Unsurprisingly, the capital of Taiwan—Taipei—is a popular vacation destination amongst Singaporeans and many other regional travellers. The Asian city is famous for its glorious street food, bustling night markets and cultural attractions.

Unlike Singapore, Taipei is blessed with a cooler climate and temperates do dip to approximately 13°C at its lowest in January.

We understand that most of you are too swamped with work and whatnot, so we have curated a 4D3N Taipei Itinerary for you guys. Here are 20 Tips On What To See And What To Eat in Taipei In Just 4D3N.

DAY ONE

#1 BREAKFAST AT AH CHUNG MIAN XIAN

Ah Chung Mian Xian is an inconspicuous vendor in Xi Men Ding selling piping hot bowls (small – NT$50, big – NT$60) of mee sua dunked in thick and rich gravy. The noodles are served with braised pig intestines. Complete your vermicelli dish with chilli oil, parsley, vinegar and whatnot. It opens at 10.30am daily and is often packed with tourists.

No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Mon – Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Tel: +886-2-2388-8808
Nearest station: Ximending

#2 SHOP AROUND XI MEN DING

When you are done with eating your bowl of Ah Chung Mian Xian, continue your exploration adventure Xi Men Ding. Make sure you travel there light – because you are bound to pick up several items during your retail therapy session.

Nearest Station: Ximen

#3 LUNCH AT TANKQ CAFE & BAR

Everyone goes to TankQ Cafe & Bar for their signature Breakfast Set (NT$320) which was served in a rustic wooden suitcase. Open the luggage and unveil its edible contents – buns, chicken sausages, fries, mashed potato, salad, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and three different sauces. The portion is very filling and the Breakfast Set is recommended for sharing.

No. 3-2, Lane 90, Songjiang Road
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2521 9930
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Songjiang Nanjing

#4 VISIT CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL

The grandeur of historical landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will leave you in awe. A massive bronze statue of Chiang – protected by military personnel – is house in an octagon-shaped monument house. These armed guards change their shift every hour via a ceremony.

No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2343 1100
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Source: Christopher Penniman

#5 PRAY AT LUNGSHAN TEMPLE OF MANKA

The Lungshan Temple of Manka – founded in 1738 – was set up by the immigrants from Fujian, China during the Qing dynasty. The complex is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, but it houses many other deities here too. The government proclaimed the temple a historical site of second grade in 1985 and it will be conserved for the future generations.

No. 211, Guangzhou St
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Tel: +886 2 2302 5162
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple

#6 VISIT TAIPEI 101

Standing at 508 metres, Taipei 101 is the tallest skyscraper in Taiwan and almost impossible to miss. A gigantic pendulum is mounted between the 88th and 92nd storeys of the iconic infrastructure, hence allowing it to withstanding earthquakes and typhoons.

Taipei 101, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101

#7 CHECK OUT TONG HUA NIGHT MARKET

You have not been to Taipei until you have visited at least one night market. Tong Hua Night Market – also known as Linjiang Night Market – is a must-visit. From Lu Wei, Scallion Pancake, Pig’s Blood to Yan Shu Ji, spend your night here sampling the diverse variety of Taiwanese street snacks (at very economical prices!) and you will definitely be stuffed.

Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang St
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Xinyi Anhe

DAY TWO

#8 VISIT XINGTIAN TEMPLE

Xingtian Temple aka Hsing Tian Kong is a temple devoted to Guangong – who is worshipped as the God of War and patron saint of businessmen. Xingtian Temple is relatively young and was built only in 1967 – its courtyard is usually filled with worshippers.

No. 109, Section 2, Minquan E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2502 7924
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple

#9 EAT AT AQUATIC ADDICTION DEVELOPMENT

Addiction Aquatic Development – developed by Mitsui Food and Beverage Enterprise Group – is a modern fish market with numerous concepts. Dine at one of their multiple on-site restaurants, shop for live seafood or purchase fresh sashimi and have an alfresco meal.

No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple

#10 EXPLORE YONG KANG STREET

The busy Yong Kang Street is a one-stop destination for all travellers. You can easily spend half a day exploring the bustling street and its adjoining alleyways. Fret not if you are travelling in a group with differing palates; Yongkang Street’s vast variety of dining options will definitely cater to the group’s varying preferences.

Yongkang Street, Da’an District
Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Nearest Station: Dongmen

#11 LUNCH AT THE FLAGSHIP DIN TAI FUNG

Singaporeans are no strangers to Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung. After all, we have many outlets on our sunny island. However, if you want to trace back to Din Tai Fung’s humble beginnings, then you do drop by their flagship store located in Yongkang Street’s vicinity.

No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +866 2 2321 8928
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dongmen

#12 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

The construction of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi District was completed in 1972 and it pays tribute to the founder of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Do make it a point to catch the hourly ceremony – where the stoic guards formally change their shifts.

No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Tel: +886 2 2758 8008
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

#13 SHOP AT FUJIN STREET

Spanning across 800 metres, the quaint tree-line Fujin Street is an up-and-coming Taiwanese neighbourhood; it boasts an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, hipster cafes and furniture stores. It is also one of Taiwan’s most underrated but trendiest lifestyle destinations, and celebrities are often spotted in this vicinity!

Fujin Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

DAY THREE

#14 DINNER AT RAO HE NIGHT MARKET

For an authentic Taiwanese experience, head to Taipei’s oldest night market called Raohe Street Night Market. The bustling bazaar is a stone’s throw away from Songshan MRT Station, hence making it an easily accessible attraction. Vendors usually start setting up their stalls at 5pm, but it is best to drop by around 7pm – where you get to catch the action in full force.

Rao He Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan

#15 BREAKFAST AT CHOOSE ME CAFE & MEALS

Choose Me Cafe & Meals is an independent speciality dessert cafe in Taipei. The cakes here are baked in-house daily and no artificial ingredients are used to create these gourmet masterpieces. Just look at the adorable Totoro Sesame Cheesecake (NT$160) – who could resist that?!

No. 423-1, Jinzhou Street
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2503 3386
Daily: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan Junior High School

#16 DAY TRIP TO JIU FEN

If time permits, we strongly encourage you to make a day trip to Jiu Fen. The mountainous attraction is only a 40-minute drive away from Taipei city centre and seriously, it is worth a special trip! Remember to try the Ah Zhu Peanut Ice-cream and Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake.

Source: Guide to Taipei

#17 RELEASE SKY LANTERNS AT SHIFEN

Embark on another 40-minute drive and head to Shifen Old Street. This attraction is renowned for an activity: Releasing sky lanterns. Head to one of the shops along the railway track and they will assist you; write your wishes on a lantern, light it up and watch the colourful lantern fly into the sky.

Source: Hanko 60

#18 DRINK AT HANKO 60

HANKO 60 is a speakeasy bar with a deceiving entrance: A retro movie theatre. But beyond the doors is actually an impressive cocktail bar serving innovative concoctions; expect to see your alcoholic drinks served in a mini bathtub, a popcorn bag and even a Chinese tea cup!

No. 60, Section 2, Hankou St,
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Tel: +886 2 2381 0808
Sun to Thu: 8pm – 2am
Fri and Sat: 8pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Ximen

DAY FOUR

#19 BRUNCH AT SMITH & HSU

Smith & Hsu is the best place for scones and tea in Taipei. Buttery, warm and lightly glazed on the crust, the scones are served with clotted cream and a spread of your choice. Choose from their homemade jams, marmalades, honey and lemon curd – our favourite spreads are the strawberry jam and lemon curd.

No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road
Tel: +886 2 8786 2877
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

#20 SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS AT CHIA TE BAKERY

Now that it’s time to go home, we suggest you Drop by Chia Te Bakery for some last minute shopping. Stock your baskets with boxes of Pineapple Cakes aka Feng Li Su – because you will only regret not bringing home more of these baked goodies.

No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing East Road
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 8787 8186
Daily: 7.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

The busy Yongkang Street is a one-stop destination for all travellers visiting Taipei. You can easily spend half or day—or even more—exploring the bustling street and its adjoining alleyways. Oh and don’t worry if you are travelling in a group with differing palates; Yongkang Street’s vast variety of dining options will definitely cater to the group’s varying preferences.

There are seriously ample options to choose from – think roadside vendors, Melbourne-inspired speciality coffee cafes, dim sum restaurants, French patisseries and more. From the original Din Tai Fung to CNN-recommended dessert store Smoothie House, here is our Guide To Taipei’s Yongkang Street and the cafes, restaurants & shops to visit.

BISCUIT & RABBIT CAFE

Biscuit & Rabbit Cafe is a cutesy independent Taiwanese 2-in-1 concept that hails from Kaohsiung. You can look forward to freshly baked cookies and a collection of handmade accessories.

No. 63, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 23584670
Tue to Sat: 10am – 7pm

BOÎTE DE BIJOU

Patisserie Boîte de Bijou serves delectable classic French desserts such as Citron Tarts, Madeleines and Mont Blanc. But you too can expect Asian-inspired sweet treats i.e. Yuzu Mousse.

No. 10, Lane 209, Section 2, Anhe Rd
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2739 6777
Daily: 10am – 8pm

BU ER TANG

Bu Er Tang serves every tea thinkable in its store. Totally clueless on this subject? Simply approach the staff and they will recommend you flavours based on your preference—and you can even taste them for free!

No. 10-5, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2395 9616
Daily: 11am – 9.30pm

CAFE XIAOMIJO

Cafe Xiaomijo is an artistic cafe tucked away in the same alleyway as For Good Cafe. The cosy and homely interiors make it a good pitstop for you to recharge with some cafe nosh and a cuppa.

No 5 Lane 41 Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +866 2 2395 7617
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 10pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 10pm

DIN TAI FUNG

Singaporeans are no stranger to Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung. After all, we have many outlets in our sunny island itself. However, if you want to trace back to Din Tai Fung’s humble beginnings, then you will have to drop by their flagship store located along Xinyi Road, right at the start of Yongkang Street.

No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +866 2 2321 8928
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 9pm

DUKE RABBIT CAFE

Duke Rabbit Cafe showcases a splendid selection of freshly baked homemade pastries and they are all affordably priced between the range of NT$75 to NT$130. How about some tiramisu and French strawberry tarts for you?

No. 6, Lane 37, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2396 8110
Daily: 11am – 10pm

EATING TIME

Every hour is eating time at Eating Time. The stylish restaurant’s comprehensive menu features a list of wholesome mains such as burgers (NT$230 – NT$280), grilled steaks and ribs (NT$800 – NT$1,000).

No. 18 Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2351 3663
Daily: 8am – 11pm

ECOLE CAFE

Escape the suffocating crowds of Yongkang Street and venture into Qingtian Street, where you will chance upon Ecole Cafe. The quiet cafe is aptly named after the French word for ‘school’—due to its proximity to Shida University.

No. 6, Lane 1, Qingtian Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2322 2725
Sun to Thu: 9am – 9pm
Fri and Sat: 9am – 10pm

ELEPHANT MACHINE COFFEE

Opened in April 2016, Elephant Machine Coffee is a new kid on the block. The cafe takes pride in serving coffee but has a rule whereby every dine-in patron has to purchase at least one beverage. From matcha shots, cold brew coffee to siphon coffee, this is ideal for coffee lovers.

No. 5, Lane 37, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2397 1680
Closed on Tuesdays
Mon, Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 6.30pm

FOR GOOD CAFE

For Good Cafe is always packed with customers. Their savoury food menu is unfortunately limited, therefore we suggest you grab a bite somewhere else first before heading here for their coffee, craft beers and desserts.

No. 12, Lane 41, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 3393 8659
Closed on Tuesdays
Mon, Tue to Sun: 12pm – 10pm

HAO GONG DAO

Hao Gong Dao has been around for decades and we love how a lot of stuff is going on at the shopfront i.e. stacks of bamboo steam baskets are piled atop each other, chefs are kneading dough at the open-kitchen and freshly cooked dim sums are displayed at the counter.

28-1, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2341 6980
Closed on Wednesdays
Thu to Tue: 9am – 9pm

KAO CHI

Shanghainese restaurant Kao Chi makes a great alternative to Din Tai Fung and you should try their xiao long baos and other Chinese delicacies. Thanks to media publicity, Kao Chi is now frequented by throngs of tourists—but take a closer look and you will notice that it remains a favourite amongst Taiwanese natives.

No. 5 Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2341 9984
Daily: 10am – 10pm

LA DOUCEUR PATISSERIE

Macaron lovers will have to make a special trip to La Douceur Patisserie, because this is where you can find Taipei’s best macarons. Macarons aside, you can also try their other decadent creations such as Matcha Cake, Cherry Mousse and 72% Dark Chocolate Tart.

No. 223, Jinhua Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116
Tel: +886 2 3322 2833
Sun to Thu: 1pm – 9pm
Fri and Sat: 1pm – 10pm

L’AIR CAFE NEO BISTRO

Are you a fan of French cuisine or know someone that is? Then you certainly have to check out L’Air Cafe Neo Bistro. We suggest you go for their set lunch (NT$2,200) as it allows you to savour the restaurant’s signature dishes at a very reasonable price.

No. 5, Lane 164, Jinhua Sreet
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 3343 3937
Closed on Wednesdays
Thu to Tue: 11.30am – 10pm

LU SANG

On the hunt for authentic Taiwanese dishes? Then look no further. Lu Sang’s affordable and well-curated menu boasts delicacies originating from Yilan (a region located along the east coast of Taiwan) and is arguably one of the best local restaurants at Yongkang Street.

No. 12-5, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2351 3323
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 9pm

OMA URSEL’S GERMAN BAKERY

Oma Ursel’s German Bakery’s facade resembles a European cottage. Set food inside and you will realise you are not too far from it. The bakery is lined with shelves of freshly baked bread and pastries, but you too can opt for dine-in and indulge in German classics such as Bratwurst Sausages.

No. 8, Lane 10, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2392 2447
Daily: 11.30am – 10.30pm

PETIT POT

Experience a little slice of Paris at Yongkang Street’s Petit Pot. Sink your teeth into zesty Lemon Tarts (NT$50), Hokkaido Strawberry Shortcake (NT$150) and whatnot. Everything here is so beautiful – good luck resisting all these temptations!

No. 8, Lane 12, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 27013901
Daily: 11.30am – 8.30pm

ROSE HOUSE

The Victoria-themed restaurant Rose House can be easily spotted afar with its dark-blue curtains and window frames. Catch up with your girlfriends over a Little Prince Afternoon Tea Set (NT$399) which comprises cheesecake, bacon burger, creme brûlée, rose lychee jelly, rose macaron, roll cake, scone, quiche and petite sandwiches.

No. 1, Lane 3, Li Shui Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2394 8202
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11am – 11pm

SLACK SEASON

Slack Season—otherwise known as Tu Hsiao Yueh—actually originates from Tainan. You can now savour the famous dan dan noodles without having to travel down south. Why not?

No. 9-1, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 3393 1325
Daily: 11.30am – 11pm

SMOOTHIE HOUSE

One of Taiwan’s most popular and bestselling shaved ice stores, Smoothie House is renowned for their mango snowflake ice.

No. 15, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2341 8555
Daily: 10am – 11pm

SUN MERRY

Sun Merry is located directly beside Dong Men MRT Station so it is almost impossible to miss it. The local bakery sells an assortment of breads, cakes and other pastries. You can also purchase boxes of Feng Li Shu home as souvenirs.

No. 186, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2392 0224
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm

THE GREEN STEPS

Surprise, surprise! The Green Steps is a tranquil cafe – situated away from the main streets of Yongkang – characterised by its surrounding lush greenery. Coffee served at this underrated cafe is however slightly expensive and you can expect to pay NT$180 for a cappuccino.

No. 27, Lane 243, Jinhua Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2392 3719
Daily: 11am – 11pm

TIAN JING CONG ZHUA BING

We spotted the crowd surrounding roadside vendor Tian Jing Cong Zhua Bing from far away. From what we know, the street hawkers have been busy flipping scallion pancakes for many years – yep, they have been around before Yongkang Street got gentrified by third-wave cafes.

No.1, Alley 6, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2322 2765

YONGKANG BEEF NOODLES

Yongkang Beef Noodles is an institution in Taipei – and you can find endless write-ups about in many printed and online travel guides. There is a wide selection of noodles and soup to choose from, but of course you have to try their famous beef noodles (NT$180)!

No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan S Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2351 1051
Daily: 11am – 3.30pm, 4.30pm – 9pm

YI PIN

Yi Pin is a speciality bubba tea store and we fell head over heels for their fragrant concoctions. Stick to milk tea beverages such as Roast Oolong Milk Tea (NT$55) or try their special drinks such as Guava Oolong Tea (NT$65) and Lemon Winter Melon with Bail Seed (NT$55).

No. 150, Jinhua Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2358 3825
Daily: 11am – 10pm

ZANG TIAN KA FEI DOU

There are no English signboard or whatsoever here and it turns out that Zang Tian Ka Fei Dou sells coffee beans. Budding and experienced baristas who would love to make their own coffees should definitely pay a visit.

No. 91, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2392 7770
Daily: 2pm – 9pm

ZENIQUE

Spoil yourselves silly with Zenique’s unique tea-based desserts such as Jardin des Fraises, Kyoto Matcha, Rose Versailles and Tarte Aux Fraises. Prices range from NT$160 to NT$180 per slice. Zenique also sells nine different flavours of macarons (NT$60 each).

No. 8, Lane 4, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2395 1558
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11am – 10.30pm

ZQG TEA & ICE

You might easily walk past ZQG Tea & Ice without noticing it. The near all-white interiors are brightened up by colourful tins of tea. Walk further in and be greeted by a gelato counter that contains freshly churned tea-based ice cream. Give their UJI Matcha and Oolong Tea ice cream a shot!

No. 30, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2356 9090
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Thu: 1pm – 9pm
Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Sun: 12pm – 8pm

8% ICE CREAM SHOP

As its name suggests, 8% Ice Cream Shop sells smooth gelato, creamy soft serve and icy popsicles; hence a must-visit especially during summertime. Attention-grabbing flavours include pumpkin sesame and pink grapefruit earl grey.

No. 6, Lane 13, Yongkang Street
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2395 6583
Daily: 12pm – 10pm

Read: 25 Reasons To Love Taipei

As its name implies, BRICK Works Café – located in Taipei Arena – is a Lego-themed café. The interesting concept features a spacious dining area and an onsite Lego toy store. We made a special visit to BRICK Works Café and confirmed that it is indeed an ideal playground for Lego fans.

There are plenty of Lego bricks displayed here. You can either admire the splendid exhibits or give into temptation and purchase some. Done with shopping? Now, you can sink your teeth into instagram-worthy food modelled after your favourite childhood toy whilst watching The Lego Movie.

Sit on Lego-inspired furniture, hug a Lego-figurine cushion, eat Lego-themed dishes and watch The Lego Movie while being surrounded by all things Lego. Yeah, it might sound a little over the top… But Lego lovers will be truly ecstatic with this fun-filled experience! Who said adults can’t have fun?

Maximise your trip here and customise a mini Lego figurine at NT$100 each. This hands-on opportunity allows you to unleash your creative potential and expand your Lego collection. From Disney Pixar Mini Figures to Nano Blocks, you can easily lose yourself in BRICK Work’s sheer number of Lego products.

Wrap up your trip with BRICK Works Cafe’s Lego Waffle (NT$180). The decadent baked treat – crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside – was served with sugar cereal, whipped cream, colourful rice, chocolate sauce and a scoop of mango ice cream on the side.

Even if you are not a Lego fan, we are certain that your kids will love this place.

BRICK Works Taipei
No. 2, Section 4, Nanjing East Road
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: 02-25789253
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Taipei Arena

For more recommendations, read our guide to 10 Best Themed Cafes & Restaurants in Taipei.

Taipei is renowned for their wide selection of night markets and interestingly themed cafes and restaurants which are pretty damn impressive. We have sieved out some Instagram-worthy destinations that you need to check out when in the popular Taiwanese city.

From Alice In Wonderland, Hello Kitty to Lego, here are 10 Best Themed Cafes and Restaurants In Taipei that you would definitely want to check out. We are not even exaggerating when we say people from all over the world flock to Taipei just to dine at these cafes!

Source: Amandalingg

#1 ALICE IS COMING

Fans of Alice In Wonderland can teleport themselves to this fantasy realm at Alice Is Coming. Enjoy a Mad Hatter Tea Party with your friends and sink your teeth into delectable sweet treat—all presented on gorgeous cake stands.

You do all these whilst sitting in life-size tea cups!

No. 111, Yanping S Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2311 0210
Daily: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Ximen

#2 BRICK WORKS

BRICK Works is a cafe-cum-store in Taipei dedicated to everyone’s all-time favourite childhood toy, LEGO. These bricks have fascinated generations and even sparked inspiration.

BRICK Works allows you to play with LEGO while eating LEGO-themed food.

No. 1, Yumen St, Zhongshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2597 9518
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 9pm
Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm
Sat: 11am – 9.30pm
Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Taipei Arena

#3 GUDETAMA CHEF

As its name suggests, Gudetama Chef is a Gudetama-themed cafe and is a dream come true for all Gudetama fans.From the waitresses’ uniform to dishes and plates, no expenses have been spared to ensure that Gudetama Chef has a Gudetama looking at you from every possible angle.

From the waitresses’ uniform to dishes and plates, no expenses have been spared to ensure that Gudetama Chef has a Gudetama looking at you from every possible angle.

No. 12, Lane 236, Section 1, Dunhua S Rd
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2752 9520
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua

#4 HELLO KITTY KITCHEN & DINING

Hello Kitty cafes are aplenty across Asia and you can visit one right in Taipei City’s Da’an District.

Hello Kitty Kitchen & Dining is all decked all in pink and the desserts here are not spared from the cat’s face. The only problem? They look so cute that you might not bear to eat them.

No. 90, Section 1 Da’an Rd
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2711 1132
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Fuxing

Source: Haruhii

#5 KUMAMON CAFE

Fictional character Kumamon is a Japanese mascot created in 2010 for a tourism campaign, but it has since then gained an insanely huge following. Treat yourselves to a Kumamon-themed Mucha Pancake (NT$360) whilst hugging a gigantic Kumamon toy.

Creepy or cute? You decide.

No. 42, Section 1, Nanjing E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2541 5837
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 8.30pm
Fri and Sat: 12pm – 9pm
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan

Source: Rilakkuma

#6 RILAKKUMA CAFE

Japanese cartoon characters have clearly taken the world by storm and Rilakkuma is one of the kawaii creations. A direct translation indicates that Rilakkuma literally means ‘bear in relaxed mood, and it is exactly what it is!

Taipei’s Rilakkuma Cafe is very popular and reservations are necessary to avoid disappointment.

No. 3, Lane 248, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2773 0303
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Source: Machi Doggie

#7 MACHI DOGGIE COFFEE

Pooch-friendly Machi Doggie Coffee is owned by Jay Chou’s wife Hannah Quinlivan. The dog-friendly cafe is dedicated to her pup Machi—where you can indulge in food presented in the most adorable presentations. Even the cups and plates are imprinted with Machi’s face.

The famous couple do make a special appearances from time to time!

No. 162, Section 1, Zhonghua Rd
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Tel: +886 2 2311 2227
Daily: 10.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ximen

Source: When On Earth

#8 MODERN TOILET RESTAURANT

The Modern Toilet Restaurant will have you sitting on a toilet bowl and eating from a toilet bowl. We are not even kidding.

Must-order dishes include the Modern Toilet Chicken Curry and Chocolate Ice Cream—both are intended to mimic the idea of eating poop. Holy shit.

108, Taiwan, Taipei City
Wanhua District, Lane 50, Xining S Rd
Tel: +886 2 2311 8822
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 10pm
Fri: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Ximen

Source: Oia Cafe

#9 OIA CAFE

Oia Cafe is home to a few free-roaming alpacas and if you have been meaning to play with one, here is your opportunity!

The cafe serves an array of Western-style dishes such as pasta and steaks. You can even feed the alpacas carrots and remember to take a selfie with them.

252, Sanzhi District
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Tel: +886 2 2636 3766
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tamsui

Source: Yuki Blog

#10 ZOO COFFEE

Zoo Coffee is a popular South Korean chain and an outlet has finally arrived in the capital of Taiwan. The spacious coffee shop is characterised by its zoo theme; think cushions printed with zebra stripes, wooden shelves shaped after elephants and lingering monkey plush toys.

No. 337, Section 3, Nanjing E Rd
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2717 7508
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipei Arena

Choose Me Cafe & Meals—located just a stone’s throw away from Zhongshan Junior High School MRT Station—is an independent speciality dessert cafe in Taipei.

The local cafe’s existence remains largely unknown amongst the expat and foreigner community, but Taiwanese girls are known to flock here just to take selfies with the cartoon-themed cakes.

The cakes here are baked in-house daily and no artificial ingredients are used to create these gourmet masterpieces. While Choose Me Cafe & Meals’ menu features several savoury dishes, it is the desserts that we came for.

We fell head over heels for their irresistibly cute Totoro Sesame Cheesecake (NT$160) and their zesty Lemon Tart (NT$120). Highly recommended!

//

The Totoro Sesame Cheesecake (NT$160) looked so adorable we almost couldn’t bear to eat it. The sesame cheesecake is baked freshly with Australian cream cheese; white chocolate is used for the chinchilla’s eyes and a thin layer of whipped cream is used for Totoro’s white belly.

There are also Disney-themed cheesecakes available such as Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc and Chip the chipmunk; the former is a matcha red bean cheesecake whereas the latter is a peanut cheesecake.

//

We love how Choose Me Cafe & Meals has successfully incorporated Asian ingredients into its cheesecakes. Fortunately, these sweet treats taste as good they look!

Instagram-worthy cheesecakes aside, the cafe is also known for their signature Lemon Tart (NT$120). Each citrus tart is topped with torched fluffy meringue and filled with smooth lemon curd. Its sweet crumbly pâte sucrée does a great job in offsetting the strong burst of tartness. We certainly wouldn’t mind another portion, please.

Choose Me Cafe & Meals
No. 423-1, Jinzhou Street
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2503 3386
Daily: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan Junior High School

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Everyone has had their fair share of fancy afternoon teas on a three-tier cake stand, but have you had brunch from a suitcase? This dining concept is complete new to us too and if you are interested – it is available right in the heart of Taipei city centre.

It is a signature dish at TankQ Cafe & Bar, where avid travellers can take their incurable wanderlust to a whole new epic level.

We arrived TankQ Cafe & Bar before its official opening time – and there was already a queue formed outside.

We heard about the local eatery from our Airbnb host and she described it as ‘the place where you could eat from a luggage’. There were no online english reviews and no english menu to refer to – and that was when we knew we had found a locals-only dining gem.

Everything on the menu is prepared freshly upon order, hence TankQ Cafe & Bar has stated that a minimum waiting time of half an hour is required before your food is ready.

Indeed, we waited at least 40 minutes before our food and drinks were served. Due to its overwhelming popularity, there is a maximum allocated dining duration of two hours for each table.

The Hot Latte (NT$150) and Hot Mocha (NT$160) took us by surprise as they were served in the cutest Baymax and Spiderman mugs. Each hot beverage is complemented with a chocolate brownie, gummy bear, aeroplane savoury biscuit and colourful sugar cereals.

We ordered their popular Breakfast Set (NT$320) which was served in a closed rustic wooden suitcase. Open the luggage and unveil its edible contents – buns, chicken sausages, fries, mashed potato, salad, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and three different sauces. The portion is incredibly filling and the Breakfast Set is recommended for sharing between two diners.

TankQ Cafe & Bar
No. 3-2, Lane 90, Songjiang Road
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2521 9930
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Songjiang Nanjing

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Taipei might just be one of the most underrated cities to visit. It doesn’t matter whether you are a foodie, a shopper, or if you simply enjoy marvelling at the wonders of nature – Taipei will have you covered.

So many street snacks to love, so many night markets to roam at, so many more karaoke sessions that we need, so many cultural centres to visit. Taipei is one destination in Asia you must visit.

Here are 25 Reasons To Love Taipei.

#1 THE CITYSCAPE AND ITS ORGANISED MESS

You’ve longed to see iconic skylines in cities like Paris and New York, but Taiwan’s scenic cityscape also holds its own charm. Signboards are everywhere, mostly with Chinese characters that we can’t read – but this mess is precisely what we appreciate.

#2 TAIWAN MILK TEA

Taiwan is home to many good milk teas. They come in bottles of all sizes and patterns, and can be easily found at all the convenience stores. Just pick one up at random and chances are it won’t disappoint.

#3 STEAMED DUMPLINGS

Taiwan might not be the origin of dumplings, but you will be able to find tons of these all over the streets. A plate of piping hot steamed dumplings are what we yearn for the most when we visit in the cold December.

#4 THE EFFICIENT METRO SYSTEM

Getting around the country is easy, especially when their metro system is clean, organised and very efficient. And inexpensive, of course.

#5 THE SHEER NUMBER OF NIGHT MARKETS

This goes without saying. Taiwan’s sheer number of night markets means every night will be occupied and fulfilling. We love roaming these markets and hunting for the best street hawkers and snack stalls.

#6 DIN TAI FUNG

Taiwan is, after all, the birthplace of the world-famous Din Tai Fung. Take things up a notch by visiting the brand’s very first outlet in Xinyi road.

#7 THE ARRAY OF CONVENIENCE STORES AT THE READY

Sounds silly, but if you’ve stepped in to one at Taiwan, you would realize how much it eases your life! Apart from the usual routines like picking up a snack or a drink, you can pay your utility bills, buy movie tickets, use the ATM, have your blood pressure measured, print documents and so much more – all within one convenience store.

Read more about the 12 Things That Make Taiwanese Convenience Stores So Awesome.

#8 YONG KANG STREET – A DINING DESTINATION IN TAIPEI

Yong Kang Street is a dining destination in Taipei. Whether its cheap and delicious Taiwanese snacks like ‘cong zhua bing’, shaved ice mountain or beef noodles; nice and chic cafes where you can get a cup of good coffee and desserts; or niche boutiques selling lifestyle products – there are plenty of options at Yong Kang Street. You can easily spend a day wandering in the alleys.

