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Open a restaurant in NYC,
You need certain certificates, permits and licenses from various city and state agencies, including the Health Department.
To see which type of permit and licenses you may need to apply for, visit our food service establishment permits page.
For help opening your business, visit NYC Small Business Services Start a Business portal.
Organize and maintain all of your NYC permits in one place, sign up for NYC Business.
The Health Department provides guidance to restaurant operators to help them follow A-grade food safety practices and reduce fines and violations.
Alcoholic Beverage On Premises Licenses
Allows a person to sell alcoholic beverages to patrons. The sale of food is a requirement for all license applicants.
To proceed with the On Premises application please go to the Application Wizard.
Tavern License Quick Reference
Planning on to sell or serve any alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption, you must have a license or permit. If you will be regularly open to the public, your principal business will be the sale of food or beverage, and will serve at least soups, sandwiches, and the like, a tavern license is an appropriate license.
Restauarant License Quick Reference
If you intend to sell or serve any alcoholic beverages for on premises consumption from any commercial space, you must have a license or permit. If you will be regularly open to the public, and will serve full entrée style meals (which are more than soups, sandwiches, and the like), a restaurant license is an appropriate license.
Obtaining a food handler’s license in New York
In New York, food preparation and service staff must obtain a Food Handler’s license within 30 days of hiring. To obtain the card, employees must pass a food safety test with a minimum score of 70%. Some jurisdictions have their own programs, exempting employees from the New York requirement.
Food Service Establishment Permit Requirements
Permits are issued by the local health department responsible for the area where the food service establishment is located. Please contact the local health department for more information.
Outside NYC
Food Protection Online Course for NYC
The Food Protection Course Trains individuals in food protection practices to ensure the safety of the food served in New York City’s food establishments. NYC Health Code requires that there be at least one supervisor certified in food protection on site any time a food service establishment and non-retail food processing establishment is operating. Completion of this course and passing of the final exam satisfies that requirement.
To receive a certification, you must first complete the free Online Food Protection Course, The online course is offered in English, Spanish and Chinese. The course is self-paced and consists of 15 lessons. You must complete each lesson and pass a quiz before moving on to the next lesson. The study guide and exam are offered in English and 36 other languages.
Final Exams
Online course is free, but you must pay $24.60 (including fees) to take the final exam to receive your certification.
You will be prompted to schedule an exam appointment once you successfully complete the course. You must pay with a credit card.
Must show up in person to take the final exam at:
NYC Health Academy
Riverside Health Center
160 West 100th Street, Third Floor, Manhattan
