Manhattan, NY — Doaba Deli, an Indian restaurant at 945 Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on March 26, 2026. The establishment received a score of 40, placing it in Grade C territory under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on April 1, 2026.

The closure marked the second time in recent months the deli had been ordered to stop operations by health authorities.

What Inspectors Found

The March 26 inspection resulted in one recorded violation, classified as non-critical under the city's scoring system.

Inspectors cited the establishment under Code 10B, which covers plumbing and drainage deficiencies. Specifically, the violation noted that anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices were not provided where required, or that equipment or flooring was not properly drained. The citation also referenced improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

While the violation was categorized as non-critical — meaning it does not represent an immediate risk of foodborne illness — it contributed to a score high enough to trigger a closure order. The DOHMH re-closed the establishment as a result of the inspection findings.

Food Safety Context

Plumbing deficiencies such as the one identified under Code 10B carry significance in commercial food service environments. Improper drainage can allow wastewater or condensation to accumulate in areas where food is stored or prepared. Back-flow prevention devices are required to stop contaminated water from flowing backward into potable water supplies.

NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment operations in New York City, requires that all plumbing be maintained in good repair and comply with applicable building and plumbing codes. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies proper sewage disposal and plumbing maintenance as foundational requirements for sanitary food handling.

A score of 40 points substantially exceeds the threshold for a Grade C designation, which begins at 28 points. Although the single violation recorded was non-critical, the cumulative score reflected conditions that inspectors determined warranted closure of the establishment.

Inspection History

Doaba Deli has a documented history of inspection activity stretching back several years, with multiple closures and repeated Grade C scores on record.

  • April 3, 2026: Score 0 (Grade Z) — establishment reopened following closure
  • March 26, 2026: Score 40 — closed by DOHMH
  • March 11, 2026: Score 65 — closed by DOHMH
  • September 17, 2025: Score 31 (Grade C)
  • June 6, 2025: Score 22
  • May 6, 2025: Score not available
  • October 10, 2024: Score not available
  • November 15, 2023: Score 40 (Grade C)
  • January 30, 2023: Score 51

The record shows a pattern of elevated scores over multiple inspection cycles. The March 11, 2026 inspection — which resulted in a score of 65 and a closure — preceded the March 26 re-inspection that is the subject of this article. The subsequent April 3 inspection recorded a score of 0, at which point the establishment was allowed to reopen.

A score of 0 recorded at reopening typically reflects that previously identified violations had been corrected to the satisfaction of inspectors at the time of that visit.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grade system based on inspection scores to communicate food safety performance to the public. Grades are posted in restaurant windows and are a matter of public record.

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — indicates a high level of compliance
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — indicates a generally acceptable level of compliance with some violations noted
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher — indicates more significant violations requiring attention
  • Grade Z: Assigned when an establishment reopens after a closure pending a re-inspection that will determine the final posted grade

When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, it must address all cited violations and pass a re-inspection before resuming operations. The grade posted during the period following reopening reflects the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Inspection records for all NYC restaurants are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool. Residents can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full violation histories and grade information.

More About This Restaurant

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