Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro

26251 S Tamiami Trail Ste 9-10, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Mexican / Latin

Last inspected: Apr 3, 2026

Score

Low Risk

Inspectors have visited Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro nine times, with records going back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Apr 3, 2026. When a facility lands in the low risk tier, it usually means nothing alarming showed up at the most recent visit.

Performance has remained roughly level over recent inspections, averaging near two violations each time.

“Ceiling not smooth” comes up most often, recorded five times in the inspection record.

Among Bonita Springs restaurants, the typical score is 80; Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro is comfortably above that bar. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Apr 3, 2026

Routine - Food

1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 2 violations

Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.

16-37-1

Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance in server station.

36-34-5

Aug 27, 2025

Routine - Food

2 critical violations.

View 2 violations

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food not consumed/sold within 7 days after opening/preparation. See stop sale. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Also, operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed cooked chicken marked 8/16/2025. Along with cooked beef marked 8/20/2025 in reach in cooler on prep line today is 8/27/2025. Foods are cooked, chilled and frozen over two days prior to freezing per operator. Operator discarded.

01B-24-5

High Priority - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food marked with a date that exceeds 7 days after opening/preparation. Also, operator is not properly tracking/marking the number of days ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite was held at refrigeration temperatures prior to freezing in order to properly date mark the food when it is thawed and held at refrigeration temperatures again. Observed cooked chicken marked 8/16/2025. Along with cooked beef marked 8/20/2025 in reach in cooler on prep line today is 8/27/2025. Foods are cooked, chilled and frozen over two days prior to freezing per operator. Operator discarded. Discussed date marking procedures with operator and provided HR 5030-049 handout Date Marking to assist in training staff.

02C-01-5

Dec 5, 2024

Routine - Food

1 critical violation.

View 1 violation

Hands Clean and Properly Washed

FL-08

Jul 25, 2024

Routine - Food

No violations found.

100

Feb 15, 2024

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer.

14-69-4

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage areas. Educated operator on importance of having smooth and easily cleanable ceiling tiles.

36-37-5

Jul 11, 2023

Routine - Food

2 minor violations.

View 2 violations

Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 25ppm) on front counter. Operator discarded the bucket, repeat 4/19/2023. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**

21-07-4

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage areas. This is a repeat violation from 4/19/2023, 12/29/2022, 7/20/2022. **Repeat Violation**

36-37-5

Apr 19, 2023

Complaint Full

3 minor violations.

View 3 violations

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage areas. This is a repeat violation from 12/29/2022, 7/20/2022.

36-37-5

Basic - Commercially processed reduced oxygen packaged fish bearing a label indicating that it is to remain frozen until time of use no longer frozen and not removed from reduced oxygen package. Raw salmon in walk-in cooler in reduced-oxygen packaging unopened, thawed. Operator opened the package. **Corrected On-Site**

06-09-1

Basic - Wiping cloth chlorine sanitizing solution not at proper minimum strength. Sanitizer Bucket (Chlorine 25ppm) on cook line. Operator added chlorine, 50ppm. **Corrected On-Site**

21-07-4

Dec 29, 2022

Routine - Food

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage areas. This is a repeat violation from 7/20/2022. **Repeat Violation**

36-37-5

Jul 20, 2022

Routine - Food

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.

View 3 violations

High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. On cook line steam well, cooked chicken (130F - Hot Holding); cooked rice (128F - Hot Holding) for less than 30 minutes per operator. Operator stated steam well was constantly open during busy last 30 minutes, and returned all foods to stovetop for quick reheating. **Corrective Action Taken**

03B-01-6

Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened/prepared, frozen and then thawed and held at refrigeration temperature not properly date marked. Cooked chicken in reach-in cooler on cook line labeled 6/18/2022, per operator it was cooked and frozen on that date, and pulled from freezer yesterday. Discussed with operator tracking freeze/thaw dates to make sure labels are accurate.

02C-08-5

Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food storage areas. This is a repeat violation from 3/4/2022. **Repeat Violation**

36-37-5

Show all 9 inspections Show less

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro on file is from Apr 3, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro?

Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro.

How does Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro compare to other restaurants in Bonita Springs?

Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro most recently scored 86 out of 100, which is higher than the Bonita Springs average of 80.

Has Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro have averaged around two violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro 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 Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Lapa's Costa Rican Bistro is inspected around two times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

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Score: 82 — Low Risk

India Palace

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Score: 58 — Medium Risk

El Acajutla Restaurant

3431 Bonita Beach Rd Ste 210-211

Score: 50 — High Risk

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→ All locations in Bonita Springs → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Florida → Mexican / Latin restaurants in Bonita Springs