Taipei, Taiwan — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Taipei, Taiwan
Restaurants
Expensive
Food Culture Heaven
One of Taipei's most treasured culinary experiences, where exquisite Taiwanese food - a collaboration of Chinese and Japanese styles - is served within private, dimly lit oriental pavilions set in the stunning national park surrounds. Bookings essential.
160 Lane 101, Chingshan Road,
Tel: (02) 2862 0078.
Moderate
Five Dime Driftwood House
Taiwan has its own Antoni Gaudi in the form of artist Hsieh Li-Hsiang, who has created this imaginative and dreamlike restaurant out of sprayed concrete, driftwood and her own clay sculptures. It is, in itself, a work of art reminiscent of the famous Spanish architect. The menu is varied with Chinese, Japanese and Western dishes all with a contemporary edge. The emphasis on presentation is fitting given the surrounds.
8 Lane 32, Neihu Rd. Sec. 1
Tel (02) 8502 5567.
Website: www.five-dime.com.tw
HuJiangYen
Traditional Shanghainese cuisine in a contemporary setting.
108 Da An Road, Section 1
Tel: (02) 2778 9667.
Cheap
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung has earned an excellent reputation for its juicy steamed dumplings. A hive of activity with an open kitchen where guests can watch deft fingers create these delicious little morsels.
149 Hsinyi Road, Section 2
Tel: (02) 2721 7890.
GanBei(Mainbranch)
Great Japanese food in an unpretentious atmosphere.
2-1 Lane 25, Nanjing West Road
Tel (02) 2555 6110 or 2776 3460 for reservations.
Nightlife
The best nightlife is found in the commercial district of Anho Rd in East Taipei and the older Shi Men Ding or West Side. Taiwanese tend to eat early and many restaurants close by 2130, but with no licensing limits many bars are open until 0200 or 0400, and some all night. Shao yen or snack bars in night life areas are popular on the way home.
Anho is scattered with bars and restaurants, including the Champagne Bar, 169 AnHer Road, Section 2, a lounge bar with sofas for a wealthy clientele and American-style Carnegies, 100 AnHo Road, Section 2, with good rock music.
Shi Men Ding has an old world atmosphere with lots of tiny little bars and atmospheric tea and coffee houses in its narrow alleys and traditional night markets.
As far as clubs go, the latest place for the young and pretty crowd is Room 18, B1, Taipei 101, 45 ShihFu Road, Hsin Yi District. Also in Taipei 101, Barcode has more of a lounge atmosphere. Opus Bar, Breeze Center, 39 FuSing South Road, Section 1, is where the paparazzi mill to snap Taipei's A-listers, so too Luxy 201, ZhongXiao E. Road, Section 4, occupying a three-tiered themed venue. Plush, Top floor, The Living Mall, Core Pacific City, 138, BaDe Road, Section 4, features International visiting DJs. Good jazz can be found in Blue Note, 4F, 171, Roosevelt Road, Section 3, and Brown Sugar, 101, SongRen Road, but the most reliable music venue is in an old beer factory, Hua-Shan Music Hall, 2F, 1, BaDe Road, Section 1, featuring everything from classical to pop.
