Russell's food hygiene rating
Retailers - other · Belfast City
Russell's 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 9 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: 78-80 Sandy Row, BT12 5EX
How it compares in Belfast City
That puts Russell's among the 2,117 places in Belfast City holding top marks, 73% 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 | 2,117 | 73% | ← Russell's | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 502 | 17% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 230 | 8% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 46 | 2% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 24 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 253 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 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 Russell's 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 Russell's, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apache Pizza Takeaway/sandwich shop | 236 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2025 |
| Archana Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 255 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 August 2024 |
| Alibi Pub/bar/nightclub | 357 yards away | 5 - Very good | 9 October 2018 |
| BABS Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 November 2025 |
| Acute Mental Health Unit Caring Premises | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 16 September 2024 |
| ACCA Longevity Clinic Retailers - other | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 October 2023 |
| Assured Sports T/A Assured Supplements Importers/Exporters | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 March 2026 |
| Bank Of Ireland Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 March 2026 |
Questions about Russell's
What is Russell's's food hygiene rating?
Russell's has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Belfast City Council on 9 August 2023.
Is Russell's 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 Russell's last inspected?
Russell's was last inspected on 9 August 2023, more than 2 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Belfast City Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Russell's?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "very good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "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 Russell's compare to other places in Belfast City?
73% of the 2,919 rated food businesses in Belfast City hold the top rating of 5, and Russell's is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Belfast City Council inspects Russell's 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 Russell's and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Belfast City inspects and rates 3,172 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Belfast City →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/buildingcontrol-environment/foodsafety/consumers-foodhygienescheme.aspx
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 →