Secure your spot and avoid the crowds: 7 restaurants to watch the Taipei 101 fireworks

▲Taipei 101 fireworks. (Photo / Provided by this newspaper)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

To ring in 2015 and catch the Taipei 101 and Miramar fireworks, securing a great viewing spot early is the best strategy. Nearby restaurants or New Year’s Eve parties at five-star hotels offer a way to enjoy the fireworks without the crowds—and guarantee you “a seat with a view.”

▲The Les Suites Hotel Taipei (Atour). (Photo / Provided by the business)

1. The Les Suites Hotel Taipei “La Farfalla”

The Italian restaurant “La Farfalla” on the 6th floor of The Les Suites Hotel Taipei in Xinyi District boasts an outdoor rooftop garden with an exceptional view of the Taipei 101 fireworks. On the evening of December 31st from 10 PM to 1 AM, the restaurant will host a New Year’s Eve fireworks party where guests can countdown close-up and welcome 2015 while enjoying the spectacle.

2. Grand Hyatt Residences

The Grand Hyatt Taipei has long been a prime spot in Xinyi District for fireworks viewing. Starting at 9 PM on New Year’s Eve, Grand Hyatt Residences, The Apartment, and Ziga Zaga will hold the highly anticipated “Countdown Party.” Among them, Residences features an outdoor terrace with a direct view of Taipei 101, allowing guests to watch the fireworks live on New Year’s night.

▲Night view of the Grand Hotel Taipei (Photo / Provided by the Grand Hotel Taipei)

3. Grand Hotel Taipei

Located at the vantage point overlooking the Taipei 101 fireworks, the Grand Hotel Taipei in Taipei will also join the “spot-securing” trend this year with rooms in the Kylin Hall. The grand 12th-floor ballroom will host the “2014–2015 Love You, Love Me” New Year’s Eve party. Guests wearing purple attire or checking in on Facebook will receive a limited-edition LED commemorative pin. On-site, guests can play a happiness-themed card game, with the biggest winner receiving a voucher for an executive business room.

4. Rooftop pool party at The Far Eastern Taipei Hotel

The luxury and executive rooms at Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel facing Taipei 101 are fully booked for New Year’s Eve, but another option is the rooftop pool party on the 43rd floor. From 10 PM on December 31st to 1 AM on January 1st, 2015, enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet, special New Year cocktails, beer, sparkling wine, and red and white wines.

5. No168 Steakhouse at Victoria Hotel

No168 Steakhouse at the Victoria Hotel will offer a chef-selected 12-course set menu on New Year’s Eve. The restaurant will also extend its hours, allowing guests to enjoy the 300-second spectacular fireworks display at Miramar from its outdoor garden with a view of the Miramar Ferris Wheel.

6. Din Tai Fung 101

Originating from the famous danzai noodles of Huaxi Street in Tainan, Din Tai Fung 101 is located on the 86th floor of Taipei 101. The most special dining moment of the year is undoubtedly New Year’s Eve, when you can enjoy a romantic meal while experiencing the dazzling fireworks up close.

▲Birds Café 101 offers views of the Taipei cityscape. (Photo / Bearcat Rudy)

7. Birds Café 101

In addition to Din Tai Fung 101 on the 86th floor of Taipei 101, Birds Café on the 85th floor also provides a close-up view of the Taipei 101 fireworks. Just reserve a table between 8:30 PM and midnight to enjoy the show—but note that the café closes once the fireworks end. (Source: Central News Agency)