Masawa

1239 Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10027
Ethiopian
Last inspected: Sep 25, 2025
74
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: A

Going back to 2022, Masawa has four inspections in the public record. On Sep 25, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. When a facility lands in medium risk territory, it usually means a mixed inspection result.

Things have been moving in the right direction, with the rolling count dropping from around eight violations to closer to two violations per visit.

“Food contact surface not properly washed” accounts for the largest share of issues, appearing two times across the record.

That falls roughly in the middle of the pack for Manhattan restaurants. The inspection history reads as standard for a restaurant of this size.

4
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
0
Minor latest
Inspection History
Sep 25, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
2 critical violations.
View 2 violations
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
74
Jul 14, 2025
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
5 critical violations. 6 minor violations.
View 11 violations
No hand washing facility in or adjacent to toilet room or within 25 feet of a food preparation, food service or ware washing area. hand washing facility not accessible, obstructed or used for non-hand washing purposes. no hot and cold running water or water at inadequate pressure. no soap or acceptable hand-drying device.
05D
Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.
04M
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
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
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
Dishwashing and ware washing: cleaning and sanitizing of tableware, including dishes, utensils, and equipment deficient.
10G
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
Providing single-use, non-compostable plastic straws to customers without customer request (including providing such straws at a self-serve station)
19-06
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
35
Sep 27, 2023
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.
View 4 violations
Wiping cloths not stored clean and dry, or in a sanitizing solution, between uses.
06F
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
Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. unprotected, unlocked bait station used.
08C
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
09E
74
Dec 14, 2022
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 3 violations
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
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
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
70

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Masawa last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Masawa on file is from Sep 25, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Masawa?

Across the inspection record, “food contact surface not properly washed” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Masawa.

How does Masawa compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Masawa most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is about the same as the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Masawa's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Masawa have averaged around two violations per visit, down from roughly eight earlier in the record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Masawa 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 Masawa inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Masawa is inspected roughly once per year on average.