PLAYA CAFE
1515 WASHINGTON AVE, Miami Beach FL 33139 · (305)538-1551
Last inspected Jul 13, 2026 · 8 visits since October 2023
AUG 24
FEB 25
SEP 25
APR 26
JUL 26
▼ IMPROVING
5 inspections trending up, 29 points better than where it started.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Form provided via email.
★ Spotless◆ Clean streak● Perfect year✓ Never fined
Awarded on the inspection record alone. What they mean →
Inspection history
8 visits, newest first
Jul 13, 2026Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 5 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
2 High priority2 Intermediate1 Basic
What the inspector wrote — 5 findingsThe state's own report →
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food.
Employee handled soiled equipment or utensils and then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed the dishwasher touch dirty dishes then clean dishes without washing her hands.
Food-contact surface soiled with food debris, mold-like substance or slime. Observed the can opener blade soiled.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Show the remaining 1 finding ▾
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Apr 2, 2026□ Call Back - CompliedRoutine Inspection
A return visit. The problems from the previous inspection had been dealt with.
1 High priority1 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed both cooks changed tasks removed gloves and put on new gloves without washing their hands.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Apr 2, 2026Warning IssuedRoutine Inspection
Violations found and a warning issued, with a return visit required. 7 recorded, 2 high priority.
2 High priority4 Intermediate1 Basic
Show 7 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed both cooks changed tasks removed gloves and put on new gloves without washing their hands.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw beef over plantains. The person in charge moved the plantains.
Food manager certification expired. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/. Observed Maria Rivas certification expired on 01-23-26. She has been employed here approximately 26 years.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed by the triple sink.
No soap provided at handwash sink. Observed by the triple sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Sep 8, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 8 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority2 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 8 findings ▾
Time/temperature control for safety food cold held at greater than 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Observed ham (49F - Cold Holding); roast beef (49F - Cold Holding); in the preparation cooler stacked to high. As per the cook the food was put on line approximately two hours ago. The cook removed ham of the ham and pork and put it the bottom of the cooler. The remaining ham and pork were 41°F.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No currently certified food service manager on duty with four or more employees engaged in food preparation/handling. A list of accredited food manager certification examination providers can be found at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/hotels-restaurants/food-lodging/food-manager/
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas. Observed throughout the kitchen.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed a half empty water bottle on the meat slicer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in a container of flour. The cook inverted it.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood filters soiled. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled at the front line.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic squeeze bottles not labeled throughout the kitchen.
Feb 26, 2025Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
No paper towels or mechanical hand drying device provided at handwash sink. Observed next to the triple sink. The manager brought towels.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed the metal pans not inverted over the triple sink.
Equipment in poor repair. Observed the sheet metal coming off the inside of door on the upright freezer.
In-use utensil in non-time/temperature control for safety food not stored with handle above top of food within a closed container. Observed in a container of flour. The manager inverted it.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed a large plastic container of flour not labeled. The manager labeled it.
Aug 15, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 21 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
3 High priority5 Intermediate13 Basic
Show 21 findings ▾
Employee failed to wash hands before putting on gloves to initiate a task working with food. Observed the cook at the front counter handle menus and plastic containers used by guests. Put on gloves and prepared sandwiches with out washing her hands.
Employee used tobacco, ate, or drank then engaged in food preparation, handled clean equipment or utensils, or touched unwrapped single-service items without washing hands. Observed a plate of food on a cutting board where a cook was portioning raw bacon.
Raw animal food stored over or with unwashed produce. Observed raw chicken over corn in the reach in cooler.
Employee washed hands in a sink other than an approved handwash sink. Observed a cook rinse her gloves at the triple sink.
Establishment has no written procedures for employees to follow in response to a vomiting or diarrheal event where the vomit or diarrhea is discharged onto surfaces in the establishment. Form provided via email.
Handwash sink not accessible for employee use at all times. Observed a trash can in front of both hand washing sinks.
No chemical test kit provided when using sanitizer at three-compartment sink/warewashing machine or wiping cloths.
No proof provided that food employees are informed of their responsibility to report to the person in charge information about their health and activities related to foodborne illnesses. Form provided via email.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food. Observed in a container of flour.
Cardboard used on floor as anti-slip measure not replaced every day or when heavily soiled, whichever comes first.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Clean glasses, cups, bowls, plates, pots and pans not stored inverted or in a protected manner. Observed several metal pans over the triple sink not inverted.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed a water bottle on the cutting board.
Employee eating while preparing food. Observed a plate of food and half empty bottle of water on a cutting board.
Equipment and utensils not washed, rinsed and sanitized in the correct order in three-compartment sink. Do not use dishes/equipment not properly sanitized. Observed a cook wash a plastic pan with soap and rinsed it with water. No sanitizer set up. I made the cook set up the sanitizer section of the triple sink and sanitize the pan.
Floor soiled/has accumulation of debris.
Food stored on floor. Observed a plastic container with bananas and a card board box with avocados on the floor at the front counter.
Ice scoop handle in contact with ice. Observed in the ice machine.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the hood and hood filters soiled.
Wet wiping cloth not stored in sanitizing solution between uses.
Working containers of food removed from original container not identified by common name. Observed several plastic containers with different foods not labeled.
Feb 12, 2024Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 3 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
0 High priority1 Intermediate2 Basic
Show 3 findings ▾
Handwash sink used for purposes other than handwashing. Observed pieces of cut vegetables in the hand washing sink next to the triple sink.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Employee beverage container on a food preparation table or over/next to clean equipment/utensils. Observed on a chest freezer.
Oct 5, 2023Inspection Completed - No Further ActionRoutine Inspection
Met inspection standards. 6 violations recorded, none serious enough to require a return visit.
1 High priority0 Intermediate5 Basic
Show 6 findings ▾
Raw animal foods not properly separated from each other in holding unit based upon minimum required cooking temperature. Observed raw chicken over beef in the upright refrigerator.
Accumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine/bin. Observed in the ice machine outside.
Bowl or other container with no handle used to dispense food.
Ceiling not smooth, nonabsorbent and easily cleanable in food preparation, food storage, or warewashing areas.
Nonfood-contact surface soiled with grease, food debris, dirt, slime or dust. Observed the reach in cooler gaskets soiled across from the triple sink.
Reach-in cooler shelves with rust that has pitted the surface. Observed in the reach in cooler behind the front counter.
This record follows the licence, not the owner. Restaurants change hands and the licence history normally does not, so an older entry may describe people who no longer run the place. Every inspection above links to the state's own report. Something wrong? Tell us.