Sweetwater Restaurant Reviews

Reserved a table for 10 at this North Williamsburg restaurant so that our group would be near a music venue we were planning to go to. Even though we were late, the table was there waiting for us and the staff was very gracious. I had chosen the restaurant for the group and I was not disappointed. I chose it for affordability (burgers $13-$15, salads in same range and appetizers $8-$14), location and, I hoped, ambiance. With its brick walls and stamped tin ceilings, Sweetwater has a nice, old-timey aura—comfort to go with its comfort food menu. We steered clear of the pricey wine menu and ordered from their ample selection of beers. The burgers were very good and several of us got medium rare burgers that were actually perfectly medium rare. My husband got the calamari, which I thought were so-so. OK, so this is not the place for the memorable gastronomic experience; but it is very good for what it is, a local restaurant serving pub food and a good vibe. The service was excellent. We were primarily attended to by one waitress, who expertly and cheerfully tended to our needs, even offering to take a group picture of us. I would definitely go here again.

THere are so many great restaurants in this area. Someone forgot to tell the Italian owner (he made sure we knew he was Italian, not a NYer) that nastiness and arrogance is best left at home. We ate at the bar and the bartender was very nice and friendly. THe food was ok, mussels, small and a tad chewy, the brussels sprout salad actually very tasty. When we cam to pay we were informed they only take cash or a certain credit card, which we had neither. As I am a native NYer, I know this is NOT the credit card you want to have as many only take other but he had his reasons and I was trying to explain that this should be posted much more clearly, he told me I was rude and was going to call the police. Now, I am a sophisticated 50 something woman and this is the first time in my life I have ever been threatened. I walked out as I did not want to be nasty and my friend, who is a music producer explained that I was simply trying to help him help his customers. One of the waiters who saw the scene apologized profusely and said it was not the first scene this guy had made and it was not the first time someone was taken aback by the policy. So if I were you I would not risk being the next victim and try another of the many choices you have in Williamsburg Try the Asian place with the Swings...

Stopped in on a Friday nite and did not wait long for a seat. Had a hamburger since it was late and I was not very hungry. Restaurant was busy but Service was not sacrificed. Food was good,Waiter was attentive and friendly. Will go back when really hungry and order a seafood entree. Prices seemed reasonable.

if i were here any longer i'd be a stool.

I usually travel around for my culinary experiences, but every once in a while you come across a place that is great every time you go, and as you get to know their menu and staff it gets better every time. When I'm finished, the bar is cozy, friendly and has a nice crowd. Not often I can spend the whole evening off at one place. Their backyard patio is another plus now that it is Spring!

My daughter and I visited Sweetwater on a Saturday evening. The place was packed, but we were able to get a spot at the bar while we waited for a table. The place is fun, unpretentious and the bartenders and waitstaff were very friendly and attentive. Their specialty drinks are well crafted and their house cocktail "The Second Term" is definitely worth a try. We both enjoyed an appetizer-the salt and chili calamar, and our entrees but the dessert, a chocolate creation with hazelnut ice cream (I wish I could remember the name), was amazing! The salty/sweet combination was fantastic and both my daughter and I were still talking about it the next day.

Sweetwater is, indeed, a sweet place in an atmospheric dining room with a great vintage feel. The menu is simple but food is well prepared and hits the spot. Service is relaxed, but staff are knowledgeable, friendly and efficient. Good for friends, couples and very small groups.

Best burger in Boorklyn .The service was adequate but slow. The meal was very pricey. very good atmosphere

After seeing a concert and being famished, we decided we wanted to eat. While most people at a time like this would go for pizza or food truck, we are a bit different and want to sit down. The staff was very helpful and friendly, even though I know they wanted to be elsewhere (like at home in bed, I could not blame them). The food was good, but limited on the vegetarian options. The food was a bit pricey, but that Williamsburg area is hip enough that every place will command that price and the clientele can afford it.

delightful lunch in the garden of this nice brooklyn restaurant ...YOU ARE WELL RECEIVED THE GUESTS ARE NICE AND THE FOOD QUITE GOOD

The place is small, cozy, dark. We got seated right away. Food didn’t take long at all. I had the ribeye, it was absolutely awesome!!! I wish I had space in my stomach for those fries it came with! Delicious! My cousin had the salmon, he loved it as well.

consistently good food. outdoor deck in the back. tight booths.

One of our favorite go to restaurants. The place is casual, friendly and very good. It really feels like an authentic neighborhood spot, which it is. And the garden is great!

