Taipei

Zhongshan

$$$Open now

It is a massive, clean fish market complex featuring live seafood tanks, a standing sushi bar, and outdoor charcoal grills.

SignatureThe chef's selection sashimi platter, served standing at the central seafood bar.

Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature

€€€

Zhongshan

$$$Closed

A legendary institution that elevated traditional Taiwanese home-style cooking and seafood to a fine dining standard.

SignaturePan-fried fresh pork liver and mud crab steamed with savory glutinous rice.

Fei Qian Wu

Zhongshan

$$Closed

A historic, no-nonsense Japanese-style diner famous for serving some of the freshest grilled eel in the city.

SignatureUnaju, grilled eel glazed in a sweet soy sauce served over hot rice in a lacquer box.

Steak & grills

The city has a deep appreciation for high-end beef, ranging from American-style dry-aged steakhouses to interactive Japanese charcoal yakiniku counters.

Da-Wan Yakiniku

Da'an

$$$$Closed

An intimate, counter-only Japanese barbecue restaurant where skilled staff grill premium cuts of Wagyu beef to order over charcoal.

SignatureA5 Wagyu beef tongue, sliced thick and grilled to a smoky, tender finish.

Danny's Steakhouse

Zhongshan

$$$$Closed

Helmed by the city's prominent steak specialist, this venue features custom-built beechwood grills and dry-aging rooms.

SignatureUSDA Prime dry-aged ribeye steak, cooked over native wood fire.

A Cut Steakhouse

Zhongshan

$$$$Closed

Located inside the Ambassador Hotel, this sophisticated dining room is celebrated for its extensive wine list and premium international beef selections.

SignatureFlannery dry-aged ribeye steak, known for its deep, concentrated flavor.

Tapas/local

Taiwanese small eats (xiaochi) are the culinary soul of the city, characterized by rich braises, savory broths, and a distinct chewy texture known locally as 'Q'.

Din Tai Fung (Xinyi Road)

Da'an

$$Open now

The original branch of the global dumpling empire, maintaining the highest standards of consistency and service.

SignaturePork xiaolongbao, featuring delicate skins with exactly eighteen folds, filled with hot broth.

Jin Feng Lu Rou Fan

Zhongzheng

$Closed

A fast-paced, legendary local diner serving the city's most famous version of comforting braised pork rice.

SignatureLu rou fan, a bowl of steamed rice topped with tender, slow-braised pork belly and shiitake mushrooms.

Yong Kang Beef Noodle

Da'an

Open now

Operating since 1963, this crowded shop is famous for its rich, spicy Sichuan-style beef noodle broth.

SignatureSpicy beef noodle soup with half-tendon, half-meat cuts of Australian beef.

Fine dining

Taipei's contemporary fine dining scene blends classical French techniques with local Taiwanese ingredients, memories, and flavor profiles.

Mume

Da'an

$$$Closed

A Nordic-influenced kitchen that works almost exclusively with local Taiwanese farmers and fishermen to create modern, artistic dishes.

SignatureThe signature raw beef tartare, seasoned with clam emulsion and local herbs.

Logy

Da'an

$$$$Closed

An intimate counter-only restaurant that fuses contemporary techniques with distinct Asian flavors and seasonal Taiwanese produce.

SignatureSavory egg custard (chawanmushi) served with crab meat, wild celery, and a warm consommé.

Budget eats

Incredible food is accessible at low prices across the city, from historic breakfast institutions to humble night market stalls.

Fuhang Soy Milk

Zhongzheng

$Closed

A legendary second-floor breakfast spot where patrons queue from dawn for fresh, wood-fired flatbreads.

SignatureThick clay-oven flatbread (shaobing) wrapped around a crispy fried dough stick (youtiao).

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

Wanhua

$Open now

A standing-room-only street stall in Ximending where crowds gather to eat hot noodles from paper bowls.

SignatureSilky wheat noodles in a thick, smoky bonito broth with tender stewed pork intestines.

Lan Jia Guabao

Gongguan

$Closed

A small shop near the university district serving customizable Taiwanese pork belly sliders.

SignatureGuabao, a steamed white bun stuffed with braised pork, peanut powder, coriander, and pickled mustard greens.

Vegetarian/vegan

Influenced by Buddhist traditions and a modern health movement, Taipei is exceptionally vegetarian-friendly, offering everything from mock-meat dim sum to organic vegan cafes.

Yang Shin Vegetarian Dim Sum

Zhongshan

$$Open now

Energetic, youthful, and packed with students and partygoers dancing to commercial hits.

The city's first high-end vegetarian Cantonese dim sum restaurant, known for its creative use of mushrooms and vegetables.

SignatureSteamed vegetarian barbecue pork buns made with local mushrooms.

After dark

Nightlife

Where the night goes — clubs, rooftop cocktails and the rooms with the best live music.

Nightclubs

Taipei's club scene features high-production sound systems, international guest DJs, and a crowd that dresses to impress.

Wave Club Taipei

Xinyi

$$Closed

Intense, loud, with heavy bass, laser shows, and a young, energetic crowd.

Famous for its open-bar entry options and views of the surrounding skyscrapers in the financial district.

AI Nightclub

Xinyi

Closed

Sophisticated and minimalist, with a standing bar at the front and a plush lounge in the back.

A popular high-tech venue featuring regular appearances by international DJs and a massive dance floor.

Cocktail & rooftop bars

The city has emerged as a cocktail capital, with mixologists incorporating local teas, fruits, and traditional herbs into bespoke drinks.

Bar Mood

Da'an

$$$Closed

Sleek, luxurious, and perfect for sunset drinks with a fashionable crowd.

Helmed by an award-winning mixologist, this dual-concept bar focuses on botanical infusions and high-precision drink preparation.

CÉ LA VI Taipei

Xinyi

$$$$Closed

Spacious, industrial, with excellent acoustics and a passionate crowd of music lovers.

Located on the 48th floor of Breeze Nan Shan, offering panoramic views of Taipei 101 and the city basin.

Live music

From intimate jazz cellars to gritty basement rock venues, Taipei supports a diverse and passionate live music community.

Legacy Taipei

Zhongzheng

Open now

Dimly lit, cozy, and respectful, where patrons listen intently to local and visiting jazz quartets.

Housed in a former warehouse within the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, this is the premier mid-sized venue for local indie bands.

Blue Note Taipei

Da'an

$$Closed

Gritty, casual, and highly social, with patrons spilling out onto the street with cheap draft beers.

Operating since 1974, this intimate, second-floor venue is the historic heart of the city's jazz scene.

Revolver

Zhongzheng

Closed

A multi-level dive bar hosting local punk, metal, and indie rock bands in a raw, intimate performance room.

See & do

Culture

Museums, landmarks and galleries worth structuring a day around.

Museums

Taipei's museums house some of the world's most significant collections of Chinese imperial art, alongside cutting-edge contemporary works.

National Palace Museum

Shilin

Closed

It holds a permanent collection of nearly 700,000 pieces of ancient Chinese imperial artifacts and artworks, rescued from the mainland.

NoteAllow at least three hours; the museum is located in the hills and is best reached by taking a bus from Shilin MRT Station.

Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Zhongshan

Closed

Housed in a striking, brutalist white building, this museum showcases modern and contemporary Taiwanese artists.

NoteClosed on Mondays; tickets are highly affordable, and the surrounding park is excellent for a walk.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Taipei

Datong

Closed

Located in a historic, red-brick elementary school building from the Japanese colonial era, it hosts provocative, cutting-edge exhibitions.

NoteAn easy walk from Zhongshan MRT Station; features a great design shop on the ground floor.

Landmarks & architecture

The city's architectural landscape is a visual timeline of its history, from ornate Qing Dynasty temples to modernist monuments.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Zhongzheng

Open now

A monumental white marble structure with a blue octagonal roof, set within a massive public plaza.

NoteThe changing of the guard ceremony occurs hourly on the top floor of the main hall.

Lungshan Temple

Wanhua

Open now

Built in 1738, this temple is a masterpiece of traditional southern Chinese architecture, featuring intricate stone carvings and dragon pillars.

