Cafe 26

26 Temple Pl, Boston, MA 02111

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Oct 20, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Across the available record, Cafe 26 has nine inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Oct 20, 2025. Low risk means the most recent visit produced few or no significant findings.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near two violations per visit.

When inspectors have written things up, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.

The city-wide average for Boston sits at 86, putting Cafe 26 on the better side of that line. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 20, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Sep 30, 2025

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine at 0ppm after multiple attempts. Sanitizer container observed empty. Corrected. Ensure dishmachine has sanitizer at all hours.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Paper towel dispenser in bathroom observed empty. Provide.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Employee on production line observed without hair restraint. Provide.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Feb 20, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Detergent observed empty on dish machine. Corrected on site. Ensure detegerent is available at all hours.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: No hood sticker on hood system. PIC stated cleaning appointment is scheduled.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Sep 27, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Sep 18, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No testing kit for quat sanitizer being used in 3 bay sink. Tested with inspector kit. Provide test kit.

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Pots observed in warewash hand sink. Removed on site.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Feb 15, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine observed without soap. Container empty. Person in charge corrected.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)

Inspector notes: Low temperature dish machine at 0ppm after multiple attempts. Person in charge placed service call. 3 bay sink set up by PIC.

590.004/4-303.11-PF

Ventilation hood systems filters (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker observed expired. Schedule cleaning appointment.

590.004/4-202.18-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Employee on production line observed without hair restraint. Person in charge corrected.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Sep 5, 2023

Routine

2 major violations. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Juice treated-commercially processed (pf)

Inspector notes: Fresh squeezed orange juice made ahead without pasteurization or labeling. Squeeze juice to order or label to indicate that juice is not pasteurized. Oranges held refrigerated washed squeezed and then juice is stored in refrigerator.

590.003/3-202.110-PF

(a )cooling methods (pf)

Inspector notes: Cooked onions in cookline refrigerator in small plastic container at 80F. Cooked within last hour. Spread out and moved to freezer- 58F after 10 minutes. Cool cooked foods to 41F prior to placing into service.

590.003/3-501.15-PF

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Mar 30, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

Aug 11, 2022

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Consumption of animal foods that are raw undercooked or not otherwise processed to eliminate pathogens (pf)

Inspector notes: Reminder of undercooked foods is on menu but individual items are not labeled as available undercooked. Update menu to indicate which items are available undercooked: hamburger eggs.

590.003/3-603.11-PF

Controlling pests (c)

Inspector notes: Old mouse droppings under cabinet of cookline hand sink. Clean under cookline and monitor for activity. Contact licensed pest control as needed.

590.006/6-501.111-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Cooking staff not wearing hair restraints. Provide hairnets or hats for food handlers.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cafe 26 last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Cafe 26 on file is from Oct 20, 2025. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Cafe 26?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Cafe 26.

How does Cafe 26 compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Cafe 26 most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Cafe 26's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe 26 have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Cafe 26 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 Cafe 26 inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe 26 is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Democracy Brewing

29 Temple Pl

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

J M Curley/Bogie's Place/Wig Shop Lounge

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Score: 64 — Medium Risk

Gordons Fine Wine and Liquors of Boston

39 Temple Pl

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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