Yangmingshan National Park is a haven for nature lovers and foodies alike. With its stunning volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and lush forests, it’s a must-visit destination in Taipei. It is renowned not only for its breathtaking natural beauty but also for its rich culinary scene. From traditional Taiwanese delicacies to international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every palate. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best restaurants and cafes to eat at Yangmingshan, so you can make the most of your visit.
Yangmingshan Restaurants
There are three main areas to dine and relax near Yangmingshan. First are the local cuisines near Zhuzihu. There should be be plenty of options around the attraction. So you don’t have to worry that you will starve in the mountains. Most of these Yangmingshan restaurants feature free-range chicken, tasty mountain vegetables and traditional Taiwanese food. We will give you some recommendations in later sections.
Secondly, we have the historic US military dormitory area near Chinese Culture University. If you are willing to travel slightly further, you will find a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, bars and more. This cluster of food places come from all sorts of cultures and price points. There are a lot of really amazing restaurants that boasts not only great food but also great vibes and sceneries.
Moreover, there are a couple restaurants on Jingshan Road of Yangmingshan. These are more secluded and less popular options due to being slightly out of the way.
Finally, as you go further into the city, you will arrive at the Beitou and Tianmu area. There is also an abundance of options as people like to come here for hot srping. If you want to learn more, read our post about：
- Beitou Hot Spring Recommendations: 7 Best Hot Springs that will Cleanse Your Spirit
- One Day Beitou Itinerary – Most Optimized Route to See Everything
Local Yangmingshan Food Near Zhuzihu
Ching Cai Yuan 青菜園
Source: Yuki’s Life, Ching Cai Yuan FB
Ching Cai Yuan, located near Zhuzihu (Bamboo lake), is one of the most popular dining spot among locals. If you want something tasty but not too out of the way, Ching Cai Yuan is for you. Do not judge this Yangmingshan restaurant by its underwhelming appearance, it is on the list of almost all Yamingshan food recommendations. Despite to its popularity, the restaurant does not accept reservations. To avoid a long wait, we recommend that you take a number and explore the nearby flower fields before returning for your meal. A must-try dish at Ching Cai Yuan is the “free-range poached chicken,” renowned for its tender and juicy meat. The restaurant offers a diverse menu, featuring an array of stir-fried dishes and seasonal vegetables. Besides the poached chicken, other popular choices include salted egg-coated water chestnut, deep-fried river shrimp, and basil eggplant.
Shanmulin Restaraunt 杉木林餐廳
Source:mecocute.com, walkerland.com.tw
Shanmulin is a another serene dining spot nestled amidst the mountains of Yangmingshan’s Zhuzihu. Its tranquil environment and comfortable seating make it a popular choice for both locals and visitors. Being pet-friendly, it’s a great option for those traveling with their furry companions. The restaurant is known for its delectable dishes such as poached chicken, salt-and-pepper river shrimp and fish combo, tender dragon bean sprouts, and bitter melon chicken soup. The flavors are well-balanced, allowing the natural sweetness of the ingredients to shine through.
Hei Mu Wu 黑木屋
Source:白目一族出版社, aniseblog.tw
Hei Mu Wu is a standalone villa restaurant within the scenic Zhuzihu Road of Yangmingshan. Offering a spacious and tranquil dining environment, the restaurant is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, with a small stream nearby perfect for a post-meal stroll. With over two decades of Western culinary experience, the chef at Hei Mu Wu has created a unique fusion of Taiwanese cuisine, incorporating Western techniques while adhering to modern health-conscious principles of low oil and salt content. The restaurant’s signature dish, the poached chicken, is a must-try. We recommend making reservations to ensure availability. Other popular dishes include yam with sesame oil and pork neck, sesame oil noodles, and nourishing chicken soup. Hei Mu Wu also offers a variety of homemade side dishes, such as pickled plums, making perfect souvenirs for guests.
Yangmingshan Restaurants: Foreign Cuisine Near US Military Dormitories
白房子 Yang Ming Café
Source: Yangming Cafe FB
Yang Ming Café is a charming American-style white house located in Yangmingshan. With its cozy country decor, the café offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. In addition to individual tables and chairs, there are also private rooms available for reservation. The café serves a variety of hand-crafted coffee, beverages, and desserts, including those made by a state-of-the-art coffee-brewing robot. The menu features exquisite brunch options, pasta, and risotto. What sets Yang Ming Café apart is its selection of gourmet main courses, such as New York strip steak, New Zealand filet mignon, and German pork knuckle.
豆留森林 Cama Coffee Roasters
Source: travelerluxe.com, 愛食記
If you’re looking for a hidden gem coffee shop and restaurant in Yangmingshan, CAMA COFFEE ROASTERS is the perfect choice. Housed in a historic building dating back to 1937, this former Taiwan Provincial Government forestry research facility has been beautifully restored, preserving its original wooden structure and exuding a serene Japanese aesthetic. Nestled amidst a bamboo grove, the cafe offers a truly tranquil escape. Cama Coffee Roasters is committed to providing exceptional specialty coffee, with beans hand-selected and freshly roasted daily. The menu features a wide variety of pour-over and espresso-based drinks to suit every taste. The signature Hat Latte and Osmanthus Wine-Brewed Milk Cap Iced Americano are particularly popular among customers. The Hat Latte is especially eye-catching, as baristas pour the coffee into a glass filled with milk, creating a stunning hat-shaped foam layer.
In addition to coffee, Cama Coffee Roasters offers a delectable food menu featuring salads, brunch, risotto, pasta, pizza, and desserts. The risotto is especially noteworthy, with its creamy sauce and al dente rice. The pan-seared sea bass with pesto risotto is a highly recommended choice.
Kyonozomi Japanese Restaurant 京之最日式餐廳
Source: Kyonozomi Japanese Restaurant FB
Kyonozomi Japanese Restaurant is housed in a renovated former US military dormitory within the “Bimuyuan” complex, located near Chinese Culture University. With a diverse menu featuring donburi, curry rice, set meals, and hot pot, there’s something to satisfy every palate. All dine-in customers can enjoy unlimited drinks and ice cream. Kyonozomi’s signature set meals come with miso soup, steamed egg, and various Japanese-style side dishes. Many customers recommend the hearty pork cutlet set meal, the flavorful and crispy grilled Matsusaka pork set meal, and the tender eel rice. Beyond set meals, Kyonozomi also offers a variety of hot pot options featuring a rich kombu dashi broth and a wide selection of meats, including pork, chicken, beef, and seafood. It’s a perfect choice for a warm and comforting meal on a cold day.
BRICK YARD 33 1/3 美軍俱樂部
Source: BRICK YARD 33 1/3 FB
BRICK YARD 33 1/3 is a historic restaurant and event space that was originally a U.S. military club house in the 1950s. Preserving its original American country-style architecture, the venue offers a rustic and relaxed atmosphere. Spanning over 800 pings, the spacious grounds include a themed restaurant, indoor performance spaces, a vinyl record museum, and a rooftop bar. Beyond being a popular dining destination, the club is also a sought-after venue for outdoor weddings and parties. The BRICK YARD restaurant showcases a diverse culinary culture, specializing in New Orleans-style saucy dishes. Diners can savor the flavors of the American South with exquisite main courses such as Montreal-spiced roasted spring chicken, Manhattan pan-seared U.S. filet mignon, and the signature lobster and seafood platter. A variety of burgers, pizzas, pasta, and risotto are also available, along with a selection of fresh juices, teas, and coffee.
Julien French Kitchen 朱里昂法式廚房
Julien French Kitchen is a fine dining establishment tucked away in the serene setting of Yangmingshan. Helmed by a chef who graduated from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu culinary school and has worked at the two-star restaurant LA GRANDE CASCADE, this restaurant offers an elevated dining experience. While the prices might be slightly higher compared to other nearby establishments, the quality of the food and the overall ambiance make it worth the splurge.
Source: IG@julienkitchen
The menu features a delightful array of options, from hearty main courses like orange-glazed duck breast and a luxurious European platter to delectable desserts and afternoon tea sets. Popular choices include the Hokkaido scallop with sea urchin sauce risotto, French-style confit duck leg with white truffle mashed potatoes, and the iconic canelé. For those with a sweet tooth, the animal-shaped ice cream sundae and the extravagant afternoon tea platter are must-tries.
The Top 屋頂上
Source: 輕旅行
The Top is a highly popular rooftop restaurant in Yangmingshan that offers stunning panoramic views of Taipei City at night. Whether you’re gathering with friends or on a romantic date, this venue is the perfect choice. The restaurant features a tiered seating arrangement with private booths at various levels, including a VIP section at the highest point for the best views. The lower level boasts a colorful swimming pool and highly sought-after front-row seating. While reservations are only available for private booths, guests can arrive early to secure a spot on the terrace. The Top offers a diverse menu with hot pot, set meals, grilled dishes, and steaks, and the staff will assign seating based on your order. With a wide variety of food, drinks, and cocktails, customers can savor delicious cuisine while admiring the city lights and enjoying the company of loved ones.
Grass Mountain Never Sleeps 草山夜未眠
Source: 草山夜未眠 FB
Grass Mountain Never Sleeps offers a unique dining experience with breathtaking panoramic views of Taipei City at night. Beyond the popular flower-viewing opportunities during the day, Yangmingshan comes alive with twinkling lights after dark. This restaurant has become a favorite spot for couples and those seeking a romantic ambiance, thanks to its stunning decor, including dazzling lights and a glamorous carousel. The outdoor seating area provides the best vantage point for admiring the city lights, making it an ideal location to watch the sunset and enjoy a leisurely meal. With a diverse menu featuring everything from appetizers and hot pot to desserts and drinks, as well as a variety of Western and Chinese dishes, Grass Mountain Never Sleeps caters to various tastes. The restaurant also offers multi-person set menus, making it a perfect choice for group dining. Many patrons have praised not only the restaurant’s stunning views but also its well-presented and delicious food.
Night Fever 夜。店
Source: Night Fever FB
Night Fever is a unique American-style scenic restaurant located in Yangmingshan’s back mountains. Offering stunning night views, cozy hot pot, delicious international cuisine, exotic shisha, intoxicating cocktails, and fun board games, Night Fever is the only leisure and American-style restaurant of its kind in the area. Specializing in shisha, this bar offers excellent service, including complimentary chargers, mosquito repellent, and mosquito coils upon request. The menu primarily features American fast food like pizza, burgers, and fries. To enhance your experience, Night Fever provides free board games and playing cards, making it the perfect place to unwind after work with drinks, shisha, games, and breathtaking night views.
Yangmingshan Restaurants Backside
VVG Hideaway 好樣秘境
VVG Hideaway is a stunning forest retreat renowned for its beautiful white glasshouse architecture. The spacious interior maintains a pure white aesthetic, adorned with wooden furniture and lush greenery, creating a soothing and relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for Instagram-worthy photos.
Source: VVG Hideaway FB
The restaurant offers a menu of pure and warm Euro-Asian cuisine, featuring exquisite dishes made with local ingredients. Options include Western-style appetizers, main courses, pastas, and risottos, as well as brunch items and sandwiches. The truffle-infused dishes, such as truffle fries, truffle asparagus cream soup, and truffle wild mushroom pasta, are particularly popular among diners. For those seeking an afternoon tea experience, VVG Hideaway offers a variety of desserts, coffee, and other beverages. The carrot cake, with its combination of carrot, cinnamon, and cream cheese, is a standout choice among patrons.
Savage Garden 野人花園
Savage Garden is a must-visit botanical wonderland in Taipei’s Yangmingshan. Renowned for its breathtaking views and charming ambiance, this scenic café is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. The café features a stunning glasshouse surrounded by lush greenery, providing the perfect setting to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee. Inside, you’ll find numerous photo-worthy spots and decor, making it a popular destination for Instagram enthusiasts.
Source: iceoffice.com.tw, MYS旅人誌
The menu offers a delectable selection of submarine sandwiches, cookies, coffee, and cakes, all while you admire the beautiful scenery. With ample outdoor parking available, visiting Savage Garden is a breeze. The café is divided into two sections: the front area features a beautiful glasshouse, while the rear section is an English-style garden greenhouse with a unique gravel floor that gives visitors the sensation of walking through a real garden.
Sung Chu Yuan 松竹園
A little further down, Sung Chu Yuan has been a beloved dining destination in Yangmingshan for over 35 years, and it’s no surprise that it has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation. The restaurant is particularly famous for its golden crispy chicken and poached chicken. Other popular dishes include plum yam, “Nowhere to Find” stinky tofu, and old radish chicken soup. As a bonus, diners who meet the minimum spending requirement will receive a complimentary serving of small buns.
Source: travelcom.com.tw
The restaurant’s ambiance blends Japanese Zen aesthetics with the natural beauty of a bamboo forest. With numerous attractions such as Zhuzihu, Xiaoyoukeng, Lengshuikeng, and Mengfanghu in the vicinity, Sung Chu Yuan is a perfect starting point for a day trip. It’s advisable to make a reservation in advance to avoid a long wait.
Merci 裏山
Merci 裏山 is a serene and healing café nestled in the mountains of Yangmingshan, Taipei. This unique space thoughtfully combines a greenhouse, lush greenery, and vintage objects, creating a tranquil atmosphere where every element, from the stones to the trees, has been carefully placed.
Source: smileTaiwan
Visitors can enjoy a variety of beverages and desserts in the greenhouse-inspired space or take a leisurely stroll through the beautifully landscaped Japanese-style garden. Some popular choices include the refreshing Again Mango, a blend of passionfruit, mango, pineapple, and apple; and the 翡冷翠 (翡冷翠 is the Italian name for Florence), a mix of kiwi, apple, pineapple, guava, and stone lotus. The desserts, especially the Thai-style cheesecake and caramel pudding, are also worth trying.
As you can see, Yangmingshan offers a diverse and delicious culinary scene. From traditional Taiwanese dishes to international cuisine, there’s something to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a fine dining experience, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to enjoy delicious food and stunning views. So next time you visit Yangmingshan, be sure to explore its vibrant food scene and discover your new favorite restaurant. Please also check out our The Ultimate Guide for Yangmingshan: Hot Spring, Hiking Trails, Restaurants and Itinerary.