Brooklyn, NY — Ayat, a Middle Eastern restaurant located at 274 36 Street in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 25, 2026. Inspectors documented two critical and two non-critical violations at the establishment, resulting in the closure action.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection identified four violations, two of which were classified as critical.

The most significant finding involved the absence of an accessible hand washing facility. Inspectors cited the restaurant under Code 05D, documenting that no hand washing facility was available in or adjacent to the toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. The citation further noted issues that may have included the facility not being accessible, being obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes, lacking hot and cold running water or adequate water pressure, or missing soap or an acceptable hand-drying device.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 06C, involved food, supplies, or equipment not being protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. This citation also covers condiments not being provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

Inspectors additionally documented two non-critical violations. Under Code 28-01, the establishment was cited for a nuisance created or allowed to exist, with the facility not being free from unsafe, hazardous, offensive, or annoying conditions. A second non-critical violation under Code 10F noted that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were 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.

Food Safety Context

Hand washing is considered one of the most fundamental safeguards in food safety. NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that food service establishments maintain accessible hand washing stations equipped with hot and cold running water, soap, and acceptable drying devices in proximity to food preparation and service areas. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes that hand washing facilities must be conveniently located and readily accessible to food workers at all times.

The absence of a functional and accessible hand washing station near food preparation areas is classified as a critical violation because it directly increases the risk of foodborne illness transmission. Without proper hand hygiene infrastructure, the potential for cross-contamination between raw foods, prepared dishes, and surfaces rises significantly.

Food protection violations, such as those cited under Code 06C, address the requirement that all food items and supplies be stored, prepared, and served in a manner that prevents exposure to contaminants. This includes maintaining proper coverage, separation, and storage practices throughout the food handling process.

When DOHMH determines that conditions at a food establishment pose an immediate risk to public health, inspectors have the authority to close the establishment until violations are corrected. Restaurants that are closed may reopen after a reinspection confirms that the cited conditions have been addressed.

Inspection History

No prior inspection history is available in the DOHMH public database for this establishment at this location. This may indicate that this was the restaurant's initial inspection cycle, that the establishment recently opened, or that prior records are filed under different identifying information.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection:

  • A: 0–13 points — the establishment meets a high standard of food safety compliance
  • B: 14–27 points — some violations were identified that require correction
  • C: 28 or more points — significant violations were documented

A numerical score was not recorded for this inspection in the available data, which is consistent with inspections that result in an immediate closure action. Restaurants that are closed typically undergo a reinspection, and a grade is assigned based on the results of subsequent visits.

Residents and diners can verify any restaurant's current inspection status, grade, and violation history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available, though there may be a short delay between when an inspection is conducted and when the results appear in the public record.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Ayat including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.