Taipei has a reputation for serving up incredible street food but when you are after something a little more refined, it offers fine dining options to rival any city in Asia and quite possibly the world. Here are three of the best restaurants in Taipei, that score highly with the locals.
Serving what they describe as a ‘vibrant bistronomy cuisine’ Raw is perhaps the most well-known fine dining establishment in Taiwan. Opened and run by renowned Michelin star chef Andre Chiang, Raw offers haute cuisine in an intimate setting and aims to cater to those on a more modest budget.Chiang and his creative team do their utmost to infuse new flavors into traditional Taiwanese dishes and produce, and his menu is so popular that the place is regularly fully booked. In fact, diners may need to visit the restaurant in person just to make a reservation, as trying to do so online is near impossible.
The place itself has a very Scandinavian feel to it, with wooden features everywhere. The menu features a mix of Chiang’s own creations and some traditional favorites such as steaks which are cooked to perfection.
Founded by Hong Kong-born chef Richie Lin, Australian chef Kai Ward, and Asian American chef Long Xiong, Mume describes itself as a modern European restaurant that specializes in casual fine dining. It’s an under the radar type of place that serves up signature dishes and cocktails on an ever-changing menu.
This is not a restaurant that takes walk-ins, and so many diners will wait weeks for a chance to sample the culinary delights on offer. The chefs sometimes open their kitchen to colleagues from their previous restaurants, and on such occasions, diners are blessed with a one-of-a-kind menu.
Short rib with black garlic sauce, salad with smoked ricotta, and crispy amadai are just some of the items to expect, but with such innovation in the kitchen, there really is no way of knowing what will be on the menu on a particular night.
L’ATELIER de Joël Robuchon Taipei, Taipei | Courtesy of L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Taipei
If there were Michelin star restaurants in Taiwan, then surely Joel Robuchon’s intimate fine dining establishment would be one. Serving classic French cuisine surrounded by the signature dark red and black décor, this is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city.
If possible get a counter table in front of the open kitchen where patrons can enjoy the show and even ask the chef a few questions regarding their processes. Unlike our previous two recommendations, the menu at L’Atelier is more traditional in its composition. However, it’s the presentation of the dishes that blows diners minds.
Every dish arrives looking like a piece of culinary art, and it would be easy for a plate so beautiful to let down the diner with regards to taste. But each item on the menu scores very highly with the notoriously fickle local food critics. The Taiwanese know their food, and it takes a lot to impress them, but L’Atelier does so on all counts.
