Welcome to Tianmu!

Quinn
Welcome to Tianmu!

Parks & Nature

Steps from the apartment. A small, pleasant park.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tianmu Park
旁 Lane 141, Section 7, Zhongshan N Rd
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Steps from the apartment. A small, pleasant park.
Recently renovated park a 3 minute walk from the house. Pleasant to walk and play areas for children. Well-lit at night for a stroll.
Donghe Park station
Recently renovated park a 3 minute walk from the house. Pleasant to walk and play areas for children. Well-lit at night for a stroll.
About 5 minutes up the hill from the apartment. Popular hiking trail with some challenging elevation and nice views. You'll see lots of people around the area with backpacks on weekends in the early morning.
Tianmu Historic Trail
Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
About 5 minutes up the hill from the apartment. Popular hiking trail with some challenging elevation and nice views. You'll see lots of people around the area with backpacks on weekends in the early morning.

Arts & Culture

Largest, most complete collection of Chinese art in the world. Constantly changing displays, with even more yet to be publicly displayed. Not very far from the apartment, but still recommend a taxi. Friendly, English-language guides available.
391 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pambansang Museo ng Palasyo
221 Sec 2, Zhi Shan Rd
391 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Largest, most complete collection of Chinese art in the world. Constantly changing displays, with even more yet to be publicly displayed. Not very far from the apartment, but still recommend a taxi. Friendly, English-language guides available.
Great displays of modern art. Easy to get to from the bus stop near the apartment - take the 220 to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum stop.
53 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Taipei Fine Arts Museum station
53 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Great displays of modern art. Easy to get to from the bus stop near the apartment - take the 220 to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum stop.

Essentials

Grocery and convenience stores.
Five minute walk down the hill from the apartment. Not the full Carrefour, but still a respectably sized supermarket and used to dealing with expats. https://goo.gl/maps/YARXuDZKXHG8QYcY9
Carrefour Market Zhongbei
113號 Section 7, Zhongshan N Rd
Five minute walk down the hill from the apartment. Not the full Carrefour, but still a respectably sized supermarket and used to dealing with expats. https://goo.gl/maps/YARXuDZKXHG8QYcY9
Expat supermarket near the Taipei American School. More imported food than Carrefour. https://goo.gl/maps/ZXntGX7FL8eYyv4s7
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Jasons Market Place
27號 Wanshou Rd
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Expat supermarket near the Taipei American School. More imported food than Carrefour. https://goo.gl/maps/ZXntGX7FL8eYyv4s7
Closest 24-hour convenience store to the apartment - for when you are too lazy or it is too late to go anywhere else. A 2 minute walk of the apartment. At the traffic circle. Should mention that they have decent, cheap coffee and seating.
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Hilife
Qingjiang Road
6 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Closest 24-hour convenience store to the apartment - for when you are too lazy or it is too late to go anywhere else. A 2 minute walk of the apartment. At the traffic circle. Should mention that they have decent, cheap coffee and seating.
Large local supermarket that is a 3 minute walk from the apartment. It basically has everything. https://goo.gl/maps/VzQqopQnFirSPEdE9
全聯福利中心天母中山北店
6號 Lane 154, Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
Large local supermarket that is a 3 minute walk from the apartment. It basically has everything. https://goo.gl/maps/VzQqopQnFirSPEdE9

Shopping

Pleasant and personal wine shop with great selection and a place to sit down and sample the wares. Run by a lovely French and Taiwanese couple. Once a month, they have a popular snacks and wine night - for NT$1,000 you can drink your fill (well worth it!), eat nice French snacks and meet a great group of long-term expats. https://goo.gl/maps/JNZCSaQtQ39Ga4nw9
Le Sommelier 樂索門酒業有限公司
3-81號 Tianmu West Road
Pleasant and personal wine shop with great selection and a place to sit down and sample the wares. Run by a lovely French and Taiwanese couple. Once a month, they have a popular snacks and wine night - for NT$1,000 you can drink your fill (well worth it!), eat nice French snacks and meet a great group of long-term expats. https://goo.gl/maps/JNZCSaQtQ39Ga4nw9
A tidy, cleaner version of a traditional Chinese wet market. Good produce and seafood. https://goo.gl/maps/6fU6eieUgAQyaQTF7
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pamilihan ng Shidong
100 Shidong Rd
8 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
A tidy, cleaner version of a traditional Chinese wet market. Good produce and seafood. https://goo.gl/maps/6fU6eieUgAQyaQTF7
Tianmu Creative Market: Weekend open-air flea market to pick up knick-knacks. https://goo.gl/maps/c1NfNnw5LSqdbvLP9
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tianmu Creative Market
Tianmu West Road
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Tianmu Creative Market: Weekend open-air flea market to pick up knick-knacks. https://goo.gl/maps/c1NfNnw5LSqdbvLP9
Nearby branch of the large Japanese department store. They have a good food court and grocery store also. https://goo.gl/maps/tB8Mf8d5hq9pDqJX9
31 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Shin Kong Mitsukoshi
68 Tianmu E Rd
31 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Nearby branch of the large Japanese department store. They have a good food court and grocery store also. https://goo.gl/maps/tB8Mf8d5hq9pDqJX9
Takashimaya - another large Japanese department store close by. Also, has a good food court and grocery store. https://goo.gl/maps/t7y3VyGKGw6JdVjB8
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Dayeh Takashimaya Department Store
55 Section 2, Zhongcheng Rd
21 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Takashimaya - another large Japanese department store close by. Also, has a good food court and grocery store. https://goo.gl/maps/t7y3VyGKGw6JdVjB8
Yet another nearby large Japanese department store, which also has a good food court and grocery store. https://goo.gl/maps/fiESksNfVMikQChDA
33 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Far Eastern Sogo Tianmu Store
77號 Section 6, Zhongshan North Road
33 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Yet another nearby large Japanese department store, which also has a good food court and grocery store. https://goo.gl/maps/fiESksNfVMikQChDA

