Caffe Nero
Last inspected: Apr 10, 2026
86
Score
Across the available record, Caffe Nero has 11 inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 10, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.
Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around six violations to closer to three violations per visit.
The pattern that stands out is “nonfood contact surfaces”, which has been cited five times.
Among Boston restaurants, this is a fairly standard result. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 10, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation.
View 1 violation
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: No air gap on food prep sink. Provide or submit a quote from a plumber.
590.005/5-202.13-P
86
Mar 18, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Sanitizers criteria-chemicals (p)
Inspector notes: Quat sanitizer tested at over 500ppm in chemical spray bottle. Quat sanitizer was not diluted to acceptable ppm prior to use. Corrected on site.
590.007/7-204.11-P
Backflow prevention air gap (p)
Inspector notes: No air gap on food prep sink. Provide or submit a quote from a plumber.
590.005/5-202.13-P
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle observed without label. Provide.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Employee cell phone observed on sandwich counter. Discontinue.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor of walk in cooler has food debris. Under dishwasher has debris and build up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
61
Jan 5, 2026
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Live roach observed in warewashing area upstairs near the dishmachine. Provide an updated pest report up reinspection Dead roach observed on the glue trap clean to remove 12/29/25 Roach observed on the glue trap upstaris near the dishwasher . clean to remove
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Upstairs prep area/ warewashing area clean the floor under/around the grease trap & dish machine to remove soils and debris. Front counter clean the floor to remove coffee build up 12/29/25 on compliance visit floor still observed with soils. clean to remove
590.006/6-501.13-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of all low boy fridge observed soiled./ clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Bulks Foods( sugar ) provide scoop with handle for bulks food bin. Portion cup observed in use to dispense food from bulks
590.003/3-304.12-C
78
Dec 17, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Live roach observed in warewashing area upstairs near the dishmachine. Provide an updated pest report up reinspection Dead roach observed on the glue trap clean to remove
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No temperature measuring devices for dishmachine :Provide an irreversible thermometer to high temp dishmachine or 160 thermal strips.
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Outer openings protected (c)
Inspector notes: Front door observed without door sweep. provide door sweep to remove all daylight
590.006/6-202.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Bulks Foods( sugar ) provide scoop with handle for bulks food bin. Portion cup observed in use to dispense food from bulks
590.003/3-304.12-C
Cutting surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: White cutting boards observed heavily scored. Replace
590.004/4-501.12-C
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of low boy fridge observed soiled./ clean to remove
590.004/4-601.11-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: The frront counter handwashing sink hot water Faucet does not provide adequate water pressure to ensure proper handwashing . Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Handwashing aids and devices use restrictions (c)
Inspector notes: No soap at the front hand sink. Provide
590.006/6-301.13-C
Toilet room receptacle covered (c)
Inspector notes: Women Restroom/ provide covered waste receptacle
590.005/5-501.17-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Mop not in use is being stored inside mop bucket in front of the restroom .Hang mops to dry
590.006/6-501.16-C
Cleaning floors dustless methods (c)
Inspector notes: Upstairs prep area/ warewashing area clean the floor under/around the grease trap & dish machine to remove soils and debris. Front counter clean the floor to remove coffee build up
590.006/6-501.13-C
52
Oct 9, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling above coffee bar observed open with vents and air ducts and is not enclosed. Provide enclosure or apply for variance with health division.
590.006/6-201.16-C
95
Sep 4, 2025
Routine
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Ice machine that produces larger cubed ice on production line observed with soils and food debris on the interior of the unit. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottle with purple liquid observed unlabled. Provide label.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)
Inspector notes: Employee making sandwiches in prep area observed without hair restraint. Provide.
590.002/2-402.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils inside drawers where powdered tea is stored. Coffee grounds on coffee line equiptment. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Wall and ceiling coverings and coatings (c)
Inspector notes: Ceiling above coffee bar observed open with vents and air ducts and is not enclosed. Provide enclosure or apply for variance with health division.
590.006/6-201.16-C
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Provide hand wash only signage at production line hand sink.
590.006/6-301.14-C
67
Jul 29, 2024
Routine
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Chemical spray bottles observed with no labels at coffee bar. Provide label.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Thawing foods observed stored on shelf above clean dishware products. Person in charge removed.
590.003/3-307.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Low boy refrigerator observed with food soils on door handle. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
82
Sep 13, 2023
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Bathroom out of paper towels. Ensure hand sinks have soap and towels at all times. Corrected on site.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Condensation from air conditioner dripping over dining room. Work order has been placed. No food exposed
590.003/3-307.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled cardboard boxes in refrigerator under cases of milk. Use cleanable durable non-absorbent materials. Discarded by PIC
590.004/4-101.19-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and water under dump sink from leaking drain. Clean and maintain to avoid attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Dump sink at service line leaks. Repair and reseal sink to prevent water accumulating under cabinet
590.005/5-205.15-C
74
Mar 8, 2023
Routine
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed items in hand sink inside kitchen area. Person in charge removed.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Observed pink liquid in spray bottle with no label. Provide label.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (c)
Inspector notes: Observed open boxes stored in freezer. Close to prevent potential contamination.
590.003/3-302.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed cardboard under milk contaners in walk in cooler. Surfaces must be easily cleanable. Remove.
590.004/4-101.19-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No certified food protection manager certificate on site. Provide.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
70
Sep 20, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Upstairs hand sink blocked by food in the sink and carts stored in front of the sink. Remove items from sink and remove items blocking the hand sink
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)
Inspector notes: remove clutter of items on rack next to desk. Keep all supplies 6 inches off the floor and remove all unecessay items from storag in this restaurant
590.006/6-501.114-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: discontinue conducting coffee bean grinding on the chair in the upstairs kitchen. Provide the proper facilities to conduct coffee bean grinding. Clean area remove coffee debris and buildup of soils.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: keep al wiping cloths in a sanitizing solution when cloths are not in use.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Flty activity observed in the upstairs kitchen. Remove fly activity. Provide extermination service and provide extermination report at the compliance inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
74
Aug 11, 2022
Routine
1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Provide paper towels for the hand sink next to the dish machine upstairs.
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: upstairs clean the clair below the coffee bean grinder. Remove coffee grounds spillage.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: clean the wall area behind the turbo fan in the upstairs kitchen.
590.006/6-201.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: remove the cardboard from the shelf below the milk inside the walk in cooler located in the upstairs kitchen.
590.004/4-501.11-C
78
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Caffe Nero last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Caffe Nero on file is from Apr 10, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Caffe Nero?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Caffe Nero.
How does Caffe Nero compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Caffe Nero most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.
Has Caffe Nero's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Caffe Nero have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Caffe Nero 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 Caffe Nero inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Caffe Nero is inspected around three times per year on average.
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