Curator’s statement
Taipei is a hidden gem for expecting and new moms — a city where modern convenience meets deep-rooted hospitality. Born in Taiwan, I was amazed when I returned with my 9-month-old to find a baby-friendly paradise: hotels stocked with thoughtful amenities, spotless nursing rooms in every public space and a culture that truly embraces new parents. Whether you’re sipping artisanal tea in a café with a built-in play area or exploring the city with ease thanks to ultra-clean public transport, Taipei makes traveling with a little one feel effortless. It’s the kind of place that surprises you — in the best way possible.
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Where to stay in Taipei
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Things to do in Taipei
Shopping in Taipei
A paradise for shoppers, Taipei offers everything from luxury malls with Michelin-star dining to bustling night markets filled with fashion finds. The city’s upscale shopping centers go beyond retail. Think interconnected department stores, premium beauty retailers like Poya and Watsons, dedicated children’s floors and even baby spas. Whether you're hunting for Japanese and Korean skincare or unique local designs, Taipei has it all.
Luxury facials
Indulge in a world-class skincare experience at a fraction of the price. A 90-minute luxury facial in Taipei costs around $70-$80 USD. It is completely customized to your skin concerns — offering treatments that would be four to five times the price in the US or Europe. From cutting-edge laser treatments to hydrating facials, Taiwanese skincare is all about quality, innovation and relaxation.
Professional photoshoots
Capture timeless memories with a full-service photoshoot in Taipei’s dedicated photography districts. Whether it’s maternity, newborn or family portraits, you’ll get a seamless experience. This includes a personal stylist, hair and makeup artist, wardrobe rentals, studio time and a professional photographer — all for $500-$800 USD. The result? Stunning, high-quality albums and prints without the hassle.
Taipei Zoo & Maokong Gondola
A must-visit for families, the Taipei Zoo is easily accessible via the MRT’s Brown Line. After exploring the zoo, continue your adventure with a scenic ride on the Maokong Gondola. This is a glass-bottomed cable car that leads to the lush tea fields of Muzha. Enjoy traditional Oolong tea, tea-infused soft-serve ice cream and breathtaking mountain views.
Gymboree Play & Music
A haven for little ones, Gymboree offers expertly designed classes for babies and children (ages 0–6), fostering socialization, motor skills and creativity. With two locations in Taipei, families can enjoy daily play sessions, music and art programs and a clean, engaging environment for growth and exploration.
Parent-child play centers
Taipei’s government-funded play centers are a hidden gem for families. These spacious, multi-story indoor playgrounds offer everything from arts and crafts to dress-up corners and dedicated baby areas (0–6 months). Completely free and meticulously maintained, they provide a perfect retreat from Taipei’s tropical heat or rainy days.
Culinary delights
From Michelin-starred dining to bustling night markets, Taipei is a foodie’s dream. The city offers a rich culinary landscape, from authentic Italian trattorias to some of the best Middle Eastern cuisine outside its home region. Don’t miss Taiwan’s legendary bakeries, serving fresh pineapple buns, Portuguese egg tarts and airy sponge cakes made with less sugar and more flavor. For a curated food adventure, simply head to any mall’s basement-level dining hall, where global flavors await.
Scenic hiking
Nature lovers will appreciate Taipei’s easily accessible hiking trails. Elephant Mountain offers panoramic views of Taipei 101, while further afield, Taroko Gorge and Sun Moon Lake provide stunning landscapes just a high-speed train ride away. The best part? No car is needed — Taipei’s excellent public transport system makes outdoor adventures effortless.
Day trips by train
Taiwan’s high-speed rail makes day trips a breeze. Taichung is home to the world's only Michelin-starred ice cream shop and a thriving culinary scene. Kaohsiung boasts an artistic edge with events like Tattoo Ark, one of the world’s largest tattoo festivals. With a fast, clean and efficient rail network, the entire island is within easy reach.
Massage & wellness rituals
Taipei is a wellness haven, offering everything from reflexology foot massages to deep-tissue, Thai and sports massage — all at unbeatable prices. A two-hour full-body massage costs around $$100, with options for acupuncture, chiropractic care and traditional Chinese medicine. For ultimate convenience, 24-hour spas are available for late-night relaxation.
