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
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 …
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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 –…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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'…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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Kaohsiung
Similar to the restaurant downstairs, this bar features retro Japanese decor and music. Cocktails are carefully prepared by mixologist Neil. Hang around…
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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…
