Brooklyn, NY — Emily's Bakery, located at 940 McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted April 6, 2026. The restaurant scored 24 points — placing it in the upper range of the B bracket and within three points of the Grade C threshold. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one violation during the April visit, classified as non-critical. The citation involved Code 10F: a non-food contact surface or equipment found to be made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or positioned to allow adequate access for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

No critical violations were recorded during this inspection. Critical violations, under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, are those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk, such as improper food temperatures, contamination, or pest activity. The single violation cited here falls into the non-critical category, meaning it reflects a maintenance or sanitation condition that does not pose an immediate food safety threat but does require correction to meet city standards.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 requires that all food service equipment and surfaces be maintained in good repair and in a condition that permits thorough cleaning. Non-food contact surfaces — such as shelving, equipment exteriors, and undersides of units — must be accessible and kept free of buildup that could indirectly affect food safety or sanitation conditions.

While a score of 24 carries no immediate public health emergency designation, it reflects documented conditions that fall meaningfully short of Grade A standards. The FDA Food Code, which informs New York City's inspection framework, emphasizes that sanitation of equipment surfaces, even those not in direct contact with food, is a foundational component of a compliant food service operation.

Inspection History

Emily's Bakery has maintained a generally strong inspection record in recent years. Prior results on file with DOHMH are as follows:

  • May 21, 2026: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • August 28, 2025: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • April 17, 2025: Score 29
  • December 4, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)

The April 2025 result of 29 points placed the establishment in Grade C territory at that time. The subsequent August 2025 and May 2026 inspections both yielded Grade A scores, indicating corrective action was taken. The most recent April 2026 result represents a step back from those improvements, though it remains within the Grade B range.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City issues letter grades based on inspection scores, which are posted publicly at restaurant entrances. The grading scale is as follows:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher

Lower scores indicate fewer or less serious violations. Restaurants scoring in the B or C range may request a re-inspection or choose to display a grade pending card while contesting results.

Full inspection records for Emily's Bakery and all NYC food service establishments are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection lookup tool at the NYC Open Data portal.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Emily's Bakery including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.