Taipei‘s Shida neighborhood has always had a reputation for being home to an incredibly diverse range of cuisines. And as home to a huge student population, prices are usually on the affordable side. But when you’re so spoiled for choice, how do you choose? Well, here are some of the best the neighborhood has to offer.
This quiet little restaurant located down one of Shida’s many alleyways is quite popular with locals looking for a genuine Italian-style pizza. The place is small, so you may need to book ahead or wait for a table. According to its regulars, the pizzas are tasty with all the classic offerings on the menu. But despite its name, there’s more than pizza at the table here, with the risotto and desserts going down a treat.
One of the oldest restaurants in the area, Out of India is the only place in the area where you can enjoy authentic Indian cuisine. This ever-popular restaurant serves up a wide range of dishes all of which are freshly prepared to order. If you like spicy food then there’s plenty to choose from here, and their freshly baked nan bread is perfect.
If you fancy a real burger in Shida, then give the local Burger King a wide berth and head for KGB Kiwi Gourmet Burger. This place is not your typical burger joint, though. The burgers are impressively large and extremely tasty. The Chicken Aloha burger is incredibly delicious (pineapple!), and their milkshakes really top off the meal. They even have veggie burgers made with walnuts and lentils.
All things Japanese are popular here in Taiwan especially when it comes to food. So it’s a little surprising that this is one of the only specialty Japanese curry houses in the city. The restaurant is a wonderfully cozy little place, and while you might not expect much in terms of selection from an eatery that specializes in curry, there are actually quite a few choices on the menu. Everything is freshly prepared, and the portions are really quite generous.
Tacos are becoming quite popular in Taiwan, and around Shida Macho Tacos is the best place to get your Mexican fix. They have specials on select nights, and their menu includes all the Mexican goodness you could want. From chimichangas to burritos and everything in between, you’re pretty much spoiled for choice at this place.
Despite the misleading name, this restaurant is open throughout the day. The menu at this place is pretty extensive, with plenty of steaks to choose from and quite a few pasta dishes on offer. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, and they even offer an all-you-can-drink price for wines. Fancy some classic apple pie? Yep, they have that, too. It’s a great place if you have some picky eaters in your group and are in need of a diverse menu.
For a glimmer of Greece in Taipei, there are few places better in terms of décor than Mykonos. Step through the door, and you could almost believe that you’re in a café in the heart of the Mediterranean with its chalk white walls and blue upholstery. Steak and pasta are the orders of the day, but despite its Greek name, they have a decidedly Taiwanese flavor, which is not a bad thing at all. Chicken, pork, lamb, and beef steaks are all served with one of three house sauces, all of which are very tasty.