We were happily surprised at the lovely atmosphere of the outdoor dining area. Luckily we had great weather and perfect temperature. We were a group of four and were greeted quickly and pleasantly by the host. The waiter was efficient and attentive. Two of us ordered the lentil burgers and said they were delicious. They came with sweet potato fries. Neither enjoyed the dipping sauce - possibly a red pepper mixture, but not sure. Another of us had the steak and eggs, which were done to his satisfaction. My choice was the lobster mac and cheese. It looked beautiful, however the lobster was quite tough and the cheese sauce very runny to the point it was liquid. One of us had black coffee and it was delicious. Two of us had iced tea and it had a very musty taste. Overall, our dining experience was positive with only a few glitches.

By far the best French toast I have ever had! The cornflake crust on the brioche is BOMB, along with the caramelized bananas and fruit.

It's above average but not "very good" either. TripAdvisor should include a middle "good" category. Decent place in Williamsburg for burgers or vegetarian food (the beets and goat cheese salad is excellent as is the quinoa burger). The place is always full and feels very local. It's a good window into the neighborhood. The bar is cool too. The service is slow. They only take cash and american express which is just weird. What restaurant doesn't take visa or mastercard?

We went to Sweetwater on the last night of our mini honeymoon. The food was delicious and the service was great. We absolutely enjoyed our steaks and wine. We will definitely visit again in the near future.

I can only speak to the atmosphere and cocktails but both were amazing. Service was prompt and friendly. We sat at the bar and tried the Spaghetti Western and the Gimlet. Great music! A nice stop, wish we could have spent more time or had a chance to come back.

We happened into this restaurant after an art opening near by. It was a great place for a crowd with some looking to drink and some to eat (and a few did both). Really liked the Love Potion cocktail despite the name. It is a little awkward that they only take American Express (really?) but there was an ATM machine near by.

Came here as a large party for drinks on Saturday afternoon. The bar had a “ Cheers “ type vibe . Everybody seemed to know everybody ! We sat outside in the courtyard.. The weather was superb and staff came regularly to refill our glasses. Good selection of beers and wine. ( We tried a few ! ) I’m back in Ny in November and I’ll be heading here for food to go with by drinks .. It all looked delicious. Great neighbourhood bar .. Can’t wait to return. Recommended. Enjoy !

I was looking for a casual place to meet my family and which wasn't going to break the bank. I found this place on line and read reviews from several sites. It did not disappoint any of us. The food was delicious. The service was excellent and the atmosphere was welcoming. Recommend this place for adults, not really families with small kids. I had crab cakes and my wife had the salad nicoise. Portion size was good and price was right. Definitely would recommend this place

Great Service, Ambiance, Food, Neighborhood, Value, Bar ... IMHO a must-visit if you are in Williamsburg. Have taken my parents, friends, dates here a few times - last time with the 'rents, we were pleasantly surprised by a free dessert on the house - the banana-oreo one - so. good. Thanks Sweetwater!

This local restaurant is indeed a good address for nice food but most of all, the barmaid is very good at cocktails, and has a great taste in music, with some fine choices in rock and indie from the past. Foodwise, tasty, a bit pricey, and the wine is good.

Visited this restaurant today and it was very busy. We were seated promptly although weren't able to get an outdoors seating due to multiple Mother's Day reservations. However we got a comfortable booth in front of the restaurant by the bar. Staff was attentive and we were served promptly. We enjoyed virgin Bloody Mary (their mix is really tasty) and burgers. Everything was tasty including my quinoa vegetable burger on an English muffin. Very good french fries (came with other burgers). My friend's beef burger was served with additional topping of truffle pecorino cheese. Yummie (if you like truffles!). Another pork burger was delicious as well. Overall great experience and atmosphere. I would definitely return to this place.

Here for a family wedding. After a long day of travel, we were recommended to come here, which was around few blocks from hotel. Charming and rustic. Felt very French countryside. My curried chickpeas were a bit too spicy for me, but the flavor was outstanding. Husband splurged on a burger on English muffin and loved it as well. But Tony, one of the managers, was incredible. Took time to get to know everyone, etc. it felt like you were in his home.

Visited here with a few friends. Lovely restaurant in Brooklyn. We sat in the garden, a lovely cosy space. I had the lamb papardelle... It was by far the best meal of the group! Drinks were good with plenty of variety. The staff were friendly and attentive. I would highly recommend this place if you are in the area.

Sweetwater has the best ambiance and cozy vibe for a restaurant. Solid food and interesting cocktails and beers. Super friendly stay

We came into Brooklyn for a concert later in the evening at the Music Hall so wanted to check out some local grub. So glad we chose Sweetwater - based on recommendations from friends. We sat at the bar and had food and some local beers. Must check out when in the neighborhood! I licked my plate clean! Please note it's either Cash or AMEX ONLY!!

great outside patio in the back during the warmer months.

While the food (most importantly) was decent tasting, the service marked the entire experience - our party was made wait when the restaurant was almost completely empty. Out of the entire restaurant we were placed right next to the tiny alleyway to the door to the kitchen. Out waitress was aloof and otherwise rude and unaccommodating, and even poured water right on to my friends iPhone. While the eggs I had were good, they were also hard to mess up- a friend who got the lamb sandwich was entirely disappointed when the sandwich he ate did not at all match the description on the menu. We were also not allowed to eat in the advertised outside garden, which may have been a vast improvement to being in the cramped space next to the kitchen. It looks cute from the outside and inside, but the best thing they have going there is the kind busboy.

this was a perfectly fine, non memorable restaurant. our party of 4 thought it was fine. there was an unexpected delay in getting the waiter to take orders for wine. no one hated this restaurant. th flip side none of the 4 of us has suggested going back,.

Great food in a quite setting. Had Sunday brunch with my niece and wife. I had the frittata and they had burgers. Everything was delicious.

We were strolling around and it look so nice that we decided to stop for a drink. The atmosphere and ambiance was really cool inside, so was the music <3 it was a Sunday and brunch mood was in the air. After having a beer and seeing all the amazing food going by we decided to stay and have lunch. We had amazing burgers super yummy and generous, everything else looked good too. Def recommend this place.

Had the opportunity to check out and have lunch at Sweetwater Restaurant. They had a good lunch special for under $16. The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was comfortable. I had the Tuna Niçoise salad, the tuna was fresh but it didn't have the potatoes. The outside garden is cute and the best part of the place. They have beer on tap and other options. The food was good but not anything you couldn't get elsewhere. The friendly staff is what makes this place cool.

We ended here randomly, but stayed for a couple of glasses of wine and lunch. The mussels were good, and also the Sweetwater burger was nicely made. Standard prices. Slow service in the beginning, but the waitress we got when we sat down was doing a good job.

we had mussels and fries and lamb burger. both were excellent and also came in big portions. the waiter was extremely nice. the garden inside is so peaceful. to reach it you have to walk up 5 steps, and the owner helped us with the stroller! totally satisfied also for the price which was just 32$!

Nice, cozy place for drinks at the wooden bar, with original moldings, tin ceiling, and booths to snuggle into. The food is pretty typical Brooklyn New American fare, nothing special, but done well enough.

My husband and I walked into this adorable Williamsburg spot after walking out of another restaurant where the service and staff were very rude. We walked right in and were greeted with smiles. The cozy restaurant was exactly what we needed. The food was amazing. We ordered a special appetizer - Bruschetta with roasted grapes and ricotta - Delicious! I also ordered the Organic Roast Chicken over Garlic Mashed potatoes. The portion was huge - I couldn't finish. My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed our meals. We couldn't have been happier that we decided to walk out of the first restaurant!!! Highly recommend.

Had the lamb burger and it was very tasty. It was served with a lentil salad that was also very good. We had the meat platter appetizer which was very good. The service was adequate but very slow. The meal was very pricey.

Cool looking restaurant in Brooklyn, we sat in the garden in September when it was really hot still. Perfect location to eat your dinner or lunch. The menu doesn't offer that much choice but the choices look tasty, I had the sweetwater Burger with the truffle pecorino cheese which wasn't to dye for ;-) only average...

....discover a hidden garden/terrace which could be in Spain or Italy. Lovely setting for a drink, some food and a catch up with friends. Service was relaxed and friendly but don't expect perfection. Food of European theme was all good. We shared, specials, salads and appetisers, nothing was left.

We got to it by chance, walking through Brooklin. We didn't enter the restaurant properly. We stayed at the tables outside, which are nice and welcoming. We were warned that by the time (15:30), many dishes would not be available. The attendant was not patient, with people who do not speak English fluently. We ate a burger and it was very good.

Top everything was great!!!I was just alone !!i didn't wait to the service...I didn't see anything wrong...I'll come back alone !

Had a wonderful experience---food delicious, servers great, atmosphere friendly and cozy with a marvelous back garden!!

The Cosmos were the best we ever had with a touch of pink lemonade taste. The calamaris with spices were excellent (even if a bit to much bread-crumb for my taste). Mussels and fries, perfect in a brandy and pesto sauce. Service sweet and perfect. Bill: a joke with cosmos and a bottle of wine! A MUST!

Fair prices and nice people. We found this restaurant by chance, and we loved it. Food was good. I really suggest this place if you are looking for a casual place to go in Brooklyn.

