The Chapel Tap, Taunton

Originally a jeweller’s shop, hence the clock in the outside wall of the building, then more recently a clothing chain shop, it opened as a pub and cafe in November 2025 after substantial interior remodelling. On entry there is still the scent of newly-cut timber, though I suspect this will soon fade. There is now a bar on the ground floor with a servery at the side and a huge coffee machine on one side, stools provided for at-the-bar drinking and various wooden tables and chair. There is additional seating on the first floor. The business was established by the same team that runs The Chapel in Cotford St Luke, which is well-known for its ale and features on the Somerset CAMRA Ale Trails, so it was a bit of a surprise that this establishment doesn’t serve any cask ale. The two young male staff were friendly, though the customers were a mixed bag of shoppers wanting coffee, some young blokes who hadn’t yet learned how to wear a baseball cap and a couple of young mothers; I suspect most of them had come in for the novelty value. The beer choices were three from Utopian Brewing – Bohemian Lager, Premium Lager and Wondrous Isles IPA, plus London Black Porter, Quantock Radicle, Exmoor Sunset, and two ciders from Sheppey’s. Given the lack of ale and its proximity to other pubs I doubt I’ll make a habit of coming here, and I’m not sure I’d include in a crawl.