Sambuca food hygiene rating
Pub/bar/nightclub · Newcastle Upon Tyne
Sambuca 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 8 December 2025, 7 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: Watergate Buildings 57 - 60 Sandhill, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3RG
How it compares in Newcastle Upon Tyne
That puts Sambuca among the 1,895 places in Newcastle Upon Tyne holding top marks, 75% 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 | 1,895 | 75% | ← Sambuca | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 318 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 178 | 7% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 83 | 3% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 40 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 11 | <1% |
A further 200 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 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 Sambuca 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 Sambuca, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aveika Pub/bar/nightclub | 95 yards away | 5 - Very good | 26 March 2025 |
| Babucho Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 143 yards away | 5 - Very good | 19 February 2025 |
| Axis Beer Pub/bar/nightclub | 369 yards away | 5 - Very good | 1 May 2025 |
| 21 Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 380 yards away | 5 - Very good | 30 September 2025 |
| Arch News Ncl Ltd Retailers - other | 405 yards away | 5 - Very good | 6 October 2025 |
| Alvinos Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 25 September 2024 |
| All Bar One Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 24 September 2025 |
| Ameens Takeaway/sandwich shop | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 26 March 2025 |
Questions about Sambuca
What is Sambuca's food hygiene rating?
Sambuca has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by Newcastle Upon Tyne Council on 8 December 2025.
Is Sambuca 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 Sambuca last inspected?
Sambuca was last inspected on 8 December 2025, 7 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by Newcastle Upon Tyne Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Sambuca?
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 "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Sambuca compare to other places in Newcastle Upon Tyne?
75% of the 2,525 rated food businesses in Newcastle Upon Tyne hold the top rating of 5, and Sambuca is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
Newcastle Upon Tyne Council inspects Sambuca 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 Sambuca and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
Free, for three businesses, forever. No password, we send you a link. How rating alerts work →
Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Newcastle Upon Tyne inspects and rates 2,725 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in Newcastle Upon Tyne →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.newcastle.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 →