Manhattan, NY — Russian Turkish Baths, the long-running spa and bathhouse at 268 East 10th Street in Manhattan's East Village, received a score of 78 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene inspection conducted on April 6, 2026, resulting in a Grade C. Inspectors documented two critical violations and two non-critical violations during the visit. The inspection data was released by DOHMH on April 8, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

The most serious issue documented during the April inspection involved handwashing access. Inspectors cited the establishment under Code 05D, a critical violation, for failing to maintain an accessible handwashing facility in or adjacent to a toilet room or within 25 feet of food preparation, food service, or ware washing areas. The violation also covers situations where such facilities lack hot and cold running water, adequate pressure, soap, or an acceptable hand-drying device, or where the facility is obstructed or used for non-handwashing purposes.

A second critical violation was recorded under Code 06A, which addresses personal cleanliness standards for food service workers. This violation is cited when outer garments are soiled with potential contaminants, effective hair restraints are not worn where required, jewelry is worn on hands or arms, or fingernails are not kept clean, trimmed, or free of polish.

Inspectors also noted two non-critical violations. Code 08A identified conditions conducive to rodent, insect, or other pest harborage on the premises. Code 20-06 found that the current letter grade card or Grade Pending card was not posted in a location visible to the public, as required.

Food Safety Context

Under NYC Health Code Article 81, food service establishments are required to maintain handwashing facilities that are accessible, properly supplied, and used exclusively for handwashing. These requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which identifies hand hygiene as one of the primary barriers to foodborne illness transmission. Obstructed or improperly equipped handwashing stations are classified as critical violations because they directly affect the ability of workers to prevent contamination.

Personal cleanliness standards, also addressed in Article 81 and the FDA Food Code, are similarly classified as critical because contaminated outer garments, unconstrained hair, or unwashed hands can introduce pathogens into food or food-contact surfaces.

The pest harborage violation (Code 08A), while non-critical, indicates structural or sanitation conditions that may attract pests. Non-critical violations do not pose an immediate health risk but must be corrected to prevent escalation.

Grade posting requirements exist to ensure consumers have access to the most current inspection results at the point of entry.

Inspection History

Russian Turkish Baths has maintained a strong compliance record in recent years. The April 2026 inspection represents a significant departure from the establishment's prior performance:

  • June 30, 2026: Score 6 (Grade A)
  • April 11, 2024: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • September 1, 2022: Score 10 (Grade A)
  • January 20, 2022: Score 7

All four prior inspections on record resulted in Grade A scores, with the establishment consistently scoring in the single digits. The jump to a score of 78 in April 2026 is notable given this history. Notably, a subsequent inspection on June 30, 2026 — after the April citation — returned a score of 6, indicating the establishment addressed the documented violations.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City assigns letter grades to food service establishments based on inspection scores, with lower scores reflecting fewer violations:

  • A: Score of 0 to 13 points
  • B: Score of 14 to 27 points
  • C: Score of 28 points or higher

A Grade C does not automatically result in closure. Establishments receiving a score of 28 or above may request a re-inspection and have the opportunity to correct violations before a grade card is issued. DOHMH evaluates whether violations pose an imminent public health risk when determining whether to order a closure.

Inspection records for all New York City restaurants are publicly available through the DOHMH restaurant inspection results database. Consumers can search by restaurant name, address, or cuisine type to review current and historical scores.

More About This Restaurant

View the full inspection history for Russian Turkish Baths including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.