Taipei’s specialty coffee culture is world-class, boasting hundreds of specialty coffee shops and dozens of top-tier roasters scattered throughout the city.
Even Taiwan’s ubiquitous convenience stores, such as 7-Eleven and FamilyMart, feature their own signature single-origin coffees.
Coffee shops vary in ambiance and decor, from cozy repurposed historical homes and minimalist industrial spaces to sleek, modern cafes in upscale shopping centers and quaint take-out coffee nooks.
The emphasis lies on high-quality, artisanal brews. While many coffee shops offer a range of extraction methods, pour-over remains the gold standard. Much like in Japan, it’s common to find siphon coffee as an alternative, although some establishments specialize in this method.
Our guide to must-visit cafes and coffee shops in Taipei highlights establishments that deliver exceptional roasts, weaving together a rich tapestry of cultural history, distinctive architectural design, and an unparalleled coffee experience.
COFFEE LOVER’s PLANET
Located in Taipei’s Dunhua SOGO Department Store, COFFEE LOVER’s PLANET is a professional coffee shop that takes a scientific and comprehensive approach to coffee. Serving as the flagship store for the renowned Japanese brand, Ueshima Coffee Co. (UCC), this establishment boasts an expansive range of beans, brewing techniques, and related products.
With a choice of seven brewing methods—drip master, siphon, pour-over, French press, cold brew, water drip, and espresso—visitors can indulge in their preferred extraction method or venture into new taste territories.
The coffees here are conveniently sorted by flavor profile and caffeine content, simplifying the decision making process. The selection includes beans from Taiwan’s own Alishan region, as well as over a dozen other outstanding international single-origin coffees—highlights include Blue Mountain NO.1 from Jamaica and Emerald Manor (Geisha) from Panama.
Enhancing the experience, each coffee order is complemented with coffee grounds for a sensory exploration and a coffee card detailing the brew’s background, assisting enthusiasts in their coffee journey.
COFFEE LOVER’s PLANET also sells coffee beans stored in what they call a “Positive Pressure Can”, a special Japanese technology and trade secret, which is said to increase the aromatic content of the beans after roasting by 47%, and the total aroma content of the coffee extract by 22%. Roasted and sealed on the premises, these beans promise unparalleled freshness. For those keen on home brewing, the shop also offers stylish brewing kettles, grinders, and coffee makers.
For more information, including a full menu, visit their official website.
FU Coffee
Located in Taipei’s historic Dihua Street in the Dadaocheng area, FU Coffee is a beautiful hole-in-the-wall joint with authentic vintage decoration, a tidy but small interior, and seriously good coffee.
The interior is cozy with limited seating: old lanterns illuminate the counter; Tiffany-style stained glass lamps rest on beautiful hand-painted wooden furniture, and a small seating area features vintage stools and chairs. For those who prefer the outdoors, additional seating is nestled under the iconic arcades of Dihua Street.
FU Coffee prides itself on a carefully curated selection of coffee beans, featuring local Taiwanese varieties alongside an array of international single-origin options. While the shop roasts its own beans, it also showcases notable picks from other Taiwanese roasters, serving as an ideal spot to savor the flavors of local craftsmanship.
Should you find the place bustling with no seating in sight, there’s no cause for concern. FU Coffee offers an alternative at their second, more expansive location on Guisui Street. Spread across three floors, this venue not only offers ample seating but also tempts visitors with a selection of handcrafted desserts.
Rufous Coffee Roasters
Since its establishment in 2007, Rufous Coffee Roasters has evolved into one of Taipei’s premier independent coffee destinations. Their dedication to quality was recognized in 2019 when they secured the 16th spot on the list of Asia’s Top 50 Coffee Shops.
Upon entering, the first thing handed to you is their hand drip coffee menu. The menu details the production area, flavor, processing methods, etc, ensuring you are sure to find the one you like.
The interior of Rufous is casual yet hip. Lit up by dim yellow lights that cast a warm glow over the seats surrounding the bar and lacking overly ornate decorations, the cafe’s simplicity, modest ambiance, and unassuming exterior, are all part of its charm. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee enhances the atmospheric feel of the place.
Cozy seating and a warm environment makes this a great destination to catch up with old friends, and it’s also a destination frequented by remote workers and bookworms.
The cafe’s extensive menu boasts an array of choices, from single-origin coffees and espressos to inventive creations like alcohol-infused coffee or brews crowned with ice cream. For those with a sweet tooth, a variety of desserts and light bites are also on offer.
Debut Cafe
Tucked away in the alleys behind Huashan Creative Park, Debut Cafe stands as a captivating establishment, distinguishable by its rustic, handcrafted wooden door and impressive floor-to-ceiling windows that adorn its facade.