Geothermal hot springs
Just a short MRT ride away, Beitou is home to some of Taiwan’s best hot springs, ranging from luxurious private baths to family-friendly outdoor pools. For an elevated experience, take a ferry from Tamsui to Four Points in Bali, where the rooftop spa boasts multiple thermal pools with sweeping ocean views.
Places to eat & drink in Taipei
Din Tai Fung (multiple locations)
We can’t review Taipei and not include Din Tai Fung. The Hong Kong branch of this growing soup dumpling chain has earned a Michelin star, making it an international household name for soup dumplings. Thankfully, there are multiple locations in Taipei with extensive local menus that not only include their signature pork soup dumplings, but also local specialties like their spicy won tons, beef noodle soup and taro dumplings for dessert. They provide high chairs and baby utensils, ensuring a family-friendly experience at all of their locations.
Pang Taco/Pang Taqueria
Pang Taco has been recognized by Michelin (Bib Gourmand) for its inventive fusion flavors — from Taiwanese spiced tacos, to burrito bowls, and the best shoestring fries we’ve had in the world. Tucked in a nondescript alley in Taipei’s bustling Da’an district, Pang Taco is small, but bursting in flavor — a must-visit while in Taipei.
Fu Hang Soymilk
Bread lovers unite! Get there early, or you’ll be waiting in line around the corner to try this traditional Taiwanese breakfast. Home to the best shao bing (a type of fried dough and bread sandwich. Trust me on this one), egg-stuffed scallion pancakes and (obviously) soy milk in Taipei, this is the best and most tourist-friendly place to get breakfast. You can even watch the bread being made the traditional way while waiting in line…once you finally make it up the steps into the restaurant.
Meat Love
Sometimes, you just want meat. Meat Love in the Xinyi district. It is close to shopping, and Taipei 101 has pages and pages of meat to choose from. They will provide tables full of complementary Korean condiments for this Korean BBQ. The meat is grilled for you at your table, taking the guesswork out of grilling it yourself. The staff is baby-friendly, providing baby chairs and utensils while ensuring little fingers and toes stay out of the fire.
Fika Fika Cafe (multiple locations)
A reliable cafe with good coffee, good food and most of all, the best basque cheesecake in Taipei. There are workstations for all types, from comfortable, easy-clean leather couches, to solo counter tops and most of all — free wifi. The Zhongzhen District location is directly across the street from a tucked-away neighborhood playground that your kids can run around in while you enjoy your coffee nearby.
Lady Kelly (SOGO location)
High-end shopping malls in Taipei often have the best food and storefronts for the most sought-after patisseries like Lady Kelly. If you’re looking for an elevated sponge cake, you’re guaranteed to find freshly baked cakes of all shapes and sizes at Lady Kelly. We ordered the chocolate strawberry sponge cake for our daughter’s first birthday — which she smashed with great enthusiasm. These cakes are low in sugar, making them a worthy indulgence for the whole family.
Raohe Night Market
If you’re looking for a night market, go to Raohe Night Market. Enjoy Taiwanese street food like chewy taro and sweet potato puffs. You can find everything from Michelin star stuffed meat rolls, Unlike other night markets in Taipei, Raohe is dedicated to good food. Want to know which booths to visit? Just follow the lines. Seriously. The longer the line, the better the food — a Taiwanese equation that is guaranteed to satisfy every grumbling belly. Pro tip: have different people stand in different lines so you can expedite the process and ensure you get to eat as much as you want. We do not recommend strollers as this gets crowded. If you’re traveling with kids, aim to arrive as soon as the market opens.
Mandarin Oriental Sunday Brunch Buffet
5-star hotels in Taipei are known to visitors and locals alike for their weekend brunch buffets. This is quite the opposite of Golden Corral—from Japanese delicacies to Western desserts, there’s a little bit for everyone. Having tried multiple buffets, the current frontrunner in Taipei is the one at the Mandarin Oriental. Although their Sunday brunch is a seafood lover’s paradise, there are also plenty of options for those with shellfish allergies. Despite being a 5-star establishment, babies and kids are welcome. In addition to amenities, the staff are attuned to the needs of little ones, ensuring to seat families out of the direct blast of the air conditioning.
