Driftwood Cafe
Last inspected: Feb 4, 2026
95
Score
Public records show six inspections at Driftwood Cafe stretching back to 2023. Driftwood Cafe was last inspected on Feb 4, 2026. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.
Violation counts have been trending down, averaging around four violations across recent inspections versus roughly six violations before.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “handwash sink not accessible for employee use”, showing up two times.
That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average St. Petersburg restaurant scores 77. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
6
Inspections
0
Critical latest
0
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 4, 2026
Routine - Food
1 minor violation.
View 1 violation
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Clean grooved red cutting boards stored on each across from three compartment sink. - From follow-up inspection 2026-02-04: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
95
Dec 2, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Kitchen swing door blocks hand sink access next to three compartment sink when it's kept open. Employee closed door. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. Manager in charge could not access any Certified Food Manager Certificates. **Warning**
53A-01-7
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/ Four employees present engaging in food preparation or with food during the inspection with no Certified Food Manager present. **Warning**
53A-05-6
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. Manager in charge could not access any Employee Training Certificates. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Clean grooved red cutting boards stored on each across from three compartment sink.
14-09-4
61
Dec 10, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 2 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. On counter above reach in cooler: whipped butter with milk (79F - Cold Holding)
03A-02-5
High Priority - Stop Sale issued on time/temperature control for safety food due to temperature abuse. On counter above reach in cooler: whipped butter with milk (79F - Cold Holding)
01B-02-5
High Priority - Employee washed hands with no soap.
12A-20-4
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Employee washed hands in three compartment sink.
12A-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Hand wash sink in prep area blocked by door being propped open. Chef closed door. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Single-service articles not stored inverted or protected from contamination. To go boxes in storage area not inverted for protection. Chef inverted. **Corrected On-Site**
25-06-4
50
Dec 15, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach in cooler to the left of sandwich press has built up food debris. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-15: Cutting board is being ordered for reach in cooler. **Time Extended**
22-02-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2023-12-15: **Time Extended**
13-03-4
86
Dec 8, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Dishmachine chlorine sanitizer not at proper minimum strength. Discontinue use of dishmachine for sanitizing and set up manual sanitization until dishmachine is repaired and sanitizing properly. Upstairs bar dish machines in both front and back bar not sanitizing properly. 0 ppm chlorine. **Warning**
22-41-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink behind front upstairs bar used to dump ice. **Warning**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach in cooler to the left of sandwich press has built up food debris. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Employees engaged in food preparation with no hair restraint. **Warning**
13-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Container of sugar removed from its original packaging and not labeled by hand wash sink. Manager labeled. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
02D-01-5
64
Mar 23, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Live, small flying insects in kitchen, food preparation area, food storage area and/or bar area. 1 live fly in dry goods storage area not landing on food or food contact surfaces. 3 live flies in upstairs bar area not landing on food or food contact surfaces.
35A-02-6
Intermediate - No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses.
11-26-1
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. No soap at hand wash sink in upstairs bar area. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Cutting board on reach in cooler has built up food debris.
22-02-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Hand wash sink in rear prep room has cleaning supplies in hand wash sink. Employee removed. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. No paper towels at hand wash sink in upstairs bar. Manager replaced. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Ice scoop handle stored in ice at upstairs bar. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-01-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Tongs stored on pizza oven handle. Manager stored correctly. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Employee coffee drink on prep table with ice shaver. Manager removed coffee drink. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Ceiling tiles in rear prep area are soiled with dust debris.
36-34-5
37
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Driftwood Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Driftwood Cafe on file is from Feb 4, 2026. The public record contains six inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Driftwood Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink not accessible for employee use” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Driftwood Cafe.
How does Driftwood Cafe compare to other restaurants in St. Petersburg?
Driftwood Cafe most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the St. Petersburg average of 77.
Has Driftwood Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Driftwood Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit, down from roughly six earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Driftwood Cafe 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 Driftwood Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Driftwood Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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