Regional Cuisine Overview: Taiwan is known for its diverse and flavorful cuisine. Some traditional dishes include beef noodle soup, oyster omelet, stinky tofu, and bubble tea. The region is also famous for its night markets, where you can find a variety of street food.
Top-10 Restaurants:
1. Din Tai Fung 🍜💯 (Expensive) – Renowned for their steamed dumplings, Din Tai Fung offers a wide range of Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, prepared with precision and quality ingredients.
2. Chun Shui Tang 🍵💰 (Average) – This famous tea house is credited with inventing bubble tea. Enjoy their delicious teas and try their innovative bubble tea flavors.
3. Fuhang Soy Milk 🥣💰 (Cheap) – A popular breakfast spot, Fuhang Soy Milk serves traditional Taiwanese breakfast dishes such as soy milk, savory pancakes, and fried dough sticks.
4. Miyahara 🍦💰 (Average) – Housed in a stunning historical building, Miyahara is famous for its ice cream and pastries. Don’t miss their signature pineapple cake.
5. Le Mout 🍽️💯 (Expensive) – Offering a fusion of French and Taiwanese cuisine, Le Mout provides a unique dining experience with its innovative dishes and elegant atmosphere.
6. Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House 🍵💰 (Average) – Apart from their delicious tea, this tea house offers a wide selection of traditional Taiwanese dishes, making it a great place for lunch or dinner.
7. The Loft Bistro 🥗💰 (Average) – This trendy bistro serves a variety of Western and Asian fusion dishes, using locally sourced ingredients. Their salads and sandwiches are particularly popular.
8. Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles 🍜💰 (Cheap) – Known for their hand-pulled noodles, Lao Shandong offers a range of noodle dishes with various toppings and flavors.
9. Yizhong Street Night Market 🍢💰 (Cheap) – This bustling night market is a food lover’s paradise, offering a wide array of street food, from grilled skewers to oyster omelets.
10. Lin Jiang Tea Shop 🍵💰 (Average) – With a cozy atmosphere and a wide selection of teas, Lin Jiang Tea Shop is a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of tea.
Budget Places:
1. Fengjia Night Market 🍢💰 (Cheap) – One of the largest night markets in Taiwan, Fengjia Night Market offers affordable street food, trendy clothes, and accessories.
2. Bubble Lee Bubble Tea 🥤💰 (Cheap) – This popular bubble tea shop offers a variety of flavors at reasonable prices, making it a go-to spot for bubble tea enthusiasts.
3. 7-Eleven 🍱💰 (Cheap) – Taiwan’s ubiquitous convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven, offer a wide range of affordable snacks, drinks, and ready-to-eat meals.
Vegetarian and Vegan Establishments:
1. Ooh Cha Cha 🥗💰 (Average) – This vegetarian restaurant offers a diverse menu with dishes inspired by international cuisines. Try their vegan burgers and wraps.
2. Sufood 🥦💰 (Average) – Sufood specializes in creative vegetarian dishes made from fresh ingredients. Their set menus are a great way to sample a variety of dishes.
Cafes with National Desserts:
1. Sunmerry Bakery 🥐💰 (Average) – This bakery offers a wide range of Taiwanese pastries, including pineapple cakes, sun cakes, and mochi.
2. Ice Monster 🍧💰 (Average) – Known for their shaved ice desserts, Ice Monster serves generous portions of flavored shaved ice topped with fresh fruit and sweet condiments.
Bars and Pubs:
1. The Wall Live House 🎵🍻💰 (Average) – The Wall Live House is a popular venue for live music performances, featuring local and international bands. Enjoy great music and a wide selection of drinks.
2. Barcode 🍸🍻💰 (Average) – A trendy bar in the city, Barcode offers a stylish ambiance, creative cocktails, and a variety of beers on tap.
Live Music Venues:
1. Second Floor Live House 🎵💰 (Average) – Second Floor Live House is a cozy venue that hosts a range of live music performances, ranging from indie bands to jazz ensembles.
2. Sound Live House 🎵💰 (Average) – Sound Live House is a popular spot for music lovers, featuring a diverse lineup of local and international artists.
Themed Restaurants:
1. Modern Toilet 🚽🍽️💰 (Average) – This quirky restaurant features a toilet-themed interior, with seats shaped like toilets and dishes served in miniature toilet bowls.
2. Alice Is Coming 🎩🍽️💰 (Average) – Step into the magical world of Alice in Wonderland at this themed cafe, where you can enjoy whimsical dishes and colorful drinks.
Local Markets:
1. Zhongxiao Night Market 🍢💰 (Cheap) – This bustling night market offers a wide range of street food, from fried chicken to stinky tofu. Don’t miss the local delicacy, oyster vermicelli.
2. Fengyuan Farmer’s Market 🍎💰 (Cheap) – This vibrant farmer’s market is a great place to buy fresh produce and sample local snacks.
Culinary Workshops:
1. Mai Thai Cooking Class 🍲💰 (Average) – Join a hands-on cooking class at Mai Thai and learn to prepare authentic Thai dishes using fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.
Seasonal Food Festivals:
1. Taichung Jazz Festival 🎷🍽️ – This annual festival brings together jazz music and culinary delights, with various concerts, food stalls, and workshops.
Ethical and Eco-friendly Establishments:
1. Green Acres 🌿🥗💰 (Average) – Green Acres is a farm-to-table restaurant that supports sustainable agriculture and offers organic dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Cafes with a View:
1. Miyahara Sky Lounge ☕🌆💰 (Expensive) – Located on the top floor of Miyahara, this cafe offers panoramic views of the city while enjoying their signature desserts and beverages.
Family Restaurants:
1. Sushi Express 🍣🍜💰 (Average) – Sushi Express is a family-friendly restaurant that offers a wide selection of sushi and Japanese dishes at affordable prices. They also have a kids’ menu.
Visiting Tips:
– Make reservations for popular restaurants, especially during peak hours.
– Carry cash as some smaller establishments may not accept credit cards.
– Try to visit night markets during weekdays to avoid crowds.
– Be adventurous and try local specialties like stinky tofu and oyster vermicelli.
