Taipei Restaurants - the average - Update

Here is the updated list from my website on Taipei Restaurants. By the way this is the average restaurant list. If you are traveling check out my website for restaurant thoughts. Good for the casual traveler, local or business woman or business man. http://www.sinklub.com/seday/taipei_restaurants.htm


Amaroni's Little Italy: (No.218, ChanChun Rd. Gee Hsin Building (02)2507-6967) Simple message about Amaroni's: Family style Italian dinning. Take 4 or more people order 5 dishes and go at it. Food has always been delicious, and I have always wanted to pocket some of their bread.

Amigos: (202, FuXing N. Rd (02)2515-6633) Need some Mexican food - go to Mexico. But if you are in Taiwan, go to Amigos.

*Apocalypse Now!: (323 FuHsing N. Rd (02)2545-4628) Come here with lots of friends. It is a beer restaurant with many dishes to choose from. Go crazy and sample a bit of everything. They just refurbished (March 2005). I still don't understand where this name came from.... don't worry it is not on an army base.

Bellini Pasta Pasta: (multiple locaitons) There are a few of these restaurants tucked in to this city -six I think. Some go under the name Bellini Cafe. I personally am not into the mall versions due to the fact they are not as elegant as the No.288 FuShing N. Rd location. Be sure to order their lemonade. It is one of the reasons I enjoy this place. Fancy little place with down right pricing. The noodles, bread, deserts, lemonade and the pricing make this a choice pick.

Bistro 98 (98, ZhongXiao E. Rd., Sec.4) This is a 12 floor building that houses the following restaurants. You can't miss the place with the big "98" sign outside. Standout restaurants are the Chinese (Flower & Birds) and Eden (French/Bar-Lounge) go in and try one of the restaurants. Check the list for my take on them.
Aubergine Curry - not sure if it is still there - not been here.
Bullfight (02)6638-9699)
Eden (10F/11F (02)6638-9988)
Flowers and Birds: (4F/5F (02)6623-6698)
J-Pop Cafe (6F/7F (02)6636-5689)
Woodstone (8F (02)6638-5899)

Brass Monkey, The: (166 FuXing N. Rd (02)2547-5050) Sports bar with lots of beer and good eats, just missing the peanuts. That would be cool now that I think about it -if they had peanut shells on the floor it would really give The Brass Monkey attitude. They really go out of their way to work with the community as well. For this reason alone you should make the trip there to see how you can participate. And if you are an old timer that likes to frequent My Other Place take a block walk and try the food at the Brass Monkey because it kicks M.O.P.'s butt. I just think they need to dirty the place up a bit or get a few of the rugby players in there for a quick pick up game and leave the scratches and nicks.

Bullfight (Bistro98, (02)6638-9699) Japanese barbecue. Should put in don't go back, but some people just like the barbecue over teppanyaki. I have no issues with Bullfight. I just think you can hit shabu-shabu's and barbecues like this just about anywhere in Taipei city. This one just offers you the location of the busiest shopping district.

Bunny Listens to The Music: (15, Lane 6, QingTian Street (02)2395-9388) I should rate this as "worth the trip back." However, the pricing of the exotic Italian dishes causes me to hesitate. It is a designers eatery. The food is fantastic and the atmosphere is very airy (never seems to be crowded). This area has other nearby restaurants and once a year at Bunny is enough. -by the way where was all the cool bunny music-

Capone's: (312, ChungHsiao E. Rd, Sec.4,(02)2773-3782) This area has a few good Italian restaurants, but if you are looking for American style food with decent music (they have bands some nights) this is the place to visit. When you walk in it feels as if the place has been there for years and years. Does not come off as being a contrived theme restaurant.

Chili's: (2F, 22 Sung Shou Rd. (02)2345-8838) Do I really need to write anything for Chili's Restaurant? Well, let me say this: good place to take a date if you are going to see a movie at Warner Village and you want a "real" typical American restaurant. Note to traveler: If you come from the USA and you eat at Chili's here you do not deserve to travel to any Asian country.

China Pa (145, Sec.1, AnHo Rd (02)2702-7011) Restaurant, lounge, fusion jazz, cigars, wine...oh, boy this sounds like the happening joint. In some ways it is in others it is not. This is a place to get comfy with your girl (or boy) or to relax with your new business associates. Staff is very welcoming and the service is personal. You will not be disappointed with the Chinese food in this relaxed Chinese themed bar. Maybe I'm getting old, but you can find me in this laid back atmosphere enjoying myself. Business people would like this place, unless you are playing "MBA" for the night (married but available).

