Gardner Museum Cafe
Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025
58
Score
Across the available record, Gardner Museum Cafe has six inspections on file, the first dated 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Dec 11, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
Things have been moving the wrong way, with the rolling count rising from around five violations to closer to eight violations per visit.
“Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.
Compared to other Boston restaurants (averaging 86), there's room to close the gap. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
6
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Dec 11, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Clean condition-hands and arms (p)
Inspector notes: Observed limited hand washing and employees multitasking wearing disposable gloves
590.002/2-301.11-P
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: In storage food containers a visably soiled Interior of ice machine visably soiled
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: 2 hand sinks in upstairs prep show evidence of being used as a dumping sink - Heavily stained/discolored
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Heavy build up of soils on floor walls and ceiling in prep areas
590.006/6-201.11-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Walls and attachment with chipped peeling paint throughout Steps to basement rusted At top of steps cracked tiles on floor Lid to ice machine broken
590.006/6-501.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: In use wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: In use food containers not labeled with common name
590.003/3-302.12-C
58
Jul 3, 2025
Routine
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 12 violations
(a) gloves use limitation (p)
Inspector notes: Gloves not being used properly - Must be changed when contaminated/no continuous use employees must wash hands when donning on clean gloves.
590.003/3-304.15-P
Temperature measuring devices manual and mechanical warewashing (pf)
Inspector notes: No irreversible measuring device for high temp dish washer
590.004/4-302.13-PF
Controlling pests (pf)
Inspector notes: Flies observed in dining room Provide extermination and exterminators report prior to reinspection
590.006/6-501.111-PF
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Built up soils on interior and exterior of refrigeration/freezer units Rust on shelving in some refrigeration units (on cooking line in upper prep area) Soils on exterior of ware washing facilities Build up dust on wire shelving in basement
590.004/4-602.13-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Opening in ceiling in women's locker room Rust on floor (grease trap)
590.006/6-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Grease build up on hood above cooking equipment (Upper food prep cooking line)
590.006/6-201.11-C
Kitchenware and tableware-preventing contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Plates and cups are not inverted Tongs stored on oven door handles
590.004/4-904.11-C1
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: Wet nesting clean and sanitized food contacts - Ware washing area
590.004/4-901.11-C
Can openers (c)
Inspector notes: Soils built up on can opener blade stem and bracket Rust on stem and holder of can opener
590.004/4-202.15-C
Characteristics-materials for construction and repair (c)
Inspector notes: Ice machine door broken
590.004/4-101.11-C
Food labels (c)
Inspector notes: Food containers not labeled with common name Food container lids are labeled fish and fish products are not being stored. Being used for other food items
590.003/3-602.11-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Wiping cloths not stored in a sanitizing solution between uses.
590.003/3-304.14-C
45
Oct 25, 2024
Routine
6 minor violations.
View 6 violations
In-use utensils between-use storage (c)
Inspector notes: Tongs stored on oven door handles Corrected on site
590.003/3-304.12-C
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Steps to basement rusted and in disrepair Chipped paint on floor grease trap (upper prep area) Cracked floor tiles on cooking line (upper prep aera)
590.006/6-501.11-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Black substance on wall along back of high temp dish machine
590.006/6-201.11-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Pots pans etc not inverted (Storage cooking line and ware washing)
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: Ware washing - Wet nesting clean and sanitized equipment
590.004/4-901.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Door and front of ice machine in disrepair (Basement) Door gasket torn on 2 door refrigeration unit on cooking line (upper prep area)
590.004/4-501.11-C
74
Feb 5, 2024
Routine
2 major violations. 9 minor violations.
View 11 violations
(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)
Inspector notes: Build up soils of interior and exterior of ice machine
590.004/4-601.11-PF
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Paper towels not stored in a dispenser at several hand sinks
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)
Inspector notes: Resurface exterior of grease trap
590.006/6-501.11-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Using milk crates for shelving No splash guard between hand sink and clean equipment - Ware washing
590.003/3-307.11-C
Food labels (c)
Inspector notes: Food containers wiith dry goods labeled Seafood
590.003/3-602.11-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: Thermometers missing from a few refrigeration units - Prep areas
590.004/4-204.112-C
Equipment and utensils air-drying required (c)
Inspector notes: Wet nesting clean food containers - Ware washing
590.004/4-901.11-C
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Pots pans bowls etc not inverted
590.004/4-903.11-C1
(a) (b) and (d) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles storing (c)
Inspector notes: Storing clean food contacts in milk crates
590.004/4-903.11-C1
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: No signage at hand sink in ware washing employee bathrooms
590.006/6-301.14-C
Closing toilet room doors (c)
Inspector notes: Stall door broken/off
590.006/6-501.19-C
52
May 8, 2023
Routine
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Ventilation hood systems filters (c)
Inspector notes: Hood filters above te cook line observed with dust buildup.Clean to remove dust.
590.004/4-202.18-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Commercial sanitizer dispensers not operating.Repair Staff manuelly setting up sanitizer
590.004/4-501.11-C
90
Dec 1, 2022
Routine
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: There is a small leak under the handwash sink next to the ice machine.PIC to locate the source/Repair
590.005/5-205.15-C
95
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Gardner Museum Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Gardner Museum Cafe on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Gardner Museum Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Gardner Museum Cafe.
How does Gardner Museum Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?
Gardner Museum Cafe most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.
Has Gardner Museum Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Gardner Museum Cafe have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Gardner Museum Cafe means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Gardner Museum Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Gardner Museum Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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