolo pizza which was some of the best pizza I've ever had. Same goes with the shrimp and grits. We were way too hungry to wait to take pics of the food. The S'mores cake dessert was delicious though in a petite size so get two if you're planning to share. Only downside was the bar, we tried regular and skinny Margaritas which were all way too ruinously tart- mgt would do well to try out different bar staff and raise their profits. read more

Swyft Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

run, don't walk. this place is so good. fresh farm to table food, seasonal changes, amazing cocktails. the service is very friendly, everyone here is very knowledgeable and kind. ambiance inside is amazing as a the tavern look adds to the experience. patio is nice as well. go to place read more

While the menu is limited, the preparation and execution is excellent. Smokey Roast Chicken and Pizza's were amazing. Thoughtful wine list, creative cocktails and large local beer selection. Service started slow but finished strong. Ambiance is what I would call New Pub!!! read more

Blown away by this restaurant ! Started off with a funghi pizza. It was outstanding , loved it ordered a second funghi pizza. The cocktails are all delicious here . Had a great old fashioned . I ordered the ricotta gnocchi dish was was amazing. Cleaned the dish clean. We also had the steak frites with the chimichurri sauce and fries. Fries crispy and delicious. Steak was like butter !! Great cut of meat. Can't wait till we go back. Make a reservation place gets busy. read more

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Unbelievable experience, from beauty of the space, atmosphere and amazing staff, to the cocktails and of course the outstanding food! Everyone and every thing was amazing! The staff were friendly and very attentive, the cocktails were absolute flavor bombs! The food left us wanting more a more, we sat there trying to understand how such amazing flavors could be curated! Would recommend to anyone and everyone! A must try experience! read more

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The duck is inedible and the pizza is very overrated. It was nothing special at all for me. All of the workers were rude and had a problem with me being there. read more

food was god but we waited an hour and 45 minutes (until 9pm) for our food! I had to go into the kitchen to tell them I was going to faint.

Been to brunch a couple times. Serving staff are good, nice drink menu with non-alc options, wood fired pizzas are good (esp the crust!), French toast and fries are tasty. Nice patio and porch to sit outdoors, also has indoor seating. Small downsides: reservation conditions (cancellation $25/person) are excessive, a little pricey (~$20+/pizza). read more

A little pricey but excellent locally sources food. Unrushed service from friendly staff. read more

Swyft Restaurant - Pork Belly BLT on Sourdough Toast. Smashburger. Local beers. - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

Enjoyed an early fall evening on the charming porch. The Yellow Jacket pizza makes Swyft a worthy destination on its own -- chewy and crispy crust topped with perfect balance of thin slices of Meyer lemon, smoked mozzarella, drizzled with grated pecorino, bread crumbs, hot honey, and Calabrian chili oil. Paired well with the recommended Petit Chablis. Service was attentive and pleasant. Look forward to returning and support this rare gem in rural Litchfield County. read more

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A great find nearby when our plans to travel to NYC for dinner changed! Great location and great vibe. Service was great, and Swyft knows how to treat a customer. Our appetizer was great, and the pizza is as good as it gets. Glad to see them so busy on a Sunday evening! Can't wait to try Ore Hill when we are seeking a more formal dining experience! read more

The ambiance, food, drinks, and service are all amazing. The food is a bit too spicy for my taste, so go in aware of that. But besides that, the flavor is wonderful. read more

An unanticipated delight. Stunningly fresh food in a austere yet comfortable aesthetic. Impeccable and approachable service. A thoughtfully assembled wine list pairs beautifully with the menu. Not to be missed! read more

We didn't ask for water but we were charged 5 dollars for water. On top of that, the waiter self tipped herself, charging a way higher tip than we were going to give for such bad service. Never going here again read more

