When you have no special plans, come here — the Tamsui Alleyway Café.

Text & Photos /Food Craving, Snapshot Collector

It’s precisely because there were no plans that I ended up with such a leisurely and special afternoon. I’ve been studying at Tamkang University for nearly four years, yet this café, just a 20-minute walk from campus, had always stayed in my pocket, never visited. With classes to attend, trips back to Taipei, and events to manage, countless opportunities to meet it slipped away due to one plan or another. But on this day, some friends came to Tamsui, and I figured I didn’t have anything too urgent in the afternoon. Might as well meet up with a friend and have some dessert — with such a casual mindset, I spent a relaxed afternoon.

With no special plans in mind, tucked away in a small alley off Zhongshan North Road in Tamsui, the café’s faint pink exterior is heartwarming. Though it was pouring down with icy rain that day, upon reaching the entrance, it still felt cozy. The door stood wide open, always ready to welcome passersby with no plans and no next destination, inviting them in for coffee and dessert. All the good things in life don’t need to be planned.

The weather in Tamsui was particularly changeable that day, completely ignoring the forecast — after a heavy downpour, the sun came out. In the afternoon, sunlight spilled freely into the café, casting a bright patch in the corner and making the colors of the dried flowers even more vivid.

In the No Special Plans Café, there are two most eye-catching characters — two adorable and fearless cats. They roam around the shop, sometimes appearing by your feet to nuzzle gently, or in the blink of an eye, perching on the owner’s shoulder, which seems to be their safest and coziest spot.

“Please remember to close the door behind you, or Mijiang will run away.”

There are also many signs in the café related to the cats, kindly reminding everyone to always close the door when leaving No Special Plans.

Besides the cats, on the counter you can also see two Bambis looking at each other. (This scene reminded me of my friend Bambi, so I found it amusing and took a photo haha)

The daily limited desserts are written on the small blackboard behind the counter. I really regret not trying the French savory tart that day. When I left, I could still smell its rich aroma. I definitely have to come back and try it next time.

Each seat is thoughtfully equipped with a storage basket for guests to place their belongings. Found the cute highlight in the photo? That’s Mijiang, fast asleep on the chair back then.

It’s rare for friends to come to Tamsui, so my mood was exceptionally great. So I ordered several desserts with my friend Shuaishuai to share. Each dessert tasted great, and I’d recommend coming with a friend to enjoy them together — it makes the experience even more satisfying.

Wild Berry Jam & Blueberry Double Cream Cheese Cake, Little Red Riding Hood Strawberry Double Cream Cheese Cake (All desserts are NT$120, savory tart NT$130)

The two flavors in the double cream cheese series are distinguished by the blueberry and strawberry jam on top, while the cake base underneath is the same. I prefer the Little Red Riding Hood Strawberry Double Cream Cheese — although strawberry season was almost over, this cake still had the freshness and juiciness of fresh strawberries. Plus, the sauce balanced the rich creaminess of the cheese with its sweet-and-sour flavor. As for the Wild Berry Jam Blueberry Double Cream Cheese, I found it a bit too sweet and cloying toward the end.

Sea Salt Caramel Banana Cheesecake Tart

This was my favorite of the day. Though not as eye-catching as the strawberry or matcha cakes, its flavor was solid and deeply satisfying. I loved their banana cheesecake tart, especially when freshly baked — you could taste the warmth and softness of the banana, and how it blended softly with the caramel for a smoother texture. It was sweet but not overly so. Also, since the other three cakes (double cream cheese, matcha chiffon) had similar textures and sweetness levels, they all tended to feel a bit heavy. Naturally, I ended up preferring this sweet tart the most.

Kyoto Komakicho Matcha Chiffon Cake

The combination of matcha and strawberry is inherently charming, and the vibrant green and red hues are captivating just to look at. I liked the matcha glaze drizzled over the chiffon — the matcha aroma was strong, and the sweetness was smooth, unlike some matcha glazes I’ve had before that were overly sweet from white chocolate. However, the chiffon cake inside the glaze had a slightly moist texture. We personally prefer a lighter, fluffier texture that’s less wet and has more bounce.

Belize Latte

I loved the milk foam layer on the coffee — it was soft, delicate, and full of coffee aroma. There was a distinct hint of Belize rum liqueur, but it didn’t feel out of place against the rich milkiness of the latte. It was very smooth to drink.

Finally, let me share the cat photos I took in the café that day. The two fearless cats were just too adorable — whether playful or asleep, they charmed every guest.

“I’m grabbing!” — they could play with just a small bag for ages. The little hand clutching the packaging was truly healing. Later, the owner came out and stopped them — it turned out the cloth bag contained chili peppers, and if opened, it could hurt the cats.

Sitting at the bar, gazing out the window, staring at the doorknob, or leaning by the window watching the people and cars go by — are they full of curiosity about the outside world?

But most of the time, what they love most is snuggling up on the chairs, curled up and fast asleep. So deeply asleep it almost seems like they’re pretending not to wake up amid the surrounding noise. They always sleep so peacefully.

The two cats are very close. The older, calmer sister, though quiet, always yields to her playful sister, quietly watching over her. I love these spontaneous meet-ups with friends, spending ordinary afternoons together, turning a day with no special plans into one filled with laughter and happy memories. And I’m glad I visited this café before graduation — I’ve grown fond of this place and I’m sure I’ll find excuses to come back again, spending afternoons with the cats and desserts.

No Special Plans Café
Address: No. 1, Lane 37, Alley 207, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City
Phone: 02-2626-5538
Business Hours/O.B.: Tuesday–Sunday: 13:00–22:00, Monday: 14:00–21:00
Facebook:No Special Plan Café

Food Cravings, Captured Moments
Navigating through the bustling yet leisurely-paced lives of Taipei residents.
Enjoys uncovering hidden culinary gems tucked away in the city, alleys, and right by your doorstep, and loves exploring corners filled with stories.
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