Mr. Brown Coffee
Mr. Brown Coffee is the best cafe-workspace in Taipei. Boasting three floors of floor-to-ceiling windows in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, Mr. Brown is open early, and closes late. The coffee is reliably strong, and breakfast ranges from a counter full of croissants of all shapes and sizes, to delicate single-serve cakes, and even large protein-filled platters. There is plenty of room for little ones to run around, great wifi and many plugs and seating options for parents who need to get some work done. Mr. Brown is also the sister brand to Taiwan’s award winning Kavalan Whiskey Distillery. It’s worth the trek out to Yi-lan to check out the brewery and distillery.
Sapori
Sapori Sicilian restaurant is run by a husband-and-wife team who manage to run a limited-seating restaurant with minimal staff, and maximum love. You’re guaranteed to find some of the best homemade pasta and familiar Italian flavorings in this nondescript restaurant. Generally, reservations are required and payment is cash only, due to the limited seats. Being seasoned parents and restauranters, they’re extremely friendly to families with little ones in tow. The flavors are not too strong — perfect for developing palettes.
Need to know
Family-friendly Taipei: Taipei is one of the most family-friendly cities in Asia, with thoughtful amenities designed to make parenting on-the-go effortless. By law, public spaces — from MRT stations to malls — must provide private nursing areas, ensuring convenience for breastfeeding parents. While public breastfeeding is less common, it’s completely accepted. The city’s conservative dress culture means bare chests are rare, but you’ll always find a discreet and comfortable space to feed your little one.
A city for all ages: Despite its fast-paced urban energy, Taipei is remarkably accommodating for elderly travelers. Early mornings and evenings bring parks to life, with groups of grandmothers dancing together in a vibrant community tradition. Accessibility is also a priority, with public transportation designed to be user-friendly for all ages.
Late starts & 24/7 convenience: Taipei runs on a late schedule — most coffee shops don’t open until noon, and shopping centers typically start their day at 11 am. Mornings are reserved for farmers’ markets and local shopping. But don’t worry, 7-Eleven (yes, the same one as in the US) is a staple of daily life. They offer high-quality food, essentials and even freshly brewed lattes for under $2, available 24/7.
Navigating Taipei as an English speaker: English is widely understood in urban areas, especially in commercial spaces and hotels. The city’s public transportation system is intuitive, even for those who don’t speak or read Chinese. All of the recommendations above are English-speaker-friendly, ensuring a seamless travel experience.
Cash is king: While major businesses accept credit cards, Taiwan is still a cash-dominant country. Small, family-run shops and night market vendors typically require cash, so it’s best to carry a few thousand NTD ($30–$60 USD) to avoid any payment hiccups. Taipei is incredibly affordable compared to the US, so a little cash goes a long way.
Finding the best food: Taipei’s dining scene thrives on word-of-mouth, so Google reviews don’t always tell the full story. Many restaurants cater to Asian palates, meaning lighter salt levels, slightly sweeter flavors and an emphasis on fresh seafood. If you have a shellfish allergy, be explicit when ordering — even dishes like chicken pad thai often contain shrimp. The best way to discover hidden culinary gems? Befriend a local or ask your hotel concierge for recommendations — Taipei’s hospitality is unmatched.
Baby essentials in Taipei: Due to Taiwan’s declining birth rate, baby gear can be surprisingly difficult to find. The most reliable option is Akachan Honpo, a Japanese department store in Da’an District stocked with everything from diapers to baby carriers. Carrefour sometimes carries diapers, but convenience stores and smaller grocery stores rarely do. The best diaper brand available is Mamy Poko (imported from Japan). For baby wipes, however, you won’t have any trouble — they’re available everywhere.
Clothing & sizing differences: While Taipei offers endless shopping opportunities, Western travelers may find sizing to be different from what they’re used to. However, for babies, the city is a treasure trove of high-quality, lightweight cotton clothing — perfect for the tropical heat. Les Enphants and H&M are great go-to options for breathable, summer-friendly babywear.
Taipei seamlessly blends modern convenience with family-friendly charm, making it an ideal destination for parents, grandparents and little ones alike.
Travel Advisor
Shanon Morris
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