Manhattan, NY — Naya, a Middle Eastern restaurant located at 1314 York Avenue on the Upper East Side, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on March 11, 2026. The score places the restaurant in Grade C territory, a notable decline from its previous Grade A rating.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 13, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March 11 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented a non-critical violation related to food temperature monitoring equipment. Specifically, the restaurant was cited under violation code 10E for not providing an accurate thermometer or not having one properly located in refrigerated, cold storage, or hot holding equipment.

While this was the only violation recorded during the inspection, the resulting score of 28 points places Naya at the threshold for a Grade C designation. It should be noted that the inspection record indicates no critical violations were cited — the single non-critical violation carried sufficient point weight to push the score to 28.

The DOHMH action noted that violations were cited but no closure or other enforcement action was taken at the time of the inspection.

Food Safety Context

Accurate temperature monitoring in food storage and holding equipment is a foundational requirement under both NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Thermometers in refrigeration units and hot holding equipment allow kitchen staff to verify that food is being stored at safe temperatures — at or below 41°F for cold storage and at or above 140°F for hot holding.

Without properly placed and accurate thermometers, there is no reliable way for staff to confirm that potentially hazardous foods are being maintained outside the temperature danger zone of 41°F to 140°F. Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply rapidly when food is held within this range for extended periods.

The FDA Food Code requires that food establishments maintain accurate measuring devices in all refrigeration units, cold storage areas, and hot holding equipment to ensure continuous temperature compliance. NYC Health Code Article 81 mirrors these requirements and assigns point values to violations based on their potential impact on public health.

Inspection History

Naya's prior inspection record shows a significant shift from its most recent previous visit:

  • 2024-10-09: Score 11 (Grade A)

The October 2024 inspection resulted in a score of 11, well within the Grade A range and indicating strong compliance at that time. The jump from 11 to 28 over approximately 17 months represents a move from the best possible grade category to the lowest.

It is worth noting that a single inspection score represents conditions documented on one specific day. Restaurants can and do improve their scores on subsequent inspections, and DOHMH provides opportunities for re-inspection.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system, administered by DOHMH, assigns letter grades based on the total violation points accumulated during an inspection:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points — Indicates strong compliance with health regulations
  • Grade B: 14–27 points — Indicates moderate violations requiring correction
  • Grade C: 28+ points — Indicates more significant compliance issues

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection are offered a re-inspection opportunity, typically within a cycle that allows time for corrective action. The grade posted in the restaurant window reflects the establishment's best score within its current inspection cycle.

A Grade C score does not automatically result in closure. Closures are reserved for conditions that present an imminent health hazard, such as active pest infestations, sewage issues, or other conditions posing an immediate risk to public safety.

Resources for Diners

Consumers can look up any New York City restaurant's inspection history, including specific violations and scores, through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database available online. The letter grade posted at the entrance of each restaurant reflects its most recent grading outcome.

Naya's full inspection record, including historical scores and violation details, is available through the NYC Open Data portal and the DOHMH restaurant grades search tool.

More About This Restaurant

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