How Wake County grades Raleigh restaurants: 90 and up is an A. Of 2,217 routine Raleigh inspections this year, 2,189 earned an A. Questions: 919-856-5700.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Wake County Environmental Health and Safety and the North Carolina food protection rules. Scores carry legal weight; a score is one inspector’s findings on one visit.
Wake County Environmental Health and Safety inspects restaurants, food stands, mobile food units, school cafeterias and meat markets in Raleigh and the rest of the county. The City of Raleigh does not inspect restaurants. Reports go online soon after each inspection, the county says.
Who to call
- Wake County Environmental Health and Safety: 919-856-5700, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays
- Look up a restaurant: Wake County health inspection reports, search by name or ZIP code
- File a complaint: the county’s complaint page
- Bakeries are inspected by the N.C. Department of Agriculture, not the county: ncagr.gov/fooddrug
How the grades work
North Carolina grades food establishments under the state’s food establishment rules (15A NCAC 18A .2600):
| Score | Grade |
|---|---|
| 90 and up | A |
| 80 to under 90 | B |
| 70 to under 80 | C |
| Below 70 | Permit revoked |
Restaurants are inspected one to four times a year, depending on their menu and food processes, according to the county.
Raleigh’s scores this year
We counted routine inspections of the 2,126 food establishments Wake County lists with a Raleigh address, from the county’s restaurant inspections open data:
| Period | Routine inspections | A | B | C or below | Lowest score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,756 | 2,721 | 35 | 0 | 80.5 | 96.9 |
| Jan. 1 to Oct. 8, 2026 | 2,217 | 2,189 | 28 | 0 | 80 | 96.8 |
| Sept. 1 to Oct. 8, 2026 | 322 | 317 | 5 | 0 | 80 | 96.9 |
Method: “Raleigh” means the establishment’s address city in county records, which can include places with a Raleigh mailing address outside the city limits. We counted routine inspections only, not re-inspections. The open data had inspections through Oct. 8, 2026.
Reading a report
A score alone does not tell you what the inspector found. Open the establishment on the county’s inspection reports site to see each inspection and the violations recorded. The county’s open data also lists violations by inspection.
What this means for you
- A Raleigh restaurant with a B is uncommon: about 1 in 80 routine inspections this year.
- Check the report, not just the grade, before you decide.
- See something wrong? Tell the manager, then call 919-856-5700 if it is not fixed.
More on eating out: new businesses in Raleigh and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Raleigh?
Wake County Environmental Health posts inspection reports soon after each inspection. Search by name or ZIP code on the county’s health inspection reports site.
What is a passing restaurant score in North Carolina?
A score of 90 or more earns an A, 80 to under 90 a B and 70 to under 80 a C. A food establishment that scores below 70 has its permit revoked.
How often are Wake County restaurants inspected?
One to four times a year, depending on the menu and how the food is prepared, according to Wake County.
How do I report a problem at a Raleigh restaurant?
Wake County suggests speaking to the manager first. You can then file a complaint online or call Environmental Health at 919-856-5700.
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