Manhattan, NY — Tavola, an Italian restaurant located at 488 9th Avenue in Manhattan, received a score of 37 following a health inspection conducted on March 24, 2026, placing the establishment in Grade C territory under New York City's restaurant grading system. Inspectors documented two critical violations during the visit, both related to pest activity. Inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on March 26, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

During the March inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited two critical violations at the restaurant:

Inspectors documented the presence of live roaches in the facility's food or non-food areas, cited under Code 04M. Separately, inspectors identified evidence of mice or live mice in the establishment's food or non-food areas, cited under Code 04L.

No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection. The two critical violations alone were sufficient to produce a score of 37, which falls within the Grade C range under the city's scoring system.

Food Safety Context

Pest-related violations are among the more serious categories tracked under NYC Health Code Article 81 and the FDA Food Code. Rodents and insects can serve as vectors for foodborne pathogens, contaminate food contact surfaces, and compromise the integrity of stored ingredients. The presence of live roaches or mice in a food service environment is classified as a critical violation because of the direct potential for food contamination.

Under Article 81 of the NYC Health Code, food service establishments are required to maintain their premises free from pests and to implement effective pest prevention and control measures. The FDA Food Code similarly requires that facilities be maintained to prevent the entry and harborage of insects, rodents, and other pests.

Critical violations, as defined by DOHMH, are those most likely to contribute to foodborne illness if not corrected. When two or more critical violations are identified during a single inspection cycle, the cumulative score can move a restaurant from a passing grade to a Grade C rating, as occurred here.

Inspection History

Tavola's inspection record shows a pattern of strong performance in prior years, making the current score a notable departure:

  • March 24, 2026: Score 37 (Grade C) — two critical violations cited
  • February 11, 2026**: Score 33 — violations cited
  • June 4, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • February 22, 2023: Score 12 (Grade A)
  • February 14, 2023: Score 5
  • July 5, 2022: Score 0 (Grade A)
  • June 21, 2022: Score 0

The restaurant earned Grade A scores across multiple inspections between 2022 and 2024. The February 2026 inspection produced a score of 33, also in Grade C range, indicating that pest-related concerns may have been present prior to the most recent visit as well.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

New York City uses a letter grading system based on the total number of points assessed during an inspection. Points are assigned per violation, with critical violations typically carrying higher point values:

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

Restaurants that receive a Grade B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, at which point a final grade is assigned. Grades must be posted in a visible location at the restaurant's entrance. A Grade C posting does not necessarily indicate that a restaurant has been ordered closed; it reflects the score recorded at the time of inspection.

Consumers can review the full inspection history for any NYC restaurant through the DOHMH's online database at nyc.gov/health, where records include violation descriptions, scores, and grade history. The most recent inspection data for Tavola reflects findings from March 24, 2026, as released by DOHMH on March 26, 2026.

More About This Restaurant

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