What is the average food hygiene rating in DL1?

The average food hygiene rating in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington is 4.83 out of 5, across 401 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.

How many restaurants in DL1 have a 5-star food hygiene rating?

360 food businesses in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 89.8% of the 401 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 12 June 2026.

How many food businesses in DL1 have a low hygiene rating?

8 food businesses in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 0 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 DL1 food hygiene data come from?

Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for the DL1 postcode area of Darlington (450 establishments on record, 401 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 / Darlington / DL1

Food Hygiene Ratings in DL1

Restaurants, takeaways and cafes in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington hold an average food hygiene rating of 4.83/5, with 89.8% rated 5 (Very Good). Covers 450 establishments on record (as of 2026-06-12).

Quick answer

DL1 (Darlington) has 360 food businesses rated 5 (Very Good) out of 401 rated premises (89.8%). 8 premises are rated 2 or below. The most recent inspection on record is dated 12 June 2026.

Rating distribution in DL1

5★ Very Good

360 (89.8%)

4★ Good

24 (6%)

3★ Generally Satisfactory

9 (2.2%)

2★ Improvement Necessary

5 (1.2%)

1★ Major Improvement Necessary

3 (0.7%)

0★ Urgent Improvement Necessary

0 (0%)

Plus 23 awaiting inspection and 26 exempt premises (not included in the rated percentages above).

Food hygiene in DL1: frequently asked questions

What is the average food hygiene rating in DL1?: The average food hygiene rating in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington is 4.83 out of 5, across 401 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.
How many restaurants in DL1 have a 5-star food hygiene rating?: 360 food businesses in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 89.8% of the 401 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 12 June 2026.
How many food businesses in DL1 have a low hygiene rating?: 8 food businesses in the DL1 postcode area of Darlington are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 0 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 DL1 food hygiene data come from?: Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for the DL1 postcode area of Darlington (450 establishments on record, 401 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 DL1

ALY'S MARTRetailers - other · 37 Blackwellgate, Darlington · DL1 5HW
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 12 June 2026
Costa CoffeeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Sainsbury's, Victoria Road, Darlington · DL1 5JG
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 9 June 2026
Sainsbury'sRetailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Victoria Road, Darlington · DL1 5YJ
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 9 June 2026
The PennyweightPub/bar/nightclub · 8 Bakehouse Hill, DARLINGTON · DL1 5QA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 4 June 2026
The Springfield HotelPub/bar/nightclub · Springfield Hotel, Salters Lane South, DARLINGTON · DL1 2RB
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 3 June 2026
The Grange Care HomeCaring Premises · The Grange, Whinbush Way, DARLINGTON · DL1 3PT
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 2 June 2026
The Other SidePub/bar/nightclub · 3B Houndgate, Darlington · DL1 5RL
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 29 May 2026
Darlington Cricket ClubPub/bar/nightclub · South Terrace, Darlington · DL1 5JD
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 27 May 2026
Secret Garden Darlington LtdSchool/college/university · Secret Garden Day Nursery, 50 Haughton Green, Darlington · DL1 2DF
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 27 May 2026
MFG Morrisons Daily Darlington North RoadRetailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC, 97 North Road, Darlington · DL1 2PY
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 22 May 2026
Mercure Darlington Kings HotelHotel/bed & breakfast/guest house · King's Hotel, 10 - 12 Priestgate, DARLINGTON · DL1 1NW
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 20 May 2026
Baanrai Thai Cafe And RestaurantRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 94 - 96 Parkgate, DARLINGTON · DL1 1RS
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 18 May 2026

Places needing improvement in DL1

Pick And PayRetailers - other · 102 Neasham Road, Darlington · DL1 4AQ
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 19 June 2024
Geneva ExpressRetailers - other · 84 Geneva Road, DARLINGTON · DL1 4NJ
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 30 March 2026
Pick And PayRetailers - other · 204A North Road, Darlington · DL1 2EL
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 5 June 2024
Parkgate NewsRetailers - other · 117-119 Parkgate, Darlington · DL1 1RZ
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 10 September 2025
Ming ChefTakeaway/sandwich shop · 6 Springfield Road, DARLINGTON · DL1 2QD
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 26 September 2025
B \& G Convenience StoreRetailers - other · 27 - 29 Yarm Road, DARLINGTON · DL1 1DZ
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 23 July 2024
RoyalTakeaway/sandwich shop · 22 Yarm Road, DARLINGTON · DL1 1XQ
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 14 October 2025
Della Mini MarketRetailers - other · Parkgate Mini Market, 107 Parkgate, Darlington, DARLINGTON · DL1 1RZ
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 25 March 2026

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Across the Gera ecosystem

GeraEats restaurants — order from kitchens near DL1.
GeraHome — book vetted local service providers.
GeraCompliance — food safety and regulatory checks for businesses.

Methodology

Figures are computed from 450 real Food Standards Agency records for the DL1 postcode area, of which 401 carry a 0–5 hygiene rating. The average is the mean of those ratings; percentages exclude awaiting-inspection and exempt premises. 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.