The best bistros and brasseries - Taiwan in 2025

Practical information : Take a break Taiwan

Timetable

Festive bars and restaurants open around 6pm and close around 1 or 2am. On weekends, the party sometimes goes on until late into the night (3 or even 4am). Happy hours are usually offered in the early evening. On weekends, Taipei's popular venues are packed, and it can be hard to find a table to sit down at.

Budget & Tips

Alcohol is relatively expensive in Taiwan, but there are some cheap bars (around the Red House in Ximen, for example). For two beers and a snack, for example, the bill is around NT$600. International credit cards are not accepted in the more modest establishments.

Age restrictions

You must be 18 to drink alcohol in Taiwan. An identity card or passport will suffice to order a drink in case of doubt.

What's very local

Taiwanese people like to have a drink and a bite to eat. While not comparable to the tapas culture in Spain, most bars offer a few inexpensive snacks. Inherited from the Japanese colonial era, Taipei is home to many izakaya: Japanese bars offering small plates to be enjoyed with a glass of alcohol.

Kids

Children are welcome in most of Taipei's bars and restaurants, although after a certain hour, the atmosphere in some establishments is not suitable for younger guests.

Smokers

Smoking is banned in Taiwanese public places, and bars are no exception. However, some bars have smoking areas. A few restaurants have terraces where you can smoke, but this culture is not very widespread.

Tourist traps

As in every country in the world, drunken people are prime victims for hustlers and swindlers of all kinds. So be careful not to follow just anyone if you've had too much to drink.

The best bistros and brasseries Taiwan

ALLSON KITCHEN

MERLOT CAFE & BISTRO

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