Taichung
The versatile '13' (Shísān) has turned his family's car-repair shop into this wonderfully eccentric cafe that he spent four years building with old school…
Must-see nightlife in Taiwan
Taipei
History, nostalgia and fine tea combine in this charming former wooden dormitory from the Japanese era. Wistaria was built in 1920 for naval personnel and…
Taitung
In a garden of poinsettia, one of Taitung's finest Japanese-style wooden houses acts as showcase for local floral teas (NT$120) and single-estate organic…
Western Taiwan
Stylish, LGBTQ-friendly Fang Kofi comprises an airy, industrial-style cafe connected by a spiral staircase to a shabby-chic 2nd-floor space where the…
Northern Taiwan
This delightfully antique Hakka home has stood here for well over a century, and makes for an atmospheric setting to sample the local staple of léi chá …
Taipei
Taipei's cocktail jewel in the crown was voted one of the world's 50 best bars in 2018. It offers gorgeously and imaginatively designed drinks with fairy…
Hualien
This minuscule, triangular cafe lies half-hidden by foliage in a little wooden house so picturesque that they sell postcards of it. Beneath dangling…
Taichung
At this relaxing speakeasy, mixologists Jacko and Calvin et al whip up impeccable cocktails behind a circular bar where waiting guests munch on smoked…
Tainan
A 38cm-wide alley leads to this charmer where the colours are bold, the ceilings high, and on a fine day, there's always a breeze dancing. The patterns…
Taipei
This very popular 24-hour teahouse is set off by itself in a beautiful valley. There are lots of tables with great views, and a busy kitchen serving…
Northern Taiwan
Step back in time at this century-old wooden tea house full of antique furnishings and cosy nooks to hunker down in. The tea selection includes aged pu…
Eastern Taiwan & Taroko National Park
Boasting one of the island's top baristas, The Reefs use locally grown beans for their excellent coffees, including deliciously subtle (if huge) 'sea salt…
Taipei
This fun Hong Kong–style cafe set in a restored apothecary certainly has a lot of retro charm. The original medicine cabinets with their wooden drawers…
Taipei
This warm and stylish cafe/wine bar is set at the far back of one of Dihua St's traditional brick shops. Enter via ArtYard67 to get a look at how these…
Taipei
Just a minute's walk downhill from Maokong station. Sih Ye has one of the most beautiful teahouse interiors: a central bodhisattva statue, indoor pond,…
Hualien
The age-blackened timbers of this 70-year-old building complement mellow jazz and excellent barista coffee to create one of central Hualien's most restful…
Taipei
One of the most beautifully located cafes in northern Taiwan, Bok Su Lao is set in the grounds of Oxford College and housed in a former residence for male…
Taipei
This laid-back, funky Belgian-run bar has a good stock of Belgian craft beer. Usually more mellow in the early evening, when you can snag a happy-hour…
Taipei
Set in a house from the 1950s with vintage furniture and a zelkova parquet floor, this is the perfect place for a romantic date. It also has a touch of…
Taipei
This gorgeous 2nd-floor cafe–bookshop in a restored heritage house is full of light and elegance. The shelves of books, exposed brickwork, scattered…
Tainan
A moody venue in an old village residence that has retained much of its original look, down to the creaky wooden doors. The bar is at the back, dimly lit…
Taichung
A laid-back taproom offering a hundred craft bottles (NT$145 to $220) and whisky-barrel-aged brews (NT$390 to $1190), plus Asian brands on tap (NT$200 to …
Kaohsiung
One of Kaohsiung's oldest cafes, Hsiao Ti was started by a Japanese-speaking Taiwanese woman 40 years ago and it seems nothing has changed since then –…
Kenting National Park
Though it's run by the mega-sized Caesar Park Resort across the road, you wouldn't know it. This outdoor bar-cafe on Little Bay Beach (小灣海灘) is everything…
Penghu Islands
A Warhol welcome sets the stage for Magong's quirkiest secret drinking hole: the little yard is intriguing, but pull back the heavy wooden door to find…
Taipei
A string of simple outdoor bars with local and expat owners that offer a range of bottled beers, ciders and spirits. Nothing fancy, but there's a friendly…
Tainan
A elegant cafe serving good single-origin coffees, homemade cakes and thirst-quenching drinks. You can relax at the communal table and read their books on…
Tainan
Directly opposite Mazu Temple, TCRC (The Checkered Record Club) is cool in all the right places – a speakeasy vibe, indie sounds, colourful cocktails and…
Hualien
Cowboy hats, lassos, Buffalo Bill portraits and framed lengths of 19th-century barbed wire give this diner-pub a Wild West theme, set to a soundtrack…
Northern Taiwan
This creaking two-storey teahouse from the Japanese era has the look and feel of a frontier gambling den. Inside you can almost picture the miners…
Hualien
The pasta and steak are excellent, but what makes this bar-restaurant stand out is its range of imaginative cocktails based around house-made 'makau wine'…
Taipei
Packed with foreign students, this smallish club is right next to Maji Square. Eclectic range of tunes – sometimes even reggae – karaoke and live music…
Tainan
The glamorous younger sister of TCRC Bar, Bar Home is all red velvet curtains, green walls and chandeliers, like a cross between old Tainan and Cluedo…
Taipei
Walk into Fourplay and ask for a drinks menu – the bartender is likely to say that he is the drinks menu. Tell him what you fancy and he'll tailor a…
Eastern Taiwan & Taroko National Park
Lanyu's most happening nightspot, raised just above an attractive bay, serves classic and local cocktails (NT$200-300) – try Lanyu (not Long Island) Ice…
Taitung
This unassuming little box of a bar is a veritable treasure trove for beer lovers, stocking dozens of mostly Belgian brews, including a wide range of…
Taipei
A hipster cafe without any of the pretension. Spacious, studious, with a wall of windows, and damn good coffee and cakes. Named after the Haruki Murakami…
Taipei
This lively waterfront strip of outdoor pop-up bars offers gorgeous views of the river. Some of the stalls have rooftop areas, or else there are benches…
Kaohsiung
Similar to the restaurant downstairs, this bar features retro Japanese decor and music. Cocktails are carefully prepared by mixologist Neil. Hang around…
Taichung
A microbrewery with an attached pub in the far-flung district of Fengyuan. It was opened by two South Africans and an Irishman and offers seven selections…
