Brooklyn, NY — Cafe Mia, a coffee and tea establishment at 1128 Broadway in Brooklyn, received a score of 43 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 6, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, indicating 28 or more violation points. Inspectors identified one critical violation during the visit.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The inspection documented a single critical violation related to contamination prevention protocols. Specifically, inspectors cited Cafe Mia under violation code 05H for not having an approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.

This violation addresses the requirement that food service establishments maintain documented procedures to prevent cross-contamination when containers are reused or returned by customers. Without a written protocol in place, there is no verifiable system to ensure that refillable containers are handled in a manner that prevents the introduction of contaminants into food or beverages.

Despite only one violation being recorded, the 43-point score indicates the violation was assessed at a high point value, reflecting the severity with which DOHMH weighs contamination prevention failures. No non-critical violations were noted during this inspection.

The action recorded by DOHMH stated that violations were cited in the relevant area, though no closure was ordered at the time of inspection.

Food Safety Context

Written standard operating procedures for contamination prevention are a foundational requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments across the five boroughs. These procedures are designed to ensure that establishments have clear, documented steps for handling refillable containers safely — particularly relevant for coffee shops and tea establishments where customers may bring personal cups or where the business uses returnable containers.

The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes the importance of written food safety plans and standard operating procedures as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing foodborne illness. These procedures serve as both a training tool for staff and a reference document that inspectors can review to verify compliance.

For coffee and tea establishments, contamination risks associated with refillable containers can include the introduction of allergens, biological contaminants, or chemical residues. A written procedure typically addresses how staff should inspect, clean, or refuse containers that do not meet safety standards.

Inspection History

Cafe Mia's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores:

  • Jan 17, 2026: Score 38 (Grade N)
  • Mar 6, 2026: Score 43 (Grade C)

The January 2026 inspection resulted in a score of 38 with a Grade N designation, which indicates the restaurant was in the grading process at that time. The March inspection score of 43 represents an increase of five points, suggesting that compliance issues have not been resolved between inspection cycles.

A Grade N is assigned when a restaurant receives a score of 28 or higher on an initial inspection and is awaiting a re-inspection. The subsequent March inspection score of 43 confirms continued difficulty meeting health code standards.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

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

  • A: 0–13 points
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations. A Grade C score of 43 places Cafe Mia well above the threshold, with 15 points beyond the Grade C minimum. Restaurants receiving a Grade C have the option to post the grade or request an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up the full inspection history of any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly available online. The database provides detailed violation descriptions, scores, and grade histories for all inspected food service establishments in the city.

More About This Restaurant

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