Acqua Alta
Last inspected: Nov 24, 2025
61
Score
Inspectors have visited Acqua Alta 11 times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Nov 24, 2025. A medium risk rating points to a few notable findings at the last inspection, though nothing severe.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly five violations earlier in the record.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “time/temperature control for safety food cold held”, showing up three times.
The city-wide average sits at 79, which Acqua Alta's 61 doesn't quite reach. Nothing in the record is alarming, but there's room to improve.
11
Inspections
2
Critical latest
2
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Nov 24, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. -raw chicken 46 F in reach in cooler overnight . No temperatures taken this day . Manager discarded chicken **Corrective Action Taken**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - raw chicken 46 F in reach in cooler overnight . No temperatures taken this day . Manager discarded chicken **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk opened 2 days previously in glass door cooler . Manager date marked milk **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not used to ensure proper food temperatures. Reviewed with manager . Checked calibration of thermometer with operator
05-10-4
61
Sep 18, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. -Double stacked oven added to cook line , -Slicer , reach in coolers , table top oven added to back prep area near exit and storage room - freezers added in kitchen - hand wash sink removed from front counter area - area changed to wine storage - espresso machine added next to hand wash sink in front counter area near glasses storage - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-18: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
90
Sep 17, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. -Double stacked oven added to cook line , -Slicer , reach in coolers , table top oven added to back prep area near exit and storage room - freezers added in kitchen - hand wash sink removed from front counter area - area changed to wine storage - espresso machine added next to hand wash sink in front counter area near glasses storage - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-17: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. -1 dead roach on top of can goods in dry storage area -7 dead roach on floor in dry storage area -1 egg sack on gasket of reach in cooler opposite fryer at cook line -2 egg sack on floor in front of exit door -36 dead roaches on a sticky trap on the floor below dry storage shelf -15 dead in roach trap inside freezer by back exit door -10 dead roaches on sticky trap under double door cooler in dry storage area - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: 1 dead roach beneath Reach in freezer, located next to dry storage room. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 2 dead roaches on kitchen floor, located between Reach in freezer and Reach in cooler near dish pit. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 2 dead roaches beneath upright Reach in freezer, located adjacent to breaker box. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-17: I dead roach on floor under fryer . Manager removed dead roach , cleaned and sanitized area **Time Extended** **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-03-4
86
Sep 16, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - - From initial inspection : High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -1 live roach on floor in employee restroom near dishwashing area in kitchen -3 live roaches in gasket of reach in cooler opposite fryer - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: 7 live roaches in front line Reach in cooler, located inside multiple door hinges. Operator removed some roaches , cleaned, and sanitized area. 1 live roach on light switch inside employee restroom. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 1 live roach on top of kitchen Reach in cooler, located between storage rack for sheet pans and kitchen prep tables. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 1 live roach on kitchen floor, located next to Reach in freezer and dry storage room. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 2 live roaches on door of Reach in freezer, located next to dry storage room. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 1 live roach on door screen, located at back kitchen exit. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 1 live roach on floor beneath Reach in chest freezer, located adjacent to front line Employee handwash sink. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. **Time Extended**
35A-05-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. -Double stacked oven added to cook line , -Slicer , reach in coolers , table top oven added to back prep area near exit and storage room - freezers added in kitchen - hand wash sink removed from front counter area - area changed to wine storage - espresso machine added next to hand wash sink in front counter area near glasses storage - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Dead roaches on premises. -1 dead roach on top of can goods in dry storage area -7 dead roach on floor in dry storage area -1 egg sack on gasket of reach in cooler opposite fryer at cook line -2 egg sack on floor in front of exit door -36 dead roaches on a sticky trap on the floor below dry storage shelf -15 dead in roach trap inside freezer by back exit door -10 dead roaches on sticky trap under double door cooler in dry storage area - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-16: 1 dead roach beneath Reach in freezer, located next to dry storage room. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 2 dead roaches on kitchen floor, located between Reach in freezer and Reach in cooler near dish pit. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. 2 dead roaches beneath upright Reach in freezer, located adjacent to breaker box. Operator removed, cleaned, and sanitized area. **Time Extended**
35A-03-4
74
