Playa Bowls

277 Huntington Av, Boston, MA 02115

Frozen Desserts

Last inspected: Feb 6, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Playa Bowls has been inspected nine times since 2022. Playa Bowls was last inspected on Feb 6, 2026. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around one violation, down from roughly four violations earlier in the record.

Looking across the full record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” is the recurring theme, flagged two times.

Restaurants in Boston average 86, so Playa Bowls is doing better than most peers. Overall, the inspection record reads well.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 6, 2026

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Peeling paint on wall in restroom. Clean and seal.

590.006/6-201.11-C

Nov 19, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)

Inspector notes: Reviewed instructions with PIC Kit is missing items

590.002/2-501.11-PF

Repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods (c)

Inspector notes: Worn and exposed wood on countop and shelving at ordering and pick up area

590.006/6-501.11-C

Jan 17, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Dec 26, 2024

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Ladel for oatmeal in 68F water. Store ladel clean and dry or in water over 135F. Clean and sanitizer regularly

590.003/3-304.12-C

May 20, 2024

Routine

5 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 9 violations

Capacity-quantity and availability (pf)

Inspector notes: No hot water through out Hot water temperature throughout 65 F Plumber on site and is waiting for an electrician to complete the work on the hot water tank Hot water tank not working

590.005/5-103.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Water filter attached to hand sink faucet - On line

590.005/5-205.11-PF

Food temperature measuring devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No thin probe food themometer

590.004/4-302.12-PF

Clean-up of vomiting and diarrheal events (pf)

Inspector notes: No written instructions (provided via email. PIC unable to print)

590.002/2-501.11-PF

(a)-(p) person-in-charge-duties (pf)

Inspector notes: Establishment open and operating without hot water

590.002(D)/2-103.11-PF

Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)

Inspector notes: Dusty ceiling vent in bathroom

590.006/6-201.11-C

Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Paper towels place above food prep table and not at hand sink - On line

590.003/3-307.11-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Food products stored on soda crates in prep area and hallway/walkway

590.003/3-305.11-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Back hallway/walkway - Storing articles - Remove

590.006/6-501.114-C

Sep 14, 2023

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: The interior white panel of the ice machine observed with visible soils.Clean to remove soils

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Jan 5, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

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

Inspector notes: Clean the rear exterior of the display case to remove soils.

590.004/4-601.11-C

Sep 20, 2022

Routine

2 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Controlling pests (pf)

Inspector notes: Fruit fly presence in BOH and trash area. Provide updated pest reports.

590.006/6-501.111-PF

(a) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (pf)

Inspector notes: Ice machine has soils inside the unit. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Handwashing signage (c)

Inspector notes: Provide handwash only signage in BOH hand sink.

590.006/6-301.14-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Clean under production line hand sink and equiptment. Clean interior of stand up freezer in back of house Clean ceiling vent on production line and soiled celing tiles.

590.004/4-602.13-C

May 11, 2022

Routine

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Common name-working containers (pf)

Inspector notes: Chemical spray botlles observed missing labels.Provide labels.

590.007/7-102.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink observed blocked with several boxes.Remove boxes. Ensure handwash sink is available for handwashing.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Clean the interiors of storage room upright refrigeration/freezer units to remove soils. Clean the interiors of the counter reach in units to remove soils/debris.

590.004/4-601.11-C

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Personal beverages observed stored in food prep location.Discontinue.Provide a designated location to store personal beverages. PIC removing

590.003/3-305.11-C

Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)

Inspector notes: Clean the walls behind the food prep counters to remove soils/food debris.

590.006/6-501.12-C

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Playa Bowls last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Playa Bowls on file is from Feb 6, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Playa Bowls?

Across the inspection record, “floors walls and ceilings-cleanability” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Playa Bowls.

How does Playa Bowls compare to other restaurants in Boston?

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

Has Playa Bowls' inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Playa Bowls have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Playa Bowls 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 Playa Bowls inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Playa Bowls is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 55 — Medium Risk

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