Manhattan, NY — Luckin Coffee, located at 221 Grand Street in Manhattan's Chinatown neighborhood, received a score of 30 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on February 17, 2026. The score places the coffee shop in Grade C territory, the lowest grade in the city's restaurant grading system.
The inspection identified one critical violation and one non-critical violation at the coffee and tea establishment.
What Inspectors Found
The most significant finding was a critical violation involving food contact surfaces that were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred (violation code 06D). Under NYC health regulations, food contact surfaces — including preparation counters, utensils, and equipment that directly touches food or beverages — must be cleaned and sanitized between uses to prevent cross-contamination and the potential spread of foodborne pathogens.
For a coffee and tea establishment, food contact surfaces can include espresso machine components, blender vessels, milk frothing pitchers, and drink preparation areas. When these surfaces are not properly sanitized, bacteria and other contaminants can transfer to beverages served to customers.
Inspectors also documented a non-critical violation noting that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit (violation code 10F). While classified as non-critical, this type of violation can contribute to unsanitary conditions that may affect overall food safety in the establishment.
Food Safety Context
The requirement for proper washing, rinsing, and sanitizing of food contact surfaces is established under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligns with the FDA Food Code, which sets federal guidelines for food safety in retail food establishments. These regulations require a specific three-step process: washing with detergent, rinsing with clean water, and sanitizing with an approved chemical solution or hot water at the required temperature.
The FDA Food Code identifies improper cleaning and sanitizing of food contact surfaces as a significant risk factor for foodborne illness. Contaminated surfaces can harbor bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can then be transferred to food and beverages during preparation.
Non-food contact surface maintenance, while carrying a lower risk classification, is also addressed under these regulatory frameworks. Equipment and surfaces must be designed and maintained to be easily cleanable, helping prevent the accumulation of food debris, grease, and moisture that can attract pests and promote bacterial growth.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for this location in the DOHMH public database. This may indicate that the February 17, 2026 inspection was the establishment's first recorded inspection, or that the location recently opened or changed ownership.
It should be noted that the inspection was conducted on February 17, 2026, with the data released publicly by DOHMH on February 19, 2026. Conditions at the establishment may have changed since the inspection date.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity and the condition observed. The grading thresholds are:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Luckin Coffee's score of 30 falls into the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or an adjudicatory hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. During this process, the restaurant may post a "Grade Pending" card rather than the letter grade.
All New York City restaurant inspection results are public record and can be accessed through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database. Consumers can search for any restaurant's inspection history, scores, and specific violations found during each inspection.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Luckin Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.