New York, NY — Forty-five restaurants across all five boroughs earned Grade A health inspection scores on March 18, 2026, according to data from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The inspected establishments spanned more than 20 cuisine types, from Turkish to Irish to Chinese, and posted an average score of 9 points — well within the Grade A threshold of 0 to 13.
The Inspections
Several restaurants achieved near-perfect results. Liv Ktv & Party on Main Street in Queens received a score of 0, with no violations documented during its inspection. In Brooklyn, Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain on Henry Street scored just 2 points, cited only for a food contact surface maintenance issue. Fellow Brooklyn establishments Butterly Bakeshop on Prospect Park West and Nargis Cafe on Sheepshead Bay Road also earned scores of 2, with minor violations related to non-food contact surfaces and garbage receptacle conditions, respectively. Ihop on Liberty Avenue in Queens rounded out the lowest scores with 2 points for a missing hand-wash sign.
Coffee shops performed well across the board. Manhattanville Coffee on Edgecombe Avenue in Manhattan scored 3 points, while Bird & Branch near 11th Avenue in Manhattan earned a 6. Le Cafe Coffee on Lexington Avenue received a 12 for a hand-washing facility placement issue, and Joe Coffee on Columbus Avenue scored 13 after inspectors noted tobacco or food consumption in a preparation area.
The hamburger and fast-food category saw consistent results. Wendy's on 3rd Avenue in East Harlem scored 7 points, cited for an issue involving unpasteurized eggs. Checkers on Hillside Avenue in Queens and Burger King on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan each received 10 points, both for non-food contact surface cleanliness. Burgermania on West 40th Street in Midtown scored 12 for food protection during storage.
Pizza restaurants also fared well. 1.50 Hot Pizza on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn earned a 4 for a ventilation issue. Seor Pizza on Avenue K in Brooklyn scored 5 for a plumbing-related violation, and Asap! Pizza Spot on 28th Avenue in Queens received 10 points for a food cooling procedure issue.
Sandwich shops across the city posted solid numbers. Jersey Mike's on Forest Avenue in Staten Island scored 5, while Subway on Beach 20th Street in the Rockaways earned a 10, cited for not having a Food Protection Certificate on site. Sea Breee Deli on City Island Avenue in the Bronx scored 12 for a cold food temperature holding violation.
Several restaurants representing international cuisines earned scores at the upper end of the A range. Maya on 1st Avenue in Manhattan, serving Mexican cuisine, scored 11 for a pest harborage condition. Madame Sousou in Astoria, Queens, a French restaurant, received 12 points for a hot food temperature holding issue. Ali Baba Mediterranean Cuisine on East 53rd Street in Manhattan scored 13 for a missing Food Protection Certificate. Laliko Stories of Georgia, an Eastern European restaurant on Carmine Street in Manhattan, also scored 13, cited for a pesticide labeling issue.
Caribbean restaurants made a strong showing as well. Michelle's Cocktail Lounge on Bedford Avenue in Brooklyn scored 9 for a missing thermometer, and Footprints Cafe Utica Cloud Kitchen on Utica Avenue in Brooklyn received 13 for a single-service article violation.
Notable results across other categories included Levain Bakery on 3rd Avenue in Manhattan with a score of 11, Earthbar on Broadway with 12, The Lonesome Club, an Irish pub on 10th Avenue in Brooklyn, at 13, and Capt Loui, a seafood restaurant on Hutchinson River Parkway in the Bronx, also at 13. Additional establishments including Dunkin'/Baskin Robbins in Brooklyn (6), Mcdonald's in Flushing (7), King Sagitarius in Jamaica (7), Pura Vida Miami (Bryant Park) (7), Dunkin' in Queens (9), River Dock Cafe in Staten Island (10), Auntie Anne's Pretzels in downtown Brooklyn (10), House Party Cafe & Lounge (12), Chopt Creative Salad Co. (12), Pita Yeero (12), 39 Prince Cafe/Taning Lemon Tea (12), Burger King on West 125th Street (12), Cinnabon / Auntie Anne's (12), 167th St. Billiard And Cafe Inc. in the Bronx (6), Jamaica Fish Market (13), and Noona Noodles on West 36th Street (13) all earned Grade A marks.
Common Patterns
The most frequently cited violation category on March 18 involved non-food contact surfaces — equipment not kept clean or not properly sealed. This violation appeared in more than a third of the inspections and is among the most common findings citywide. Cold food temperature control was the second most common issue, with several restaurants cited for holding time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items above 41°F.
Brooklyn led the boroughs with 12 restaurants inspected, followed by Manhattan with 16 and Queens with 10. The Bronx contributed 3 establishments and Staten Island 2, giving all five boroughs representation. Cuisine types ranged from American and pizza to French, Georgian, Turkish, Caribbean, and Chinese, reflecting the city's culinary diversity.
What This Means for Diners
A Grade A score indicates that a restaurant met the Department of Health's standards with only minor violations during its inspection. Scores between 0 and 13 qualify for the top grade under the system established by NYC Health Code Article 81. Diners can verify any restaurant's current grade and full inspection history by searching the Department of Health's online database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment's entrance.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on a point system during unannounced inspections. A score of 0 to 13 points earns a Grade A, indicating minimal violations. Scores of 14 to 27 result in a Grade B, and scores of 28 or higher receive a Grade C. Each violation is assigned a point value based on its severity and relationship to foodborne illness risk, as outlined by the FDA Food Code. Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection. All inspection results are public record and available through the NYC Department of Health website at nyc.gov/health.