Taipei is an incredible city packed with seriously good food, fascinating culture, fantastic transport, and a fierce creative spirit.
Taipei felt very similar to Tokyo, but like its edgy friend – which makes sense since Taiwan was occupied by Japan for half a century. There’s a blend of Chinese and Japanese sensibilities suffused across Taiwanese culture that makes it so unique.
From the first day we spent in Taipei I knew it would become one of my favourite cities. I came back to London with a suitcase of pineapple cakes, skincare, perfume, and stationery – and a newfound love for Taiwan in general!
So in this post I’m sharing my guide to the best things to do in Taipei – especially if you like exploring creative, historical and offbeat places.
And if you’re a foodie, you’re in the right place! Keep reading for tips on where to go, what to eat, and how to make the most of Taipei.
Exploring Chifeng Street in Taipei: a soulful creative area packed with shops and cafés
Exploring Taipei: Where To Stay & How To Get Around
Where to Stay In Taipei
Best Boutique Hotels in Taipei:
Essential queen room with balcony at Kimpton Da An Taipei
My #1 Boutique Hotel in Taipei: Kimpton Da An Hotel
If you’re after a mix of style, comfort, and a little luxury, Kimpton Da An is one of the best boutique hotels in Taipei. Tucked away in the peaceful Da’an District, it’s a calm retreat that keeps you close to Taipei’s top attractions and buzzing food scene. I stayed here while in Taipei and I really recommend it.
Part of the IHG group, Kimpton Da An still feels distinctly boutique and thoughtfully designed. The rooms have a cosy, stylish vibe, and the in-house restaurant The Tavernist is mentioned in The Michelin Guide. Don’t miss the daily Social Wine Hour with free drinks and snacks like fried chicken – one of the best perks of staying there!
What’s the best way to get around Taipei?
Getting around Taipei is easy, thanks to its reliable and efficient public transport. The Taipei Metro (MRT) is probably your best option—clean, quick, and affordable, with fares usually between $0.50 and $2. Grab yourself an EasyCard, and you’re all set. It works across the MRT, buses, and even in some shops, making it a no-brainer for getting around smoothly.
If you’re keen to hit the ground running, buy an EasyCard here in advance—super easy, you can just tap and go—and save money with discount fares along the way.
From what to see to what to eat, now let’s get into my guide on the best things to do in Taipei.
Best Things To Do In Taipei 2025
Ready for street food! About to enter Raohe Night Market in Taipei with my friend Venus
1. Eat Taiwanese street food at Raohe Street Night Market
One of the best things to do in Taipei is dive into the bustling maze of food stalls at Raohe Street Night Market. I genuinely believe that local eats are the best way to get under the skin of a culture. Raohe Street, home to one of Taiwan’s most famous markets, is a non-negotiable place to visit in Taipei.
My travel buddies and I split a food kitty between us (yes, we take food verrry seriously) so that we could try as many local dishes as possible during our week in Taiwan, and we unanimously agreed that Raohe Street Night Market was one of our trip highlights. Juicy xiaolongbao, sweet-salty squid, saucy oyster omelettes. Yum.
More popular night markets in Taipei include: Shilin Night Market, Shida Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, and Huaxi Street Night Market – though my companions and I picked out Raohe Street because it is particularly centered around food.
Be prepared to be on your feet – you’ll be walking up and down for at least an hour, trying to remember which food stalls you ordered from (they’ll give you a remote buzzer that will alert you when your dish is ready for collection), and there’s limited seating. So pop on your comfy sneakers and hop on a metro ride (NT $20 / £0.50) to Raohe Street Night Market!
Taiwanese street food at Raohe Street Night Market – one of the best things to do in Taipei
Best Taiwanese street food to try at Taipei’s Night Markets
- The Michelin-recommended Fuzhou Ancestor Pepper Pie (a crispy bun filled with scallion and pork), which is baked in a clay oven, and has an immensely satisfying punch of flavour and texture – NT $60 (£1.50)
- Oyster omelettes at Lee Chi, a family-run stall, a hot scramble of oysters, eggs, and spinach in a sweet glaze – we ordered these twice! One omelette and a beer cost NT $100 (£2.50).
- Fresh grilled squid brushed with a sweet garlicky brown sauce
- Freshly seared dumplings like xiaolongbao
- Taiwanese fried chicken (some of the best we had was actually from a food stall in Taichung!)
- Papaya milk – a delicious local drink blending the tropical fruit with milk, ice & condensed milk
🧋Flavors of Taipei: Indulge in a Private Culinary Adventure – A TRUE Taiwan foodie tour! Join this 6-hour “Taste & Tales of Taipei” for a culinary journey from Yongkang Street to Raohe St Night Market, blending foodie delights with cultural insights
🥟 Taipei: Food Tours with Top 10 Taiwanese Food (Lunch/Dinner) – Have you ever wondered what the top 10 Taiwanese foods are or searched online? With two thoughtfully curated food tours, we make exploring Taiwan’s iconic dishes fun, effortless, and unforgettable!
Snapshot of daily life in Chifeng Street, a creative entrepreneurial area
2. Wander Chifeng Street for thrift shops, cafés and handmade goods
A great place to visit in Taipei is Chifeng Street in Zhongshan District – a trendy alleyway packed with specialty coffee shops and restaurants, streetwear boutiques, and retro used parts stores.
Visiting Chifeng Street is one of the best things to do in Taipei, in my eyes! I loved the street, not just because it looked like something out of Studio Ghibli, but also because it was an unpretentious, entrepreneurial part of Taipei with individuality.
There’s a boutique camera shop (SNAPPP) that sells lenses, film cameras and creative goodies. I also loved this homeware shop (卜卜商店) stacked with everything from ceramic bowls to matcha whisks, which has a hidden café upstairs. I bought soup spoons, chopsticks, and a long-handle matcha whisk.
Chifeng Street: specialty café / thrift shops / auto repair parts / matcha lemonade
You can take your pick of cafés to have a sparkling matcha lemonade or oat flat white, or grab an afternoon snack at Japanese Dango spot 赤丸 and enjoy their classic chewy mochi balls dipped in a sweet-salty soy sauce.
The moment we stepped onto Chifeng Street we saw a man crouched on the floor taking photos of his girlfriend against a backdrop of old analogue television screens, which tells you everything. (I then took the same photo, because #vibes.)
卜卜商店 – quirky homeware shop and café in Chifeng Street, Taipei
Best places to visit on Chifeng Street:
- SNAPPP Camera Shop – camera boutique where you can develop your film and buy cute merch and vintage cameras
- 卜卜商店 – quirky homeware shop (1st level) selling ceramic bowls and cups, with a cozy café (located on the 2nd level) offering lunch set meals, desserts and drinks in adorable cat cups
- 赤丸 – authentic dango sticks served in a nostalgic retro-style shop filled with Japanese toys and sweets
- Coffee Dumbo – specialty coffee shop with cool retro vibes, serving up peanut lattes and cinnamon rolls
- Liuzhou River Snails Noodles – authentic noodle soup joint with retro decor and quick service, known for their spiced river snail noodle soup (luo si fen) and pidan tofu (香麻皮蛋豆腐)
- Eslite Spectrum – multi-floor curated lifestyle department store located just opposite Zhongshan metro station.
Traditional Taiwanese egg roll and dim-sum breakfast at Kimpton Da An, Taipei
3. Enjoy a Taiwanese Breakfast Egg Roll (Dan Bing)
The foodie theme is going strong here – one of the best things to do in Taipei is to kick off your day with a local breakfast of 蛋餅 Dan Bing (Taiwanese Egg Crêpe Roll).
Taiwan has totally nailed the breakfast thing (and I’m saying that as someone who grew up eating full English breakfasts as well as Filipino breakfasts).
One of the best parts about Taiwanese breakfast is Dan Bing, which translates to egg pancake: a chewy roll paired with eggs, ham and cheese (occasionally pork floss and sweetcorn too) – topped with a sweet chilli sauce that makes your morning.
There are two kinds of ways to eat Taiwanese egg rolls – wet style and dry style. Wet style offers a pool of sweet and sour dipping sauce, whereas the dry style lets the egg roll speak for itself.
You can choose from lots of different fillings, like cheese, pork, roast meat, sweetcorn, etc. Honestly, Dan Bing are delicious – and since coming back to London I’ve cooked Taiwanese egg rolls at home several times with ham, bacon and cheddar!
The ultimate Taiwanese breakfast: hot egg rolls and sweet tea!
Where to get good Taiwanese egg rolls (danbing) in Taipei
The stunning façade of A-Mei Teahouse in Jiufen
4. Visit Jiufen – A Nearby Mountain Town
One of the best things to do in Taipei is take a day trip to Jiufen, famously known as the ‘Spirited Away‘ mountain town. If you’re in Taipei for at least two days, I recommend spend a morning in Jiufen (九份 or Jioufen), which is only 1 hour away.
Jiufen Old Street showcases the best of Taiwan: rich history, mystical alleyways and teahouses, mountain views, and Taiwanese snacks everywhere you turn. Film fans will recognise Jiufen’s streets from Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s film “City of Sadness” (1989), and notice their resemblance to scenes the animated Studio Ghibli film “Spirited Away“.
Jiufen is a tourist magnet and gets crowded by the afternoon. The best time to visit is around 10am. Lanterns come on from sunset till about 9PM.
To save precious time, we took an Uber from Taipei first thing in the morning, around 7AM, and got there just after 8AM. We left around 1pm and managed to avoid most of the crowds.
Experiencing a tea ceremony at A-Mei Teahouse in Jiufen!
Best places to visit in Jiufen
- A-Mei Lantern Tea House – an iconic ceremonial tea house in a former blacksmith shop, with terrace views. We stopped to have a tea ceremony and sweet treats at the famous teahouse and it was not only delicious but had an incredible view of the misty mountains around us. We bought some mountain tea from here, and then got a beautiful traditional teapot and cup set from a teashop nearby.
- 賴阿婆芋圓 Lai Ah Po Taro Balls – a famous dessert shop serving up taro balls (a signature food item in the Ruifang area). We went to Grandma Lai’s – one of the three oldest sweet taro ball shops in Jiufen – for some sticky taro balls (like a mochi/boba hybrid) with shaved ice, brown sugar syrup, sweet potato and sweet adzuki red beans.
- Shengping Theater – apparently the first cinema in Taiwan, opened in 1914 to provide the gold miners some entertainment.
🎟️ Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen Golden Waterfall Day Tour – Take the shuttle bus from Taipei to visit Yehliu, Jiufen and Shifen! Explore Yin-Yang Sea, Shuinandong Refinery Site (Thirteen-Story Ruins), Golden Waterfall, Jiufen and Shifen, and discover Taiwan’s northeast corner!
My partner doing an epic handstand outside the National Palace Museum in Taipei (he genuinely loved it that much)
5. Explore Taiwanese Art Heritage at the National Palace Museum
One of the best things to do in Taipei is visit the National Palace Museum – a must-see in Taipei!
The National Palace Museum is a great way to explore the history and heritage of Taiwan in just a few hours. For first-timers or those short on time, follow the museum’s thematic route to guide your visit.
The museum is a compact, yet rich cultural experience with high-quality collections tied to Chinese history. You’ll see the world-famous jade pork belly and jade cabbage artefacts, along with countless insights into Chinese arts and culture.
I learned about jade, spirituality, and the afterlife, including the symbolism of circles—context that came in handy when visiting temples in Macau. The museum also provides excellent art commentary—I remember being impressed by the storytelling in the English exhibition descriptions.
Wear comfortable shoes for the walk, and don’t miss the post office by the gift shop where you can send postcards home!
🎟️ Book Tours and Tickets for the National Palace Museum Taipei
Taipei 101 at sunset – what a view!
6. Enjoy Panoramic City Views at Taipei 101 Observatory
One of the best things to do in Taipei is to take in the views of and from Taipei 101.
Taipei 101 is a 101-story skyscraper in Taipei and is Taiwan’s tallest building. (It’s also the 11th-tallest building in the world!)
🎟️ You can also book a ticket for Taipei 101 and visit the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor, which has stunning views of the entire city.
📸 If you’re a photographer or appreciate great architecture, I recommend soaking up the stunning view of Taipei 101 lit up at sunset or night time.
I was commissioned by a newspaper to photograph Taipei 101, so we spent ages hunting for a particular location that turned out to have been photoshopped (so annoying!). But then I found that simply just walking around Taipei led to some of the most beautiful views of Taipei 101, which towers over the city in a way similar to The Shard in London.
My friends posing at the Taipei 101 viewpoint by Takemura Izakaya
Best places to see Taipei 101
- 🎟️ Book your Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket – the outdoor observation deck on the 91st floor is the sky grassland picnic site, and you can enjoy a relaxing “Sky Tour” at an altitude of 400 meters above sea level.
- One of the most famous Taipei 101 photography spots is the Taipei 101 photo spot right beside Takemura Izakaya, tucked away down a small alleyway just off Songren Road. It’s a hidden gem that’s not-so-hidden anymore thanks to Instagram, and it gives a really unique look at the iconic tower, framed beautifully by unpretentious surroundings. I visited this road to take a few photos of Taipei 101 as the sun came down. It’s perfect at blue hour or early night time for those moody vibes.
- Another fantastic photography spot for Taipei 101 is Elephant Mountain – which takes about 20 minutes of stairs to climb (and has incredible sunset views too).
- For a more laidback view of Taipei 101, head to a rooftop bar overlooking the city. We visited The Tavernist at the top of our hotel and I was able to shoot some beautiful images from there.
Bubble Tea: Taiwan’s unofficial national drink! Note: these drinks are from CHICHA San Chen in Taichung
6. Drink Taiwanese Bubble Tea (or Boba Tea) in its Country of Origin
Invented in Taiwan in the 1980s, one of the best things to do in Taiwan is go on your own bubble tea tour!
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea, is a popular drink that originated in Taiwan and is made by mixing tea, fruit or milk, sweetener, and chewy tapioca pearls (also known as boba). Other bubble tea toppings include popping boba, grass jelly, aloe vera and red bean. The drink is usually shaken vigorously to create frothy bubbles, which is how it got its name!
Boba is the unofficial national drink of Taiwan, and there are bubble tea shops on nearly every corner in Taipei! Bubble tea is extremely affordable – sometimes even cheaper than water – and it’s a fun, experiential alternative to traditional tea or a soft drink.
Where to get the best boba in Taipei
I had a sensational pearl milk tea at TenRen in Eslite, but there are even better bubble tea shops in Taipei – check out these best boba recommendations from Stone & Fern:
- 50嵐 / 50 Lan / FIFTYLAN – not the best but one of the oldest and most iconic! Try the Golden Oolong Milk Tea!
- MACU Tea – best known for their fruit tea. Try the Orange Green Tea!
- TRUEDAN 珍煮丹 – popular bubble tea chain in Taipei: go for a brown sugar bubble tea
- KEBUKE Tea Co – black tea drinks are their specialty: try the Peach Black Tea or Bubble Milk Tea
- Chun Shui Tang – known as the originators of bubble tea, worth visiting a Taipei branch!
Beancurd, pork belly and pineapple shrimp during our feast at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature
8. Eat An Affordable Michelin-Starred Dinner at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature
Taipei is known for having an amazing and affordable food scene – and one of the best things to do in Taipei is indulge in some cheap Michelin eats!
Aside from the aforementioned Michelin-noted street food dishes like oyster omelette and pork pepper bun at Raohe Street Night Market, or award-winning beef noodles like the ones at Master Jim Beef Noodle, one of the best meals we had in Taipei was at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature Restaurant, a chain that’s been around since 1977.
This one Michelin-starred restaurant celebrates Taiwanese home cooking with modern sophistication. Dishes we enjoyed included steamed crab roe with sticky rice, braised pork belly, Three Cup Chicken (cups referring to the seasoning that braised the meat: sesame oil, rice wine, soy sauce), and my personal favourite – pineapple shrimp.
Service was quick and English-friendly, plus our bill came to a NT $3,784 (£94) between four people – not bad at all.
