Saravana Bhavan
81 LEXINGTON AVENUE, Manhattan, 10016
Should you eat here?
Mostly OK — but 1 critical violation was found at the latest inspection (11 days ago). Details below.
Last inspected Jul 30, 2026 · New York City health department
What the inspector found on Jul 30, 2026
Food was not kept hot or cold enough. Wrong temperatures let bacteria grow.
After cooking or removal from hot holding, TCS food not cooled by an approved method whereby the internal temperature is reduced from 140 °F to 70 °F or less within 2 hours, and from 70 °F to 41 °F or less within 4 additional hours.
CriticalA staff hygiene issue, such as handwashing, glove use, or bare-hand contact with food.
Wash hands sign not posted near or above hand washing sink.
A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
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.
Inspection history
| Date | Result | Type | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2026 | Grade A | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 3 (1 critical) |
| Feb 10, 2026 | Grade Pending | Administrative Miscellaneous / Initial Inspection | 1 |
| May 15, 2025 | Grade B | Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection | 4 (3 critical) |
| Mar 5, 2025 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Initial Inspection | 9 (3 critical) |
| Sep 29, 2023 | Grade C | Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection | 1 |
| Sep 27, 2023 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection | 4 (2 critical) |
| Sep 26, 2023 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Reopening Inspection | 4 (2 critical) |
| Sep 21, 2023 | Grade Pending | Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection | 11 (7 critical) |
Problems that keep coming back
Issues cited at more than one inspection — a better signal than any single visit.
- 6×A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
- 4×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
- 3×Raw and ready-to-eat foods were not kept separate, risking contamination.
- 3×A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
- 3×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
- 2×A general health-code issue noted during the inspection.
- 2×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
- 2×A cleanliness or sanitizing issue with surfaces, dishware, or the general premises.
- 2×Signs of pests (like mice, rats, roaches, or flies) or conditions that could attract them.
Around this address
City records for the building itself, not this restaurant’s inspection.
- 12 rodent inspections on record, 4 finding rat activity.
- 2 recent 311 complaints filed at this address.
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