Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Passable fresh brewed coffee is available at any convenience store for NT$30 to
NT$40. Some of the best coffee, and ridiculously cheap for the quality, comes
from chains such as CAMA, which roast on the premises and cater to take out.
There are high concentrations of cafes on Lane 243 just south of Yongkang Park,
the alleys north of Zhongshan MRT Exit 2, and Dihua St Sec 1. Also be sure to
check out Frank & Sams Cafe Salon (
Click here
)
in Tamsui, which is set in a re-
stored brick warehouse overlooking the river.
While most people understand the English terms it's good to know some
Chinese:
Americano
-Měishì kāfēior (hēi kāfēi,black coffee)
espresso
nóngsuō kāfēi
latte
ná tiě
Wistaria Tea House
TEAHOUSE
(Zǐténg Lú;
www.wistariateahouse.com
;
1 Lane 16, Xinsheng Rd, Sec 3; 10am-11pm; ;
Da'an Park)
History, nostalgia and fine tea combine in this charming former Japanese-era
wooden dormitory. Wistaria was built in 1920 for naval personnel and later used as a
hangout for artists, literati and political dissidents following the 1979 Kaohsiung Incident
(which led to the arrest and imprisonment of most of the top democracy advocates in
Taiwan;
Click here
)
.
It has a fine selection of oolongs, Tie Guanyin (
Click here
)
, green teas, and some rare
pu'er (dark fermented tea) that could set you back thousands in one afternoon of drink-
ing. Light meals and snacks are also served.
Ounce Taipei
BAR
(
www.ouncetaipei.com
; 40 Lane 63, Dunhua S Rd, Sec 2; 7pm-midnight Mon, to 2am Tue-Sat;
; Xinyi Anhe)
Taipei's first speakeasy-style bar is everything you'd expect it to be, in-
cluding being hidden behind a secret door, heavy on the dark hardwood and dim lights,
and serving top-rated cocktails. The establishment is fronted by Relax cafe.
noon-7pm Tue & Wed, to 11pm Thu-Sat, to 7pm
Sun;
;
Zhongshan)
This warm and stylish cafe/wine bar is set at the far back of one
