New Year’s Eve doesn’t have to be a crowd squeeze—hidden gem restaurant with prime views of Taipei 101 fireworks!

Text & Photos/BearMiao Rudy

Thinking about celebrating at Taipei 101? BearMiao recommends Let’s Meet F2F, serving coffee, light meals, and bar bites, plus an amazing vantage point for the fireworks!

With less than two weeks to go, it’s almost that time of year again—New Year’s Eve. In Taipei, the most iconic spot is undoubtedly Taipei 101. But as the date draws near, Xinyi District tends to book up fast, and with everyone flocking there at once, even if you manage to reserve a spot in a nearby restaurant or hotel, you’ll still have to deal with gridlock after the show ends. (Pictured above: one of Xinyi District’s best Taipei 101 viewing spots. The Sheraton Grand Taipei at Riverside also offers suites.Click hereto view the content.)

So, if you want to watch the fireworks but hate the crowds—and if you don’t have your own balcony with the perfect location—that means you need to find a place in Xinyi District that’s not too close to the government square. And Let’s Meet F2F, which Bear and Miao recently had the chance to visit, fits the bill perfectly.

F2F Coffee & Bar is about a 10-minute walk from Taipei 101/World Trade Center MRT Station. This relatively new Let’s Meet F2F venue has a spacious layout, and from the outside, it has the feel of a design studio or high-end salon.

But it’s a full-fledged multi-concept eatery—you can hang out here all day as a café, enjoy some light bites or sweet treats as a hidden gem with a loved one, or even transform into a cozy European-style bar come evening, where friends gather, glasses clink, and time flies over great food and conversation.

Its stylish sign glows softly, standing out in just the right way—eye-catching yet never intrusive.

Honestly, this storefront gives off such a warm vibe. Without further ado, Bear and Miao are ready to take you inside!

But before we step in, let’s revisit the key New Year’s Eve consideration: being close enough to see Taipei 101 without getting caught in the massive post-show crowd near the government area.

Let’s Meet F2F, located at the end of Zhongjing Road, boasts a front-row view of Taipei 101’s main façade right at its entrance—an absolutely prime angle for the fireworks. Plus, it’s set back from both the government buildings and Taipei 101, making it much less affected by the chaos compared to other nearby areas. (Trust me, Bear, who grew up on Section 4, Ren’ai Road, has seen it all… which is why he now dreads going out for New Year’s Eve.)

Alright, now that we’ve covered the outdoor viewing advantages of Let’s Meet F2F, let’s head inside. The space features an industrial-style minimalist dark-tone design, softened by greenery accents on one wall—a popular blend of toughness and tenderness seen in many design-forward spaces these days.

Floor-to-ceiling windows let in natural daylight without being harsh, while offering great transparency come nightfall. (Sit in the outer section, and you can sip a drink while watching the Taipei 101 fireworks!!!)

The wooden-toned bar area and dessert/drink counter.

Next, this dining zone is designed for comfort and relaxation—you’ll see plenty of people here working on laptops or just chilling.

The central area leans more toward a lounge-bistro combo, with low, color-block sofas that bring a playful, urban-chic vibe.

Whether it’s a romantic date or a gathering of friends, there’s really a comfortable spot for everyone. This kind of layout shows thoughtful design and makes great use of the space.

Here’s a look at Let’s Meet F2F’s basic menu. It’s still being refined, but for now, it covers all the essentials—burgers, sandwiches, fried dishes, risotto, pasta, and even pizza. It’s not exactly budget-friendly, but the prices are reasonable for Xinyi District.

For drinks, you’ll find both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options, making it well-suited for a bar atmosphere. Additionally, Bear, Miao, and their friends got to sample some upcoming new dishes. Overall, the flavors are solid and well-executed, with rich, satisfying profiles.

But before the main courses, Miao was eager for a coffee, and Bear jumped at the chance to grab one too. Unsurprisingly, Bear went for the iced Americano (NT$130/cup), while Miao stuck with her usual hot latte (NT$130/cup).

In terms of taste, the rich, aromatic coffee was simply intoxicating—maybe it was the beans, maybe the ambiance.

After the coffee, Miao zoned out while Bear prepared to photograph the dishes. Aside from burgers, sandwiches, and classic Italian fare, Let’s Meet F2F serves Spanish tapas and a few signature dishes to capture that bistro vibe.

First up was the grilled seasonal vegetables (NT$200/serving). The portion wasn’t huge, but the aroma was incredibly inviting—especially comforting on a chilly evening.

Bear and Miao are big fans of cauliflower, and the gooey, cheesy pull made Miao fall in love. Flavor-wise, it played its supporting role perfectly.

Next came a classic tapas dish: Spanish chorizo with mushrooms (NT$240/serving). You might wonder, “Wow, why is there so much oil at the bottom?” That’s actually traditional for Spanish tapas—generally, the closer to Europe, the richer and oilier the tapas. But the diced chorizo and mushrooms were visually appealing right from the start.

Flavor-wise, the mushrooms were already deliciously seasoned, and the chorizo packed a bold, concentrated meaty punch, making it an excellent drinking snack. This dish pairs well with French bread—or, for a fusion twist, you could also serve it with Mexican...

French fries (NT$180, per serving). The fries at F2F are medium to slightly thick-cut, which naturally results in an even fluffier texture. They’re incredibly satisfying when eaten hot.

Next up, a small highlight of the first half of the meal, was this classic Spanish paella (NT$980, per serving) that immediately caught everyone’s eye as it was served—approximately enough for two to three people, with a portion size that’s moderate rather than extra-large.

Of course, there’s plenty of premium seafood inside, including clams, shrimp, mussels, and more. At first glance, you can tell it’s packed with ingredients.

