Essensia
Last inspected: Feb 23, 2026
50
Score
Essensia has been inspected 11 times since 2022. The most recent visit was on Feb 23, 2026. High risk usually means inspectors flagged either critical violations or a stack of smaller ones.
Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around eight violations each.
When inspectors have written things up, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
Compared to other Miami Beach restaurants (averaging 69), there's room to close the gap. Diners may want to weigh the inspection history when deciding to visit.
11
Inspections
0
Critical latest
4
Major latest
6
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 23, 2026
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed items inside the hand sink ( cook line) . Employee moved out the container. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Multiuse food-contact surface not smooth, free of breaks/cracks/chips/pits/crevices. Observed cutting board with breaks . Cutting board was discarded it. **Corrected On-Site**
14-16-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing soap at one of the kitchen hand sink by the cook line. Station was restocked. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Observed mussel tag without date on it.
01C-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed on oven handle. Employee moved it out. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed plastic container with no handle used to dispense flour by the cook line. **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed open plastic employee beverage cup with tea on shelving next to clean utensils. Person in charge discarded it. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation without hair restraint. Employee placed the hair restraints on his hair immediately. **Corrected On-Site**
13-03-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed at the bar. Bar tender corrected it. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels on clean ready to use containers on shelving.
16-46-4
50
Aug 4, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed waffle equipment blocking the hand sink located at the cook line. Employee moved it. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee using the hand sink to discard leftover beverages .Employee was coached about it. **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper at the hand sink located at the ware washing area. Station was restocked. **Corrected On-Site**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta inside walk in cooler with no date. As per Sous chef, from 8/1.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of dead or trapped birds, insects, rodents, or other pests, in control devices. Observed accumulation of trapped flies in control device by the exit door.
35A-06-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed food containers with no handle used to scoop flour.
14-01-5
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall in disrepair at the end of the main cook line.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employees removed them. **Corrected On-Site**
10-20-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
52
Jan 15, 2025
Complaint Full
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cooked chicken breast at 93 F ( as per employee , the food was there for about 1 hr). Sous chef discarded immediately voluntarily. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed wall tiles falling down at the ware washing area behind hand sink.
36-24-5
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet paper towel under cutting board. Employee moved it out . **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Unwrapped single-service utensils not presented so that only the handles are touched. Observed plastic spoons with food contact surface up. Employee inverted them. **Corrected On-Site**
25-02-4
74
Jan 9, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 9 violations
High Priority - Employee cracked raw shell eggs and then handled ready-to-eat food and/or clean equipment or utensils without washing hands. Observed employee at the front cracking raw shell eggs and continued working with clean utensils without washing his hands . Employee washed his hands . **Corrected On-Site**
12A-27-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs above pasteurized eggs inside reach in cooler . Employee inverted the products. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed spoon inside hand sink located at the bar .Employee moved it . **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No color/concentration comparison chart available for chemical test kit used to check sanitizer. Observed missing chart comparison for quay test kit.
16-36-4
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment. Mussels tags not organized.
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed can opener with old food residue. Employee washed it. **Corrected On-Site**
22-02-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at the omelet station.
10-07-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Missing sign at the hand sink located end of the cold line.
31B-04-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed employee cup with coffee next to the bread at the entrance of the kitchen. Employee moved the cup immediately.
12B-07-4
43
Aug 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 12 violations
High Priority - Employee touched bare body part and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed employee touching his face and nose , and then handling clean plates without handwashing in between. Employee was coached about the correct procedure. **Corrective Action Taken**
12A-10-4
High Priority - Displayed food not properly protected from contamination. Observed bagels at the buffet line without protection. Person in charge set up a display with protection for the bagels. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-02-4
Intermediate - Clams/mussels/oysters tag removed from original container prior to container being emptied. Observed mussel tag was removed from the container before emptied.
01C-10-4
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. Information was provided.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink located at the wareeashing area used as a drop sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Missing paper towel at the hand sink for the omelet station.
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Missing soap at the cook line hand sink. Station was restocked . **Corrected On-Site**
31B-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses.