I really love mussels, and when I find a place in New York that serve it I go there. And they were good. I didn't like is wine list, I took two bottles of white wine, one italian Pinot Grigio that was priced 38 and was really terrible, and a bad Muscadet priced 30$. Dont take it

It was okay. I can’t it my finger on it but nothing quite hit the mark. I wasn’t able to finish my gnocchi entree, kept nibbling at it to try to figure it out. I do recall that the carrots were amazing. I was hosting a dinner party of 6, and no one really said anything about the food.

I went here for brunch with a friend. The waiter was incredibly helpful and nice, few times I have been in a place where you can feel that people are nice for the sake of being nice and not for the tip. The eggs supreme were really good, a version of Benedict eggs but lighter and with fresh avocado. The only bad things was that there are not brunch all inclusive with mimosas :/ Definitely a place that I will try to come back.

What a surprising place with a terrace at the rear of the restaurant We had Mexican food not too spicy and wonderful mussels. For the desert we shared two lemon pies Everything was fresh the waiters where nice ant the terrace was very relaxing I strongly recommend this sweetwater with a good beer !!

This is one of our Go-To spots in Brooklyn. It's amazing for dinner and I just had brunch there today for the first time! My poached eggs were perfect, which a big test for a brunch spot in my book.

We were dog sitting for a few days in Williamsburg and found this great place for lunch. It's an old bar from many, many years ago and also a great restaurant. We decided to take a chance and it turned out to be a chance well worth it. The food was absolutely fantastic. I had a pork burger with some of the best french fries that I have had in years. My girlfriend had mussels accompanied by a great piece of French baquette. Will surely return to the Sweetwater again and probably again.

Given that we frequent restaurants on a weekly basis, this is by far the most pretentious, arrogant, deceitful place we've ever visited. You can't imagine worse customer service, without apology, without any service recovery. It's just not worth it!

We had lunch there. The place is nice, you get a really good service and food with fair prices. Highly recommended.

I loved the Niçoise Salad! The mussels were great also. There is a nice area with tables outdoor, perfect for a warm day!

Across the Hudson River from Manhattan is the nice restaurant Sweetwater. You can jump on the boat from Pier 11, and suddenly you are there after a couple of stops up the river. What strikes me is how welcome you feel upon arrival and I feel a true form of caring. Most of the people in the bar and in front of the bar talk to you like you were an old friend. Very nice atmosphere and you never feel alone. I order a Bloody Mary, which is fantastic. It is strong and fresh with a perfect taste. After a few more rounds at the bar, we get a table in the backyard of the restaurant. Here there are 15 tables and an idyllic mellow mood. We order dishes with cheeses, nuts, jam, ham, and other delights. Everything tastes heavenly and everything is made from scratch with an obvious consideration. I would especially recommend the meat that is so tender and good that I almost sing. The restaurant fills incredibly fast and there is a atmosphere with people chatting and laughing. You are in New York, but while you are at a smaller place in the world. We rounding off with an Espresso Martini and a calm evening nearing its end. If you're tired of impersonal dining after a few days in New York, this is the place where you find back to the human. Enjoy !

A nice place with inconsistent food - the first time I went was amazing the second time not so much!! If they can get consistent they will be great as there was a nice staff - the second time I went they were not so busy - so staff was probably bored and it showed in the food

This is the place where I ate the best eggs and bacon sandwich ever. I recommend this place for a nice breakfast in the morning. If it's warm enough outside, try to get one of the tables on the terrasse in the back of the restaurant. Service is great :)

We just happened upon this restaurant on a recent Friday evening wandering about the neighborhood looking for somewhere to have an early dinner before a show at the Brooklyn Bowl. The menu looked interesting so we decided to go in. The ambiance is early 20th century rustic, with a large bar, tin ceiling, and small booth and table seating. The cocktail and wine list was interesting, reasonably priced and had some excellent values. We were offered some bread and olive oil and it is not to be missed! For starters we had the grilled octopus appetizer, which was cooked perfectly and was excellent. For an entree we had hangar steak and the lamb pappardelle, both of which were delicious. The portions were generous and arrived promptly, so the kitchen seems to be very well run. The service was very friendly and really outstanding. We tried the carrot cake for dessert and it too was a generous portion and very satisfying. As a nice touch at the end, the owner offered us a herbal liquor as an aperitif. All in all it was a nice surprise finding such an excellent neighborhood restaurant on a whim, and we would not hesitate to come back again or recommend Sweetwater to others.

