Let’s go on a date together at this 20-year-old European-style restaurant in Taipei — classic lobster spaghetti

Text and photos byFood Craving, Visual Memory

Many people are no doubt familiar with JOYCE WEST Cafe, a long-standing eatery in Taipei that has been operating for over 20 years and remains a classic in many hearts. JOYCE WEST and JOYCE EAST — one is in the east of Taipei, the other in the west. I’ve previously visited JOYCE EAST in Xinyi District and loved its romantic and refined ambiance. I think it’s also one of Taipei’s go-to upscale restaurants during holidays.

I had assumed JOYCE WEST would offer a similar experience, but as I walked along Qingcheng Street toward the open-air courtyard in front of the restaurant, I was suddenly enveloped by an exotic vibe — a bit more casual yet still full of quality. That day, we enjoyed the autumn sunlight and a leisurely lunch at what felt like an al fresco seat on the Italian Peninsula, just like being on a trip.

/ Cherry.

JOYCE WEST Cafe unveiled a new menu this autumn and winter, featuring newly created dishes for appetizers, main courses, and set meals. For example, the coffee bean cold-smoked quail and aged New York striploin steak set we tried that day were excellent, offering rich flavors and a diverse selection for diners.

Click here to view the full menu on our website

Located at 22 Qingcheng Street, JOYCE WEST Cafe boasts eye-catching outdoor seating surrounded by trees, making the meal even more relaxing amid such natural scenery. I really liked the atmosphere, especially in the crisp autumn weather, so we decided to dine outside right away.

As we dined, many other guests also chose to sit outdoors. I think everyone must have enjoyed the setting. With less than a month to go until Christmas, the staff mentioned they’ll be setting up a Christmas tree in the courtyard — I imagine it will be filled with festive and dreamy holiday vibes.

Of course, besides the outdoor seating, there are also elegant and comfortable indoor seats. The interior has a completely different atmosphere from the open-air courtyard — minimalist and understated with dark tones, a visual style commonly used by upscale restaurants. Each table is neatly arranged with wine bottles, glasses, and floral centerpieces, making it perfect for a date, birthday, or anniversary celebration.

Back at our table, we were first served sparkling water (NT$150 for a bottle of San Pellegrino natural sparkling mineral water) and freshly baked bread (NT$38 per person, three flavors), which paired wonderfully with olive oil and vinegar as a starter.

They also thoughtfully provided alcohol wipes for hand sanitization before the meal.

Scottish smoked salmon, avocado mousse, cream cheese, onion, capers & lemon — NT$480

The first dish was a new appetizer from the updated menu — a refreshing cold plate with layered flavors, almost like a salad but more complex.

The highlight was the Scottish smoked salmon, but I actually preferred the sauce made with avocado mousse and cream cheese, accented with lemon. The sweet-and-sour flavor was the soul of the dish. Served with sliced lettuce and apple, it was light, refreshing, and easy on the stomach — a great way to start the meal.

Natural coffee bean method, smoked quail, fresh lemon, yuzu sauce — NT$380

This dish featured quail smoked with coffee beans, though it didn’t have the strong coffee aroma I had expected. Instead, it offered a slightly smoky, lightly honey-roasted sweetness.

The meat was juicy and tender, with a springy texture, while the outer roasted skin had a bit of chew. It tasted great on its own, or you could dip it in the yuzu sauce for a sweet-and-sour kick.

Signature: Lobster, chili, Italian standard spaghetti (half lobster) — NT$980

I really loved this main dish, which is also a classic at JOYCE WEST and is available at two other restaurants in the same group (EAST and Red Chef).

Just looking at the bright red lobster and spaghetti was enough to make your mouth water. Stirring the pasta helps mix the sauce evenly — I didn’t stir at first and found the first bite a bit bland, but after mixing, the overall flavor improved significantly. The noodles had some heat, but not enough to overwhelm, and the spice was quite satisfying.

