Queens, NY — Miranda Cafe, located at 5124B Northern Blvd in Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted July 21, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 56, placing the establishment in C-grade territory, and cited two critical violations alongside one non-critical violation. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on July 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented three violations during the July 21 visit, two of which were classified as critical under NYC Health Code Article 81.
The first critical violation, Code 04L, involved evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas. The presence of rodents in a food service environment poses a direct risk of contamination and is among the most serious categories of violation tracked by DOHMH.
The second critical violation, Code 02G, involved cold time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods held above required temperature thresholds. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, cold TCS foods must be maintained at or below 41°F to inhibit bacterial growth. Smoked or processed fish must be held at or below 38°F, and intact raw eggs at or below 45°F. Inspectors found that items were not being held within these required ranges.
The non-critical violation, Code 08A, cited conditions in the establishment conducive to rodent, insect, or other pest harborage. This violation is often identified alongside active pest evidence and relates to structural or maintenance conditions that allow pests to shelter within the facility.
DOHMH noted that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of inspection. The establishment was ordered closed as a result of the findings.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program operates under NYC Health Code Article 81, which establishes requirements for food handling, storage, facility maintenance, and pest control. Restaurants are scored on a point-based system during unannounced inspections, with lower scores indicating better compliance.
The FDA Food Code, which informs local health codes across the country, identifies improper temperature control and pest presence as priority violations due to their direct link to foodborne illness risk. Cold foods held outside of safe temperature ranges can allow pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli to multiply to unsafe levels. Rodent activity in a food preparation environment introduces contamination risk through droppings, urine, and direct contact with food or food-contact surfaces.
When DOHMH inspectors identify violations that pose an immediate public health risk, they are authorized under NYC Health Code Article 81.51 to order an establishment closed until those conditions are corrected and the facility passes a re-inspection.
Inspection History
Miranda Cafe's inspection record over the past several years shows a pattern of fluctuating scores:
- May 5, 2025: Score 12
- February 13, 2025: Score 32
- March 7, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- September 22, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
- December 21, 2022: Score 23
The establishment achieved A grades in both its 2023 and 2024 inspections and posted a score of 12 in May 2025. However, a score of 32 was recorded in February 2025, and the most recent inspection on July 21, 2026 resulted in a score of 56 — the highest recorded score in the available history. The closure action represents a significant departure from the facility's performance in 2023 and 2024.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on their inspection scores. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: Score of 28 points or higher
A score of 56 places Miranda Cafe well within C-grade range. Restaurants that are closed by DOHMH must pass a re-inspection before being permitted to reopen.
Current inspection records for all NYC restaurants, including reinspection results and grade postings, are available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review full inspection histories.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Miranda Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.