#9 TAIPEI 101 TOWER

When in Taipei, the Taipei 101 Tower is a must-see. The magnificent giant houses offices and many retail shops. Going up the tower will allow you to get an aerial view of the entire city too.

#10 CHIA TE’S SUNCAKCES AND PINEAPPLE TARTS

Chia Te makes some of the best Taiwanese pastries, and the queues outside their stores – comprising both locals and tourists – is proof of that statement.

#11 THE BEAUTIFUL STREETS OF JIUFEN

Jiufen retains an old-world charm; think bright red lanterns and cobbled pavement. The narrow, snaking streets are made up of souvenir and snack stalls. Jiufen is also a popular filming spot for Taiwanese TV programmes!

Read about the 7 Must-try Local Food at Taiwan’s Jiufen Old Street.

#12 PETS ARE PART OF BOUTIQUES

It is not every day that you get to play with Toy Poodles while shopping for your clothes in a local boutique. Taiwanese sure love their pets and they bring them along to work!

#13 FUJIN STREET – THE OTHER YONGKANG STREET

This is the other Yongkang Street you never knew about.

Primarily a residential area, Fujin Street is an upcoming area in Taipei that is littered with coffee shops and lifestyle boutiques. It is still pretty untouched by tourism, and the quaintness is exactly what we appreciate.

Read our guide on What To See & What To Eat at Fujin Street.

#14 SMITH & HSU TEA & SCONE SALON

For us, no trip to Taipei s complete without visiting the renown tea salon. They serve some of the best scones we’ve ever tasted, along with a myriad of fragrant tea flavours to choose from.

#15 XIMENDING

Ximending is probably the most bustling area in Taipei. This is where youngsters head to for some shopping fix and food. While the retail aspect is pretty acquired, we love Ximending for its food options.

#16 ALPACAS

Alpaca Cafe is real, and Oia Cafe is where you need to be at.

Oia Cafe is home to a few alpacas and they roam around freely in the cafe. Play with these adorable white creatures and feed them with carrots or food that are approved by the cafe’s owner—this is also the best way to get the alpacas to take a selfie with you.

#17 THE ENDLESS STREET FOOD

Fried squid, fried XXL chicken, sweet potato balls, taro chips, Taiwanese hot dogs, pork buns, milk tea, bittergourd juice… and the list goes on and on. Taipei is not for those who are on slimming diets.

And we say just eat to your heart’s content. The myriad of street food options is simply mind-boggling!

#18 ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT

Addiction Aquatic Development is a massive space that houses fresh seafood and aquamarine products, a large Japanese-style supermarket, and many themed restaurants and food kiosks under one roof.

It stands head and shoulders above other famous seafood markets in the world such as Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Market, Sydney’s Fish Market, and Perth’s Fremantle Market.

Watch our video of Addiction Aquatic Development on our Facebook page.

#19 KARAOKE SESSIONS

Because karaoke sessions are the best in Taipei. Holding personal concerts are what we do best, especially when the karaoke systems and rooms in Taipei are so impressive.

The song list is unbeatable too, for after all, Taipei is home to Mando-pop.

#20 AY-CHUNG MEE SUA

Yes, it is touristy. And yes, there are better mee sua in Taipei. But you know what? We still go to Ay-Chung Mee Sua every time we are in Taipei. It always hits the spot.

#21 THE PHOTOGENIC CITY STREETS

Let’s face it—Taipei has clean streets and you like your nice OOTD shots taken against the iconic background of motorcycles and yellow taxis, yes?

#22 DUNHUA SHOPPING AREA

This district in Taipei is home to a huge amount of stores selling new-age clothing. It is where the shoppers should know about.

#23 THE NEVER-ENDING AMOUNT OF SHOE STORES

Taiwanese seem to be really into the sports-luxe trend. Bagging home a pair of sneakers or two is easy peasy with the sheer number of options availabile—New Balance, Nike, Adidas, Ked’s and more.

#24 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

It is almost like a ritual for all first-timers to Taipei—a visit to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, who was the National Father to The Republic of China. It is a multi-purpose centre to learn more about Dr Sun’s contribution and his life.

The main entrance to the hall also contains a statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen. The renown guards-changing ceremony takes place hourly at the memorial hall’s entrance too.

#25 TRAIN RIDES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

You can take train rides to get from the city to more rural areas like Hualien. The trains are very comfortable, making the ride so much more painless. The trains will go past forests and mountains and rivers, and we love admiring those scenic landscapes along the way.

FOR MORE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO GO, READ OUR TAIPEI’S FOOD AND TRAVEL GUIDES.

If you don’t already know, Gudetama is an anthropomorphic Japanese egg yolk characterised by its laziness. It only made its debut in 2013, but has since gained “recognition” globally. We kid you not. From cushions to notebooks, Gudetama’s iconic sluggish body is now imprinted on almost every object thinkable.

So it is without surprise that an entire restaurant dedicated to the Gudetama has opened in Taipei’s Da’an District. The new Gudetama-themed restaurant—called Gudetama Chef—is currently Taipei’s latest craze and bookings are mandatory.

No expenses have been spared to ensure that an apathetic Gudetama is in both your central and peripheral vision at every possible angle. Food aside, even the ceiling lamps, furniture, plates and waitresses’ uniforms at Gudetama Chef are intentionally emblazoned with the world-famous lazy egg.

We dropped by Taipei’s newly opened Gudetama Chef restaurant on a Monday afternoon, only to be politely turned away.

“Gudetama Chef is fully booked for the rest of today,” the Taiwanese waitress—donning an egg-yolk hair clip—apologised. She then proceeded to apologise and reject several others who were all hoping to score a seat at the kawaii restaurant.

Time check? It was 1.45pm. We were expecting it to be quiet then, but the reverse was true.

Fortunately, we managed to score a reservation the following day at lunchtime. Interestingly, we watched the same saga unfold—endless people being turned away. Gudetama Chef’s overwhelming popularity is truly astounding. Everyone was on snap happy mode; patrons posed with the yellow-bricked walls as if the eatery’s façade was a Taiwanese landmark.

The menu features a comprehensive selection of salad, burger, pasta, pizza, risotto, pancakes and desserts. Needless to say, every dish will feature at least one idle Gudetama.

Our Tricolour Slush (NT$260) came in a Gudetama-printed plastic bottle. Yes, you can take the bottle home!

We had the Deep-fried Platter (NT$480) and Butter Fried Rice (NT$320)—the former comprises a basket of French fries, Taiwanese sausages, boneless chicken chunk and scotch eggs; the latter consists of Gudetama-shaped butter fried rice, fish and mixed vegetables. The menu claims that the fried rice would be ‘Best in the World’ but we beg to differ.

All in all, the food was fairly decent but there is honestly nothing much to shout about. Evidently, its success lies in the novelty of dining in a Gudetama paradise.

Taipei is too far away? Fret not. Singapore is jumping on the bandwagon and will be opening a Gudetama Café in Suntec City at the end of this November.

Gudetama Chef
No. 12, Lane 236, Section 1, Dunhua S Rd
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +886 2 2752 9520
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua

The quaint tree-lined Fujin Street is one of Taipei’s best-kept secrets. Spanning across 800 metres, this up-and-coming Taiwanese neighbourhood boasts an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, hipster cafes and furniture stores. It is also one of Taiwan’s most underrated but trendiest lifestyle destinations, and celebrities are often spotted in this vicinity!

