// TAIPEI // ZHONG ZHENG //
elsewhere cafe 生活在他方
part bookstore, part cafe, part hipster hideout
There is an abundance of cafés scattered around the quiet alleys and lanes that branch off the bustling boulevards in Taipei. They range from cutesy themed cafes to modern designed cafes to no frill historic shops. Elsewhere Cafe is part bookstore, part coffee shop and embodies the artsy part of the spectrum. Like with most places, it’s best stumbled upon (I happened to spot it while running errands around the neighborhood). It leans into that feeling, an air of cherished wanderlust, sheltered from the city energy.
While many cafés in Taiwan are very focused on the food, Elsewhere is a place you go to relax and escape. The atmosphere is less social than other places, full of artsy books and quirky decor. Its the perfect place to plug in and get some work done in peace, or to curl up with a book and cup of coffee in the morning. That being said, they do also serve meal sets, we are still in Taipei after all.
They also foster a community through pop up exhibitions, events and other cultural programming, announced through their Facebook page.
the details
| Address | No. 3, Lane 119, Section 1, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/elsewherecafe |
| Tripadvisor | https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g13808853-d12698541-Reviews-Elsewhere_Cafe-Zhongzheng_District_Taipei.html |
| Tagged location – Elsewhere Cafe | |
| Hours | 7:30a – 10p, closed on Mondays |
| Price | $ – food and drink prices are definitely closer to LA café prices than typical Taiwanese food |
| Aesthetic | quirky, artsy and cozy, made for Taiwanese hipsters |
good to know
Go here for: getting some work done and appreciating art books
Order this: their coffee is up to par across the board. Also grab a dessert: a slice of their matcha crepe cake or apple tart
Amount of time to spend: 1-2 hours
When to come: whenever you feel like chilling out, or hiding from the rain. And in the morning, when most other cafés are closed
Getting here: about a 5 min walk from CKS Memorial Hall Station, Exit 3
Other things to note:
- Avoid the afternoon rush, generally Taiwanese people love getting coffee in the afternoon, so mornings tend to be more quiet.
- They have plenty of seating and a relatively quiet environment, free wifi and outlets too, so it’s good for working.
- Like many places in Taiwan, there is a minimum order of 150NT per person.
Last visited: April 2016
Last updated: August 2019
