Food Hygiene Ratings in Lewes

911 food businesses inspected. Average rating: 4.7 out of 5. 83.4% rated "very good".

911
Businesses
4.7/5
Average Rating
13
Rated 0 or 1
83.4%
Rated 5/5

Rating distribution

Very Good83.4%664
Good11.1%88
Satisfactory3.3%26
Improvement Needed0.6%5
Major Improvement1.5%12
Urgent Improvement0.1%1

Business types

Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen33336.6%
Retailers - other16418.0%
Pub/bar/nightclub889.7%
Mobile caterer667.2%
Caring Premises525.7%
School/college/university505.5%
Takeaway/sandwich shop475.2%
Other catering premises353.8%

Food hygiene ratings in Lewes are assessed under the Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS), operated by the Food Standards Agency in partnership with local authorities. Every food business that handles, stores, prepares, or sells food is inspected by trained environmental health officers. Ratings run from 0 (urgent improvement necessary) to 5 (very good). The inspection covers hygienic food handling, the physical condition of the premises, and how food safety is managed.

Lewes currently has 911 registered food businesses. Of these, 796 have been rated under the FHRS. The area performs well above the national average, with 83.4% of businesses achieving the top rating of 5. The average rating across the authority is 4.7 out of 5. There are currently 13 businesses rated 0 or 1, meaning they require urgent or major improvement to meet food hygiene standards.

If you are eating out in this area, look for the green FHRS sticker displayed at the entrance of food premises. Businesses rated 3 or above are generally considered satisfactory, but a rating of 5 gives the strongest assurance. If a business has a low rating, it does not necessarily mean the food is unsafe right now, as improvements may have been made since the last inspection, but it does indicate that significant issues were found.

Data last updated: March 14, 2026

Lowest rated establishments

NameAddressRatingDate
The Golden Rose0Nov 13, 2025
Amie's KitchenBN25 1PG1Jun 26, 2025
Burts BakeryBN25 1RX1Dec 08, 2025
C Walbrin & SonsBN25 1PA1Jul 01, 2025
Hampden ArmsBN9 0JJ1May 23, 2023
Hedgewitch Foraged Fine FoodBN7 1Mar 25, 2025
Horaces Fish BarBN9 9PN1Feb 25, 2025
My Little FarmBN6 8RU1Dec 15, 2025
Newhaven coffee shopBN9 9PA1Jun 24, 2025
Optimax Fuels LtdBN7 3JJ1Jan 17, 2026
Plumpton Green StoresBN7 3BS1Jul 09, 2025
The Espresso RoomBN7 2UP1Jan 28, 2026
Yorr LtdRH151Aug 27, 2025
Freds Kitchen LtdBN7 2DA2Nov 14, 2024
Heritage RefreshmentsBN25 3JE2Feb 12, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many restaurants in Lewes have a 5 rating?+

There are currently 664 food businesses in Lewes with the highest FHRS rating of 5 (Very Good), representing 83.4% of all rated establishments. A rating of 5 means that the business was found to have very good hygiene standards at the time of inspection.

What does a food hygiene rating of 1 mean in Lewes?+

A food hygiene rating of 1 means 'Major Improvement Necessary'. This indicates that the food business was found to have significant problems with hygiene standards during its most recent inspection. The business is required to make substantial improvements. While it can remain open, it should be re-inspected to confirm improvements have been made.

How often are food businesses inspected in Lewes?+

Inspection frequency in Lewes depends on the risk level of the business. High-risk establishments (such as those with previous low ratings) may be inspected every 6 months, while low-risk businesses with a consistent rating of 5 may only be inspected every 2-3 years. The local authority's environmental health team manages the inspection schedule.

Data from official government food safety agencies