Top Spots for Dining, Lodging, and Fun During Your Upcoming Visit to Taipei

Perched at the northern edge of Taiwan, Taipei, the capital city, stands as one of Asia's most densely populated urban areas, housing nearly 3 million residents. Here, modern skyscrapers, towering residential complexes, historic temples, and streets adorned with vibrant neon signs and food stalls harmoniously coexist amidst the surrounding mountains.

Taipei is regarded as the most cosmopolitan city in Taiwan, showcasing a rich tapestry of cultures and ethnicities shaped by the island’s complex history. While Tainan was the capital for much of Taiwan’s history, Taipei became the provincial capital in 1884 under the Qing Dynasty. Following Japan's invasion in 1895, the city expanded significantly with new hospitals, railways, public housing, and administrative buildings. After World War II, Taiwan was ceded to the Chinese Nationalist party.

In 1949, as the Nationalists retreated from a losing battle against Communist forces, they relocated to Taiwan, bringing with them military personnel and officials from the mainland. This large influx contributed to Taiwan’s vibrant food scene, which is a fusion of traditional Taiwanese, Indigenous, Japanese, and various Chinese culinary influences.

Today, Taipei offers a wealth of attractions, including world-class museums, extensive facilities dedicated to anime and manga, a fascinating street food culture, and some of the most stunning green spaces in Asia. Here’s a comprehensive guide for your visit to Taipei.

Getting Around

Taipei boasts an extensive and dependable subway system, referred to as Metro Taipei (or MRT). You can conveniently buy a reloadable EasyCard at a kiosk to cover your fares; this card is also handy for purchasing snacks at 7-Eleven and FamilyMart convenience stores.

Dining Recommendations

Addiction Aquatic Development
Address: No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E. Rd., Zhongshan District

For seafood enthusiasts, Addiction Aquatic Development is an essential destination in Taipei. This venue is entirely dedicated to seafood, featuring various restaurants, independent food stalls, and a marketplace where visitors can purchase a variety of fish, fresh produce, and sauces made from ingredients like scallops and squid. Notable highlights include a DIY sushi bento counter named To-Go Bento, Le Peng, a hot pot restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients, and Fruit Selections, a stand offering fresh juices and desserts.

Fu Hang Dou Jiang
Address: 2/F-28, No. 108, Section 1, Zhongxiao East Road

Taiwanese breakfast features simple yet delicious dishes, typically including soy milk—diner choices range from sweet to a savory version with dried shrimp and green onions—along with a stick of youtiao (a fluffy fried dough also known as a Chinese cruller), a rolled egg or scallion pancake, and sesame flat bread. One of Taipei’s most beloved spots for an early meal is Fu Hang Dou Jiang in the Zhongzheng District, renowned for its doujiang or soy milk. Be sure to arrive early, as the wait can stretch to two hours at times.

Raohe Night Market
Address: Raohe St., Songshan District

There's arguably no better way to enjoy a variety of Taiwanese cuisine at an affordable price than by exploring a night market, which comes alive after dark and is dedicated to food and drink. One of the most frequented night markets in Taipei is Raohe, easily accessible via the MRT and known as one of the city’s oldest night markets. Here, you'll discover an overwhelming array of stalls. Be sure to try the Michelin-recommended buns at Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun, as well as the stands offering savory oyster omelets and crispy fried stinky tofu (fermented tofu served with sweet pickled cabbage).

Activities

Explore Yangmingshan National Park
Address: 5HV6+M9 Beitou District

Taiwan boasts nine national parks, among which Yangmingshan National Park is particularly accessible, situated about nine miles north of Taipei. Named the world’s first Urban Quiet Park in 2020, Yangmingshan features the tallest dormant volcano in Taiwan, Qixing, along with hot springs and fumaroles (volcanic vents that release sulfurous gases). The best time to visit is late winter to see camellia and plum blossoms, and in spring for the stunning cherry trees, azaleas, and hydrangeas.

Explore the National Palace Museum
Address: No. 221, Sec. 2, Zhi Shan Rd., Shilin District

The National Palace Museum houses over 700,000 Chinese paintings, porcelain pieces, and artifacts, representing more than 8,000 years of Chinese history. (Many of the items were relocated from cultural institutions in mainland China when Chinese Nationalist forces retreated to Taiwan in 1949.) Among the museum’s most popular exhibits are the Jadeite Cabbage and Meat-Shaped Stone, celebrated for their strikingly lifelike details.

Plan a Day Trip to Beitou

Take the red line of Metro Taipei to the Xinbeitou stop to visit the renowned hot springs area of Beitou. This district offers both public baths and luxurious, Japanese-style resorts, perfect for enjoying the naturally warm, soothing waters. Additionally, the architecturally impressive Beitou Public Library—Taiwan’s first eco-friendly library—provides a tranquil spot to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

Accommodations

With its distinctive Chinese-style exterior and striking golden yellow roof, the Grand Hotel is hard to overlook. Founded in 1952 by Chinese Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling to host foreign dignitaries, the hotel has welcomed notable guests including Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Nelson Mandela. Conveniently, it’s just a 15-minute stroll to Shilin Night Market, one of Taipei's most vibrant nighttime spots.

The Eslite bookstore chain, established in 1989, now boasts 44 locations across Taiwan. Renowned for opening the world’s first 24-hour bookstore, Eslite ventured into hospitality in 2015 by launching its first hotel—designed by Japanese architect Toyo Ito—in the Xinyi District of Taipei, close to Songshan Cultural & Creative Park. Guests can enjoy access to a 5,000-book library, spacious rooms adorned with local art, and a minimalist yet elegant design across the hotel’s 104 accommodations.

Nestled along the bustling Dunhua North Road, the Mandarin Oriental, Taipei is situated on the outskirts of the vibrant Xinyi District, home to the National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Taipei 101. The Mandarin Oriental features 303 rooms and suites, a two-level spa, and six dining options, including the Michelin-starred restaurant Ya Ge, renowned for its traditional Chinese dishes crafted from locally sourced ingredients.

This Shangri-La stands as the tallest hotel in Taipei, rising 43 stories high. Originally built in 1994, the hotel underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2015. It offers 420 rooms, nine bars and restaurants (including the Michelin-approved Shang’s Palace), a rooftop pool, and breathtaking views of the city from its upper levels.