Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Harlow
Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar 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 18 June 2008, more than 18 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: Playhouse Square, Harlow, Essex, CM20 1LS
How it compares in Harlow
That puts Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar among the 497 places in Harlow holding top marks, 81% 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 | 497 | 81% | ← Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 78 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 25 | 4% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 4 | 1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 5 | 1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 2 | <1% |
A further 76 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 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 Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar 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 Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adil Adori Retailers - other | 53 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 January 2020 |
| Burger King Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 63 yards away | 5 - Very good | 4 February 2025 |
| Acupuncture & Herbcare Retailers - other | 71 yards away | 5 - Very good | 18 February 2015 |
| Essex Affordable Food Hub Retailers - other | 81 yards away | 5 - Very good | 22 September 2025 |
| Claire's Accessories Retailers - other | 96 yards away | 5 - Very good | 21 December 2024 |
| Cake Box Retailers - other | 101 yards away | 5 - Very good | 16 January 2026 |
| Cineworld Cinemas Retailers - other | 101 yards away | 5 - Very good | 5 February 2024 |
| Couzens Bakery Retailers - other | 101 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 August 2025 |
Questions about Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar
What is Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar's food hygiene rating?
Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Harlow Council on 18 June 2008.
Is Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar 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 Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar last inspected?
Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar was last inspected on 18 June 2008, more than 18 years ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Harlow Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar compare to other places in Harlow?
81% of the 611 rated food businesses in Harlow hold the top rating of 5, and Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Harlow Council inspects Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar 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 Harlow Playhouse Cafe Bar and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Harlow inspects and rates 687 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Harlow →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.harlow.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 →