One of Taipei’s most desirable places to stay features a welcoming staff and notable work from artists such as Zadok Ben-David. Rooms have high ceilings, modern furniture, and silk velvet bathrobes.
The Regent has hushed, dimmed hallways and formal accents of marble and wood—and the 20th-floor spa, with its suite- size treatment rooms, is an oasis of light and calm.
The Mandarin has walk-in closets in every room, a 50,000-crystal-bead lobby chandelier, a Yabu Pushelberg–designed spa, and a patisserie serving chocolates by World Chocolate Master Frank Haasnoot.
These flats designed by local lifestyle impresario Grace Wang are part of the VVG (“Very Very Good”) mini-empire of beautifully curated restaurants and shops. Book the Francia suite or June room.
This hotel in Xinyi has all the signature W touches—thumping bass in the lobby; shag rugs and tilde-shaped leather chaises; a pool scene that doesn’t quit—and a young staff in slick black suits.
Sip house-made oolongs in private, bamboo-lined nooks built into the walls before browsing the one-of-a-kind Chinese book collection on tea culture, photography, and other fine arts.
In a renovated shop-house dating from the end of the Japanese occupation, this design emporium is a must-see for its locally made pottery, decorative leather objects, and high-end Asian furniture.
Inside Taipei’s best-known luxury fashion house, five floors of stylish pieces (slim-cut cotton shirts and blouses; silk evening gowns) seamlessly combine Eastern and Western fashion sensibilities.
Equal parts boutique and bookstore, this hidden gem in Daan stocks an idiosyncratic array of design curios (small-batch copper pencils; vintage typewriters; limited-edition craft magazines).
At this wellness retreat in Beitou, a quiet northern suburb famous for its hot springs, eight slick indoor and outdoor pools aid in everything from skin detoxification to enhanced circulatory health.
Meaning “Learn Learn” in Mandarin, Xue Xue is one of Taipei’s foremost centers dedicated to creative arts education. You'll find public libraries, test kitchens, and classrooms that host lectures.
This teahouse in the Eastern district features several poetically named blends while the dining room beyond serves sophisticated dishes such as handmade green linguine with seafood and sakura blossom.
Guests line up for the popular xiao long bao (juicy, steamy, one-bite soup dumplings), but the menu includes a variety of dishes, from pan-fried pork cutlets to the most full-bodied chicken soup.
Nonzero follows a Slow Food philosophy and caters to a crowd of regulars with its soups, stews, and small plates. Order the Tunisian chorba lamb with house-made harissa and sea bass.
On a quiet street in Zhongshan, minimalist Fika Fika specializes in single-origin Nordic-style brews and is a favorite among Taipei chefs.
Owner Van Lin, Taiwan’s reigning barista champion, treats visitors to Italian- style roasts and expert latte art at his brown-walled coffee shop in Daan.
It seems everyone has a favorite slow-drip pour at this industrial-chic café owned by Jimmy Yang. The brunch is one of the city’s best.
A stylish store opened by young fashion and graphic designers that sells everything from notebooks to canvas totes. Ask to see their working studio in the back.
Don’t miss the events on the third Saturday of every month; a creative crowd gathers to chat in Chinese and English about topics such as politics and art.
This colonial-style mansion turned theater that shows indie and art-house films. The charming café next door is the perfect place for afternoon tea.
On weekends, locals come here to walk their dogs, bike, and go for picnics. It’s not as crowded as the famous Daan Forest Park, which makes it a relaxing escape.
Near Taipei International Airport, this fish market and food hall is popular with foodies seeking quality, but affordable, seafood.
The little-known restaurant serves one of the best traditional Taiwanese breakfasts, including sweet soy milk and fried doughnuts.
You can smell the beans roasting the minute you walk into this café. Get a cup of coffee with the walnut-and-sesame cookies—they’re mind-blowing.
