Open Travel Guide
Restaurants in Taiwan

Best Restaurants in Taiwan 2026

Where to eat in Taiwan: the dishes that define the place and the rooms that serve them best.

This guide covers 51+ restaurants and places to eat in Taiwan — RAW, Din Tai Fung (Xinyi) and Yongkang Street Food Area top the list. Every recommendation carries its practical details: typical costs, the best time to visit, and what to know before you commit.

Taiwan is a vibrant island nation blending ancient Chinese culture with modern innovation, featuring stunning mountain landscapes, bustling night markets, and world-class cuisine. From the neon-lit streets of Taipei to the serene temples of Tainan and dramatic gorges of Taroko, Taiwan offers diverse experiences for every traveler. This subtropical paradise combines excellent infrastructure, warm hospitality, and rich cultural heritage.

Taiwanese cuisine is a vibrant fusion shaped by centuries of immigration, Japanese colonial influence, and indigenous traditions. The cuisine centers on pork, seafood, and rice, with bold flavors from soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine, and five-spice. Night markets are the living laboratory of Taiwanese food — democratic, communal, and endlessly inventive. From Tainan's centuries-old rice dishes to Taipei's Michelin-starred innovations, Taiwan offers one of Asia's most exciting and accessible food scenes.

Must-try dishes

Iconic dishes that define Taiwan.

Must try

Beef Noodle Soup (紅燒牛肉麵)

Taiwan's unofficial national dish — braised beef shank in rich, dark soy and spice broth with hand-pulled noodles. Annual competitions crown Taipei's champion bowl each year.

Where to try: Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles (Zhongshan, Taipei), Yong Kang Beef Noodle (Da'an)

Price: $4-17 (NT$120-500)

Must try

Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings (小籠包)

Delicate steamed dumplings with paper-thin wrappers and 18 precise folds encasing seasoned pork and rich soup broth. Din Tai Fung elevated this to global fame from its Taipei flagship.

Where to try: Din Tai Fung (multiple Taipei locations)

Price: $10-20 (NT$300-600)

Must try

Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎)

Iconic night market dish of fresh oysters, vegetables, and egg bound with a chewy sweet potato starch base, served with sweet-spicy sauce.

Where to try: Ningxia Night Market, Shilin Night Market

Price: $2-4 (NT$60-120)

Must try

Lu Rou Fan — Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯)

Slow-braised minced pork in soy-and-five-spice sauce served over white rice — Taiwan's most universal comfort food eaten at any time of day.

Where to try: Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice (Zhongzheng, Taipei)

Price: $1-3 (NT$35-90)

Must try

Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅)

Flaky layered flatbread with green onions pan-fried to crispy on outside, tender inside. A staple Taiwanese breakfast and night market snack.

Where to try: Breakfast shops and night markets island-wide

Price: $1-2 (NT$30-60)

Top restaurants

Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.

Modern Taiwanese

RAW

$$$$$4.8/5

Chef André Chiang's innovative restaurant reimagines Taiwanese ingredients through French techniques and contemporary presentation. The ever-evolving tasting menu showcases seasonal local produce with artistic plating and creative flavor combinations. Reservation essential for this Michelin-starred experience.

No. 301, Lequn 3rd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 104

Taiwanese Dumplings

Din Tai Fung (Xinyi)

$$4.5/5

World-famous dumpling house serves legendary xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) with paper-thin wrappers and flavorful broth. The flagship restaurant maintains exacting standards with 18 perfect folds per dumpling and consistent quality. Expect queues during peak hours at this Michelin-recommended establishment.

B1, No. 218, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, 106

Mixed Taiwanese

Yongkang Street Food Area

$-$$4.4/5

Pedestrian street lined with casual eateries, bubble tea shops, and traditional snack vendors creates food lover's paradise. Highlights include shaved ice shops, beef noodles, dumplings, and the original Din Tai Fung location. The area combines dining with shopping and people-watching.

Yongkang Street, Da'an District, Taipei City, 106

Street Food

Shilin Night Market

$4.3/5

Taiwan's largest and most famous night market offers overwhelming variety of street snacks including fried chicken cutlets, stinky tofu, oyster omelets, and pearl milk tea. The underground food court provides seating while outdoor stalls offer fresher atmosphere. Peak crowds require patience but deliver authentic experience.

Jihe Road and Dadong Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111

Specialty Coffee

VWI by CHADWANG

$$4.7/5

Award-winning coffee roaster and cafe serves meticulously prepared pour-over coffee and espresso drinks. The minimalist space focuses attention on coffee quality with beans sourced globally and roasted in-house. Barista expertise ensures perfect extraction for each origin.

No. 19, Lane 147, Section 1, Fuxing South Road, Da'an District, Taipei City, 106

Cantonese

Le Palais

$$$$$4.7/5

Three-Michelin-starred restaurant at Palais de Chine Hotel serves exquisite Cantonese cuisine with impeccable service and elegant ambiance. Signature dishes include barbecued Iberico pork, lobster, and dim sum crafted with premium ingredients. The opulent dining room enhances the luxurious experience.

17F, No. 3, Section 1, Chengde Road, Datong District, Taipei City, 103

Seafood

Addiction Aquatic Development

$$-$$$4.4/5

Massive seafood market and restaurant complex offers ultra-fresh sashimi, grilled fish, and seafood platters. Choose from the market display and have it prepared to order in various cooking styles. The vibrant atmosphere and quality seafood attract locals and tourists alike.

