Revealed: Dirtiest places to eat in Auckland city

Photo / Greg Bowker

Central Auckland's dirtiest eating establishments have been named - with cockroach infestations to blame at two high-profile chain outlets.

Hygiene problems became so bad at 10 establishments that many were forced to shut temporarily, new information released by Auckland Council reveals.

Food grades in the former Auckland City region show 10 restaurants and cafes have received E grades, with 29 given a D grade.

Those with an E grade - the worst possible - include Kebabs on Campus, located at Auckland University of Technology, the Kiwi Music Bar & Cafe on Queen St, and popular chain outlets Masala Restaurant Mission Bay and Hollywood Bakery Sylvia Park.

Mervyn Chetty, Auckland Council manager environmental health, said grades took into account compliance with regulations, food safety knowledge and practice and the cleanliness of the premises. A new bylaw, introduced in July, meant businesses had to display grading certificate at their main entrance.

"E grades are deemed unsatisfactory and are generally closed until the problem has been rectified. Follow-up inspections are held until the premises are fit to serve food safely and hygienically."

Masala Restaurant in Mission Bay received an E grade in June this year.

Auckland Council received a complaint from the public and an officer inspected the premises, where a cockroach infestation was discovered.

"We immediately asked the restaurant to cease trading and begin eradication of the infestation," Mr Chetty said.

The restaurant has re-opened for business but must display its E grade for a minimum of two months.

Masala Mission Bay manager Manjit Singh said the E grade was due to an electrical fault. He was not sure about any cockroach problem.

"We have already applied for a second grade, probably within the next two days it will be coming to A."

Sebahattin Soykan, manager of Kebabs on Campus, said general cleanliness issues were to blame for his establishment's E grading. They had been quickly sorted out, he said.

Check out the grubbiest eateries on the map below and read on for a full list of low grade establishments:

Low grade

D grades:

Geihinkan/Ichiban, Auckland Central

Peter's Cafe, Auckland Central

Bun Hut, Victoria St East, Auckland Central

Saigon, Albert St, Auckland Central

Volt Convenience, Queen St, Auckland Central

Hobson Express Cafe & Takeaway, Auckland Central

Barilla Dumpling, Balmoral

The Roast Fish, Balmoral

Line Road Price Cutter, Glen Innes

Restaurant Carinthia, Glendowie

Empress Garden Limited, Herne Bay

Yummy Takeaway, Mt Albert

Bilbo's Takeaways, Mt Eden

Cheuk Cafe, Mt Eden

Chinese Steamboat Restaurant, Mt Eden

D H Supermarket, Mt Eden

Ruang Thong Thai 6, Mt Roskill

Yogiji's Food Mart, Mt Roskill

Zyka Indian Cuisine, Mt Roskill

Chicken Run, Mt Roskill

Xi'An Food Bar - Central Kitchen, Mt Roskill

Fu Man Lou Restaurant, Mt Roskill

Yummy Palace Restaurant, Newmarket

Star, Onehunga

Ulutoa & Sons Taste of Samoa, Otahuhu

Kwality Halal Meat Ltd, Otahuhu

Pakwan Indian Restaurant, Otahuhu

Classic Bake House International Ltd, St Johns

A Taste of Asia, Westmere

E grades:

The Kiwi Music Bar & Cafe, Rocket Drinks, Auckland Central

Kebabs On Campus, Auckland Central

iFun KTV, Freemans Bay

New Golden Horse Chinese Restaurant, Greenlane

Masala Restaurant, Mission Bay

Su Zhe Hui Restaurant, Mount Eden

Hollywood Bakery (Sylvia Park), Mount Wellington

Passion Food, Newmarket

Fruit & Island Produce, Onehunga

Jazz Inn, Penrose