Guide to Eating Safely in London

London is one of the world's great food cities, with over 80,000 food businesses spanning every cuisine imaginable. But with so much choice comes variation in hygiene standards. Here is how to make informed decisions about where to eat in the capital.

London's Food Hygiene Landscape

London is divided into 33 local authorities (32 boroughs plus the City of London), each responsible for inspecting food businesses in their area. Hygiene standards vary significantly between boroughs.

Some boroughs consistently rank among the best in the country for food hygiene, while others appear in the lowest-rated authorities. This variation is driven by factors including the number of food businesses per inspector, the mix of business types, and the resources available to each borough.

Best Practices for Eating Out in London

Check Before You Go

The simplest step is to search for the business on Food Hygiene Check before you visit. Type the name or postcode into the search bar and you will see the latest rating, inspection scores, and rating history within seconds.

Use the Map When Exploring

If you are in an unfamiliar area and looking for somewhere to eat, open our interactive map and zoom into your location. You will see all nearby food businesses colour-coded by rating, making it easy to spot the highest-rated options.

Check the Date

London has so many food businesses that inspection cycles can be long. A rating from several years ago may not reflect current conditions. If the inspection date is more than two years old, consider checking for more recent reviews or choosing a recently inspected alternative. See which businesses have the oldest inspections.

Look at Sub-Scores

Two restaurants both rated 3 might be very different. One might have excellent food handling but poor paperwork, while the other might have clean records but a dirty kitchen. The three inspection scores give you the detail you need.

Street Food and Markets

London's street food markets are hugely popular, and they are covered by the same rating scheme. Market stalls and food trucks are inspected by the local authority where they are registered. You can search for them by name on our site. If a stall does not display its rating, it is worth asking or checking online.

Takeaways and Delivery

Takeaways in London have a wide range of ratings. Before ordering from a new takeaway, take a moment to check its hygiene rating. This is particularly important for delivery-only kitchens ("dark kitchens" or "ghost kitchens") where you cannot see the premises yourself.

The Big Picture

Despite the variation, the majority of London's food businesses meet acceptable standards. The city's environmental health teams work hard to inspect businesses regularly and drive improvements. By using the tools available, you can navigate London's food scene with confidence.

Explore food hygiene ratings across London by browsing the England section and selecting a London borough.