Cure your eyes with breathtaking sea views—2 must-visit seaside cafes in Kaohsiung

▲ The vast sea view is incredibly healing. (Photo/IG@98_08.10provided)

Reporter Li Zi-yi / Comprehensive report

The Lunar New Year hasn’t arrived yet, but your heart’s already on vacation. Why not take a seaside trip during your holiday break? ETtoday EBC has handpicked two popular seaside cafes in Kaohsiung where you can sip a warm cup of coffee, enjoy a sweet pancake, and unwind to the soothing sounds of the ocean.

▲ In summer, sipping a fruit smoothie while enjoying the sea breeze is super relaxing. (Photo/IG@fangtznhsuprovided)

Terroir Drifter's Bar

Take yourself on an adventure. In Gushan District, Kaohsiung, there’s a super-popular seaside cafe that requires advance reservations. With its stunning, unobstructed sea views and adorable colorful smoothies and desserts, it has captured the hearts of young people and become a local hidden gem.

▲ Floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of the ocean. (Photo/IG@showshow1017provided)

Shishan is one of the most romantic spots in all of Kaohsiung to watch the sunset. The owner purposely chose this location right at the oceanfront—free from obstructions or tall buildings—so the endless sea and sunset are right before your eyes. Last summer, it sparked a wave of photo ops, with vibrant fruit smoothies and the blue coastline creating picture-perfect backdrops.

▲ Drifter's Bar is also photogenic from the outside. (Photo/IG@at_rememberprovided)

Address: No. 91-1, Chai Mountain, Taoyuan Li, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Closed: Fridays
Weekdays (Mon–Thu): Limited to 30 reservations per day
Weekends (Sat–Sun): Limited to 80 reservations per day
Note:
* Please make reservations at least 7 days in advance; same-day reservations are not accepted
* For phone reservations, call between 12:00–20:00 (may be unavailable during busy hours 15:00–19:00)
* For message reservations, please specify the date, time, number of people, and leave your contact name and phone number
* Open to walk-ins only from the 3rd to 5th day of the Lunar New Year

▲ The sunset views from the seaside cafe are especially beautiful. (Photo/IG@ruby133twprovided)

Coast Cafe (Da Wan Gong Cafe)

Besides last year’s viral hit, Drifter's Bar, Shishan is also home to another long-time local seaside cafe known as “Coast Cafe,” also called Da Wan Gong Cafe. It’s famous for its stunning sea views, giant bowl-sized coffee servings, and Formosan macaques.

Walk straight into National Sun Yat-sen University and head toward Shishan, surrounded by trees along the way, where you’ll be greeted by beautiful ocean vistas. If you’re lucky, you might even spot Formosan macaques. Coast Cafe enjoys this uniquely privileged location.

▲ The heavy-duty coffee served in a large bowl pairs perfectly with the stunning sea view—definitely a must-try at Coast Cafe. (Photo/IG@ruby133tw、edgar_0000000provided)

Visitors must try the heavyweight “Big Bowl Coffee,” a gigantic 1000C.C. cup of coffee where the latte art can be customized with your chosen words or creatively designed at random by the staff — always a delightful surprise. Sit at the seaside café, watch the sunset, and sip from this oversized bowl of coffee. If you’re lucky, you might even spot playful Formosan macaques acting as your “waitstaff.”

▲Enjoying the seaside scenery with family and friends is the ultimate pleasure. (Photo/IG@edgar_0000000provided)

Address: No. 31, Chai Shan Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City
Business Hours: 12:00–20:00 (closed only on New Year’s Eve)
Phone: 07 525 1668