Fujin Street is equivalent to Singapore’s hipster neighbourhoods Tiong Bahru and Haji Lane. The shops that line Fujin Street are tastefully designed and exude a mesmerising rustic charm; think brick walls, concrete floors and potted plants. The façade of these retail stores make a perfect backdrop for your OOTD and we felt like we were browsing through Pinterest—but in real life.

From boutique florist Botanica, Fujin Tree 353 Cafe by Simple Kaffa, Restaurant Pinecone to fashion apparel store BEAMS, here is our Guide to Taipei’s Fujin Street and the 15 Cafes and Shops To Check Out.

#1 BEAMS

You might know BEAMS—a fashion apparel store selling both womenswear and menswear—from Japan.

Trendy finds and eclectic designs are part of the norm at BEAMS, and Fashionistas should definitely make a stop here to check out what BEAMS has to offer.

No. 340, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#2 BEANS AND BEATS

Taiwanese hip-hop music label Kao! Inc shares the same space as Beans and Beats.

The former was created first, but its soaring popularity has since then encouraged its owner to start serving coffee and food to its customers. Today, Beans and Beats is a 2-in-1 concept coffeehouse.

No. 346, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2765 5533
Mon to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#3 BOTANICA

Botanica is such a beautiful boutique florist that you wouldn’t be able to walk past it without doing a double take. From mini bouquets to stalks of roses, the head-turner sells a variety of flowers that will brighten up any girl’s day.

No. 470, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 749 1533
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#4 CAFE MODE

Cafe Mode was established in 2013 and the spacious cafe has a unique theme: Wooden rocking horse.

The cafe has an open kitchen where you can catch all the preparation in action. Treat yourselves to Mont Blanc Chestnut Tart (NTS$150) or Chocolate Waffle with Fresh Banana (NTS$180).

No. 376, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2748 6333
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#5 DE’A

At first glance, de’A resembles a modern furniture store. But set foot inside and you will soon realise that it is in fact a Zakka store which sells bags, watches and more.

For the uninitiated, Zakka is a Japanese terminology which refers to absolutely everything and almost anything that seeks to improve your life and the aesthetics revolving around it.

No. 348, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10588
Tel: +886 2 2747 7276
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#6 FUJIN TREE 352

Fujin Tree 352 is a furniture shop brought to you by the Fujin Tree Group. Actually, many shops here are operated by the same group and you can pretty much attribute the street’s gradual gentrification movement to Fujin Tree Group.The pretty space is extremely

The pretty space is extremely Instagram-worthy and all design enthusiasts should drop by for some creative inspiration.

No. 352, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10583
Tel: +886 2 2767 5196
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#7 FUJIN TREE 353 CAFE BY SIMPLE KAFFA

As its name suggests, Fujin Tree 353 Cafe by Simple Kaffa is yet another successful business venture by the Fujin Tree Group. This cafe is definitely the most popular one in the Fujin vicinity.

Coffee is serious business here and you can choose your beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya or Indonesia. Craft beers and Asian-inspired cafe nosh are available too. And occasional pastries include Swiss rolls and matcha cakes.

353, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2749 5225
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#8 FUN FUN TOWN

Turn into one of Fujin Street’s alleyways and you will chance upon Fun Fun Town. The multi-concept venue has a lot of stuff going on; expect a curated collection of mini potted plants, indie-looking postcards, traditional handicrafts and even imported artpieces.

No. 2, Alley 1, Lane 359, Fujin St
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2766 5916
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed to Sun: 1pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#9 HAVE A NICE

If oriental intricate handicrafts excites you, then Have A Nice will be your ultimate paradise. The shop—also a brainchild of the Fujin Tree Group—promotes numerous independent Japanese boutique brands and showcases their very limited stocks. The venue is also a popular space for private events.

The shop—also a brainchild of the Fujin Tree Group—promotes numerous independent Japanese boutique brands and showcases their very limited stocks. The venue is also a popular space for private events.

No. 479, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2760 0709
Daily: 12pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#10 KYUSHU PANCAKE CAFE

Kyushu Pancake Cafe’s pancakes sell out like hotcakes. The popular chain originates from Japan and you can sample their original Kyushu Pancake Plain (NTS$180) or opt for something savoury, such as the Kyushu Pancake Egg Benedict (NTS$290).

No. 413, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2749 5253
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

#11 PAUSA

Pausa is a minimalistic cafe that specialises in coffee and confectionery. Order a Cappucino (NTS$150) and complete your tea break with a Matcha Red Bean Roll (NTS$150) or Matcha Waffle with Ice Cream (NTS$250).

No. 344, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 27657996
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#12 PETIT PROVENCE

Petit Provence resembles a facade of a quaint French country cottage; it is every bit photogenic.

From candles, ceramics, scents to tableware, it is a retail store with a comprehensive variety of home decor items that are imported from Italy and Southern France.

No. 447, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 27681618
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 7pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

Petit Provence

#13 PERFIT

Find the perfect fit at sporting goods shop Perfit. The tastefully designed store boasts rows of backpacks, running shoes and even a yoga studio.

We totally dig the entire set up and their shelves of sports apparels!

No. 393, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2767 1266
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#14 POPOVER

Popover is Fujin Street’s newest addition, and the modern-looking dessert shop’s primary focus is on handcrafted sweet treats. Look forward to lemon curd choux pastries, fork-shaped baked pastries and whatnot.

No. 446, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2761 2298
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

#15 RESTAURANT PINECONE

Restaurant Pinecone is an Italian restaurant—probably the only one on that street—and props to the trattoria for such a gorgeous and rustic-looking interior and exterior!

The menu features handmade pastas, gourmet risottos and several other classic Italian delicacies.

No. 449, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2765 0386
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

For more recommendations, read our Taipei food & travel guides here.

Animal cafes may not be something new to us anymore but an alpaca cafe is definitely something worth talking about! If you are an animal lover and have not heard of Oia Cafe in Taipei, you have to mark this place down for your next visit to Taipei.

Oia Cafe is home to a few alpacas and they roam around freely in the cafe. Yes, you get to play with these adorable white creatures and feed them with carrots or food that are approved by the cafe’s owner—this is also the best way to get the alpacas to take a selfie with you.

Only some alpacas are allowed inside the cafe itself though, so if you want to take a look at the other alpacas, just walk out to the small farm that is situated beside the cafe.

If you are going for lunch, the cafe serves a broad range of dishes from steak to baked rice and Italian pastas – mostly priced between NT$280 to NT$520.

Photo Credits: Oia Cafe

Cute as the alpacas may be, these furry animals have a tendency to chew on anything they can get their mouths on. Unless you do not mind leaving the cafe in a crumpled shirt, make sure you do not put on your favourite top when visiting the cafe!

Oia Cafe
252, Sanzhi District
New Taipei City, Taiwan
Tel: +886 2 2636 3766
Mon to Fri: 11am – 8pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tamsui

Quiet afternoons are meant for scones and tea. It is such an elegant combination and we can do with a good set anytime.

You need not be English to love scones and tea; you only need to find Smith & Hsu, and all is well. How this Taiwanese brand captured our hearts and made us fall head over heels in love with them is simple. And they cast the same spell on whoever steps in too. You’d never want to leave, simply because Smith & Hsu is indeed the best place for scones and tea in Taipei.

Homely. Cosy. Peaceful.

These are but a few reasons why you have to stop by Smith & Hsu when in Taipei. The interior is every bit inviting, almost like a living room. It is nothing like a Victorian tea room – no long curtains, no plush seats, no roses.

Instead, it is a simple and well-lit space with low-hanging lamps, many shelves of books that are free for reading, and simple wooden tables with white chairs. Unpretentious and comfy; that’s just where we prefer to spend our afternoons at.