Stepping inside reveals a spacious, luminous interior adorned with a myriad of antiques, from tee-shirts commemorating coffee competitions to a striking Chinese medicine cabinet showcased at the bar. The seating options vary, catering to both the conventional preference of regular tables and the traditional allure of tatami booths. Even the dishware here is a testament to the cafe’s commitment to aesthetics, with coffees presented in antique cups and plates sourced from around the world.
Debut Cafe provides their own simplified version of the famous but overwhelming coffee flavor wheel designed by the Specialty Coffee Association of America. The chart, referred to as “Debut Simple Cupping”, provides an easy-to-understand explanation of each coffee bean’s flavor profile.
Their menu is a coffee lover’s delight, encompassing single-origin pour-over coffee, espressos brewed using vintage machines, and imaginative coffee cocktails infused with plum wine and an assortment of liquors. Beyond coffee, they serve authentic Taiwanese tea and intriguing Italian-inspired concoctions like “apple coffee” and “berry dream”.
For those in search of a tranquil spot to work, enveloped in the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting hum of grinding beans, Debut Cafe emerges as the quintessential choice.
ALL DAY ROASTING COMPANY
Nestled in the hip Minsheng Community amidst Japanese boutiques and avant-garde eateries, All Day Roasting Company (ADRC) has stood out as a beacon for coffee aficionados since its inception in 2014.
ADRC takes pride in its specialization of light roasts, curating a diverse beverage menu ranging from single-origin pour-over coffees and espressos to flavorful variants. This is complemented by an assortment of Taiwanese teas, tisanes, matcha, kombucha, and other refreshing choices. Not to be overlooked, their culinary offerings span light meals, sandwiches, and delectable desserts.
ADRC’s interior design captivates with an industrial flair. Exposed water pipes, shelves crafted from repurposed skateboards, and the prominent SLAYER coffee machine accentuate the space. The establishment’s facade, dominated by expansive windows and a unique glass ceiling, floods the front area with natural light, juxtaposing the intimate setting of the bar at the rear.
Having carved its niche in the coffee realm, ADRC boasts accolades including a recommendation in the Louis Vuitton tour guidebook, a feature in Big 7 Travel’s Top 7 Coffee Shops, and a spot among Taiwan’s Top 25 coffee establishments.
The All Day Roasting Company Shida Branch located near Taipower MRT Station is an alternative location that is easier to access via public transportation but offers the same great roasts and a Black Eagle espresso machine. This location features both indoor and open-air seating.
For more information, including a full menu, visit their official website.
Fika Fika Cafe
Fika Fika Cafe, a gem in Taiwan’s coffee scene, is the brainchild of Mr. Chen, a celebrated double-champion of the 2013 Nordic Roaster Competition. Notably, he was the inaugural individual from outside the Nordic nations to clinch this esteemed title. Drawing inspiration from his deep admiration for Nordic coffee traditions, Mr. Chen named his cafe “Fika Fika,” deriving from the Swedish term “Fika” which eloquently translates to “drink coffee and rest together”.
The cafe boasts a diverse beverage menu that caters to a spectrum of tastes. From intriguing coffee-alcohol concoctions and fruit-infused coffees to flavored lattes, the choices are vast. For the discerning palate, a premium selection of pour-over coffees is also available, featuring beans sourced from Yunlin, Taiwan. Complementing the coffee offerings are a variety of smoothies, milk teas, and traditional Taiwanese teas. To satiate hunger, patrons can indulge in an assortment of sandwiches, bagels, salads, and a delightful spread of cakes and pastries.
There are two additional locations in Xinyi District near Taipei 101, Fika Fika Cafe Eslite Branch, and Fika Fika Cafe A13.
Zhanlu Coffee
- No. 2-1, Lane 161, Section 1, Xinsheng S Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106 (multiple locations)
Established in 2003, Zhanlu Coffee was at the forefront of pioneering specialty coffee in Taipei. Over the past twenty years, their unwavering commitment to excellence has facilitated their growth into five distinct outlets, a dedicated roasting hub, and a bakery.
The brand draws its name and inspiration from a storied past—”Zhan Lu” references one of the five treasured swords crafted by the legendary sword-maker Ou Yezi during the tumultuous Warring States Period; it also references the deep black color of coffee.
The ambiance of the café invites customers to feel as though they are seated beside the very furnace where the illustrious Zhan Lu sword was once forged. Its signature roast, “La Vie en Rose”, was inspired by Édith Piaf’s famous chansion. The roast differs from the rest of the menu by using a higher-grade of bean (raw material) and devoting more time to experimentation when researching and roastinging. In 2023, the signature roast was updated with little passion fruit flavor, and renamed “La Vie en Rose – Bloom”.
The rest of the menu divides coffees by their general flavor profile, making it easy to order a roast that suits your tastes. Floral coffees, alcoholic coffees, milk teas, light snacks and set meals are also available.
