Da’an: Taipei’s Trendiest Cafe District
Explore Taipei’s dynamic cafe culture nestled within the chic Da’an district, where you’ll encounter stunning decor, aromatic brews, and inviting atmospheres scattered throughout the city. Taipei’s vastness became apparent as I scouted numerous cafes before my arrival, realizing the significant investment of both time and money required. Thus, I opted to focus my cafe-hopping adventure solely within the vibrant Da’an district. Join me as I embark on this exhilarating journey, exploring a selection of charming cafes in one of Taipei’s trendiest neighborhoods.
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If I had the chance to redo my trip, I would have willingly splurged a few more Taiwanese dollars and reserved a hotel in Taipei’s vibrant Da’an district. Steven and I have a penchant for exploring the local café scene whenever we travel. It didn’t take long to figure out the city was much larger than I anticipated. Consequently, I made the decision to focus our café-hopping adventure solely on one district. I did a lot of research. And many of the cafes on my list were conveniently located in the Da’an district.
Simple Kaffa
Taipei’s Trendiest Cafe
This place is ENORMOUS, and as I wandered Taipei’s trendiest cafe, it felt like I was stepping into different rooms of a family home. Subsequently, there is an array of seating arrangements and countless Instagram-worthy nooks, making the space large enough for all of us to relax and unwind. The cafe serves high-quality coffee. However, the cakes and desserts here frequently make appearances on food enthusiasts’ Instagram feeds, which is actually how I stumbled upon it. One cake that you absolutely must try is the Zhou Zhou or Honey Castella Cake.
The Castella Cake, however, is available in limited quantities only. The cafe bakes it in Hanjuku style (half-baked). So if you see its available, I suggest you order it. Its incredibly soft and slightly gooey texture will blow you away, and the honey sweetness makes it simply delectable. As for milk-based espresso options, you have the Brown Sugar Latte, Taiwanese Tea Infused Latte, Smoky Southern Taiwan, and Go Nuts Latte.
Kaffa’s Specialties
The Brown Sugar Latte is easily one of their most popular choices, and I can vouch for it. Overall, the variety in Taipei’s cafe scene surprised me. It’s smooth and rich, with prominent caramel notes. The top layer is caramelized to perfection and cracks delightfully with the first sip. However, Simple Kaffa’s specialty lies in its hand-poured coffee, which offers an amazing range.
The café has two floors, and it’s trending all over Instagram. For example, as we were leaving, we met some Americans who had been on the waitlist for 30 minutes. So, take my advice and either call ahead for a reservation or be prepared to wait to be seated.
Address:
No. 27, Section 2, Zhongxiao E Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
https://goo.gl/maps/4Auibop9SaBgwA7F9
Curista Coffee
Steven and I decided to split up and pursue separate interest. That gives us both the opportunity to realize our separate trip goals.
The first cafe I visited alone was Taipei’s Curista Coffee, a stunning café located on the outskirts of the B1 food street. The bar and counter are the first things you see when you enter the cafe. Above them, there is an impressive sculpture and a hanging light fixture. The combination is visually stunning. The café’s white on white decor adds a touch of elegance, while a spiral-branched tree embellished with blue-green crystals anchors one corner, creating a captivating focal point. This well-lit café offers an extensive selection of beverages, ranging from espresso and hand pours to cold brews, lattes, teas, and even smoothies. The cafe is very popular with limited seating. I suggest you make a reservation in advance, or prepare to wait.
The cafe buzzed with activity, but the seating didn’t suit me, so I didn’t linger for long. ended up taking my hand-drip to go because they didn’t have anywhere I could charge my phone.
Address:
110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, 563號一樓
https://maps.app.goo.gl/byMsSwGswAXKNQag6
Coffee Lovers Planet
Coffee Lovers Planet is a charming cafe nestled in Taipei’s Da’an district. Situated on the ground floor of the upscale Far Eastern SOGO Taipei Dunhua Store, it offers a delightful ambiance. By this time, I was feeling a little hungry. So I opted for their mouthwatering open roast beef sandwich, which exceeded expectations. The staff’s extensive knowledge of their roasted beans enabled them to recommend a bean that perfectly suited my taste. Consequently, ensuring my enjoyment of the hand drip coffee I selected.
The cafe boasts a spacious interior with high ceilings spanning three or four stories, adorned with large windows that showcase views of both the bustling mall (and Jimmy Choo) and the lively street. It was also the first cafe that had charging stations built into the tables. And since I forgot my charging block, the staff generously loaned me one, so I could finally fully charge my phone.
Address:
2GRX+48 Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan
https://goo.gl/maps/XKz8Em9wnxvVDAtYA
Hitokuchi Coffee
Hitokuchi Coffee is a charming little café located on the outskirts of Da’an District. Despite its small size, it boasts an impressive variety of offerings. I wish we could have allocated more time to our visit as the music playing there was truly exceptional. On top of that, I had the pleasure of indulging in a hand-dripped iced coffee infused with pineapple juice, accompanied by a selection of fruit slices. It proved to be an incredibly refreshing choice for a scorching day. Furthermore, the cafe’s decor and owner exuded vibrancy and playfulness, adding to its overall appeal.
Address:
2G 79+F2 Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
https://goo.gl/maps/LT3K64xwg7t1mfiB9
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