The 7 Best Cafes in Banqiao, Taipei

For a real friendly atmosphere, there aren’t many places that can beat Wakey Cafe. Although the name implies otherwise, this is a totally relaxed little joint, with top class coffee and delicious desserts – there are also tasty vegan options. Try the homemade lemon tart, it’s incredible.

An excellent choice for a light meal or an afternoon pick me up, Merci is a creatively furnished yet cozy little cafe that has a wonderfully laid back atmosphere. The coffee is good but it’s the decor and food that really make the trip worthwhile. The perfect place to meet friends at the weekend.

At first glance Eileen’s Coffee x Squad looks like a simple cafe with a reasonably basic menu. However, once you sit down, it becomes apparent that the staff here really know their stuff. They are incredibly friendly and professional and go to great lengths to explain every item on the menu in perfect detail. The food and drinks are delicious too, as many regulars here will testify. Green tea muffins? Yes, please!

Most people come to ATTS for the coffee but stay for the curry and cakes. Yes, that’s right, curry! The house specialty, or at least the item that is certainly the most popular, is the Japanese curry. It’s out of this world! The dessert offerings are also delicious. If you’re in the area, this place is definitely worth a visit.

Your Cafe is top of the list for true coffee aficionados in Banqiao. The owner of this place is a real coffee connoisseur and customers are regularly blown away by the blends on offer. The food is pretty good too, with an extensive menu that has some really unusual items on there. Once you taste their coffee though, you’ll soon be back for more.

For a peaceful place to get some work done over a coffee (or two), Mass Cafe is the best place in the neighborhood. The Wi-Fi is good and there are plenty of wall sockets to plug in your laptop. The coffee is decent and there’s also plenty of options to refuel with – you’ll find the usual stuff on the menu, but the food is absolutely sensational (hello cinnamon rolls!) and even better, the staff put no time constraints on how long you can stay, with no pressure to keep ordering drinks if you want to make use of the space.

Merci Vielle is a cafe with a difference. Instead of the usual modern decor you find in most cafes these days, the owners have opted for a vintage feel and it really works. It’s a very interesting decor and makes for a nice change. The staff here are knowledgeable and will gladly help you choose something from the rather extensive menu. Although, to be honest, you really can’t go wrong no matter which option you use, as everything is delectable.