Food & Coffee

Taipei has a lot of great food and it is pretty hard to go wrong with small, local eateries. These are cool, nearby places we like for food and coffee, but a little bit different from the usual fare. I've included Google Maps links where I could to make it easier to find them.
Seriously good ramen (we lived in Tokyo for four years). Sometimes there is a line, but well worth it. https://goo.gl/maps/MR8HbdJM1BtwipPo8
RAMEN NAGI 豚骨拉麵 凪 - 天母店
10弄2號 Lane 50, Tianmu East Road
Seriously good ramen (we lived in Tokyo for four years). Sometimes there is a line, but well worth it. https://goo.gl/maps/MR8HbdJM1BtwipPo8
Great coffee in a cozy coffee shop run by a Japanese couple. Some snacks, but it is all about the coffee. As with all things well done and Japanese, not cheap but worth it. https://goo.gl/maps/2XArfakvgqFuhbcc6
Goodman Roaster(阿里山咖啡)
110號 Tianyu Street
Great coffee in a cozy coffee shop run by a Japanese couple. Some snacks, but it is all about the coffee. As with all things well done and Japanese, not cheap but worth it. https://goo.gl/maps/2XArfakvgqFuhbcc6
Very close to the apartment on the traffic circle. Decent coffee, inexpensive meals and eclectic decor. Run by an eccentric couple, but nice place to chill and read a book. https://goo.gl/maps/8sBZPhFsVMM8g8mc6
ZABU
26號 Lane 60, Section 2, Xinsheng North Road
Very close to the apartment on the traffic circle. Decent coffee, inexpensive meals and eclectic decor. Run by an eccentric couple, but nice place to chill and read a book. https://goo.gl/maps/8sBZPhFsVMM8g8mc6
A great coffee shop to hang out, chill and catch up with friends. Decent coffee and brunch. https://goo.gl/maps/LmwC8GLJQdDdT6kT9
Humble beginnings café - Taipei 亨寶咖啡
36之1號 Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
A great coffee shop to hang out, chill and catch up with friends. Decent coffee and brunch. https://goo.gl/maps/LmwC8GLJQdDdT6kT9
Very good izakaya (casual Japanese restaurant that also serves drinks). One of the choices of the numerous Japanese expats in Tianmu. https://goo.gl/maps/4Y2VjZVeMVpFcMoq6
窩 創作和食
88號 Tianmu East Road
Very good izakaya (casual Japanese restaurant that also serves drinks). One of the choices of the numerous Japanese expats in Tianmu. https://goo.gl/maps/4Y2VjZVeMVpFcMoq6
Very small coffee shop with very good coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. Cedric, the French owner, also owns a bakery 20 meters north of this location, which is the reason they have wonderful baguettes, croissants and pastries. https://goo.gl/maps/2UhTjwSuda6zqMxv8
Lutetia Taipei 露特西亞咖啡店
442號 中山北路六段
Very small coffee shop with very good coffee, baked goods and sandwiches. Cedric, the French owner, also owns a bakery 20 meters north of this location, which is the reason they have wonderful baguettes, croissants and pastries. https://goo.gl/maps/2UhTjwSuda6zqMxv8
Probably the best Italian restaurant in Taipei. https://goo.gl/maps/hBqstSsqxrqHWFB36
iL Mercato
162號 Section 2, Zhongcheng Road
Probably the best Italian restaurant in Taipei. https://goo.gl/maps/hBqstSsqxrqHWFB36
Much, much smaller night market for just food if you want to skip the crowds of tourists at the Shilin Night Market, but crave some Taiwanese street food. Close to the Shipai MRT station. https://goo.gl/maps/sLoGFsHRqPtLDT4a7
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Palengke ng Shibei
30號 Yumin 1st Rd
11 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Much, much smaller night market for just food if you want to skip the crowds of tourists at the Shilin Night Market, but crave some Taiwanese street food. Close to the Shipai MRT station. https://goo.gl/maps/sLoGFsHRqPtLDT4a7
German restaurant and bakery - so you know they also have great beer! Good brunch and weekday salad bar. Near the Zhishan MRT station. https://goo.gl/maps/D7sZ1aDbSCDn4u5q8
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Wendel's Bakery & Bistro
5號 Dexing W Rd
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
German restaurant and bakery - so you know they also have great beer! Good brunch and weekday salad bar. Near the Zhishan MRT station. https://goo.gl/maps/D7sZ1aDbSCDn4u5q8
Good for a salad fix when you get the craving for a big pile of greens, which is astonishingly difficult to find in Taipei. Also, they do a decent brunch. However, it is one of the very few places in Taipei without free WiFi. https://goo.gl/maps/th28tEbTaryqb6hY8
Sprout 初芽
31號 Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
Good for a salad fix when you get the craving for a big pile of greens, which is astonishingly difficult to find in Taipei. Also, they do a decent brunch. However, it is one of the very few places in Taipei without free WiFi. https://goo.gl/maps/th28tEbTaryqb6hY8
Essentially a beer bar with lots of great local and international microbrews on tap. Very nice owners that, surprisingly, know and love beer. Within walking (stumbling?) distance of the apartment, in case you overindulge. https://goo.gl/maps/feayzjDoza3mZRUB7
Wicked Wolfpack
29 Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
Essentially a beer bar with lots of great local and international microbrews on tap. Very nice owners that, surprisingly, know and love beer. Within walking (stumbling?) distance of the apartment, in case you overindulge. https://goo.gl/maps/feayzjDoza3mZRUB7
A good honest burger stand - delicious, cheap and simple. Hits the spot. Very small hole-in-the-wall, so easy to pass by if you're not careful, but you will usually see a small group of people (a good proportion TAS teachers and students) eagerly awaiting their food on the sidewalk in front. If you like smash burgers, this is your place. Good fries too! Take away only. https://goo.gl/maps/CN6TEESbMmDZQC716