Sep 15, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - -Raw animal food ( grouper ) stored with cooked octopus in same container. Operator separated food . - raw grouper and raw shrimp stored over cooked meatballs in double door cooler in storage area . Operator rearranged food
08A-05-6
High Priority - Raw animal food ( raw seafood ) stored over or with ready-to-eat food ( cooked meatballs) in a freezer - not all products commercially packaged. Operator rearranged food **Corrected On-Site**
08A-02-6
High Priority - Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. -1 live roach on floor in employee restroom near dishwashing area in kitchen -3 live roaches in gasket of reach in cooler opposite fryer
35A-05-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Arugula 47 F , mortadella 48 F moved an hour previously to cooler after cleaning . . Discussed with operator to monitor ambient temperature of cooler after cleaning to ensure cooler is at 41 F or below prior to stocking . Manager moved to cooler with ambient reading of below 41 F Recheck : arugula 44 F , mortadella 42 F **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - No plan review submitted and approved - renovations were made or are in progress. Must submit plans and plan review application to DBPR H and R Plan Review office located at 2601 Blair Stone Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1011. Plans must be submitted AND approved within 60 days. The direct link to the Plan Review page is https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. -Double stacked oven added to cook line , -Slicer , reach in coolers , table top oven added to back prep area near exit and storage room - freezers added in kitchen - hand wash sink removed from front counter area - area changed to wine storage - espresso machine added next to hand wash sink in front counter area near glasses storage
51-16-7
Basic - Accumulation of dead insect in control devices. -65 dead flying insects in trap in front counter area near espresso machine
35A-06-4
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. -1 dead roach on top of can goods in dry storage area -7 dead roach on floor in dry storage area -1 egg sack on gasket of reach in cooler opposite fryer at cook line -2 egg sack on floor in front of exit door -36 dead roaches on a sticky trap on the floor below dry storage shelf -15 dead in roach trap inside freezer by back exit door -10 dead roaches on sticky trap under double door cooler in dry storage area
35A-03-4
Basic - Fly sticky tape hanging over containers of individual cups of espresso mix next to espresso machine in front counter area
35B-08-4
Basic - Wall soiled with accumulated dust behind dish machine
36-27-5
41
Mar 11, 2025
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - -Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair n dishwashing area -Ceiling/ceiling tile shows damage or is in disrepair in employee restroom . Reviewed with manager
36-17-5
Basic - Cloth used as a food-contact surface in glass door cooler . Reviewed with manager .
21-05-5
90
Nov 6, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Wine bottle in ice machine, inspector instructed operator to burn ice
08B-56-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to adulteration of food product. Food stored in ice used for drinks. See stop sale. Wine bottle in ice machine, inspector instructed operator to burn ice
01B-03-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food packaged using a reduced oxygen method without a HACCP plan not properly labeled with the production time and date. Raw chicken vacuum sealed on site not labeled. Operator advised items held less than 48 hours, items labeled with date and time **Corrective Action Taken**
03G-53-1
Basic - Wiping cloth quaternary ammonium compound sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. 200ppm, corrected to 100ppm **Corrected On-Site**
21-08-4
67
May 13, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw steak over cooked pork. Items corrected . **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine.
16-21-4
82
Sep 22, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. - garlic and oil 46 F , cooked rice 46 F in cooler opposite cook line - temperatures taken this day - manager placed garlic and oil in freezer for quick chill - manager discarded cooked rice **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Paolo Polo CFM training expired 9/5/23 -in the process of completing training
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Probe thermometer not accurate within plus or minus 2 degrees Fahrenheit.manager calibrated thermometer **Corrected On-Site**
05-06-4
Basic - Cold holding equipment not maintained in good repair at cook line . Do not store time/temperature control for safety food in this unit until the unit is repaired - manager to schedule service this day and to place four in ice and use second cooler ensuring food temperatures are 41 F or below
14-74-7
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers in kitchen - manager discarded employee drink **Corrected On-Site**
12B-13-4
64
Jun 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations.
View 4 violations
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Sewage and Wastewater Properly Disposed
FL-27
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
45
Nov 7, 2022
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Acqua Alta last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Acqua Alta on file is from Nov 24, 2025. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Acqua Alta?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food cold held” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Acqua Alta.
How does Acqua Alta compare to other restaurants in Clearwater?
Acqua Alta most recently scored 61 out of 100, which is lower than the Clearwater average of 79.
Has Acqua Alta's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Acqua Alta have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Acqua Alta 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 Acqua Alta inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Acqua Alta is inspected around four times per year on average.
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