Enjoying yourself Taiwan
Timetable Taiwan
Most restaurants are open all day, but close relatively early (around 9:30pm). Upscale establishments generally close between lunch and dinner services.
Budget & Tips Taiwan
There are restaurants for all budgets in Taiwan, from small neighbourhood canteens where one can eat for a few hundred Taiwanese dollars to luxurious establishments that can charge several thousand dollars for a meal. International credit cards are generally accepted, but it is preferable to pay in cash in low-end establishments.
What costs extra Taiwan
In Taiwan, there are no unpleasant surprises at the time of the bill, even if sometimes the restaurant includes a service charge that acts as a tip (between 10 and 15% of the total amount). Please note, however, that the prices on the menus do not always include VAT (15%).
The local way Taiwan
The vast majority of restaurants in Taiwan offer only chopsticks as cutlery, although in Taipei the use of knives and forks is becoming more and more common. The portions are quite large and therefore ideal to share.
To be avoided Taiwan
Hygiene in Taiwanese restaurants is mostly quite acceptable. So there is no risk of ordering raw vegetables or drinking with ice cubes. If the tap water is theoretically drinkable, the pipes are in poor condition. It is therefore better to boil water before drinking it or to fall back on mineral water. Never stick the chopsticks in your rice bowl on any occasion, it brings bad luck.
Kids Taiwan
Children in Taiwan are welcome in all establishments, except perhaps some karaoke after dark.
Smokers Taiwan
Smoking is not permitted in restaurants in Taiwan. Some rare establishments do have a smoking room.
Tourist traps Taiwan
Restaurants located in the most touristy neighbourhoods face significant competition. Some of the reelers, sometimes very tenacious, therefore try to bait the barge with promotional offers. But quality is not always there.
Take a break Taiwan
Timetable Taiwan
Festive bars and restaurants open at around 6pm and close at around 1 or 2am. On weekends, the party sometimes goes on until late at night (3 or even 4 in the morning). Happy hours are usually offered in the early evening. On weekends, popular places in Taipei fill up and it can be difficult to find a table to sit at.
Budget & Tips Taiwan
Alcohol is relatively expensive in Taiwan, but there are cheap bars (around the Red House in Ximen among others). For example, for two beers accompanied by a snack, the bill is around NT$500. In the smallest establishments, the international CB will not be accepted.
Age restrictions Taiwan
You have to be 18 years old to drink alcohol in Taiwan. An identity card or passport will suffice to order a drink in case of doubt.
What's very local Taiwan
Taiwanese people like to have a drink and a bite to eat. If not comparable to the tapas culture in Spain, most bars offer some cheap snacks. Inherited from the Japanese colonial period, many izakaya are found in Taipei: these are Japanese bars that offer small plates to be eaten with a glass of alcohol.
Kids Taiwan
Children are welcome in most bars and restaurants in Taipei, even if the atmosphere in some establishments is not suitable for younger children after a certain time.
Smokers Taiwan
Smoking is not permitted inside Taiwanese public places and bars are no exception. Some have a smoking room. A few rare restaurants have a terrace where you can smoke, but this culture is not very widespread.
Tourist traps Taiwan
As in every country in the world, drunk people are the victims of choice for scammers and swindlers of all kinds. So be careful not to follow anyone if you've had too many strong drinks.