Coffee shops are everywhere across Taiwan, but “Reishi Coffee” stands out with its unique charm

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Sweets

After chatting with some Hong Kong friends, I found that they are particularly fond of the tranquil atmosphere and lifestyle design aesthetics of Taiwanese coffee shops. Some mentioned 【Wizard Coffee】 in Taiping, Taichung, while others brought up 【Taigu Coffee】 in East District, Tainan—both are independently styled shops with their own distinctive character, and a common trait is that they’re located away from tourist crowds. For a while, I felt that there were an unbelievable number of coffee shops in Taiwan—almost every other person dreamed of opening one. But unexpectedly, it has also become a representative feature of tourism. Recently, someone introduced me to 【Sunlight Café】 on Kāishān Road in Tainan. I was drawn in by the first photo of the food, so I dropped by during a work trip to Tainan.

Actually, if I’m being honest, it wasn’t just the food at Sunlight Café that caught my eye—it was initially 【Sunlight Xialan】 that made me notice the coffee shop. Sunlight Xialan is actually more well-known in Taiwan for its lifestyle decorative plant designs.

One of their popular items is the currently trendy succulent plants, but their approach to succulents goes beyond just therapeutic design. Each different plant naturally has its own name, care instructions, and a specially designed pot, giving succulents not only a soothing quality but also a fashionable touch for home decor. As a result, many cafés and restaurants use their plants as decorative accents.

Sunlight Xialan happens to be right next to Sunlight Café, so don’t forget to check it out after your coffee. Back to 【Sunlight Café】—it’s a small yet lifestyle-oriented design café. There aren’t many seats, but it has comfortable air conditioning, cozy lighting, and relaxing background music. The soundproofing is decent, so once you step inside, it feels like your own private space, where time seems to stand still and all that’s left is leisure.

On the shelves are their self-blended coffee packs, which you can buy to take home if you like them.

They also have their own brand of cosmetics on display, but coffee remains their main focus. Each table is accompanied by a small potted plant, and when you step on the floor, you realize it’s solid wood—I love places like this.

Though it’s not part of Tainan’s trendy old-house style, it has its own serene, independent study-like vibe. There’s a small counter, and the drink menu and selections are handwritten on a nearby whiteboard. I was a little surprised to see “Reishi Coffee” listed.

It feels like a health-conscious pairing, which is a bit unusual for such a modern café, but the prices are reasonable. When I looked at the menu, I realized the prices were actually quite affordable—the minimum spend per person is NT$70, and there are items priced at NT$49.

The most expensive coffee is only about NT$120, which is surprisingly wallet-friendly for a café that seems to be run more as a passion project. So I started ordering—let the food come!! There were several great light meal options today!!

【Reishi Coffee / White Coffee / Tasting Cup】 This was served as soon as we sat down, mainly to let us sample the café’s signature Reishi Coffee. The white coffee was sweeter, with a milky coffee flavor, and their coffee taste wasn’t too strong. Despite the addition of health-focused reishi, there was absolutely no unpleasant medicinal bitterness—it’s quite suitable for those who want coffee but don’t enjoy overly bitter or strong brews. If you like it, the café also sells packs you can take home to brew yourself.

They also served a complimentary homemade biscuit.

【Selected Delicious Bread / NT$79】 There were four types of bread: goji berry & grape, garlic French bread, chocolate roll, and ham bread. My favorite was the garlic bread—the crispy French loaf was coated with a homemade garlic sauce that had an incredibly enticing aroma. The first bite brought a slightly salty garlic flavor that spread across my taste buds. The chewy yet crispy crust made every bite unforgettable, with each piece about one or two bites big. The sauce was simply seasoned but left a lasting impression.

The chocolate roll had a soft texture with a rich chocolate filling—it was pretty good too.

The goji berry & grape and ham bread were tasty as well, but they were slightly less impressive compared to the first two. XD Overall, though, the bread platter was quite impressive and enjoyable.

【Golden Champs-Élysées / NT$69】 It’s kind of like a mini pizza, with a French bread base topped with cheese, corn, and bacon, then baked. It had a rich cheesy aroma with a hint of saltiness, along with a slight sweetness from the salad dressing, plus the textures of the corn and bacon.

【Moonlight Vegetable & Fruit Platter / NT$79】 I had no idea what this dish would look or taste like before ordering. But the moment it arrived, I loved the first visual—it looked almost like a thick slice of toast, but topped with a little garden’s worth of ingredients.

Since it’s a vegetable and fruit platter, the color palette of the veggies was vibrant and abundant, plus the “evil” melted cheese. The aroma of the toasted bread combined with the melted cheese was mouthwatering.

The thick toast was very soft and slightly warm, and the fillings were hot and rich in texture. As I cut into it, a hidden egg yolk burst out—I almost forgot about the “moonlight” theme!! The decadent combination of egg yolk and cheese, with savory and salty flavors mingling, made this light snack highly recommended!! Especially with its delicate Japanese-style plating, showing the chef’s thoughtful touch.

【Mocha Coffee / NT$70】 It’s slightly sweeter, but compared to the white coffee, this one has a stronger bitter taste, which I prefer. However, since I usually prefer black coffee without sugar, it might be more suitable for those who aren’t used to drinking unsweetened coffee. But the price is definitely reasonable and affordable.

【Ice Cream Pancake / NT$49】 This dish made my friends cheer with delight because it was so adorable. Vanilla ice cream paired with marshmallows and cookies, plus bananas drizzled with chocolate sauce and whipped cream, all on a slightly crispy pancake base—I loved this one too.

【Floating Ice Coffee / NT$120】 This is always a favorite among girls—you can stir the ice cream into the coffee while drinking, occasionally scoop some to eat, and the sweetness of the ice cream balances out the usual bitterness of coffee.

【Lemon Black Tea / NT$70】 Such a big cup XDD The lemon acidity was quite strong, not like the typical beverage-machine version. There was no bitterness from the tea, the balance was just right, and the sweetness from the sugar wasn’t overpowering.

Sunlight Xialan’s Slogan: ‘Flowers, Vessels & Your Daily Connection’—making plants more than just mood-boosting accessories. They can also enhance the texture of daily life. The same philosophy carries into Sunlight Café, giving off a similar sense of thoughtfulness. It may not follow the style of a conventional specialty café, but it’s refined yet relaxed, with affordable prices. Stepping inside feels like embracing a leisurely, stress-free life, while still enjoying healthy, delicious offerings. Such a laid-back café—don’t miss it if you’re nearby!! Here’s a simple review to share with everyone.


【Sunlight Café】
Address: No. 91, Kāishān Road, West Central District, Tainan City
Phone: 06-222-5048
Business hours: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Reminder: Lectures, coffee tastings, or book club events may be held on holidays

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