Dolphin Inn food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Exeter City
Dolphin Inn 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 28 March 2018, more than 8 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: 31 Burnthouse Lane, Exeter, Devon, EX2 6BG
How it compares in Exeter City
That puts Dolphin Inn among the 870 places in Exeter City holding top marks, 87% 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 | 870 | 87% | ← Dolphin Inn | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 88 | 9% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 30 | 3% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 7 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 111 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 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 Dolphin Inn 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 Dolphin Inn, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe RILD Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 November 2025 |
| Boots UK Ltd Retailers - other | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 July 2018 |
| Choy's Takeaway Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.5 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 December 2024 |
| C Royston & Mitchell Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.7 miles away | 5 - Very good | 18 June 2025 |
| Cake and Crumb Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 2 June 2026 |
| Allied Pharmacy Heavitree Retailers - other | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 July 2024 |
| Central Convenience Stores Retailers - other | 0.9 miles away | 5 - Very good | 4 June 2025 |
Questions about Dolphin Inn
What is Dolphin Inn's food hygiene rating?
Dolphin Inn has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Exeter City Council on 28 March 2018.
Is Dolphin Inn 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 Dolphin Inn last inspected?
Dolphin Inn was last inspected on 28 March 2018, more than 8 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Exeter City Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Dolphin Inn?
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 "very good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Dolphin Inn compare to other places in Exeter City?
87% of the 999 rated food businesses in Exeter City hold the top rating of 5, and Dolphin Inn is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Exeter City Council inspects Dolphin Inn 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 Dolphin Inn and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Exeter City inspects and rates 1,110 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Exeter City →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.exeter.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 →