Fika Fika Cafe

Fika Fika Cafe is one of the cafes that put Taipei on the international coffee map. Its founder, James Chen, travelled to Scandinavia in 2013 to compete in the Nordic Roaster Competition and came home with both the espresso category and the overall title, the first competitor from outside the Nordic countries to win the grand prize. The name comes from fika, the Swedish custom of pausing for coffee and something sweet, and that relaxed spirit runs through the cafe.

The coffee is rooted in the roasting skills that won Chen his titles. The house blend, Capulypuly, is the bestseller, and the cafe is particularly known for its milk-based drinks and drip coffee, so it works whether you want a smooth latte or a cup of filter to taste a single origin. If you are unsure what to order, ask the baristas which beans are on offer and choose one black and one with milk to compare.

The cafe has been named among the best coffee shops in Asia by the Big 7 Travel lists in 2019 and 2020, and queues are common, especially at weekends. Even so, the mood inside stays relaxed, and there is outdoor seating if the weather is kind. It suits solo travellers with a book, couples and coffee enthusiasts; larger groups may struggle to sit together at busy times. It also makes a good meeting point, being easy to find by taxi with the street address.

Because opening times change from time to time, check the cafe's official channels before making a special trip, particularly early in the morning or later in the evening. Go on a weekday morning for the shortest wait, and allow 30 minutes to an hour. Prices are in line with other speciality coffee bars in Taipei.

Fika Fika is at No. 33 Yitong Street in the Zhongshan District, near IT Park, away from the main tourist sights. That makes it a pleasant detour on the way between central Taipei and the Zhongshan District restaurants listed in this guide, or a good start to a day that continues to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and the Dalongdong temples further north.