Latest figures show that 944 of the 1,090 listed restaurants and caterers across South Kesteven hold the top rating of five.
The ratings system informs consumer decisions about where to eat and where to shop for food across an increasingly varied range of outlets. As well as restaurants, this also covers takeaways, food vans and stalls, canteens and hotels, supermarkets and other food retailers.
Hygiene standards at registered food businesses come under the watchful eye of South Kesteven District Council's Environmental Heath team.
Although most will display their rating, it is not a legal requirement in England.
This summer, 99 premises had ratings of four (good); 38 had ratings of three (generally satisfactory); two had ratings of two (improvement needed); six had ratings of one (major improvement needed; and one had a zero rating (urgent improvement needed).
Cllr Rhea Rayside, Cabinet Member for People and Communities, said: "Our ratings are publicly accessible and speak for themselves on the quality of what consumers can expect and how our monitoring works.
"We can all be reassured by the Council's monitoring of the food hygiene standards we expect from all types of food outlets. If there are problems we are there to help businesses improve."
Businesses are scored in three areas:
• How hygienically the food is handled — how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored
• The physical condition of the business — including cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation, and pest control
• How the business manages ways of keeping food safe: the processes, training and systems to ensure good hygiene is maintained
Following the inspection, which can take up to two hours, the businesses receive a report and relevant food hygiene rating on the familiar green window stickers.
They can appeal if they feel a rating is unfair or wrong or apply for re-rating after carrying out improvements.
A zero-rated business can stay open but must make significant improvements. If problems persist and if there is an imminent risk to public health or the food may be unsafe to eat, they could be closed.
Poorly performing, non-compliant businesses can also face court prosecution, with a potential heavy fine.
The Food Standards Agency records all hygiene ratings and is also the place to register consumer concerns. Find out more by visiting https://ratings.food.gov.uk