Operating a Restaurant - NYC Health

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Opening a Restaurant
Operating a Restaurant
Training
Restaurant Worker Safety
The Inspection Process
Letter Grading for Restaurants
Required Signs
Health Code / Regulations
Mobile Food Vending
Food Vending at Temporary Events
Food Service Establishment Ombuds Office
Smoking Legislation
Green Carts

Opening a Restaurant

Operating a Restaurant

Training

Restaurant Worker Safety

The Inspection Process

Letter Grading for Restaurants

Required Signs

Health Code / Regulations

Mobile Food Vending

Food Vending at Temporary Events

Food Service Establishment Ombuds Office

Smoking Legislation

Green Carts


Operating a Restaurant

The Health Department provides guidance to restaurant operators to help them follow A-grade food safety practices and reduce fines and violations.

New Guidance: A food service establishment that conducts a specialized food process must submit an HACCP Plan for Health Department approval. Use this checklist to submit required documents:

HACCP Plan Review Checklist (PDF)

Adulterated Foods: What Food Service Operators Need to Know (PDF)

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Dog and Cat "Cafes" (PDF)

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Restrictions on the Distribution of Plastic Straws, Splash Sticks, and Stirrers

Commercial Organics Requirements

Children’s Meals: What Food Service Operators Need to Know (PDF)

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Thermometer Calibration Guide (PDF)
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Food Service Establishments: Inspection Cycle and Letter Grading (PDF)

Protect the Hearing of Staff and Customers in Your Restaurant or Bar (PDF)

Practicing A-Grade Food Safety (PDF)
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Monitoring Food by Time as a Public Health Control (PDF)
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Written Consumer Advisory Rule: Serving Raw or Undercooked Food (PDF)
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NYC Health Academy Food Protection Training Manual

Dining with Dogs in Restaurants (PDF)

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Learn more about food safety

Requirements for Outdoor Dining Setups

If you plan to participate in the new Dining Out NYC program, review these requirements to make sure your outdoor dining setup is successful:

If your restaurant has 20 or more seats, including both indoor and outdoor seats, you must have a customer bathroom.

You may not allow smoking or vaping of any substance in any part of your outdoor dining setup. This follows the NYC Council's change to the Smoke Free Air Act.

You may allow dogs in your outdoor dining setup if you follow the Outdoor Dining With Dogs requirements (PDF).

You must expand your contract with a pest management professional so it covers your outdoor dining setup. For tips on hiring a pest management professional, see How to Reduce Rats Around Outdoor Dining (PDF).

You may not process food or store food, utensils or food equipment in the outdoor dining setup.

Floors in the outdoor dining setup must be made of durable, nonabsorbent materials that are easy to clean.

If you have questions about the:

NYC Health Department requirements, contact the NYC Health Department at infobfscs@health.nyc.gov or 212-676-1600

Dining Out NYC program, contact the NYC Department of Transportation at diningoutnyc@dot.nyc.gov or 212-839-4500

Pest Prevention

Rat Prevention: Food Service Establishments

How to Reduce Pests When Offering Outdoor Dining (PDF, September 22)

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Best Practices for Pest Proofing Food Service Establishments (PDF)

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Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Model Scope of Services (PDF)

Selecting and Working with a Pest Management Professional (PDF)

Find a New York State licensed pest management specialist

Sodium and Calorie Labeling

Calorie Labeling Guidance for Food Service Establishments (PDF)
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For calorie labeling guidance for chain food retailers, visit the Department of Consumer Affairs’ website and search “Calorie Labeling.”

Sodium Warning Rules for Chain Restaurants

Additional Resources

Consultative Inspections for New Food Service Establishments (PDF)
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What to Expect When You Are Inspected (PDF)

Trans Fat Help Center

Required Signs for Restaurants

The Inspection Process

Food Safety Videos

Food Service Establishments: Hand-washing Sinks

If you prepare food, you must have a separate hand washing station near each place you prepare food and in each restroom. Learn what your business needs to know about placing and using hand-washing sinks.

Food Service Establishments: Keeping Food Safe by Keeping Track of Time

If you serve food to customers, it is important to monitor the food’s temperature and the time held at room temperature to ensure it is safe to serve. Learn what your business needs to know about holding food safely before serving.