Fall in love with a fairytale abroad, enjoy creative Italian cuisine～lovely fairy tale

What is a fairy tale? It's not just the common popular image of colorful castles and princes and princesses, but rather an unlimited realm of boundless creativity—so everyone interprets fairy tales differently. The restaurant “lovely fairy tale” breaks away from conventional ideas and instead creates its own story through a red and dark-themed ambiance, paired with exclusive, seasonally changing creative dishes, making it an affordable Italian eatery with three locations in Kaohsiung.

lovely fairy tale has outlets in Xinkèjiāng, Línquán Street, and Xīntián Road. Each location has a slightly different style and enjoys high online ratings. The business is thriving, and it was once honored in YAHOO!'s Top 20 Popular Food Awards as an excellent affordable eatery. Individual pasta and risotto dishes are available for just over NT$100, while combo meals cost around NT$250–350 for a satisfying full meal.

The oldest branch, located in Héjiāng, is often fully booked. The story here begins with a character conceived by the owners—the Pasta Ball Monster. The restaurant space extends into an atmosphere of concrete walls, red brick pillars, black ceilings, and a spiral metal staircase leading to a loft. The yellow-tinted dim lighting creates a moody vibe, complemented by red and black leather seating that gives off a cutting-edge, modernist feel. At first glance, you’ll also notice a uniform of female staff all born in the 1980s (seventh-grade students in Taiwan’s educational system), which is quite a pleasant sight.

The main reason for its popularity is its creative Italian cuisine, which is evident in the frequently updated menu. There’s even a spicy pasta section dedicated to those who love heat, featuring the Hellfire Garlic Spicy Chicken Pasta (NT$140)—chicken marinated in mixed herbs and spices before frying, then stir-fried with specially made exotic spicy sauce and pasta. Aside from the spiciness, you can also taste a rich aroma. The signature Venice Seafood Risotto (NT$160) is a must-order. Thai jasmine rice is simmered with saffron powder, butter white sauce, and seafood, and cheese is added right before serving. Since the seafood is scooped out before it’s fully cooked, the texture remains very tender, while the raw rice absorbs the broth, delivering a deep umami seafood flavor.