"One of the best things about Taipei is that it has retained a traditional sense of human kindness."— Anthony Bourdain, The Layover, Season 2 (2013)
Taipei is a city that really goes all out when it comes to food. You can find everything here, from a simple soy-braised meal in a Wanhua alley to a fancy tasting menu in Da'an. Oyster omelets and Michelin-starred soup dumplings are neighbors, and the city comes alive at night for anyone who loves to eat or just wants to try something new. If you catch a whiff of stinky tofu late at night, that's Taipei saying hello in its own way.
"One of the best things about Taipei is that it has retained a traditional sense of human kindness."— Anthony Bourdain, The Layover, Season 2 (2013)
Taipei is a city that really goes all out when it comes to food. You can find everything here, from a simple soy-braised meal in a Wanhua alley to a fancy tasting menu in Da'an. Oyster omelets and Michelin-starred soup dumplings are neighbors, and the city comes alive at night for anyone who loves to eat or just wants to try something new. If you catch a whiff of stinky tofu late at night, that's Taipei saying hello in its own way.
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Read MoreEach part of Taipei has its own food personality. If you head over to Wanhua or Datong, you’ll find old-school spots where the air smells like incense, and the braised pork is the real deal. Go east to Da’an or Xinyi, and you’ll run into places that feel a bit more modern, with creative dishes and a quieter vibe. Altogether, there are twelve neighborhoods, and each one has its own way of showing off what makes Taipei’s food scene so special.
Where you’ll find many government buildings and large transit stations. There are also some old tea houses tucked near the CKS Memorial, which are worth checking out if you want a quiet break.
The oldest part of Taipei for shopping and trading. Walk down Dihua Street and you’ll smell dried seafood, herbs, and rice wine in the air. The old buildings here give it a lot of character.
Full of art galleries during the day, and at night, the area comes alive with bars and places to hang out. It’s a good spot if you want something a little more laid-back than the busy shopping areas.
A wonderful mix of old factory buildings and the busy Raohe Night Market, which is packed with food stalls. If you like pineapple cakes, this is the place to try some of the best ones in the city.
Where the Taipei 101 is, and a lot of tall, modern buildings. There are fancy sushi spots, rooftop bars, and you can get a great view of the city from Elephant Mountain if you want to walk off your meal.
Da’an is a really comfortable area to spend time in. Yongkang Street is packed with good places to eat, and there’s a big park if you want to relax after a meal. There are lots of amazing restaurants here, but it never feels too crowded.
Feels like the heart of old Taipei. You can visit Longshan Temple and smell the incense, check out the quirky shops in Snake Alley, or wander around Ximending, which is always full of young people and energy.
Up in the hills at the south end of Taipei. You can take the gondola up to Maokong for tea and great views, visit the zoo in the morning when it’s quiet, or grab a bite at the Jingmei night market.
on the east side and is getting busier every year. There are a lot of tech offices and big exhibition centers, which host some of the country's largest conferences.
Taipei’s tech hub, but it’s also got Dahu Park, which is a nice spot to relax by the water. There are some really good restaurants here, whether you want a view of the water or not.
Famous for its night market, which is huge and full of all kinds of snacks. During the day, you can check out the National Palace Museum, but at night, it’s all about the food stalls and those giant fried chicken cutlets.
Hot springs and older buildings, many have a very Japanese style. The hot spring resorts and Japanese-style inns are very relaxing. If you have time, check out Thermal Valley for the bright blue steam rising from the water.
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