Manhattan, NY — Mori Coffee, a coffee and tea establishment at 529 2nd Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade B score of 23 following a health inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant near the upper boundary of the Grade B range, just four points below the Grade C threshold of 28.

The inspection identified one critical violation and no non-critical violations. Data from the inspection was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented a single critical violation during the March 11 inspection:

  • Hot TCS food not held at or above 140 °F (Violation Code 02B): Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods that require hot holding were found below the mandatory 140 °F minimum.

TCS foods include items such as cooked proteins, dairy-based preparations, and other perishable products that support bacterial growth when held in the temperature danger zone between 41 °F and 140 °F. When hot foods fall below 140 °F without proper time controls in place, the risk of pathogenic bacterial multiplication increases significantly.

Despite being cited for only one violation, the severity of the temperature control issue contributed to a score of 23, which falls in the upper portion of the Grade B range.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code both establish 140 °F as the minimum holding temperature for hot TCS foods. This standard exists because common foodborne pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Bacillus cereus, can multiply rapidly when foods are held between 41 °F and 140 °F — a range commonly referred to as the "temperature danger zone."

For coffee and tea establishments that serve food items such as breakfast sandwiches, soups, or heated dairy products, maintaining proper holding temperatures is a critical food safety requirement. DOHMH inspectors use calibrated thermometers to verify internal food temperatures during inspections.

Inspection History

Mori Coffee's recent inspection record shows a notable shift from its previous performance:

  • Oct 23, 2024: Score 30 (Grade C range)
  • Nov 26, 2024: Score 5 (Grade A)
  • Mar 11, 2026: Score 23 (Grade B)

The establishment had achieved a strong Grade A score of just 5 points during its most recent prior inspection in November 2024, indicating a nearly violation-free operation at that time. The current score of 23 represents an 18-point increase. Notably, the October 2024 inspection had also resulted in a score of 30, which falls in the Grade C range, suggesting the establishment has experienced recurring compliance challenges.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on violation points accumulated during inspections:

  • A: 0–13 points — Highest rating, minimal violations
  • B: 14–27 points — Moderate violations identified
  • C: 28 or more points — Significant violations documented

Mori Coffee's current score of 23 falls within the Grade B range but sits just four points from a Grade C designation. Restaurants that receive a B or C grade may request a re-inspection or contest the grade through an administrative tribunal hearing.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection history through the DOHMH restaurant inspection search portal or by checking the letter grade posted at the establishment's entrance. Inspection results, scores, and violation details are public record and updated regularly as new data becomes available.

More About This Restaurant

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