Taipei: What to Eat in Every Occasion

If you’re heading to Taipei and wondering where to eat, you’re in the right place. This blog is your go-to guide for everything delicious in the city—from hole-in-the-wall local spots to Michelin Guide picks, and of course, the unforgettable flavors of its bustling night markets. Whether you’re planning your meals in advance or just looking for a quick bite on the go, this guide is here to help you make up your mind when hunger strikes.

The Basics

These are the ones close to Amba Songshan. A combination of American cuisine and Tien’s favorites. In case you are missing home, these are great for an easy bite.

Meat Butler

• Chinese Name: 肉執事

• Address: 台北市信義區市民大道六段135號

• Known for: Self-serving personal grill Yakiniku set meals, your meal is delivered to you by a robot. It’s a cute spot for delicious bbq without needing to worry about eating with a big group. This is one of my personal favorites.

Awesome Burger

• Chinese Name: 澳森漢堡

• Address: 台北市信義區基隆路一段190巷11號

• Known for: A small American-style burger joint famed for its fresh, high-quality burgers and inventive flavors.  Its signature Peanut Butter Bacon Cheeseburger is highly recommended

Salt & Stone

• Chinese Name: no official Chinese name

• Address: 台北市信義區市府路45號4樓（台北101購物中心4樓）

• Known for: Californian-inspired Italian fusion cuisine in a chic setting.  Specialties include hand-made pastas, thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas, and rich desserts (e.g. the signature walnut pie

Lawry’s Taipei

• Chinese Name: 勞瑞斯餐廳

• Address: 台北市信義區松仁路28號6樓

• Known for: Upscale classic steakhouse fare – especially slow-roasted USDA prime rib carved tableside from a silver trolley . The decor evokes an English manor style, and popular side dishes like Yorkshire pudding accompany the beef.

  
  

The Diner

• Chinese Name: 樂子

• Address (Xinyi flagship): 台北市信義區松壽路12號

• Multiple Branches: This American-style diner chain has several Taipei locations, including branches in Xinyi (above), Da’an (瑞安街145號) and Nangang (經貿二路166號A棟2樓).

• Known for: Classic American comfort food and hearty portions.  Menu highlights include generous brunch items, sandwiches and hamburgers, and all-day American breakfast fare.  It’s a long-standing “老牌美式餐廳” with a lively, casual vibe

The Corner Pit

• Chinese Name: 角窩美式餐酒館

• Address: 台北市信義區基隆路二段10號

• Known for: A contemporary American gastropub atmosphere.  The Corner Pit specializes in grilled BBQ platters and smoked meats (e.g. skewers, ribs, burgers) paired with craft beers and cocktails .  It’s popular for gatherings and late-night dining in Xinyi.

Din Tai Fung

• Chinese Name: 鼎泰豐

• Flagship Address (Xinyi Branch): 台北市信義區信義路五段194號

• Known for:World-famous Taiwanese restaurant known for its handmade xiao long bao (soup dumplings). Signature dishes include the juicy pork dumplings, shrimp fried rice, steamed buns, and house chicken soup. The service is famously polite and professional, and the kitchen is visible through glass windows where you can watch the dumplings being made fresh by hand. The original branch (now Michelin-recognized) helped bring Taiwanese dim sum culture to the world.

List from a Local

This is a list of Taipei must-eats directly from a local foodie queen. My friend Hailey, born and raised in Taipei, has spent her life in Taipei finding the best cuisines to eat. Here are her 15 most notable spots you must visit on your next trip:

1. 金蓬萊台菜餐廳 (family-style dinner, *one-month advance booking recommended)

   English name: Jinpenglai Taiwanese Cuisine

   Address: No. 30, Section 2, Jianguo North Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104

   
   

2. 詹記麻辣火鍋

   English name: Zhan Ji Spicy Hotpot

   Address: (Multiple branches)

   
   

3. 藍記麻辣火鍋

   English name: Lan Ji Spicy Hotpot

   Address: (Multiple branches)

   
   

4. 陽明山常青廬

   English name: Stonehouse 63

   Address: No. 42-1, Zhuzihu Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City 112

   
   

5. 夜上海 (family-style dinner, fancy)

   English name: Night Shanghai

   Address: No. 33, Section 2, Dunhua South Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City 106

   
   

6. 雞窩 (best chicken soup place, *very famous)

   English name: The Chicken Nest (or simply “Ji Wo”)

   Address: No. 23, Alley 71, Section 2, Anhe Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City (near Yongkang St.)

