Manhattan, NY — Luckin Coffee, located at 221 Grand Street in Manhattan, received a Grade C following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The establishment recorded a score of 41, placing it in the Grade C range. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the April inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the Grand Street location.
The violation cited was Code 10F, which pertains to non-food contact surfaces or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.
While this violation does not involve direct food contamination or food handling practices, it is a maintenance and cleanliness standard that DOHMH requires all food service establishments to meet. Surfaces and equipment that are not kept clean or properly maintained can create conditions that complicate sanitation over time. The violation contributed to a point total that placed the restaurant's score in Grade C territory.
No critical violations were identified during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program is administered under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with standards in the FDA Food Code. Inspections are unannounced and conducted at least once per year for most establishments.
Under NYC's scoring system, violations are assigned point values based on their potential risk to public health. Critical violations — those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness — carry higher point values. Non-critical violations, such as the one documented at this location, generally involve facility maintenance, equipment condition, or record-keeping issues rather than direct food safety risks.
Code 10F specifically addresses the physical condition and accessibility of non-food contact equipment. The requirement exists to ensure that surfaces near food preparation and storage areas can be properly cleaned and do not harbor debris or pests over time. Compliance with this standard is part of the broader framework for maintaining a sanitary food service environment.
Restaurants that receive a Grade C may post that grade or request a re-inspection before a grade is assigned. DOHMH requires that grade cards be posted in a location visible to the public.
Inspection History
Luckin Coffee's prior inspection record at this location shows:
- February 17, 2026: Score 30 (Grade N)
A Grade N designation is issued when an establishment is newly opened or when a score cannot yet result in a final grade — typically during an initial inspection cycle. The February score of 30 also fell in the range that would correspond to a Grade C, indicating that this location has recorded elevated scores across consecutive inspections.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's letter grading system translates inspection scores into public-facing grades posted at the entrance of each establishment. The grade reflects the most recent scored inspection:
- A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- C: Score of 28 points or more
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. A Grade A establishment has demonstrated compliance with the standards most likely to prevent foodborne illness and maintain a clean food service environment.
Scores are cumulative across all violations cited during a single inspection. A single non-critical violation can still contribute enough points to result in a lower grade depending on the specific code and its assigned point value.
Consumers can look up the full inspection history for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search tool at nyc.gov/health. Records include violation details, scores, grades, and any enforcement actions taken.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Luckin Coffee including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.