Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights)
Last inspected: Mar 10, 2026
58
Score
Inspectors have visited Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) 10 times, with records going back to 2022. Inspectors last stopped by on Mar 10, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Recent visits have produced comparable findings, with counts hovering near four violations per visit.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “food storage prohibited areas”, showing up four times.
That's lower than the typical Dorchester restaurant, which scores around 86. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 10, 2026
Routine
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Hand drying provision (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing paper towels at the handsink. Provide
590.006/6-301.12-PF
Using a handwashing sink-operation and maintenance (pf)
Inspector notes: Designate a handsink at the bar area with proper signage soap and paper towels. At the time of inspection all 3 sinks are being utized as dumpsinks.
590.005/5-205.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Cleaning agents and sanitizers availability (pf)
Inspector notes: Missing detergent at the high temp dishmachine. PIC replaced when directed. Monitor to assure avaialability at all times
590.004/4-303.11-PF
Handwashing signage (c)
Inspector notes: Handwashing signage missing at the handsink. Provide
590.006/6-301.14-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Observed debris and food soils on the floor under the 3 bay sink. Clean to remove
590.004/4-101.19-C
Preventing contamination from hands (c)
Inspector notes: Observed staff cutting bread with without gloved hands. Retrain staff. PIC corrected at the time of inspection.
590.003(C)/3-301.11-C
58
Sep 23, 2025
Routine
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
(b) and (c) equipment food-contact surfaces nonfood-contact surfaces and utensils (c)
Inspector notes: clean inbetween sides of cooking line equipment.
590.004/4-601.11-C
Good repair and proper adjustment-equipment (c)
Inspector notes: Condensation unit inside walk in cooler leaking repair.
590.004/4-501.11-C
Anti-choking
Inspector notes: No anti choking certification provide.
590.009(E)
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Clean floor below cooking line.
590.006/6-201.11-C
82
Mar 5, 2025
Routine
No violations found.
100
Apr 9, 2024
Routine
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Food contact with equipment utensils and linens (p)
Inspector notes: Chute to the large ice machine in the main kitchen with a sludge like substance. Address and clean to remove.
590.003/3-304.11-P
Sanitizing solutions testing devices (pf)
Inspector notes: Test kit for the 3 bay sink near the walk-in coolers with what appears to be water damage. Replace.
590.004/4-302.14-PF
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of seafood and other food products observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in freezer. Discontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Ice/frost build-up observed on the backside of the compressor to the first walk-in cooler. Defrost and clean to remove. Unit was functioning properly at the time of the inspection.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the hand sink near the singel door flip top cooler appears to have a small leak. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several squeeze bottles fileed with sauces and dressings have no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
64
Feb 14, 2024
Routine
No violations found.
100
Oct 24, 2023
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Employee observed preparing ready top eat roasted red peppers with bare hands. Address and ensure there is no bare hand contact woth any ready to eat foods.
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
(a)(1) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Cooked chicken on pan near the panini press being left out at room temperature (84F). Discontinue and ensure all TCS foods are being maintained at 135F and above.
590.003/3-501.16-P1
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Light out above stove top. Replace
590.004/4-202.16-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: Pipe under the single bay sink near hte walk-in cooler is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs. Pressure guage under the high temperature dish machine is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Wiping cloths use limitation (c)
Inspector notes: Soiled wiping cloths observed being left out of counter tops. Discontinue and provide a proper sanitzing solution.
590.003/3-304.14-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of foods inside of the walk-in freezer observed being stored on the ground. Discontinueand store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Miscellaneous sources of contamination (c)
Inspector notes: Employee observed dumoing dirty mop water into a single bay preparation sink. Discontinue and dispose of dirty mop water appropriately to ensure no contamination to any foods.
590.003/3-307.11-C
58
Mar 1, 2023
Routine
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Jan. 2023. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No one on site with a current Food Allergen Certification. Provide an updated Allergen Certification for the re-inspection.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Small portion of flooring near the beer walk-in cooler damaged and sagging. Address and make any necessary repairs. Repairs have been scheduled to complete on 3/6/2023.
