The worst rated restaurants and cafés to eat in in Croydon

There are 105 cafés and restaurants in Croydon with a below satisfactory rating from the council’s Food Hygiene Rating Scheme

Seven of these scored a zero, meaning that urgent improvement is necessary.

The rating, set by the Foods Standards Agency, covers handling of food; how food is stored; how food is prepared; cleanliness of facilities and how food safety is managed.

During an inspection, an officer checks how hygienically the food is handled, the physical condition of the business, and how the business manages ways of keeping food safe.

All zero-rated businesses were inspected within the last six months.

The food places in Croydon with a zero rating, are:

1. Argentinian Grill & The Noodle Bar, Boxpark

​​Date of inspection: March 2023.

One Google reviewer said: “For the first time I didn’t check the reviews and tried the place that made me feel bad. I ordered salad with steak. The food looks was okay but the taste was so disgusting. The meat was not cooked and some parts completely red!!! Meat without any taste and hard to cut and eat.”

A spokesperson for the restaurant said: “Since the opening of the Argentinian Grill & Noodle Bar in Boxpark Croydon in November 2018 we have received and maintained the 5-star rating in food and safety.

“Due to some unforeseen issues we received this disappointing hygiene rating after an inspection took place and we had to shut our kitchen temporarily. However, we were able to reopen within 40 hours and cooperated with the EHO to quickly resolve these issues.

"We are keen to get rescored as soon as possible and have requested a new visit to reassure everyone that our food hygiene and safety is exceptional.”

Unit 12-14 Boxpark Croydon, 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD

2. Eden’s Kitchen, Boxpark

Date of inspection: February 2023.

One Google reviewer said the fish here was “unfresh” and the food “incredibly salty”.

“This is just quite frankly a disgrace to what a real Poké bowl is,” he said.

Eden’s Kitchen did not respond for comment.

Unit 40 Boxpark Croydon, 99 George Street, Croydon, CR0 1LD

3. Chicken World Peri Peri, Church Street 

Date of inspection: January 2023.

One Google reviewer said: “Quality is below the mark. I would not go there again.”

Chicken World did not respond for comment.

65 Church Street, Croydon, CR0 1RH

4. Fish N Fry, Thornton Heath

Date of inspection: March 2023.

One Google reviewer said: “Great chips but poor piece of fish, 60 per cent batter, usually ok from this establishment but not today.

"Probably won’t order fish again. A pie maybe?”

A spokesperson for Fish N Fry said: “The inspection was at the wrong time, on a Friday.

"They came at a busy time when we were understaffed, and they didn’t take into account.

"They said we hadn’t recorded the temperature of the food, but it was because we were so short-staffed. We’ve had maintenance done in the kitchen area; we’ve had to change the tiles.

“I lost a lot of money. I’m seriously upset about it.

"We’re a small fish and chip shop. With everything going on – electricity and gas prices rising – it’s not an easy job and they want everything to be perfect. I’ve reapplied for another inspection, but I haven’t heard back.”

109 Parchmore Road, Thornton Heath, CR7 8LZ

5. Hopy Shop, London Road

Date of inspection: November 2022.

The Hopy Shop has had no Google reviews in two years.

They were not available for comment.

1541 London Road, Norbury, London, SW16 4AD

6. Phoenix City Chinese Takeaway Phoenix City 

Date of inspection: June 2022.

One Google reviewer said: “Horrible food and staff, they have been taken over by new people that have 0 respect for customers. I also saw two rats running on the counter!”

Phoenix City responded: “We are the new people and have been running for last 5 years and always have our old customers back, and we have our Pets control team on records.”

222 Mitcham Road, Croydon, CR0 3JJ

7. Yummy Yummy

Date of inspection: January 2023.

One Google reviewer claimed there was “mould” on his chicken balls. “I threw up immediately and chucked everything away,” he said.

Another said: “Hands down the most disgusting Chinese food I have ever ordered in my entire 35 years of existence.”

Yummy Yummy were not available for comment.

65 Church Street, Croydon, CR0 1RH