Manhattan, NY — Diner 24, located at 283 3rd Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 33 during a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C territory. Inspectors from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) documented two critical violations and one non-critical violation at the American restaurant.
The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 4, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
The inspection identified two critical food safety violations, both related to improper temperature control of time and temperature controlled for safety (TCS) foods.
Inspectors cited the restaurant under Code 02G for holding cold TCS food items above 41°F. This violation category also covers smoked or processed fish held above 38°F, intact raw eggs held above 45°F, and reduced oxygen packaged TCS foods held above required temperatures outside of active preparation. Cold foods must be maintained at or below their designated temperature thresholds to prevent bacterial growth.
A second critical violation was recorded under Code 02B for hot TCS food items not held at or above 140°F. When hot foods drop below this threshold, they enter the temperature danger zone where harmful bacteria can multiply rapidly.
Additionally, one non-critical violation was documented under Code 10B, relating to plumbing and drainage issues. Inspectors noted deficiencies that may have included the absence of anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices, improper floor drainage, sewage disposal system issues, or improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control is one of the most fundamental requirements in food safety. The FDA Food Code identifies the temperature danger zone — between 41°F and 140°F — as the range in which foodborne pathogens can grow most rapidly. Having both hot-holding and cold-holding violations cited simultaneously indicates that temperature management practices at the establishment were not meeting standards across multiple areas of food preparation and storage.
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain TCS foods at safe temperatures at all times, except during brief periods of active preparation. These requirements are designed to minimize the risk of foodborne illness caused by bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli, which can proliferate when foods are held at improper temperatures.
The plumbing violation, while classified as non-critical, relates to infrastructure that supports overall sanitary conditions in a food service environment. Proper drainage and back-flow prevention help ensure that wastewater does not contaminate food preparation areas or clean water supplies.
Inspection History
Diner 24's recent inspection record shows a pattern of variable scores:
- February 26, 2026: Score 33 (Grade C range), violations cited
- May 28, 2025: Inspection conducted, score not recorded in available data
- September 24, 2024: Score 19 (Grade B)
- August 7, 2024: Score 52
The current score of 33 represents an increase from the restaurant's September 2024 score of 19, which had placed it in Grade B range. The August 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 52, indicating the restaurant has experienced significant scoring fluctuations over the past two years.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: 0 to 13 points
- B: 14 to 27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade C score of 33 means the restaurant accumulated enough violation points to fall outside both the A and B grade ranges. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection and can also contest their grade through an administrative tribunal hearing.
Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection grades are required to be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
For more information about NYC restaurant inspections and food safety, residents can contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Diner 24 including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.