Taiwan boasts the highest density of coffee shops in the world, with statistics showing that over 40% of the population drinks at least one cup of coffee daily. In Taipei alone, there are more than 3,000 independent coffee shops. Through work opportunities, I’ve gradually been introduced to hand-pour coffee, which offers a more nuanced flavor profile compared to regular espresso.
Recently, I visited some of the top 25 coffee shops in Taiwan as rated by the international travel website “Big 7 Travel.” This list includes the top-rated “Simple Kaffa,” as well as other coffee shops founded by world champions, such as Fika Fika Cafe, VWI by CHADWANG, and GABEE. In this article, I’ll share my tasting experiences at these renowned coffee shops. If you love hand-pour coffee, these champion coffee shops are a must-visit!
Simple Kaffa
Simple Kaffa was named the best coffee shop in the world in 2019 by Big 7 Travel and is the coffee shop of 2016 WBC World Barista Champion Wu Ze-Lin. Located next to Huashan 1914 Creative Park, its high profile attracts many international tourists. Simple Kaffa is housed in a two-story building renovated from an old house, with decor and furnishings that appeal to Instagram enthusiasts. The clever use of the old house’s structure, combined with extensive wooden materials and two atriums, makes it a photogenic spot.
Returning to the essence of coffee, although I was tempted to order an espresso (which is reputed to be excellent), I ultimately chose a single-origin bean: a washed Sidamo from Ethiopia. Despite being medium-dark roasted, the washing process highlighted the coffee’s citrus acidity, especially as it cooled. The dark chocolate notes were more prominent on the first sip. Although the flavor profile mentioned oolong tea, I didn’t quite detect it. Want to savor the flavors of world-class coffee? Perhaps you can take a half-day off to leisurely enjoy a cup here!
Simple Kaffa Taipei Flagship Store
Address: No. 27, Section 2, Zhongxiao East Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-3322-1888
Business Hours: 10:00 – 17:00
Website：Simple Kaffa
Fika Fika Cafe
Fika Fika Cafe was established by Chen Zhi-Huang, the double champion of the 2013 Nordic Roaster Competition. Nestled in a quiet alley on Yitong Street, Fika Fika Cafe may not have a prominent location, but the owner’s reputation ensures it’s packed even on weekday afternoons. Fika Fika Cafe offers both regular espresso and hand-pour coffee, but given its fame for hand-pour coffee, I opted for a cup to taste.
This time, I chose the “Colombian Estate Honey Process,” a coffee with honey and brown sugar notes. The first sip was astonishing, with a layered transformation from the tip of the tongue to the throat. The honey processing method truly brings out the coffee’s inherent sweetness, making it an excellent entry point for those new to hand-pour coffee. The cafe’s design is very Nordic, with a compact yet comfortable and spacious interior.
Fika Fika Cafe
Address: No. 33, Yitong Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2507-0633
Business Hours: 08:00 – 21:00
Website：Fika Fika Cafe
GABEE.
Located near Zhongshan Junior High School MRT Station, GABEE was founded by Lin Dongyuan, the champion of the first Taiwan Coffee Championship. Nestled in a small alley within a bustling commercial area, the café surprisingly doesn’t see as many lunchtime crowds as one might expect (perhaps due to its pricing). The interior is adorned with various coffee roasting and brewing equipment, reflecting the owner’s passion and enthusiasm for coffee. This time, I opted for an Italian-style latte, which is unique in that you can choose between Southern or Northern Italian styles. Southern Italian beans are typically medium-light roasted, offering a fruity aroma. Although I felt the milk diluted the fruity notes a bit, the coffee itself remained smooth, without the usual burnt taste of a typical latte. It’s worth mentioning that the café also offers ice cream in collaboration with NINAO Gelato. I’ll definitely try it on my next visit.
GABEE.
Address: No. 21, Lane 113, Section 3, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2713-8772
Business Hours: 09:00 – 18:00
Website：GABEE.
VWI by CHADWANG
Located in the bustling East District of Taipei, VWI by CHADWANG is another renowned coffee shop in the city, owned by Wang Ze, the 2017 World Brewers Cup Champion. The café has a strong literary and artistic vibe, though the dining space is relatively small, often fully occupied even on regular weekdays. The staff are quite professional when taking orders, asking about your preferred taste and whether you usually drink or brew pour-over coffee yourself, to recommend the best coffee for you. This time, I chose the new “Caturra, Catuai” beans, grown in the volcanic soil of Panama and processed using the black honey method. The first sip offers a bittersweet taste, with a distinct flavor; however, the texture becomes heavier with a slight acidity towards the end, providing a noticeable complexity in the coffee’s taste profile. It’s also worth noting that the hand soap in the café is quite special, with a pleasant scent and a grainy texture that feels like exfoliating, leaving your hands particularly smooth after washing.
VWI by CHADWANG
Address: No. 16, Alley 4, Lane 251, Section 3, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-8772-8191
Business Hours: 11:00 – 19:00
Website：VWI by CHADWANG『Original Source：https://www.phototravel.tw/4-taipei-best-coffeeshop/』
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