Life Alive Cafe

505 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Feb 5, 2026

Score

Low Risk

The health department has logged 10 inspections at Life Alive Cafe, the earliest from 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Feb 5, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near two violations per visit.

“Nonfood contact surfaces” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing three times across the record.

Compared to the broader Boston restaurant scene, where the average is 86, this is a stronger showing. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 5, 2026

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Outer openings protected (c)

Inspector notes: At the rear exit of the establishment there is a gap in between the closed doors where light is visible through the gap; repair or replace the doors or repair or replace the weather stripping to prevent pest entry.

590.006/6-202.15-C

(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)

Inspector notes: The fan guards of the walk-in refrigerator are heavily encrusted in dust and soild; clean and sanitize the fan guards of the walk-in refrigerator.

590.004/4-601.11-C

Aug 29, 2025

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker expired. Provide cleaning date.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Feb 14, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Jul 9, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

(a )cooling methods (pf)

Inspector notes: Lentil puree tightly covered in refrigerator at 87F. Hummus tightly covered in refrigerator at 75F. Lentils and chickpeas cooked in last hour.Lids removed and foods spread out in walk-in refrigerator. Review cooling procedures with staff. Ensure cooked foods are not covered until 41F or below. Lentils cooled to 70F in 15 minutes

590.003/3-501.15-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Floor drain under dump sink in prep area with soils. Floor under 3 compartment sink with debris. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Feb 22, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Cooling (p)

Inspector notes: Cooked lentils tighly covered in refrigerator cooked earlier in the day at 80F. Discarded by PIC. Ensure proper cooling meeting time and temperature parameters per Food Code.

590.003/3-501.14-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Food build-up in floor drain under prep sink. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Paper cups used for scooping bulk ingredients. Replace with scoops with handles to prevent contamination. No bulk ingredients for raw consumption.

590.003/3-304.12-C

Nov 30, 2023

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Warewashing machines automatic dispensing of detergents and sanitizers (pf)

Inspector notes: Automated dispenser for the quats sanitizer at the 3 bay sink is testing at 0ppm Service call made at the time of the inspection- Ecolab en route

590.004/4-204.117-PF

(b) cooling methods (c)

Inspector notes: Observed employees placing deep plastic covered containers of extremely hot products into refrigeration to cool- Deep covered plastic container of product in walkin at 81F- Perthe PIC the product was placed into the walkin 1 hour prior to the inspection Review cooling procedures with all staff Corrected on site

590.003/3-501.15-C

Jul 20, 2023

Routine

No violations found.

100

May 15, 2023

Routine

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

View 4 violations

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

Inspector notes: Prepared cucumbers on service line at 50F- Prepared less than 30 minutes prior Ensure products are at 41F or below prior to placing out for service Products removed and placed in a shallow container in refrigeration to cool to 41F or below

590.003/3-501.16-P

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: No paper towels at the handsinkin the prep area- Corrected

590.006/6-301.12-PF

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Knives stored between equipment at prep line- Corrected on site

590.003/3-304.12-C

Eating drinking or using tobacco (c)

Inspector notes: Observed employee at prep line drinking from an open container and placed it on the prep line- Reviewed with PIC and corrected

590.002/2-401.11-C

Nov 22, 2022

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Manual and mechanical warewashing equipment chemical sanitization-temperature ph concentration and hardness (p)

Inspector notes: Water at automated sanitizer dispenser at the 3 bay sink is at 100F. Sanitizer is registering at 0-50ppm quats. Ecolab contacted at the time of the inspection and establishmnet will discontinue using until corrected High temperature dishwasher available 155F/181F

590.004/4-501.114-P

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Drip tray in acai machine with heavy buildup- Clean with proper frequency Removed at the time of the inspection and cleaned/sanitized

590.004/4-602.13-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Utensils at drink bar stored in stagnant water- Reviewed proper procedures for storing of in use utensils with PIC Corrected at the time of the inspection

590.003/3-304.12-C

May 16, 2022

Routine

No violations found.

100

Show all 10 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Life Alive Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Life Alive Cafe on file is from Feb 5, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Life Alive Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Life Alive Cafe.

How does Life Alive Cafe compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Life Alive Cafe most recently scored 90 out of 100, which is higher than the Boston average of 86.

Has Life Alive Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

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

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Life Alive Cafe 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 Life Alive Cafe inspected?

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

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