Food Opera
Last inspected: Apr 28, 2026
82
Score
Inspectors have visited Food Opera 10 times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 28, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.
Looking across the full record, “nonfood contact surfaces” is the recurring theme, flagged six times.
Compared to other Boston restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 28, 2026
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Backflow prevention (p)
Inspector notes: Provide an air gap at the prep sink.
590.005/5-402.11-P
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Clean the wire rack shelving unit in the dish room to remove soils/food debris Kitchen-Clean the interiors of the fryer cabinets to remoe grease & soils--Dumpling station
590.004/4-602.13-C
82
Dec 16, 2025
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Aluminum foil covering stove and shelves. Discard foil. Use materials that are cleanable and durable.
590.004/4-101.19-C
95
Jun 13, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Garic and oil mixture observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at below 41F. Garlic and oil mixture to be removed and placed back under refrigeration.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)
Inspector notes: Sanitizer not registering at hte test strip for the low Chemical dish machine. Address and make any necessary repairs. 3 Bay sink to be used until the dish machine has been repaired.
590.004/4-204.117-PF
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Plastic cups being used to dispense out of bulk food bins. Discontinue and use handled scoops to prevent contamination from hands.
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Fan covers of th 2 door Coke cooler visibly soiled and with dust debris. Clean to remove. Fan cover to the walk-in produce cooler visibly soiled. Clean to remove. Top of the dish machine on the second floor visibly soiled and with food debris. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Hot water faucet to the hand sink located in the second floor dish room not functioning. Address and make any necessary repairs. Drainage pipe to the same hand sink is leaking. Repair. Dish machine curtains missing and replaced with a garbage bag. Address and replace.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Frozen beef tripe observed being defrosted in stagnant water. Discontinue and ensure proper thawing mehtods.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Containers of frozen meats and other foods observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in freezer. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
58
Jul 11, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Raw chicken and shrimp observed being left out at room temperature (65F). Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at below 41F. Foods were removed at the time of the inspection.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Food-contact surfaces-cleanability (pf)
Inspector notes: Plastic container being used to dispense out of bulk food bins. Discontinue and provide handled scoops to prevent contamination from hands.
590.004/4-202.11-PF
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard being used to line several storage shelves in the main kitchen and dish area's. Discontinue and ensure all surfaces remain cleanabel durable and smooth.
590.004/4-202.16-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Cold water faucet at the 3 bay sink in the front service area appears to be stripped. Address and make anyv necessary repairs. Faucet at the 3 bay sink in the main kitchen continuosly rund. Address and make any necessay repairs. Drainage pipe possibly from the AC unit is dumping onto the floor near the main kitchen hand sink. Address.
590.005/5-205.15-C
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Knives observed being stored in between coolers in the main kitchen area. Discontinue and store all knives in a clean and protected manner.
590.003/3-304.12-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out on counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitizing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Containers of meats and fish observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in freezer and coolers. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Drainage tube from the wall mounted AC unit emptying into the 3 bay sink where food is being preprared. Discontinue and provide proper drainage for the AC unit.
590.003/3-307.11-C
58
Jul 26, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under hand sink at dimsum station leaks. Repair as needed and keep floor clean and dry
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Jun 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Containers of raw meat stored over prepped vegetables in dry storage cooler. Store raw meat below all prepped and raw produce or ready to eat foods to prevent cross contamination Corrected on site
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Cooked pork in shallow pan cooling at 105F covered with plastic film. Film removed. Cool cooked foods uncovered to facilitate cooling
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Handwashing sinks installation (pf)
Inspector notes: Hot water knob at steaming station hand sink not operating. Staff using hot line hand sink. Repair knob to ensure hot water for hand washing.
590.005/5-202.12-PF
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Water leaking from valve on dish machine. PIC stated company has ordered part to repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Soils and debris under ice machine and stove next to steamer station. Clean floors regularly to avoid accumulation of soils which attract pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Removing dead or trapped birds insects rodents and other pest (c)
Inspector notes: One glue trap in kitchen with dead roaches behind hot line cooler. Remove glue traps with dead roaches. Reviewed pest report- multiple reccomendations for filling gaps. PIC stated hiring contractor to fill gaps. Report stated roach activity in kitchen
590.006/6-501.112-C
61
Feb 23, 2023
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Sprinkler pipe broke in dining room morning of 2/5. Repaired and reset same day and establishement was closed. Invoice for repair provided at time of inspection. Need confirmation from Building Deparment all repairs acceptable.
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Feb 9, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw meat stored over produce in walk-in cooler. Ensure all raw meat is stored below produce and ready to eat foods. Corrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Exterior of steamer station cooler soiled. Floor in basement dry storage with debris and rat droppings. Floor under fryer and wok station heavily soiled. Outdoor trash area with boxes and debris. Clean all areas to prevent contamination or attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Sprinkler pipe broke in dining room morning of 2/5. Repaired and reset same day and establishement was closed. Invoice for repair provided at time of inspection. Contact Building Deparment to confirm okay to operate.
590.005/5-205.15-C
78
Oct 19, 2022
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw pork and duck stored above raw produce in walk-in cooler. Store raw meat below produce and ready to eat foods to prevent contamination. Corrected on site
590.003/3-302.11-P
(a )cooling methods (pf)
Inspector notes: Cooked pork at 100F covered in plastic wrap in deep container. Cooked within the hour Cool foods uncovered and spread out to maximize surface area. Pork spread out 80F after 20 minutes
590.003/3-501.15-PF
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Open containers of shrimp on the floor. Store food off the floor to prevent contamination.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Floor under dunmpling station stove and refrigerator soiled with food debris. Clean and maintain to prevent attracting pests.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Drying mops (c)
Inspector notes: Mops drying over floor in back hallway caused large puddle of water. Dry moops over sink or catch basin to keep floors dry.
590.006/6-501.16-C
67
Sep 13, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Bean sprouts stored on counter at 65F. Keep bean sprouts refrigerated at all times because they may be contaminated with bacteria.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Packaged and unpackaged food-separation packaging and segregation (p)
Inspector notes: Raw meats stored above cooked meats and produce in cookline cooler and under counter reach-in. Raw meats stored above cooked meats in basement walk-in coolers. Ensure raw meats are always stored below ready to eat foods and produce. Crrected on site.
590.003/3-302.11-P
Common name-working containers (pf)
Inspector notes: Spray bottle of degreaser without label. Ensure all chemical spray bottles are labeled with common name to prevent injury or contamination.
590.007/7-102.11-PF
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths at tea station not stored in sanitizer solution. Store wiping cloths in sanitizer when not in use to prevent cross contamination.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)
Inspector notes: Covered buckets of starch and other ingredients stored on floor under wok station. Store food off the floor and not under cooking equipment where containers may be soiled and contaminated.
590.003/3-305.11-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Cardboard lining shelves at wok station. Discard cardboard and discontinue using it to line shelves. Use materials that are durable cleanable and non-absorbent.
590.004/4-101.19-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of cooler at wok station soiled. Floor under cookline with debris and soils. Handles and doors of coolers in main kitchen with soils. Clean and maintain all areas
590.004/4-602.13-C
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Food Opera last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Food Opera on file is from Apr 28, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Food Opera?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Food Opera.
How does Food Opera compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Food Opera most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Food Opera's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Food Opera have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Food Opera 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 Food Opera inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Food Opera is inspected around three times per year on average.
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