At each and every NC eatery, you'll find a card hanging in view with its restaurant sanitation score up to 100 from the NC Department of Health and Human Services. We're here to let you know what exactly those scores mean and shout out a few especially high-scoring spots in Raleigh.

About the scores

The purpose of these scores is to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses which can stem from a variety of factors. Restaurants are required to post the inspection so it's visible to all customers, and any restaurants earning lower than 70 will have their permit immediately revoked.

What counts as a violation?

There are 56 violations an eatery can potentially receive, where each infraction can deduct up to four points from a starting score of 100. These include:

Food cross contamination
An untidy or dirty cooking space
Improper staff hygiene procedures
Food stored in the temperature danger zone
Employees using bare hands on ready-to-eat food

You can read up on all the rules governing all commercial NC kitchens + restaurants in the state food code manual.

Local spots with a perfect score

We peeked at Wake County's restaurant sanitation score database to see who's earning top marks — this database is open to anyone and you can easily find up-to-date inspection details for any food or drink establishment.

Baja Burrito | This spot is hidden and big on flavor. Load up on toppings from this eatery, and don't forget the hot sauce.

Bittersweet | Chic and sweet, this cocktail bar serves up desserts, including sundaes, pies, and brulees.

Layered Croissanterie | This is one of Raleigh's most iconic sweet shops. Filled with air and a nice crunch, don't miss the fun + unique takes on a classic pastry.