Italian street scenes can also be found in Taiwan — Lugano Café recreates the romance of Southern Europe

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team

Taiwan’s coffee culture is thriving, with a wide variety of cafés catering to coffee-loving visitors. Among them is Taipei Mandarin Oriental Hotel, known as one of the top-tier luxury hotels, which has created Taipei’s most European-style café, “Café de Lugano” (Lugano Franco-Italian Café), in its first-floor atrium. Since its opening in 2017, it has attracted many visitors seeking an authentic experience.

Café de Lugano boasts elegant indoor spaces and outdoor seating with a European street vibe. During the day, it serves brunch as well as delicious burgers and sandwiches, while in the evening, it offers innovative dishes from its bistro menu. The café creates a spacious and authentically European atmosphere — stepping inside feels like being transported to a street in Italy, full of romantic charm.

Lugano is a historic city located in southern Switzerland. Due to its proximity to northern Italy, its streets and food culture closely resemble the ambiance of Southern Europe. Café de Lugano inherits these characteristics, investing hundreds of millions to create a luxurious European-style space. Combining the European tradition of enjoying coffee outdoors with original contemporary French paintings adorning the interior, it exudes the leisurely and romantic essence of Southern Europe.