Manhattan, NY — Rockefeller Foundation, located at 420 5th Avenue in Manhattan, received a Grade B following a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on April 2, 2026. The establishment scored 26 points — placing it near the upper boundary of the Grade B range and two points from the Grade C threshold. Inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 6, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors cited one critical violation during the April inspection. The violation, classified under Code 06C, documented that food, supplies, or equipment were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. Specifically, inspectors noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor — a condition that can allow cross-contamination from customer handling.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

Food Safety Context

Critical violations carry greater weight in New York City's scoring system because they represent conditions directly linked to foodborne illness risk. Under NYC Health Code Article 81 and aligned with the FDA Food Code, establishments are required to ensure that all food contact surfaces, condiments, and supplies remain protected from contamination throughout the food service process.

The requirement for single-service condiment containers or vendor-controlled dispensing is designed to prevent customers from introducing contaminants — such as bacteria or foreign materials — into shared condiment supplies. While a single critical violation may appear narrow in scope, it accounts for the bulk of the establishment's 26-point score and places the restaurant in the upper tier of the Grade B range.

Inspection History

Rockefeller Foundation had maintained a strong compliance record in prior inspections:

  • October 23, 2024: Score 2 (Grade A)
  • April 5, 2023: Score 10 (Grade A)

The April 2026 score represents a significant increase from the establishment's previous results, both of which fell comfortably within Grade A territory. The jump from a score of 2 to 26 in approximately 18 months marks a notable shift in the inspection record.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City's restaurant grading system is based on the total number of points assessed during an inspection, with higher scores reflecting more or more serious violations:

  • Grade A: 0–13 points
  • Grade B: 14–27 points
  • Grade C: 28 or more points

A score of 26 places Rockefeller Foundation at the high end of the Grade B range. Had inspectors identified one additional point-weighted violation, the establishment would have fallen into Grade C territory.

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C may request a re-inspection or an administrative hearing to contest cited violations. Grades must be posted prominently at the entrance of the establishment.

The full inspection record for Rockefeller Foundation and other NYC restaurants is publicly available through the DOHMH Restaurant Inspection Results database at NYC Open Data (data.cityofnewyork.us).

More About This Restaurant

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