No. 18, Section 5, Minzu East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105

Night Market

Gongguan Night Market

$4.2/5

University-area night market caters to students with affordable portions and innovative fusion foods. The lively atmosphere includes gaming stalls, trendy fashion, and creative snacks. Less touristy than famous markets but equally delicious with younger crowd energy.

Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100

Restaurants by cuisine

Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.

Night Market

Gongguan Night Market

$

Raohe Street Night Market

$

Liuhe Night Market

$

Guanziling Night Market

$

Ningxia Night Market Food Stalls

$

Street Food

Shilin Night Market

$

Taiwanese Fried Chicken Cutlet Stands

$

Scallion Pancake Vendors

$

Stinky Tofu Stands

$

Oyster Omelet Stands

$

Specialty Coffee

VWI by CHADWANG

$$

Akau Coffee

$$

Ruins Coffee Roasters

$$

Taiwanese

Modern Toilet Restaurant

$$

Shin Yeh (Mitsukoshi)

$$

Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice

$

Seafood

Addiction Aquatic Development

$$-$$$

Taipei Fish Market Restaurant

$$

Street Snack

Sweet Potato Balls

$

Wheel Pie Stands

$

Tainan Specialty

Tainan Coffin Bread

$

Tainan Danzai Noodles

$

American Comfort Food

The Diner

$$

Art House Cafe

Cafe Lumiere

$$

BBQ

Hualien Dongdamen Grilled Meat

$

Brunch Cafe

Trio Cafe

$$

Cantonese

Le Palais

$$$$$

Contemporary European

MUME

$$$$

Contemporary French-Taiwanese

Taïrroir

$$$$$

Craft Beer Cafe

Draft Land

$$

Dessert

Miyahara Ice Cream

$$

Dessert Cafe

Ice Monster

$

English Teahouse

Smith & Hsu

$$-$$$

Exotic

Huaxi Street Snake Soup

$$

Exotic Street Food

Huaxi Street Night Market Snake Alley

$

French Contemporary

Impromptu by Paul Lee

$$$$$

Japanese Kaiseki

Shoun RyuGin

$$$$$

Japanese-style Cafe

Fujin Tree 353 Cafe

$$

Mixed Taiwanese

Yongkang Street Food Area

$-$$

Modern Asian

Logy

$$$$$

Modern European

Le Mout

$$$$$

Modern Taiwanese

RAW

$$$$$

Nordic Cafe

Fika Fika Cafe

$$

Seafood Street Food

Keelung Miaokou Night Market

$

Sichuan Hotpot

Mala Hotpot (Ma La Hotpot)

$$

Taiwanese Beef Noodle

Yong Kang Beef Noodle

$

Taiwanese Breakfast

Fuhang Soy Milk

$

Taiwanese Dumplings

Din Tai Fung (Xinyi)

$$

Taiwanese Street Food

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

$

Tea House

Chun Shui Tang (Taichung)

$

Traditional Teahouse

Wisteria Tea House

$$

Street food

Local flavours at affordable prices.

Street food

Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

Fermented tofu deep-fried to crispy outside and tender inside, served with pickled cabbage. Pungent aroma but mild taste — a rite of passage for Taiwan visitors.

Find it at: Shida Night Market, Shilin Night Market

Street food

Pork Pepper Bun (胡椒餅)

Baked bun stuffed with juicy pork and green onions seasoned with black pepper, baked in a clay oven at high heat. A Taiwan street food institution.

Find it at: Raohe Street Night Market entrance stall, Ningxia Night Market

Street food

Taro Balls (芋圓)

Chewy glutinous balls made from taro or sweet potato served in shaved ice or hot soup. The purple taro version from Jiufen is the most famous.

Find it at: Jiufen Old Street, night markets

Street food

Grilled Corn (烤玉米)

Sweet corn grilled over charcoal and brushed repeatedly with soy sauce glaze until caramelized. Found at night markets across Taiwan.

Find it at: Tonghua Night Market, Shilin Night Market

Food markets

Where locals shop and graze.

Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)

Taipei's most food-focused night market with 50+ permanent stalls serving Taiwanese classics including oyster vermicelli, pork liver soup, and taro balls. No trinket shops — pure food.

Hours: 5PM-1AM daily

Keelung Miaokou Night Market (基隆廟口夜市)

One of Taiwan's oldest street food markets around Dianji Temple, specializing in fresh seafood and unique Keelung snacks. More authentic and less touristy than Taipei alternatives.

Hours: 11AM-midnight daily

Tainan Grand Night Market (台南花園夜市)

One of Taiwan's largest night markets operating Thu-Sun with hundreds of stalls serving Tainan's distinctive cuisine including milkfish dishes and coffin bread.

Hours: Thu-Sun 6PM-midnight

Dining etiquette & tips

Navigate the local food scene confidently.

Tip

Night market vendors with long queues typically indicate quality — smaller stalls with no queue are less reliable

Tip

Carry NT$500-1,000 cash for night markets and street food as many vendors do not accept cards

Tip

Lunch sets at restaurants are 30-40% cheaper than identical dinner orders — maximize value by eating main meals at lunchtime

Tip

Many traditional Taiwanese breakfast shops close by 10 AM — set an alarm to experience them at peak freshness

Food budget guide

What to expect at different price points.

Level Price Description
Budget $3-8/meal (NT$90-240) Night market stalls, breakfast shops, convenience store hot meals, braised pork rice shops
Mid-range $15-35/meal (NT$450-1,050) Mid-range sit-down restaurants, izakaya-style dining, quality seafood restaurants
Upscale $80-200+/meal (NT$2,400-6,000+) Michelin-starred restaurants including RAW, Logy, and Le Palais; hotel fine dining