How New Hanover County inspects restaurants, what the A, B and C grades mean, where to look up any score, and how to report a concern: 910-798-6667.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from New Hanover County Environmental Health and the state’s food establishment rules as published in the Inspection Management System.

Every restaurant, food truck and other food business in Wilmington is inspected by New Hanover County Public Health’s Environmental Health division, which scores it against North Carolina’s food rules and issues a letter grade. You can look up any establishment’s latest score in the state’s online database.

Who to call

How to look up a score

The county links the state’s Inspection Management System from its Environmental Health page. Search by the business name or street to see its inspection dates, scores and grades. The system covers restaurants and other permitted establishments across the county, including Wilmington, Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach.

When we checked on Oct. 11, the state’s database was not responding. If it will not load for you, try again later or call Environmental Health at 910-798-6667. We plan to add a table of the latest Wilmington scores here once the database is reachable.

What the grades mean

North Carolina scores food establishments out of 100%. The grading rule, 15A NCAC 18A .2662, sets the bands:

Score Grade
90% or more A
80% to under 90% B
70% to under 80% C
Under 70% Permit revoked immediately

Each inspection is recorded on a state form that lists the score and explains every point taken off, so the detail behind a grade is in the inspection report, not just the letter.

How to read a score fairly

  • A score is a snapshot. It reflects what the inspector saw on one visit, and the report notes any problem fixed during the inspection.
  • Look at the deductions, not only the number. A few points off for a worn floor tile is not the same as points off for food held at the wrong temperature.
  • Check the date. Owners can make changes after an inspection, and a later visit may show a different result.
  • A grade is not a health warning. Only the health department can close an establishment or revoke a permit. If you think food made you sick, call 910-798-6667.

Other places the county inspects

Environmental Health also permits and inspects temporary food vendors at festivals, mobile food units and pushcarts, tattoo artists, schools and child care centers, adult care homes, public pools, and septic systems and wells, according to the county.

Frequently asked questions

How do I look up a restaurant inspection score in Wilmington, NC? Search the state’s Inspection Management System for New Hanover County, which the county Health Department links from its Environmental Health page. It lists each establishment’s score and grade.

What do restaurant grades mean in North Carolina? Under state rules, a score of 90% or more earns an A, 80% to under 90% a B, and 70% to under 80% a C. A score below 70% means the permit is revoked immediately.

Who inspects restaurants in New Hanover County? New Hanover County Public Health’s Environmental Health division, 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 140. Call 910-798-6667, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

How do I report a food safety problem at a restaurant in Wilmington? Use the county’s Environmental Health Concern Form online or call Environmental Health at 910-798-6667.

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