A POPULAR Indian restaurant in Taunton has been named one of the best in the South West and has announced the return of its annual Diwali feast.
Mattancherry Taunton, known for its Keralan cuisine, has been shortlisted as a top 10 finalist in the Regional Restaurant of the Year category at the Asian Restaurant & Takeaway Awards (ARTA) 2026.
Head chef Loganathan Ramasamy and front of house manager Gopinath Dharmalingam said: "We are absolutely delighted that Mattancherry Taunton has been shortlisted for yet another prestigious award celebrating both culinary and customer excellence.
"Every single member of our team plays an important part in the success of the restaurant, and we are incredibly proud of the passion, hard work and commitment everyone brings each day.
"Everything we do is about delighting our customers and giving them an experience they will want to come back for.
"We are also proud to be part of Taunton and to help put the town on the map as a great place to live and visit.
"To receive recognition on this national stage means a great deal to the whole team."
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The ARTA awards are considered one of the most respected honours in the UK’s pan-Asian hospitality sector, with more than 1,250 nominations submitted by diners across the country.
Selection criteria go beyond public support, including social media presence, food hygiene ratings, and verified customer reviews to assess each restaurant’s overall reputation and quality.
The awards ceremony will take place at the London Hilton on Park Lane on Monday, October 12.
Mohammed Munim, founder member and CEO of ARTA, congratulated all of this year's shortlisted businesses, describing it as a "remarkable achievement".
The nomination marks another milestone for Mattancherry Taunton, which has built a reputation for delivering authentic Keralan cuisine and high standards of customer service.
The restaurant now has the chance to further raise Taunton’s profile on the national food scene.
With the final just weeks away, the team is eagerly preparing for the ceremony and hoping to secure the regional crown.
Mattancherry has also announced it will be hosting its annual Diwali feast on Sunday, November 1, with lunch starting at 12.30pm and dinner at 5.30pm for £38.95 each.
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