Manhattan, NY — Istanbul Kebab House, a Turkish restaurant located at 712 9th Avenue in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan, received a Grade C following a health inspection conducted on February 6, 2026. The restaurant received a score of 29 points, placing it just above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation. The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on February 27, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February 6 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at Istanbul Kebab House:
- Missing handwashing signage (Code 09E): A wash hands sign was not posted near or above the hand washing sink.
While only one violation was formally recorded in the inspection data, the restaurant's total score of 29 points indicates that additional point deductions were assessed during the inspection. Under the NYC restaurant inspection scoring system, points are assigned based on the nature and severity of each condition observed. The single documented violation for missing handwashing signage typically carries a relatively modest point value, suggesting that other conditions observed during the inspection contributed to the overall score.
It is important to note that the inspection resulted in the action "violations were cited in the following area(s)," meaning the restaurant was not ordered closed but was cited for the conditions found. No critical violations — those that directly contribute to foodborne illness — were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Handwashing signage requirements are established under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishments throughout the five boroughs. The requirement for posted handwashing reminders near sink areas aligns with FDA Food Code guidelines, which emphasize proper hand hygiene as a fundamental component of food safety in commercial kitchens.
Under Article 81, food service establishments must maintain conditions that protect public health, including proper signage to reinforce safe food handling practices among staff. While a missing sign may appear minor in isolation, regulatory agencies consider proper signage part of a broader framework designed to promote consistent hygiene practices in food preparation environments.
The Grade C designation means that Istanbul Kebab House may request an adjudicatory hearing or a re-inspection to potentially improve its posted grade. Restaurants receiving a Grade C are required to post the grade card issued by DOHMH in a location visible to the public.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for Istanbul Kebab House in the DOHMH public records database. This may indicate that the February 6, 2026, inspection was the establishment's initial inspection, or that prior records are not reflected in the currently available dataset.
The absence of prior inspection data means there is no baseline for comparison regarding the restaurant's historical compliance record.
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 documented during an inspection. Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations:
- Grade A: 0–13 points
- Grade B: 14–27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
A Grade C score of 29 places Istanbul Kebab House at the lower end of the C range. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade have the option to request a re-inspection, during which a new score is assessed. If the re-inspection yields a score of 0–13, the restaurant earns a Grade A. The original grade remains posted until a re-inspection produces a different result.
Consumers can look up inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, which is publicly accessible online. The database provides current and historical inspection scores, violation details, and grade postings for all inspected food service establishments in the city.
The inspection data referenced in this article reflects conditions observed on February 6, 2026, and may not represent the restaurant's current status. Establishments may address cited violations and request re-inspection at any time following an initial grading inspection.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Istanbul Kebab House including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.