Swallow Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 14, 2026
58
Score
Public records show seven inspections at Swallow Cafe stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 14, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
Looking across the full record, “food contact surface not properly washed” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
Compared to other Brooklyn restaurants (averaging 77), there's room to close the gap. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
7
Inspections
3
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 14, 2026
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.
04L
Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.
06E
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
19-06
58
Mar 10, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
10B
82
Aug 29, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Food, prohibited, from unapproved or unknown source, home canned or home prepared. animal slaughtered, butchered or dressed (eviscerated, skinned) in establishment. reduced oxygen packaged (rop) fish not frozen before processing. rop food prepared on premises transported to another site.
03A
Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.
04H
Cold tcs food item held above 41 °f; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °f; intact raw eggs held above 45 °f; or reduced oxygen packaged (rop) tcs foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.
02G
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
10F
Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
10G
58
Jun 3, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
3 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
06C
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
10F
Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information
20-08
Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers.
20-01
55
Feb 21, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
10F
Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.
10B
78
Apr 12, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 4 violations
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
04L
Hot food item not held at or above 140º f.
02B
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Facility not vermin proof. harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
08A
61
Mar 14, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
5 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Personal cleanliness inadequate. outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared.
06A
Evidence of mice or live mice present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
04L
Food not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display or service.
06C
Live animals other than fish in tank or service animal present in facility's food and/or non-food areas.
04O
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Facility not vermin proof. harborage or conditions conducive to attracting vermin to the premises and/or allowing vermin to exist.
08A
Non-food contact surface improperly constructed. unacceptable material used. non-food contact surface or equipment improperly maintained and/or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
10F
43
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Swallow Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Swallow Cafe on file is from Apr 14, 2026. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Swallow Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Swallow Cafe.
How does Swallow Cafe compare to other restaurants in Brooklyn?
Swallow Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Brooklyn average of 77.
Has Swallow Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Swallow Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Swallow Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Swallow Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Swallow Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants