A popular city centre restaurant known for its Kurdish cuisine has received a one-star food hygiene rating with "major non-compliance to legal requirements".

Nergiz, in Magdalen Street, has an impressive average score of 4.5 out of five from its customers from more than 300 Google reviews.

However, when a Norwich City Council inspector visited on March 29, they found that the restaurant required "major improvement" and that "a revisit is planned and formal enforcement is likely".

Norwich Evening News: Norwich City Council inspectors said a revisit is planned and formal enforcement action is likelyNorwich City Council inspectors said a revisit is planned and formal enforcement action is likely (Image: Newsquest)

The report referenced numerous concerns, ranging from having the "raw meat display next to dirty walls and plug sockets" to "the silicon sealant above the kitchen sinks being mouldy".

The council added there was evidence indicating staff needed training as food handlers as they "were not cleaning properly or washing their hands often enough".

Other risks were also pointed out after humous was uncovered in the bottom of the fridge, exposing it to contamination from above.

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Norwich Evening News: Nergiz opened on September 27, 2019 in Magdalen Street, taking over from the Green Chilli Indian restaurantNergiz opened on September 27, 2019 in Magdalen Street, taking over from the Green Chilli Indian restaurant (Image: Newsquest)

Kitchen work was also being carried out beneath the door leading to the street, meaning the inspector was concerned about "a lot of rough surfaces which harbour bacteria which cannot be effectively cleaned".

The city council said the contraventions required the restaurant's "urgent attention".

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Norwich Evening News: Nergiz Restaurant, located in Magdalen StreetNergiz Restaurant, located in Magdalen Street (Image: Nergiz)

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Nergiz opened in September 2019 after taking over from the Green Chilli Indian restaurant.

The restaurant serves meat and chicken shawarma wraps as well as sea bass with naan bread, chicken wings, lamb chops and chicken biryani.

The Evening News contacted the premises about the matter but it declined to comment.

 

Norwich Evening News: Nergiz declined to comment when contacted about the ratingNergiz declined to comment when contacted about the rating (Image: Newsquest)

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Businesses do not have to display the rating at their premises but are encouraged to do so.

Its most recent Google reviews include several five-star ratings featuring comments including that the food is "to die for" and that "great service" was provided.

Nergiz is the second culinary company in Magdalen Street to receive a one-star hygiene rating this year, along with Asian Bazaar which was inspected by the city council in March.