A

Lips Cafe

1412 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226

Coffee/Tea Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate (646) 617-3715

Grade A · as of May 2, 2025

Lips Cafe was last inspected on August 12, 2026 and scored 19 points (B range). Inspectors found 4 violations, 2 of them critical, including signs of pests.

Latest inspection

August 12, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

19

Score: 19 points (B range)

2 critical2 general

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

  • 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

    Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

    Official wording (code 04N)

    Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.

  • 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.

ABDec 5, 2023: 393923/12Jul 10, 2024: 131324/07Feb 26, 2025: 707025/02Mar 4, 2025: 9925/03Mar 6, 2025: 121225/03May 2, 2025: 111125/05Aug 12, 2026: 191926/08
Inspection scores over time. Lower is better: 0–13 is an A, 14–27 a B, 28 or more a C.

Inspection history

9 inspections on record

  1. A 11 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    2 critical Show violations
    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Clean utensils or equipment were stored or handled in a way that could contaminate them.

      Official wording (code 06E)

      Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

    • CriticalHygiene & sanitation

      Wiping cloths were dirty or not kept in sanitizing solution.

      Official wording (code 06F)

      Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

  2. GP 12 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Reopening Inspection

    The Health Department allowed this restaurant to re-open.

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

      Official wording (code 04N)

      Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.

    • 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.

  3. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Reopening Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Order or notice posted or required to be posted by the Department mutilated, obstructed or removed.

  4. Closed 9 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Reopening Inspection

    The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.

    1 critical1 general Show violations
    • CriticalPests

      Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

      Official wording (code 04N)

      Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.

    • 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.

  5. Closed 70 points (C range)

    Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection

    The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.

    7 critical4 general Show violations
    • CriticalFood handling

      No one supervising the kitchen held a Food Protection Certificate.

      Official wording (code 04A)

      Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

    • CriticalFood handling

      Food was contaminated or cross-contaminated, or wasn’t thrown out when it should have been.

      Official wording (code 04H)

      Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

    • 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

      Rats, or signs of rats, were found.

      Official wording (code 04K)

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

    • CriticalPests

      Flies or other nuisance pests were found.

      Official wording (code 04N)

      Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies.

    • 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.

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cooked food wasn’t cooled down quickly enough.

      Official wording (code 02H)

      After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.

    • 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.

    • GeneralPests

      Pesticides were used or stored improperly, or open bait was used.

      Official wording (code 08C)

      Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

    • 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.

    • GeneralOther

      No contract with a licensed exterminator, or pest-control records missing.

      Official wording (code 28-06)

      Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

  6. A 13 points (A range)

    Cycle Inspection · Re-inspection

    1 critical2 general Show violations
    • 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.

    • GeneralFacility upkeep

      Toilet room was not maintained, stocked, or self-closing.

      Official wording (code 10A)

      Toilet facility not maintained or provided with toilet paper, waste receptacle or self-closing door.

    • 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.

  7. 39 39 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.

    5 critical3 general Show violations
    • 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.

    • CriticalFood handling

      No one supervising the kitchen held a Food Protection Certificate.

      Official wording (code 04A)

      Food Protection Certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

    • 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.

    • CriticalPests

      Live roaches were found.

      Official wording (code 04M)

      Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

    • CriticalFood temperature

      Cooked food wasn’t cooled down quickly enough.

      Official wording (code 02H)

      After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.

    • GeneralFood handling

      Frozen food was being thawed the wrong way.

      Official wording (code 09B)

      Thawing procedure improper.

    • 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

      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.

  8. –

    Administrative Miscellaneous · Initial Inspection · Violations were cited in the following area(s)

    1 paperwork Show violations
    • PaperworkSigns & paperwork

      Letter grade or Grade Pending card not visible from the street.

      Official wording (code 20-05)

      Current letter grade or "Grade Pending" card not conspicuously posted or visible to passersby

More in Prospect Lefferts Gardens-Wingate

Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 3 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.