Tea by the Sea

99 Sumner St, East Boston, MA 02128

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Nov 24, 2025

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2023, Tea by the Sea has five inspections in the public record. On Nov 24, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near four violations per visit.

“Nonfood contact surfaces” comes up most often, recorded three times in the inspection record.

The city-wide average sits at 91, which Tea by the Sea's 86 doesn't quite reach. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Nov 24, 2025

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Equipment food-contact surfaces and utensils-frequency (c)

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine soiled. Clean and sanitize properly.

590.004/4-602.11-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Exterior and interior of several refrigerating unit soiled. Clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Food storage prohibited areas (c)

Inspector notes: Boxes with food products stored on the floor. Elevate properly.

590.003/3-305.12-C

May 8, 2025

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: PIC states that small plastic containers are filled with water and soap and chlorine to perform warewashing.Discontinue set up three bay sink properly and perform proper warewashing -Wash/Rinse/Sanitize.

590.004/4-501.114-P

Kitchenware and tableware-preventing contamination (c)

Inspector notes: Observed some equipment used to prepare drinks placed on the floor on the top of other items not in use. Remove and store properly clean area properly.

590.004/4-904.11-C1

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Interior of refrigerating unit for milk containers soiled. Clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Dec 5, 2024

Routine

2 major violations. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Handsink at prep area without paper towels. PIC provided some. Mantain properly all the time.

590.006/6-301.12-PF

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

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine soiled. Clean and sanitize properly.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Interior and exterior of several refrigerating units soiled. Clean properly.

590.004/4-602.13-C

(a) and (c) equipment utensils linens and single-service and single-use articles-storing (c)

Inspector notes: Several boxes with single use utensils stored on the floor . Elevate properly.

590.004/4-903.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Observed sponge at three bay sink area. Discontinue use for warewashing.

590.003/3-304.14-C

Feb 15, 2024

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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

Inspector notes: No evidence of proper warewashing . Three bay sink not set up properly filled with soiled equipment. Employee could not explain the proper warewashing steps. Sanitizing strips missing. Provide proper warewashing all the time (wash rinse sanitize).

590.004/4-501.114-P

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No sanitizing test strips on site. Provide.

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Food storage-preventing contamination from the premises (c)

Inspector notes: Observed several boxes with food products stored in front of toilet doors away from food prep/storage area and placed on the floor. Remove store properly enclosed (employees can watch it) and properly elevated (6 inches or above).

590.003/3-305.11-C

Wiping cloths use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Wiping cloths placed wet on counters. Store properly in containers with sanitizer solution.

590.003/3-304.14-C

Sponges use limitation (c)

Inspector notes: Observed sponges at three bay sink area. Discontinue use for warewashing.

590.004/4-101.16-C

Oct 3, 2023

Routine

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)

Inspector notes: Lobby is still partially under construction / Construction dust throughout floors and surfaces / Remove all construction and ensure it is free of dust

590.006/6-501.12-C

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tea by the Sea last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tea by the Sea on file is from Nov 24, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tea by the Sea?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tea by the Sea.

How does Tea by the Sea compare to other restaurants in East Boston?

Tea by the Sea most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is lower than the East Boston average of 91.

Has Tea by the Sea's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tea by the Sea have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tea by the Sea 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 Tea by the Sea inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tea by the Sea is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Villanos Market

152 Sumner St

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in East Boston → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Boston → Café / Breakfast restaurants in East Boston