And of course, when at Smith & Hsu, thou shalt not leave without trying their signature scones. Buttery and warm and lightly glazed on the crust, the scones are served with clotted cream and a spread of your choice. Pick from their homemade jams and marmalades, honey and lemon curd; our favourites are the strawberry jam and lemon curd.

Eat your scones with the strawberry jam and you’d get a sweet delight, or you can always go for honey too. Eat your scones with the lemon curd if you are a fan of tangy flavours; the curd is always tart at the perfect degree such that it does not musk the fragrance of the buttery scones.

Picking your tea is always the most fun part of the Smith & Hsu experience. We always look forward to when the server brings us the whole tray of samples, and we would spend what seemed like a decade smelling every jar; deciding on just one tea is of course as tough as rocket science. But whatever you have a taste for – green or black teas, fruity or floral – the range of teas will have something to please you.

Smith & Hsu is definitely a place that we’d visit every time we are in Taipei, and if it is not your list yet, you don’t know what you are missing out on!

Smith & Hsu
No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road
Tel: +886 2 8786 2877
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

No. 21, Section 1, Nanjing East Road
Tel: +886 2 2562 5565
Daily: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan

Yong Kang Street is a dining destination in Taipei. Whether its cheap and delicious Taiwanese snacks like ‘cong zhua bing’, shaved ice mountain or beef noodles; nice and chic cafes where you can get a cup of good coffee and desserts; or niche boutiques selling lifestyle products – there are plenty of options at Yong Kang Street. You can easily spend a day wandering in the alleys.

Here is our guide to Taipei’s Yong Kang Street, featuring the niche boutiques, trendy cafes and local eateries.

Tip: Getting to Yong Kang street is easier with the opening of Dongmen Station. To go there by train, take the blue line to Zhongxiao Xinsheng station and change to the yellow line to Dongmen Station. Otherwise, take a cab and tell the driver to go to Yong Kang Street, and drop at Din Tai Fung.

1. Boite de Bijou

A French patisserie that serves desserts like Mont Blanc, chocolate banana mousse, yuzu mousse, blueberry tart, citron tart (NT$120-150). Their financiers and madeleines (NT$450/box) come in nice packaging, and make excellent gifts for friends.

Boite de Bijou is listed in our guide to Taipei’s best desserts.

No 19-1 Lane 33 Lishui Street
Tel: 02 3322 2461
Daily: 10am – 9pm

2. Bunny Listens to the Music

Like the name suggests, this cutesy restaurant has a whimsical vibe to it, and it is the perfect place to go for a date. They are under the same management as Boite de Bijou – a patisserie around the corner – so you can expect to end your meal with good desserts.

No 15 Lane 6 Qingtian Street

3. Cafe Xiaomijo

With places like Cafe Xiaomijo in the area where you can grab a bite and have a cup of coffee, it is easy to understand why Yongkang Street is so popular. The artsy cafe is tucked in the same alley as For Good Cafe (formerly Flat White Cafe), and the dim-lighting makes it a cosy and homely space to take a break.

No 5 Lane 41 Yongkang Street
Tel: 02 2395 7617
Tue to Sun: 11am – 11pm

4. Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung’s Xinyi flagship store is also at Yong Kang Street. If you are in the mood for xiaolongbao, or if you are a big fan of the brand, you have to make a trip to their original outlet.

No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Tel: 02 2321 8928
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 9pm

5. Duke Rabbit Cafe

Another cutesy spot in Yong Kang Street where you can go for afternoon tea is Duke Rabbit Cafe. They serve desserts such as tiramisu and French strawberry tart – prices range from NT$75 to NT$130.

No 6 Lane 37 Yongkang Street

6. Ecole

Also on Qingtian Street is Ecole, a quiet and chill-out cafe where you can escape from the crowd at Yong Kang Street. Named after the French word for “school”, the cafe is located near to Shida University, so it is not uncommon to see students studying in the cafe.

No 6 Lane 1 Qingtian Street
Tel: 02 2322 2725
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 11am – 11pm

7. Eating Time

A stylish restaurant which has a big menu serving breakfast (NT$220-420), burgers (NT$230-280), grilled steaks and ribs (NT$800-1000). We loved the decor of the place and could have easily sat there for the whole day.

No 18 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2351 3663
Daily: 8am – 11pm

8. For Good Cafe

Taking over the premise of the now-defunct Flat White Cafe, For Good Cafe is perpetually full and it remains one of the most popular spots in Yong Kang Street. They have a rather limited food menu, so have your meal at other places before coming here for coffee and desserts.

No 12 Lane 41 Yongkang Street
Tel: 02 3393 8659
Daily (except Tue): 12pm – 10pm

9. Kao Chi

An alternative to Din Tai Fung is Kao Chi, which is equally famous for their steamed pork dumplings and Shanghainese dishes. This is a spot long ago flooded by tourists – because of media publicity – but still good enough to attract locals.

No 5 Yongkang Street
Tel: 02 2341 9984

10. La Douceur Patisserie

With more than a dozen desserts (NT$160-170) – such as Vanilla Mousse with chocolate cake and marshmellow, Mont Blanc, Matcha Cake, Cherry Mousse, 72% Dark Chocolate Tart – available on the menu, La Douceur will satisfy every sweet tooth. They also have, hands down, one of the best macarons (a box of 7 for NT$530, or 9 for NT$1520) in Taipei. Choose from flavours like strawberry, passionfruit, caramel mandarin, lavender and caramel.

La Douceur Patisserie is listed in our guide to Taipei’s best desserts.

No. 223 Jinhua Street
Tel: 02 3322 2833

11. L’Air Cafe Neo Bistro

The head chef of L’Air Cafe Neo Bistro has worked for famous establishments like L’Atelier Joel Robuchon and Justin’s Signatures, so naturally you can expect well-executed French fare. The set lunch (NT$2200) is excellent value, and it allows customers to sample some of the chef’s signature dishes. For something light, come here from 2pm to 5pm for their much-lauded crepes.

No 5 Lane 164 Jinhua Street
Tel: 02 3343 3937
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 5.30pm – 9pm

12. Les Bebes Cupcakery

One of the better cupcake bakeries in Taipei, Les Bebes Cupcakery serves simple and good-quality bakes. The cupcakes come in two sizes – regular and mini – and they are the perfect gifts to buy for friends, or treats for yourself.

No 149-4 Chaozhou Street
Tel: 02 2358 2226
Daily: 11am – 8pm

13. LV Sang

Visitors to Taipei who are looking for authentic Taiwanese food should go to LV Sang. The menu is dedicated to Yilan (a region located along the East coast of Taiwan) food, and you will definitely be happy with its variety of affordable and delicious dishes.

No 12-5 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2351 3323
Daily: 11.30am – 2pm, 5pm – 9pm

14. Morita Cafe

Besides dishing out pasta and brunch, Morita Cafe – a princessy and dreamy cafe – also offers afternoon tea (NT$880) in a beautiful 3 tier dessert stand. They recently opened a new bakery on the main Yong Kang street, opposite Eating Time Cafe.

No 7-3 Lane 198 Xinyi Road Section 2
Tel: 02 2358 7665
Daily: 11am – 10pm

15. Rose House

Another place where you can have a peaceful afternoon is Rose House, a Victorian-themed teahouse, on Li Shui Lane. It has a Little Prince Afternoon Tea Set (NT$399) featuringcheese cake, rose lychee jelly, rose macaron, roll cake, scone, creme brulee, quiche, bacon burger and petite sandwich.

No 1 Lane 3 Li Shui Street
Tel: 02 2394 8202
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 11pm

16. Slack Season Noodles (Tu Hsiao Yueh)

Slack Season, or Tu Hsiao Yueh, originated from Tainan. Frankly, while the noodles are tasty, it is rather over-priced for the small portion. Still, this is a great chance to sample their famous dan dan noodles without travelling down south.

