Taipei has a ton of cafes. But few are as spacious and tranquil and open as early as powder workshop. Granted, 9am might not seem particularly early for non-Taiwanese people, but trust, this is a gem in the Taipei cafe scene when most tend to open around noon.
Just a couple blocks away from the chaos that is Yong Kang Street and Dong Men Market, powder workshop is on a quieter alley, and a stark contrast from the cafes in the area that might have more “character” in terms of the decor and more extensive menus (Taiwanese people tend to take their coffee with full meals lol), but that’s exactly what makes it worth a visit. powder workshop keeps it simple. A simple menu of coffees and drinks. A simple selection of sweet and savory eats. A simple space with white walls and wood furnishings.
It’s a comfortable space without the frills and decor and themes that other cafes boast. But of course it still has its specialty, the very Instagram-friendly “milo mountain,” a chocolate malt powder drink popular in Australia and Southeast Asia, for anyone with a sweet tooth.
the details
| Address | No. 25號, Lane 86, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Da’an District, Taipei City |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/powderworkshop/ |
| @powderworkshop | |
| Hours | 9am to 6pm every day, closed Tuesdays |
| Price | $$ – pricey compared to general food prices in the city, but fairly standard for cafes in Taipei. Coffee is 120-180NT (~$4-6), snacks around 100-150NT (~$3-5), brunch sets 250NT (~$8) |
| Aesthetic | simple, minimal, neutral, also the lighting in here is excellent |
good to know
Go here for: a simple, tranquil spot for coffee by yourself or breakfast with a friend (not ideal for larger groups).
Order this: any of their espresso drinks, if you’re in it for the gram, maybe a milo mountain (I don’t even like malt and I almost ordered it because it’s so cute)
Amount of time to spend: on a more quiet weekday, you could get a few hours of work done, on a weekend, a 1-2 hour coffee date.
When to come: mornings are better, since Taiwanese people tend to take their coffee in the afternoons. Weekdays are also better if you want to work without the pressure of crowds or people waiting.
Getting here: it’s just a few minutes walk from the Dongmen MRT station (red and yellow lines), exit 3.
Other things to note:
- They have free wifi and ample outlets, but on weekends they do have a time limit of 3 hours.
- Their minimum order for each person is one drink for dining in.
- For takeaway, drinks are discounted 30NT, and if you bring your own cup another 10NT.
Last visited: October 2018
Last updated: May 2019
