A

Birch Coffee

171 East 88 Street, Manhattan, NY 10128

Coffee/Tea Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill (212) 686-1444

Grade A · as of Dec 3, 2025

Birch Coffee was last inspected on December 3, 2025 and scored 8 points (A range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 1 of them critical.

Latest inspection

December 3, 2025 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

A

Score: 8 points (A range)

1 critical1 general
  • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

    Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.

    Official wording (code 06C)

    Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

  • GeneralFacility upkeep

    Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

    Official wording (code 10B)

    Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

ABApr 18, 2023: 191923/04Feb 23, 2024: 121224/02Oct 25, 2024: 515124/10Nov 15, 2024: 4424/11Dec 3, 2025: 8825/12
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

5 inspections on record

  1. A 4 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    2 general Show violations
    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

      Official wording (code 10B)

      Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment 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.

  2. 51 51 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

    3 critical4 general1 paperwork Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Food or supplies weren’t protected from contamination during storage, prep, or service.

      Official wording (code 06C)

      Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Surfaces that touch food weren’t properly washed and sanitized.

      Official wording (code 06D)

      Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

      Official wording (code 10B)

      Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment 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.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Ventilation was missing or broken, letting grease, heat, or fumes build up.

      Official wording (code 10D)

      Mechanical or natural ventilation not provided, inadequate, improperly installed, in disrepair or fails to prevent and control excessive build-up of grease, heat, steam condensation, vapors, odors, smoke or fumes.

    • GeneralPests

      The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

      Official wording (code 08A)

      Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

    • PaperworkFood handling

      No “wash hands” sign at the hand sink.

      Official wording (code 09E)

      Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

  3. A 12 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • GeneralPests

      The building wasn’t pest-proofed: gaps, holes, or clutter that let rodents or insects in or give them shelter.

      Official wording (code 08A)

      Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Non-food surfaces or equipment were dirty, damaged, or made of unsuitable material.

      Official wording (code 10F)

      Non-food contact surface or equipment 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.

  4. 19 19 points (B range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    Scored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.

    3 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Workers’ personal hygiene was inadequate (dirty clothing, no hair restraint, jewelry).

      Official wording (code 06A)

      Personal cleanliness is inadequate. Outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. Effective hair restraint not worn where required. Jewelry worn on hands or arms. Fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cold food was kept warmer than 41°F, where bacteria can grow.

      Official wording (code 02G)

      Cold TCS food item held above 41 °F; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °F; intact raw eggs held above 45 °F; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

    • CriticalPests

      Mice, or signs of mice, were found.

      Official wording (code 04L)

      Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Plumbing was missing protection against backflow, or floors didn’t drain properly.

      Official wording (code 10B)

      Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. Condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

More in Upper East Side-Carnegie Hill

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 11 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.