Manhattan, NY — Felix Roasting Co, a coffee and tea establishment at 450 Park Avenue South, received a health inspection score of 28 points during a March 10, 2026 inspection conducted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). The score resulted in a Grade C rating, marking a significant departure from the restaurant's previous inspection record. The DOHMH released the inspection data on March 12, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Health inspectors documented one critical violation during their visit to the establishment. The violation involved food, supplies, or equipment not being adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Inspectors also cited issues with condiments not being stored in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor, and concerns about customer refillable or reusable containers.

This violation falls under NYC Health Code Section 06C, which addresses proper food protection protocols required at all food service establishments. The critical designation indicates the violation poses a direct risk to public health and requires immediate corrective action.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes comprehensive requirements for food service establishments to prevent contamination and ensure safe food handling practices. The regulations mandate that all food, supplies, and equipment must be stored, prepared, and served in ways that protect them from potential contamination sources.

According to FDA Food Code standards, which inform New York City's regulations, proper food protection includes maintaining physical barriers between food products and potential contaminants, using appropriate storage containers, and implementing sanitation protocols for reusable customer containers. Single-service condiment containers or direct vendor dispensing methods are required to prevent cross-contamination between customers.

The Grade C score of 28 points places the establishment in the highest violation point category under NYC's restaurant grading system. Points are assessed based on the type and severity of violations found during unannounced inspections.

Inspection History

Felix Roasting Co maintained a consistent Grade A record prior to this inspection:

  • October 8, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • June 7, 2023: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • April 6, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)

The establishment's inspection history shows this is the first time the coffee shop has received a score exceeding the Grade A threshold since at least April 2022. The 23-point increase from the most recent October 2024 inspection represents a substantial change in the facility's compliance status.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on violation points accumulated during health inspections:

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

Establishments receiving Grade B or C scores have the option to request a re-inspection, which typically occurs within 30 days. The grade posted at the establishment reflects the most recent scored inspection. All inspection results are public record and available through the DOHMH website.

Critical violations receive higher point values than non-critical violations due to their direct connection to foodborne illness risk factors. The single critical violation documented at Felix Roasting Co was sufficient to generate the 28-point total.

Public Health Information

The DOHMH conducts unannounced inspections of all food service establishments in New York City at least once per year. Inspection results, violation details, and establishment compliance history are available to the public through the NYC Health Department's restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov/health.

Consumers with food safety questions or concerns about specific establishments can contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website for additional resources about restaurant inspections and food safety regulations.

More About This Restaurant

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