Celestial Cafe
Last inspected: Mar 26, 2026
82
Score
Celestial Cafe has been inspected four times since 2023. On Mar 26, 2026, the health department conducted the most recent visit. A low risk rating suggests inspectors haven't found much to be concerned about lately.
Recent inspections have found fewer violations than earlier ones, averaging around three violations lately and about five violations before that.
The most common issue across all inspections has been “consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked animal foods”, showing up two times.
The city-wide average sits at 89, which Celestial Cafe's 82 doesn't quite reach. There isn't much in the file that would give a customer pause.
4
Inspections
0
Critical latest
1
Major latest
2
Minor latest
Inspection History
Mar 26, 2026
Re-Inspection
1 major violation. 2 minor violations. 2 corrected on site.
View 3 violations
Handwashing sink water not at required temperature
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: A knife was observed in the hand-washing sink. A hand-washing sink must not be used for purposes other than hand washing.
5-202.12
Equipment not in good repair or proper adjustment
Inspector notes: Walk-in cooler was not in good repair; inspector observed an active leak dripping into a container.
4-501.11
Approved thawing methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: At the time of inspection, ROP tuna was thawing with package intact. Reduced oxygen packaging fish that bears a label indicating that it is to be kept frozen until time of use shall be removed from the reduced oxygen environment. Temperature was observed to be at 30 degrees Fahrenheit; PIC opened package at time of inspection.
3-501.12
82
Feb 12, 2026
Routine
2 critical violations. 2 major violations. 5 minor violations. 3 corrected on site.
View 9 violations
Sewage & waste water properly disposed
Inspector notes: The condensate from the beer cooler refrigeration unit is draining into a container. Condensate drainage and other nonsewage liquids must drain into a drain.
5-402.13
Hot or cold food held at improper temperature
Inspector notes: Sauces were observed held out of temperature control at 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Time/temperature control for safety (TCS) food must be held at 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below except during preparation, cooking, or cooling. Per interview with PIC, sauce has been out for less than 1 hour, sauces were moved to prep unit at time of inspection.
3-501.16(A)
No soap available at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Soap was not available at the hand-washing sink in the kitchen. Hand-washing sinks must be provided with a supply of hand cleaning liquid, powder, or bar soap.
6-301.11
No hand drying provision at handwashing sink
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: The hand-washing sink in the kitchen was lacking paper towels.
6-301.12
Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized
Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher was 25 parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. PIC took unit out of service. Establishment to sanitize in 3 bay sink until serviced and dispensing proper concentration.
4-501.115
Outer openings not protected against pests
Inspector notes: The door to the outside, located in the kitchen, is not tight-fitting. Outer openings of a food establishment must be protected against the entry of insects and rodents by tight-fitting doors.
6-202.15
In-use utensils stored improperly between uses
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: A knife was stored on an unclean surface (behind hand sink wall) between uses. During pauses in food preparation, utensils must be stored on a clean surface or in a clean, protected location.
3-304.12
Nonfood-contact surfaces not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: Ceilings tiles in the kitchen have stains from previous water damage.
4-602.13
Physical facilities not cleaned at required frequency
Inspector notes: The floors and walls throughout the facility have an accumulation of soil residue and/or food debris. The physical facilities shall be cleaned as often as necessary to keep them clean.
6-501.12
47
Dec 28, 2023
Re-Inspection
1 major violation.
View 1 violation
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked. Per PIC, new menus have been ordered with asterisks indicating which foods are raw or undercooked.
3-603.11
90
Dec 14, 2023
Routine
1 critical violation. 6 major violations. 1 minor violation. 5 corrected on site.
View 8 violations
Expired or improperly marked ready-to-eat food not discarded
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Pickled peppers and pico de gallo prepared on-site were observed with a date mark exceeding 7 days. PIC voluntarily disposed of items at the time of inspection.
3-501.18
Handwashing sink blocked, inaccessible, or used improperly
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Dishes and utensils were observed in the hand-washing sink at the cookline. A hand-washing sink must not be used for purposes other than hand washing.
5-205.11
Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction
Inspector notes: Shellstock tags did not have all of the required information. Last date of sale were lacking.
3-203.12
Equipment or utensils not clean
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) was observed with an accumulation of biofilm. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice machine was taken out of service at the time of the inspection and ice was voluntarily disposed of.
4-601.11(A)
Consumer advisory not provided for raw or undercooked food
Inspector notes: The consumer advisory provided does not disclose the foods on the menu that are raw or undercooked.
3-603.11
Improper cooling methods used
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Proper cooling methods were not used for time/temperature control for safety (TCS) foods. Sauces were placed hot in the walk-in refrigerator at 160 degrees Fahrenheit in containers greater than four inches deep, covered, and not fully submerged in an ice bath. PIC removed items from the walk-in refrigerator and into a new ice bath to properly cool items before placing them in the walk-in refrigerator.
3-501.15
Food thawed using improper method
(corrected on site)
Inspector notes: Reduced oxygen packaged tuna was observed thawing with the package intact at 37 degrees Fahrenheit. PIC opened the packages of tuna at the time of inspection to properly thaw.
3-501.13
Food storage containers not labeled with contents
Inspector notes: Working containers of dry ingredients (nuts, sesame seeds, etc.) are not labeled with the common name of the food. Working containers holding food or food ingredients that are removed from their original packages, such as flour, herbs, salt, sugar, and spices must be labeled with the common name of the food.
3-302.12
45
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Celestial Cafe last inspected?
The most recent health inspection at Celestial Cafe on file is from Mar 26, 2026. The public record contains four inspections in total.
What is the most common violation at Celestial Cafe?
Across the inspection record, “consumer advisory provided for raw/undercooked animal foods” has been cited two times, more than any other issue at Celestial Cafe.
How does Celestial Cafe compare to other restaurants in Exeter?
Celestial Cafe most recently scored 82 out of 100, which is lower than the Exeter average of 89.
Has Celestial Cafe's inspection record improved over time?
Yes. Recent inspections at Celestial Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit, down from roughly five earlier in the record.
What does a low risk rating mean?
A low risk rating at Celestial Cafe 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 Celestial Cafe inspected?
Based on the inspection history on file, Celestial Cafe is inspected around two times per year on average.
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