Amara's Cafe
43 Church St, St. Catharines ON L2R 7E1 · Restaurant
Inspection summary
Amara's Cafe has been inspected 5 times by Niagara Region Public Health since January 9, 2025. The most recent inspection, on July 13, 2026, found no infractions.
1 of 5 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 9 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Food temperature control, Cleaning and sanitizing and Protecting food from contamination.
The number of infractions per inspection has stayed roughly the same over time.
What these findings mean
Health authorities word their violations differently, so we group them by what they mean for food safety. Higher-risk findings are the ones inspectors treat as critical, because they can directly make someone sick.
Food temperature controlHigher risk
Bacteria multiply fastest between about 4 °C and 60 °C (40 °F to 140 °F). Inspectors check that cold food stays cold, hot food stays hot, cooked food is cooled quickly, and that staff have accurate thermometers. Temperature problems are one of the most common causes of food poisoning, so these are treated as critical findings.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on July 6, 2026. For example:
Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
Cleaning and sanitizingHigher risk
Anything that touches food, such as cutting boards, dishes and utensils, must be washed, rinsed and sanitized. Inspectors check dishwasher temperatures, sanitizer strength and how wiping cloths are stored. Poor sanitizing lets bacteria survive from one use to the next.
Recorded 2 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on January 21, 2026. For example:
Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
Protecting food from contaminationHigher risk
This covers how food is stored, prepared and displayed: raw meat kept away from ready-to-eat food, food covered and stored off the floor, and nothing dripping or splashing into it. Cross-contamination from raw to cooked food is a direct route for salmonella and E. coli.
Recorded once on July 6, 2026. For example:
Food is protected from potential contamination (e.g. food covered, labelled, off floor, sneeze guard).
Chemicals and toxic substancesHigher risk
Cleaning products, sanitizers and pesticides must be labelled and stored away from food and food-contact surfaces. Inspectors flag chemicals that could end up in food, as well as pest treatments applied without proper supervision.
Recorded once on January 21, 2026. For example:
Proper sanitizer test kit is readily available for verifying concentrations of chemical sanitizers.
Equipment and utensilsLower risk
Equipment has to be built from cleanable materials, kept in good repair and stored properly. These findings are mostly about upkeep, like a cracked shelf, a worn gasket or utensils stored the wrong way. They are generally lower risk but show how well the kitchen is maintained.
Recorded 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on July 6, 2026. For example:
Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
About this data
These results come from Niagara Region Public Health, which inspects food premises and other public facilities in this area. We republish the authority's public disclosure data and refresh it regularly; the official record is the final word.
5 inspections
- Re-inspection
0 infractions
- Routine Inspection
4 infractions
- Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Food is protected from potential contamination (e.g. food covered, labelled, off floor, sneeze guard).
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Routine Inspection
5 infractions
- Proper sanitizer test kit is readily available for verifying concentrations of chemical sanitizers.
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Equipment used for refrigeration or hot holding contain accurate indicating thermometers.
- Inspection Results Signage posted and clearly visible in a conspicuous location.
- Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
- Routine Inspection
3 infractions
- Surfaces which come in contact with food are maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
- Mechanical dishwashing is properly constructed, designed and maintained.
- An adequate number of handwashing stations are maintained and kept adequately supplied and are situated for convenient access by food handlers.
- Routine Inspection
1 infraction
- Food premise is kept clean and maintained in a sanitary condition.
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