Manhattan, NY — Perista Cafe, a coffee and tea shop located at 158 Dyckman Street in Manhattan, received a score of 34 following a health inspection conducted on March 30, 2026, placing the restaurant in Grade C standing. The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 2, 2026.
The inspection identified two non-critical violations. No critical violations were documented during this visit.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors documented two violations under New York City Health Code Article 81 during the March 30 inspection.
The first violation, Code 10B, cited improper drainage or liquid waste disposal. This category covers a range of plumbing and sanitation concerns, including the absence of anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices where required, equipment or floor drainage deficiencies, and condensation or liquid waste not being properly managed. Back-flow prevention is required to protect the potable water supply from contamination through cross-connections, a standard addressed in both the NYC Health Code and FDA Food Code guidance.
The second violation, Code 08C, was recorded for pesticide-related concerns. This code applies to situations involving pesticides that are improperly labeled, used by an unlicensed individual, or stored in an unsafe manner. It also covers the use of unprotected or unlocked bait stations. Under NYC regulations, pest control at food service establishments must be conducted by licensed applicators, and all pesticide products must be used and stored according to label instructions to prevent contamination of food or food-contact surfaces.
Both violations are classified as non-critical, meaning they do not represent an immediate risk to public health in the way that critical violations — such as improper food temperatures or evidence of rodents — would. However, they contribute to the overall score and indicate areas where the facility did not meet regulatory standards at the time of inspection.
Food Safety Context
New York City's restaurant inspection program is administered by DOHMH under the authority of NYC Health Code Article 81. Inspections are unannounced and assess compliance across a range of sanitation and food safety standards derived from federal FDA Food Code guidelines, adapted for New York City's food service environment.
Each violation carries a point value determined by its type and severity. Scores accumulate, and the total determines the letter grade assigned to the establishment. Pesticide handling and drainage systems are inspected because lapses in these areas, while not always immediately hazardous, can contribute to conditions that affect food safety over time.
Inspection History
Perista Cafe has a variable inspection record over the past several years:
- June 2, 2026: Score 27
- February 19, 2026: Score 39
- November 21, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- May 13, 2024: Score 24
- December 12, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
- December 2, 2021: Score 13 (Grade A)
The establishment maintained Grade A scores through 2021 and 2022, and again in late 2024. However, scores in early and mid-2026 have climbed above the Grade C threshold. The February 2026 inspection recorded a score of 39, and the most recent March 2026 inspection came in at 34 — both in Grade C range.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
DOHMH assigns letter grades based on the total score from an initial inspection:
- A: 0 to 13 points
- B: 14 to 27 points
- C: 28 points or more
A restaurant that receives a score of 28 or higher on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is officially posted. The grade card must be displayed in a window visible to customers entering the establishment.
Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH online database. Consumers can search by restaurant name or location at nyc.gov/health.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Perista Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.