Playa Bowls

423 5 Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Café / Breakfast

Last inspected: Dec 11, 2025

Score

Low Risk NYC Grade: A

Playa Bowls has been inspected four times since 2023. On Dec 11, 2025, the health department conducted the most recent visit. Low risk indicates the latest report didn't flag anything that would worry the average customer.

The latest visit found three violations, down from four violations the time before.

The most common issue across all inspections has been food contact surface not properly washed, showing up two times.

Compared to the broader Brooklyn restaurant scene, this is about average. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Dec 11, 2025

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

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

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

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

Aug 20, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection

1 critical violation. 3 minor violations.

View 4 violations

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

Food adulterated or misbranded. adulterated or misbranded food possessed, being manufactured, produced, packed, sold, offered for sale, delivered or given away

28-05

Caloric content not posted on menus, menu boards or food tags, in a food service establishment that is 1 of 15 or more outlets operating the same type of business nationally under common ownership or control, or as a franchise or doing business under the same name, for each menu item that is served in portions, the size and content of which are standardized.

16-03

10B

Jun 17, 2024

Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection

3 critical violations. 1 minor violation.

View 4 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

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

04A

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

08A

Mar 30, 2023

Pre-permit (Operational) / Initial Inspection

1 critical violation. 2 minor violations.

View 3 violations

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

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

10F

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Playa Bowls last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Playa Bowls on file is from Dec 11, 2025. The public record contains four inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Playa Bowls?

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

How does Playa Bowls compare to other restaurants in Brooklyn?

Playa Bowls most recently scored 78 out of 100, which is about the same as the Brooklyn average of 77.

Has Playa Bowls's inspection record improved over time?

Yes. Recent inspections at Playa Bowls have turned up fewer violations than earlier ones, with the latest finding around three violations compared to about four previously.

What does a low risk rating mean?

A low risk rating at Playa Bowls 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 Playa Bowls inspected?

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

Nearby Restaurants

Fifth Ave Diner

432 5 Avenue

Score: 74 — Medium Risk

Xo Burgers

437 5 Avenue

Score: 61 — Medium Risk

Smith's Tavern

440 5 Avenue

Score: 67 — Medium Risk

Explore More

→ All locations in Brooklyn → Café / Breakfast restaurants in NYC → Café / Breakfast restaurants in Brooklyn