The Grape Vine food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · East Hertfordshire
The Grape Vine holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the shop met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 20 February 2003, more than 23 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: 20 Parliament Square, Hertford, Hertfordshire, SG14 1EZ
How it compares in East Hertfordshire
That puts The Grape Vine among the 977 places in East Hertfordshire holding top marks, 84% 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 | 977 | 84% | ← The Grape Vine | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 146 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 9 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 221 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Very good
- How well they manage food safety 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 Grape Vine 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 Grape Vine, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19/29 Cocktail Shop Manufacturers/packers | 42 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 February 2025 |
| Blackbirds Pub/bar/nightclub | 42 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 March 2026 |
| Elle's Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 53 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 April 2024 |
| Dinnio Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 84 yards away | 5 - Very good | 20 May 2025 |
| Costa Coffee Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 109 yards away | 5 - Very good | 2 May 2024 |
| BEAM Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 117 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 August 2024 |
| Country Markets Retailers - other | 125 yards away | 5 - Very good | 28 April 2010 |
| Hertford House Hotel Hotel/bed & breakfast/guest house | 154 yards away | 5 - Very good | 13 September 2025 |
Questions about The Grape Vine
What is The Grape Vine's food hygiene rating?
The Grape Vine has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by East Hertfordshire Council on 20 February 2003.
Is The Grape Vine 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 shop to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Grape Vine last inspected?
The Grape Vine was last inspected on 20 February 2003, more than 23 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by East Hertfordshire Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Grape Vine?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "very good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Grape Vine compare to other places in East Hertfordshire?
84% of the 1,168 rated food businesses in East Hertfordshire hold the top rating of 5, and The Grape Vine is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
East Hertfordshire Council inspects The Grape Vine 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 Grape Vine and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
The Grape Vine is one of 255 rated food businesses in Hertford. See every hygiene rating in Hertford →
East Hertfordshire inspects and rates 1,389 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in East Hertfordshire →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.eastherts.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 →