Colchester Italian restaurant finalist in UK industry awards
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 17:29 · Archive
Taste of Italy in Colchester has been named a finalist for the Independent Italian Restaurant Award at the 2026 PAPA Industry Awards, just over a year after opening.
Taste of Italy at Northern Gateway Leisure Park in Colchester has been named a finalist for the Independent Italian Restaurant Award at the 2026 PAPA Industry Awards. The nomination comes just over a year after the restaurant opened in March 2025.
Taste of Italy was among the early additions to the Northern Gateway leisure park site, contributing to its food and drink offer. Vue cinema and the Clip 'n Climb centre have since opened at the location. The leisure park was around 95 per cent let in July 2026, with three units remaining.
A spokesman for Taste of Italy described the recognition as 'an incredible journey' from the restaurant's opening in Colchester to being 'recognised on a national stage'.
The restaurant emphasised that the PAPA Awards are not decided by popularity contests or votes. Instead, the assessment process involves incognito visits, where judges experience restaurants as ordinary customers without announcing their identity. The judges evaluate the real experience of food, service, atmosphere and attention to detail that an everyday customer receives on an ordinary day, with no special preparation or VIP treatment.
The 2026 PAPA Industry Awards winners will be announced at a ceremony at London Marriott Grosvenor Square on 6 November.
How it is being reported
- Independent Italian restaurant named one of UK's best just a year after openingColchester’s Taste of Italy, at Northern Gateway Leisure Park, is now a finalist for the 2026 PAPA Industry Awards’ Independent Italian Restaurant Award.Colchester Gazette · 16 Oct, 16:51
- Independent Italian restaurant named one of UK's best just a year after openingColchester’s Taste of Italy, at Northern Gateway Leisure Park, is now a finalist for the 2026 PAPA Industry Awards’ Independent Italian Restaurant Award.Echo (Basildon) · 16 Oct, 16:51
- Independent Italian restaurant named one of UK's best just a year after openingColchester’s Taste of Italy, at Northern Gateway Leisure Park, is now a finalist for the 2026 PAPA Industry Awards’ Independent Italian Restaurant Award.Brentwood Guardian · 16 Oct, 16:51
In this story: Taste of Italy · Northern Gateway Leisure Park · Colchester · PAPA Industry Awards · London Marriott Grosvenor Square
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