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)

  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)
    Other Languages: Español | বাংলা | 中文 | 简化字
    
  • 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.