A Fashionable Retro Corner in the Alleys of Taipei’s East District – CHLOECHEN Café

▲ Though the space inside isn’t large, it’s compact, warm, and full of personality, with bold yet delicate use of color. The vibrant tropical palette still carries a retro charm.

Text & Photos / Yu Tian

CHLOECHEN’s taste and style have always exuded a fresh, retro-literary vibe—from shoes, clothing, and accessories to the shop’s furnishings. Both artsy girls and elegant socialites love it. Though these seem like contrasting groups, they’re drawn to the same thing: ‘fashionable retro style.’ Using her refined taste, CHLOECHEN selects and designs her unique atmosphere.

The newly opened CHLOECHEN Café, like all major-brand cafés, decorates its space with the brand’s personality. Taipei’s East District is sprouting all sorts of quirky coffee shops, each showcasing creative ideas—but that makes me even more eager to explore this uniquely distinctive corner. Today, I finally carved out time to meet up with my best friends and elementary school classmates here. Hidden in an alley within an alley, it really took some effort to find, and I had to call my classmate to come out and guide me in...

▲ As soon as you step inside, there’s this little mini garden of plants—it’s quaint and peaceful, both indoors and out. Creating such a tranquil oasis in bustling East District isn’t easy. There’s a magical quality that instantly calms you and shuts out the noise from outside.

▲ The café’s tables and chairs are all different pieces, yet they’re arranged in a completely harmonious retro aesthetic. You can’t help but admire CHLOECHEN’s mixing skills.

▲ Antique-style furniture glows with a slightly tipsy beauty under indoor neon tubes.

▲ An antique cart holds the menu and wine list.

▲ The café connects directly to the CHLOECHEN clothing store—a seamless retro vibe. A group of girlfriends can gather here to eat, drink, and chat. Those feeling restless can break away and browse the shop—it’s the beauty of a multi-concept café. This type of store is really popular in China.

▲ Image sourceCHLOECHEN Café 

Besides coffee, there’s also roselle tea from CHLOECHEN’s hometown in Taitung. The atmosphere here is perfect for an after-dinner drink in the evening. We especially recommend trying their gin-based specials—the shop stocks 14 types of gin and even has a “Gin Lab” where you can mix your own custom gin flavor. European fashion bars are all about gin cocktails and Martini specials. If you only know vodka or whiskey-based drinks, it’s time to catch the trend and give them a try.

● ETtoday News Cloud reminds you: Don’t drink and drive, and don’t drive after drinking.

▲ Italian gnocchi with truffle cream sauce and sage (handmade Italian gnocchi—my favorite Italian dish. These are the biggest gnocchi I’ve ever had, super filling as an appetizer. Paired with fragrant truffle, it’s a unique and visually delightful signature dish. A great choice for a light, savory bite on a summer afternoon.) NT$320

▲ Classic bourbon chicken wings (signature wings marinated in classic cocktails—slightly spicy with a rich bourbon aroma. Intense in flavor and aroma, a must-order drinking snack.) NT$350

▲ Red wine braised beef (beef braised with red wine, tomatoes, and mushrooms until incredibly tender. Served with mashed potatoes and a small side salad, it’s quite generous in portion and a customer favorite.) NT$380

▲ The café is colorful, with gorgeous floral wallpaper—perfect for photos that look like paintings.

CHLOECHEN Café
Address: No. 3, Lane 26, Alley 205, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Business Hours:
Sun-Thu 12:00-11:00
Fri-Sat 12:00-00:00
(Closed on Mondays)

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