Wake County inspects Cary restaurants; 90 and up is an A. Of 733 routine Cary inspections in 2026 through Oct. 8, 727 earned an A. Call 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 Cary and the rest of the county. The Town of Cary 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 (27511, 27513, 27518, 27519)
- File a complaint: the county’s complaint page
- Bakeries are inspected by the N.C. Department of Agriculture: ncagr.gov/fooddrug
How the grades work
North Carolina grades food establishments under its 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.
Cary’s scores this year
We counted routine inspections of the 635 food establishments Wake County lists with a Cary address, from the county’s restaurant inspections open data. Most are restaurants (463) and food stands (110); the rest include school cafeterias, meat markets and food trucks.
| Period | Routine inspections | A | B | C | Below 70 | Lowest score | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 877 | 869 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 80 | 97.3 |
| Jan. 1 to Oct. 8, 2026 | 733 | 727 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 77.5 | 97.3 |
| Sept. 1 to Oct. 8, 2026 | 75 | 75 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 90.5 | 97.2 |
Method: “Cary” means the establishment’s address city in county records, which can include places with a Cary mailing address outside town limits and leaves out Cary businesses with another city in their address. We counted routine inspections only, not re-inspections. The open data had inspections through Oct. 8, 2026. We do not rank or name individual restaurants on this page; open the county’s report for any business to see its full history.
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.
Making a complaint
Wake County suggests speaking to the manager first. If that does not fix it, file a complaint online through the county’s complaint page or call 919-856-5700.
What this means for you
- Look up a restaurant’s full report history, not just its latest score.
- Report problems to the manager first, then to the county at 919-856-5700.
More guides: new businesses in Cary and who to call at Cary Town Hall.
Frequently asked questions
How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Cary?
Wake County Environmental Health and Safety posts every inspection report online. Search by name or ZIP code on the county’s health inspection reports site.
Who inspects restaurants in Cary?
Wake County Environmental Health and Safety inspects restaurants, food stands, food trucks and school cafeterias in the Wake County part of Cary. The Town of Cary does not inspect restaurants.
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.
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