The faintly intoxicating bitterness of coffee and orange—leisurely afternoon tea in the heart of the city

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Candy

Coffee shops are like rest stops for urban travelers. They offer visitors a space to experience the city’s vibe and even provide hints about where to explore next. So even though coffee shops keep popping up everywhere, I believe they serve a truly essential purpose. This time, I’m introducing a spot I really like—【DOUZI Urban Beans Zhongtai West Station】—located along the Greenway on Zhongtai West Street, nestled within a consistently tranquil residential neighborhood. I think this is my fourth visit here. The name is so long that I often don’t know what to call it, so I usually just refer to it as “Douzi.”

【DOUZI Urban Beans】 always gives me the impression that its slightly curved exterior resembles a train station, though today a bunch of parked cars somewhat spoiled the otherwise pleasing visual appeal of the café.

Stepping inside, the decor is quite interesting. I’ve seen coffee shops with bar seating before—it’s pretty common.

But a circular bar counter, like those you’d find in Japanese restaurants or ramen shops, is pretty rare for a café.

It’s similar to sitting next to the chef at a barbecue or Japanese restaurant—you not only get a front-row seat to the cooking process but might also strike up a chat and get an unexpected treat if the chef is in a good mood. I think DOUZI’s design follows a similar concept, so chatting it up might even score you some sashimi.

There are also two very comfy sofa areas here. We arrived a bit earlier than usual this afternoon, so it wasn’t too crowded.

Otherwise, by evening, it’s usually about 60–70% full—they’ve actually built up quite a reputation.

The shop also sells coffee beans, pour-over packs, and coffee equipment, so it’s quite a professional-style café.

So if you’re curious about coffee, you can chat with the baristas here. At least, I found them super friendly—they’ll introduce the options first, then get a sense of your taste preferences before recommending something suitable. I thought that was really nice.

(Ah!! And then I spotted this coffee cup at the counter that I really wanted…) I remember there’s a line printed at the entrance of DOUZI: “Travel begins with the imagination sparked by flavor.” Just like their coffee, which comes from estates around the world, allowing you to taste different parts of the globe through your cup.

The blend of sour and bitter aromas sparks boundless imagination, which is why there’s an amusing world map on the wall.

It’s covered in flags, and each month features beans from a different country—pretty fun.

Actually, if you flip through the menu, you’ll see that about 70% of the offerings are coffee—both single-origin and specialty blends, each with its own charm.

The rest are teas and other drinks. The single-origin coffees are categorized by country and estate, and the descriptions at the start are quite detailed.

They don’t serve main meals, but they do have desserts. Their dessert menu is pretty cute.

It uses removable adhesive tabs, so you can swap them out easily. There are six dessert options, which is decent.

【Coffee Orange No Disturb / 150 TWD】
If you’re used to cocktails or alcohol-infused specials, regular, overly mild lattes can easily lose their appeal. This one not only has Cointreau orange liqueur but also crunchy sugar pearls in the foam, topped with a fresh slice of orange. I was expecting the orange slice to be candied for a richer sweetness, but the fresh one offers bright, tangy fruitiness. The slight buzz from the orange liqueur and the mild bitterness of the coffee (though the milk flavor is stronger) blend perfectly. Overall, it’s quite enjoyable.

【Brown Sugar Cappuccino / 120 TWD】
The top is dusted with brown sugar, and the foam forms a smooth, silky layer. One sip reveals just the right temperature, with a gentle coffee flavor mingling with subtle brown sugar aroma. It glides smoothly down your throat—less bitter, more comforting.

【Tropical Fruit Tea / 150 TWD】
It has a rich sweet-and-sour taste. To be honest, the initial sourness gives way to a sweetness that might feel a bit cloying, but the overall flavor remains bold. If you like tangier drinks, their fruit tea is worth a try—it’s actually pretty good.

【Iced Green Tea / Forgot the price】
This one seems to be unsweetened green tea, but it comes in a fun-shaped cup that looks like it’s doing a little dance instead of standing straight.

【Tiramisu / 80 TWD】
The price is reasonable. In addition to mascarpone cheese and espresso, it also includes rich Irish cream. During preparation, Baileys Irish Cream is added—apparently in a more adult-oriented proportion—and it’s paired with a creamy, non-greasy layer. Among all the tiramisus I’ve tried, this one is really outstanding.

【Belgian Liège waffle / Original honey flavor / 100 NTD】
It was slightly more caramelized, topped with whipped cream and drizzled with honey. It had a nice crispy and hearty texture, though perhaps a bit too crispy. Although Liège waffles are usually dense, they could have a bit more chewiness in the middle. It tasted even better with the honey.

【Caramel walnut pie / 75 NTD / Birthday treat】
A lovely little surprise today — the birthday person got a small gift. This walnut pie was generously filled, with a crisp outer crust and every bite packed with walnuts, complemented by a subtle bitter-sweetness from the caramel. I quite liked it.

【Peru - Cajamarca organic coffee beans / Complimentary】
Since one of our friends isn’t a fan of acidic coffee, we were specially offered this one to try. Its rich bitterness is fairly mild, with a full, nutty aroma. As it slides down your throat, there’s a faint touch of light acidity, and the aftertaste leaves a gentle, delicate sweetness on the tip of the tongue. It’s quite addictive — maybe I’ll try some other beans next time.

I’ve been to DOUZI a few times before, but mostly for events, so I didn’t really get the chance to properly enjoy their coffee. Today, I sat there for a good two hours, chatting and sipping, and ended up trying so many different kinds as well as desserts. After tasting several types, both single-origin and blends were really enjoyable, but the desserts left an even better impression. If you’re interested, come give it a try — a great cup of coffee paired with a lovely dessert makes for a perfect choice for a cheerful afternoon.

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◎ Shop intro: [DOUZI Urban Beans Zhongtai West Station, Zhongtai West Road │ North District]
◎ Address: No. 71, Zhongtai West Road, North District, Taichung City
◎ Phone: 04-2208-0818
◎ Business hours: 09:30 AM – 06:00 PM
◎ Reminder: Closed on Tuesdays, open until 08:00 PM on holidays
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