Queens, NY — Espurresso Cat Cafe, located at 208-03 35 Avenue in Bayside, received a score of 54 during a New York City health inspection conducted on March 16, 2026. The score places the establishment well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C rating, with inspectors documenting a critical violation related to food contamination protection.

The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 27, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 16 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one critical violation at the Coffee/Tea establishment:

Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source 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 violation falls under NYC Health Code violation code 06C and is classified as critical, meaning it represents a condition that could directly contribute to foodborne illness or pose a hazard to public health.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection cycle.

Despite only one violation being cited, the establishment received a score of 54, indicating that the severity or extent of the documented condition was assessed at a high point value by inspectors.

Food Safety Context

Proper protection of food from contamination is a foundational requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. These regulations mandate that food must be shielded from potential contamination sources at every stage — from storage and preparation through display and service.

The contamination protection requirement is particularly relevant for establishments that operate in shared environments. Cat cafes, which allow customers to interact with animals in proximity to food service areas, face additional considerations under health code regulations regarding the separation of animal contact areas from food preparation and service zones.

The FDA Food Code specifies that food must be protected from contamination that may result from environmental sources, and condiments provided for customer self-service must be in individual packages, dispensed from covered containers, or protected by other sanitary means.

A score of 54 represents a significant departure from the standards required for an A grade. The point total suggests inspectors identified substantial concerns with how food safety protocols were being maintained at the time of the inspection.

Inspection History

This appears to be the first recorded inspection for Espurresso Cat Cafe in the DOHMH database. No prior inspection history is available for this establishment.

  • March 16, 2026: Score 54 (Grade C), one critical violation cited

Without prior inspection records, there is no baseline for comparison. First inspections can sometimes yield higher scores as establishments adjust to NYC health code requirements, though a score of 54 is notably elevated regardless of an establishment's inspection history.

The action recorded for this inspection was "Violations were cited in the following area(s)," indicating that the establishment was not closed as a result of the inspection but was cited for the documented violations.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points recorded during inspections. Fewer points indicate better compliance with health regulations:

  • A: 0 to 13 points — demonstrates strong compliance with food safety standards
  • B: 14 to 27 points — indicates moderate violations were documented
  • C: 28 or more points — indicates significant violations requiring attention

With a score of 54, Espurresso Cat Cafe's result falls firmly in the Grade C range, at more than four times the maximum threshold for an A grade.

Restaurants that receive a Grade C have the option to request a re-inspection. Establishments may also contest their grades through the DOHMH administrative tribunal process. Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the restaurant where they are visible to the public.

Consumers can look up current inspection results and violation details for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. The database is updated regularly as new inspection data becomes available, though there is typically a delay between when an inspection is conducted and when the results appear in public records — in this case, approximately 11 days.

More About This Restaurant

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