La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge
Last inspected: Oct 10, 2025
78
Score
La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge appears in inspection records seven times, starting in 2023. The most recent visit was on Oct 10, 2025. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.
Things are looking better lately, with recent visits averaging around five violations compared to roughly seven violations earlier on.
Across the inspection history, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” is the issue that surfaces most often, recorded three times.
La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge's latest score of 78 sits above the Miami average of 74. Taken together, the history is a positive one.
7
Inspections
1
Critical latest
0
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Oct 10, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. License expired October 1, 2025.
50-17-3
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gaskets on reach on freezer.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler interior/shelves have accumulation of soil residues. Observed interior soiled. **Repeat Violation**
22-16-4
78
May 30, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Certified Food Manager or person in charge lacks knowledge of foodborne illnesses and symptoms of illness that would prevent an employee from working with food, clean equipment and utensils, and single-service items. Provided operator with big six poster **Corrective Action Taken** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
11-07-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
16-37-1
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - No probe thermometer provided to measure temperature of food products. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
05-08-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Observed employee Sergio employed for more than 60 days with no food handler training. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
53B-01-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
32-12-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Hole in or other damage to wall. Observed hole in wall above walk in cooler. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
36-24-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Insect control device installed over food preparation area. Observed bug zapper above clean dishes above three compartment sink. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-05-30: **Admin Complaint**
35B-02-4
55
Dec 4, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Food Obtained from Approved Sources
FL-11
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
82
Jun 14, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Single-use gloves not changed as needed after changing tasks or when damaged or soiled. Observed the cook touched her face with gloves on and continued to prepare food.
12A-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom. **Repeat Violation**
32-12-5
78
Feb 23, 2024
Routine - Food
2 minor violations.
View 2 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-23: Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the walk-in cooler fan guards soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2024-02-23: Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the walk-in cooler fan guards soiled. **Time Extended**
23-03-4
90
Dec 11, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 7 major violations. 8 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Admin Complaint**
50-17-3
High Priority - Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
12A-05-4
Intermediate - Raw/undercooked animal food offered and establishment has no written consumer advisory. Raw animal foods must be fully cooked prior to service.
02B-02-5
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. Form provided via email.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed seasoning and other items.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed the bar tender was a glass in the hand wash sink.
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification.
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. Observed Yoselin working as per the manager she has been employed for more than 60 days. **Warning**
53B-01-5
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. Form provided.
11-26-1
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Observed a bag with fish fillets in the triple sink. The cook put the fish in the walk-in cooler.
06-01-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors.
32-04-4
Basic - Covered waste receptacle not provided in women's bathroom.
32-12-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating in a food preparation or other restricted area.
12B-02-4
Basic - No handwashing sign provided at a hand sink used by food employees. Observed in the men's restroom.
31B-04-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the walk-in cooler fan guards soiled.
23-03-4
25
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 2 violations
Intermediate - No chlorine chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable.
14-09-4
86
Frequently Asked Questions
When was La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge on file is from Oct 10, 2025. The public record contains seven inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge?
Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge.
How does La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge compare to other restaurants in Miami?
La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami average of 74.
Has La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge have averaged around five violations per visit, down from roughly seven earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge 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 La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, La Ceniza Restaurant & Lounge is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants