Queens, NY — The Himalayan Cafe, an Asian and Asian fusion restaurant located at 39-04 64th Street in Queens, received a score of 28 during a New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) inspection conducted on March 19, 2026, placing it in Grade C territory. One critical violation was documented during the visit. Inspection data was made available by DOHMH on March 23, 2026.
What Inspectors Found
Inspectors cited one critical violation under Code 02B: hot time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food items were not being held at or above the required 140°F. This temperature threshold is a foundational requirement in food safety practice, as TCS foods — including cooked proteins, rice dishes, soups, and similar items — must be maintained at temperatures that inhibit bacterial growth.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
Temperature control for hot foods is addressed under NYC Health Code Article 81 and is consistent with requirements outlined in the FDA Food Code. Foods held in the "temperature danger zone" — between 41°F and 140°F — are at elevated risk for bacterial growth, including pathogens such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause foodborne illness.
A single critical violation, depending on severity and the points assigned by inspectors, can push a score into Grade B or Grade C range. In this case, the 28-point score places The Himalayan Cafe at the lower boundary of Grade C. Restaurants that score in this range are required to post a Grade Pending card and may request a re-inspection before a final grade letter is issued.
The DOHMH assigns points for each violation based on its potential public health risk, with critical violations typically carrying higher point values than non-critical ones.
Inspection History
The Himalayan Cafe has had a variable inspection record over the past year. Prior inspections on file include:
- October 15, 2025: Score 2 (Grade Z — administrative or initial inspection designation)
- October 7, 2025: Score 58 — closed by DOHMH
- April 8, 2025: Score 45
The October 2025 closure followed a score of 58, which is well above the Grade C threshold. The subsequent October 15 inspection with a score of 2 reflects the re-inspection that typically follows a DOHMH closure, confirming that violations were corrected before the establishment was permitted to reopen. The March 2026 inspection represents the most recent record available.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
New York City's restaurant grading system assigns letter grades based on inspection scores:
- A: Score of 0–13 points (fewest violations)
- B: Score of 14–27 points
- C: Score of 28 or more points (most violations or highest severity)
Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection, known as a "compliance inspection," within a set window. The grade posted in the window reflects the result of whichever inspection produces the better outcome, or a Grade Pending card is displayed in the interim.
Scores are calculated based on the number and severity of violations observed at the time of inspection and do not carry over between inspection cycles.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for The Himalayan Cafe including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.