Blue Bottle Coffee

163 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Sep 24, 2025

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged nine inspections at Blue Bottle Coffee, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Sep 24, 2025. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around two violations each.

The pattern that stands out is “nonfood contact surfaces”, which has been cited four times.

Blue Bottle Coffee's latest score is in line with the Boston average of 86. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Sep 24, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Handling prohibition-animals (pf)

Inspector notes: Pet dog observed in establishment. Provided service animal information. Consult customers to leave animals outside. Recommend removing jar of dog biscuits at front door.

590.002/2-403.11-PF

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Drain pipe from ice bin could be better aligned with floor drain to prevent water from gathering on floor. Correct as needed.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Jul 11, 2025

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Staff handling food without hair restraints. Provide hats or hairnets.

590.002/2-402.11-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Faucet at service line hand sink loose. Tighten to prevent water from leaking to cabinet underneath.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Feb 28, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)

Inspector notes: Potato and onion pastry at 64F. Discarded by PIC. Provide information from wholesale bakery that cooked potatoes and onions are safe at ambient temperature.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Soils and debris under milk bin at front counter floor drain and under shelving in dry storeage room. Milk spills and soils in all refrigeration. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Sep 24, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Food display-preventing contamination by consumers (p)

Inspector notes: Coffee drip station at service line exposed to customers. Provide barrier to prevent contamination from customers. Sneeze guard is on order. Drip station not being used.

590.003/3-306.11-P

Sep 9, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Food display-preventing contamination by consumers (p)

Inspector notes: Coffee drip station at service line exposed to customers. Provide barrier to prevent contamination from customers

590.003/3-306.11-P

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Surface sanitizer spray bottles without labels. Label all chemical bottles to prevent contamination.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)

Inspector notes: No irreversible thermometer or thermal strips for testing final rinse temperature of dish machine. Provide either strips or thermometer.

590.004/4-302.13-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Debris around floor drain at service line. Clean to avoid attracting pests. Water and soils in cabinet under hand sink at service line. Clean and monitor for possible water leak.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Mop closet is not enclosed. Provide door or enclosure to prevent contamination to kitchen area.

590.006/6-501.113-C

Mar 15, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Storing maintenance tools (c)

Inspector notes: Mop closet without door or curtain. Enclose mop closet to prevent possible contamination.

590.006/6-501.113-C

Oct 2, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Vents above the panini press and area behind oven with dust buildup- Clean

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jan 25, 2023

Routine

4 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Ventilation above waffle makers with soils and dust buildup- Clean

590.006/6-501.14-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Pipe below 3 bay sink with leak- Make proper repairs

590.005/5-205.15-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Numerous damp wiping cloths on counters throughout-Maintain in sanitizer solution Corrected

590.003/3-304.14-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Shelving and cup dispensers at the front service counter wih soil buildup- Clean

590.004/4-602.13-C

Jul 19, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)

Inspector notes: Sanitizer from automated dispenser at the 3 bay sink dispensing at levels that exceeds manufacturers specifications- Add water until repairs are made

590.007/7-204.11-P

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Blue Bottle Coffee last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Blue Bottle Coffee on file is from Sep 24, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Blue Bottle Coffee?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Blue Bottle Coffee.

How does Blue Bottle Coffee compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Blue Bottle Coffee most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.

Has Blue Bottle Coffee's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Blue Bottle Coffee have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Blue Bottle Coffee means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Blue Bottle Coffee inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Blue Bottle Coffee is inspected around three times per year on average.

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