Playa Cafe
Last inspected: Apr 2, 2026
47
Score
Public records show eight inspections at Playa Cafe stretching back to 2022. The most recent report on file is from Apr 2, 2026. Diners may want to take note: high risk reflects issues that a health inspector considered important.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around seven violations lately and about 10 violations before that.
Looking across the full record, “ceiling not smooth” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.
By comparison, the average Miami Beach facility scores 69, putting Playa Cafe on the weaker side. Taken together, the history suggests a facility that has struggled with consistency.
8
Inspections
2
Critical latest
4
Major latest
1
Minor latest
Inspection History
Apr 2, 2026
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 4 major violations. 1 minor violation.
View 7 violations
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed both cooks changed tasks removed gloves and put on new gloves without washing their hands. **Warning**
12A-07-5
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over plantains. The person in charge moved the plantains. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-04-5
Intermediate - Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed Maria Rivas certification expired on 01-23-26. She has been employed here approximately 26 years. **Warning**
53A-03-7
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
16-37-1
Intermediate - No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed by the triple sink. **Warning**
31B-02-4
Intermediate - No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed by the triple sink. **Warning**
31B-03-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
36-37-5
47
Sep 8, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham (49F - Cold Holding); roast beef (49F - Cold Holding); in the preparation cooler stacked to high. As per the cook the food was put on line approximately two hours ago. The cook removed ham of the ham and pork and put it the bottom of the cooler. The remaining ham and pork were 41°F. **Corrected On-Site**
03A-02-5
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 - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed throughout the kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed a half empty water bottle on the meat slicer.
12B-07-4
Basic - In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in a container of flour. The cook inverted it. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
10-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood filters soiled. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled at the front line.
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic squeeze bottles not labeled throughout the kitchen.
02D-01-5
55
Feb 26, 2025
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Adequate Handwashing Facilities Supplied and Accessible
FL-10
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Warewashing Facilities Maintained and Used
FL-24
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
70
Aug 15, 2024
Routine - Food
3 critical violations. 5 major violations. 13 minor violations.
View 21 violations
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. Observed a plate of food on a cutting board where a cook was portioning raw bacon.
12A-05-4
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken over corn in the reach in cooler.
08A-04-5
High Priority - Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed the cook at the front counter handle menus and plastic containers used by guests. Put on gloves and prepared sandwiches with out washing her hands.
12A-07-5
Intermediate - Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed a cook rinse her gloves at the triple sink.
12A-03-4
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. Form provided via email.
11-27-4
Intermediate - Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a trash can in front of both hand washing sinks.
31A-09-4
Intermediate - No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
16-37-1
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. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed a cook wash a plastic pan with soap and rinsed it with water. No sanitizer set up. I made the cook set up the sanitizer section of the triple sink and sanitize the pan.**Corrected On-Site** **Corrected On-Site**
16-13-5
Basic - Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
36-73-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed a plastic container with bananas and a card board box with avocados on the floor at the front counter.
08B-38-4
Basic - Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in the ice machine.
10-08-5
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
21-12-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic containers with different foods not labeled.
02D-01-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood and hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in a container of flour.
14-01-5
Basic - Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first.
36-06-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed several metal pans over the triple sink not inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed a water bottle on the cutting board. **Repeat Violation**
12B-07-4
Basic - Employee eating while preparing food. Observed a plate of food and half empty bottle of water on a cutting board.
12B-01-4
20
Feb 12, 2024
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Intermediate - Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed pieces of cut vegetables in the hand washing sink next to the triple sink.
31A-11-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed on a chest freezer.
12B-07-4
82
Oct 5, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over beef in the upright refrigerator.
08A-20-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in the ice machine outside.
22-20-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
36-37-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled across from the triple sink. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in the reach in cooler behind the front counter. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
67
Jun 28, 2023
Routine - Food
3 major violations. 5 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Nonfood-grade basting brush used in food. Observed regular paint brush with metal wrapping, used at coffee machine for coffee debris.
14-14-4
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. Printed and provided to Manager. **Corrected On-Site**
11-27-4
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. Printed employee reporting agreement forms and provided to Manager. **Corrective Action Taken**
11-26-1
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food located in a container of corn flour, stored next to microwave.
14-01-5
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 surfaces under kitchen prep tables.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets at kitchen area, across from cookline. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface located next to ice machine, behind front counter. **Repeat Violation**
14-33-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a container of "maseca" corn flour, not identified. Employee labeled food container of corn flour. **Corrected On-Site**
02D-01-5
58
Nov 2, 2022
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 9 minor violations.
View 10 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food, other than whole meat roast, hot held at less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed cheese pastry (108F - Hot Holding); beef empanada (98F - Hot Holding) located at top counter hot holding unit, less than 4 hours. Advised to reheat to 135F and above, as well as, increase the temperature of hot holding unit. **Corrective Action Taken**
03B-01-6
Basic - Cardboard used to line food-contact shelves located inside reach in cooler.
14-05-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed dust accumulation on air vents throughout kitchen. **Repeat Violation**
36-34-5
Basic - Clean equipment and utensils stored in a room that is not fully enclosed (open to outdoors/screened). Observed metal pots stored outside on a storage shelf, next to mop sink. As per Manager, pots are not used for restaurant establishment.
24-24-4
Basic - Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed metal pans on shelving above three compartment sink, not kept inverted.
24-05-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable, observed resting on top of kitchen three compartment sink.
14-09-4
Basic - Food not stored at least 6 inches off of the floor. Observed plastic containers of oil and a box of green plantains stored on kitchen floor.
08B-47-4
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 storage rack next to handwash sink and rust pitted surface under prep counter.
14-47-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled reach in cooler gaskets at kitchen area. **Repeat Violation**
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface located at kitchen area.
14-33-4
55
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Playa Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Playa Cafe on file is from Apr 2, 2026. The public record contains eight inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Playa Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “ceiling not smooth” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Playa Cafe.
How does Playa Cafe compare to other restaurants in Miami Beach?
Playa Cafe most recently scored 47 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami Beach average of 69.
Has Playa Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Playa Cafe have averaged around seven violations per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.
What does a high risk rating mean?
A high risk rating at Playa Cafe 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 Playa Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Playa Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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