Delicious soy-braised pork belly at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature in Taipei
What to order at Shin Yeh Taiwanese Signature
- Pineapple Shrimp – battered fried shrimp & pineapple chunks covered in a sweet mayo glaze
- Steamed Crab Roe with Sticky Rice – glutinous rice dish that came with a whole crab on top
- Three Cup Chicken – saucy fried chicken (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil) packed with garlic, basil, ginger & chilli
- Braised Pork Belly – deliciously soft pork belly braised in a hoisin-type sauce
🥟 Xiao Long Bao, Beef Noodles & Boba Tea Cooking Class in Taipei – Book this cooking class and make authentic Taiwanese dishes like Xiao Long Bao, Braised Beef Noodle Soup, and bubble tea. Hands-on guidance from local chefs in a small-group class – perfect for showing you the heart of Taiwan’s food culture!
Gānbēi! Trying unique cocktails at HANKO 60 如醉如夢
9. Bar-Hopping & Cocktails at Taipei’s Hidden Speakeasy Bars
One of the best things to do in Taipei is to explore its quirky nightlife scene and enjoy classic cocktails with a Taiwanese touch.
We loved ending our evening at HANKO 60 如醉如夢, a hidden speakeasy with mind-blowing artisanal drinks inspired by different aspects of Taiwanese culture, blending in local ingredients.
To get into Hanko 60 you enter through what looks like a very boring grey door. Once you press the buzzer, the entire wall swings open to reveal the hidden speakeasy – such fun.
The bartenders know how to impress here. The drinks are stunning and delicious, making for a fun experience with dry ice smoke, fine china vases, Japanese soda bottles and skull heads instead of the usual drinking glasses. Plus the low-light red neon sign channels that Wong Kar-Wai sort of vibe.
HANKO 60 如醉如夢 hidden speakeasy bar in Taipei
Here’s another great list of the best cocktail bars and speakeasies in Taipei – shout outs include:
- Alchemy – considered Taipei’s best speakeasy-style bar with prohibition-inspired cocktails.
- Antique Bar 1900 – unique cocktail bar in a heritage building on the historic Dihua Street (the oldest in Taipei).
- Zao Ka (灶咖) – local Taiwanese bar near Raohe Street Night Market with a mostly Mandarin menu
Across the pond: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei
10. Browse Boutiques and Bookstores at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park
The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is one of the coolest spots in Taipei. What used to be a massive tobacco factory from the 1930s has been completely reimagined as a modern hub for art, design, and all things creative. Originally built in the 1930s, during the late Japanese colonial period, the Songshan Tobacco Factory was once considered a state-of-the-art facility.
Nestled in Songshan is Eslite Spectrum (Songyan Store) – a multi-story bookstore and shopping mall that we spent waaaay too much time (and money!). Each floor has a curated collection of books, tea, crafts and gifts, boutique fashion, and gourmet food stalls. I LOVED this place.
They’ve got a huge variety of amazing stationery (think limited edition Uniball pens), unique local clothing brands, cosmetics and skincare, music, jewellery and more. I ended up purchasing a bunch of Japanese-inspired stationery as gifts, as well as some lovely perfume (Asia White Tea) from gorgeous local brand meowxiang. After we went shopping we went downstairs to the food court to revive ourselves with puer milk tea and dumplings.
I’d recommend going to Eslite if you’re after unique gifts to bring back home from Taipei with you.
Popular vintage storefront in Chifeng Street, Taipei
Best Things To Do In Taipei: Explore As Much As Possible
Taipei’s got a bit of everything—stunning scenery, fascinating history, buzzing cities, and some of the best food you’ll ever try. And so does Taiwan in general.
Whether you’re wandering through Taipei’s lively markets, soaking up the old-world feel of Jiufen, or tackling the trails in Alishan’s misty mountains, there’s something unforgettable waiting around every corner. Hand on heart, Taiwan is one of the best countries I’ve travelled around.
I hope this guide on the best things to do in Taipei was helpful.
Check out the rest of my Taiwan travel guides to help you plan the perfect Taiwan adventure. If you have any questions – drop a comment or DM me on Instagram!
Hoshinoya Guguan Review: Taiwan’s Most Luxurious Hot Spring
How To Spend A Weekend In Hong Kong: 48 Hours in Hong Kong Itinerary
