There are many great cafes around Zhongshan MRT, but most of them get very busy, even on weekdays. Recently I discovered Cafe a la mode, which was a quiet and less busy place to spend the afternoon working from. The interior feels bright and modern, and there are plenty of seats to choose from, including one large work table suitable for larger groups. There's decent WiFi, some power outlets, and comfortable chairs. The food menu is quite large, so it's probably a good place to have lunch or dinner as well, while getting some work done!
A hidden gem near Guting MRT. The easiest way to access the cafe is to walk through the market area near Exit 4. The cafe itself has a very creatively decorated interior. I especially like the small details like the small plants in the tables. There's also a large outdoor seating area and apparently an art gallery as well. The best thing is that it was very quiet and very few people during the entire afternoon on a weekday, great for getting some focused work done. There's WiFi, power outlets, and a large menu with lots of tea. Furthermore the staff was very friendly and welcoming!
Recently I took a day trip from Taipei to Toucheng. My main goal was to visit the new Starbucks there. It’s only a few minutes walk from Toucheng station, so it’s quite convenient to access. The outside is very interesting (designed to look like a cruise ship) and the inside feels large and spacious. The second floor features panoramic windows, giving you a nice view of the surrounding area, and letting in a lot of natural light.
At first it seemed like a great place to work from. Very fast WiFi, power outlets, and lots of seating options. The early morning time was nice and quiet. However, even on a weekday, it got very crowded and busy towards mid-day. Lots of people were coming in to have a look and take photos. There were even 3 full tour busses parked outside, seemingly using the Starbucks as a coffee and bathroom break. The noise level got so loud that we decided it was time to pack up and go for lunch.
Overall, a fun place to visit and take some photos, but unfortunately it’s probably still too new to actually be a useful place to work from.
Another review from my recent trip to Toucheng. This time a castle on top of the mountain! Getting there is a little tricky since there is no public transportation and it's quite far up the mountain. Taxi is probably your best option in that case. Once you get up the mountain there are two cafes, Castle I and Castle II. We decided to start with Castle II since the reviews said it was less busy (and that was definitely true). The interior is very large, lots of seating areas and large windows. It did get a little noisy though, even on a weekday afternoon. Unfortunately the upper floor was closed at this location. Decent WiFi and plugs available near the walls.
Before heading down we visited Castle I as well. This location looks nicer, and the upper floors (as well as the rooftop) were all open. There is also a very nice outdoor seating area. But, as the reviews I read said, this location was very busy. Finally after finishing up some work we walked down the mountain to Wai'ao beach, which took about 30 minutes.
A cool place to visit, it's definitely workable and fun to see, but I'm not sure I could spend the whole day there working.
Cool vibe and interesting interior. The large table is great for getting work done. There's an outdoor area, but unfortunately it's usually full of people smoking. The food and drink selection is good. I can definitely recommend trying the curry. I'm not sure if they have a menu in English. Some downsides, the chairs are not the most comfortable and the music is usually too loud.
After leaving my hometown for a while, I realized Zhongxing New Village has changed a lot. I asked the owner how long it has been open here. I didn't expect it to be three years. In the past, when talking about where to go to catch up on work, you might first think of the reading room at the local library.
In short, I am very happy that there is also a good place here, where I can reminisce about the past with my old friends, and I can spend a few hours finishing my work when I return home from vacation. Take Fun Coffee has good drinks, simple meals, power outlets, and slow WiFi (but it's still a good place to get some work done during vacations, so it’s not a big deal).
A small cafe with several two person tables and two 4 person tables. The menu is quite small, but the black tea was really tasty, but small considering the price. The WiFi was very fast, power outlets. Unfortunately the seats are not particularly comfortable though.
Yongchun Barista Coffee is actually not very special at all, it is just a chain coffee shop. However, I just want to say that chain coffee shops sometimes guarantee a certain level of consistency, just like Starbucks that we all like. The Barista Coffee in Yongchun is located between Houshanpi and Yongchun Station. It mainly serves nearby companies and residents, with a diverse type of clientele throughout the day.
There is a small room in the back, with one particular seat that I like, and has power. In the past when I had some urgent work, I would choose to retreat here the whole day because you can have a meal, and it’s easy to refill on caffeine. If it’s too stuffy, the bar seats outside by the windows might be a better option.
WiFi is very good, there are many outlets, various types of seats can meet different needs, and it is also very suitable for group discussions.
A great cafe/bookshop for working, studying, or simply just to go read some books at. The atmosphere feels relaxed and quiet. The chairs are comfortable, and individual table lamps provide good lighting. There are several seats near the front of the shop, and another room in the back (which I didn't notice at first). I chose the seat by the window though, which was a great spot to spend the afternoon working from. Perhaps I was lucky, but the day I visited was very quiet, with many people either studying or working. The menu is quite large, with plenty of food and drinks. If you're looking to have a drink and a snack, the tea cake set was a great option.