LOUIS' BURGERS
28號 Tianmu East Road
A good honest burger stand - delicious, cheap and simple. Hits the spot. Very small hole-in-the-wall, so easy to pass by if you're not careful, but you will usually see a small group of people (a good proportion TAS teachers and students) eagerly awaiting their food on the sidewalk in front. If you like smash burgers, this is your place. Good fries too! Take away only. https://goo.gl/maps/CN6TEESbMmDZQC716
Not a remarkable coffee shop, but their distinguishing feature is they have a surprisingly decent ketogenic menu. If HFLC is your thing, this is the place for a keto meal. Their brunch and coffee is otherwise not bad, just nothing special. https://goo.gl/maps/82xfjAeGYc4UPttm7
DOORS Coffee 門片咖啡
7號 Lane 38, Tianyu Street
Not a remarkable coffee shop, but their distinguishing feature is they have a surprisingly decent ketogenic menu. If HFLC is your thing, this is the place for a keto meal. Their brunch and coffee is otherwise not bad, just nothing special. https://goo.gl/maps/82xfjAeGYc4UPttm7
A Tianmu institution that's been around since the beginning of time. Serves pretty good Shanghai cuisine - so try the xiaolong bao (steamed soup dumplings), as well as the zuiji (drunken chicken). https://goo.gl/maps/93VsjifniieTZNxx8
Fang's Restaurant
7號 Tianmu E Rd
A Tianmu institution that's been around since the beginning of time. Serves pretty good Shanghai cuisine - so try the xiaolong bao (steamed soup dumplings), as well as the zuiji (drunken chicken). https://goo.gl/maps/93VsjifniieTZNxx8
This is the corner dumpling shop on the traffic circle close to the house. Pretty tasty and cheap dumplings (shuijiao) and pot stickers (guotie) that come in traditional flavors as well as curry and kimchi. They have English on the menu. Be warned, these are addictive. https://goo.gl/maps/W1wiQJNCjqXBHx9K6
八方雲集鍋貼水餃專賣店
175號 Section 7, Zhongshan North Road
This is the corner dumpling shop on the traffic circle close to the house. Pretty tasty and cheap dumplings (shuijiao) and pot stickers (guotie) that come in traditional flavors as well as curry and kimchi. They have English on the menu. Be warned, these are addictive. https://goo.gl/maps/W1wiQJNCjqXBHx9K6
Relatively famous shop for oyster noodle soup - which is quite good! At the traffic circle next to the apartment. They have photos of food items as well as loosely translated English descriptions. https://goo.gl/maps/CMF6bNV6CLZvf27LA
勝口味大腸蚵仔麵線 - 天母店
183號 Section 7, Zhongshan N Rd
Relatively famous shop for oyster noodle soup - which is quite good! At the traffic circle next to the apartment. They have photos of food items as well as loosely translated English descriptions. https://goo.gl/maps/CMF6bNV6CLZvf27LA
Quite possibly the top of list for favorite coffee shops in Taipei. The owner is a furniture designer who understands how to create an extremely civilized and pleasant place to spend time. She nailed it - roomy, comfortable environment with good music, lots of books, tasty meals, nice desserts and, of course, great coffee! Easy to walk and miss because at street level, it is a narrow door that leads up to the second floor. https://goo.gl/maps/zeY36v3Bx15P5Y6n9
Neighbors Cafe 好鄰居
430號 中山北路六段
Quite possibly the top of list for favorite coffee shops in Taipei. The owner is a furniture designer who understands how to create an extremely civilized and pleasant place to spend time. She nailed it - roomy, comfortable environment with good music, lots of books, tasty meals, nice desserts and, of course, great coffee! Easy to walk and miss because at street level, it is a narrow door that leads up to the second floor. https://goo.gl/maps/zeY36v3Bx15P5Y6n9
We're lucky that Taipei's three best Indian restaurants are a ten minute walk from the apartment and within 25 meters of each other. These are not cheap, but when you're in the mood for authentic Indian you can't go wrong with any of the three: Saffron, Spice Market or Jai Ho. https://goo.gl/maps/nGVZmHabfGyHvNEG6
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Saffron Fine Indian Cuisine
38之6號 Tianmu E Rd
56 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
We're lucky that Taipei's three best Indian restaurants are a ten minute walk from the apartment and within 25 meters of each other. These are not cheap, but when you're in the mood for authentic Indian you can't go wrong with any of the three: Saffron, Spice Market or Jai Ho. https://goo.gl/maps/nGVZmHabfGyHvNEG6
When the craving for Mexican becomes overwhelming. Eddy is from Guadalajara (via Canada). Not bad Mexican food (I'm pick about Mexican food from growing up in Southern California!) and really friendly service. They also do double duty as the local sports bar for big games. https://goo.gl/maps/3qhMR44u8BXQmwR28
Eddy's Cantina 2 艾迪墨西哥餐廳2店
63 Tianmu E Rd
When the craving for Mexican becomes overwhelming. Eddy is from Guadalajara (via Canada). Not bad Mexican food (I'm pick about Mexican food from growing up in Southern California!) and really friendly service. They also do double duty as the local sports bar for big games. https://goo.gl/maps/3qhMR44u8BXQmwR28
Falafels! Hummus! Baba Gonoush! What else do you need to know? Owned by a very nice Israeli family. https://goo.gl/maps/KagupsAg687i1BR16
The Pita Bar Taipei
476號 中山北路六段
Falafels! Hummus! Baba Gonoush! What else do you need to know? Owned by a very nice Israeli family. https://goo.gl/maps/KagupsAg687i1BR16
Ice cream made on the premises. https://goo.gl/maps/GKWXReU4yH8KiLwXA
Baires Ice Cream
460號 中山北路六段
Ice cream made on the premises. https://goo.gl/maps/GKWXReU4yH8KiLwXA

Drinks & Nightlife

Tianmu's nightlife is a bit staid. Most drinking is casual and around food - such as Izakaya and microbrew bars.
Surprisingly, run by a very good bartender named Irene. Very good cocktails and a chill place.
Irene's Lounge
Surprisingly, run by a very good bartender named Irene. Very good cocktails and a chill place.
Just moved to this new location recently. Expat bar with microbrew. https://goo.gl/maps/bQR81yRvwE1v8cGT6
Patio Bar & Grill
431號 中山北路六段
Just moved to this new location recently. Expat bar with microbrew. https://goo.gl/maps/bQR81yRvwE1v8cGT6

Getting Around

This is the location of the bus stop when coming back from town (northbound). The one into town (southbound) is across the street. The Tianmu stop is the beginning/end stop for many bus lines. I recommend downloading the app Bus+ (can be switched to English from within the app settings). Using Bus+ and the Google Maps app, it is very easy to navigate buses and the MRT.
Tianmu Circle station
This is the location of the bus stop when coming back from town (northbound). The one into town (southbound) is across the street. The Tianmu stop is the beginning/end stop for many bus lines. I recommend downloading the app Bus+ (can be switched to English from within the app settings). Using Bus+ and the Google Maps app, it is very easy to navigate buses and the MRT.
The MRT station with the frequent buses from the apartment.
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
MRT Shipai Sta.(Donghua) station
7 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
The MRT station with the frequent buses from the apartment.
YouBike
Ubike中山天母路口站