Head to "Cafe. Waiting. Love" and order the "Albus Special"!

Text & Photos /Da Kou

Ding ding ding dong!! One of the hottest topics lately must be the movie "Cafe. Waiting. Love", right?! The movie, which broke the one-hundred-million mark in just six days, I (Kou Ya) had already read the novel before and kept pestering to watch the film version. By some stroke of fate during a work assignment, we actually ended up watching the movie—and were completely blown away by the story. Little did we know, the real-life version of "Cafe. Waiting. Love" actually exists, and it's located near Jingmei Girls' High School in Wenshan District, Taipei City. Of course, we had to go check it out right away!

"Cafe. Waiting. Love" officially opened in early August, fully preserving the interior style and decor from the movie. Stepping into the café, you’ll be screaming with excitement at how identical the scenes are to those in the film. We were just as thrilled as if we’d stepped into the movie itself—the movie stills on the walls made it feel like the characters were having coffee with us. The menu items continue the creative spirit of the novel, with names like the Boss Lady Special, Brunch That Requires Courage to Confess, and The Duel at Huashan: Heartbroken Soul—all making you want to try them. But the Boss Lady Special (hot), limited to one cup per day, is as rare as can be. No worries—we still ordered the iced Boss Lady Special and Brunch That Requires Courage, both delicious and fun. Next, let’s take you to see the must-photo spots in the actual café and find out what the Boss Lady Special really tastes like!

[Shop Info]
Cafe. Waiting. Love (Jingmei Branch)
Address: 1F, No. 1, Lane 44, Yishou St., Wenshan District, Taipei City (next to the park across from Jingmei Girls' High School)
Phone: 02-29360596
Business Hours: Weekdays 11:00–21:00, Holidays & National Holidays 9:00–21:00
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/coffeewaitinglove

Cafe. Waiting. Love (City Hall Branch)
Address: 1F, No. 23, Section 5, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (left turn from Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station)
Phone: 02-27493365
Business Hours: As announced on the fan page

Transportation Info: (Nearby bus stops are more convenient)
Buses that stop at "Jingmei Girls' High School" station:
252, 253, 295, 50, 671, Xiaobus 11, Express Bus, Brown 2, Brown 7, Green 1, Green 2 Right, Green 2 Left

%techstrong> "Cafe. Waiting. Love" is located within Lane 44, Yishou St., Wenshan District, Taipei City—that is, go straight down the alley across from Jingmei Girls’ High School and you’ll see it. With its red roof and triangular corner, it’s super easy to spot!

%techstrong> Seeing the white signboard of "Cafe. Waiting. Love" gives you that “this is it!” feeling of delight. The shop looks quite spacious, with the white sign and red roof marking the café area. The middle panel of the green door frame is the entrance—just push it open and step inside!

%techstrong> Just the entrance here is enough for tons of photos—you’ve got to snap one with the signboard!

%techstrong> This empty-scene shot has a super atmospheric vibe. Everyone who comes here definitely takes a photo here!

%techstrong> Everyone is waiting for someone, waiting for the one who can see just how special you are.

%techstrong> Shooting from this angle really gives off a bittersweet vibe.

%techstrong> Miss, are you alone? (Hey~) Get ready to get kicked out—Da Kou really isn’t cut out for the artsy type (lol).

%techstrong> Of course, you’ve got to take a selfie here too. We were as excited as little fans at these movie scenes. By the way, Albus used to sit right here too!

%techstrong> Remember this intersection? This is where the goddess played by Cherie Chung, the boss lady, had her heart broken. When Cherie Chung hugged the younger version of the boss lady and cried, even Da Kou couldn’t help but tear up silently (sniffles).

%techstrong> The small blackboard at the entrance isn’t hiring for “things the boss lady doesn’t want to do”—it’s looking for Albus and Siying!

%techstrong> Business hours are weekdays 11:00 to 21:00, holidays start at 9:00 to 21:00. Last food service is at 20:00. Due to high customer volume, walk-ins only for now. Phone reservations will be available starting October 1st.

% Some cups have patterns on them? When you lift the lid, it’s just like... as if the coffee inside is whispering something to you. Here, you can see the sea after the sun sets in the evening. It made us feel so relaxed.

