Manhattan, NY — Maraca Nyc, a Latin American restaurant at 3795 10th Avenue in Manhattan's Inwood neighborhood, received a score of 54 and a Grade C following a health inspection conducted on March 14, 2026, according to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) records. The score is more than four times the 13-point threshold for an A grade.

The inspection data was released publicly by DOHMH on March 16, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 14 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented two non-critical violations at the establishment:

The first violation, cited under code 08A, noted that the establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This type of violation indicates that inspectors identified environmental conditions — such as gaps, openings, clutter, or sanitation deficiencies — that could attract or harbor pest activity within the restaurant.

The second violation, cited under code 15-01, documented that smoking or electronic cigarette use was allowed in a prohibited area. Under the NYC Smoke-Free Air Act, smoking and vaping are prohibited in virtually all indoor workplaces, including restaurants and bars. This violation indicates that the establishment was not enforcing the applicable smoking restrictions at the time of inspection.

No critical violations were documented during this inspection. Under DOHMH's scoring system, critical violations are those that pose an immediate risk to public health, such as improper food holding temperatures or evidence of active pest infestation. The two non-critical violations cited nonetheless contributed to a total score of 54, which falls well above the Grade C threshold of 28 or more points.

Food Safety Context

New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes sanitation standards for food service establishments. The program is also informed by the FDA Food Code, which provides model guidelines for safe food preparation, storage, and service nationwide.

Pest harborage conditions are addressed under multiple sections of the Health Code, which requires food establishments to be maintained in a condition that prevents the entry and nesting of vermin. Even when active pest activity is not observed, conditions that are conducive to pest harborage — such as structural gaps, improper waste storage, or excessive clutter — are cited as violations because they increase the likelihood of future infestation.

The smoking violation reflects enforcement of the NYC Smoke-Free Air Act, which has been in effect since 2002 and was expanded in subsequent years to include electronic cigarettes. Restaurants are required to post no-smoking signage and actively enforce the prohibition.

Inspection History

DOHMH records show the following prior inspection history for Maraca Nyc:

  • 2023-05-31: Score 36 (Grade N)

The restaurant's previous inspection in May 2023 also resulted in a score above the Grade C threshold, with a score of 36. A Grade N designation indicates the restaurant was in a re-inspection cycle at that time. The current March 2026 inspection score of 54 represents an increase of 18 points over the 2023 result, indicating a decline in inspection performance.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The scoring system assigns point values to each violation, with lower scores indicating better compliance:

  • A: 0-13 points — The restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
  • B: 14-27 points — The restaurant has moderate violations that need correction
  • C: 28+ points — The restaurant has significant violations requiring attention

Maraca Nyc's score of 54 places it firmly in the Grade C range. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C have the option to post the letter grade or a "Grade Pending" sign while awaiting a re-inspection, during which they have the opportunity to improve their score.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations cited, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database available online. The NYC 311 system also allows residents to file complaints about food safety concerns at any restaurant.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Maraca Nyc including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.