Grade A: 0–13 points
The restaurant falls in the highest letter-grade range during the grading process. An A does not guarantee that no violations were recorded.
Map Grade A restaurantsThe letter in the window
NYC restaurant grades explained
Restaurant grade meanings
NYC restaurant grade point ranges
A lower violation-point score is better. We show the posted grade from the official dataset and never infer a letter when one is missing.
Assigned Grade B: 14–27 points
A B is official only when it appears on a graded inspection. An initial inspection can score in this range without receiving a letter yet.
Map Grade B restaurantsAssigned Grade C: 28+ points
A C is official only when it appears on a graded inspection. A C-range initial score can remain ungraded until re-inspection.
Map Grade C restaurantsNo letter assigned
The latest inspection has no A, B or C letter. Its score range and any previous assigned grade are shown separately.
Map ungraded inspectionsFrom inspection to letter
How NYC restaurant health inspections work
1. Inspectors record violations
NYC Department of Health inspectors evaluate food handling, temperature control, pests, sanitation, facilities and other health-code requirements. Each observed violation can add points.
2. Critical items carry greater weight
The official dataset flags some violations as critical. A restaurant’s profile separates critical items from other recorded violations so the list is easier to interpret.
3. A score range is not always an assigned letter
Lower scores are better: A range is 0–13, B range is 14–27 and C range is 28 or more points. An initial inspection scoring 14 or more points is scored but not graded, so the record can show a B- or C-range score with no letter assigned.
4. The re-inspection receives the letter
If the restaurant does not earn an A on its initial inspection, NYC performs a later re-inspection that can receive A, B or C. Until that happens, this site labels the latest inspection as ungraded and shows any older assigned letter only as previous history.
Frequently asked questions about NYC restaurant grades
What does an A grade mean at an NYC restaurant?
An A grade generally corresponds to 0–13 violation points during the grading process. It is the city’s highest restaurant letter grade.
What does a B grade mean at an NYC restaurant?
An assigned B grade corresponds to 14–27 violation points on a graded inspection. An initial inspection in that range can be scored but not yet assigned a letter.
What does a C grade mean at an NYC restaurant?
An assigned C grade corresponds to 28 or more violation points on a graded inspection. A score in the C range is not itself an official C unless the inspection record contains that letter.
Why can a restaurant have a B- or C-range score but no letter?
NYC scores but does not grade an initial inspection with 14 or more points. A later re-inspection is graded. Until then, the score range and any previous assigned letter must be shown separately.
Is a lower NYC restaurant inspection score better?
Yes. Scores represent violation points, so lower is better.
What a restaurant grade does not tell you
A health grade does not rate taste, service, value or ambience. It is also a snapshot: conditions can improve or worsen between inspections. Use the letter together with the score, inspection date, critical violations, repeat patterns and official action.
This site makes official public records easier to explore. It does not replace advice from NYC health authorities or the city’s official restaurant search.