Newly Opened in Taipei！A Café Surrounded by Vintage Furniture in a Decadent Vibe

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Candy

There’s a small alley in Taipei that I really love—just about a hundred meters long. Step out of the alley and you’re greeted by the bustling Xinyi Road, but once you enter Wenchang Street, there’s a tranquility that doesn’t quite feel like the noisy city center, almost making you forget you’re still in downtown Taipei. The lane is dotted with a couple of cafés, a single izakaya, and several antique shops—it’s actually a well-known street in Taipei for custom vintage furniture.

One day, I was staying at a homestay nearby and passed by this place, 【VI Studio】, early in the morning. There was a little coffee bike at the entrance—kind of like a standing café concept where people would chat and drink their coffee while standing. About a year later when I came back, that coffee bike was gone. It turned out that after getting reported, they simply moved the café to the second floor of the VI Studio antique shop upstairs, naming it 【Congrats Café】.

Every time I walk past the very British-looking 【VI Studio】, I can’t help but peek into the shop window. Though the window is transparent, it’s filled with hanging lamps, old glass cabinets, and crammed with all sorts of lifestyle furniture and knick-knacks—but you still can’t quite see what’s inside. The mystery only adds to the curiosity. But on this particular day, I was drawn in by the café’s sign.

The entrance to 【Congrats Café】 is quite interesting. Since it’s located upstairs in an antique shop and opens at 11 AM—earlier than the furniture store downstairs—the entrance is via a little pathway beside the main door, where a secret entrance awaits. Once you step inside, there’s a somewhat narrow corridor, and it felt like I was embarking on an old house adventure XD, following the terrazzo staircase upward.

The air carried that familiar aroma of coffee, and there he was—the friendly owner who had set up the coffee bike outside a year ago.

This café is practically the perfect setting for photos—so perfect that it’s almost a waste to come here alone (kidding)! It has a beautifully decrepit, nostalgic vibe. From the counter to the chairs, nearly every corner is packed with old-world charm, almost forcing your inner old soul to come alive.

The owner told me this loft café had only been open for four months, yet it’s already been discovered by many online. After all, this place is bound to attract coffee lovers and nostalgia seekers alike. But I won’t go on too much about the ambiance—introducing antique props isn’t my specialty, so just enjoy the photos XD

In terms of space utilization, this loft really makes the most of what it has. While not overly intrusive, there are actually quite a few seats, and sitting on those vintage pieces gives off a rather refined vibe (completely my own feeling). The seats aren’t clearly separated, though, so this peaceful charm relies on everyone keeping their voices down.

The most unique part is the outdoor seating area (smoking zone), which offers a direct view of the lively Xinyi Road outside. When it’s not crowded, you can look around however you like—how nice would it be to have a home decorated like this?

And then there’s the kind and passionate owner, whose dedication to his dream is evident—from the mobile coffee cart to opening this shop. He’s very polite to guests, often chatting for a bit, and is very detailed when introducing different coffee beans and menu items. You’ll not only fall in love with the environment, but also with the owner’s sincere and friendly attitude.

The menu here is quite unique. Of course, single-origin coffees are available, with options for pour-over or siphon brewing. There’s Panamanian Mammoth Geisha, White Peacock Butterfly, and Red Peacock Butterfly (I’m so uncultured—I’ve never even tried the last two!). There are also Italian-style, lattes, teas, and alcoholic coffee specials. Prices are similar to other cafés, though the food is actually quite affordable.

Savory pies and paninis range from 90 to 120 NT$, which, based on my impression of Taipei prices, feels pretty cheap. So aside from enjoying coffee, you can also order some warm afternoon tea treats.

If you want alcohol, they offer red wine, white wine, and port, and you can even go full adult with a cigar.

【Latte Series │ Iced Latte │ 150 NT$】
I ordered this purely because I saw another customer order it and it caught my eye XD. The presentation was just too attractive. It’s served in a whisky glass—well… it could be any kind of glass, I just decided it was whisky XD. The beautiful latte art gradient sits on the glass, complementing the ribbed design, giving it a very high-end feel.

They insert a clear glass straw, and the milk foam is incredibly smooth. The beans used for this latte are slightly acidic, and I really liked the flavor. I’d definitely recommend trying this latte (also great if you don’t like bitter coffee). PS: The slate below is for pour-over coffee—this latte doesn’t use one. The business card is from the VI Studio downstairs.

【Single-Origin Pour-Over │ Sidamo │ 180 NT$】
I told the owner I wanted something acidic, so he recommended either washed Yirgacheffe or this Sidamo—I could choose one. The containers they use for serving coffee are quite unique, and they even serve it on a stone plate as a tray, which adds a nice touch. This one has a rich berry-like acidity, with a complex flavor and aftertaste that I really enjoyed. I think it’s a great choice for someone trying single-origin coffee for the first time—Yirgacheffe or Sidamo would both be approachable and delicious.

【Alcoholic Coffee │ Irish Coffee │ 180 NT$】
Though the owner said the ratio of alcohol here is normal, I felt the alcohol taste was a bit stronger than usual. The coffee and liquor are well-balanced, and the mature flavor leaves a pleasantly tipsy aftertaste. As for the foam on top—it was just because I took too long to take the photo, don’t worry. It looked really nice when it first arrived.

【Light Meal │ Vegetable Cheese Pie │ 120 NT$】
I ordered one of each light meal. I personally prefer the savory pie—great portion and flavor, probably homemade, with thick layers and generous fillings. For café pricing, it’s not expensive at all, and it’s really delicious when hot.

【Light Meal │ Ham Cheese Panini │ 90 NT$】
It looks like a big grilled ham and cheese toast. There’s plenty of cheese inside, and the pressed bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. It’s slightly larger than your usual toast, so you don’t feel like you’re eating too little. It comes with crushed nuts and fresh apple slices on the side.

I also snapped a few photos of the VI Studio downstairs to share with you. It displays antique props for sale or rent. From the chime of the doorbell to being surrounded by vintage cabinets and furniture, it feels like stepping into the magical world of Diagon Alley from Harry Potter.

Reminder: If you want to take photos downstairs, please remember to ask the VI Studio owner for permission—don’t just snap away on your own.

I haven't been to many coffee shops lately—maybe I'm overreacting, but I really do like this place, Congrats Cafe. It has a rather unique sense of seclusion, a bit quirky yet a very comfortable homey vibe. Amidst the decay, there's a warm artistic atmosphere. The VI Studio on the first floor is an antique prop shop that I rarely see in central or southern Taiwan. The second-floor coffee shop is a highly recommended spot. Having two distinct atmospheres in one old building is a rare find in a bustling urban area. Coffee lovers and fans of historic buildings definitely shouldn’t miss this!

[Congrats Cafe VI Studio │ Xinyi Anhe Station]
Address:2F, No. 47, Wenchang Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27006639
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
Note: The entrance is through a small iron gate next to the VI Studio antique shop
Nearest MRT Station: About a 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Xinyi Anhe MRT Station

Orange Dog Loves Candy Blog　Orange Dog Loves Candy Facebook Fan Page