Food Hygiene Ratings in Southampton

1,717 food businesses inspected. Average rating: 4.5 out of 5. 66.7% rated "very good".

1,717
Businesses
4.5/5
Average Rating
17
Rated 0 or 1
66.7%
Rated 5/5

Rating distribution

Very Good66.7%997
Good20.5%307
Satisfactory10.2%153
Improvement Needed1.4%21
Major Improvement1.1%17
Urgent Improvement0.0%0

Business types

Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen49028.5%
Retailers - other26715.6%
Takeaway/sandwich shop21912.8%
Other catering premises18010.5%
Pub/bar/nightclub1438.3%
Caring Premises1247.2%
School/college/university1116.5%
Mobile caterer814.7%

Food hygiene ratings in Southampton 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.

Southampton currently has 1,717 registered food businesses. Of these, 1,495 have been rated under the FHRS. The area performs broadly in line with the national average, with 66.7% rated 5 out of 5. The average rating across the authority is 4.5 out of 5. There are currently 17 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
Bangla Balti HouseSO16 6TJ1Oct 11, 2025
Bestone Testwood StoresSO15 8RP1Dec 11, 2025
Bitterne Post OfficeSO18 6TG1Dec 11, 2025
ChatimeSO14 2BY1Jan 27, 2026
Dragon's DenSO19 9AD1Nov 10, 2025
Farm Foods LtdSO17 2NH1Nov 17, 2025
GOASO16 2HZ1Dec 19, 2025
IcelandSO16 4EZ1Oct 08, 2025
International FoodsSO14 0DQ1Feb 15, 2025
Medina FoodsSO14 0AT1Apr 14, 2025
Na's Bar & GalleySO18 1AD1Dec 04, 2025
One Stop Lodge Road Convenience StoreSO14 6RJ1Oct 14, 2025
Pizza GogoSO15 2DB1Feb 02, 2026
Precinct SnaxSO15 5LL1Nov 13, 2025
Sams and King ChefSO18 6TE1Nov 08, 2025

Frequently asked questions

How many restaurants in Southampton have a 5 rating?+

There are currently 997 food businesses in Southampton with the highest FHRS rating of 5 (Very Good), representing 66.7% 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 Southampton?+

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 Southampton?+

Inspection frequency in Southampton 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