Major improvement necessary: Lebaneat scores 1 in food hygiene rating

By Jasmine Davey

Lebaneat, Durham’s popular Lebanese restaurant, has been scored a 1 in the Food Standards Agency (FSA) hygiene ratings. 

The inspection, which was conducted in June 2025, established that Lebaneat’s hygiene practises required ‘major improvement’. The FSA’s assessment considers how hygienically food is handled, the physical condition of the business, and processes to ensure food safety. 

Speaking to Palatinate, Lebaneat confirmed it had carried out a “deep clean” and “addressed some necessary maintenance” following the rating. 

“We have since recently had a compliance visit from the food hygiene inspectors again where they noted improvements had been made, with some minor points regarding decoration and maintenance outstanding. Overall things were good.”

Lebaneat affirmed that it would be addressing remaining issues in the “near future”. The restaurant also confirmed plans for a complete refurbishment of its Durham City branch. The restaurant confirmed that a follow-up inspection has been booked, telling the Northern Echo “This reinspection is now booked, and we are awaiting their next visit and a new rating. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the 2025/2026 academic year and the return of the student population to Durham and look forward to meeting and serving new faces around the city.”

Lebaneat has previously been found to have issues with contamination. In 2024, then-operators, Adam & Amin Ltd, were fined £28,000 when a customer suffered a severe allergic reaction in the Durham branch. Peterlee Magistrates Court found that Adam & Amin Ltd had intentionally branched food safety regulations. 

When asked for comment, Lebaneat stated that “Adam & Amin Ltd are no longer trading and the restaurants are operated by a new food business operator. We can not comment further on this matter” (sic).

 Palatinate has previously reported that North Bailey’s Lebaneat lost its alcohol license and was fined £10,000 for employing an illegal worker, followed by a further £20,000 for hiring another. The restaurant has also been found to have sold alcohol illegally.  

Palatinate currently understands that the investigation into hygiene standards is ongoing. As a result of this, we are unable to publish further information regarding the details of the inspection at this time. We will continue to monitor this story.

Image credit: Abigail Tobias