Masala Express food hygiene rating
Takeaway/sandwich shop · Derry City and Strabane
Masala Express holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the takeaway met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 27 January 2026, 5 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: 8 Abercorn Square, Town Parks Of Strabane, Strabane, BT82 8AN
How it compares in Derry City and Strabane
That puts Masala Express among the 924 places in Derry City and Strabane holding top marks, 76% 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 | 924 | 76% | ← Masala Express | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 225 | 19% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 60 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 3 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 3 | <1% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 0 | 0% |
A further 127 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 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 Masala Express 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 Masala Express, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caffe Milano Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 22 yards away | 5 - Very good | 23 February 2026 |
| Charlie's Bar Pub/bar/nightclub | 22 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 January 2025 |
| Tusk Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 22 yards away | 5 - Very good | 27 January 2026 |
| Mitchell Meats Manufacturers/packers | 35 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 May 2026 |
| The Wok Inn Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 35 yards away | 5 - Very good | 14 November 2024 |
| Starlight Bar (aka Devlin's) Pub/bar/nightclub | 41 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 October 2024 |
| The American Bar (Strabane) Ltd Pub/bar/nightclub | 41 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 January 2025 |
| Joes Pub/bar/nightclub | 47 yards away | 5 - Very good | 1 August 2024 |
Questions about Masala Express
What is Masala Express's food hygiene rating?
Masala Express has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Derry City and Strabane Council on 27 January 2026.
Is Masala Express 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 takeaway to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Masala Express last inspected?
Masala Express was last inspected on 27 January 2026, 5 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Derry City and Strabane Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Masala Express?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Masala Express compare to other places in Derry City and Strabane?
76% of the 1,215 rated food businesses in Derry City and Strabane hold the top rating of 5, and Masala Express is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Derry City and Strabane Council inspects Masala Express 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 Masala Express and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Masala Express is one of 236 rated food businesses in Tyrone. See every hygiene rating in Tyrone →
Derry City and Strabane inspects and rates 1,342 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Derry City and Strabane →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.derrystrabane.com
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 →