Restaurants in Taipei
Food is a constant preoccupation in Taipei, and choices vary from traditional Chinese delicacies found at street stalls and foodcourts to excellent Korean and Japanese fare to the outright bizarre -- pearl milk tea or Hello Kitty hamburgers, anyone? Flavorful nightmarkets are a must, but it's also worth wandering down a food street like Yongkang Lu, lined with boutique eateries. Finally, make time for a traditional teahouse like Wistaria (1, Lane 16, Xinsheng South Rd., Sec 3; tel. 02/2363-7375), where you can experience a tea ceremony in an effortlessly refined setting.
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12 Results
- Beijing (Peking) Duck
Celestial
When Chiang Kaishek arrived in Taipei, he didn't just bring millions of soldiers with him, he also brought the dish "Peking Duck" to the city. And Celestial has Taipei's (arguably) most heavenly version of the dish. You need a group to come here, as you order by the duck, and one is…$$$Zhongshan District - Taiwanese
Chi Chia Chuang
What little decoration there is at this white-tiled, brightly lit restaurant consists of depictions of poultry: robust roosters, strutting hens, painted or photographed and hanging on the walls. That's a big clue about the house specialty. Here is some of the tenderest chicken you'll…$$Zhongshan - Taiwanese
Din Tai Fung
Yes, it's now an international chain, but once you've tasted the scrumptious, Shanghai-style dumplings, you'll understand why the New York Times once called this one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. Beyond the classic pork-and-crab soup dumplings, order up a luxe (but not that…$Multiple Locations - Japanese
Mitsui
Taipei's finest Japanese restaurant (it's actually a small chain) features some of the freshest, most expertly prepared sushi and sashimi I’ve ever had. The names of the fish aren’t always expertly translated into English (I have a hard time believing that there’s actually a fish…$$$Da'an District - International
Modern Toilet Restaurant
Let's get one thing out of the way first. You don't come here for the food (which is mediocre). You come to take selfies of yourself sitting on a toilet seat and eating chocolate ice cream (or some other similiarly, er, evocative dish) out of a miniature toilet bowl. Do we judge you…$Ximending - Taiwanese
Old Wang's Beef Noodle Soup
Beef noodle soup is widely considered Taipei's signature dish, and you won't find a better rendition of it anywhere than at this much beloved institution. The chunks of meat floating in the soup are brisket-like in their tenderness. The noodles are toothsome. And the broth is…$Ximen - Seafood
Really Good Seafood
For once, a name doesn’t lie. A special occasion restaurant for those who love the fruits of the sea, RGS offers the choice of private dining rooms for large groups or a modern art-bedecked main dining room for couples and smaller gatherings. All start a meal by walking into a big…$$Da'an District - Taiwanese
Sanyuan Hau
In Taipei, hole-in-the-wall, Mom-and-pop places are likely to be as famous as the restaurant that charge big bucks for a meal, and that’s the case with this "small bites" specialist. All of the dishes cost just 20 to 50 Taiwan dollars, yet they’re gourmet in quality, with a…$Yuanhuan - Taiwanese
Shilin Night Market
You can't really say you've done Taipei until you’ve spent an evening grazing at a night market. Not only is it a lot of fun, but the food can be revelatory. Some of my favorites dishes include candied cherry tomatoes (like candy apples, but with a tarter and mushier center), rich…$Shilin - Regional Taiwanese
Sit Fun Taiwanese Restaurant
Don't be put off by the long line that snakes out the door (reservations are not accepted) or the odd name ("sit fun" means "eat" in Cantonese). The line moves quickly and is a testament to the quality of the food, which pays homage to the once-remote Yilan region of Taiwan. It’s a…$$Da'an District - Pizza
So Free
When you've had enough dumplings and rice, turn to Italian starch for comfort. This primo pizza joint has a real wood-burning, domed oven at the front, which turns out pefectly charred pies. You can go for Italian classic like three-cheese mushroom or margherita pies, or go local…$Ximending Area - Korean
Ton Tong Tong
When the Taiwanese go to dinner, it's often for a hot pot meal. An export from Korea, this hugely popular type of restaurant offers a fun cook-it-yourself experience, which involves the waiter bringing a massive bowl of soup (usually spicy) and lighting a fire below it. You then…$$Da'an District
