Santa Maria Bistro

1643 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33129
Italian
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
70
Score
Medium Risk

Santa Maria Bistro has been inspected 10 times since 2022. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 17, 2026. Medium risk typically reflects a handful of issues that inspectors wrote up but didn't deem critical.

Recent visits have flagged more than earlier ones: around nine violations per visit lately, up from roughly four violations before.

“Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” comes up most often, recorded four times in the inspection record.

By comparison, the average Miami facility scores 74, putting Santa Maria Bistro on the weaker side. The full record sits in fairly typical territory for a working restaurant.

10
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
5
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Wash solution in spray type hot water sanitizing dishmachine not reaching proper temperature according to manufacturer's specifications. Observed Dishwasher (Temperature 114- gauge ) 1st test; Dishwasher (Temperature 119 - gauge) 2nd test. Manufacture data states minimum 120°F required for garage. Employee was able to get to required temperature per manufacturer - 121°F gauge; 3rd test plate surface temp 160°F. **Corrected On-Site**
16-54-4
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed in the hallway where food prep is conducted. **Repeat Violation**
36-37-5
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee personal water bottle stored next to consumer plastic water bottles and tomato sauce bottles on shelves in the hallway. **Repeat Violation**
40-06-5
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed exterior of ice machine soiled.
23-03-4
Basic - Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed for under counter RIC of prep area in the kitchen next to stove.
14-33-4
Basic - Silverware/utensils stored upright with the food-contact surface up. Observed spoon with the food contact surface up in an intending holder above prep table. Employee stored spoons properly. **Corrected On-Site**
24-18-4
70
Dec 9, 2025
Routine - Food
4 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at prep area on hallway to cook line. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at prep area on hallway to cook line. **Time Extended**
36-37-5
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed staff member preparing empanadas at 3CS area while wearing a watch. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: Observed both employee wearing watches in the kitchen and at 3CS area while cleaning and sanitizing work spaces and dish-ware,. **Time Extended**
13-07-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed at three compartment sink area lentil bag store next to cleaning products under prep table. Operator removed lentils bag from prohibited area. Observed plastic bottles of waters stored in electrical room. Operator removed water bottles from electrical room. Coached person in charge on correct procedure. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: Observed plastic bottles of waters stored in electrical room. **Time Extended**
08B-37-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed water containers store on floor in the electrical room. **Repeat Violation** **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2025-12-09: Observed water containers store on floor in the electrical room. **Time Extended**
08B-38-4
82
Sep 23, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 14 minor violations.
View 17 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw sausage stored over portioned cake and ice cream at reach-in freezer next to prep table at 3CS area. Coached operator the correct procedure. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Menu does not identify which items contain raw or undercooked animal foods covered by the consumer advisory. Observed eggs any style on deluxe 24 and classic 18, eggs sunny side up on avocado toast, smoked salmon and eggs, eggs Benedict 18, croissant omelette 12, tuna carpaccio, tuna tartar, and saku rare tuna tataki not identified as containing raw undercooked animal products on menu. **Warning**
02B-01-5
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Observed plastic spray bottle of chlorine unlabeled at three compartment sink area. Operator labeled the bottle. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
41-17-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed at white cutting board inside prep kitchen area and at green cutting board next to front counter. **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Employee personal items stored in or above a food preparation area, food, clean equipment and utensils, or single-service items. Observed employee drinking bottle on prep table at cook line. Employee properly store beverage. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
40-06-5
Basic - Employee wearing jewelry other than a plain ring on their hands/arms while preparing food. Observed staff member preparing empanadas at 3CS area while wearing a watch. **Warning**
13-07-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed fan guard in disrepair inside kitchen area. **Warning**
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored in a prohibited area. Observed at three compartment sink area lentil bag store next to cleaning products under prep table. Operator removed lentils bag from prohibited area. Observed plastic bottles of waters stored in electrical room. Operator removed water bottles from electrical room. Coached person in charge on correct procedure. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08B-37-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed water containers store on floor in the electrical room. **Repeat Violation** **Warning**
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use tongs stored on equipment door handle between uses. Observed tongs stored on oven handle at cook line. **Warning**
10-20-4
Basic - No Heimlich maneuver/choking sign posted. **Warning**
51-13-4
Basic - No copy of latest inspection report available. **Warning**
51-18-6
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed soiled gasket inside kitchen area in reach-in cooler under stove and also in Trauslen and Duckers reach-in coolers at cook,one. **Warning**
23-03-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed container of white substance with no common name at cook line. **Warning**
02D-01-5
Basic - Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed at prep area on hallway to cook line. **Warning**
36-37-5
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed soiled ceiling tile and ceiling vents on top slicing machine in prep area. **Warning**
36-34-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed. **Warning**
50-09-4
35
Apr 7, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 2 minor violations.
View 4 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food. Observed raw shell eggs stored over cooked potatoes inside reach in cooler by cook line. Chef rearranged products. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-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 cooked quinoa inside reach in cooler at cook line no date marked, as per chef for approximately 2 days prior. **Repeat Violation**
02C-02-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed oil container stored on floor at kitchen hallway. **Repeat Violation**
08B-38-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed at cook line. **Repeat Violation**
21-12-4
70
Dec 17, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 8 violations
Intermediate - Water with a temperature of least 85 degrees Fahrenheit not provided/shut off at employee handwash sink. Observed hot water turned off at handwashing sink at cook line. Owner turned back on.
27-16-4
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Observed cooked pasta on reach in cooler at cook line no date marked, as per chef for more than 24 hours prior.
02C-02-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Current Hotel and Restaurant license not displayed.
50-09-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Observed cutting boards no longer cleanable at cook line.
14-09-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed produce case at front counter on floor. Observed oil containers at cook line on floor.
08B-38-4
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed utensils in standing water at cook line.
10-07-4
Basic - Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses. Observed throughout kitchen.
21-12-4
61
Jun 27, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Feb 29, 2024
Routine - Food
No violations found.
100
Aug 14, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
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.
11-26-1
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
23-24-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed reach in cooler gasket in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed table fan soiled.
23-03-4
74
Feb 17, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.
View 3 violations
High Priority - Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw hood stored over raw beef in reach in cooler. **Corrected On-Site**
08A-20-5
Basic - In-use utensil stored in standing water less than 135 degrees Fahrenheit.
10-07-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed hood filters soiled.
23-03-4
78
Aug 2, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed interior of reach in freezer soiled. Observed reach in cooler shelves soiled.
22-02-4
Basic - Buildup of food debris/soil residue on equipment door handles.
23-24-4
Basic - Ceiling/ceiling tiles/vents soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or mold-like substance. Observed In ware washing room.
36-34-5
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Observed interior of reach in freezer in disrepair.
14-11-5
Basic - Food stored on floor. Observed case of cooking oil stored on floor.
08B-38-4
74

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Santa Maria Bistro last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Santa Maria Bistro on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 10 inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Santa Maria Bistro?

Across the inspection record, “nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease” has been cited four times, more than any other issue at Santa Maria Bistro.

How does Santa Maria Bistro compare to other restaurants in Miami?

Santa Maria Bistro most recently scored 70 out of 100, which is lower than the Miami average of 74.

Has Santa Maria Bistro's inspection record improved over time?

No. Recent inspections at Santa Maria Bistro have averaged around nine violations per visit, up from roughly four earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Santa Maria Bistro 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 Santa Maria Bistro inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Santa Maria Bistro is inspected around three times per year on average.