   
   

7. 滇味廚房 (Yunnan Cuisine)

   English name: Yunnan Flavor Kitchen

   Address: Multiple locations, recommend going to Xinyi

   
   

8. 東門天津蔥抓餅

   English name: Dongmen Tianjin Scallion Pancake

   Address: East Gate Market, Alley in front of No. 10, Liutai Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100

   
   

9. 東門餃子館

   English name: Dongmen Dumpling House

   Address: No. 145, Section 1, Roosevelt Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100

   
   

10. 小李子清粥小菜

    English name: Little Lee’s Congee & Small Dishes

    Address: No. 1, Alley 10, Lane 45, Yongkang St, Da’an District, Taipei City

    
    

11. 一品活蝦 (Highly recommend their salty egg shrimps)

    English name: Yi-Pin Live Shrimp

    Address: No. 165, Tonghua St (通化街), Da’an District, Taipei City

    
    

12. 霸味薑母鴨 (Xinyi Location is the best, cool experience and food)

    English name: Bawei Ginger Duck

    Address: No. 35, Lane 346, Section 1, Fuxing South Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City

    
    

13. 品都串燒 (go earlier to avoid crowd)

    English name: Pin-Du Yakitori (Pin-Du Skewers)

    Address: No. 8, Lane 25, Section 4, Fuxing South Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City

    
    

14. 阿二麻辣食

    English name: A-Er Spicy

    Address: No. 17, Alley 8, Lane 107, Fuxing South Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City

    
    

15. 圓山飯店 (Very good for family lunch, great views, and cool experience)

    English name: Golden Dragon Restaurant

    Address: No. 1, Section 4, Zhongshan North Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City 104

Note: many of the hot-pot and small-stall spots have multiple branches with slightly different English renderings and addresses. It’s always safest to punch the Chinese name into Google Maps (or the restaurant’s official Facebook/IG page) to be sure you’ve got the right location.

Night Market

A visit to Taiwan is not complete without visiting a night market, and yes there are even Michelin Guide recs here! Here are some of the best night markets in Taipei, and what food to find when you’re there:

1. 寧夏夜市 (Ningxia Night Market)

• 牛媽媽沙茶牛肉

  Beef Mama’s Shacha (Satay) Beef

• 爆漿脆皮魷魚 or 花枝燒

  Juicy Crispy Squid or Grilled Cuttlefish

• 賴記，圓環邊蚵仔煎

  Lai Ji Roundabout Oyster Omelette

• 豬肝榮仔 – 香蔥芋頭糕 + 豬肝湯

  Pig Liver “Rong-Zai” – Scallion Taro Cake & Pig Liver Soup

• 劉芋仔

  Liu’s Taro Balls

• 林記麻辣臭豆腐

  Lin Ji Spicy Stinky Tofu

• 知高飯

  Zhi-Gao Rice

• 鴨頭正二代滷肉飯

  Duck Head 2nd-Gen Braised Pork Rice

• 童年木瓜牛奶 or 錨起來喝

  Childhood Papaya Milk or “Anchor Up” Papaya Milk

2. 饒河夜市 (Raohe Night Market) *Closest to AMBA Songshan Hotel

• 阿國滷味

  A-Guo Braised Delicacies

• 陳董藥燉排骨 （米其林）

  Chairman Chen’s Herbal Pork Rib Soup (Michelin-recognized)

• 胡椒餅

  Pepper Bun

• 御品元冰火湯圓

  Imperial “Ice & Fire” Tangyuan (Hot & Cold Rice Balls)

• 下港名彭臭豆腐 （炸臭豆腐 + 麻辣鴨血

  Xia-Gang Famous Peng’s Stinky Tofu (Fried Stinky Tofu + Spicy Duck Blood)

• 地瓜球

  Sweet Potato Balls

• 炸雞排

  Fried Chicken Cutlet

• 吳記排骨酥

  Wu Ji Crispy Pork Chop

• 阿文冬瓜茶

  A-Wen Winter Melon Tea

3. 通化夜市 (Tonghua Night Market, also known as Linjiang Street Night Market)

• 紅花鹽水雞

  Red Flower Saltwater Chicken

• 御品元湯圓冰

  Imperial Tangyuan Ice (Sweet Rice-ball Dessert with Ice)

• 羊角火雞肉飯

  Yangjiao (“Ram’s Horn”) Turkey Rice

• 石家割包

  Shih Family Gua Bao (Pork Belly Bun)

• 格登炸雞

  Golden Fried Chicken

• 一沐日飲料

  One Day’s Rest Drinks

All You Can Eat

One of my favorite dining option in Taiwan are the all you can eats. They’re usually around $10-15 a person too. Most of them are either AYCE hotpot’s or BBQ. Here ae a couple iconic ones to name a few:

1.馬辣頂級麻辣鴛鴦火鍋 Mala Hot Pot

• Type: All-you-can-eat hotpot (spicy and non-spicy broth)

• Highlights: Premium meats (U.S. Angus beef, Wagyu upgrade available), seafood, Häagen-Dazs and Movenpick ice cream buffet.

