Old Seat Restaurant Taipei Review 2026: Local Hotspot
Looking for an authentic Taipei dining experience beyond the usual tourist spots? Old Seat Restaurant is a vibrant local hotspot serving incredible Sichuan cuisine.
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Looking for an authentic Taipei dining experience beyond the usual tourist spots? Old Seat Restaurant is a vibrant local hotspot serving incredible Sichuan cuisine.
Old Seat Restaurant
Kiki Restaurant still holds its legendary status as a popular spot in Taipei, but are you one of those travelers who prefers to avoid places packed with fellow tourists?
That's definitely me!
While Korean-recommended eateries are often a safe bet for delicious food, when I travel, I love diving into local hotspots.
If you're looking for an amazing alternative to Kiki Restaurant, I wholeheartedly recommend Old Seat Restaurant.
Hours & How to Book
📍 Old Seat Restaurant Cafe 川酒.咖啡
1F, No. 29, Lane 101, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Operating Hours
Daily: 12:00 PM - 11:30 PM
Friday & Saturday: Open until 12:00 AM (Midnight)
Old Seat Restaurant, today's recommendation, is open daily with generous operating hours, making it quite convenient to visit.
However, if you plan to go during peak meal times, making a reservation is absolutely essential.
I booked for dinner myself and the place was completely packed!
It felt like all the cool Gen Z and Millennials of Taiwan were gathered there.
You can make reservations through OpenTable, and using the app on your phone is probably the easiest way.
OpenTable is an incredibly convenient platform I often use whenever I travel.
Finding Old Seat Restaurant in Taipei
The restaurant's location can be a bit tricky to find.
While Google Maps will get you there, you might find yourself wondering if you're actually heading in the right direction.
Follow Google Maps closely, and you'll want to turn into a narrow alley across from a shop called 'Sweet Me'.
Head straight down the alley, past the shop on the left corner (as seen in the left photo).
In the right photo, can you spot the red light at the very end?
At the end of the alley, you'll see the restaurant, adorned with red lighting.
Even when you're right in front of it, you might feel a little unsure – it has the charming, converted feel of an old home.
Old Seat Restaurant: Menu Recommendations & What to Skip
When you arrive with a reservation, the staff will kindly guide you to your table.
In my excitement, I completely forgot to snap a picture of the menu!
However, I did manage to grab a snippet from their official website.
Just a heads up, this restaurant specializes in authentic Sichuan cuisine.
While their official site only features a Chinese menu, don't worry – they provide an English menu with accompanying food photos, making ordering a breeze!
Prepare yourself for the mind-blowing Egg Tofu Dish!
(Seriously, I can't describe it any other way)
I wish I had taken a photo of the cross-section!
This is an incredibly smooth egg tofu dish with a numbing, spicy 'mala' base.
There's truly no Korean dish I can compare it to.
It was so unbelievably delicious that my husband and I simultaneously widened our eyes and clapped like seals in pure delight!
I had to snap another photo of this tofu because it was just *that* good.
It's truly a dish so delicious, it makes me want to visit again just for it.
However, a word of caution: if you dislike the numbing sensation of mala spice, or if you're not a fan of authentic Sichuan mapo tofu (as opposed to milder Korean-style versions), this dish might not be for you.
If you've ever looked up Kiki Restaurant, you probably know this dish already!
It's the Garlic Sprout Stir-fried Pork.
What can I even say? It's incredibly delicious!
Make sure to order a side of steamed rice to enjoy with it.
And trust me, that amazing mala sauce from the egg tofu dish? It's absolutely heavenly mixed with rice!
Now, for one dish I absolutely do NOT recommend.
I'm generally not a picky eater, but two things I absolutely cannot stand are fishy odors or strong gamey meat smells.
I ordered the Suan La Fen because I usually love it, but this version contained pork intestines, and oh my, the smell was just awful!
It was such a disappointing dish....
With limited stomach space for just two of us, we carefully chose our dishes, so it was truly sad to have one turn out so poorly....
Doesn't it look delicious in the photo, though? Haha!
My husband and I enjoyed a fantastic dinner here with a couple of beers, leaving completely satisfied.
The restaurant was filled exclusively with Taiwanese locals, mostly young Gen Z and Millennials, probably in their early twenties.
It's a lively atmosphere where everyone is chatting and having a great time, so if you're seeking a quiet, intimate meal, this might not be the place for you.
Otherwise, I highly recommend stopping by Old Seat Restaurant during your Taipei trip.
Skip Kiki for once and try Old Seat Restaurant instead! :)
Old Seat Restaurant operates daily from 12 PM to 11:30 PM, extending until 12 AM (midnight) on Fridays and Saturdays. Advance reservations through the OpenTable app are essential if you plan to visit during meal times.
Using Google Maps, you'll need to enter a narrow alleyway across from the "sweet me" store. You'll see the restaurant, decorated with red lighting, at the end of the alley.
The soft egg tofu dish with a mala base and the stir-fried pork with garlic stems are highly recommended. We especially suggest enjoying the stir-fried pork with garlic stems alongside a bowl of steamed rice.
This restaurant serves Sichuan cuisine. While only a Chinese menu is available on their official website, the restaurant provides an English menu with accompanying food photos.
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Old Seat Restaurant .cafe 老位川酒&咖啡