taipei |
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images : awl images ; stockfood |
From above : Ximending neighborhood and shopping district ; breakfast congee with vegetables and egg |
century-old Japanese-style hut . It offers an impressive collection of aged pu erh : cakes of dark , fermented tea from China . Hermit ’ s Hut — where the team are Taiwanese oolong specialists — is another soothing option , with its soft , off-white interior and natural wood furniture . For a more modern experience , bubble tea connoisseurs can enjoy a refreshing cup at Guiji , which is known for its high-quality tea and bright orange tapioca balls flavored with honey .
While tea is traditional , coffee is by far most people ’ s daily beverage of choice . Taipei has a vibrant cafe culture where folks hang out on their laptops all day . Three Brothers & Co . near Da ’ an metro station is a great place to start , with ample amounts of natural light and quirky beverages like passionfruit coffee . For serious connoisseurs , Coffee Sweet whips up some of the best pour-overs in town .
The city is also home to a thriving craft cocktail scene . Bar Mood in the Da ’ an district has wildly creative drinks infused with tropical ingredients like mango syrup , pandan and pepper . Indulge Experimental Bistro , also in Da ’ an , builds complex sips
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using Taiwanese tea as a foundation . Taiwan has also been a breeding ground for craft whisky and gin brands like Kavalan Whisky , which has been producing single malt whiskies for the last two decades .
HOTELS
There ’ s a wide range of accommodations in Taipei , with options suited to every type of traveler . For those who want to be close to the city ’ s nightlife hub , W Hotel is a great pick . It ’ s also home to a nightclub with a pool and tantalizing views of the city below . Nearby is the Grand Hyatt , which is more stately and has a connecting walkway to Taipei 101 , the city ’ s tallest skyscraper . In the same neighborhood is Le Méridien , whose rooms are equipped with an impressive AI system that controls the music , curtains and lights .
For accommodations in a quieter part of town , check into Kimpton Da ’ an Hotel — a boutique gem with 129 rooms and an eye for design . The rooms are decked out in ash-grey palettes accented by pops of teal . The hotel also has a fantastic in-house restaurant called The Tavernist that doles
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summer 2024 • 81 |