Friday's (T.G.I.): (they are everywhere-including Miramar Mall in NeiHu) if you are coming here on business you can pretty much expect your Taiwan business partner to take you to one (lunch or dinner). Easy bet if you need an American burger, but please do not get steak or ribs - there are so many better restaurants.

Grandma Nitty's Kitchen: (8, ShrDa Rd. Lane 93 (02)2369-9751) Seems to be a heaven for most westerners. It has the "American back-road" appeal, but to be honest I never felt like I had a good dinner. I have two friends that swear by this place and eat their once or twice a week. I have only been there 4 times and never really felt like I needed to go back. They have a great "college" type atmosphere where book sharing is open and you can by macaroni and cheese. Well, for those that need comfort living in Taipei, Grandma's may be the needed hung you need.

Hooters (1, Lane 16 ChingCheng St. (02)2716-5186) What Hooters is not worth going to when you don't know where else to go for wings. Guess it is an average place, but when you want to see girls in tight & short clothing (not like you can't get enough of it on the street) this is a good start.

IKEA Restaurant (B2, No.100, DunHua S. Rd -Asia World (02)2716-8900 ext.895) A full stomach before shopping at IKEA is not a bad idea. Stop in and get some Swedish meatballs (which they don't always cook for some unknown reason- I've walked out at least 3 times because of this- sometimes you just want a Swedish meatball to complete the IKEA experience) or roast beef. Free refills in a country that does not like to give you drinks until after your done eating is a treat.

Jail, The (B1, No.37, Lane 187, Sec.1, Tun Hua S. Rd (02)8773-3508) You a bad girl or boy? You need to be locked up and taken care of. The warden will be by to smack up up! For those S&M types you may be let down. Nothing unusual happening here unlike in Japan (so I'm told). The theme is jail cells and you even get to eat in one. Take the kids and dirty the place up. The food is typical Chinese. Take some chains and handcuffs to spice your next visit up. This would be appropriate if you think you may have a bad break up with your current girlfriend/boyfriend -- eat, handcuff (for fun), break the news and hi-tail it out of there. It may even make the evening news.

J-Pop Cafe (Bistro98, 6F/7F (02)6636-5689) Very excited when this restaurant opened. Japanese art and music interest me although I don't have the money or the time needed to investigate it. I was looking for the crash-course at J-Pop. I was a bit disappointed, that not everything I expected was there. No music to buy, no exciting anime, and no cool J-Pop T-Shirt. Just about every booth has a music station (ours was broke). Worth going back if you are in the area.

Mr. Paco Pizzeria: (1F, 28 Alley 4, Lane 345, JenAi Rd, Sec. 4 (02)2773-6066) When someone talks about good pizza in Taipei Mr. Paco's name will come up. Very casual place. Great for friends and dates. Order the pizza.

My Place: (No.3-1, Lane 32, ShuangCheng St. (02)2591-4269) Interesting place since it is surrounded by girly-talk bars in an area called Combat Zone. Actually, you don't hear that term to much. I think the bars there continue to use the name because a name was established at one time. Anyway, the girly-talk bars are just that. Sit and talk and pay lots of money. Some men like the company. My Place is a British pub and does a fine job being one. This is your wooden bar, dart, pool playing place. Bar food is good and if you want to drink you can stay here or go find a "spicy girl" at one of the small bars nearby.

O'Ginny's: (45, Alley 25, Lane 113, Sec3, MinSheng E. Rd (02) 2545-5709) It is a bar and like all bars in Taipei they serve food. It is behind the Sherwood Hotel, so you always have the regular business traveler there. This is a good thing. A frequent traveler can have a bar outside the hotel they feel comfortable in. One of the few in Taipei with a homey corner bar feel. If you are hungry the food is good also. They serve Western and Chinese plates.
Patio Restaurant Lounge/Club (B1, 22, SongShou Rd. (Basement of NEO19): This place is not bad, but just misses the "very good rating." To be honest the food is not bad, but it is not a place you go to eat. It is more of a lounge club. It normally is not that crowded and you can have a good time with friends. I like the deco it is done in a 60/70's decor with cool lighting fixtures. A night can easily be spent here.

