Palato Café
Last inspected: Feb 24, 2026
74
Score
Public records show nine inspections at Palato Café stretching back to 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Feb 24, 2026. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.
The picture has improved over the last few visits: recent inspections have averaged around two violations, down from roughly four violations earlier in the record.
Looking across the full record, “time/temperature control for safety food identified” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.
Restaurants in Vero Beach average 77, so Palato Café trails the local norm. On the whole, the file is mixed but not concerning.
9
Inspections
1
Critical latest
1
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Feb 24, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Operator added time. **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - No written procedures available for use of time as a public health control to hold time/temperature control for safety food. Operator has form but it is not filled out
03F-10-5
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up.
24-18-4
74
Sep 5, 2025
Routine - Food
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
High Priority - Non-food grade paper/paper towel used as liner for food container. Paper towels used to line spinach and arugula in make table cooler
14-86-1
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over canned/bottled drinks. In small glass cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-11-5
74
May 6, 2025
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Mar 3, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 3 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Beef and chicken empanadas at front counter. Operator added time **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
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. **Warning**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - 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. Hummus in reach in cooler
02C-04-5
Intermediate - Paper towel dispenser at handwash sink not working/unable to dispense paper towels. At front counter hand sink
31B-05-4
Basic - Dishmachine not washing/rinsing properly. Must wash, rinse and sanitize all dishware, equipment and utensils in three-compartment sink until dishmachine is functioning properly. Dish washer is not sanitizing properly. Machine not in use at time of inspection. Operator will use 3CM until fixed
16-55-4
Basic - Time/temperature control for safety food thawed in an improper manner. Frozen Turkey sitting out on counter. Advised operator to thaw under refrigeration or under running water
06-01-5
58
Sep 11, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 1 major violation.
View 3 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. Reading 0ppm. Primed and rechecked, now 50ppm **Corrected On-Site**
22-41-4
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Meat empanadas in display case found at 111f. In service form1 hour. Employee stated unit is a cooler and not a warmer. Advised to add to a time plan. Educated and provided time plan form.
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. Quinoa in reach in cooler removed from freezer
02C-08-5
67
Jan 19, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Front sink blocked with dishes **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
31A-09-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Salsa
02C-02-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Shared bathroom **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
Basic - In-use utensil not stored with handle above the top of time/temperature control for safety food and rim of the container. Handle touching flour in bin **Corrected On-Site**
10-06-5
74
Jul 13, 2023
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 1 major violation. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Presence of insects, rodents, or other pests. Ants found in sugar
35A-09-4
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. Ants found in sugar
01B-13-4
High Priority - Operating with an expired Division of Hotels and Restaurants license. **Corrected On-Site**
50-17-3
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Bowl in front hand wash sink. **Corrected On-Site**
31A-09-4
Basic - Stored food not covered. Sugar
08B-12-5
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
Basic - Single-service articles improperly stored. Case of forks stored on floor
25-05-4
50
Mar 8, 2023
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Raw chicken stored over zucchini
08A-04-5
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food identified in the written procedure as a food held using time as a public health control has no time marking and the time removed from temperature control cannot be determined. Vegetable empanadas not time marked. Operator stated cooked 1 hour ago and forgot to mark **Corrected On-Site**
03F-02-5
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Milk **Repeat Violation**
02C-03-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bleach water
41-17-4
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Shared restroom **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available.
51-18-6
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and granola **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
02D-01-5
52
Jul 14, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Raw chicken stored over Brie cheese **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Commercially processed ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food opened and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked after opening. Heavy cream opened yesterday not date marked
02C-03-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Shared restroom
32-04-4
Basic - In-use knife/knives stored in cracks between pieces of equipment. Between lowboy in front counter
10-17-4
Basic - Opened employee beverage container in a cold holding unit with food to be served to customers.
12B-13-4
Basic - Unwashed fruits/vegetables stored with ready-to-eat food. Mushrooms stored over Brie cheese **Corrected On-Site**
08B-17-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar mixture
02D-01-5
61
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Palato Café last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Palato Café on file is from Feb 24, 2026. The public record contains nine inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Palato Café?
Across the inspection record, “time/temperature control for safety food identified” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Palato Café.
How does Palato Café compare to other restaurants in Vero Beach?
Palato Café most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Vero Beach average of 77.
Has Palato Café's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Palato Café have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly four earlier in the record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Palato Café 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 Palato Café inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Palato Café is inspected around two times per year on average.
Nearby Restaurants