Food hygiene inspections are regularly carried out throughout the year at all of the cafes, restaurants and takeaways in Darlington.

All of the inspections are carried out by officers from the Food Standards Agency.

They follow a set criteria which includes: 

  • Hygienic handling of food including preparation, cooking, re-heating, cooling and storage.
  • Management of food safety - System or checks in place to ensure that food sold or served is safe to eat, evidence that staff know about food safety, and the food safety officer has confidence that standards will be maintained in future.
  • Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building - Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building (including having appropriate layout, ventilation, hand washing facilities and pest control) to enable good food hygiene.
  • Establishments - including takeaways, cafes, restaurants, pubs and nightclubs - can be given different ratings for several reasons, including safety, cleanliness, paperwork, and training.

What each hygiene rating means:

  • 0 - Urgent Improvement Necessary
  • 1 - Major Improvement Necessary
  • 2 - Some Improvement Necessary
  • 3 - Hygiene Standards Generally Satisfactory
  • 4 - Hygiene Standards Good
  • 5 - Hygiene Standards Very Good

Here are the eight lowest rated takeaways and eateries in Darlington:

Rated 0

  • Shawarma Time at 151 Northgate, North Lodge, Darlington. Inspected on October 10, 2023.
  • Thai Lemon at 149 Northgate, North Lodge, Darlington. Inspected on December 14, 2023.

Rated 1

  • Croft W.M.C at 6 Hurworth Road, Darlington. Inspected on August 25, 2022.
  • Curry Express at 2 High Northgate, Darlington. Inspected on December 12, 2023.

Rated 2

  • China Star Takeaway at 107 Victoria Road, Darlington. Inspected on November 8, 2023.

  • Country Cuisine at 9B Brinkburn Road, Darlington. Inspected on September 15, 2022.

  • Ribbon at 120 Gladstone Street, Darlington. Inspected on October 10, 2023.

  • Yarm Road Chinese Takeaway at 291 Yarm Road, Darlington. Inspected on November 1, 2023.