What is the average food hygiene rating in Harlow?

The average food hygiene rating in Harlow is 4.73 out of 5, across 606 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.

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

82% of rated premises in Harlow hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 2.3 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Harlow 156 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 Harlow have a 5-star food hygiene rating?

497 food businesses in Harlow hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 82% of the 606 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 29 May 2026.

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

10 food businesses in Harlow 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 Harlow food hygiene data come from?

Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Harlow (680 establishments on record, 606 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 / Harlow

Food Hygiene Ratings in Harlow

In Harlow, 82% of 606 rated food businesses hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating, the highest on the Food Standards Agency scale. The average rating is 4.73/5. These figures cover 680 establishments on record (as of 2026-06-12).

Quick answer

Harlow has 497 food businesses rated 5 (Very Good) out of 606 rated premises (82%). 10 premises are rated 2 or below and need improvement. The most recent inspection on record is dated 29 May 2026.

5★ share: 82%
National average: 79.7%
vs national average: +2.3 pp
National rank: 156 / 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 Harlow

5★ Very Good

497 (82%)

4★ Good

72 (11.9%)

3★ Generally Satisfactory

27 (4.5%)

2★ Improvement Necessary

3 (0.5%)

1★ Major Improvement Necessary

5 (0.8%)

0★ Urgent Improvement Necessary

2 (0.3%)

Plus 32 awaiting inspection and 42 exempt premises (not included in the rated percentages above).

Percentages are of rated premises only. 32 awaiting inspection and 42 exempt premises are excluded from the percentages.

Food hygiene in Harlow: frequently asked questions

What is the average food hygiene rating in Harlow?: The average food hygiene rating in Harlow is 4.73 out of 5, across 606 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.
How does Harlow compare with the national average for food hygiene?: 82% of rated premises in Harlow hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 2.3 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Harlow 156 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 Harlow have a 5-star food hygiene rating?: 497 food businesses in Harlow hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 82% of the 606 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 29 May 2026.
How many food businesses in Harlow have a low hygiene rating?: 10 food businesses in Harlow 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 Harlow food hygiene data come from?: Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Harlow (680 establishments on record, 606 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 Harlow

De La CreamsMobile caterer · CM17
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 29 May 2026
TG Kitchen / The Grant's KitchenOther catering premises · CM17
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 29 May 2026
Jack And Jill's NurseryCaring Premises · Mark Hall Sport Centre, London Road, Harlow, Essex · CM17 9LX
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 26 May 2026
St Luke's Catholic AcademySchool/college/university · Pyenest Road, Harlow, Essex · CM19 4LU
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 22 May 2026
The Sandwich BarRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 8 Adams House, The High, Harlow, Essex · CM20 1BD
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 21 May 2026
Canteen CaffeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 3 Cawley Hatch, Harlow, Essex · CM19 5AN
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 20 May 2026
HCL Ltd At Pemberley AcademySchool/college/university · Pemberley Academy, Hodings Road, Harlow, Essex · CM20 1NX
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 15 May 2026
Raindrops Day Nursery LtdCaring Premises · Meadows Children Centre, Harberts Road, Harlow, Essex · CM19 4BU
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 15 May 2026
Tennessee Express HarlowTakeaway/sandwich shop · 5 North House, Bush Fair, Harlow, Essex · CM18 6PA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 15 May 2026
Olive Catering Services Ltd At SynthomerRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Central Road, Harlow, Essex · CM20 2BH
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 14 May 2026
Midwest KebabTakeaway/sandwich shop · 2-3 & 4 Staple Tye Mews, Perry Road, Harlow, Essex · CM18 7NW
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 10 May 2026
Pizza Hut Restaurants - Dine InRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 13 Queensgate Centre, Edinburgh Way, Harlow, Essex · CM20 2DA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 10 May 2026

Places needing improvement in Harlow

BudgensRetailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets · Unit A, Wisteria House, Wych Elm, Harlow · CM20 1FS
0/5 · Urgent Improvement NecessaryInspected 13 March 2026
Oasis HotelHotel/bed & breakfast/guest house · 2 Hart Road, Old Harlow, Essex · CM17 0HL
0/5 · Urgent Improvement NecessaryInspected 12 February 2026
Harlow International Youth HostelHotel/bed & breakfast/guest house · 13 School Lane, Harlow, Essex · CM20 2QD
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 27 February 2026
Namdy's African Restaurant & Bar LtdRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 23 - 24 Post Office Walk, Harlow, Essex · CM20 1BB
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 15 July 2025
Soul2SpiceRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 24 Wych Elm, Harlow, Essex · CM20 1QR
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 20 March 2026
Mobile Sandwich Van - DV61 TXCMobile caterer · CM20
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 27 February 2026
Riverway CafeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Ozdil House, River Way, Harlow, Essex · CM20 2DR
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 14 May 2026
Bush Fair ButchersRetailers - other · 6 Corner House, Bush Fair, Harlow, Essex · CM18 6NZ
2/5 · Improvement NecessaryInspected 20 August 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.

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Methodology

Figures are computed from 680 real Food Standards Agency records for Harlow, of which 606 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.