Flaky pastries filled with osmanthus and mung bean, flower-shaped steamed cakes, and the occasional sweet 粽. If you order a set you can sit inside to eat, but in the nicer weather I like sitting outside on the sawhorse bench and taking in the street scene.

hoshing1947.com.tw
No. 223, Section 1, Dihua St. - Datong District
Nearby favorites: Dihua St.

Their sweet tofu special inspired the Taipei Daughter × Lucky Finds Peanuts Peanuts cake. It’s worth the wait to sit at the table outside under the giant bonsai.

@ronmuseum
No. 21, Lane 66, Minsheng West Rd. - Zhongshan District

Tucked in an alleyway, these days it’s ahma’s son working the cart, but the rice is still as deliciously sticky. You can choose purple v. white rice, tea egg v. duck egg, but I go with all the classic options (and skip the egg—it’s enough food for me!). See how their fan tuan stacks up against their competition across the street.

No. 1, Lane 45, Ningxia Rd. (next to 50嵐 boba shop) - Datong District
Nearby favorites:寧夏夜市 Ningxia night market, 9x9 stationery store

Serving fancy Western food since 1934—my family has celebrated many a milestone here for four generations. (I had my first birthday party here!) Granted we go here more for nostalgia’s sake and to say hi to the manager who’s been there for decades, but its quaint atmosphere and dishes make it worth checking out—look for the jelly cubes on the ceiling! I like the duck confit set, and they have this ice cream sundae that comes out swirling with dry ice. Don’t be confused by the restaurant next door with the same exact name haha.

@bolerofirst
No. 314, Minsheng West Rd. - Datong District

A vegetarian restaurant inside a small market featuring local produce and general store products. Order your set meal of organic veggies (some of which I guarantee you’ve never seen before) at the counter and find a seat among the regulars who often greet each other by name.

No. 16, Lane 70, Section 2, Zhongcheng Rd. - Shilin District
Nearby favorites: 市東市場 Shi-dong Market

Jazz club by night, cafe by day, they are the inspiration behind the Taipei Daughter × Kope House citron cream latte—their super-light 柚香接骨木咖啡 Pomelo Elderberry Coffee is a must, and all desserts are house-made.
Pay close attention to the architectural details of the building. They are uniquely remarkable, as this historical landmark is where my dad grew up, and was painstakingly restored and renovated by him, a multi-year project completed in 2004.

@dixielane117
No. 117, Section 1, Dihua St. - Datong District
Nearby favorites: Dihua St.

My neighborhood marketplace: lunch possibilities range from sushi to vegetarian buffet to lumpia gao, and don’t miss the textiles paradise upstairs—find everything from upholstery to Hello Kitty fabric here, and even tailors on the 1st and 3rd floors.

No. 21, Section 1, Dihua St. - Datong District

he original 茄芷 bag. Traditionally used by street food vendors to haul their goods, they’ve recently enjoyed a renaissance and you’ll see many Japanese tourists poring over these colorfully-striped plastic bags. The blue-green-red-striped bags are also offered in other stores, but I get them here because they don’t brand them with any extra tags. No trip of mine is complete without adding another colorway or size to my collection, and at these prices you can pack your suitcase with them.

#高建桶店
No. 204, Section 1, Dihua St. - Datong District
Other nearby favorites: Dihua St.

Jade beads, charms, sculpture, and, of course, bangles. I got my new everyday bracelet here last May and I’m in love with the stormy blue hue—unusual and quite modern. Figuring out if jade is real or not is a tricky business—and everyone here will insist their wares are A-grade—but if you love the piece and you’re happy with the price (after negotiating), maybe that’s all that matters?

Jianguo Elevated Rd. - Da’an District
Other nearby favorites: 建國假日花市 Jianguo Holiday Flower Market

A dark and nostalgic shop specializing in vintage Taiwanese ceramics, and goods and apparel by local artists and designers. I love their earthy, moody aesthetic, and stop by on every trip.

@earthingway / earthingway.waca.ec
No. 34, Minle St - Datong District
大同區民樂街34號1樓

Furniture and home wares curated by the sophisticated eyes of this tea-loving couple. Even their plants are artfully grown.

@funfuntown / funfuntown.com
No. 2, Alley 1, Lane 359, Fujin St. - Songshan District
Other nearby favorites: BEAMS, Fujin Cafe, SunnyHills

He cut my first successful bangs and I haven’t looked back. A haircut runs somewhere around $30 USD, and with a perm and intense conditioning treatment, I paid about $160 USD last May. Reach out to him on IG to make an appointment (and see where he is), and get ready to fall in love with his doxie Donut!

@una_ho_cola