Manhattan, NY — Vanilla Gorilla Cafe, a coffee and tea shop located at 525 8th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, received a Grade B following a health inspection conducted on March 31, 2026. The inspection, which resulted in a score of 21, placed the establishment near the upper boundary of the B range and within seven points of a Grade C designation.

The inspection data was released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) on April 2, 2026.

What Inspectors Found

Inspectors documented one non-critical violation during the March visit. The cited violation, classified under Code 10B, involves plumbing and drainage concerns — specifically, the absence or inadequacy of anti-siphon or back-flow prevention devices where required, improper floor drainage, or the improper disposal of condensation or liquid waste.

No critical violations were recorded during this inspection.

While no single violation automatically determines a final grade, scoring 21 points places the cafe at the higher end of the B range. A score of 28 or above would result in a Grade C.

Food Safety Context

NYC Health Code Article 81 governs sanitary requirements for food service establishments operating in the city. Plumbing-related violations such as those identified under Code 10B can carry implications for sanitation if drainage systems allow wastewater or condensation to accumulate improperly. The FDA Food Code similarly identifies equipment drainage and back-flow prevention as components of a properly maintained food service environment.

Non-critical violations do not indicate an immediate public health hazard but are noted as conditions that must be corrected to maintain compliance.

Inspection History

Vanilla Gorilla Cafe's inspection record shows variability over recent years:

  • March 31, 2026: Score 21 (Grade B)
  • February 10, 2026: Score 24 (Grade B)
  • November 25, 2024: Score 13 (Grade A)
  • November 7, 2024: Score 71
  • August 29, 2023: Score 13 (Grade A)

The November 2024 score of 71 is notably high and represents a period of significant non-compliance, though the establishment subsequently returned to Grade A standing by later that same month. The two most recent inspections — both resulting in Grade B scores — suggest a pattern that health officials will continue to monitor.

Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades

NYC DOHMH assigns letter grades based on inspection scores under the following scale:

  • A: 0–13 points (lowest number of violations)
  • B: 14–27 points
  • C: 28 or more points

Restaurants that receive a B or C on an initial inspection may request a re-inspection before a grade is finalized. Posted grades reflect the most recent completed inspection cycle.

Consumers can look up current inspection records for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH's online restaurant inspection database at nyc.gov.

More About This Restaurant

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