Mr Tea in Coney Street scores one-star for food hygiene

City of York Council inspectors awarded the rating, which means ‘major improvement necessary’ to Mr Tea at 2 Coney Street following a visit on March 12.

The Food Standards Agency website says that for hygienic food handling, it was a matter of improvement necessary.

The cleanliness and the condition of the facilities and the building were rated generally satisfactory.

RECOMMENDED READING:

But management of food safety was rated as ‘major improvement necessary’.

The visit follows City of York Council gaining a Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Order from York Magistrates’ Court in January, ordering the venue to close temporarily.

As The Press reported at the time, the order said that the court was satisfied that at the time of inspection on January 27, 2026 at 2.30pm at the premises there was “an immediate risk of injury to health, namely there was an active vermin infestation”.

The order further said the business could not operate until the council was “satisfied that the food business operators has taken sufficient measures to secure that there is no longer an imminent risk of injury to health in respect of the food business at this premises”.

As The Press also reported, Mr Tea also received a one-star rating for food hygiene following a visit by inspectors on November 7.

Mr Tea before opening time (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Mr Tea also has a sister venue in Albion Place, Leeds, and is owned by Bluesky Ltd of Leeds. The Leeds café has a five-star rating for food hygiene, meaning ‘very good.’

The York venue is very popular with diners praising its bubble teas and authentic Taiwanese street food.

Google awards 4.6 stars out of five, based on 45 reviews.

One recent review said: “I’m happy I happened to be right around the corner. The tea was delicious and the person taking my order was very kind and helpful.”

The Press has asked City of York Council for a copy of the inspector’s report under the Freedom of Information Act.

Mr Tea did not respond to requests from The Press for comment.

The Press will publish its response should we receive it, along with the results of any future inspection.