Brooklyn, NY — Beets Social Cafe, located at 2162 Fulton Street in Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following a routine inspection conducted on February 11, 2026. The American restaurant received a score of 53, well above the 28-point threshold that triggers a Grade C designation under the city's restaurant grading system.
The closure marks a significant decline for the establishment, which had earned a Grade A rating with a score of 6 during its previous inspection in June 2025.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 11 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one non-critical violation at Beets Social Cafe. The violation, recorded under code 10F, pertained to non-food contact surfaces or equipment. Specifically, inspectors documented that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.
While the inspection record lists only one non-critical violation, the establishment received a total score of 53 points, indicating that additional conditions were identified and documented during the inspection process. Under NYC's scoring system, each violation carries a specific point value based on its severity and the condition observed. The combined score of 53 resulted in the establishment being closed by DOHMH, with the department noting that violations requiring immediate action were addressed.
It is worth noting that the inspection data, released by DOHMH on February 13, 2026, reflects conditions observed on the date of inspection. The public dataset may not capture every detail of the inspector's full report.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program, governed by NYC Health Code Article 81, requires all food service establishments to maintain sanitary conditions that protect public health. The program is one of the most comprehensive municipal food safety systems in the United States, with DOHMH conducting unannounced inspections of the city's approximately 27,000 restaurants.
The violation cited at Beets Social Cafe relates to the maintenance and cleanliness of non-food contact surfaces. Under the FDA Food Code, which serves as a model for local health regulations, food establishments are required to maintain all equipment and surfaces in good repair and in a sanitary condition. Non-food contact surfaces, while not directly touching food, can harbor bacteria, pests, and other contaminants that may indirectly compromise food safety if not properly maintained.
When an establishment receives a score of 28 or more points during an initial inspection, it is subject to a Grade C designation. In cases where conditions pose a sufficient risk to public health, DOHMH has the authority to close an establishment immediately, as occurred with Beets Social Cafe. Closed establishments must correct all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen.
Inspection History
Public records show the following inspection history for Beets Social Cafe:
- February 18, 2026: Score 2 (Grade Z) — Reopened
- February 11, 2026: Score 53, Closed by DOHMH
- June 6, 2025: Score 6 (Grade A)
- April 25, 2025: Score 30
The inspection history reveals that Beets Social Cafe successfully reopened on February 18, 2026, just one week after the closure, with a score of 2. This score indicates that the establishment addressed the violations identified during the February 11 inspection and demonstrated substantial compliance with health code requirements upon re-inspection.
The restaurant's record also shows some variability in performance. In April 2025, the establishment received a score of 30, which would place it in Grade C territory. However, the restaurant improved significantly by its next inspection in June 2025, earning a Grade A with a score of just 6. The February 2026 closure and subsequent rapid reopening with a near-perfect score of 2 suggests the establishment was able to quickly remediate the conditions that led to the elevated score.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores. The grading system works as follows:
- Grade A: 0–13 points (lowest risk)
- Grade B: 14–27 points (moderate risk)
- Grade C: 28 or more points (highest risk)
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations and reflect better compliance with health code standards. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to be re-inspected, and the better score of the two inspections determines the final posted grade.
The Grade Z notation that appears in Beets Social Cafe's February 18 re-inspection record is an administrative designation used during the grading process and does not represent a publicly posted letter grade.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH website or the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection scores and grades are public record and are updated as new inspection data becomes available. Restaurants are required to post their current letter grade in a conspicuous location visible to patrons entering the establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Beets Social Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.