Ruby's Kitchen food hygiene rating
Takeaway/sandwich shop · Gateshead
Ruby's Kitchen holds a 1: major improvement is necessary. The inspector found significant problems at the takeaway and the business is legally required to address them.
The rating: 1 - Major improvement necessary
This is a fresh result: Ruby's Kitchen was inspected on 18 May 2026, so the rating reflects what the inspector found very recently.
Address: 7-9 Clavering Road, Swalwell, NE16 3JJ
How it compares in Gateshead
A 1 is rare: only 9 of 1,434 rated places in Gateshead score this low, about one in 159. By contrast 82% of the borough holds a 5, so this is well below what the council's inspectors normally find.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,170 | 82% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 196 | 14% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 58 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 1 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ← Ruby's Kitchen | |
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 204 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Improvement necessary
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Improvement necessary
- How well they manage food safety Major improvement necessary
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Ruby's Kitchen the inspector recorded concerns over how food is handled, the condition of the premises and confidence in management. Because the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, that is what holds the score down.
What the business says
<p> Following our recent food hygiene inspection, we received a 1-star rating, due to historical issues.</p> <p> Since the inspection, we have completed a comprehensive action plan to address all matters raised. This has included a full deep clean of the premises, repairs and replacement of equipment where required, enhanced food safety procedures, and additional staff training.</p> <p> We have implemented all necessary improvements and will be applying for a re-rating inspection, where we look forward to demonstrating the high standards now in place.</p> <p> We would like to thank our customers for their continued support. We remain fully committed to providing safe, high-quality food and excellent service at all times</p>
Businesses have a right to reply to their rating. This response is published by the Food Standards Agency alongside the score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Ruby's Kitchen, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1771 Swalwell Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 257 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 February 2025 |
| B&M Retail Limited Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 14 August 2024 |
| Adams Fish Bar Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 January 2025 |
| Cafe 89 Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 17 September 2024 |
| Asda (Cafe) Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 3 February 2025 |
| Asda Stores Limited Retailers - supermarkets/hypermarkets | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2025 |
| Bubble CiTea Newcastle Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 June 2024 |
| Burger King Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 27 April 2026 |
Questions about Ruby's Kitchen
What is Ruby's Kitchen's food hygiene rating?
Ruby's Kitchen has a food hygiene rating of 1 out of 5 (major improvement necessary), given by Gateshead Council on 18 May 2026.
Is Ruby's Kitchen safe to eat at?
A 1 means the inspector found problems the business is required to fix. The takeaway is not shut down, a rating is not a closure order, but standards were found to be below what the law expects at the time of inspection.
When was Ruby's Kitchen last inspected?
Ruby's Kitchen was last inspected on 18 May 2026, a month ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Gateshead Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Ruby's Kitchen?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "improvement necessary", the cleanliness and condition of the building "improvement necessary", and confidence in the management of food safety "major improvement necessary". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Ruby's Kitchen compare to other places in Gateshead?
82% of the 1,434 rated food businesses in Gateshead hold the top rating of 5, while Ruby's Kitchen holds a 1. 9 places in the area share that rating.
Has Ruby's Kitchen responded to its rating?
Yes. Businesses have a right to reply, published alongside the rating. Ruby's Kitchen said: “<p> Following our recent food hygiene inspection, we received a 1-star rating, due to historical issues.</p> <p> Since the inspection, we have completed a comprehensive action plan to address all matters raised. This has included a full deep clean of the premises, repairs and replacement of equipment where required, enhanced food safety procedures, and additional staff training.</p> <p> We have implemented all necessary improvements and will be applying for a re-rating inspection, where we look forward to demonstrating the high standards now in place.</p> <p> We would like to thank our customers for their continued support. We remain fully committed to providing safe, high-quality food and excellent service at all times</p>”
Who decides the rating?
Gateshead Council inspects Ruby's Kitchen and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Ruby's Kitchen and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Is this your business?
A rating of 1 is public, and most customers look. Only 18% of people say they would order from a business rated 2 or below, against 94% from one rated 4. Delivery platforms may decline to list you.
We cannot change this rating, and nor can you. It was set by an environmental health officer at Gateshead, and it stands until they inspect again. What you can do:
- Fix what the inspector found, then ask the council for a re-inspection. Most charge between £120 and £316, and will not re-visit within three months of the original inspection.
- If you believe the rating is simply wrong, you have 21 days from being notified to appeal to the council. That is 21 calendar days, not working days.
- You may submit a right to reply at any time. It is published alongside the rating, here, and on the FSA's own site.
What a low rating means → · How re-inspections and appeals work →
Your council: Gateshead
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Ruby's Kitchen is one of 137 rated food businesses in Whickham. See every hygiene rating in Whickham →
Gateshead inspects and rates 1,638 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Gateshead →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.gateshead.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →