Zest Kitchen and Bar
Last inspected: Mar 17, 2026
58
Score
Going back to 2022, Zest Kitchen and Bar has 11 inspections in the public record. The latest inspection on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.
Recent inspections have turned up roughly the same number of issues each time, hovering near nine violations per visit.
When inspectors have written things up, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been the most frequent reason, cited six times.
The city-wide average sits at 81, which Zest Kitchen and Bar's 58 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.
11
Inspections
1
Critical latest
2
Major latest
4
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 17, 2026
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 2 major violations. 4 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Equipment, Food and Non-Food Contact Surfaces Approved
FL-35
58
Sep 29, 2025
Complaint Full
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Employee Health Policies Present
FL-03
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Equipment Adequate to Maintain Product Temperature
FL-29
Approved Thawing Methods Used
FL-31
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Personal Cleanliness
FL-40
Toilet Rooms Maintained
FL-53
32
Jun 11, 2025
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
High Priority - Stop Sale issued due to food not being in a wholesome, sound condition. ROP Fish sea bass and tuna.
01B-13-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. Near stove. **Repeat Violation**
36-03-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Both Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
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. 8 tuna and 6 sea bass. Education provided.
06-09-1
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. Ran and primed 3x. All test found at 0 ppm. Manager will call to get serviced and set up three compartment sink.
16-55-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer door. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters.
23-03-4
Basic - Soiled cloths/linen not kept in a suitable container prior to laundering. Employee removed from on top of paper towel dispenser on cooks line. **Corrected On-Site**
21-14-4
52
Dec 27, 2024
Complaint Full
1 major violation. 10 minor violations.
View 11 violations
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. Half and half. Employee date marked. **Corrected On-Site**
02C-03-5
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Manager cleaned. **Corrected On-Site**
22-20-5
Basic - Bathroom located inside establishment not completely enclosed with tight-fitting, self-closing doors. Both employee/guest bathrooms. **Repeat Violation**
32-04-4
Basic - Cove molding at floor/wall juncture broken/missing. In kitchen next to stove. **Repeat Violation**
36-03-4
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. On cook's line. **Repeat Violation**
14-09-4
Basic - Equipment in poor repair. Gasket of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-11-5
Basic - Floor area(s) covered with standing water. In front of walk in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
36-22-4
Basic - Floor tiles missing and/or in disrepair. Cracked tile in front of fryer.
36-17-5
Basic - Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Repeat Violation**
14-69-4
Basic - Interior of microwave has accumulation of black substance/grease/food debris. Manager cleaned. **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
22-08-4
Basic - Standing water in bottom of reach-in-cooler. Next to hand washing sink.
29-49-6
55
Nov 19, 2024
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 8 minor violations.
View 10 violations
Supervisor/Person in Charge Present
FL-01
Certified Food Manager Identification
FL-02
Food Contact Surfaces Clean and Sanitized
FL-22
Toxic Substances Properly Identified, Stored, Used
FL-32
Lighting Adequate; Required Shields in Place
FL-36
Wiping Cloths Properly Used and Stored
FL-41
Proper Eating, Tasting, Drinking, or Tobacco Use
FL-06
Hands Clean and Properly Washed
FL-08
Required Records Available; Shellstock Tags/Labels
FL-14
Proper Hot and Cold Holding Temperatures
FL-21
39
May 28, 2024
Routine - Food
3 minor violations.
View 3 violations
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended** - From follow-up inspection 2024-05-28: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
86
Apr 15, 2024
Routine - Food
2 major violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 violations
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. Has books **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: Has class scheduled **Time Extended**
53B-01-5
Intermediate - - From initial inspection : 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. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
11-26-1
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
14-09-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
14-69-4
Basic - - From initial inspection : Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast **Warning** - From follow-up inspection 2024-04-15: **Time Extended**
02D-01-5
70
Feb 12, 2024
Routine - Food
2 critical violations. 5 major violations. 6 minor violations.
