Manhattan, NY — Slate Coffee + Kitchen, located at 121 Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade B with a score of 26 following a health inspection conducted on February 26, 2026. The score places the café at the upper boundary of the Grade B range, just one point below the 28-point threshold that triggers a Grade C designation.
The inspection data was released by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 3, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
During the February inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited one non-critical violation at the American-cuisine establishment. No critical violations were recorded.
The non-critical violation, documented under code 10F, identified non-food contact surfaces or equipment that were made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced, or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above, and underneath the unit.
While the violation is classified as non-critical — meaning it does not pose an immediate risk to public health — the resulting score of 26 points represents a notable departure from the restaurant's recent inspection performance. A single non-critical violation generating a score this high indicates that inspectors documented the condition as widespread or recurring across multiple areas of the establishment.
Food Safety Context
NYC Health Code Article 81 establishes sanitary standards for all food service establishments operating within the five boroughs. Under these regulations, all equipment and surfaces in a food preparation environment must be constructed of approved materials, maintained in good repair, and accessible for routine cleaning and inspection.
The FDA Food Code similarly requires that non-food contact surfaces of equipment be kept free of accumulations of dust, dirt, food residue, and other debris. While non-food contact surfaces do not directly touch food during preparation or service, their condition can contribute to unsanitary conditions that may indirectly affect food safety.
DOHMH noted that violations were cited but did not order the restaurant closed. The establishment remains open and operational.
Inspection History
Slate Coffee + Kitchen's inspection record shows a pattern of strong performance prior to this result:
- Feb 26, 2026: Score 26 (Grade B)
- Dec 2, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
- Apr 23, 2024: Score 12 (Grade A)
- Nov 28, 2023: Score 7
- Nov 25, 2022: Score 7 (Grade A)
- May 25, 2022: Score 31
The restaurant had maintained Grade A scores across its three most recent inspections prior to this cycle, with scores of 13, 12, and 7. The February 2026 result represents the establishment's highest score since May 2022, when it received a 31.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City assigns letter grades to restaurants based on inspection scores under the DOHMH grading system:
- A: 0–13 points — Minimal violations identified
- B: 14–27 points — Moderate violations identified
- C: 28 or more points — Significant violations identified
A Grade B score of 26 sits at the top of its range. Restaurants receiving a B or C grade may request a re-inspection or contest their score through an administrative hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Consumers can look up current restaurant grades and full inspection details through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database or by checking the letter grade card posted at the establishment's entrance. Inspection records are public data maintained by the City of New York.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Slate Coffee + Kitchen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.