Ximending is often understood as lively, fast-paced, and full of noise. But when you choose to slow your steps, another layer of the city begins to appear. As the crowd recedes slightly—at a street corner, at a table, between bites and sips—the rhythm softens and sensations gradually emerge. These spaces do not rush to attract attention, yet they make you want to stay. They are not meant to be “covered,” but to quietly exist within the city.

Walking through Ximending, it is easy to be pulled along by neon lights and moving crowds. Yet what truly stays with you are the moments when the body naturally relaxes. A pot slowly coming to a boil, a drink at just the right temperature, a café where you can sit all afternoon, or a piece of bread still warm from the oven. These fragments form another, understated landscape of the city.

The four places below differ in style, yet share the same quality. They do not demand quick consumption, but allow feelings to unfold naturally, becoming quietly remembered presences within Ximending.

BREAD,ESPRESSO &

From Omotesando, Tokyo, BREAD,ESPRESSO & brings a sense of calm and certainty into Ximending. Rather than emphasizing foreignness, bread, coffee, and space speak for themselves. The pace inside is unhurried, and the aroma of freshly baked bread naturally lowers voices. The signature Mou toast is crisp on the outside and soft within—comforting, memorable, and needing no explanation. Seasonal flavors add gentle variation to a familiar daily rhythm.

Coffee here is not the protagonist, but a companion. You can sit in the morning and let the day begin slowly, or linger in the afternoon doing nothing at all. What is offered is not stimulation, but a sense of steadiness that feels just right.

LOST and Found Ximen

LOST and Found is the kind of place where the body relaxes before the mind does. Warm wood tones and soft lighting make it easy to forget the speed outside. It does not assert itself strongly, yet invites you to stay longer than planned. Brunch and desserts are carefully made without being showy. Seasonal sweets and coffee offer reasons to remain, but what lingers most is the feeling of time spent there.

Service is natural and unobtrusive, allowing you to stay present with yourself. For many, this space feels like a borrowed living room—an afternoon quietly claimed within the city.

machi machi Ximen

machi machi redefines the role of hand-shaken drinks in the city. It is not just a takeaway counter, but a daily setting worth pausing in. Situated within Ximending’s flow of people, it maintains a gentle rhythm. The space is bright yet calm, with seating suited for a brief rest or solitary moments watching the street. The glass window creates a buffer between city and self, allowing a step back without leaving Ximending.

The drinks are clean and balanced, avoiding excessive sweetness or intensity. Whether milk tea or lighter tea options, each is meant to be enjoyed slowly. For many, it is not just a drink, but a moment of returning to the present within the city’s pace.

Zhan Ji Spicy Hot Pot Ximen

Zhan Ji Spicy Hot Pot lives in the memories of many Taipei residents. More than a restaurant, it is a scene of urban life. Located underground in Ximen World, its vintage neon signs, tiled walls, and old-style typography feel like stepping into a preserved era.

As the broth heats and steam rises, time seems to stretch. There is no emphasis on quick turnover—only the natural act of sitting, talking, and waiting for the pot to boil. Dim lighting and softened sound create a comfortable distance from the noisy streets above.

Zhan Ji is known for its rich yet balanced spicy broth. Duck blood and tofu absorb the flavors deeply and are essential orders for many. Service is understated but steady, allowing attention to rest on the warmth of the pot and the conversation around the table. In this steaming space, one somehow slows down.

BREAD,ESPRESSO &

Address: No. 69, Baoqing Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City

Recommended: Japanese-style bread and coffee with a quiet sense of comfort.

LOST and Found Ximen

Address: No. 92, Liuzhou St., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City

Recommended: A Nordic-inspired space ideal for lingering afternoons.

machi machi Ximen

Address: No. 162-2, Sec. 1, Zhongxiao W. Rd., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City

Recommended: Gentle tea drinks that slow down everyday moments.

Zhan Ji Spicy Hot Pot Ximen

Address: B1, No. 81, Chengdu Rd., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City

Recommended: Classic Taiwanese spicy hot pot in a retro setting.