View 13 violations
High Priority - Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Sour cream in wait staff cooler 46F. Manager discarded. **Warning**
03A-02-5
High Priority - Raw salmon stored over cooked lamb in the walk in cooler. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
08A-02-6
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. Has books **Warning**
53B-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. **Warning**
11-26-1
Intermediate - Ready-to-eat, time/temperature control for safety food prepared onsite and held more than 24 hours not properly date marked. Corn beef made Friday. Several food items in the walk in cooler not date marked. **Warning**
02C-02-5
Intermediate - Manager or person in charge lacking proof of food manager certification. All they have is when they took test no proof of certification. **Warning**
53A-01-7
Intermediate - Microwave soiled with old food. Slicer guard soiled with old food. **Warning**
22-02-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Bowl used for panko **Warning**
14-01-5
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. **Corrected On-Site** **Warning**
06-09-1
Basic - Cutting board has cut marks and is no longer cleanable. Grill station **Warning**
14-09-4
Basic - Heavy Ice buildup in walk-in freezer. **Warning**
14-69-4
Basic - No conspicuously located ambient air temperature thermometer in holding unit. In Black reach in cooler at wait station **Warning**
05-09-4
Basic - Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Sugar and yeast **Warning**
02D-01-5
33
Oct 13, 2023
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 5 minor violations.
View 6 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Bottle of degreaser not labeled. **Corrected On-Site**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin.
22-20-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Coffee cup over prep table in kitchen. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer. Ice build up on fans in walk in freezer.
14-69-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Gaskets on cookline
23-03-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Food stored under walk in freezer shelves. Also, case of oil stored on floor in dry storage.
08B-38-4
70
Mar 27, 2023
Routine - Food
1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 4 minor violations.
View 6 violations
High Priority - Raw animal food stored over/not properly separated from ready-to-eat food.quail eggs over ready to eat sauces in walk in cooler **Corrected On-Site**
08A-05-6
Intermediate - Required employee training expired for all employees. To order approved program food safety material, call DBPR contracted provider: Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (SafeStaff) 866-372-7233.
53B-05-5
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. In bulk items **Corrected On-Site**
14-01-5
Basic - Duct tape used to repair nonfood-contact surface. On walk in cooler door
14-71-4
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Above sandwich table. **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Waste line missing at soda gun holster.
29-17-4
64
Jul 20, 2022
Routine - Food
1 major violation. 6 minor violations.
View 7 violations
Intermediate - Spray bottle containing toxic substance not labeled. Unlabeled spray bottle on sauce and seasoning shelf **Repeat Violation**
41-17-4
Basic - Accumulation of lime scale on the inside of the dishmachine.
16-23-4
Basic - Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Using bowl to scoop breading Bowl in rice flour **Corrected On-Site** **Repeat Violation**
14-01-5
Basic - Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Open employee coffee on shelf with food **Corrected On-Site**
12B-07-4
Basic - Equipment and utensils not properly air-dried - wet nesting. **Corrective Action Taken**
24-08-4
Basic - Food stored on floor. Oil stored on floor by dish pit In walk in freezer
08B-38-4
Basic - Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Hood filters accumulated grease Gaskets on cookline units
23-03-4
67
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Zest Kitchen and Bar last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Zest Kitchen and Bar on file is from Mar 17, 2026. The public record contains 11 inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Zest Kitchen and Bar?
Across the inspection record, “ice buildup in reach-in freezer and/or walk-in freezer” has been cited six times, more than any other issue at Zest Kitchen and Bar.
How does Zest Kitchen and Bar compare to other restaurants in Port St. Lucie?
Zest Kitchen and Bar most recently scored 58 out of 100, which is lower than the Port St. Lucie average of 81.
Has Zest Kitchen and Bar's inspection record improved over time?
Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Zest Kitchen and Bar have averaged around nine violations per visit across the recent record.
What does a medium risk rating mean?
A medium risk rating at Zest Kitchen and Bar 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 Zest Kitchen and Bar inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Zest Kitchen and Bar is inspected around three times per year on average.
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