590.004/4-202.16-C
86
Feb 15, 2023
Routine
5 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Nonfood-contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Small portion of flooring near the beer walk-in cooler damaged and sagging. Address and make any necessary repairs. First drawer of the 4 drawer cooler does not close properly allowing cold air to escape. Address and make any necessary repairs. Unit was still functioning at below 41F.
590.004/4-202.16-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Fan covers of the second walk-in cooler visibly soiled and with dust build-up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
System maintained in good repair (c)
Inspector notes: 3 Bay sink near the restroom draining very slow. Address and make any necessary repairs. Drainage pipe to the compressor of the second walk-in cooler appears to be leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs. Drainage pipe coming from the dish machine is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs. Dish machine was functioning properly at the time of the visit. Pipe under the single bay sink next dish machine ocated in the second kitchen is leaking. Address and make any necessary repairs.
590.005/5-205.15-C
Floors walls and ceilings-cleanability (c)
Inspector notes: Hood and Ventilation tags with a past expiration date from Jan. 2023. Address and provide up to date tags for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-201.11-C
(a) certified food protection manager (c)
Inspector notes: No one on site with a current Food Allergen Certification. Provide an updated Allergen Certification for the re-inspection.
590.002(C)/2-102.12-C
78
Sep 1, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Employee observed slicing ready to eat bread and not wearing gloves. Discontinue and ensure there is no bare hand contact with any ready to eat foods.
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sliced deli cheese inside of the first flip top cooler with an elevated temperature of 56F. It is possibly due to the cheese being stacked above the recommended pinch line. Unit was operating properly at the the time of the inspection.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Raw frozen shrimp observed defrosting in stagnant water. Discontinue and ensure proper thawing methods are in place.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of meats and other food products observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Disontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the stove top lined with tin foil observed with food debris and visibly soiled. Clean to remove and replace on a more frequent basis. Vent located above the coffee station observed with excess dust build-up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there was no equipment thermometer observed inside of the first flip top cooler. Provide. Unit was operating below 41F at the time of the inspection.
590.004/4-204.112-C
58
Aug 24, 2022
Routine
2 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Preventing contamination from hands (p)
Inspector notes: Employee observed slicing ready to eat bread and not wearing gloves. Discontinue and ensure there is no bare hand contact with any ready to eat foods.
590.003(C)/3-301.11-P
(a)(2) and (b) time/temperature control for safety food hot and cold holding (p)
Inspector notes: Sliced deli cheese inside of the first flip top cooler with an elevated temperature of 56F. It is possibly due to the cheese being stacked above the recommended pinch line. Unit was operating properly at the the time of the inspection.
590.003/3-501.16-P
Food storage prohibited areas (c)
Inspector notes: Boxes of meats and other food products observed being stored on the ground of the walk-in cooler. Disontinue and store all foods elevated a minimum of 6 inches off the ground.
590.003/3-305.12-C
Nonfood contact surfaces (c)
Inspector notes: Interior of the stove top lined with tin foil observed with food debris and visibly soiled. Clean to remove and replace on a more frequent basis. Vent located above the coffee station observed with excess dust build-up. Clean to remove.
590.004/4-602.13-C
Controlling pests (c)
Inspector notes: Evidence of light fruit fly activity noted near the 3 bay sink. Address and provide an up to date pest control report for the re-inspection.
590.006/6-501.111-C
Temperature measuring devices-functionality (c)
Inspector notes: At the time of the inspection there was no equipment thermometer observed inside of the first flip top cooler. Provide. Unit was operating below 41F at the time of the inspection.
590.004/4-204.112-C
Thawing (c)
Inspector notes: Raw frozen shrimp observed defrosting in stagnant water. Discontinue and ensure proper thawing methods are in place.
590.003/3-501.13-C
Food storage containers identified with common name of food (c)
Inspector notes: Several squeeze bottles filled with sauces and dressings with no labels. Provide.
590.003/3-302.12-C
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) on file is from Mar 10, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights)?
Across the inspection record, “food storage prohibited areas” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights).
How does Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) compare to other restaurants in Dorchester?
Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Dorchester average of 86.
Has Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights)'s inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) 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 Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Venezia Restaurant (Harbor Lights) is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants