Manhattan, NY — Carmela, a coffee and tea shop located at 10 5th Avenue in Manhattan, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted March 26, 2026, after inspectors documented two critical violations. The establishment recorded a score of 24, placing it near the upper boundary of the B range and just four points from the Grade C threshold.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) cited two critical violations during the March visit.

The first, Code 02B, found that hot temperature-controlled for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above 140°F. Proper hot-holding temperatures are a fundamental requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. When hot foods fall below this threshold, bacterial growth can accelerate to levels that pose a risk to consumers.

The second violation, Code 04A, noted that no manager or supervisor on duty held a valid Food Protection Certificate (FPC). NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that at least one certified food protection manager be present and responsible during food service operations. The FPC ensures that a qualified individual is overseeing safe food handling practices at all times.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Both violations cited at Carmela are classified as critical under DOHMH standards, meaning they represent conditions that, if left uncorrected, could directly contribute to foodborne illness. The FDA Food Code defines critical violations as those with a direct link to the occurrence of foodborne illness risk factors.

A score of 24 falls within the Grade B range, which DOHMH defines as 14 to 27 points. While a Grade B indicates that violations were found, it also reflects that the establishment remained open and was not ordered closed following this inspection. However, a score of 24 places Carmela close to the top of the B band, with only four points separating it from the 28-point threshold that would result in a Grade C.

Inspection History

Carmela's recent inspection record includes the following:

  • February 2, 2026: Score 55 (Grade N) — a "Grade Pending" designation typically issued when an establishment does not achieve an A on an initial inspection cycle

A Grade N, or "Not Yet Graded," is assigned while an establishment awaits a reinspection. The March 26 result of 24 represents the outcome of that subsequent visit, at which point the Grade B was issued.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores under the following scale:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Grades must be publicly posted at the entrance of the restaurant. Consumers can look up full inspection records, including violation details, through the DOHMH online inspection database.

Inspection data for this visit was conducted March 26, 2026, and released by DOHMH on April 1, 2026. For the most current information, visit the NYC DOHMH restaurant inspection results portal at nyc.gov.

More About This Restaurant

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