% The shop isn’t very big and there aren’t many seats, so you have to register and wait in line first. They call out numbers on-site for seating. While waiting, you might as well take some photos—just remember not to wander off too far, or you’ll have to queue again. The small shop is already packed with decorations, and the aisles are narrow. When it’s crowded, you’ll need to sidestep to get through.

% They also provide seats for customers waiting in line. Though not many, it’s still quite considerate. The counter under the blackboard is where Albus whips up all those oddly named special blends.

% On the left side of the counter is the path for picking up coffee and ordering drinks. There are options like classic coffee, bottomless drip coffee, iced oolong tea, lemon green tea, fruit tea, egg tarts, and more. There’s also one mystery set... I really want to know what those three things are, ahhh!!!

% In the early evening, there’s a large window display inside, which looks just like a scene from the movie. It’s like drinking coffee while watching a film.

% This window seat is exactly where Ze Yu, whom the female lead Si Ying secretly likes, often sat with different girls.

% There aren’t many seats in the shop, so it’s probably always this crowded lately (lol). While waiting, you can also snap some favorite angles indoors.

% Of course, I had to take a selfie in the shop too. The background features the small blackboard that says “Everyone is waiting for someone” and movie stills—it’s such a perfect match. There are also some seats by the window that are quite cozy.

% The movie stills even have the actors’ autographs. And Albus’s signature special blends make every photo truly memorable.

% Besides being a filming location, the tables, chairs, and decor here are also quite unique, giving off a slightly weathered, historical vibe. There’s even a small table made from a sewing machine—it’s truly a VIP seat for one person. It really does feel like “Waiting for Someone” coffee. By the way, we were finally seated at this window-side two-seater too. This used to be the owner’s seat.

% Many of the decorations in the shop are quite interesting, like this retro wall clock (the time is still accurate), or the various sizes of Moka pots, or some coffee tools, which immerse you in a coffee-scented atmosphere.

% The counter also has various coffee tools, with Moka pots lined up from large to small.

% This is the spot where the movie poster was shot. You can see “Waiting for Someone” coffee posters or special features all around the shop, and the posters have the actors’ autographs. The special feature allows you to leave a message to someone here. If your message is selected, a famous DJ will read it on air and deliver it to that person far away. It feels so heartwarming (wiping tears).

% Is there a little green door here? It’s the background where the owner and Si Ying were telling stories. Go through the small green door under the blackboard and you’ll find the restroom.

% There are also some books and coffee tools on the shelves. Even taking a photo of them alone looks stylish. They’ve also specially made “Waiting for Someone Cafe” paper napkins—you just can’t stop taking pictures here.

% The menu is simply made with kraft paper and clips. The slightly wrinkled kraft paper looks super stylish. Now let’s take a look at what special dishes they have.

% One section is the “Waiting for Someone Coffee” area. It includes the owner’s special blend, “What on Earth is Love,” “The Dismal Soul of Mount Hua Swordplay,” “The Manly Coffee,” Albus’s special blend... All the creative drinks mentioned in the novel can be found here. It’s so fun. I really want to try every single one. Unfortunately, the most special owner’s special blend (hot) is only available one cup per day—so unlucky (heartbroken). In the end, we ordered the owner’s special blend (iced), classic latte (iced), nut honey cream scone, and “Confession Needs Courage” brunch. We couldn’t wait for the food to arrive.

% Owner’s Special Blend (Iced / 150 NTD), served in a tall glass. Only the hot version is served in the cup from the movie, ahhh (sigh). But I heard the hot version is actually concentrated coffee brewed from a Moka pot, with whipped fresh cream and a single campanula flower on top. Knowing the recipe makes it a tiny bit less disappointing (not really). Turns out my friend was really curious about that owner’s special blend. The combination of lemon, black coffee, and brown sugar tastes slightly sour and sweet, surprisingly harmonious. There’s neither the bitterness of coffee nor an overwhelming caffeine kick—it’s mild and smooth.

% Next came the brunch (250 NTD). Bacon, romaine, cheese, tomato paired with focaccia, potato salad, and fruit salad. It looks colorful and vibrant. So why is it called that? I guess it’s meant to fill you with energy before making a confession (lol).

