Manhattan, NY — Current Coffee, a coffee and tea establishment located at 217 East 29th Street in the Kips Bay neighborhood, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on February 3, 2026. The shop received a score of 41 points, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating. Inspectors cited one critical violation related to the absence of required food safety procedures.
The closure marks the latest chapter in a series of inspection challenges for the establishment, which had received elevated scores in prior visits as well. The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on February 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 3 inspection, DOHMH inspectors identified a single critical violation at Current Coffee:
- Violation Code 05H: The establishment had no approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
This violation pertains to establishments that allow customers to bring their own cups, mugs, or other reusable containers for beverage service. Under NYC health regulations, any business that accepts refillable containers must maintain a documented, approved procedure outlining how staff will handle these containers to prevent cross-contamination and ensure food safety. The procedure must address how containers are inspected, how beverages are dispensed without the container contacting dispensing equipment, and how potential contamination risks are mitigated.
While only one violation was recorded, the resulting score of 41 points indicates that inspectors assessed the severity and scope of this deficiency as significant. The DOHMH uses a weighted scoring system where more serious public health risks carry higher point values. A score of 41 from a single critical violation reflects the degree to which the absence of this safety protocol was considered a risk to public health.
The establishment was closed on-site, with inspectors noting that violations requiring immediate action were addressed.
Food Safety Context
The requirement for written standard operating procedures for refillable containers is grounded in both the NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations recognize that refillable containers brought in by customers represent a potential vector for contamination if not handled according to established protocols.
The FDA Food Code specifically addresses the conditions under which refillable containers may be accepted, requiring that establishments have documented procedures to ensure that customer containers do not contaminate dispensing equipment, other food products, or food-contact surfaces. NYC Health Code Article 81 incorporates these principles into local enforcement, and DOHMH inspectors evaluate compliance during routine and follow-up inspections.
For coffee and tea establishments, where refillable travel mugs and cups are common, this requirement is particularly relevant. Without a written procedure, there is no documented framework for training staff or ensuring consistent safe handling practices across shifts and employees.
Inspection History
Current Coffee's recent inspection record shows a pattern of elevated scores prior to the February closure:
- Feb 17, 2026: Score 2, Reopened
- Feb 3, 2026: Score 41, Closed by DOHMH
- Dec 17, 2025: Score 40
- Nov 25, 2025: Score 40 (Grade Z)
- Oct 14, 2025: Score 0 (Grade N)
The establishment received a Grade N designation on October 14, 2025, which indicates a "Not Yet Graded" status typically assigned during initial inspections in a new grading cycle. The subsequent inspections in November and December 2025 both resulted in scores of 40, well above the Grade C threshold of 28 points. A Grade Z designation, recorded in November, indicates that the grade was pending adjudication or the restaurant had contested its results.
Notably, following the February 3 closure, Current Coffee was reopened on February 17, 2026, after a re-inspection yielded a score of just 2 points — well within the Grade A range. This suggests the establishment successfully addressed the cited violation and demonstrated compliance with DOHMH requirements during the follow-up inspection.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total points accumulated during an inspection. Points are assessed for each violation found, with more serious violations carrying higher point values:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer and less severe violations, with a Grade A representing the highest level of compliance. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) and may post a "Grade Pending" card while the hearing is scheduled.
Inspection results for all New York City restaurants, including Current Coffee, are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database and on the NYCRestaurantInspections.com website. Consumers can review complete inspection histories, violation details, and current grade status before visiting any establishment.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Current Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.