How to check DineSafe results in Toronto: pass, conditional pass and closed

Walk into almost any restaurant in Toronto and you will see a small inspection sign near the door. That sign comes from DineSafe, the city's food safety inspection program, run by Toronto Public Health. Here is what it means and how to look deeper.

What is DineSafe in Toronto?

DineSafe is Toronto Public Health's program for inspecting restaurants and other places that serve food, and for publishing the results. Inspectors check things like food temperatures, cleanliness, pest control, food handling and handwashing. Each inspection results in a pass, a conditional pass or a closure, and the restaurant must display the result.

What do the DineSafe signs mean?

Sign	Result	What it means
Green	Pass	The restaurant met food safety standards at the time of inspection
Yellow	Conditional pass	The restaurant had significant issues that must be fixed; it is re-inspected soon after
Red	Closed	The restaurant was ordered to close because of a health hazard

A green sign is a snapshot of one inspection. A yellow sign means "being watched closely", not necessarily "dangerous right now".

What does a conditional pass mean?

A conditional pass means inspectors found significant infractions. The restaurant can stay open, but it must correct the problems, and inspectors return within a short time, often a day or two. If issues are not fixed, the restaurant can face further action. A yellow sign is worth noticing, but the follow-up inspection matters more than the sign itself.

What happens when a restaurant is closed by DineSafe?

A closed result means inspectors found an immediate health hazard, such as a serious pest problem, no hot water or unsafe food handling. The restaurant must stay closed until the problem is fixed and inspectors allow it to reopen. Closures are published, so you can see when and why it happened.

How do you look up a restaurant on DineSafe?

1. Go to the City of Toronto's DineSafe website.
2. Search for the restaurant by name or address, or browse the map.
3. Look at the inspection history, not just the latest result.
4. Read the infractions listed for each inspection.

How do you read DineSafe infractions?

Infractions are usually labelled by severity, such as minor, significant or crucial. Focus on:

• The severity. Crucial and significant infractions, especially around food temperatures and pests, matter most.
• Whether issues were corrected. Many infractions are fixed during the inspection.
• Patterns. One minor issue is normal; the same serious problem repeated is a warning sign.

Should you avoid a restaurant with a yellow sign?

Not automatically. Check what the issues were and whether a follow-up inspection shows they were fixed. A restaurant that quickly returns to a pass has dealt with the problem. Repeated conditional passes over time are more concerning.

Does DineSafe cover food trucks and markets?

DineSafe covers food premises across Toronto, which includes many places beyond restaurants, such as cafés, bakeries, takeout counters and food stalls. Coverage of mobile and temporary vendors can work differently, so if you want to check a specific vendor, search the DineSafe database or contact Toronto Public Health.

How often are Toronto restaurants inspected?

Inspection frequency generally depends on how risky the food handling is. A restaurant that prepares complex dishes from raw ingredients is usually inspected more often than a shop selling prepackaged snacks. Inspectors also visit in response to complaints. So the number of inspections a place has had says more about what kind of kitchen it is than about how clean it is.

How do you report a food safety concern in Toronto?

If you think you got sick after eating somewhere, or saw something clearly unsafe, contact Toronto Public Health. They investigate complaints, and your report can help others. Note the date, what you ate and any symptoms.

Do other Canadian cities have programs like DineSafe?

Yes. Many health units in Ontario and across Canada publish inspection results online. In Metro Vancouver, for example, Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health publish reports. The details and sign systems differ by region.

What else can tell you a restaurant takes care?

• Clean restrooms and dining areas.
• Hot food served hot and cold food served cold.
• Staff who know how dishes are made, especially when you ask about allergies.

Mosey is built around ratings from people who actually ate somewhere. Inspection results cover hygiene, while ratings cover the food and the experience; together they give you a fuller picture.

More guides to read next:

• Mississauga and Brampton food guide: Punjabi, Pakistani and Caribbean food in Peel Region
• Ontario restaurant bills and liquor rules: HST, the $4 rebate, bringing wine and tipping
• Little Portugal food guide: custard tarts, bifanas and Portuguese bakeries on Dundas West

More in the Canadian food guides and the ranked lists of places.