NoteVisit in the early morning or evening to witness the hypnotic chanting of local worshippers.

The Red House

Wanhua

Closed

Built in 1908 as the city's first public market, this octagonal red-brick building is now a creative hub.

NoteThe ground floor features shops selling goods by local designers, while the rear area is the center of the outdoor gay bar scene.

Galleries

Creative parks and independent galleries have revitalized industrial ruins, turning them into centers for contemporary art and design.

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

Zhongzheng

Open now

A former state-owned plum wine factory converted into a sprawling complex of galleries, indie cinemas, and design boutiques.

NoteHighly popular on weekends; visit on a weekday morning for a quieter experience.

Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

Songshan

Open now

A preserved Japanese-era tobacco factory featuring green courtyards, wooden warehouses, and design exhibitions.

NoteLocated next to the Taipei Dome and the Eslite Spectrum building, which features a 24-hour bookstore.

Dadaocheng Art Yard

Datong

Open now

A collection of historic shophouses converted into small, independent galleries, ceramic studios, and traditional tea salons.

NotePerfect for discovering local ceramic artists and enjoying a quiet cup of tea in a historic courtyard.

Don’t-miss

Signature experiences

Hiking Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan)

Xinyi1-2 hours

It offers the classic postcard view of Taipei 101 rising above the city basin, especially dramatic at sunset and dusk.

via Google

Soaking in Beitou Hot Springs

BeitouHalf day

To experience the city's volcanic geology firsthand by soaking in natural, mineral-rich thermal waters.

via Google

Tea Tasting in Maokong

WenshanHalf day

To ride the glass-bottomed gondola up into the mountain tea plantations and brew traditional Muzha Tieguanyin tea overlooking the city.

via Google

Beyond the city

Day trips

Jiufen Old Street

A historic gold-mining town clinging to a steep mountainside, famous for its narrow, lantern-lit alleys and traditional teahouses overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Getting thereTake the train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, then transfer to a local bus heading up the mountain.

via Google

Yangmingshan National Park

A volcanic mountain range featuring active sulfur vents, hiking trails, seasonal flower blossoms, and wild cattle grazing on grassy plains.

Getting thereTake the MRT to Jiantan Station, then transfer to the direct city bus 260 or Red 5.

via Google

Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf

A historic seaside town at the mouth of the Tamsui River, known for its boardwalk, colonial-era fortresses, and sunset views.

Getting thereTake the MRT Red Line directly to its northern terminus at Tamsui Station.

via Google

Book ahead

Things to do in Taipei

Top-rated tours, tickets and experiences — book in seconds, skip the line.

from $190 approx.

Private Day Trip to Jiufen, Shifen and Yehliu Park

5.0 (30)8 hours

from $110 approx.

Best E-bike Cycling Tour in Taipei - Includes Local Food & Drinks

5.0 (27)5 hours

from $79 approx.

Street Food Cooking Class in Taipei : Gua Bao/Lu Rou Fan/Boba Tea

5.0 (25)2 hours

from $65 approx.

Xiao Long Bao, Pork thick soup, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Light Meals Experience-B (Taipei Cooking Class)

5.0 (25)2 hours 30 min

from $50 approx.

Taipei: Night Food Tour with Drinks, Local Market for Explorers!

5.0 (20)3 hours

from $210 approx.

Private Cruise Tour from Keelung: Trip to Taipei

5.0 (18)7 hours

from $95 approx.

Taiwanese Gourmet Cooking Class in Taipei

5.0 (18)3 hours

from $35 approx.

2-Hour Private Dadaocheng Walking Tour

5.0 (17)2 hours

from $130 approx.

Taiwanese Food Culture and Cooking Class

5.0 (16)4 hours 30 min

from $400 approx.

Private Keelung Food Tour with Local Markets & Tastings

5.0 (15)2 hours 30 min

from $1110 approx.

Exclusive 3-Day Sun Moon Lake & Alishan Private Tour

5.0 (14)72 hours

from $140 approx.

One Day Hike around Taipei's Yangmingshan National Park

5.0 (13)5 hours