Beitou is one of the best day trips near Taipei and a popular tourist location. As a result, many restaurants have opened in the area, especially around Xinbeitou MRT Station. In this guide, we will tell you how to enjoy food in this area like a local and eat your way through Beitou.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive guide. For the latest prices, opening hours, and other information, you should check Google.
Historical Background:
In 1894 during the Qing Dynasty, the first person to establish a hot spring in Beitou was German sulfur merchant Ouely. The following year, Japanese Rear Admiral Tsunoda Hidematsu and Taipei County Secretary Nirei Keiji inspected the hot springs. On November 10, 1895, Governor Kabayama Sukenori also visited, and a public bath area began to form near today’s Beitou Hot Spring Museum. In the 1960s and 1970s, the number of hot spring inns in Beitou peaked, with over 70 inns in operation. However, from 1975 onwards, the industry began to decline due to poor management, lack of public infrastructure, and excessive development. In 1995, a local movement to save the Beitou Public Bathhouse succeeded, leading to its restoration as the Beitou Hot Spring Museum, which was designated a historic site in 1998. In 1999, the Tourism Bureau declared it the “Year of Beitou Hot Springs,” revitalizing the industry. Beitou Hot Springs, along with Caoshan, Guanziling, and Sichongxi Hot Springs, was one of the four major hot springs in Taiwan during the Japanese era. Beitou Hot Springs is a popular tourist attraction, especially with local Taiwanese people and Japanese tourists. The winter is the most popular season. As a result, many restaurants have opened in the area, especially around Xinbeitou MRT Station.
High end: We recommend Wellsping Silks Beitou, which is perhaps the fanciest hotel in Beitou is the Wellspring Silks Beitou and towers like a behemoth over the cityscape. Here you can probably find the best quality and services in all of Beitou. Budget Hotels: We also recommend Water House which seems like perhaps the best deal for the money in Beitou. Breakfast and private baths are included. There are also public bathing areas. The hotel is across from Beitou Park.
By MRT: Take the MRT to Xinbeitou MRT station. From there you can also take the S9 or S26 bus further up the mountain if needed. You can book tickets to travel to Taipei via inter-city bus on Klook here. By Car/Scooter: From downtown Taipei, take Provincial Highway 2 north to New Beitou MRT Station. Many of the hotels here provide free parking for guests. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Check out Klook here, or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Map:
Please see a list of places we will cover in the map below:
Map Key: Blue: Tourist Sites Red: Hot Spring Hotels Purple: Restaurants Green: Other sites of interest
Marshal Zen Garden 雙喜湯屋
Marshall Zen Garden is a coffee shop and hot spring bath in the hills of Beitou with great views of the surrounding area. It is a great place to enjoy the scenery in Beitou. This is not a hotel. You can get a discount ticket for a hot spring bath and two meals at Zen Garden on Klook here or KKday here.
Another decent establishment seems to be this specialty “hot spring” ramen shop. The ramen is probably not made with hot spring water, however, “hot spring” ramen has become a must-eat snack for many visitors to Beitou. Address: No. 1-8, Zhongshan Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/dMn7vyh5vC7PeQwg8
New Enjoy 新上享
New Enjoy seems to be a popular Hong Kong-style restaurant right opposite Beitou Park. I even mistook it for a hot spring hotel. This is a round-table sit down restaurant with many dishes ranging from 300-900 NT. Address: No. 226, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/8PwtK2kLc549pNNt6
Restaurants Often Recommended by Taiwanese Bloggers:
Beitou Bomb Scallion Pancake 北投炸彈蔥油餅
Traditional scallion onion pancakes that explode with juice and sauce. Address: No. 218, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/euyZkMuRFbKTCPcD7
Chen Ji Fried Chicken: Most Popular Local Snack 陳季炸雞：在地最夯排隊美食
One of the most popular fried chicken stands around. There will usually be long lines here. Address: No. 5, Gongguan Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/t6mkp3LCHJY4LWyA8
Feng Qing Yang Snack Shop 丰清揚小吃店
Beitou’s version of Din Tai Feng, with lots of dumplings to choose from. Address: No. 355, Zhonghe St, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/GrokFRGZ7MFJYKBE8
Wu Jia Beef Noodles 吳家牛肉麵
