The Cafe

3 Canal St, Westerly, RI 02891

License: Seats - 50 or More

Last inspected: Jul 31, 2025

Score

Medium Risk

Going back to 2023, The Cafe has three inspections in the public record. The most recent report on file is from Jul 31, 2025. The medium risk tier sits in the middle: not spotless, but not alarming either.

Violation counts have held steady across recent visits, averaging around three violations each.

Looking across the full record, “food-contact surfaces” is the recurring theme, flagged three times.

The city-wide average sits at 88, which The Cafe's 74 doesn't quite reach. Taken together, the history looks like that of a busy facility working through the usual inspection cycle.

Inspections

Critical latest

Major latest

Minor latest

Inspection History

Jul 31, 2025

Routine

1 critical violation. 1 major violation. 1 minor violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 3 violations

Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) was observed with an accumulation brown biofilm. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.

4-501.114

Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: The food-contact surfaces of equipment and utensils were not sanitized at the bar. The required utensil surface temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit was not achieved during the sanitizing cycle of the dishwasher as evidenced by the failure of the thermolabel (temperature indicator) affixed to the surface of a utensil to turn black. PIC called for service at time of inspection.

4-501.112

Food-contact surfaces; cleaned & sanitized

Inspector notes: The sink and surface concentration in the sanitizing solution dispenser of the mop sink was 0 parts per million (ppm). The concentration of lactic acid in the sanitizing solution must be between 0.27-0.55 ppm. PIC manually added, called for service at time of inspection.

4-501.115

Sep 28, 2023

Re-Inspection

1 major violation. 1 corrected on site.

View 1 violation

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (Potato dicer) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.

4-601.11(A)

Sep 8, 2023

Environmental Complaint

1 critical violation. 5 major violations. 2 corrected on site.

View 6 violations

Food-contact surfaces: cleaned and sanitized

Inspector notes: The chlorine sanitizer concentration for the sanitizing cycle of the bar glass washer was (10) parts per million (ppm). Chlorine sanitizing solutions must be between 50-100 ppm. Glass washer was taken out of service. Glass washer must be repaired.

4-501.114

Person in charge not present

Inspector notes: Menus are lacking an allergy statement notifying customers of their obligation to notify staff if they have a food allergy.

2-101.11

Required records available: shellstock tags, parasite destruction

Inspector notes: Shellfish tags were not stored in chronological order and did not have the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag. Shellfish tags must be maintained for 90 days in chronological order and the date when the last shellfish was used from the bag must be noted on the shellfish tag.

3-402.12

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (slicer and potato dicer) were observed with an accumulation of food and debris. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch.

4-601.11(A)

Equipment or utensils not clean (corrected on site)

Inspector notes: Food contact surfaces of equipment/utensils (ice machine) were observed with an accumulation of biofilm. The food contact surfaces of equipment must be clean to sight and touch. Ice was voluntarily disposed of (see attached disposal form). Ice machine was taken out of service and must not be used until it is cleaned.

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. Oysters, duck, fish, and beef are served raw or undercooked to the customer's request. A written consumer advisory (on the menu, table tent, or placard) is not provided to the consumer informing them of the significantly increased risk associated with certain vulnerable consumers eating such food in a raw or undercooked form.

3-603.11

Frequently Asked Questions

When was The Cafe last inspected?

The most recent health inspection at The Cafe on file is from Jul 31, 2025. The public record contains three inspections in total.

What is the most common violation at The Cafe?

Across the inspection record, “food-contact surfaces” has been cited three times, more than any other issue at The Cafe.

How does The Cafe compare to other restaurants in Westerly?

The Cafe most recently scored 74 out of 100, which is lower than the Westerly average of 88.

Has The Cafe's inspection record improved over time?

Results have been roughly steady. Inspections at The Cafe have averaged around three violations per visit across the recent record.

What does a medium risk rating mean?

A medium risk rating at The 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 The Cafe inspected?

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

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3 Canal Street

Score: 100 — Low Risk

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80 High Street

Score: 100 — Low Risk

Nanas Bakery and Pizza

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Score: 70 — Medium Risk

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