% The focaccia is assembled kind of like a burger concept. One bite and you get the chewy yet crispy texture of the bread paired with savory, crunchy fillings. There’s not too much oil or heavy seasoning—it’s pretty delicious. The fruit salad comes with a sweet and tangy yogurt dressing, refreshing and appetizing. The potato salad may not look like much, but it has a subtle potato aroma and isn’t greasy at all—also very refreshing.

% Classic Latte (Iced / 120 NTD). The layered latte immediately caught our eyes when it arrived, looking just like something Albus would have made (in my imagination). The latte has a rich milk aroma, with silky fine foam. It’s not overly strong in caffeine, and it’s delicious even without sugar.

% Nut Cream Honey Scone (150 NTD). The scone is served on a wooden board, and the cream and honey are in a tall glass, looking crystal clear. There are some nuts on the side to go with it, which helps cut through the richness.

% Their scones are made using the Belgian method—crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and you can even taste the pearl sugar bits. The inside layer is somewhat like croissant dough, with flaky layers. It’s super unique. Dip it in the cream and honey, and the flavor is incredibly fragrant. The cream is smooth and not cloying. If you love cream, go ahead and dip more. If you’re not a huge fan, you can also dip in the honey below—it’s mellow and sweet, also very delicious. You can dip in both for a sweet, creamy, and smooth mouthfeel. Your mouth will be full of sweetness.

% The meals here include a service charge. So for the two of us, the total came to 737 NTD. Though it’s a bit pricey, the food is up to standard, and the experience of enjoying the ambiance and feeling like you’ve stepped into the movie is totally worth it.

% There are also some movie character figurines (390 NTD each, includes one coffee coupon), featuring five characters: Albus, Si Ying, the owner, A-Tuo, and the café. They’re limited edition, but you can pre-order.

% By the way, most drinks are coffee-based, tea, or light meals. There aren’t many vegetarian options, but they do offer suggestions.

% There’s also a corner with a single-person counter and a small coffee machine. Those who enjoy a quiet space can comfortably enjoy their coffee.

% There’s also a small corner with a single-person table and a small coffee machine, which is convenient and cozy for those who prefer a quieter space.

They also offer brunch and salads. One salad is named "This Isn't Chinese Cabbage"—so cute!! Aside from a 10% service charge, there's a minimum spend of one drink per person. The dining time is two hours, which is actually quite sufficient!!

“Waiting for Someone Café (Cafe.Waiting.Love)” has fully preserved the movie scenes and setups. Anyone who’s just watched the film, like me, would be familiar with the plot—so sitting in the very seats once occupied by the characters feels extra special. The dish names continue the creativity of the novel and movie, getting us just as excited as if we’d stepped into the film. The owner’s special (iced) drink is slightly sour and sweet, yet mellow and smooth, much like the owner’s feelings—waiting may be bitter, but memories are mostly bittersweet. Friends wanting to experience that mood should try this drink. The “Confession Needs Courage” brunch features focaccia that’s chewy and crispy on the outside, soft inside, with a savory and refreshing filling—giving you a full boost of energy for your confession. The pancake is also super popular, almost every table orders one. “Waiting for Someone Café (Cafe.Waiting.Love)” isn’t just a movie set—it serves food that’s top-notch, not cutting corners just because it’s a photo spot. Visiting here feels truly immersive, leaving you deeply satisfied. With the movie’s popularity, the crowd seems to be growing. It might be a bit less busy on non-holidays. Friends coming here, remember to check in and wait in line on-site. Hope everyone finds their own special someone—and enjoys this introduction.

[Shop Information]
Waiting for Someone Café (Jingmei Branch)
Address: 1F, No. 1, Lane 44, Yishou St., Wenshan District, Taipei City (Next to the park, across from Jingmei Girls’ High School)
Phone: 02-29360596
Business Hours: Weekdays 11:00–21:00, Holidays & National Holidays 9:00–21:00
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/coffeewaitinglove

Waiting for Someone Café (City Hall Branch)
Address: 1F, No. 23, Section 5, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (Left turn from Exit 1 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station)
Phone: 02-27493365
Business Hours: As announced on the fan page

Transportation Info: (Nearby bus stops are more convenient)
Buses passing the “Jingmei Girls’ High School” stop:
252, 253, 295, 50, 671, Xiaoline 11, Express Bus, Brown 2, Brown 7, Green 1, Green 2 Right, Green 2 Left