Manhattan, NY — Peaky Barista, a coffee and tea establishment at 1220 Lexington Avenue on the Upper East Side, received a Grade B rating after a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 9, 2026. The restaurant scored 22 points, placing it near the upper end of the Grade B range and within six points of a Grade C designation.
Inspectors cited two violations during the visit, including one critical food safety issue. The establishment remains open and operational.
What Inspectors Found
Health inspectors documented a critical violation related to food contact surface sanitation. According to inspection records, food contact surfaces were not properly washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following activities when contamination may have occurred. This violation—coded as 06D under NYC Health Code Article 81—carries significant food safety implications, as improperly sanitized surfaces can facilitate bacterial cross-contamination and foodborne illness transmission.
Inspectors also identified conditions conducive to pest activity. The establishment was found not free of harborage or conditions that could attract rodents, insects, or other pests. This non-critical violation (Code 08A) indicates environmental factors that may support pest presence if not addressed.
The March 9 inspection resulted in violations being cited, and the establishment was assigned a public health grade reflecting the cumulative point total.
Food Safety Context
Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food establishments must maintain sanitary conditions that prevent contamination and foodborne illness. The critical violation cited at Peaky Barista relates to fundamental food safety protocols outlined in both local regulations and the FDA Food Code.
Food contact surfaces—including cutting boards, utensils, countertops, and equipment that directly touch food—must be washed, rinsed, and sanitized according to established protocols. The FDA Food Code specifies that sanitization must occur after each use, between handling different food types, and whenever contamination may have occurred. Failure to follow these procedures can result in pathogen transfer, particularly concerning bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria.
The documented pest-related conditions also raise food safety concerns. NYC Health Code Article 81.17 requires establishments to maintain pest-free environments through proper sanitation, waste management, and structural maintenance. Conditions conducive to pests can lead to contamination of food products, food contact surfaces, and storage areas.
Inspection History
Peaky Barista's inspection record shows previous compliance with health standards:
- October 29, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
- June 28, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)
The current score of 22 points represents a significant increase from the establishment's historical performance. Prior inspections resulted in Grade A ratings, indicating minimal violations. The March 2026 inspection marks the first time the establishment has received a Grade B designation in available records.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to food service establishments based on inspection point totals:
- Grade A: 0-13 points
- Grade B: 14-27 points
- Grade C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate better compliance with health and safety standards. Peaky Barista's score of 22 points places the establishment in the upper portion of the Grade B range, six points from Grade C threshold.
Inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 11, 2026. The establishment's current grade card reflects the results of the March 9 inspection and must be posted in a location visible to customers.
Consumers can access complete restaurant inspection records, including violation details and historical data, through the NYC DOHMH website or the city's online restaurant inspection database.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Peaky Barista including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.