The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury

257 Newbury St, Boston, MA 02116

Other

Last inspected: Aug 7, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Public records show seven inspections at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury stretching back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Aug 7, 2025. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around four violations each.

When inspectors have written things up, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been the most frequent reason, cited three times.

That's lower than the typical Boston restaurant, which scores around 86. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Aug 7, 2025

Routine

1 major violation. 4 minor violations.

View 5 violations

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

Inspector notes: Black mold-like substance on interior chute of ice machine. Clean and sanitize.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Broken and missing tiles on floor of food prep area. Repair as needed for smooth cleanable flooring.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Spills and soils in dairy refrigerator at service counter. Clean and sanitize.

590.004/4-602.13-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Leak under rinse bay of 3 compartment sink. Repair as needed. Keep floor clean and dry; discard catch water.

590.005/5-205.15-C

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Food handler without hair restraint. Provide hairtnets. Corrected on site.

590.002/2-402.11-C

Mar 3, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

Juice treated-commercially processed (p)

Inspector notes: CUps of fresh squeezed orange juice for self-service in retail refrigerator. Squeezed juice must be pasteurized or labeled that it is unpasteurized. Unpasteurized juice must be squeezed to order. Removed by PIC.

590.003/3-202.110-P

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Fresh squeezed orange juice for self-service without labels. Labeling guidance provided via email.

590.003/3-602.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Broken floor tiles in food prep area. Repair as needed for smooth cleanable surface.

590.006/6-501.11-C

Sep 9, 2024

Routine

3 major violations. 2 minor violations.

View 5 violations

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Yummu Mummy baked goods for self-service sale without complete labels. Provide labels for all grab and go food items.

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Hand wash sink in food prep area blocked by ice buckets. Keep hand sinks clear at all times for hand washing. Staff washing at hand sink near oven.

590.005/5-205.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with pink mold-like substance. Cleana nd maintain.

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Effectiveness-hair restraints (c)

Inspector notes: Food prep staff not wearing hair restraint. Provide hat or hairnet for food handler staff.

590.002/2-402.11-C

In-use utensils between-use storage (c)

Inspector notes: Soiled ice cream scoop sitting on top of ice cream container in freezer. Store utensils protected from contamination.

590.003/3-304.12-C

Mar 11, 2024

Routine

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Cups of commercially pasteurized orange juice for self-service sale without labels. Provide labels for retail foods packed in-house.

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Spills and debris in service line dairy refrigerator under and behind refrigerator and under antique stove next to oven. Clean to avoid attracting pests.

590.004/4-602.13-C

Sep 26, 2023

Routine

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

View 5 violations

Compliance with food law (p)

Inspector notes: Food items for the establishment are being purchased from a retail store Items shall be purchased from a wholesaler

590.003(A)/3-201.11-P

Handwashing sinks-location and placement (pf)

Inspector notes: Only handwashing sink in the prep area has been in disrepair. Violation was noted on the previous inspection and was repaired at the time of the reinspection. The only other handwashing sink is located at the front service area Make proper repairs by a licensed plumber to the handwashing sink

590.005/5-204.11-PF

Restriction and storage-medicines ( pf)

Inspector notes: Employee medications stored on shelves with food service items- Provide seperate area

590.007/7-207.11-PF

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

Inspector notes: Multiple ceiling tiles missing in back prep area- Replace

590.006/6-501.11-C

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Pipe below handwashing sink in the prep area is broken and not connected Make repairs by a licensed plumber- Provide invoice for repairs

590.005/5-205.15-C

Feb 21, 2023

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Opened bottle of juice stored in ambient air shall be refrigerated once opened per manufacturers instructions. Product has been out of temperature for an undertermined amount of time. Voluntarily discarded at the ime of the inspection.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)

Inspector notes: Equipment stored in handwashing sink at the front service area- Discontinue Corrected on site

590.005/5-205.11-PF

System maintained in good repair (c)

Inspector notes: Handsink in back prep area with a substantial leak from the pipe below- Make proper repairs

590.005/5-205.15-C

Aug 2, 2022

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

Food labels (pf)

Inspector notes: Foods in grab and go refrigeration with no labeling- Provide

590.003/3-602.11-PF

Show all 7 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury on file is from Aug 7, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury?

Across the inspection record, “repairing-premises structures attachments and fixtures-methods” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury.

How does The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury compare to other restaurants in Boston?

The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Boston average of 86.

Has The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury 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 The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, The Bittersweet Shoppe on Newbury is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

La Voile Brasserie

257 Newbury St

Score: 52 — High Risk

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

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