We couldn’t wait to try the texture, which is actually the part that Xiong and Miao care about most when it comes to Spanish paella. F2F’s version is on the softer side of medium, slightly closer in texture to the Taiwanese style. The benefit is that it’s easier for elders and kids to enjoy.

Next, please ignore the amazing steak later on for now, and let’s take a look at the Spanish tomato garlic shrimp (NT$280, per serving) first.

For a Spanish tomato garlic shrimp dish, this amount of oil is actually quite minimal. (The oil used that day was honestly a bit shocking.) But to be honest, the taste of this dish is really good, and the shrimp are super fresh!! (Miao’s comment: you can feel it just by peeling them with your hands.)

There’s a rich aroma of oil and various spices, combined with the smoothness of the olive oil at the bottom of the pan, making you want to pair it with two big glasses of beer in one go. In terms of the bistro logic, F2F really delivers.

And the highlight of this meal, of course, is this one-kilogram American premium bone-in ribeye steak (NT$2780, per serving) that requires a reservation. A full kilo of solid, large bone-in ribeye that absolutely demands attention. (Especially for Xiong, who’s a huge beef fan.)

Let us briefly explain: F2F opts for low-temperature cooking to maintain the consistent doneness throughout the whole steak, showing a method that clearly pays close attention to detail. Preparing such a large steak takes over two hours, requiring effort and testing the kitchen team’s skill.

Given that no specific doneness was requested this time, the steak came out slightly above medium—well, the overall texture turned out better than expected. The first intimate bite of a big chunk of meat melting in your mouth and against your teeth is truly something special. It’s perfect for New Year’s Eve. If it were Xiong’s choice, sharing a steak with a few friends, and having champagne lovers pop open a bottle of Dom Pérignon, would make for a great celebration while eating!!

Pictures speak louder than words—the tenderness of the meat is immediately visible. The juiciness is very rich, and the sear on the outside is just right. However, in terms of doneness, adjusting it to medium-rare would make it even more perfect.

After the heavy taste stimulation from several amazing dishes, having a sweet ice cream affogato (NT$150, per serving) is quite uplifting. (Thanks to a friend’s recommendation—Xiong was initially uninterested, but after trying it, he was completely hooked.)

Honestly, the combination of vanilla ice cream and espresso—one sweet, one bitter—is quite reasonable and not surprising. Especially when your taste buds are a bit tired after a big meal, pairing it with this cool, sweet-and-bitter dessert is somewhat similar to a sorbet (though sorbets are usually sweet and tangy, this one is directly sweet with a crisp bitterness).

Next up is a dessert that really perks you up!! Although neither Xiong nor Miao are huge dessert enthusiasts, after trying it, they could still appreciate the handmade craftsmanship of Let’s meet F2F.

The delicate, soft, and smooth orange tart (NT$180, per serving) has a rich creamy and orange aroma, with a subtle fruity scent and a balanced dual flavor that left a deep impression on Miao.

And the blueberry tart (NT$180, per serving), as the name suggests, is very pleasing in color, with fresh blueberries on top that keep the sweetness light without being cloying.

The rich-style tiramisu (NT$180, per serving) is also one of the highlights of the day.

In terms of sweetness, it’s the sweetest dish of the day, but the wine aroma is distinct yet not overpowering, paired with a moist cake body and chocolate cookie crumbs on the edge, making it hard to stop at just one bite. (This one is also great for New Year’s Eve, to share and chat with a group of friends.)

The final cheesecake (NT$180, per serving) has the richest cheese flavor, with a slight saltiness that enhances its allure.

After the desserts, Miao ordered a pot of Earl Grey tea (NT$280, per serving). The presentation was impressive, and they generously included three tea bags. (Only a shop that isn’t afraid to let you taste can truly attract customers!)

The flavor is super strong—you could easily sit and enjoy a pot of tea all day.

73% dark chocolate (NT$130, per cup). The taste is rich, smooth, and not overly sweet, which is much better than many chocolate drinks.

Finally, Xiong and a friend had an espresso macchiato (NT$130, per cup), serving as a complete and highlight-filled ending. Overall, although F2F has only been open for a short time, the staff is ample, paired with a solid kitchen team, and the flavors are quite unique. Plus, the space is quite spacious, with views of Taipei 101 nearby. For those who still don’t know where to celebrate New Year’s Eve, or want a great place to eat and drink, F2F is a pretty solid choice.

Finally, let’s also share F2F’s New Year’s Eve dining package. They’ll be open from 4 PM to 3 AM (with food service ending at 2 AM). The menu will transition from a café style to a bistro style, with details to be announced soon.

Option A. 18:00 - 21:00, two-hour dining window. Pay NT$980 upon entry, which can be used toward your total bill.
Option B. 21:00 - closing, no time limit on dining. Pay NT$1280 upon entry, which can be used toward your total bill.
To make a reservation, call (02)-2758-6683 or message their Facebook page.

Let’s meet F2F European Café & Bistro
Address: No. 3, Lane 11, Alley 391, Zhongjing Rd., Xinyi District
Phone: (02) 27586683
Operating hours: Monday to Friday from 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Suggestion: A great spot for chatting or dating. The pricing is moderately high, but the flavors and portion sizes are excellent.
The menu offers a wide variety, including light meals and main courses. Visiting in the evening also allows you to try their bistro-style dishes.
Whether you're having tea, coffee, or wine, the experience is quite unique.
Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/letsmeetf2f
 

BearCat Rudy

A couple passionate about food who occasionally go on spending sprees, but generally live by the motto “money is limited, appetite is endless.” Their blog 《BearCat Eats the World》 is updated regularly.