Manhattan, NY — Earthbar, located at 10 Columbus Circle in Manhattan, received a score of 63 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 11, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented one critical violation related to food contamination prevention.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the February 11 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Earthbar for one critical violation under code 06C. The violation documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The citation also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

This type of violation addresses fundamental food safety protections. When food items and supplies are exposed to potential contamination sources, the risk of foodborne illness increases. Proper barriers, covers, and storage protocols are required to maintain food safety throughout all stages of handling.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Food contamination prevention is a cornerstone requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments throughout the five boroughs. The regulation requires that all food items be stored, prepared, and served in a manner that prevents contamination from environmental sources, cross-contact with other foods, and exposure to unsanitary conditions.

The FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for local health regulations nationwide, similarly mandates that food be protected from contamination by proper storage, separation, and handling procedures. Section 3-302 of the FDA Food Code specifically addresses the protection of food from environmental sources of contamination, including dust, insects, chemicals, and other contaminants that may be present in a food service environment.

The condiment-related portion of the citation addresses requirements that condiments offered to customers must either be in individual single-service containers or dispensed directly by the food service operator. This regulation is designed to prevent contamination that can occur when shared condiment containers are handled by multiple customers or left exposed to environmental contaminants.

Inspection History

Earthbar's February 2026 inspection result follows a pattern of elevated scores at this location:

  • December 31, 2025: Score 55, Grade N

A Grade N designation indicates that the restaurant received a score of 28 or higher during an initial inspection and was awaiting a re-inspection or adjudication hearing. The February 2026 score of 63 represents an increase of 8 points over the December result, indicating that conditions at the establishment did not improve between inspections.

The DOHMH noted that violations were cited but did not indicate that the establishment was ordered closed as a result of the February inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total number of violation points recorded during an inspection. Each violation carries a specific point value, with critical violations generally receiving higher point assignments than non-critical ones.

The grading scale is as follows:

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

A score of 63 falls well within the Grade C range, indicating significant compliance issues were documented during the inspection. Restaurants that receive a Grade C have the option to post the letter grade or a "Grade Pending" sign while awaiting a re-inspection or an adjudication hearing before the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.

Consumers can look up inspection results for any restaurant in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database provides current and historical inspection scores, violation details, and grade assignments for all inspected food service establishments in the city.

For questions about food safety or to report concerns about a food service establishment, residents can contact the city's 311 service line or visit the DOHMH website.

More About This Restaurant

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