I also loved the texture of the noodles — slightly chewy yet coated in rich sauce. This dish uses half a Boston lobster, and the lobster meat was firm, tender, and delicious. They also offer a whole lobster version at a higher price — I imagine the portion might be bigger too, probably better for sharing.

Pan-seared fresh sea urchin, sardines, mustard, plum sweet rice vinegar sauce

Next, let’s talk about the new set menu, which includes an appetizer, soup or salad, main course, dessert, and drink, priced at NT$2000 + 10% per person. The first self-selected appetizer was sardines, paired with sea urchin, mustard, and plum sweet rice vinegar.

The most unique part was the pan-seared sardines, with delicate flesh and a slightly crispy texture from cooking.

One bite revealed layers of flavor — sea urchin with fresh chopped scallions, pan-seared sardines, and mashed potatoes underneath. Don’t forget to dip it in the plum vinegar on the plate; the sweet-and-sour taste is really good.

Crispy fried matsutake crab b?, garden salad, tomato salsa, tartar sauce

I chose the matsutake crab b? salt-?based option, and the dish arrived piping hot. It was rich and indulgent. The garden salad and tomato salsa were refreshing counterpoints. And, of course, the tartar sauce — a classic favorite we all know well.

(Tartar refers to the nomadic peoples of the Mongolian ethnic group, spread across Europe and Asia. Tartar sauce, known as tartare-style salad dressing, is said to have been invented by them and is typically served with seafood.)

Grilled, aged USDA Prime New York striploin steak served with sea salt and black pepper

For the main course, I chose the aged New York striploin steak cooked to the restaurant’s recommended medium-rare. I love the slightly crispy texture on the outside after grilling, while the steak itself has a savory richness. The meat has some chew but isn’t tough to bite. The side dishes were less impressive, but I particularly liked the small onion balls—sweet onions paired with red wine vinegar made for a delicious combination.

As mentioned earlier, the steak is already flavorful on its own, so it’s tasty even without dipping sauce. However, there are still three sauces to choose from: sea salt, mustard seeds, and mustard. Personally, I preferred a bit of mustard seed for seasoning.

Caramel pudding with Italian gelato

The dessert served with the set menu that day was caramel pudding, which actually had more of a crème brûlée-like texture. Paired with gelato, the whole dessert was slightly sweeter and could be enjoyed with some fruit as well.

Almond apple crisp pastry with yogurt gelato – $250 NTD

Compared to the crème brûlée, I preferred this apple crisp pastry. Although the apple flavor wasn’t very prominent (I had expected a richer apple filling), the texture was flaky and tempting. The yogurt gelato on the side was a great addition—it had a rich yogurt aroma, tangy yet not overly sweet, making it a perfect dessert after a hearty meal.

Coffee and freshly squeezed juice (kiwi orange juice) included with the set – $180 NTD

The cappuccino had delicate milk foam sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon for added aroma. The coffee itself was slightly bitter, but the overall combination was smooth. The kiwi orange juice was fresh and delicious—the sweetness of the orange balanced the high acidity of the kiwi, resulting in a refreshing and fruity taste with some pulp. I finished the whole cup without realizing it.

I really enjoy the dining atmosphere at JOYCE WEST Cafe—not only is the environment charming, but the food and service also shine. The staff mentioned they adjust the menu and space design according to holidays, and perhaps it’s this kind of thoughtfulness that has allowed the restaurant to thrive for over twenty years.

This time trying the new menu, I found the prices weren’t as expensive as I’d imagined. It might not be somewhere I can visit often, but I think JOYCE WEST would definitely be a great choice for special occasions.

JOYCE WEST Cafe

Address: No. 22-1, Qingcheng St., Songshan District, Taipei City (Nanjing Fuxing Station)
Phone: 02-2713-9388, 02-2713-8362
Business Hours: 11:30–23:00

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Food Craving, Memory Capturing
A Taipei local who navigates through a busy yet leisurely-paced life.
Enjoys uncovering hidden culinary gems in the city, alleys, and right by one’s doorstep, with a passion for exploring places filled with stories.
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