Iconic Taiwanese Restaurants Every Food Lover Must Visit

Iconic Taiwanese Restaurants Every Food Lover Must Visit

Taiwan, often dubbed the “Food Paradise of Asia,” offers a culinary richness that blends Fujian traditions, Japanese influences, and modern innovations. For food lovers, a visit to Taiwan is incomplete without tasting the dishes at the iconic restaurants that have shaped the island’s culinary identity.

Here is a list of legendary restaurants in Taiwan that you must visit in 2026:

  1. Din Tai Fung (Xinyi Branch, Taipei)

Despite having branches worldwide, visiting the original Din Tai Fung outlet on Xinyi Road is a ritual for tourists. Known for its Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings) with 18 perfect folds, this restaurant sets the gold standard in culinary new yorker deli precision. Each bite offers a savory broth that bursts in your mouth with incredibly thin yet strong dumpling skin. The speed of service and the transparency of their glass kitchen make it an unforgettable dining experience.

  1. Chun Shui Tang (Taichung)

As the birthplace of Bubble Tea (Pearl Milk Tea) in the 1980s, Chun Shui Tang in Taichung is a sacred destination for boba drink enthusiasts. Here, you can enjoy original milk tea with perfectly chewy tapioca pearls in the elegant atmosphere of a traditional Chinese tea shop. Beside drinks, they also serve local dishes like beef noodles and a variety of authentic dim sum snacks.

  1. Yong Kang Beef Noodle (Taipei)

Beef Noodle Soup is Taiwan’s national dish, and there’s no place more iconic than Yong Kang Beef Noodle. Established in 1963, this restaurant is famous for its spicy red broth, rich in spices, and tender beef that melts in your mouth. The long lines always seen in front of their store are proof of the consistent quality of taste for decades.

  1. Du Xiao Yue (Tainan)

If you want to taste history, go to Tainan to visit Du Xiao Yue. Established in 1895, this restaurant is famous for its Danzai Noodles. This dish consists of yellow noodles served with shrimp, minced pork, and black vinegar in a small but flavorful portion. The low chairs in the cooking area provide the classic street food stall atmosphere that has been maintained even into the modern era.

  1. Raw (Taipei)

For a more contemporary experience, Raw by Chef André Chiang is the definition of modern Taiwanese gastronomy. Embracing the concept of “Bistronomy,” this restaurant redefines seasonal local ingredients with highly creative French cooking techniques. Its artistic interior design with massive curved wooden structures makes it one of the most esthetically pleasing and difficult-to-book restaurants in Taipei.

  1. Addiction Aquatic Development (Taipei)

For seafood lovers, this place is a dream come true. A fusion of an upscale fish market, sushi bar, and grill restaurant, Addiction Aquatic Development offers exceptional freshness at competitive prices. You can choose live crab or fresh sashimi and enjoy it right at the trendy standing bar area.

Culinary Travel Tips Many of these restaurants are very popular, so make sure you make a reservation thru platforms like Inline or arrive early before lunchtime to avoid hours-long queues. Don’t forget to explore Shilin Nite Market or Raohe Nite Market to complement your culinary adventure in Taiwan.