No 9-1 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 3393 1325
Daily: 11.30am – 10pm

17. Smoothie House

Smoothie House is a popular fruit covered snowflake shaved ice shop which has two outlets on Yong Kang Street. Besides their original shop at No 9, they have also taken over the premise of their former-competitor Ice Monster (popularly known as Yong Kang 15).

No 9 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2395 8770
Daily: 11am – 11pm

No 15 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2395 8770
Daily: 10.30am – 11pm

18. The Green Steps

On the quieter strip of Jinhua Street, this cafe is small but more than cosy. If you want to stay closer to the sounds of the birds chirping, take the outdoor seats and sip some chamomile while you feel the breeze caress your face. But hide away in the indoor with a mezzanine and enjoy the scent of fresh pastries filling the air.

No 27 Lane 243 Jinhua Street
Tel: 02 2392 3719

19. Yong Kang Beef Noodles

This is an institution in Taipei. You can practically find it in most of the travel guides to Taipei. It offers a huge selection of soup and noodle, but everyone comes here for their famous beef noodles (NT$180).

No 17 Lane 31 Section 2 Jinshan South Road
Tel: 02 2351 1051

20. Zenique

My new favourite dessert spot in Taipei, Zenique is a teahouse and patisserie which serves really good French desserts (NT$160-180/slice) like Kyoto Matcha, Rose Versailles and Tarte Aux Fraises with tea-infused flavours. They also have nine different macarons (NT$60). We absolutely love their rose macarons.

Zenique is listed in our guide to Taipei’s best desserts.

No 8 Lane 4 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2395 1558
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10.30pm

21. 8% Ice Cream Shop

A cool ice cream parlour that not only serves good gelato – with flavours like matcha, pumpkin sesame, banana and walnut – but also has a very nice interior.

No 6 Lane 13 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2395 6583
Daily: 12pm – 10pm

For more recommendations, read our guide to Taipei’s best desserts

Regular readers will know that I am a big dessert lover. Whenever I travel to a city, I will make it my mission to track down the best dessert spots to satisfy my sweet tooth.

And it has been proven that I am not the only one. Desserts seem to be an Asian thing, and it is fast becoming a lifestyle to spend an afternoon at a dessert cafe, or to simply take-away some macarons and eat while you shop. Being a frequent visitor to Taipei, I have discovered that this city has many amazing French and Japanese patisseries and cake shops, and during my past few visits, I managed to check out quite a few highly raved dessert places. Here is a list of the best desserts in Taipei.

Boite de Bijou

Boite de Bijou is a lovely patisserie located at the end of Yong Kang Street, nearer to National Taiwan Normal University.

Cakes like Mont Blanc, Chocolate Banana Mousse, Yuzu Mousse, Blueberry Tart and Citron Tart are some of the options here. Their financiers and madeleines (NT$450/box) come in nice packaging, and make excellent gifts for friends and relatives.

No 19-1 Lane 33 Lishui Street
Tel: 02 3322 2461
Daily: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dongmen

Dazzling Cafe

Dazzling Cafe is one of the most popular cafes in Taipei, and it is where ladies go with their girlfriends for a girls’ night out. They are most well-known for its signature honey toast, and you can find a dozen of flavours such as Mont Blanc, Chocolate Fondue, Strawberry, and Banana Chocolate honey toasts.

No 11, Alley 7, Lane 205, Section 4, Zhongxiào East Road
Tel: 02 8773 9238
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

La Douceur Patisserie

There are many patisseries selling macarons, but in my opinion, the best macaron in Taipei award goes to La Douceur Patisserie. Not to worry if you are not a fan of macarons, because you still have every reason to pay them a visit – they also offer desserts like Matcha Cake, Cherry Mousse, 72% Dark Chocolate Tart.

No. 223, Jinhua Street
Tel: 02 3322 2833
Nearest Station: Dongmen

Mayu Bistro

It is easy to miss Mayu Bistro if you do not know Taipei well. Tucked in an alley beside the Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, Mayu Bistro is one of the top patisseries in Taipei which serves excellent French desserts. A must-stop when you are in the city.

47-2 Changan West Road
Tel: 02 2550 3636
Tue to Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Taipei Main Station

Melange Cafe

The Taiwanese are crazy about waffles, and you can easily find a dozen of cafes that serve waffles on their menu. But you must make a trip to Melange, a posh cafe where locals go to for desserts and tea. The long queues are a testament to their popularity. Besides their signature Waffles (NT$140-170), Melange Cafe also serves desserts (NT$120-150) like Matcha Tart, Banana Chocolate Mousse and Mont Blanc.

No 23 Lane 16 Section 2 ZhongShan North Road
Tel: 02 2567 3787
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Station: ZhongShan

Piece of Cake

This highly popular cake shop is located near ZhongShan Station, and it offers Japanese cake rolls in several flavours such as chocolate, tiramisu, and plain cheese.

No 19 Alley 9 Lane 64 Nanjing West Road
Tel: 02 2559 7981
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: ZhongShan

Sadaharu Aoki

Besides Paris and Tokyo, Sadaharu Aoki can also be found in Taipei. It is known for its French desserts with Japanese flavours. I always go there to buy their macarons, especially the Japanese flavours such as sesame, matcha, yuzu and genmaicha. And their eclairs… Oh, the eclairs are awesome. To me, Sadaharu Aoki has the best eclairs I have ever had in my life.

Bellavita Basement 2
No. 28, Song Ren Road
Tel: 02 8729 2759
Sun to Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon

For a luxurious afternoon tea, Salon de Thé de Joël Robuchon at Bellavita is the place to head to. The tea salon serves a variety of pastries, macarons and desserts. Go for their afternoon tea set (NT$1,200) which features sandwich, pastries, macarons and drinks for two.

Level 3 Bellavita
No. 28 Song Ren Road
Mon to Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

Smith & Hsu

Smith & Hsu has hands down, one of the best scones I have ever had. Whenever I am in Taipei, I always make sure to go there for afternoon tea. You can order a three-tiered dessert set (NT$1200 or S$50) to share among 2-4 people. Or just get the cream tea set (NT$260 or S$10) which comes with two home-made scones, clotted cream, English farm jam, and a cup of tea.

No.33 Zhong Xiao E. Road, Section 5
Tel: 02 2747 4857
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea is a tea salon in Taipei 101 which features desserts by the pastry chef at its sister restaurant, STAY. Expect cakes, pastries, macarons and gelato of the highest quality.

No. 45 Shifu Rd, 4F
Taipei 101
Tel: 02 8101 8177
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

Wendel’s German Bakery Bistro

Wendel’s German Bakery Bistro is quite a household name in Taipei. Their original branch in Tienmu is slightly out of the way, so the second branch at GuangFu South Road is perfect as it is just walking distance from SYS Memorial Hall Station.

It serves European-style bread, pastries and cakes (NT$65-75) such as Cheesecake, Raspberry Cake and their signature Cakewich.

No. 28, Lane 260, GuangFu S. Rd.
Tel: 02 2711 8919
Nearest Station: SYS Memorial Hall

Zenique Patisserie

At Zenique, you will be spoilt with tea-based desserts (NT$160-180/slice) like Kyoto Matcha, Rose Versailles, Tarte Aux Fraises, and Jardin des Fraises. They also have nine different macarons (NT$60), with Rose being the most popular flavour.

No 8 Lane 4 Yong Kang Street
Tel: 02 2395 1558
Sun to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Dongmen

For more recommendations, read our guide on where to eat in Taipei