Brooklyn, NY — Coffee With Milk, located at 504 Nostrand Avenue in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on May 11, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 88 points, well above the threshold that triggers a failing grade under the city's restaurant grading system. The inspection data was released by the DOHMH on May 14, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented four violations during the May 11 visit — two classified as critical and two as non-critical.

The first critical violation, cited under Code 05D, identified that the establishment lacked an accessible hand washing facility in or adjacent to the toilet room, or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service, or ware washing area. Inspectors noted that the hand washing facility was either obstructed or being used for purposes other than hand washing, and that required supplies — including hot and cold running water, soap, and an acceptable hand-drying device — were not properly available. Consistent access to functional hand washing stations is a foundational requirement under the FDA Food Code and NYC Health Code Article 81, as hand hygiene is one of the primary controls for preventing foodborne illness transmission.

The second critical violation, cited under Code 06F, found that wiping cloths were not being stored clean and dry between uses, nor kept in an approved sanitizing solution. Improperly stored wiping cloths can harbor pathogens and, when used on food contact surfaces, become a vector for cross-contamination.

Among the non-critical violations, Code 10G identified deficiencies in the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment. Proper ware washing procedures are required to prevent the transfer of bacteria and other contaminants between service cycles.

The second non-critical violation, cited under Code 20-04, noted that required postings were absent from the premises — specifically, the "Choking First Aid" poster, the "Alcohol and Pregnancy" warning sign, and a sign indicating the availability of resuscitation equipment such as exhaled air resuscitation masks for adults and pediatric patients, as well as latex gloves. These postings are mandated under New York City law and must be displayed in clearly visible locations.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, restaurants are subject to unannounced inspections by DOHMH sanitary inspectors trained to evaluate compliance with food safety regulations. Violations are assigned point values based on their potential public health risk. Critical violations, which represent conditions most likely to contribute to foodborne illness, carry higher point values than non-critical violations.

The FDA Food Code, which forms the basis for many of the city's health code provisions, requires that hand washing facilities remain accessible, stocked, and dedicated solely to hand washing at all times. Code 05D violations are among those considered most significant during inspections, as inadequate hand hygiene infrastructure directly undermines a kitchen's ability to control contamination.

A score of 88 points substantially exceeds the level at which restaurant grades are assigned. Under the city's grading system, a score in this range reflects a significant accumulation of documented violations and typically results in a closure order pending reinspection and compliance.

Inspection History

Coffee With Milk has a limited but notable inspection history in the DOHMH system:

  • April 3, 2026: Score 55 (Grade N — not yet graded, pending reinspection)
  • May 11, 2026: Score 88 — closed by DOHMH

The April 2026 inspection, which produced a score of 55, already placed the restaurant in territory requiring corrective action. The May 11 reinspection resulted in an increased score and a closure order, indicating that conditions identified in the prior visit had not been adequately addressed.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system based on inspection scores assigned during DOHMH visits. Grades are posted publicly on restaurant windows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0–13 points (lowest number of violations)
  • Grade B: Score of 14–27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points
  • Grade N: Not yet graded — restaurant is awaiting a reinspection or grade appeal

A restaurant may also receive a closure order at any point if inspectors determine that conditions pose an immediate public health risk, regardless of the final numeric score.

Restaurants that are closed by the DOHMH are generally required to correct all cited violations before reopening. A compliance inspection by the department must confirm that conditions have been remedied before the establishment is permitted to resume operations.

Members of the public can view current and historical inspection data for any city restaurant through the DOHMH's NYC Restaurant Inspection Results database, available through the city's open data portal. Complaints about restaurant conditions can be submitted to 311 online or by phone.

More About This Restaurant

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