Alleyway cafes / A secret hub for designer meetups — your camera will be in overdrive just taking photos

Text by Lai Yanru

When the main roads get too crowded with traffic and pedestrians, turn into a quiet alleyway; there you’ll find small bookstores, grocery stores, and enchanting cafes and teahouses... The idol drama “Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf,” produced by Dreamland Productions, partnered with 15 Taipei alleyway shops for the “Little Red Riding Hood Visits the Neighbors” gift campaign. Each shop has its own charm, well worth exploring.


▲ A warm, homely space design that strips the mind of all pretense. (Photo provided by Dreamland Productions)


▲ Every decorative detail reflects the owner’s thoughtful touch. (Photo provided by Dreamland Productions)

Perhaps tired of designing luxury goods, or wanting to make design more accessible to everyday life, or simply to sleep in until a natural wake-up time — whatever the reason, on a dazzling fireworks-filled New Year’s Eve, designer Sophie decided to open her own shop. Faramita, located in Datong, Taipei, was born amid the festive atmosphere of welcoming the new year.

Run by a designer, Faramita’s overall space is naturally beautiful. Photography enthusiasts will definitely find themselves snapping photos non-stop here. Moreover, the owner loves to “play” and comes up with creative ideas from time to time, encouraging interaction between hosts and guests. This “life proposal” brings a lot of joy and surprise to everyone.
“We once invited people to take photos in the shop, had the most beautiful ones printed as postcards, and held many charity book donations and flea market events,” said Sophie. She used to spend most of her day staring at a computer screen when working in design. Now, running her own shop allows her to interact with customers and feel the warmth between people. “I think this shop is like a secret base where we all work together to accomplish good things — it feels really fulfilling.”

 
▲ At Faramita, you can just be a relaxed guest. (Photo provided by Dreamland Productions)

Sophie says the Faramita team has strong camaraderie and a habit of challenging themselves. Playfully complaining, she actually sounds quite proud: “The head chef even told me we have to change the menu every three months!” While changing the menu takes effort, it's also a great opportunity for Faramita to continuously reflect and improve. “I put myself in the customer’s shoes, challenge the chef, and push for improvements. We always aim to give our guests the best.”

Faramita offers a delightful dining atmosphere and delicious food — the result of the team’s full dedication. “My job is to play, but this kind of play only comes after putting in a lot of hard work,” Sophie concluded about her days as a shop owner.


                           ▲ This corner — doesn’t it look like a cupboard filled with memories? (Photo provided by Dreamland Productions)


[Faramita]
Phone: 02-25337609
Address: No. 13, Lane 621, Beian Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei 104