Lava Shawarma

12 West 23 Street, Manhattan, NY 10010

Greek / Mediterranean

Last inspected: Oct 8, 2025

Score

Low Risk NYC Grade: Pending

The health department has logged five inspections at Lava Shawarma, the earliest from 2024. The most recent report on file is from Oct 8, 2025. Diners can read the low risk label as a sign that recent inspections have gone well.

Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around one violation lately and about 10 violations before that.

Looking across the full record, “food protection certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

That puts the facility ahead of the local pack: the average Manhattan restaurant scores 77. The file should reassure diners considering a visit.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Oct 8, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection

1 minor violation.

View 1 violation

Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

10F

Oct 3, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (frsa) flies or other nuisance pests in establishment’s food and/or non-food areas. frsa flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, phorid flies and fruit flies.

04N

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.

04H

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

04L

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Aug 19, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

8 critical violations. 7 minor violations.

View 15 violations

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

06E

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with haccp plan.

04H

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.

02B

Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customer’s refillable, reusable container. condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

06C

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

Cold tcs food item held above 41 °f; smoked or processed fish held above 38 °f; intact raw eggs held above 45 °f; or reduced oxygen packaged (rop) tcs foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

02G

Evidence of mice or live mice in establishment's food or non-food areas.

04L

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

20-08

Anti-siphonage or back-flow prevention device not provided where required; equipment or floor not properly drained; sewage disposal system in disrepair or not functioning properly. condensation or liquid waste improperly disposed of.

10B

Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.

10G

Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.

09E

10F

Contract with a pest management professional not in place. record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

28-06

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

08A

Mar 11, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

6 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 7 violations

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

Juice packaged on premises with no or incomplete label, no warning statement

03I

Hot tcs food item not held at or above 140 °f.

02B

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

06D

Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.

06F

Personal cleanliness is inadequate. outer garment soiled with possible contaminant. effective hair restraint not worn where required. jewelry worn on hands or arms. fingernail polish worn or fingernails not kept clean and trimmed.

06A

Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.

09C

Jan 25, 2024

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 violations

Sanitized equipment or utensil, including in-use food dispensing utensil, improperly used or stored.

06E

Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of tcs foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding.

04J

Food protection certificate (fpc) not held by manager or supervisor of food operations.

04A

Single service article not provided. single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

10H

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lava Shawarma last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Lava Shawarma on file is from Oct 8, 2025. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Lava Shawarma?

Across the inspection record, “food protection certificate (FPC) not held by manager or supervisor” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at Lava Shawarma.

How does Lava Shawarma compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Lava Shawarma most recently scored 95 out of 100, which is higher than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Lava Shawarma's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Lava Shawarma have averaged around one violation per visit, down from roughly 10 earlier in the record.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Lava Shawarma means inspectors found minimal or no significant issues at the most recent visit. Most facilities at this tier have a clean recent inspection report.

How often is Lava Shawarma inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Lava Shawarma is inspected around three times per year on average.

Nearby Restaurants

Score: 52 — High Risk

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