What is the average food hygiene rating in Colchester?

The average food hygiene rating in Colchester is 4.82 out of 5, across 1,363 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.

How does Colchester compare with the national average for food hygiene?

89.1% of rated premises in Colchester hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 9.4 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Colchester 45 of 328 by 5★ share (rank 1 = highest). Every figure is computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records used across this page.

How many restaurants in Colchester have a 5-star food hygiene rating?

1,214 food businesses in Colchester hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 89.1% of the 1,363 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 4 June 2026.

How many food businesses in Colchester have a low hygiene rating?

17 food businesses in Colchester are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 2 rated 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary). A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may since have improved — always check the current rating at the FSA.

What does a food hygiene rating actually measure?

The FSA food hygiene rating (0–5) reflects how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises, and how well the business manages food safety, recorded at its last inspection. 5 is Very Good and 0 is Urgent Improvement Necessary. It is not a measure of food quality or taste.

Where does this Colchester food hygiene data come from?

Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Colchester (1,667 establishments on record, 1,363 rated), sourced from ratings.food.gov.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as of 2026-06-12. No estimates or survey data are mixed in.

GeraEats / Food hygiene ratings / Colchester

Food Hygiene Ratings in Colchester

In Colchester, 89.1% of 1,363 rated food businesses hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating, the highest on the Food Standards Agency scale. The average rating is 4.82/5. These figures cover 1,667 establishments on record (as of 2026-06-12).

Quick answer

Colchester has 1,214 food businesses rated 5 (Very Good) out of 1,363 rated premises (89.1%). 17 premises are rated 2 or below and need improvement. The most recent inspection on record is dated 4 June 2026.

5★ share: 89.1%
National average: 79.7%
vs national average: +9.4 pp
National rank: 45 / 328

Ranked by 5★ share among 328 UK local authorities in our FHRS dataset (rank 1 = highest share). Both figures are computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records.

Rating distribution in Colchester

5★ Very Good

1,214 (89.1%)

4★ Good

83 (6.1%)

3★ Generally Satisfactory

49 (3.6%)

2★ Improvement Necessary

6 (0.4%)

1★ Major Improvement Necessary

9 (0.7%)

0★ Urgent Improvement Necessary

2 (0.1%)

Plus 167 awaiting inspection and 137 exempt premises (not included in the rated percentages above).

Percentages are of rated premises only. 167 awaiting inspection and 137 exempt premises are excluded from the percentages.

Food hygiene in Colchester: frequently asked questions

What is the average food hygiene rating in Colchester?: The average food hygiene rating in Colchester is 4.82 out of 5, across 1,363 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.
How does Colchester compare with the national average for food hygiene?: 89.1% of rated premises in Colchester hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 9.4 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Colchester 45 of 328 by 5★ share (rank 1 = highest). Every figure is computed from the same real Food Standards Agency records used across this page.
How many restaurants in Colchester have a 5-star food hygiene rating?: 1,214 food businesses in Colchester hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 89.1% of the 1,363 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 4 June 2026.
How many food businesses in Colchester have a low hygiene rating?: 17 food businesses in Colchester are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 2 rated 0 (Urgent Improvement Necessary). A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may since have improved — always check the current rating at the FSA.
What does a food hygiene rating actually measure?: The FSA food hygiene rating (0–5) reflects how hygienically food is handled, the condition of the premises, and how well the business manages food safety, recorded at its last inspection. 5 is Very Good and 0 is Urgent Improvement Necessary. It is not a measure of food quality or taste.
Where does this Colchester food hygiene data come from?: Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Colchester (1,667 establishments on record, 1,363 rated), sourced from ratings.food.gov.uk under the Open Government Licence v3.0, as of 2026-06-12. No estimates or survey data are mixed in.

Top-rated places in Colchester

Piccolo 42Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 42 North Hill, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1PY
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 4 June 2026
seafood at dawnRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Seafood at Dawn West Mersea Oyster Bar, Coast Road, West Mersea, Essex · CO5 8PA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 28 May 2026
The Greek's KitchenMobile caterer · The Greek Kitchen The Courtyard, Lion Walk, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1LX
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 21 May 2026
Pausa CafeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Unit 1, Turner Rise Retail Park, Petrolea Close, Colchester · CO4 5TU
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 19 May 2026
MillwrightsCaring Premises · 56A Baden Powell Drive, Colchester, Essex · CO3 4SR
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 19 May 2026
Pantry 61Other catering premises · Pantry 61 West View, 61 Straight Road, Boxted, Essex · CO4 5QY
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 15 May 2026
Thai 24Takeaway/sandwich shop · CO7
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 15 May 2026
KoryuRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 118 High Street, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1SZ
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
Away Resorts Mersea IslandOther catering premises · Elmcroft, Fen Lane, East Mersea, Essex · CO5 8UA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
Sam's bakes & cakesRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · CO2
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
PERA RESTAURANTRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 8 Yorick Road, West Mersea, Essex · CO5 8HT
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 13 May 2026
The Sugar Rush KingMobile caterer · CO4
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 11 May 2026

Places needing improvement in Colchester

M K StoresRetailers - other · 28A Turner Road, Colchester, Essex · CO4 5LB
0/5 · Urgent Improvement NecessaryInspected 19 August 2025
Coffee LinkRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Colchester North Railway Station, North Station Road, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1XD
0/5 · Urgent Improvement NecessaryInspected 22 April 2025
American Candy ShopRetailers - other · 1A St Botolphs Street, Colchester, Essex · CO2 7DX
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 14 October 2024
Wan Fung HouseTakeaway/sandwich shop · 30-32 North Station Road, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1RB
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 30 July 2025
Hythe Convenience StoreRetailers - other · Colchester General Repairs, Maudlyn Road, Colchester, Essex · CO2 8JB
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 24 March 2025
The Cake StoryRetailers - other · 4 Priory Walk, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1LG
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 23 July 2025
Shop on the HytheRetailers - other · 123 Hythe Hill, Colchester, Essex · CO1 2NP
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 13 March 2025
FoodbasketshopRetailers - other · 29 Priory Walk, Colchester, Essex · CO1 1LG
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 6 November 2024

A low rating reflects conditions at the last inspection and may have since improved. Always check the current rating at the FSA before drawing conclusions.

Own a food business in Colchester?

These listings are claimable. Claim your business to manage its GeraEats profile, accept online orders and reach more local customers.

Claim your listing on GeraEats

Other local authorities

Across the Gera ecosystem

GeraEats restaurants — order from kitchens in Colchester with live tracking.
GeraHome — book vetted local service providers.
GeraCompliance — food safety and regulatory checks for businesses.

Methodology

Figures are computed from 1,667 real Food Standards Agency records for Colchester, of which 1,363 carry a 0–5 hygiene rating. The average is the mean of those ratings; percentages exclude awaiting-inspection and exempt premises. No estimates or survey data are mixed in. Data as of 2026-06-12.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Food hygiene ratings are sourced from the Food Standards Agency at ratings.food.gov.uk. Ratings reflect the most recent inspection on record and may have changed since publication.