The Surprise food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Lambeth
The Surprise holds a 4, meaning hygiene standards at the pub are good. It is a solid result, the inspector found nothing serious, though a 5 was just out of reach.
The rating: 4 - Good
The rating dates from 16 December 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 Surprise Public House, 16 Southville, London, SW8 2PP
How it compares in Lambeth
In Lambeth, 61% of rated places manage a 5, so The Surprise sits behind roughly 1,473 nearby businesses. 22% of the borough shares its 4.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,473 | 61% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 535 | 22% | ← The Surprise | |
| 3 out of 5 | 238 | 10% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 76 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 72 | 3% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 4 | <1% |
A further 236 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 Generally satisfactory
- How well they manage food safety Generally satisfactory
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 Surprise 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 Surprise, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2Juice Limited Distributors/Transporters | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 13 March 2026 |
| 9Kitchens Other catering premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 11 June 2026 |
| A's Filipino Pastries and Catering Services Limited Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 5 March 2025 |
| 43 Szechuan Kitchen Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 21 May 2026 |
| % Arabica Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 22 January 2025 |
| Abacus Nursery School School/college/university | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 January 2026 |
| 500 Degrees Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 December 2025 |
| ABM Foods Manufacturers/packers | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 August 2025 |
Questions about The Surprise
What is The Surprise's food hygiene rating?
The Surprise has a food hygiene rating of 4 out of 5 (good), given by Lambeth Council on 16 December 2023.
Is The Surprise safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 4 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this pub to be good, the top end of the scale.
When was The Surprise last inspected?
The Surprise was last inspected on 16 December 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Lambeth Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at The Surprise?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "generally satisfactory", and confidence in the management of food safety "generally satisfactory". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does The Surprise compare to other places in Lambeth?
61% of the 2,398 rated food businesses in Lambeth hold the top rating of 5, while The Surprise holds a 4. 535 places in the area share that rating.
Who decides the rating?
Lambeth Council inspects The Surprise 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 Surprise and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Lambeth inspects and rates 2,634 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Lambeth →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.lambeth.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 →