Brooklyn, NY — Plymouth Cafe, an American restaurant at 90 Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, received a Grade B score of 15 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 3, 2026. The score marks a decline from the restaurant's previous Grade A rating, which it had maintained since May 2025.

The inspection data was released by DOHMH on March 5, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one non-critical violation during the March 3 inspection. The violation, recorded under Code 10F, identified that non-food contact surfaces or equipment were made of unacceptable material, were not kept clean, or were not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.

No critical violations were documented during this inspection. The single non-critical violation was sufficient to push the restaurant's score from the Grade A range into Grade B territory.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, restaurants are required to maintain all equipment and non-food contact surfaces in a condition that allows for proper cleaning and sanitation. Even surfaces that do not directly contact food must be kept clean and accessible to prevent the accumulation of debris, grease, or pest harborage.

Equipment cleanliness violations, while classified as non-critical, can contribute to broader sanitation concerns if not addressed. Surfaces that cannot be properly cleaned may harbor bacteria or attract pests over time. The FDA Food Code specifies that equipment should be designed and installed to be easily cleanable, durable, and resistant to damage.

A Grade B score means the restaurant may continue operating but must post the grade card prominently for customers to see.

Inspection History

Plymouth Cafe has a mixed inspection record over the past several years, including a closure in 2023:

  • May 1, 2025: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • Feb 11, 2025: Score 20
  • Feb 2, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • Aug 8, 2023: Score 5 (Grade C)
  • Aug 4, 2023: Score 48 — closed by DOHMH
  • Jun 26, 2023: Score 20
  • Mar 29, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • Mar 9, 2023: Score 43
  • Aug 19, 2022: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • May 24, 2022: Score 30

The restaurant's history shows a pattern of fluctuation. After being closed in August 2023 with a score of 48, Plymouth Cafe underwent a re-inspection and achieved a score of 5 before eventually earning a Grade A with a score of 12 in May 2025. The current Grade B represents the first time the restaurant has scored outside Grade A range since its recovery from the 2023 closure.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades based on inspection scores under the DOHMH restaurant grading system:

  • A: 0–13 points (fewest violations)
  • B: 14–27 points (moderate violations)
  • C: 28 or more points (most violations)

Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Plymouth Cafe's score of 15 placed it just two points above the Grade A threshold.

Consumers can look up any restaurant's inspection results through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment. Additional information about food safety standards is available through the NYC Department of Health website and the FDA Food Code.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Plymouth Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.