What is the average food hygiene rating in Lewes?

The average food hygiene rating in Lewes is 4.77 out of 5, across 867 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.

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

85.4% of rated premises in Lewes hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 5.7 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Lewes 101 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 Lewes have a 5-star food hygiene rating?

740 food businesses in Lewes hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 85.4% of the 867 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 9 June 2026.

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

18 food businesses in Lewes are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 1 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 Lewes food hygiene data come from?

Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Lewes (958 establishments on record, 867 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 / Lewes

Food Hygiene Ratings in Lewes

In Lewes, 85.4% of 867 rated food businesses hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating, the highest on the Food Standards Agency scale. The average rating is 4.77/5. These figures cover 958 establishments on record (as of 2026-06-12).

Quick answer

Lewes has 740 food businesses rated 5 (Very Good) out of 867 rated premises (85.4%). 18 premises are rated 2 or below and need improvement. The most recent inspection on record is dated 9 June 2026.

5★ share: 85.4%
National average: 79.7%
vs national average: +5.7 pp
National rank: 101 / 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 Lewes

5★ Very Good

740 (85.4%)

4★ Good

84 (9.7%)

3★ Generally Satisfactory

25 (2.9%)

2★ Improvement Necessary

5 (0.6%)

1★ Major Improvement Necessary

12 (1.4%)

0★ Urgent Improvement Necessary

1 (0.1%)

Plus 42 awaiting inspection and 49 exempt premises (not included in the rated percentages above).

Percentages are of rated premises only. 42 awaiting inspection and 49 exempt premises are excluded from the percentages.

Food hygiene in Lewes: frequently asked questions

What is the average food hygiene rating in Lewes?: The average food hygiene rating in Lewes is 4.77 out of 5, across 867 rated restaurants, takeaways and cafes. This is the mean of real Food Standards Agency (FSA) ratings, as of 2026-06-12.
How does Lewes compare with the national average for food hygiene?: 85.4% of rated premises in Lewes hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — 5.7 percentage points above the national average of 79.7% across the 328 UK local authorities in the FHRS dataset. That ranks Lewes 101 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 Lewes have a 5-star food hygiene rating?: 740 food businesses in Lewes hold a 5 (Very Good) food hygiene rating — the highest on the FSA scale — which is 85.4% of the 867 rated premises. The most recent inspection on record is dated 9 June 2026.
How many food businesses in Lewes have a low hygiene rating?: 18 food businesses in Lewes are rated 2 or below and need improvement, including 1 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 Lewes food hygiene data come from?: Every figure is computed from real Food Standards Agency records for Lewes (958 establishments on record, 867 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 Lewes

The Smoke Shack BBQ & Pirates Fish ShackOther catering premises · BN8
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 9 June 2026
Rustico NeapolitanRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Unit 1 Villandry West Quay, Newhaven, East Sussex · BN9 9GB
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 8 June 2026
The Jamaican KitchenOther catering premises · BN10
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 8 June 2026
InspirationsOther catering premises · BN9
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 4 June 2026
Saltdean Vegatables LtdFarmers/growers · 4 Hartfield Road, Saltdean, East Sussex · BN2 8RE
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 3 June 2026
Nam's CateringMobile caterer · TN22
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 2 June 2026
St.James's Montefiore Cricket ClubRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · St James Cricket Club Keymer Road, Ditchling, East Sussex
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 2 June 2026
Everyday Brew CoRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Unit 24a Bluebell Business Estate Railway Lane, Sheffield Park, North Chailey, East Sussex · TN22 3HQ
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 29 May 2026
Newick Sports PavilionRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Newick Sports Pavilion King George V Playing Field Allington Road, Newick, East Sussex · BN8 4NA
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 27 May 2026
Company of Cooks @ Ridgeview Wine EstateOther catering premises · Head Office Ridgeview Winery Fragbarrow Lane, Ditchling, East Sussex · BN6 8TP
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 22 May 2026
Field Food LtdOther catering premises · Barcombe Nurseries Mill Lane, Barcombe, East Sussex · BN8 5TH
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 21 May 2026
Seaford Bowling ClubRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Seaford Bowling Club Chichester Road, Seaford, East Sussex · BN25 2DT
5/5 · Very GoodInspected 21 May 2026

Places needing improvement in Lewes

The Golden RoseRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Ground Floor 8 High Street, Newhaven, East Sussex · BN9 9PE
0/5 · Urgent Improvement NecessaryInspected 13 November 2025
Yorr LtdMobile caterer · RH15
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 27 August 2025
C Walbrin & SonsRetailers - other · 31 High Street, Seaford, East Sussex · BN25 1PA
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 1 July 2025
Over The Moo DairyManufacturers/packers · Lane End Farm East Grinstead Road, North Chailey, East Sussex · TN22 3QT
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 7 January 2025
Amie's KitchenRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · 20 High Street, Seaford, East Sussex · BN25 1PG
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 26 June 2025
Fort Road CafeRestaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Bite 2 Eat Fort Road, Newhaven, East Sussex
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 7 May 2026
My Little FarmRetailers - other · Highview Farmstead Streat Lane, Streat, East Sussex · BN6 8RU
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 15 December 2025
Big FishTakeaway/sandwich shop · 7 Fisher Street, Lewes, East Sussex · BN7 2DG
1/5 · Major Improvement NecessaryInspected 10 March 2026

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 958 real Food Standards Agency records for Lewes, of which 867 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.