New York, NY — Health inspectors awarded Grade A scores to 69 restaurants across all five boroughs on March 11, 2026, with establishments earning an average score of 8.8 points—well below the 13-point threshold for top marks. The inspected facilities represented diverse cuisines from Chinese and Italian to Middle Eastern and Japanese, with locations spanning Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
The Inspections
Among the standout performers was Zhengxin Chicken Steak in Brooklyn, which achieved a perfect score of 0 points with no violations documented. The Chinese eatery on 86th Street set the standard for the day's inspections.
Several Brooklyn establishments earned scores of 2 points, including Convivium Osteria on 5th Avenue, where inspectors noted a non-food contact surface issue, and Mixtape on Myrtle Avenue, cited for an anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device concern. Stanley Coffee Shop, a Spanish restaurant on Stanley Avenue, also received 2 points for equipment surface violations.
In the Bronx, Saint Lawrence Devil Pizza on Westchester Avenue earned 2 points for similar surface-related violations. Queens saw Cups N Cakes Coffee Shop on Woodhaven Boulevard receive 2 points and a Grade Z designation, while Manhattan's Shin Takumi, a Japanese restaurant on Greenwich Avenue, earned 2 points with a Grade N.
Brooklyn's Great Taste Dumpling on 8th Avenue scored 5 points due to food protection concerns during storage and preparation. Dunkin', 'Baskin Robbins on Atlantic Avenue received the same score for drainage issues. Queens establishments like Cantina 33 on Myrtle Avenue earned 5 points for food contact surface design violations.
Manhattan showed strong performance from 7Th Street Burger on Orchard Street, which scored 5 points for lacking an accurate thermometer in refrigerated equipment. Beard Papa's on John Street and Yamada on Elizabeth Street both received 5 points for various equipment and food protection violations. Staten Island's Starbucks Corporation on Amboy Road earned 5 points for drainage concerns.
Mid-range scores included Queens' Celtic Gasthaus on Myrtle Avenue with 6 points for missing hand-washing signage, and Manhattan's Dunkin Donuts on South Street with 6 points for improperly stored wiping cloths.
Brooklyn's Mcdonald Avenue Diner scored 7 points for single-service article violations, while Broadway Pizza on Broadway received 7 points for equipment surface issues. Queens locations like Foy Juice Bar & Eatery on Hempstead Avenue and King Sagitarius on Jamaica Avenue both earned 7 points.
Several coffee establishments performed well, including the Bronx's Clipper Coffee on City Island Avenue with 8 points for wiping cloth storage violations. Manhattan's Culture 307 on West 38th Street and Hay Hay Roasted, a Chinese restaurant on Mott Street, both scored 8 points.
Higher-scoring Grade A establishments included Manhattan's Starbucks on East 93rd Street with 10 points for single-service article violations, and Mcdonalds #7552 on East 47th Street with 10 points for food contact surface sanitation issues. Queens' Tommy's Pizza & Restaurant on Liberty Avenue earned 10 points due to improper pesticide labeling.
At the 12-point mark—just one point from the Grade B threshold—several establishments still maintained their A status. Manhattan's Amy's Bread on 9th Avenue held cold food above the required temperature, while Tulcingo Del Valle on 10th Avenue documented evidence of mice. The Bronx's Little Caesars on West Mount Eden Avenue and Randall Restaurant on Randall Avenue both scored 12 points for various food safety violations.
Several facilities earned the maximum Grade A score of 13 points. Manhattan's Starbucks Coffee on 7th Avenue received violations for single-service articles, while Queens' Layali Beirut on Steinway Street detected harmful carbon monoxide levels exceeding 9 ppm. Chop't on Varick Street in Manhattan held cold food above safe temperatures, and Brooklyn's Top Tier Ii Catering on Lewis Avenue documented both drainage and food protection violations.
Common Patterns
Chinese cuisine dominated the inspection roster with establishments like Zhengxin Chicken Steak, Great Taste Dumpling, Hay Hay Roasted, and Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle representing various regions and price points. Coffee shops and chain establishments also featured prominently, with multiple Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and specialty coffee venues inspected.
The most frequently cited violation category involved non-food contact surfaces—equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, or spaced. This technical violation appeared across 26 establishments, representing nearly 38% of all inspections. Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device issues ranked second, affecting drainage and sewage disposal systems in multiple locations.
Temperature control violations appeared in several establishments, with facilities holding cold time-and-temperature-controlled-for-safety (TCS) foods above the required 41°F threshold. Single-service article violations—including reuse of disposable items or inadequate protection during transport—affected coffee shops and quick-service restaurants disproportionately.
Brooklyn led with 15 inspected establishments, followed by Manhattan with 25, Queens with 21, the Bronx with 6, and Staten Island with 2. Manhattan showed the broadest cuisine diversity, from Japanese omakase at Omi Omakase to Middle Eastern fare at Ba'al Cafe & Falafel.
What This Means for Diners
All 69 establishments remain authorized to display Grade A cards in their windows, signaling compliance with NYC Health Code Article 81 standards. The violations documented represent correctable issues that inspectors identify during routine inspections—not immediate health hazards requiring closure.
Diners seeking to verify current grades can check the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's online inspection database before visiting any restaurant. The database provides real-time updates on scores, violation details, and inspection dates for all food service establishments operating in the five boroughs.
The 8.8-point average across these inspections demonstrates that most violations involved minor equipment or procedural issues rather than critical food safety hazards. Establishments scoring near the 13-point threshold—like Popup Bagels on Penn Plaza and Yaya Tea on Chrystie Street—must address documented violations but pose no immediate danger to public health.
Temperature control violations deserve particular attention from consumers. Facilities like Shake Shack on Queens Boulevard and Subway on 8th Avenue documented cold food storage above safe temperatures, requiring immediate correction to prevent bacterial growth in perishable items.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on violation points accumulated during unannounced inspections. Grade A requires a score between 0 and 13 points, Grade B spans 14 to 27 points, and Grade C indicates 28 or more points. Lower scores represent better compliance with food safety standards.
Inspectors assess establishments using FDA Food Code standards and NYC-specific regulations covering food temperature, employee hygiene, equipment maintenance, pest control, and facility sanitation. Each violation carries a point value based on its severity and potential health impact.
Critical violations—those most likely to cause foodborne illness—carry higher point values. These include improper food temperatures, inadequate hand-washing facilities, cross-contamination risks, and evidence of vermin. General violations involving equipment maintenance, signage, or administrative requirements carry lower point values but still contribute to overall scores.
Restaurants receive grades after a complete inspection cycle that may include initial inspections and re-inspections to verify correction of violations. The current grade displayed reflects the most recent scored inspection, with establishments required to post grades visibly near public entrances.
Consumers can access detailed inspection reports through the NYC DOHMH website, which provides violation descriptions, inspector observations, and facility responses. The database updates continuously as new inspections occur, offering real-time transparency into restaurant compliance across all five boroughs.
For complete inspection details on any facility, visit the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene restaurant inspection database or search by establishment name, address, or cuisine type.