Addiction Aquatic Development

Another popular restaurant is Addiction Aquatic Development. Tourists and locals come here for the fresh Japanese food and for the inexpensive menu. This is a great place for hot pot, sushi, sashimi and all things seafood.

• Web:

  www.addiction.com.tw

• Address:

  18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minsheng East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2508 1268

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6am–midnight

• More info:

  Cash only

Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung is a restaurant chain originating in Taiwan, which now has multiple branches across Asia and beyond (the fact it remains largely unknown in the West is a tragic shortcoming). They are famous for their steamed dumplings (xiao long bao), which are some of the world's best: each move of the dumpling chefs is executed with careful precision in the open kitchen. It was once named among the top ten restaurants in the world by The New York Times, and many of its branches were distinguished by the Michelin Guide, as well as heralded by celebrity chefs such as the late Anthony Bourdain. The service is truly impeccable, and the price-quality ratio needs to be experienced to be believed.

• Web:

  www.dintaifung.com.tw/eng

• Address:

  Taipei 101, B1, 45, City Hall Road, Xinyi District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 8101 7799

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11:30am–7:30pm

• More info:

  At Taipei 101 Mall

• Subway:

  Exit 4, Taipei 101/World Trade Centre MRT Station

Ji Pin Restaurant

Ji Pin is a renowned seafood restaurant. Specialities include shark fin, abalone, and mushroom and scallop dumplings. The restaurant has a modern New York-style decor.

• Web:

  www.jipinboutique.com

• Address:

  236, XinYi Road, Section 4, Da'an District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2700 3311

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11:30am–2:30pm / 5:30pm–10pm

• More info:

  2nd floor

• Subway:

  Xinyi Anhe MRT Station

La Caja de Musica

La Caja de Musica is a hidden gem in Taipei, and one somewhat hard to find, but definitely worth the search. The friendly staff serve mouthwatering tapas and other dishes of Spanish cuisine. It also offers a good selection of Spanish wines and German beers.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/lacajademusicataipei

• E-mail:

  taipei.cjm@gmail.com

• Address:

  17, Alley 5, Lane 133, Nanjing East Road, Section 4, Songshan District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 975 330 741

• Opening hours:

  Tue–Sat 5pm–10pm, Sun & Mon closed

L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon

Joël Robuchon is a world-renowned 3 Michelin star chef with established restaurants all over the world. One is located in Taipei, offering guests traditional French cuisine of high quality. The ambience of the restaurant is elegant and modern, and the attentive staff offers professional service.

• Web:

  jrobuchon.com/our_locations/latelier-de-joel-robuchon-taipei

• Address:

  Bellavita, Floor 6, 28 Songren Road, Xinyi District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 8729 2628

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11:30am–2:30pm / 6pm–9:30pm

Minder Vegetarian

This Buddhist vegetarian restaurant chain has multiple locations around Taipei, and it is a buffet-style restaurant with cold and warm dishes — all vegetarian. Minder is an inexpensive restaurant and offers salads, mock meat, fried sweet potatoes, lots of tasty vegetables, noodles, tofu, beans, spring rolls and desserts. You can also order food from the menu.

• Web:

  www.minder.com.tw

• Address:

  QSquare, 1 Chengde Road, Section 1, Datong District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2559 5008

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 11am–9:30pm, Fri & Sat 11am–10pm

Frank Taipei

The swanky Frank Taipei knows how to throw a solid party, and offers unbounded partying of the most varying calibre - from casual evening drinks to all-out celebrations (it's a good deal for special occasions and the year's hottest party, New Year's eve). Has an outdoor area with views over towering Taipei 101.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/frank_taipeicity

• Address:

  ATT 4 FUN Xinyi Store, 110 Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 909 332 333

Ounce

Ounce is everyone's favourite Taipei speakeasy, whose secret is now well and truly out. Patrons enjoy the privacy and sense of exclusivity forged by the hidden location and dim lighting.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/ouncetaipei

• Address:

  309 Xinyi Road, Section 4, Da’an District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2703 7761

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6pm–2am

Partyworld

Karaoke bar with booths for groups of friends to croon the night away. This is definitely worth a trip to get infected by the apparent joy and the ardour with which the visitors engage in the fine art of karaoke.

• Web:

  www.cashboxparty.com

• Address:

  199 Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2503 1688

• More info:

  SungJiang Branch

Shaka Lounge Bar

The establishment's interior is planned out according to the principles of feng shui, which promises to bring good luck to those who enter. This venue is popular for after-work drinks and gatherings. Happy Hour is from 7–9:30pm Sunday through Thursday.

• Web:

  www.instagram.com/shakalounge

• Address:

  2, Lane 23, Anhe Road, Section 2, Da’an District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2705 3337

• Opening hours:

  Sun–Thu 6pm–2am, Fri & Sat 6pm–3am

Woobar

For a night out in style, try the swanky W Hotel and its bar serving refined cocktails by the on-site poolside. Casual by day, the bar gains an increasingly more stylish feel as the night progresses and neon lights come on throughout.

• Web:

  www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/tpewh-w-taipei/overview

• Address:

  W Taipei, 10 Zhongxiao East Road, Section 5, Xinyi District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 7703 8887

• More info:

  10F, W Hotel

Ximending District

Perhaps the hippest neighbourhood in Taipei, Ximending (or Shi-men Ting) is a pedestrian-only area that truly comes to life after sundown. Loud music plays and bright shopfront lights flicker, enticing local youths and tourists with their offerings, some beyond wacky: maid cafes, knife massage, curious bubble tea concoctions, KTV booths, and more – all this along with a few very well preserved historic buildings, such as the Red House. It's a great place to experience the dynamic, young side of Taipei.

• Address:

  Ximending, Taipei

Coffee Alley

Coffee Alley is a chain of cafes that can be found at several locations across Taipei. They specialise in Western fare, such as waffles and sandwiches. The menu contains pictures of each dish as well as an explanation in English.

• Web:

  www.coffeealley.com.tw

• E-mail:

  service@coffee-alley.com.tw

• Address:

  18 Guanqian Road, Floor 2, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

• Opening hours:

  Daily noon–10pm

Florida Bakery

This cafe has been around for more than 70 years and has kept its well-respected status throughout them all. Take your pick from its wide and tasty selection of both Western and typical Taiwanese baked goods and pastries, and make sure you try its signature garlic French bread.

• Web:

  www.bread.com.tw

• E-mail:

  info@bread.com.tw

• Address:

  23-5, Zhongshan North Road, Section 3, Zhongshan District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2594 6923

• Opening hours:

  Daily 6:30am–11pm

Fuhang Soy Milk

This could be the ticket if you’re searching for an authentic experience. There are no menus in any foreign language, and it’s one of the locals' favourite spots for a fast traditional breakfast.

• Address:

  108-2 Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2392 2175

• Opening hours:

  Daily 5:30am–12:30pm

Smith & Hsu

This is a modern coffee shop with a million different teas to choose from. If you order by the pot, you can choose from green tea, white tea, fruit tea, oolong tea, black tea — the list goes on. Apart from coffee and tea, they offer delicious scones, freshly baked and still warm, served with cream and farm jam.

• Web:

  www.smithandhsu.com

• Address:

  36 Nanjing East Road, Section 1, Zhongshan District, Taipei

• Phone:

  +886 2 2562 5565

• Opening hours:

  Daily 10am–10pm