Manhattan, NY — A health inspection conducted at Natura Cafe / Dream Downtown, located at 355 West 16th Street in Chelsea, resulted in a score of 33 and a Grade C rating, according to records released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The inspection took place on March 27, 2026, with data made public on April 6, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented two non-critical violations during the visit.
The first, cited under Code 10G, noted that dishwashing and ware washing practices were deficient — specifically, the cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, dishes, utensils, and equipment did not meet required standards. Proper sanitation of food-contact surfaces is a foundational requirement under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, as inadequately cleaned equipment can contribute to cross-contamination.
The second violation, cited under Code 08A, found that the establishment was not free of harborage conditions or conditions conducive to rodents, insects, or other pests. This violation does not indicate a confirmed pest sighting but rather the presence of structural or environmental conditions — such as gaps, clutter, or improper storage — that could enable pest activity. Preventing pest harborage is required under NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.22.
No critical violations were cited during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 governs food service establishment sanitation requirements throughout the city. The FDA Food Code, which New York City's rules broadly align with, establishes national baseline standards for equipment sanitation, pest control, and food handling.
Ware washing deficiencies are cited when establishments fail to demonstrate adequate procedures for sanitizing food-contact surfaces, either through improper chemical concentrations, insufficient rinse temperatures, or inadequate technique. Pest harborage conditions are evaluated separately from confirmed pest activity — inspectors assess whether the physical environment of a facility makes it vulnerable to infestation.
A score of 33 falls within the Grade C range, which begins at 28 points. Higher scores reflect a greater number or severity of violations identified during an inspection cycle.
Inspection History
Records for Natura Cafe / Dream Downtown show the following recent inspection results:
- May 6, 2026: Score 12 (Grade A)
- October 8, 2025: Score 15
- May 14, 2025: Score 56 (Grade Z)
- April 2, 2025: Score 28
The May 2026 result — a score of 12 and a Grade A — occurred after the March 2026 inspection that produced the Grade C score, reflecting improvement identified at a subsequent visit. The Grade Z designation from May 2025 indicates a score recorded during a re-inspection cycle before a final grade was assigned. The establishment's scores have fluctuated across the inspection history, ranging from a low of 12 to a high of 56.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City requires restaurants to post their most recent inspection grade in a visible location. Grades are assigned based on the total point score accumulated during an inspection:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Points are assigned based on the nature and number of violations found. Critical violations — those most directly linked to foodborne illness risk — carry higher point values than non-critical violations. In this inspection, both violations cited were non-critical.
Consumers can look up inspection records for any NYC restaurant through the city's public database at the DOHMH restaurant inspection results portal. Records include scores, violation codes, and grade history for all inspected establishments.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Natura Cafe / Dream Downtown including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.