The best restaurants Taiwan

Timetable

Most restaurants are open all day, but close relatively early (around 9:30pm). Upscale establishments generally close between lunch and dinner services.

Budget & Tips

There are restaurants to suit all budgets in Taiwan, from small neighborhood canteens where you can eat for a few hundred Taiwanese dollars to luxurious establishments that can charge several thousand dollars for a meal. International credit cards are generally accepted, but you'll need to pay cash in the lower-end establishments.

What costs extra

In Taiwan, there are no nasty surprises when it comes to the bill, even if restaurants sometimes include a service charge that acts as a tip (between 10 and 15% of the total amount). Please note, however, that menu prices do not always include VAT (15%).

The local way

The vast majority of restaurants in Taiwan offer only chopsticks as cutlery, although in Taipei, the use of knife and fork is becoming increasingly common. Portions are quite hearty, making them ideal for sharing.

To be avoided

Hygiene in Taiwanese restaurants is usually quite acceptable. So there's no risk of ordering raw vegetables or drinking from ice cubes. Although tap water is theoretically drinkable, the pipes are in poor condition. So it's best to boil your water before drinking it, or switch to mineral water.

Never stick your chopsticks in your rice bowl, as this brings bad luck.

Kids

Children are welcome in all establishments in Taiwan, except perhaps some karaoke bars after dark.

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in restaurants in Taiwan. However, smoking rooms are available in a small number of establishments.

Tourist traps

Restaurants in the most popular tourist areas face stiff competition. Sometimes very persistent touts try to lure the clientele with promotional offers. But the quality isn't always there.