Queens, NY — Rainhas, a Brazilian restaurant located at 108-01 Northern Boulevard in Corona, Queens, was closed by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) following an inspection conducted on January 28, 2026. The establishment received a score of 52, placing it well above the 28-point threshold for a Grade C designation.
The closure was part of routine enforcement action by DOHMH. According to inspection records, violations were cited and those requiring immediate action were addressed. The restaurant has since reopened, with a follow-up inspection recorded on January 30, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the January 28 inspection, DOHMH inspectors documented one non-critical violation at the establishment:
- Plumbing and drainage deficiencies (Code 10B): Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention devices were not provided where required. Additionally, inspectors noted that equipment or floors were not properly drained, the sewage disposal system was in disrepair or not functioning properly, and condensation or liquid waste was being improperly disposed of.
While the inspection record lists zero critical violations and one non-critical violation, the overall score of 52 indicates that the conditions documented were assessed with significant point deductions. Plumbing and drainage failures can pose indirect risks to food safety when sewage systems malfunction or when back-flow prevention is absent, potentially allowing contaminated water to enter food preparation areas or clean water supplies.
It is worth noting that the score of 52 resulted in the establishment being closed by DOHMH, indicating that inspectors determined the conditions warranted immediate action to protect public health.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes the regulatory framework for food service establishments in New York City. Under these regulations, DOHMH is authorized to close any food establishment where conditions pose an imminent threat to public health or where violations are sufficiently severe to warrant immediate corrective action.
Back-flow prevention devices are required under both NYC plumbing codes and food safety regulations to prevent contaminated water from flowing backward into the potable water supply. The FDA Food Code similarly emphasizes the importance of proper plumbing systems in food service operations, requiring that sewage and wastewater be disposed of through approved drainage systems and that cross-connections between potable and non-potable water sources be eliminated.
Drainage failures in restaurant settings can lead to standing water, which creates conditions conducive to pest activity and bacterial growth. When sewage systems are not functioning properly, the risk of contamination to food contact surfaces and preparation areas increases, which is why regulators treat plumbing violations seriously even when they are categorized as non-critical.
Inspection History
Rainhas has been inspected multiple times by DOHMH in recent years. The restaurant's inspection record shows a pattern of varying compliance:
- January 30, 2026: Score 0, Grade Z — Establishment reopened
- January 28, 2026: Score 52, Grade C — Establishment closed by DOHMH
- April 10, 2025: Score 23, Grade B
- May 31, 2024: Score 33, No grade recorded
- October 18, 2022: Score 13, Grade A
The restaurant's most recent Grade A was recorded in October 2022, when it received a score of 13 — just under the 14-point threshold for a Grade B. Since then, scores have trended upward, with a 33 in May 2024 and a 23 in April 2025 before the January 2026 closure.
The reopening inspection on January 30, 2026, just two days after the closure, resulted in a score of 0, indicating that all previously cited conditions had been corrected at the time of the follow-up visit.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the DOHMH restaurant grading system:
- A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violation points)
- B: 14–27 points
- C: 28 or more points
Lower scores indicate fewer or less severe violations. Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection or hearing through the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH). Grade cards must be posted at the entrance of the establishment where they are visible to the public.
When an establishment is closed by DOHMH, it must correct all cited violations before it can reopen. A follow-up inspection is conducted to verify compliance before the restaurant is permitted to resume operations.
Data and Resources
This inspection was conducted on January 28, 2026, with data released by DOHMH on February 11, 2026. Inspection records are public information and can be verified through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database.
Consumers can check restaurant grades and inspection histories at any time through the NYC Department of Health's online portal or by reviewing the letter grade card posted at the restaurant's entrance. For questions or complaints regarding food safety at any NYC restaurant, residents can contact 311 or file a complaint through the NYC 311 website.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Rainhas including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.