Festival Cafe

Inspection summary

Festival Cafe has been inspected 14 times by City of Hamilton Public Health Services since June 30, 2022. The most recent inspection, on March 19, 2026, found no infractions.

6 of 14 inspections on record found no infractions at all. In the past 12 months there were 4 inspections with 3 infractions recorded. The higher-risk findings here relate to: Protecting food from contamination, Food temperature control and Pests.

The last 2 inspections in a row found no infractions. 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.

• 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 4 times across 2 separate inspections, most recently on December 17, 2024. For example: Floors, walls, and ceilings clean and in good repair and maintained in a sanitary manner

• 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 21, 2025. For example: Food is held at 4°C (40°F) or less

• 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 3 times across 3 separate inspections, most recently on November 18, 2025. For example: Food premise is protected against the entry and harbouring of pests

• 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 on May 6, 2025. For example: Testing reagent used to determine concentration of sanitizer

• 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 across 2 separate inspections, most recently on June 14, 2024. For example: The premises is operated and maintained free from potential/immediate health hazards

About this data

These results come from City of Hamilton Public Health Services, 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.

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