Bronx, NY — Lava House Crepes & Cafe, a bakery and dessert café located at 459 West 238th Street in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, received a score of 34 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 27, 2026. A score of 28 or higher results in a Grade C, the lowest passing grade in the city's restaurant inspection program. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 30, 2026.

The single violation documented during the inspection was non-critical in classification. Inspectors identified no critical violations during this visit.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one violation during the March 27 inspection, recorded under Code 10B, which addresses plumbing and drainage standards. Specifically, the violation noted that an anti-siphon or back-flow prevention device was not provided where required, or that equipment or flooring was not properly drained. The violation category also covers sewage disposal systems found to be in disrepair or not functioning properly, as well as improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

Although classified as non-critical, plumbing and drainage violations are regulated under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with the FDA Food Code, which requires food establishments to maintain plumbing systems that prevent contamination of food contact surfaces and the surrounding environment. Back-flow prevention devices, in particular, are designed to stop contaminated water from flowing backward into potable water supply lines — a standard requirement for commercial food service operations. Proper drainage systems prevent the accumulation of liquid waste, which can create conditions favorable to pest activity or bacterial growth if left unaddressed.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes plumbing requirements for all permitted food service establishments in the five boroughs. These standards reflect federal guidance in the FDA Food Code, which treats adequate plumbing infrastructure as a foundational element of food safety compliance. Back-flow prevention and proper drainage are not discretionary features; they are baseline requirements for obtaining and maintaining a food service permit.

Violations in this category can be corrected through repair or installation of compliant equipment. Unlike critical violations — which involve issues with direct potential to cause foodborne illness, such as improper food temperatures or evidence of pests — non-critical violations typically address structural and operational conditions that, while important to correct, do not indicate an immediate health hazard at the time of inspection.

Inspection History

Records for Lava House Crepes & Cafe show the following inspection activity:

  • May 5, 2026: Score 26 (Grade Z — Grade Pending)
  • March 27, 2026: Score 34 (Grade C) — subject of this report
  • November 29, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • September 23, 2024: Score 38

The café earned a Grade A during its November 2024 inspection with a score of 12, reflecting strong compliance at that time. A prior inspection in September 2024 recorded a score of 38. The most recent entry in the inspection record — dated May 5, 2026 — shows a score of 26 with a Grade Z designation, which in New York City's grading system indicates that the restaurant has been re-inspected and a final grade is pending posting.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's letter grading system, administered by DOHMH, is based on points assigned for each violation documented during an unannounced inspection. Grades are calculated as follows:

  • A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: Score of 14–27 points
  • C: Score of 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a B or C on their initial inspection are typically re-inspected within 30 to 45 days. If the score on the second inspection qualifies for a higher grade, the restaurant may post that grade. A Grade Z designation means a re-inspection has occurred but the final grade has not yet been officially assigned or posted.

Consumers can access the full inspection history for any permitted food service establishment in New York City through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov/health. Records include violation details, scores, and grade history for all inspected locations.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Lava House Crepes & Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.