Brooklyn, NY — Coconut Thyme Cuisine, a Caribbean restaurant at 531 Utica Avenue in Brooklyn, recorded a score of 86 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 31, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. The inspection identified 3 critical violations and 7 non-critical violations across food safety, equipment maintenance, and posting requirements. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 9, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most significant violations cited during the inspection involved temperature control for safety foods. Inspectors documented two separate instances under Code 05F, finding that the restaurant had insufficient or no hot holding, cold storage, or cold holding equipment capable of maintaining Time/Temperature Control for Safety (TCS) foods at required temperatures. TCS foods — which include cooked meats, dairy products, and prepared items common in Caribbean cuisine — must be held at 41°F or below for cold foods, or 140°F or above for hot foods, to prevent bacterial growth.

A third critical violation was recorded under Code 05C, noting that food contact surfaces, refillable or reusable containers, or equipment were improperly constructed, placed, or maintained, or made from unacceptable materials. Inspectors also noted that a culinary sink or other acceptable method for washing food was not provided.

Seven non-critical violations were also cited. Three separate entries were recorded under Code 10F, indicating that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate cleaning. Three additional violations under Code 20-08 documented a failure to post or conspicuously display healthy eating information as required. A single violation under Code 15-27 noted that signage prohibiting smoking or the use of electronic cigarettes was not conspicuously posted on the premises.

Food Safety Context

Temperature control violations are among the most consequential findings in restaurant inspections. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, operators are required to maintain adequate refrigeration and hot holding equipment at all times to prevent the growth of pathogens including Salmonella, Listeria, and Clostridium perfringens. Foods held at improper temperatures for extended periods can become vehicles for foodborne illness.

Food contact surface violations carry similar weight. Under Article 81 of the NYC Health Code, all surfaces that come into direct contact with food must be constructed from smooth, non-porous, and cleanable materials, and must be maintained in good repair. The absence of a functional culinary sink limits a kitchen's ability to properly wash raw produce and other food items before preparation.

Non-critical violations, while not posing an immediate health risk, contribute to the overall score and reflect conditions that could become hazardous if left unaddressed.

Inspection History

The available inspection record for Coconut Thyme Cuisine includes one prior entry:

  • April 13, 2026: Score 5 (Grade N)

A Grade N designation is assigned when a restaurant is undergoing an initial inspection cycle and has not yet completed the process that results in a letter grade posting. The April 13 inspection, conducted after the March 31 scoring visit, recorded a score of 5, reflecting a significant improvement. Under DOHMH's grading cycle, a restaurant that scores above Grade A on its initial inspection is given the opportunity for a re-inspection before a grade is posted publicly.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system based on points accumulated during inspections. Lower scores indicate fewer violations:

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

A score of 86 places Coconut Thyme Cuisine well into Grade C range. Each violation is assigned a point value based on its severity and potential risk to public health, with critical violations carrying higher point totals than non-critical ones.

Consumers can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov. Inspection scores and violation details are updated regularly as new data is released.

More About This Restaurant

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