Cafe Gala
Last inspected: Apr 7, 2026
47
Score
Public records show 10 inspections at Cafe Gala stretching back to 2022. The newest entry in the record is dated Apr 7, 2026. High risk indicates the latest inspection turned up problems worth knowing about.
Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around seven violations each.
Across the inspection history, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded six times.
By comparison, the average St. Petersburg facility scores 77, putting Cafe Gala on the weaker side. There are enough flags in the record to merit a second thought.
10
Inspections
1
Critical latest
5
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 7, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Food placed in soiled container/equipment. Black plastic crates storing food items inside the walk in cooler were soiled with a mold like buildup. Discussed with manager in duty.
08B-27-4
Intermediate - No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/ Six employee currently engaging with food or in preparation of food during the inspection with no CFM present.
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. White stained cutting boards on reach in deli cooler in front counter area.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. No CFM certificate could be provided. Manager took exam and is currently waiting for certificate of completion. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No quaternary test kit observed.
16-37-1
Intermediate - Proof of required state approved employee training not available for some employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. Observed training certificate for Dave B. completion date of 11/20/25 through Food Safety First. No other employee training certificates could be provided. Manager stated they are currently working on getting a class done to get their new employees training conducted.
53B-13-5
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. Clean containers wet nesting on rack near dish area.
24-08-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. License displayed at front counter expired on 2/1/2026.
50-09-4
47
Jan 6, 2026
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in deli cooler cutting boards stained. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-06: **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No Chlorine or Lactic Acid strips observed. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-06: Observed chlorine test strips during callback. **Time Extended**
16-37-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior soiled with black mold like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-06: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-06: **Time Extended**
16-21-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Hot box unit interior bottom shelf soiled. Microwave interior in front counter area soiled with dried food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2026-01-06: **Time Extended**
22-08-4
70
Oct 21, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Reach in deli cooler cutting boards stained. **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. South of Cadiz Tuna Wrap and Andalusia Seared Tuna no Astrike. Observed consumer advisory on paper menu and QR code Menu. Only missing on these two items. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. No Chlorine or Lactic Acid strips observed. **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. No employee training could be provided. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Container of frozen raw ahi tuna wrapped in plastic wrap thawing in stand water inside triple door cooler in prep area. **Warning**
06-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior soiled with black mold like substance. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Hot box unit interior bottom shelf soiled. Microwave interior in front counter area soiled with dried food debris. **Warning**
22-08-4
Basic - Employee drinking from an unenclosed beverage container in a food preparation/clean dishware area and the container does not have a dispensing mechanism to prevent hand contact with lip contact area of drink container. Stored on prep table in back area kitchen. **Warning**
12B-12-5
Basic - Accumulation of debris on exterior of warewashing machine. **Warning**
16-21-4
52
Feb 21, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
78
Jul 26, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
Potentially Hazardous Food Held at Proper Temperature
FL-16
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
64
Mar 21, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Received at Proper Temperature
FL-12
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Hot and Cold Water Available; Adequate Pressure
FL-25
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Designed and Constructed
FL-50
25
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris. Employee ran through dish washer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-08: Can opener on prep table still has built up food debris at the time of this callback inspection report. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign in employee only restroom. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-08: **Time Extended**
31B-04-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine in rear prep area has mold like substance. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-08: **Time Extended**
22-20-5
82
Oct 2, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Raw eggs over raw beef in walk in cooler. Employee stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-20-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Employee behind front counter donned gloves to start working with food but did not wash their hands first. **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Dented/rusted cans present. See stop sale. Dented can, 5 lbs, of oyster sauce in dry goods storage area not segregated. **Warning**
01B-01-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Can opener on prep table has built up food debris. Employee ran through dish washer. **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Certified Food Managers expired in 2022. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - No proof of required state approved employee training provided for any employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Interior of ice machine in rear prep area has mold like substance. **Warning**
22-20-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
Basic - Damaged/spoiled/recalled food not properly segregated. Dented can, 5 lbs, of oyster sauce in dry goods storage area not segregated. **Warning**
08B-20-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Employee phone on prep table. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign in employee only restroom. **Warning**
31B-04-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Clean forks in storage container behind front counter stored with food contact surface upright. **Warning**
24-18-4
35
Mar 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw beef over ready-to-eat bread in reach in freezer not all commercially packaged. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink by three-compartment sink. Manager replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31B-03-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets by ice machine not inverted for protection. Manager stored inverted. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
24-05-4
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Oven in kitchen has built up food debris. **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Employee with no beard guard/restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employee engaged in food preparation with no beard guard.
13-04-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
64
Sep 13, 2022
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. Espresso cream containing heavy whipping cream dated more than seven days. 08/29/2022. **Repeat Violation**
01B-02-5
High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Espresso cream containing heavy whipping cream dated more than seven days. 08/29/2022.
02C-01-5
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Slicers in kitchen along far wall in kitchen have food debris buildup. Cutting board on reach in cooler behind front counter has food debris buildup. **Repeat Violation**
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink nearest three-compartment sink is blocked by trash cans and bus tubs. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink by three-compartment sink. Manager replaced soap. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Hand wash sink at front counter only reaches a temperature of 75 F. Part was ordered and will be installed this week. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
27-16-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Ice buckets next to ice machine in kitchen are not inverted for protection. Manager inverted for protection. **Corrected On-Site**
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grooved cutting boards in storage area. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee drink on prep table behind coffee machine at front counter. Manager relocated. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Interior of oven has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris.
22-08-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. No hand wash sign in employee bathroom just outside kitchen area and no hand wash sign in unisex restroom by elevators. **Repeat Violation**
31B-04-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. White chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips removed from original containers and not labeled. Employee labeled appropriately. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cafe Gala last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Cafe Gala on file is from Apr 7, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Cafe Gala?
Across the inspection record, “food-contact surface soiled with food debris” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Cafe Gala.
How does Cafe Gala compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Cafe Gala most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Cafe Gala's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Cafe Gala have averaged around seven violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Cafe Gala means the most recent inspection flagged either critical violations or a substantial number of smaller ones. Diners may want to read the violation details before deciding to visit.
How often is Cafe Gala inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Cafe Gala is inspected around three times per year on average.
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