A popular Taiwan beef noodle shop that has been visited by various celebrities. Address: No. 224, Section 1, Zhongyang N Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 11263 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/eGpr7216vyN9bA8Z6
A traditional Taiwanese tofu pudding restaurant that has been endorsed by many local Taiwanese TV shows. Address: No. 71, Datong St, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/8Da4DjgGcjUR3KxW9
Shui Mou Small Squid Rice Noodles 水某小卷米粉
Squid and rice noodles, as well as other seafood dishes, that are known to sell out fast. Address: No. 107, Section 2, Zhongyang N Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/gW4cyzLvFSubxCtZ6
Royal Pool Hot Spring Feast Restaurant 皇池溫泉御膳館
A hot spring that also has a high-end Taiwanese traditional restaurant. Address: No. 42, Shamao Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/TvU7X4dacApyjZhW6
Zhuzihu Sawmill Restaurant 竹子湖杉木林餐廳
A traditional Taiwanese restaurant with outdoor seating and great views of Zhuzihu Valley. Address: No. 55-12, Yangming Creek Walkway, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3kQ8ptyX3N3pwyu7
Zhuzihu Guan Chen Food Court 竹子湖冠宸食館
A traditional round-table restaurant surrounded by flower fields in Zhuzihu. Address: No. 67, Yangming Creek Walkway, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/MRdx3pbte4nitth99
Miaobang 苗榜
Another garden Resraruant in Zhuzihu right in the middle of flower gardens. Address: No. 56-7, Yangming Creek Walkway, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/PS3LrJABoKagMKj96
And don’t forget to visit Zhuzihu, especially during flower season. Zhuzihu is a small valley in Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園 Yángmíng shān guójiā gōngyuán, in Beitou District of Taipei City) between Qixing Mountian and Datun Mountian. The valley is especially fertile due to the rich volcanic soil and abundant rain, and the entire area is full of recreational farms that have become popular tourist destinations. You should definitely stop by on your trip to Yangmingshan. Check out our full guide to Zhuzihu here.
Mountain Talk 山上聊
Another mountain coffee shop and restaurant with great views. It is said to be the best restaurant in all of Beitou. Address: 112, Taipei City, Beitou District, Yangming Creek Walkway, 3-17號號 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rM6AyH3ayy5LeEz89
Good Morning Warriors 早安勇士
A breakfast restaurant open till 5 PM with great burgers. Address: No. 147, Yuren Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/3pcyps6HHFvwiUsw9
Traditional beef noodle and braised meats restaurant in Beitou. Address: No. 2, Section 1, Yongxing Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/em1ngC49BuRoeY3t6
No Sleep Workshop (無眠workshop)
A tasty brunch and breakfast shop open from 10 Am to 5 PM. Address: No. 22, Fuxing 4th Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/cb8VSqecsSQ1nxYA7
It’s Mcdonalds. Said to have the cheapest Big Macs in the world. Address: No. 218-3, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSa3hRpoMxCw3R7Z7
Manwei Hot Spring Ramen 滿味溫泉拉麵
Another popular “hot spring” ramen restaurant in Beitou. Address:1F, No. 218-5, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 112 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/myT6qbZxjmYEvFxY7
A traditional Taiwanese braised pork and rice fast food chain. Address: No. 210, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, 11246 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/S3NkKBHACAKvdr1w8
Willie’s Deli (G&G威利熟食店) – The Best Store for Expats in Taipei
Willie’s Deli is an American-style deli and grocery store in Tianmu, Beitou District, Taipei City. The deli sells American-style beef and pork sandwiches, and the store often sells imported products from the USA and Europe that are much sought-after by foreigners in Taiwan. If you are missing products from the USA or Europe, then this store is definitely worth a stop. Check out our full blog on this store here. Address: No. 6-1, Lane 14, Section 7, Zhongshan N Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, 111 Map:https://maps.app.goo.gl/EoVPTG3phSuSqoL47
Conclusion:
There are tons of food options in Beitou, even if you are a picky foreigner like me. Even if you don’t like any of the choices above, there are tons of other restaurants to explore and choose from.
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Are there any popular local restaurants near Beitou Hot Springs that specialize in traditional Taiwanese cuisine?
Yes, check out the recommendations by Taiwanese bloggers section: https://taiwantravelblog.com/beitou-hot-springs-food-guide/#restaurants-often-recommended-by-taiwanese-bloggers