The Red Lion food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · City of London Corporation
The Red Lion holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the pub met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 23 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. A lot can change in a kitchen in that time, and a rating this old says more about the business then than now. Councils prioritise re-inspecting higher-risk premises, so a long gap often means the business is considered low-risk.
Address: The Red Lion Public House, 1 Eldon Street, London, EC2M 7LS
How it compares in City of London Corporation
That puts The Red Lion among the 1,480 places in City of London Corporation holding top marks, 88% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,480 | 88% | ← The Red Lion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 125 | 7% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 35 | 2% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 29 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 14 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 116 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Very good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety Very good
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 The Red Lion none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to The Red Lion, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Paul Street Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 August 2024 |
| 10th Floor Coffee Bar - CFC Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 November 2025 |
| 8 Bishopsgate By Rhubarb Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 March 2026 |
| A&O Shearman LLP Other catering premises | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 October 2025 |
| 88 Beans Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 April 2025 |
| 3 Leaf Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 29 May 2026 |
| 2nigerianboys Mobile caterer | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 October 2025 |
| 081 Pizzeria Napoletana Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 October 2025 |
Questions about The Red Lion
What is The Red Lion's food hygiene rating?
The Red Lion has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by City of London Corporation Council on 23 August 2023.
Is The Red Lion safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Red Lion last inspected?
The Red Lion was last inspected on 23 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by City of London Corporation Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Red Lion?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Red Lion compare to other places in City of London Corporation?
88% of the 1,685 rated food businesses in City of London Corporation hold the top rating of 5, and The Red Lion is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
City of London Corporation Council inspects The Red Lion 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 The Red Lion 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 →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
City of London Corporation inspects and rates 1,801 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in City of London Corporation →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/homepage.htm
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 →