A retro industrial-style coffee shop in Tamsui with hundreds of square feet of cozy space

Text and photos byPurple Smile

Tamsui has always been a great spot for Taipei residents to unwind. Just a short metro ride away—no more than a few minutes—you can escape the concrete jungle and arrive at a place where you can enjoy mountain views, ocean vistas, and sunsets. That’s why, even though it’s often bustling with visitors, it remains a popular leisure destination for locals in northern Taiwan. After strolling along Tamsui Old Street, when you’re tired and want to take a break, finding a café to sit in is a great choice. This time, I discovered P Café located on Zhongzheng Road on Tamsui Old Street. I originally thought that cafés on the old street wouldn’t have much space, but this one actually has hundreds of square feet, making it not only spacious and comfortable but also featuring an interior designed in a retro industrial style that brings out the old Tamsui charm. After chatting with the staff, I learned that there’s a professional barista with multiple certifications running the place. To enjoy such a high-quality space along with rich, aromatic coffee is truly a delightful experience in life!!

P Café on Zhongzheng Road in Tamsui Old Street has a porter bag specialty store downstairs.

The two shops occasionally run mutually beneficial promotional events.

Climb the stairs to the second floor, and you’ll reach P Café.

The design style on the second floor leans toward industrial retro.

The sense of space here is comforting, and compared to the crowded Tamsui Old Street, this place feels like heaven.

The overall style subtly evokes nostalgia for old Tamsui.

The space also fills with the aroma of coffee.

Don’t assume this is all the space they have—it’s only half of it.

The atrium area that connects to the back section of the space is also a pretty interesting corner.

When the weather is nice, sunlight streaming down through the atrium adds to the leisurely beauty.

Pass through the atrium area, and the back section of the space is surprisingly unique.

This area features diverse spatial arrangements, including a long wooden table that can seat about ten people, some retro-style sofa seating, and vintage floor tiles—all creating a truly charming atmosphere.

The walls are also impressive.

In collaboration with young, creative photographers, they regularly display fantastic works.

It’s also great for group gatherings.

Our favorite seating area—we loved it at first sight!! It even has a small outdoor space in the back.

The retro sofa area and black windows—doesn’t it give off the vibe of an old-house café? It’s hard to imagine it’s part of the same coffee shop.

We really appreciate the shop’s philosophy of not putting profit first. They didn’t fill up every inch of space but instead intentionally made the dining area more comfortable, turning P Café into a great place for the mind to rest.

The comfortable space had us sitting there for quite a while that day.

We saw another guest sitting with a book, quietly enjoying her alone time.

The self-service area is also adorable.

Condiments are neatly arranged on a wooden cart, ready for you to help yourself.

I really love wooden tables with such a warm texture!!

The photographic works on the walls are also worth savoring in detail. For photography enthusiasts like us, it’s a great chance to observe how others handle light and shadow, composition, and layout!!

Who would’ve thought there’s such a space at the back on the second floor?

Shot from the outside in, it really feels like a classic old-house café. The owner also occasionally hosts live performances by singers and other events, making full use of the café space.

Hehe, earlier I mentioned there’s a professional barista here — and I’m not kidding around. This barista holds certifications including SCAA Rosters (Specialty Coffee Association of America) as a roaster, SCAE (Specialty Coffee Association of Europe) as a barista, and Q Grader from CQI (Coffee Quality Institute) in the U.S. So, with such expertise, the barista roasts the beans themselves to bring out the very soul of the coffee. With professional assurance, every sip is absolutely worth it. Just this alone makes it a must-visit spot for any coffee lover — come for a challenge or a pilgrimage, haha.

Besides the quality coffee, the food here is pretty great too.

Hazelnut Coffee
The coffee has a very smooth and mellow taste, and with the addition of hazelnuts, the aroma becomes even richer.

Since the baristas here are so skilled, how could you not try a single-origin Yirgacheffe? Oh, and by the way, their single-origin brews are made using a Steampuck espresso machine. The Yirgacheffe offers a soft fruity acidity with a slight citrus note, and its layered flavors transition smoothly from sour to sweet to a sweet aftertaste. The fruit and floral aromas are perfectly balanced along with the steam, leaving a lingering aftertaste that’s truly delightful.

Bruce Cafè - Tomato Basil
The crispy crust and soft bread inside, paired with tomato basil topping, are simply fragrant and delicious.

Sitting here from afternoon till evening, with a little dessert on the side, is all the motivation you need to keep shopping.

Bruce Cafè - Pesto Mushroom

This one is highly recommended!! The mushrooms are no joke — big, juicy, and bursting with aroma. Paired with a pesto base, it’s a total treat for your taste buds.

The cheesecake is also absolutely amazing.

The moment you take a bite, the rich aroma of cheese hits you, paired with the refreshing and slightly tangy lemon zest. The combination is simply perfect — it’s really top-notch.

French Coffee Cheesecake

The cheesecake with coffee added has a really unique flavor. The simple cheesecake, once infused with coffee, has milkiness mixed with coffee aroma — it’s like magic, becoming richer and tastier. Every bite is intense, mellow, and fragrant.

German wellness herbal tea. This tea is long-lasting, aromatic, and naturally sweet without needing sugar. It offers a relaxing sensation from the first sip.

The first floor is Porter’s showcase space, offering a wide range of products. Fans of Porter goods will definitely love this place. Stepping into P Café feels like entering a different version of old Tamsui, where you can enjoy the fragrance of coffee while soaking in the charm of Tamsui’s past. Savor the coffee, and also savor the [镉赖娜松?＜/p> (text appears corrupted or untranslated)

P Café
Address: 2F, No. 180, Zhongzheng Rd., Tamsui District, New Taipei City (upstairs from PORTER)
Phone: 02-2626-3866
fb:https://www.facebook.com/pcafe180
 

We are Ben & Jean — we love food, travel, photography, and 3C.
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