The place is nice and food was good. We ordered a pizza and it was beyond raw. Dough was translucent and it tested complexity raw. I asked the waiter to cook it further because it was raw. He took the pizza and came back with the pizza 2 seconds later (chef probably didn't even looked at the pizza I'm sure) and told me "the chef said it is Neapolitan style pizza and it's not raw".... I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. Last time I checked they don't make raw pizza in Napoli nor anywhere else in the world. They offered to make a new one but at that point the server had made us feel like asshole customers so we said it was fine. We try to eat around the crust... which sucks because it's the best part. Now me and my husband are bloated and have stomach aches from eating raw dough. Thanks chef for your wide "knowledge" in raw pizza. Next time... just take the pizza an re do it. No need to make the customer feel like they are idiots, specially when they are not. Sad we paid $16 dls for a raw margarita pizza that we couldn't fully eat and gave us gas! read more

Interior photo posted does not do the place justice. It is beyond lovely, warm and chic all at the same time. Went last night as I was craving the awesome Burgundy I've been enjoying only to find it was changed to something less desirable. Total bummer. Ha, like Peter K., on this visit I tried the pizza and the flourless chocolate cake. Love, love, loved the pizza - beyond exquisite and the perfect little size to indulge. The chocolate cake was fine. Don't really think I'd order it again. Ironically, I went to drink and dine at the bar to read some anti-bankster legal briefs along with the Connecticut Constitution to brush up on what the rights of the private citizens really are and who walks in right in the middle but t.v. kick ass lawyer Christine Baranski. Her energy and presence is beyond lovely in real life and I took it as a sign I'm on the right path. :-) read more

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We discovered this place exploring the cute town of Kent. Great service and the food was fantastic! Small menu but well rounded and all of our entrees were executed beautifully. Highly recommend if you're in the area! read more

Swyft Restaurant - Brunchin - Bars Near Me - Kent, Connecticut

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We loved the atmosphere of the barn, the food was delicious, and after dinner we walked through the town of Kent. All of that combined made for a lovely evening all around! read more

Food was pretty good, but we waited almost a full hour between our apps and main course. And this was a 6:30 reservation; restaurant was not that crowded. Ridiculous. read more

Based on my experience, sadly I would've gave more stars. My fiancé and I visited Kent last weekend, new parents, first date since the baby! So a special day took a turn. I felt as my fiancé and I received selective treatment. It was clear, we weren't from Kent. But the vibes and comments I received from the staff from sending a drink back was all I needed. After I sent my drink back, i witnessed the staff in the corner talking about us, clear as day. I even heard a comment from another staff member questioning my drink choice after sending my original drink back. Although, the food and restaurant itself was AMAZING, I wish the quality of service upheld. It's 2024. read more

The Good: The atmosphere has a rustic but also modern clean feel. The fireplace was a warm and inviting touch on this autumn day. The dining area is small but was very comfortable and not too loud. The Great: The service was on point with multiple servers assisting to answer questions and they all were very attentive and helpful. The Bad: I am saddened to report that the pizza was lackluster and overpriced for the mediocre offering. The crust seemed to be undercooked and could not support holding the toppings. The crust was also rubbery and tasteless. I've included photos that show the light colored crust, which was even more apparent under the pizza. Although the pizza may present well from first sight the toppings were underwhelming and did not support the cost, since they were hard to find on these small pizzas. The toppings also sound exotic and playful on the menu but disappoint due to their limited use and were somewhat flavorless. Since the main point of going to a restaurant is food, at this point I would recommend avoiding this restaurant until things change. read more

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I don't post reviews often but my recent experience here was so outstanding I had to share. Let me start with my bartender I had Cole, what a consummate professional in all aspects of hospitality. This young man navigated the bar like a champion and a scholar. Guiding me through a libatious journey that tickled my taste buds in addition to the delicious food being served. Wow whatever they are doing there keep it up. A++ read more

The service was great, the food was spectacular and the outdoor dining area was gorgeous. The salmon we got was quite expensive but it was the best salmon I've ever had -- flavorful, soft, juicy, and it melts in your mouth. We also got two pizzas, the Tiger King and Margarita, both of which were delicious. It ended up being $80 for the two of us, so pretty pricy, but definitely worth it for a nice dinner. read more