Bento Cafe in St Petersburg

Last inspected:

320 3 St S, St Petersburg, FL 33701
Overview

Bento Cafe in St. Petersburg operated as a permanent food service establishment with 70 seats across 24 inspections dating from 2016 to November 2025, accumulating 213 violations—an average of 8.9 per inspection, significantly above Florida's statewide average of 5.2. The facility recorded no emergency closures but faced escalating enforcement in 2025: two consecutive routine inspections in October and November each documented 33 violations including repeated high-priority citations for employee health reporting, food contact surface sanitation, proper cooking temperatures, and chemical storage, resulting in administrative complaint recommendations on both dates. Prior to 2025, compliance patterns were more variable—a March 2025 inspection yielded only 3 violations and Call Back - Complied status, but April and August 2024 inspections each documented 8–9 violations and Warning Issued dispositions. High-priority violations for employee health reporting appeared in 6 of the 8 most recent inspections; shell stock requirements and consumer advisory violations were also recurring findings. Food contact surface sanitation was cited as high-priority in at least 5 inspections. A single disciplinary action resulted in a $200 fine. The most recent inspection on November 3, 2025 documented 33 violations and resulted in an administrative complaint recommendation.

Summary generated from Florida DBPR public inspection records.

24Inspections
213Violations
0Closures
1Fire
$400in Fines

Last inspected DBPR:

Bento Cafe in St Petersburg: Comparison to Pinellas County Averages

This Facility 8.9 violations / inspection 8.9 violations per inspection
Pinellas County Avg 6.13 violations / inspection 6.13 county average
This Facility 0 emergency closures 0 closures
Pinellas County Avg 0.35 closures / facility 0.35 county average

Bento Cafe in St Petersburg: Fines & Disciplinary Actions (2)

Total fines on record: $400.00

Disciplinary action history for Bento Cafe in St Petersburg
Action DateCase NumberFineViolation DateEnforcement Office
3--2025086509 $200.00 Oct 23, 2025 Miami (Doral)
3--2019052310 $200.00 Aug 20, 2019 Fort Lauderdale

Bento Cafe in St Petersburg: Fire Safety & Life Safety Violations (1)

— 1 fire violation

— Routine - Food · 45-05-4 · Inspection Completed - No Further Action

Inspector Observation: Portable fire extinguisher missing from its designated location. For reporting purposes only. Two fire extinguishers located on the floor below hand wash sink in kitchen.

Bento Cafe in St Petersburg: Full Inspection History — DBPR (24)

— 4 inspections31 violations · 23 high priority
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
— Routine - Food· 11 violations (8 high priority)· Administrative complaint recommended
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

— Routine - Food· 6 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 3 inspections19 violations · 13 high priority
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (5 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 2 violations (2 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

— Routine - Food· 8 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 3 inspections17 violations · 12 high priority
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 1 violations (1 high priority)· Call Back - Complied

High Priority Violations

— Routine - Food· 7 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 3 inspections29 violations · 21 high priority
— Routine - Food· 10 violations (6 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 15 violations (12 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 2 inspections13 violations · 10 high priority
— Routine - Food· 4 violations (3 high priority)· Call Back - Complied
— Routine - Food· 9 violations (7 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 4 inspections21 violations · 11 high priority
— Routine - Food· 3 violations (2 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

— Routine - Food· 2 violations · Call Back - Complied

Intermediate Violations

Basic Violations

— Routine - Food· 8 violations (5 high priority)· Warning Issued
— Routine - Food· 8 violations (4 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action
— 2 inspections18 violations · 13 high priority
— Routine - Food· 5 violations (4 high priority)· Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended
— Routine - Food· 13 violations (9 high priority)· Warning Issued
— 3 inspections8 violations · 7 high priority
— Complaint Full· 0 violations · Call Back - Complied

No violations recorded for this inspection.

— Complaint Full· 6 violations (6 high priority)· Warning Issued
— Food-Licensing Inspection· 2 violations (1 high priority)· Inspection Completed - No Further Action

High Priority Violations

Intermediate Violations

Bento Cafe in St Petersburg: Frequently Asked Questions

When was Bento Cafe in St Petersburg last inspected?
Bento Cafe in St Petersburg was last inspected by Florida DBPR on November 3, 2025. The result was: Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended.
What are the most common violations at Bento Cafe in St Petersburg?
The most frequently cited violations at Bento Cafe in St Petersburg are: Employee health reporting, Consumer advisory, Shell stock requirements.
How many health inspections has Bento Cafe in St Petersburg had?
Bento Cafe in St Petersburg has had 24 inspections on record with Florida DBPR, averaging 8.9 violations per inspection, above the statewide average of 5.2.
What did the most recent inspection of Bento Cafe in St Petersburg find?
Bento Cafe in St Petersburg was most recently inspected on November 3, 2025 with 20 violation(s), including 4 high-priority violation(s). Disposition: Call Back - Admin. complaint recommended.
Has Bento Cafe in St Petersburg ever been shut down?
No, Bento Cafe in St Petersburg has no emergency closures on record with Florida DBPR.
What does Florida violation V03 (Employee health reporting) mean?
Violation 03 (Employee health reporting) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/03.
What does Florida violation V05 (Handwashing procedures) mean?
Violation 05 (Handwashing procedures) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/05.
What does Florida violation V08 (Proper hand/arm washing) mean?
Violation 08 (Proper hand/arm washing) is classified as a high priority violation under Florida DBPR food safety regulations. See the full explanation at floridafoodsafety.org/violation/08.
Has Bento Cafe in St Petersburg had any fire safety violations?
Yes, Bento Cafe in St Petersburg has 1 fire safety violation(s) on record from Florida state fire inspections.
Has Bento Cafe in St Petersburg faced any disciplinary actions?
Yes, Bento Cafe in St Petersburg has 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR totaling $400.00 in fines.
How much has Bento Cafe in St Petersburg been fined?
Bento Cafe in St Petersburg has been fined a total of $400.00 across 2 disciplinary action(s) on record with Florida DBPR.

Nearby Establishments to Bento Cafe

Poor Inspection Records Near St Petersburg

Stories You May Have Missed St Petersburg

This page is maintained by FloridaFoodSafety.org and is not affiliated with Bento Cafe. How we collect and verify this data.