The Brew House at Kenwood. the exclusive Belsize Park restaurant Artigiano and a famous floating Chinese restaurant are among the Camden food outlets to receive a zero hygiene rating.

A total of 44 businesses were given the worst rating possible by Camden Council following an inspection by the council’s environmental health officers.

Italian restaurant Artigiano, in Belsize Terrace, was told it needed “urgent improvement” after live cockroaches and mouse droppings, were found in the kitchen. The restaurant’s website boasts that celebrities “regularly dine there”.

The report in November also said that the standard of cleaning was “extremely poor” and “significant amounts” of grease were on the floors, walls, ceilings and fixtures in the kitchen.

Owner Piero Guaredeghaia, 67, said that he had acted on the report, and was confident it would get a better rating. “We have a regular pest control visit, and they have given us a clean bill of health, and a builder has come down to deal with the issues raised. We are a clean kitchen”

Primrose Hill’s Feng Shang Princess Floating Restaurant found itself in choppy waters, after mouse droppings were found on the floor.

The owner said: “We originally had five stars but got a zero rating recently due to certain members of staff. This situation has since been resolved. We have now had an overhaul of our kitchens and are waiting for the new inspection to take place to take us back up to five stars.

In a visit to West Hampstead Fruit and Vegetables, in West End Lane, in March, council officers found mouse droppings on fruit and veg on the sale in the shop.

The grocers falls into the category which is assessed less often than restaurants and takeaways.

Aziz Ahsak, who owns the grocers said that issues had been fixed. “We have asked the council to come and rate us again. Everything is back to normal.”

Councillor Richard Olszewski, cabinet member for finance and transformation at Camden Council said: “Our residents’ safety is our priority. We will always step in to protect consumers and take action to bring these places up to standard.”

The rating is based on how food is handled, prepared and cooked.

The cleanliness, layout, lighting, and ventilation of the building are also considered.