The Transforming Chifeng Street in Datong District: 8 Small Shops Revitalizing an Old Neighborhood

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

In addition to being home to numerous boutiques, salons, and cafés, the area near Taipei Metro Zhongshan Station is also a hub for food. Long before, many restaurants had already gathered on both sides of the Metro Park, such as the well-known Millefeuille Pancakes and Ganbei. However, in recent years, salons, fashion, and dining have started moving to Chifeng Street. The alleys of Chifeng Street were originally mostly residential areas, with iron factories and parts shops, but they have gradually welcomed clothing stores, hair salons, as well as cafés and restaurants, such as the newly opened Solo Pizza Napoletana, Chifeng Times 1931, and the long-established Xiaoqi Canteen. There are also well-known coffee shops like Days Coffee and the retro-style Xiaoshi Coffee. Chifeng Street is in the midst of transformation.

▲ Solo Pizza Napoletana is a popular queue-worthy shop from Nagoya, Japan. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Solo Pizza Napoletana
Solo Pizza Napoletana is a popular queue-worthy shop from Nagoya, Japan, managed by world pizza champion Akinari Makishima, who is currently the vice president of the Japan Neapolitan Pizza Association (APNG). He won first place in the STG category at the 2010 Naples Pizza Competition in Italy. The Taipei branch of Solo Pizza Napoletana is its first overseas location.

Address: No. 4, Lane 8, Chifeng Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25506236

▲ Retro Izakaya. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Chifeng Times 1931
Chifeng Times 1931 is a newly opened izakaya. Its exterior is built with old-fashioned traditional red bricks, and the interior has a similarly retro vibe, reminiscent of an old-fashioned snack stall. The menu includes grilled skewers, deep-fried skewers, rice, noodles, and fresh Japanese-style seafood dishes.

Address: No. 18-1, Lane 17, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25598979

▲ Xiaoqi Canteen. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Xiaoqi Canteen
The canteen mainly offers Japanese home-style meals, with main dishes that are common in Japan. The overall design is extremely minimalist, and many of the tableware used are items sold by Xiaoqi, aiming to let everyone understand that tableware can enhance the flavor of the food.
Address: No. 27, Chifeng Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25596851

Miss V Bakery
A bakery founded by two girls, Virginia and Veronica. The cinnamon roll is the shop’s popular item, along with various pastries, handmade cookies, and cakes. Address: 1F, No. 3, Lane 49, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25597391

Produces The food
Produces The Good is a laid-back little shop tucked away in the alleys. The menu includes breakfast plates, sandwiches, and salads, all following a light and refreshing cuisine style. Drinks include not only coffee and black tea, but also freshly squeezed juices and various flavored milks.
Address: No. 26-2, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City

▲ Nichi Nichi Days Coffee. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Nichi Nichi Days Coffee
Nichi Nichi is the romanized spelling of the Japanese words for “every day.” According to the Days Coffee blog, their self-introduction reads: “We focus on providing good quality coffee at affordable prices, hoping to make great coffee an everyday, easily accessible joy.”

Address: No. 8, Lane 17, Chifeng Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25596669

▲ Xiaoshi Coffee. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Xiaoshi Coffee
The exterior of Hour Coffee retains the charm of an old house, and much of the interior space is used to display handmade and design works.

Address: No. 10, Lane 33, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25507770

▲ The closed Nomads Expo Cafe. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Nomads Expo Cafe
A coffee shop made up of shipping containers, pallets, and greenery, with most seating areas outdoors. In addition to coffee, it also offers salads, desserts, tea, juice, and beer.

Address: No. 2, Lane 17, Chifeng Street, Taipei City
Phone: 02-25592577