Artist's Studio Café in Xinyi District – A Blissful Brunch with Paninis, Cakes & Coffee

Text & Photos byPingzi

In the bustling Xinyi District near Taipei City Hall MRT Station, if you're looking to enjoy coffee and brunch with your girlfriends, Pingzi recommends NOT ONLY CAFE. It’s not just a cozy café serving delicious food and drinks—it’s also an art studio. The spacious venue offers tasty paninis, expertly brewed smooth coffee, power outlets, and free Wi-Fi. Pingzi highly recommends stopping by for a relaxing visit.

Exit from Exit 4 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, then turn into the alley beside the CPC gas station. Walk straight into the third alleyway, and you’ll find NOT ONLY CAFE on your right. The café has a modern Japanese-style façade with large glass windows, sleek and minimalist. On the side, there's a prominent logo for the attached art studio—just seeing the place gives you high expectations for the quality of its brunch and coffee.

A small sign at the entrance introduces the café’s featured dishes as well as takeaway promotions.

Push open the door, and you’ll see an open kitchen and counter on the left, along with a dedicated coffee machine and a variety of creative cultural and artistic small items on display—very charming and well-curated.

NOT ONLY CAFE is divided into two sections: the brighter front area and the darker back section with yellow-toned lighting. The space is simply decorated, mostly with wood elements. Power outlets are available near the walls—a thoughtful touch. The wooden tables and chairs are comfortable, so you won’t have to worry about sore bottoms. It’s a relaxing spot, and it’s wonderful to have such a lovely café in Xinyi District.

This place isn’t just a café—it’s also an art studio where those interested in painting can learn. There’s a great artistic vibe, as seen in one corner of the shop.

Drinking glasses are self-serve and neatly arranged for easy access.

The menu is handcrafted from leather, neatly designed for easy reading and ordering—showing the owner’s attention to detail. Prices range from NT$100+ for coffee and several desserts to paninis and savory options, giving you plenty of choices. The minimum spend is NT$130, so even just ordering a coffee is enough.

Currently, the cake selection mainly includes these few options.

Pingzi ordered a panini, because brunch should have something savory, paired with dessert and coffee. On this day, she chose the Cherry Duck Breast Panini Sandwich (NT$180). When it arrived, it caught her eye—the panini was served alongside a fresh salad, both presented beautifully and looking very refined.

The Cherry Duck Breast Panini Sandwich reveals melted cheese oozing out from the sides, paired with juicy duck breast and tender cucumbers. The filling is rich, the cheese bursts with flavor, almost melting in your mouth. The grilled marks and golden color of the panini look incredibly appetizing. The bread is thick and toasty, offering a satisfying crunch without being dry. The panini is not greasy or overly salty—highly recommended.

The salad is fresh and light, not greasy, and pairs nicely with the vinaigrette dressing.

Pingzi’s girlfriend opted for a sweet treat: the Caramel Apple Pie Cake (NT$130). Served warm, it features a unique take on cake-making—with a crispy crust and a dense, smooth apple filling that’s neither too sweet nor too heavy. Once baked, all the flavors come together beautifully.

Pingzi chose a chocolate dessert: the Salted Caramel Chocolate Tart (NT$130). It has a dense, rich chocolate center with a cool texture, topped with what looks like crushed walnuts or almonds, complementing the firm tart shell—delicious.

Her friend went for an iced fruit tea. Here, the fruit tea comes in a whole pitcher, and both the bottle and cup designs have an aesthetic, high-quality feel, beautifully plated.

The fruit tea contains various fruits like kiwi, apple, and orange pulp, packed with Vitamin C. It’s refreshingly sweet and tangy—perfect for beating the heat.

For coffee, she had an iced caramel macchiato. The coffee has rich milk flavor with just the right amount of non-cloying caramel. Served chilled and in a large cup, it’s extremely satisfying.

If you’re around Taipei City Hall Station and want to meet up with friends, clients for a meeting, or just hang out, Pingzi believes NOT ONLY CAFE is the perfect spot. The food is delicate, delicious, and the atmosphere is comfy. They also offer power outlets and Wi-Fi. Among the cafés in the Xinyi District and Taipei City area, it’s truly a fantastic environment.

NOT ONLY CAFE.
No. 21, Lane 158, Lane 30, Yongji Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27656365
Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/notonlycafe
*No Service Charge*

upssmile Pingzi (up’s smile – Upward Smile Travel, Food & Design Photography)!
A designer herself, and also a photographer for Upward Smile Travel, Food & Design.
Passionate about “travel,” “food,” “design,” and “photography & film.”
Blogger:http://upssmile.com/