Vanilla Gorilla Cafe

525 8 Avenue, Manhattan, NY 10018
Café / Breakfast
Last inspected: Mar 31, 2026
64
Score
Medium Risk NYC Grade: Pending

Vanilla Gorilla Cafe has been inspected five times since 2023. On Mar 31, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Inspection results have stayed in a similar range over the last few visits, averaging around four violations each.

Looking across the full record, “food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source” is the recurring theme, flagged five times.

That's lower than the typical Manhattan restaurant, which scores around 77. The record is unremarkable in either direction.

5
Inspections
2
Critical latest
0
Major latest
3
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 31, 2026
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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
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
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
Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.
08A
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
64
Feb 10, 2026
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
2 critical violations. 3 minor violations.
View 5 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
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Design, construction, materials used or maintenance of food contact surface improper. surface not easily cleanable, sanitized and maintained.
09C
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
64
Nov 25, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Re-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
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
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
70
Nov 7, 2024
Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection
4 critical violations. 1 minor violation.
View 5 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
Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.
06D
Food preparation area, food storage area, or other area used by employees or patrons, contaminated by sewage or liquid waste.
04F
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
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
52
Aug 29, 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
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
78

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Vanilla Gorilla Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at Vanilla Gorilla Cafe on file is from Mar 31, 2026. The public record contains five inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at Vanilla Gorilla Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source” has been cited five times, more than any other issue at Vanilla Gorilla Cafe.

How does Vanilla Gorilla Cafe compare to other restaurants in Manhattan?

Vanilla Gorilla Cafe most recently scored 64 out of 100, which is lower than the Manhattan average of 77.

Has Vanilla Gorilla Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at Vanilla Gorilla Cafe have averaged around four violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at Vanilla Gorilla Cafe 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 Vanilla Gorilla Cafe inspected?

Based on the inspection history on file, Vanilla Gorilla Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.