Manhattan, NY — 787 Coffee, located at 159 2nd Avenue in Manhattan's East Village neighborhood, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 18, 2026, that yielded a score of 61 — well above the 28-point threshold for a C grade. The establishment was subsequently reopened on March 20, 2026, two days after the closure, following a reinspection that produced a score of 7.
The inspection data was released publicly by the DOHMH on March 23, 2026, five days after the initial inspection took place.
What Inspectors Found
The March 18 inspection documented six violations — three critical and three non-critical — across food safety, pest management, and facility maintenance categories.
The most serious finding was a critical violation under Code 04L: evidence of mice or live mice identified in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of rodents in an active food service environment is among the conditions DOHMH inspectors cite most frequently as grounds for immediate closure under NYC Health Code Article 81.
Inspectors also cited a critical violation under Code 02B, noting that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not maintained at or above 140°F. The FDA Food Code establishes this threshold as a core requirement for preventing bacterial growth in cooked or heated foods.
A third critical violation, recorded under Code 06C, found that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, or service. Inspectors noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, creating an exposure risk.
Non-critical violations included Code 10F, which identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment constructed of unacceptable material, not maintained in a clean condition, or not properly positioned to allow for adequate cleaning. Code 08A noted conditions conducive to rodent, insect, or pest harborage on the premises. Inspectors also recorded a violation under Code 20-06, indicating that the establishment's current letter grade or Grade Pending card was not posted in a location visible to customers, as required by law.
Food Safety Context
The violations documented during the March 18 inspection involve provisions governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitary standards for all food service establishments operating in New York City. Temperature control violations fall under the FDA Food Code's framework for controlling time-temperature abuse, one of the leading contributors to foodborne illness outbreaks in commercial food settings.
The presence of mice or evidence of rodent activity is classified by the DOHMH as a public health hazard that can lead to contamination of food contact surfaces, stored ingredients, and preparation equipment. Under Article 81, inspectors are authorized to order immediate closure of an establishment when conditions pose an imminent threat to public health.
The condiment handling violation cited under Code 06C reflects requirements that limit shared or open containers at customer-facing service points, reducing cross-contamination risk between patrons.
Inspection History
The March 18, 2026 inspection reflects a notable shift from the establishment's performance in some prior cycles. The following summarizes 787 Coffee's recorded inspection history:
- March 20, 2026: Score 7, Grade Z — Reopened
- March 18, 2026: Score 61 (Grade C) — Closed by DOHMH
- January 21, 2026: Score 27
- May 7, 2025: Score not recorded
- November 25, 2024: Score not recorded
- October 10, 2024: Score 19 (Grade B)
- September 10, 2024: Score 50
- July 6, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
The record shows variability across inspection cycles, with the establishment having previously earned a Grade A in July 2023. The September 2024 cycle also produced an elevated score of 50 before the establishment returned to a Grade B in October 2024. The score of 61 recorded in March 2026 represents the highest documented score in the available inspection history for this location.
The rapid return to a score of 7 on March 20 — two days after the closure — indicates that inspectors found conditions substantially corrected at the time of reinspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
The DOHMH assigns letter grades to food service establishments following each inspection cycle based on the total points accumulated for violations found:
- Grade A: Score of 0–13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher
- Grade Pending: Posted when a restaurant scores above 13 on an initial inspection and has not yet completed the grading cycle
Scores reflect the severity and number of violations identified at the time of inspection. Critical violations, which carry higher point values, involve factors directly linked to the risk of foodborne illness. Non-critical violations address facility maintenance and administrative requirements.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for 787 Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.