Why Taipei Is One of the World’s Best Coffee Cities

If you’ve ever wondered which city truly captures the soul of coffee culture—not just the brew, but the stories, spaces, and people behind it—Taipei might be your answer. It’s not just about the caffeine; it’s about the atmosphere, the history, and the community wrapped into each cup. This is where literature, cinema, music, and craftsmanship meet the daily ritual of coffee.

BBC named Taipei one of the best coffee cities in the world, alongside Vienna and Seattle. With iconic cafés like (Stars), (Spot), and hidden gems such as (Offline Café), Taipei offers a uniquely layered coffee experience that blends art, nostalgia, and craftsmanship.

The Literary Heartbeat: Stars Café

Taipei’s most iconic literary café, Stars Café, has been a gathering place for writers since 1949. Located at 5F, 1 Zhongzheng District, Wuchang Street, this spot was a hub for literary greats including Bai Xianyong, Sanmao, and Chen Yingzhen. Even Lin Hwai-min, founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, was a regular. The café retains its original wooden furnishings, Russian toffees, and hand-forged ironwork—unchanged for over half a century. It’s more than a café; it’s a living piece of Taiwanese literary history.

Address: 2F, 5, Section 1, Wuchang St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Hours: 10:00–22:00

Cinema & Coffee: Spot Taipei

Housed in a former U.S. consulate on Zhongshan North Road, Spot Taipei is a cultural crossroads for film lovers. Founded with support from director Hou Hsiao-hsien, it’s both a cinema and a café. The ground floor screens independent and foreign films throughout the day and evening, while the café serves espresso and conversation between screenings. With classic posters on the walls and the hum of cinematic discussion in the air, it’s a must-visit for anyone who believes coffee tastes better with a movie.

Hours: Café: Sun–Thu 11:00–22:00, Fri–Sat 11:00–00:00 | Cinema: 12:00–24:00 (6 screenings daily)
Address: Zhongshan N Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City

Music & Minimalism: Offline Café

Tucked away in Taipei’s Huashan Creative Park, Offline Café is a no-wifi zone designed purely for music and coffee. Run by Mayday bassist “Masa,” it bans food service and digital distractions—replacing them with vinyl records and indie magazines. The intimate space often hosts live performances and attracts local musicians. It’s a rare spot where coffee is just the backdrop to the main event: pure, uninterrupted sound.

Other recommendations: InputMusic Music Shop Café (run by Mayday guitarist “Stone”), located at 7, Lane 170, Tonghua St, Da’an District

Address: Huashan Creative Park, Taipei City

Historic Charm: Green Island Serenade Café

Housed in a 90-year-old Japanese-era wooden house once owned by photographer Sasaki Hachijiro, Green Island Serenade Café is a restored gem in Taipei. Surrounded by trees, the café serves coffee in a space where old wooden floors and bamboo walls preserve decades of history. Their signature “Green Island Serenade” coffee features a subtle milk liqueur aroma, perfect for rainy afternoons. Upstairs, the architect-owner’s studio adds to the creative ambiance.

Other recommendations: Fullerton Café, a baroque-style café in a pre-1960s Western suit shop

Address: Taipei City (historic Japanese house location)

Slow Brew Philosophy: Three Huai Tang Café

This tiny four-table café is famous for its top-three-ranked cheese cake in Taipei and its unique approach to siphon brewing. The owner, who has run the shop for nearly 20 years, prepares siphon coffee with the care of decanting fine wine—swirling, sniffing, and waiting 20–30 minutes for the perfect extraction. It’s a masterclass in slow coffee in a city that rarely slows down.

Other recommendations: Bee’s Café, one of Taipei’s oldest coffee shops, known for its near 60-year-old cold drip

Address: Taipei City (Three Huai Tang location)

Cafés With Cinematic & Artistic Connections

Beyond the heavyweights, Taipei is dotted with niche cafés tied to film and art. Douer Café, featured in the movie Thirty-Sixth Story starring Gwei Lun-mei, became a pilgrimage site though it has since closed—its street, Fujin Street, remains a picturesque destination. Montmartre Café in Yangmingshan, run by portrait photographer Lai Yuezhong, mimics the Parisian café vibe with mountain views and Blue Mountain coffee. Xianyu Corner, a 5.5-square-meter design haven near Yongkang Street, attracts global travellers with its handcrafted goods and fragrant citrus-infused brews.

Other spots: Eslite Dunhua 24-hour bookstore with a café, a key filming location from Page One Taipei

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did BBC call Taipei one of the best coffee cities?

BBC recognised Taipei for its unique blend of literary cafés, cinema houses, music venues, and historic coffee spots that create a rich, culturally immersive coffee experience—not just great caffeine, but meaningful moments tied to art and community.

What is the most famous literary café in Taipei?

Stars Café , open since 1949 at 5F, 1 Zhongzheng District, Wuchang Street, is Taipei’s most iconic literary café, frequented by writers like Bai Xianyong and Sanmao, and still unchanged in its vintage charm.

Where can I enjoy coffee with a cinematic experience in Taipei?

Spot Taipei , located in a former U.S. consulate on Zhongshan North Road, combines a cinema showing indie films with a ground-floor café—perfect for enjoying coffee between screenings.

Which Taipei café is known for taking an unusually long time to brew coffee?

Three Huai Tang Café is known for its meticulous siphon coffee process, where the owner smells and stirs the brew multiple times, often taking 20–30 minutes to achieve the desired flavour.

Are there any music-only cafés in Taipei?

Yes, Offline Café in Huashan Creative Park is a wifi-free, food-free zone dedicated to music and coffee, often hosting live gigs and run by Mayday’s bassist.

What other historic or artistic cafés are worth visiting in Taipei?

Green Island Serenade Café is set in a 90-year-old wooden house, Montmartre Café offers mountain views reminiscent of Paris, and Douer Café was tied to the film Thirty-Sixth Story—each adding a distinct cultural layer to Taipei’s coffee scene.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Taipei-Style Cafés

For a Taipei-inspired café experience, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera—renowned for its floral brightness and complex citrus notes, perfect for slow siphon brewing. Pair it with FrontStreet’s Jamaica Blue Mountain No.1 for a smooth, chocolatey espresso akin to what you’d find at classic Taipei spots. Finally, their PWN Golden Mandheling offers low acidity and heavy body, ideal for those who love a classic, contemplative cup. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.