Best Restaurants & Street Food: Taipei, Taiwan

Overview

Taipei is one of Asia's greatest food cities — full stop. Whether you're slurping beef noodle soup at a tucked-away hole-in-the-wall or grazing through a buzzing night market with a scallion pancake in one hand and bubble tea in the other, the Taiwanese capital delivers an extraordinary culinary experience at every turn. The city blends Hokkien, Japanese, and Hakka influences into a cuisine that is deeply comforting, endlessly varied, and surprisingly affordable.

Essential Information

• Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). USD 1 ≈ TWD 32. Most street food costs between USD 1–4 per item.
• Language: Mandarin Chinese is the official language, but English signage is common in tourist areas and MRT stations.
• Best time to visit: October to December offers mild temperatures and lower humidity — ideal for long nights of eating outdoors.
• Getting around: The Taipei Metro (MRT) is clean, cheap, and punctual. An EasyCard (loaded transit card) costs around USD 1.50 to purchase and covers MRT, buses, and YouBike rentals.
• Tipping: Not customary at street stalls or casual restaurants. High-end restaurants may include a 10% service charge.

Where to Eat

Taipei's food scene rewards explorers. Here's a breakdown of the must-visit spots by style and neighbourhood:

Night Markets

Shilin Night Market is the city's most famous and the best starting point for first-timers. Arrive after 6 PM and head straight for the underground food court for oyster vermicelli, stinky tofu, and XXL crispy chicken cutlets. Expect to spend around USD 8–12 on a full night of snacking. For a more local feel with fewer crowds, Raohe Street Night Market near Songshan MRT station is a shorter strip but arguably more authentic. Don't miss the black pepper buns baked inside a clay oven at the entrance — they're legendary.

Ningxia Night Market in the Datong district is a favourite among Taipei residents. It's smaller, less touristy, and specialises in classic Taiwanese dishes. Try the coffin bread — a thick slice of toast hollowed out and filled with creamy seafood or curry — for around USD 3.

Sit-Down Restaurants

For beef noodle soup, the dish that many consider Taiwan's unofficial national food, head to Lin Dong Fang in the Da'an district. Expect a queue, but the rich, slow-braised broth is worth every minute. A large bowl runs around USD 8. Vegetarians are exceptionally well catered for in Taipei — look for Buddhist vegetarian restaurants (素食, sùshí) scattered throughout the city, where a full meal rarely costs more than USD 5–6.

For something more elevated, the Yongkang Street neighbourhood is lined with excellent restaurants, tea houses, and dessert shops. This is also where you'll find Din Tai Fung's original location — the world-famous xiaolongbao (soup dumpling) restaurant. Lunch for two with dumplings, noodles, and vegetables typically comes to around USD 25–35. Book ahead or arrive when it opens to avoid a lengthy wait.

Local Tips

• Breakfast culture is serious in Taipei. Join locals at a traditional Taiwanese breakfast shop (早餐店) for egg crepes, soy milk, and shao bing (sesame flatbread) — most shops open from 6 AM and close by 11 AM.
• The area around Gongguan MRT station near National Taiwan University is packed with affordable eats popular with students — great for budget travellers.
• Drink vendors are everywhere. A fresh papaya milk or classic pearl milk tea (boba) costs USD 1.50–3 and is non-negotiable.

Getting There

Most international flights arrive at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), located about 40 kilometres southwest of central Taipei. The Taoyuan Airport MRT connects the airport to Taipei Main Station in roughly 35 minutes and costs around USD 5 — it's fast, easy, and the best option for most travellers. Taxis are available but will cost USD 35–50 depending on traffic.

Direct flights to TPE operate from major hubs including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Singapore, and London. Airlines including EVA Air, China Airlines, and Cathay Pacific offer well-regarded service on these routes. From Southeast Asian cities, flight times are typically 3–5 hours, making Taipei an easy add-on to a broader regional trip.

Accommodation Options

• Budget (USD 25–60/night): Hostels and guesthouses in the Zhongzheng and Wanhua districts put you close to night markets and MRT lines. Star Hostel Taipei Main Station is a consistently well-reviewed option with private and dorm rooms.
• Mid-Range (USD 70–150/night): Boutique hotels in the Da'an or Zhongshan districts offer a great balance of comfort and location. Look for hotels near Dongmen or Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT stations for easy access to both dining and shopping.
• Luxury (USD 200+/night): The Mandarin Oriental Taipei and the Grand Hyatt