DARK HORSE ESPRESSO BAR
401 Richmond St W · Food Premises
Inspection summary
DARK HORSE ESPRESSO BAR has been inspected 7 times by Toronto Public Health since January 8, 2024. The most recent inspection, on July 13, 2026, found no infractions.
5 of 7 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 3 inspections with 4 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Pests 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.
PestsHigher risk
Signs of mice, rats, cockroaches or flies, or gaps and clutter that let them get in or hide. Pests carry bacteria and can contaminate food and surfaces, so evidence of activity is treated seriously and usually triggers a follow-up visit.
Recorded once on July 9, 2026. For example:
PEST CONTROL
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 9, 2026. For example:
FOOD PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION
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 2 times on July 9, 2026. For example:
MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
Building, plumbing and upkeepLower risk
Floors, walls and ceilings must be smooth and clean, with working lighting, ventilation, plumbing, hot and cold water, and washrooms. These are rarely an immediate food-safety risk on their own, but persistent problems can lead to pest or sanitation issues.
Recorded 2 times on January 17, 2025. For example:
Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
About this data
These results come from Toronto 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.
7 inspections
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
4 infractions
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED TO KEEP FOOD-HANDLING ROOM FREE FROM EQUIPMENT NOT REGULARLY USED - SEC. 7(1)(F)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- FOOD PREMISE NOT MAINTAINED WITH CLEAN FLOORS IN FOOD-HANDLING ROOM - SEC. 7(1)(G)
- 08. PEST CONTROL
- Fail to protect against harbouring of pests - Sec. 13(1)
- 02. FOOD PROTECTED FROM CONTAMINATION
- USE FOOD EQUIPMENT NOT OF READILY CLEANABLE MATERIAL - SEC. 8(1)(C)
- 05. MAINTENANCE / SANITATION OF NON-FOOD CONTACT SURFACES / EQUIPMENT
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
2 infractions
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Food premise not maintained with non-absorbent floor surface where food handled - Sec. 7(1)(c)(i)
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Fail to maintain ventilation system to ensure elimination of vapours - Sec. 11
- 5C. Proper maintenance / washing of rooms (including washrooms)
- Inspection
0 infractions
- Inspection
0 infractions
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