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Which UK city has the best restaurant hygiene rating in 2025? A study by Alliance Online

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New data has revealed which UK cities are home to restaurants with the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings.

Our researchers analysed data from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) for 30 of the UK’s biggest cities and towns, to find Which town/city has the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings.

has the cleanest restaurants, cafes and canteens.

Which UK cities had the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings?

Our findings show that Salford is home to the cleanest restaurants, cafes and canteens with 197 of its 212 venues (93%) being awarded a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Ranking in second is Nottingham with 487 of its 602 venues (81%) currently holding a 5-star food hygiene rating.

In third place is Bournemouth with 462 out of 572 venues (81%) given a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Cities/towns with the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded to restaurants, cafes and canteens

City/TownNumber of 5-star food hygiene ratings awardedTotal number of restaurants, cafes and canteens% of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded
Salford19721292.82
Nottingham48760280.90
Bournemouth46257280.77
London63786573.64
Brighton54273973.34
Wakefield19827173.06
Sheffield988138271.49
Middlesbrough15922371.30
Doncaster34949570.51
Belfast67996470.44

How can restaurants, cafes and canteens meet the 5-star food hygiene rating?

For venues to meet the 5-star rating, they must ensure they maintain cleaning routines, strict food handling practices, up-to-date staff training, effective waste management, and provide food hygiene posters and signage.

Which Northern Irish cities had the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings?

As a leading catering supplier across Ireland, our researchers also analysed 10 of the most populous Northern Irish cities to find out where has been awarded the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings

Our findings show that Lisburn is home to the cleanest restaurants, cafes and canteens with 90 of its 104 venues (87%) being awarded a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Ranking in second is Newry with 88 of its 104 venues (85%) currently holding a 5-star food hygiene rating.

In third place is Bangor with 60 out of 74 venues (81%) given a 5-star food hygiene rating.

Cities with the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded to restaurants, cafes and canteens

RankCityNumber of 5-star food hygiene ratings awardedTotal number of restaurants, cafes and canteens% of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded
1Lisburn9010486.54
2Newry8810484.62
3Bangor607481.08
4Craigavon526580.00
5Carrickfergus364776.60
6Newtownards547275.00
7Ballymena537174.65
8Londonderry12316773.65
9Newtownabbey587973.42
10Belfast67996470.44

Which local authorities have the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings across England counties, Wales and Northern Ireland?

Our research, displayed in the below table, shows the local authority in each England region, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland, which has the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded to restaurants, cafes and canteens.

 Highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded to restaurants, cafes and canteens by local authority in each region

England regions & Wales & Northern IrelandLocal AuthorityNumber of 5-star food hygiene ratings awardedTotal number of restaurants, cafes and canteens% of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded
North WestCheshire East57869483.29
North EastStockton-On-Tees21923991.63
LondonCity of London Corporation64187073.68
East MidlandsBassetlaw18720292.57
East Counties AreaCastle Point9310390.29
South EastChichester23126886.19
South WestForest of Dean23026088.46
West MidlandsNewcastle-Under-Lyme768886.36
Yorshire and HumbersideNorth Yorkshire1302159981.43
Northern IrelandLisburn and Castlereagh City18021085.71
WalesAnglesey11813188.55

How do the local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland rank?

In terms of local authorities, Bassetlaw, in the East Midlands, has the highest percentage of restaurants, cafes and canteens, awarded a 5-star food hygiene rating. A full table of rankings can be found below:

All local authorities across England counties, Wales and Northern IrelandNumber of 5-star food hygiene ratings awardedTotal number of restaurants/cafes/canteens in the local area% of 5-star food hygiene ratings awarded
River Tees *Excluded due to low count* 33100
bassetlaw18720292.57
Stockton-On-Tees21923991.63
Castle Point9310390.29
Redcar and Cleveland19621989.50
Hartlepool12013588.89
Anglesey11613188.55
Forest of Dean23026088.46
Northumberland59968287.83
Dorset78590187.13

Maintaining high hygiene standards is crucial for restaurants to comply with food hygiene laws and to ensure that food is safe for consumption. This encompasses the handling, storage and preparation of food, as well as how food safety is managed, and the cleanliness of facilities.

It’s paramount that processes are in place in restaurants, cafes and canteens to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and ensure the safety and well-being of customers. For more information, check out our article regarding the difference hygiene standards make towards the success of your business.

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Which UK city has the best restaurant hygiene rating? A study by Alliance Online
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Which UK city has the best restaurant hygiene rating? A study by Alliance Online
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New data has revealed which UK cities are home to restaurants with the highest percentage of 5-star food hygiene ratings. The research from Alliance Online, one of the UK’s leading catering suppliers, aimed to find where in the UK is home to the restaurants with the best, and worst, hygiene ratings.
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Alliance Online
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