Lobster Shack
Last inspected: Jan 14, 2026
74
Score
Lobster Shack appears in inspection records nine times, starting in 2022. The most recent visit was on Jan 14, 2026. Diners should read medium risk as a signal that some issues exist but aren't extreme.
Violation counts have ticked up lately, averaging around eight violations per visit versus roughly five violations earlier in the record.
When inspectors have written things up, “no currently certified food service manager on duty” has been the most frequent reason, cited four times.
Lobster Shack's latest score of 74 sits above the Miami Beach average of 69. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Jan 14, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning, before use. Do not use equipment/utensils not properly sanitized. Observed employee washing and not sanitizing equipment at 3 compartment sink, coached staff on proper use of 3 compartment sink . **Corrective Action Taken**
22-45-4
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/ **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Basic - Unsealed concrete floor in food preparation, food storage, warewashing area or bathroom. Observed at cook line area.
36-02-5
74
Sep 11, 2025
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Provided to operator via email to operator. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
11-27-4
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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/ **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Mac and cheese held more than 24 hours not properly date marked at walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation** - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
02C-02-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled throughout kitchen. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
36-73-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair at dining room area. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
36-17-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
51-13-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
23-03-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed straws not individually wrapped at bar area. - From follow-up inspection 2025-09-11: **Time Extended**
25-27-4
58
Aug 29, 2025
Routine - Food
4 critical violations. 4 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 14 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
12A-07-5
High Priority - Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands.
12A-13-4
High Priority - Live, small flying insects found. Observed 2 flying insects flying around dishwasher area.
35A-02-7
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed shredded lobster (46F - Cold Holding); cut lettuce (49F - Cold Holding) ;cut tomatoes (52F - Cold Holding) on top of reach in cooler at cook line.
03A-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. Provided to operator via email to operator.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed metal trays on top of HWS, chef removed. **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
31A-11-4
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/ **Repeat Violation**
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Mac and cheese held more than 24 hours not properly date marked at walk in cooler. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Observed floor tiles in disrepair at dining room area.
36-17-5
Basic - Dead roaches on premises. Observed 1 dead roach inside metal container at preparation table. Chef throw away dead roach and placed container inside 3 compartment sink. **Corrective Action Taken**
35A-03-4
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris. Observed floor soiled throughout kitchen.
36-73-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. Provided to operator via email.
51-13-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed reach in cooler gaskets soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Straws provided for customer self-service not individually wrapped or in an approved dispenser. Observed straws not individually wrapped at bar area.
25-27-4
27
Jan 15, 2025
Routine - Food
4 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment.
01C-05-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed container inside handsink at kitchen.
31A-11-4
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/
53A-05-6
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed Mac and cheese held more than 24 hours not properly date marked at walk in cooler.
02C-02-5
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting board at preparation table.
14-09-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed Employee eating chicken wings while cutting cabbage at preparation table.
12B-01-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed gasket in disrepair at reach in cooler across preparation table.
14-11-5
58
Oct 31, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Plumbing Maintained; Sewage Disposal
FL-51
82
May 7, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed lobster meat (52F - Cold Holding) at the cook line. As per the cook the lobster was put on the line approximately one hour ago. The lobster meat was stacked up too high the lower meat was 41°F. The cook removed the top two inches of meat and put inside the reach in cooler to cool down. **Corrective Action Taken**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed a cook prepare a lobster taco than removed his gloves and put on new gloves without washing his hands.
12A-07-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed at the bar. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - In-use ice scoop stored on soiled surface between uses. Observed on top of the ice machine. The manager put the scoops in a clean bucket. **Corrected On-Site**
10-12-5
64
Feb 9, 2024
Routine - Food
5 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not marked with last date served. Establishment receives fresh oysters and observed tags not written/ marked with last date served.
01C-03-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed a bowl stored in handwash sink located next to kitchen entrance. Employee removed bowl stored in sink. Observed glass cup stored in handwash sink behind bar. **Corrective Action Taken**
31A-11-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed "seared tuna" and "oysters" offered on menu not marked with an asterisk or symbol indicating that menu food items are covered by the consumer advisory. **Repeat Violation**
02B-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. Observed 2 new hired employees, hired less than 60 days, as per Person In Charge at time of inspection. Emailed employee reporting forms to Manager, **Corrective Action Taken** **Repeat Violation**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Clam/mussel/oyster tags not maintained in chronological order according to the last date they were served in the establishment. Establishment not maintaining oyster tags in chronological order due to last date not being marked on tags.
01C-05-4
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured located next to ice machine behind bar. **Repeat Violation**
51-11-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed plastic beverage cases of Gatorade and water stored on floor of hallway area, near kitchen.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice located behind bar area. Handle of ice scoop was placed in an upright position. **Corrected On-Site**
10-08-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed top of paper towel dispenser soiled, located above handwash sink, next to kitchen entrance. Employee cleaned top of paper towel dispenser. **Corrected On-Site**
23-03-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. Observed wet mop stored in mop sink at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
47
Jan 31, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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. Poster provided via email. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed oysters and seared tuna. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
02B-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 via email. **Corrected On-Site**
11-26-1
Basic - Carbon dioxide/helium tanks not adequately secured. Observed at the bar.
51-11-4
Basic - Wet mop not stored in a manner to allow the mop to dry. **Repeat Violation**
42-01-4
67
Aug 29, 2022
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed spray bottle containing a pink chemical substance not labeled, located under kitchen prep counter.
41-17-4
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed on menu "seared tuna" offered , tuna is not fully cooked, not identified with an asterisk/symbol indicating food item as a undercooked food covered by the consumer advisory. **Repeat Violation**
02B-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed dust accumulation on fan covers/vents inside walk in cooler.
23-03-4
Basic - Ten (10) foot-candles of light at least 30 inches from floor not provided in dry food storage area. No light or lightning provided at side dry storage area, located at kitchen, due to needing to replace light bulb.
38-05-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact equipment exposed to splash/spillage not constructed of materials that are corrosion resistant, non-absorbent, smooth and easily cleanable. Observed rust pitted surface under middle kitchen prep counter.
14-47-4
70
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Lobster Shack last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Lobster Shack on file is from Jan 14, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Lobster Shack?
Across the inspection record, “no currently certified food service manager on duty” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Lobster Shack.
How does Lobster Shack compare to other restaurants in Miami Beach?
Lobster Shack most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is higher than the Miami Beach average of 69.
Has Lobster Shack's inspection record improved over time?
No. Recent inspections at Lobster Shack have averaged around eight violations per visit, up from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Lobster Shack means the most recent inspection turned up a handful of issues that the health department wrote up but did not classify as critical.
How often is Lobster Shack inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Lobster Shack is inspected around three times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants