Brooklyn, NY — Nonna's Pizzeria, located at 253 Nassau Avenue in the Greenpoint neighborhood of Brooklyn, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted April 1, 2026. Inspectors recorded a score of 68, placing the establishment in the C range under the city's restaurant grading system. Inspection data was made publicly available by DOHMH on April 6, 2026.

The closure was ordered after inspectors identified one critical violation. According to the inspection record, violations requiring immediate action were addressed on-site prior to the establishment's reopening, though the restaurant remained closed at the time of the inspection action.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one critical violation during the April 1 visit:

Code 04F — Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.

This violation indicates that an area of the restaurant used for food preparation or storage showed evidence of contamination from sewage or liquid waste. Under NYC Health Code Article 81, this type of condition is classified as a critical violation because it presents a direct risk of foodborne illness to consumers.

Sewage or liquid waste contamination in food preparation areas can introduce harmful pathogens — including bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella — into surfaces, equipment, and food products. Inspectors are trained to identify visible evidence of sewage intrusion, drain overflow, or similar contamination sources during routine inspections.

No non-critical violations were cited during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

The closure of a food service establishment is authorized under NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service sanitation standards for all restaurants operating within New York City. DOHMH inspectors are empowered to order an immediate closure when conditions pose an imminent public health risk.

Sewage contamination of food contact surfaces and preparation areas is specifically addressed under the FDA Food Code, which establishes baseline standards that New York City's local health code incorporates and enforces. The FDA Food Code classifies sewage backups and related contamination as Priority Violations — the most serious category — because of their direct connection to the potential for foodborne illness.

When an establishment is closed under these circumstances, it must demonstrate to DOHMH that the underlying condition has been corrected before it is permitted to reopen. The inspection record notes that violations requiring immediate action were addressed at the time of the April 1 inspection.

Inspection History

Nonna's Pizzeria has a mixed inspection record over the past several years. The April 2026 inspection represents one of its higher scores in recent history:

  • April 1, 2026: Score 68 — Closed by DOHMH (1 critical violation)
  • February 17, 2026: Score 63
  • March 22, 2024: Score 11 (Grade A)
  • April 17, 2023: Score 22
  • November 15, 2022: Score 31 (Grade C)
  • February 17, 2022: Score 24

The restaurant received a Grade A following its March 2024 inspection, with a score of 11 — well within passing range. Prior to that, its November 2022 inspection resulted in a Grade C with a score of 31. The February 2026 inspection recorded a score of 63, which would also fall in the C range, suggesting a pattern of elevated scores in recent months leading up to the closure.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants following inspections. Grades are posted publicly at the establishment and are based on the total point score assigned during the most recent scored inspection:

  • Grade A: Score of 0 to 13 points — meets or exceeds city sanitation standards
  • Grade B: Score of 14 to 27 points — some violations noted, corrective action expected
  • Grade C: Score of 28 or more points — significant violations identified

A score of 68, as recorded in the April 1 inspection, falls well into the C range. Restaurants that score in the B or C range during an initial inspection are typically re-inspected within a defined timeframe. Establishments that receive a closure order must pass a re-inspection before resuming normal operations.

Residents and diners can look up the current inspection status and grade for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database. Inspection records are public and updated regularly as new inspections are completed and data is processed.

For questions about restaurant sanitation standards or to file a complaint about a food service establishment, New York City residents can contact 311 or visit the DOHMH website directly.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Nonna's Pizzeria including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.