• Branches: Multiple locations (Ximending, Zhongshan, etc.)

• Chinese Name: 馬辣頂級麻辣鴛鴦火鍋

2.新馬辣經典鴛鴦火鍋 Xin Mala Hot Pot

• Type: All-you-can-eat hotpot (classic style, upgraded ingredients)

• Highlights: Focus on super fresh seafood (lobster upgrade available), higher-grade meats than the original Mala.

• Branches: Zhongxiao Dunhua, Banqiao, others.

• Chinese Name: 新馬辣經典鴛鴦火鍋

3.牛小排吃到飽 燒肉眾精緻炭火燒肉 Yakiniku Crowd

• Type: All-you-can-eat charcoal BBQ

• Highlights: Choice of beef ribs, pork belly, seafood, side dishes; higher-tier plans include Wagyu beef. Very good value.

• Branches: Several around Taipei, including Songshan and Shilin.

• Chinese Name: 燒肉眾精緻炭火燒肉

4.肉多多火鍋 Meat Love Hot Pot

• Type: All-you-can-eat hotpot (超肉量火鍋)

• Highlights: Insane meat portions — huge meat platters included even in the basic price; unlimited seafood, drinks, and vegetables.

• Branches: Many — including Da’an, Zhongshan, Songshan.

• Chinese Name: 肉多多火鍋

5.野宴日式炭火燒肉 Yakiniku Wild Banquet

• Type: All-you-can-eat Japanese-style BBQ

• Highlights: Charcoal-grilled meats, seafood, vegetables; popular for its wide variety and relatively affordable pricing.

• Branches: Locations like Neihu and Shilin.

• Chinese Name: 野宴日式炭火燒肉

6.橘色涮涮屋 Orange Shabu Shabu

• Type: High-end hotpot (not traditional buffet, but premium AYCE sets available)

• Highlights: Premium Japanese beef, live seafood (like king crab), beautiful presentation. Focuses on quality over quantity.

• Address: 台北市大安區仁愛路四段29-2號

• Note: Very classy, reservations highly recommended.

7.極炙日式燒肉放題 Tajimaya Yakiniku Buffet

• Type: High-end Japanese BBQ buffet

• Highlights: A5 Miyazaki Wagyu, Iberico pork, unlimited seafood; beautiful wood-themed dining rooms.

• Address: 台北市中山區敬業三路20號 (ATT 4 Recharge Mall, near Miramar)

• Note: Choose high-tier plans for the best meats.

8.上官木桶鍋 Shang Guan Wooden Barrel Hotpot

• Type: Luxury all-you-can-eat hotpot

• Highlights: Choose from Angus beef, Wagyu beef, giant seafood towers (lobster, scallops, etc.), optional free-flow drinks.

• Address: 台北市大安區市民大道四段82號

• Note: Seafood tower is IG-famous; meat quality is very good.

9.Mo-Mo-Paradise 壽喜燒・涮涮鍋 (Premium Plans)

• Type: Japanese sukiyaki/shabu-shabu

• Highlights: Some branches offer special premium plans with Wagyu upgrades. Unlimited vegetables and fresh beef cuts.

• Address (flagship): 台北市信義區松壽路20號 (Neo19 Mall, Xinyi)

• Note: Very consistent quality, good if you like sukiyaki.

10.黑毛屋 Black Hair Wagyu Hot Pot

• Type: Wagyu-focused Japanese-style hotpot (semi-AYCE)

• Highlights: Pure A5 black hair Wagyu beef, rare seafood selections like geoduck and uni (sea urchin), premium sake pairing.

• Address: 台北市信義區松高路11號4樓 (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11)

• Note: Higher price point, but an unforgettable experience

Hungry 24/7?

If you are STILL hungry, you can always go to these convenience stores to pick up a bite. There’s one on almost every corner of every street. Truly the most convenient! This is where you can recharge your IC Carc too (if needed.)

• 7 Eleven

• Family Mart

• OK Mart