Serenity Cafe
424 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11218
American Kensington-Ocean Parkway (718) 908-8500
Grade C · as of Aug 11, 2025
Serenity Cafe was last inspected on February 26, 2026 and scored 19 points (B range). Inspectors found 2 violations, 2 of them critical.
Latest inspection
February 26, 2026 · Cycle Inspection · Initial Inspection
Score: 19 points (B range)
2 criticalScored in the B range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
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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.
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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.
Inspection history
5 inspections on record
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0 0 points (A range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Reopening Inspection
The Health Department allowed this restaurant to re-open.
No violations
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Closed 48 points (C range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Compliance Inspection
The Health Department closed this restaurant at this inspection.
3 critical1 general Show violations
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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.
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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.
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CriticalFacility
No approved procedure for refilling reusable containers.
Official wording (code 05H)
No approved written standard operating procedure for avoiding contamination by refillable returnable containers.
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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.
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C 39 points (C range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Re-inspection
5 critical2 general Show violations
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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.
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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.
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CriticalFood handling
No working thermometer was available to check food temperatures.
Official wording (code 04J)
Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.
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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.
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CriticalFacility
A hand-washing sink was missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Official wording (code 05D)
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
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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.
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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.
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73 73 points (C range)
Pre-permit (Operational) · Initial Inspection
Scored in the C range on an initial inspection, so no grade is given yet. A re-inspection follows.
7 critical6 general Show violations
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CriticalFacility
A hand-washing sink was missing, blocked, or not stocked with soap and towels.
Official wording (code 05D)
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. Hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. No hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. No soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CriticalFood temperature
Hot food was being held below 140°F, where bacteria can grow.
Official wording (code 02B)
Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 °F.
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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.
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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.
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GeneralFacility upkeep
Non-food surfaces or equipment were poorly built or maintained.
Official wording (code 10G)
Dishwashing and ware washing: Cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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GeneralFood handling
Damaged cans weren’t separated from good stock and labeled for return.
Official wording (code 09A)
Swollen, leaking, rusted or otherwise damaged canned food to be returned to distributor not segregated from intact product and clearly labeled DO NOT USE
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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.
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More in Kensington-Ocean Parkway
Source: NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) open data, refreshed hourly. Last inspection 8 months ago. Always confirm with the official record.