On the Bab food hygiene rating
Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen · Hackney
On the Bab holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the restaurant met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 3 May 2024, 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: 305 Old Street, Hackney, EC1V 9LA
How it compares in Hackney
That puts On the Bab among the 1,470 places in Hackney holding top marks, 66% 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 | 1,470 | 66% | ← On the Bab | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 422 | 19% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 215 | 10% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 78 | 4% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 28 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 5 | <1% |
A further 395 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 On the Bab 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 On the Bab, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 081 Pizzeria Napoletana Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 251 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 October 2025 |
| 23 Paul Street Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 August 2024 |
| Acai Berry Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 January 2025 |
| 2nigerianboys Mobile caterer | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 October 2025 |
| A&O Shearman LLP Other catering premises | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 8 October 2025 |
| A J News Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 1 October 2018 |
| A Pinch of Salt Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 April 2026 |
| 93 Feet East Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 31 May 2026 |
Questions about On the Bab
What is On the Bab's food hygiene rating?
On the Bab has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Hackney Council on 3 May 2024.
Is On the Bab 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 restaurant to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was On the Bab last inspected?
On the Bab was last inspected on 3 May 2024, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Hackney Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at On the Bab?
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 On the Bab compare to other places in Hackney?
66% of the 2,218 rated food businesses in Hackney hold the top rating of 5, and On the Bab is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Hackney Council inspects On the Bab 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 On the Bab and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Hackney inspects and rates 2,613 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Hackney →
The official record is held by the council: https://hackney.gov.uk/environmental-health#food
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 →