10-20-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed spatulas, spoons, tongs in a container with standing water ( water temperature 72 F) . Employee transferred the container to the stove . **Corrective Action Taken**
10-07-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning.
16-46-4
Basic - Open condiments provided for self-service not properly protected. Observed cramberries, brown sugar and nuts at the buffet line exposed without proper lid . Person in charge transferred the toppings to containers with lids. **Corrected On-Site**
08B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
35
Jan 29, 2024
Complaint Full
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - Interior of oven/microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Food debris inside oven
22-08-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Reach in cooler gasket soiled
23-03-4
90
Nov 8, 2023
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Sep 29, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 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/. Observed buffet area was renovated with omelet station . - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-17: Establishment is finishing the process of submission. **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-29: Observed establishment submitted the plans to Tallahassee,but still in the process. **Time Extended**
51-16-7
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most of them. - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-29: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Equipment gaskets in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets in disrepair ( cooler located in front of the cook line ). - From follow-up inspection 2023-07-17: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2023-09-29: **Time Extended**
14-11-5
82
Jul 17, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 9 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed employee discarding ice in hand sink located by the door.
31A-11-4
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/. Observed buffet area was renovated with omelet station . **Repeat Violation**
51-16-7
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Missing label on spray bottle with chemical inside .
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most of them. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area. Observed employee drinking inside the kitchen area . Employee was coached about not drinking inside the kitchen. **Corrective Action Taken**
12B-02-4
Basic - Equipment gaskets in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets in disrepair ( cooler located in front of the cook line ).
14-11-5
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. Observed clean missing ambient thermometer inside RIC used for restock in the area . Person in charge placed a thermometer inside. **Corrected On-Site**
05-09-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees.
31B-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
55
Apr 10, 2023
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 7 minor violations.
View 11 violations
Intermediate - Basic - Operator is doing a special process, conducting reduced oxygen packaging, cooking time/temperature control for safety food to a time and temperature combination different than those in the Food Code or operating a molluscan shellfish tank for human consumption without a HACCP plan approved by the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is conducting ROP process for cooked and raw food without approved HACCP.
03G-50-1
Intermediate - Establishment packaging time/temperature control for safety food using a reduced oxygen method that does not control the growth of and toxin formation of C. botulinum and the growth of Listeria monocytogenes. Establishment does not have an approved variance from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Establishment is conducting ROP for cooked food and kept them for more than 48 hrs without approved variance .
03G-43-1
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed trash container blocking hand sink located at the salad station. Employee moved the trash container. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
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 http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/licensing/plan-review/. Observed buffet area was renovated with omelet station .
51-16-7
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Employee removed all of them. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-20-4
Basic - In-use wet wiping cloth/towel used under cutting board. Observed wet towels under cutting boards in the prep area. Employee moved it out. **Corrected On-Site**
21-04-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry.
42-01-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Most of them.
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment gaskets in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gaskets in disrepair ( cooler located in front of the cook line ).
14-11-5
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed food boxes not 6 inches off of the floor inside the receiving walk in cooler.
08B-47-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Observed knife located in between 2 res h in coolers in front of the cook line. Employee sent the knife to warewashing area. **Corrective Action Taken**
10-17-4
47
Nov 22, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed hand sink located next to the walk in cooler used to thaw frozen calamari in a container. All the food products were transferred to a different sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Observed buffet food items with time frame 7 am to 11 am, but not written procedure available. Time control procedure was provided. **Corrective Action Taken**
03F-10-5
Basic - Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Observed employee engaged in food preparation without hair restrain.
13-03-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tong on oven handle.
10-20-4
Basic - Old labels stuck to food containers after cleaning. Observed old labels stuck on clean containers ready to use.
16-46-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed frozen calamari thawing in standing water. Sous chef placed them under running water. **Corrected On-Site**
06-01-5
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Essensia last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Essensia on file is from Feb 23, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Essensia?
Across the inspection record, “handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Essensia.
How does Essensia compare to other restaurants in Miami Beach?
Essensia most recently scored 50 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami Beach average of 69.
Has Essensia's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Essensia have averaged around eight violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Essensia 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 Essensia inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Essensia is inspected around three times per year on average.
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