I recently joined a friend here after work and we enjoyed some lovely drinks, a few appetizers and 1 very pleasant Bartender! Cannot wait to return for a full dinner. No surprise this place is amazing! I just discovered Bakeri and Sweetwater share the same owner!

Met up with a few friends here for dinner. Drinks are great. Would recommend the drago and the bill murray if you like cocktails. Food excellent. Entrance is on the right of the other bar of the corner and the whole place is actually in the basement. Great atmosphere. Foosball, pool table etc.

This place was a really great find - friends of ours came to visit us while we were staying in NYC and said that it was highly recommended. I ordered the steak lunch special and it was THE BEST steak I've ever eaten. I'm not even a steak person. The service was exceptional and they were very accommodating for our friends' baby's needs. I'd go back in a heartbeat.

My mom and I came here a couple of times for brunch and left satisfied each time! Their steak in chimichuri really cannot be beat.... Their french fries are super YUM. Pretty much everything that you order from here is going to really just hit the spot. Brunch is a nice time to come because you can sit outside and enjoy a breeze along with your great meal. They also have some really fun drinks to add to your meal! Moms like the french toast!

Two days ago we passed by. It didn't attrack us, despite the mention in 100% New York. Tonight we gave it a chance. What a lucky shot! The food is the best we've had in NYC, the service is excellent and the ambiance just the way we like it. We'll sure be back!

We went to Sweetwater with a friend who knows it well and likes it a lot. The Saturday brunch we were there we had a bit of a mixed experience. The staff were very accommodating - we were originally going to sit outside in the pretty garden but quickly decided it wasn't quite warm enough and moved inside. However, once we ordered the wait was interminable - I know it was a Saturday brunch when no-one is really in a rush, but we got very hungry and when it came the food was patchy. The quinoa burger was insubstantial and came with a fairly nondescript and small portion of red cabbage slaw - not a patch on the quinoa burger we'd had previously at Quantum Leap. My husband had requested a medium lamb burger - it was virtually raw, so we sent it back - after they cooked it properly it was fine. Soup and eggs benedict were both ok - a nice touch with the eggs were the home fried potatoes, but it would have been nice to have had more of them! The steak sandwich looked good and was more substantial - would probably go for that next time. There seemed to be quite a variation in the portion sizes. The desserts were great and the restaurant redeemed itself when they didn't charge us for the lamb burger and one dessert. I suspect we were unlucky, particularly given our friend's enthusiasm for it over the time she's been going there. We would certainly go back and hope to have the 5 star experience next time. We very much appreciated the fact that we were not charged for a full meal and the owner personally apologised for the lamb burger.

We went to Brooklyn to see the Manhattan skyline at sunset and walked around Williamsburgh looking for a restaurant. We stop at the Sweetwater, look at the menu but notice that the place was full. In a few minutes a table has opened up at the entrance and we sit down. The place was very crowded and noisy due to the loud music and the amount of people inside. The dishes were tasty and hearty, and we liked them. Very good squid, roast chicken and Grilled Hanger Steak. Very kind and present staff, repeatedly passed the table for water refill and to know if everything was okay. Account in line with NYC venues and just right for the quality of the food.

We passed by a sunny sunday in April and found this fantastic garden in the back of the restaurant. Fantastic to sit there in the sun and enjoy brunch with icecold roséwine. Meny is good, food was good, service is allright and the atmosphere really nice!

This is a really great place to know about. First it has been there for quite a while, a testament to good, creative and consistently excellent food. In this trendy area, where places come and go... they remain. I enjoyed a great onion soup.... notable for its flavor but not too salty. The warm beet salad was fine. My son’s steak was really really got as I sampled it. The carrot cake for dessert was different - heavy with carrot with an interesting topping. I would say it might have been what your grandma might served- devoid of fluff. Super! Nice folks, good service and charming interior.

Returned to Sweetwater for supper with friends last eve. From the moment we arrived, the host greeted us warmly, and we were treated to a delicious meal and friendly service. Softly lit, pleasantly busy and run by people who care. I'll definitely go back!!

Fantastic place with great atmosphere and very friendly service. The food is simply amazing. Totally recommend it.

As many people do, we were exploring a neighborhood, and just "happened in"- This was our third time back. -More refined than some of the other restaurants, in terms of menu and overall interior space,. Welcoming feeling and very decent wait staff. .If you wear a citronella bracelet you can enjoy the garden area for dinner-very eclectic crowd. You can be comfortable ordering just a burger, appetizers, or a big main meal or even eating alone. The price point and portions are very fair

I think that this is my favorite restaurant in my neighborhood... the food is always excellent, the atmosphere classic yet very friendly... I love it.

ok food. good drinks.