Tip Tap Room

138 Cambridge St, Boston, MA 02114

Bar / Pub

Last inspected: Feb 20, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Going back to 2022, Tip Tap Room has eight inspections in the public record. The most recent visit was on Feb 20, 2026. A low risk tier reflects an inspection that turned up minimal issues.

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

Looking across the full record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

Tip Tap Room scores about where you'd expect for a Boston restaurant. The full picture is one of consistent compliance.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Feb 20, 2026

Routine

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling tiles/air Vents on the cookline has visible dust. Clean

590.006/6-501.12-C

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

Inspector notes: Light shields at the cookline broken.Repair to prevent food contamination Repair ceiling tile outside the refrigerator walkin

590.006/6-501.11-C

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

Inspector notes: Noted frylator/stove top/convention oven heavily soiled in the kitchen area. Clean Floors under the equipment heavily soiled with grease.Clean

590.004/4-601.11-C

Feb 6, 2026

Routine

3 major violations. 4 minor violations.

View 7 violations

Variance requirement (pf)

Inspector notes: Noted sprouts/Microgreens growing in the basement.Discontinue Provide detail information about the process

590.003/3-502.11-PF

Hand drying provision (pf)

Inspector notes: Noted no paper towels at both the hand sinks at the bar.Provide COS by the PIC

590.006/6-301.12-PF

Ready-to-eat time/temperature control for safety food date marking (pf)

Inspector notes: Several prepared food items on the line and in the walkin passed 7 day date marking.Discard and retrain staff

590.003/3-501.17-PF

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

Inspector notes: Noted frylator/stove top/convention oven heavily soiled in the kitchen area. Clean Floors under the equipment heavily soiled with grease.Clean

590.004/4-601.11-C

Maintaining premises unnecessary items and litter (c)

Inspector notes: Noted several unnecessary items in the basement. Discard and clean

590.006/6-501.114-C

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

Inspector notes: Light shields at the cookline broken.Repair to prevent food contamination Repair ceiling tile outside the refrigerator walkin

590.006/6-501.11-C

Cleaning frequency and restrictions (c)

Inspector notes: Ceiling tiles/air Vents on the cookline has visible dust. Clean

590.006/6-501.12-C

Apr 14, 2025

Routine

No violations found.

100

Feb 1, 2024

Routine

1 major violation.

View 1 violation

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

Inspector notes: Interior of ice machine with mold-like build up clean to remove

590.004/4-601.11-PF

Nov 28, 2023

Routine

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy soils and food debri on exterior and interior of handsinks. Clean to remove.

590.006/6-501.18-C

Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy food debris and soils on top of dishmachine. Clean to remove.

590.004/4-202.16-C

Apr 5, 2023

Routine

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

Inspector notes: Cooked grilled chicken stored at cook line with a temp of 53F. PIC removed and placed into refrigerator to cool properly. PIC was reminded to hold cold TCS foods at or below 41F.

590.003/3-501.16-P

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood inspection sticker exp 2/23. PIC states service is scheduled for 4.6.23. Provide evidence of proper maintenance.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Cleaning of plumbing fixtures (c)

Inspector notes: Multiple hand sinks on upper level heavily soiled with food and grease. Evidence of food discarded in drain. Clean to remove. Retrain staff on proper use of the hand sinks.

590.006/6-501.18-C

Oct 24, 2022

Routine

1 major violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: No testing device for dish machines. Provide and make sure they are available at all times.

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Nonfood contact surfaces (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy food debris on top of upper dish machine. Clean to remove

590.004/4-602.13-C

Controlling pests (c)

Inspector notes: Heavy activity of fruit flies visible throughout the establishment. Provide latest pest report and address current issue.

590.006/6-501.111-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Expired hood sticker 9/22. Provide updated inspection and have sticker updated.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Jun 13, 2022

Routine

1 major violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)

Inspector notes: Missing test strips for dishwasher and 3 compartment sink. Provide

590.004/4-302.14-PF

Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)

Inspector notes: Torn gasket on chest freezer. Repair Ice build up inside chest freezer. Remove

590.004/4-501.11-C

Cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition (c)

Inspector notes: Hood sticker exp 2/22. Remove and Provide update sticker.

590.006/6-501.14-C

Show all 8 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Tip Tap Room last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Tip Tap Room on file is from Feb 20, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Tip Tap Room?

Across the inspection record, “cleaning ventilation systems nuisance and discharge prohibition” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Tip Tap Room.

How does Tip Tap Room compare to other restaurants in Boston?

Tip Tap Room most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is about the same as the Boston average of 86.

Has Tip Tap Room's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Tip Tap Room have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Tip Tap Room 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 Tip Tap Room inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Tip Tap Room is inspected around two times per year on average.

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