Manhattan, NY — Baya Bar, a juice and smoothie shop located at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan's Financial District, received a score of 28 during a health inspection conducted on February 13, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation related to the facility's toilet access configuration.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 19, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Baya Bar for a single critical violation under code 05E. The violation noted that the shared patron-employee toilet facility was accessed through a kitchen, food preparation, or storage area, or through a utensil washing area.
This type of violation is classified as critical because it creates a pathway for cross-contamination. When customers or staff must pass through areas where food is being prepared, stored, or where utensils are being cleaned in order to reach the restroom, the risk of introducing contaminants into the food handling environment increases. The physical layout forces foot traffic through sensitive areas that should remain as controlled as possible during food service operations.
No additional non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the sanitary requirements for food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Among these requirements, the code specifies that toilet facilities must be accessible without requiring passage through food preparation, food storage, or utensil washing areas. This provision is consistent with the FDA Food Code, which outlines similar standards at the federal level to minimize contamination risks in food service environments.
The requirement exists because restroom-related foot traffic through food handling zones can introduce biological contaminants, including pathogens carried on shoes, clothing, and hands. For establishments like juice and smoothie bars, where fresh fruits and vegetables are handled extensively and often served without cooking — a step that would otherwise eliminate many harmful bacteria — maintaining separation between restroom access and food preparation areas is particularly relevant.
Addressing a code 05E violation typically requires the establishment to modify the physical layout of the premises so that restroom access no longer routes through restricted food handling areas. Depending on the configuration of the space, this may involve construction or renovation work.
Inspection History
Baya Bar's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:
- December 17, 2025: Score 40, Grade N
A Grade N designation indicates that the restaurant received a score of 14 or higher during an initial inspection cycle and had not yet undergone an adjudication hearing or re-inspection to determine a final letter grade. The score of 40 recorded in December 2025 was notably higher than the current score of 28, suggesting some improvement between inspection cycles, though the establishment remains above the Grade A threshold.
The current score of 28, while lower than the previous 40, still places Baya Bar in the Grade C range. The establishment will have the opportunity to request a re-inspection or contest the findings through the DOHMH administrative tribunal process.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores. Lower scores indicate fewer violations and better compliance with health codes:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. The establishment posts the grade card from the inspection with the better score. Restaurants also have the right to contest violations through the city's administrative tribunal at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
All restaurant inspection results are public record and are available through the DOHMH website and the NYC Open Data portal. Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations cited, scores received, and grade outcomes.
Baya Bar is located at 40 Wall Street, Manhattan, NY 10005. The establishment serves juice, smoothies, and fruit salads. For complete inspection details and to review the records of any NYC restaurant, visit the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool at a]nyc.gov/health/restaurants.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Baya Bar including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.