Pearl Liang Chinese Seafood Restaurant: (2F, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) Classy, modern and very elegant. The price of the food is somehow incorporated into the atmosphere Pearl Liang creates. So the brutal honest truth is this: Locals get someone to take you, because you can get better Chinese dishes at a cheaper price elsewhere. Business travelers go and enjoy and leave that money in the Taipei economy. Do remember this is gourmet Chinese dinning so it is possible to walk out still hungry. The peanuts were really good, plus eating them with chopsticks helps you savor each bite. - just a bit o'fun on the peanut comment-

Rose House (all over Taipei) You arrived in Taipei and want to try a tea house, but your guests did not have time to take you or you did not know how to find one .... well, today is your lucky day. Just go to any Rose House and you can say give me some "cha". It is a tea house so do what you do and enjoy.

Roxy99: (B1, No.218, Sec.2, JinShan S. Rd (02)2351-5970) An established bar that has been around for 23 years or more. A CD collection to make most people jealous since they are outwardly displayed. This is mostly a bar. The American style food is so-so. I would stick with the Chinese food here, which is prepared quickly so you can devour more beer. Friday and Saturday nights are packed with Chinese and foreigners alike. If you want a good time and a great place to meet new people this is the place to come.

Saints & Sinners: (No.114 AnHe Rd, Sec.2 - walk from Far Eastern Hotel) Average sports bar, but if you are tied up at the Far Eastern Hotel (like TI employees are) you can get your baseball and football fill here. I like the name and their devil logo. Food? Beer! Beer!Beer!, do they have food? Yes, they do. Is it good? The beer is. I think the food gets better with each beer.

Subway (popping up everywhere): The American sandwich shop. Need a drink, chips or cookie, sandwich or just the feel of American with out the McD's or BK frying? Have fun collecting your Subway stickers.

Tapas Bar (50 Hoping W. Rd, Sec.1 (02)2365-0279) I lived five buildings down from here. It is a small place. They have great wine and wine tasting parties. The owners are very friendly. I have only had their side dishes and never a main course. Never sure why this was not a staple restaurant for me when I lived close by. I think it was because of the tight space inside. I always felt like everybody was listening to me and in a city of 3-6 million people (incity/surrounding) sometimes you just want your space. There is an upstairs where you can escape, but then you are all alone. Where's my happy medium?

Tasty Steak: (everywhere look for the red sign) I suggest this is for locals only. if you are just traveling or on business come here only to play it safe (western style dishes). They have set menus. The reason they are always crowded is because of the low cost and mid-quality food. They are all brightly light and painted so you feel cheery even if you are in a bad mood.

*Tavern Premier, The: (No.415, ShinYi Rd. Sec. 4 (02)8780-0892-close to the Hyatt & Taipei 101) They moved from the back alley and took over a failed Taiwanese barbeque joint ( ).English bar/restaurant with the best sports coverage in town. They have 70 satellite TV (personal screens) and three large 150" screens for large events. The food has always been top-notch. If sports is your ticket the Tavern has its doors open for you. They are also making many additions and changes, so I need to head back for an update. Best sports restaurant by far.

Tequila Sunrise: (42, XinSheng S.Rd Sec.3 (02)2362-7563) Adobe walls and timber ceiling give this restaurant a good feel. I've had good meals here in their relaxed atmosphere. If you are looking for Mexican food this is probably the most satisfying place.

WeiLu Restaurant: (No.6, Alley 4, Lane 345, Sec.4, Renai Rd (02)2752-9439) Call me silly, but I do not know much about Manchurian cuisine. You would think I would have spent at least a second to understand this Chinese food. I did not. This is where you come in. Go sample the hot-pots, and taste the soy sauced cooked food. The only thing I picked up is that people mix up Beijing cooking for Manchurian. They are different I am told. So go read up before you go and find out more about this Asian culture.

Zen Ho Uang Uan-Nan Restaurant (1F, No.16, JinZhou St (02)2536-4459) A Yunnan restaurant found in Taipei. Food is salty, sour and spicy things they picked up from neighboring Sichuan and Hunan province. I did not try the grubs, but stuck with the food I know. Food is severed much more plain then commonly served Taiwanese food. I enjoyed tasting the food over all the sauces some restaurants use. If you want to try different Chinese food this is a great place to start.

Ziga Zaga: (2F, 2 SongShou Rd (02)2720-1234 -Hyatt Hotel) Mostly a bar with dance music (DJ) and live band. They do serve food. The last time I was there it was oven baked pizza. This is actually the last place I would come for food. If you are late and don't want to hike anywhere else to eat get your snack then rest assure you can get some Italian cuisine here. Hyatt Hotel's other restaurants are superb. But maybe it is the lunch time crowd this restaurant is after for its dinning.