Delicious Flavors in Southern Taiwan: A Tipsy and Satisfying Evening at Wine Bars

From the classic charm of Tainan to the newly designed cityscape of Kaohsiung in southern Taiwan lies a uniquely cultural allure. As the evening breeze blows gently, it's the perfect time for a relaxing drink. Whether you prefer uniquely international specialty restaurants or authentic traditional Taiwanese flavors, wine bars tell different stories, allowing travelers to enjoy a tipsy and satisfying evening while listening to those tales.

Passadina French Wine Bar originates from the bouchon-style eateries of Lyon, France. Based on traditional French home cooking, it fuses classic recipes with unique creations, transforming European cuisine into a sensory delight. Unlike traditional wine bars that often focus on simple meals with wine taking center stage, Passadina offers a wide range of dishes including appetizers, stir-fries, deep-fries, stews, grilled items, cold cuts, salads, desserts, and soups. The Marseille-style spicy shrimp stew follows southern French culinary traditions, offering a mildly spicy flavor enhanced with various herbs such as rosemary and thyme, paired with an Alsatian Riesling to complement the umami. The Marseille fish soup replaces fish with local shrimp, and is cooked with squid and clams to showcase the diversity of Taiwan’s seafood. The bar’s cellar features selections from regional wineries and New World countries, offering not only wines but also a variety of cocktails.

The owners of 1982 Bistro, Rick and Bessy, are solely dedicated to craft beer. Aside from the most common Belgian beers, the bar also offers a diverse selection such as American jasmine beer, British dark ale, and German wheat beer. They specialize in pairing the characteristics of different beers with the flavors of dishes, often providing the most suitable recommendations when guests order. The chef’s signature dish, Fried Rocks, creatively reimagines squid rings — the black outer layer is made by mixing squid ink and flour, giving the coating a slightly sweet taste, while the chewy squid meat resembles the look of volcanic rocks. The Vegetarian Pasta is another popular dish especially loved by young women, featuring a light olive oil sauté combined with 1664 white beer. Its delicate floral and fruity aroma along with smooth texture is perfect for girls who don’t enjoy the bitterness of beer.

The formerly well-known high-altitude night view restaurant “Roof” in Kaohsiung has been renamed ROOF ISLAND Roof Palm Restaurant. Serving authentic Thai cuisine alongside enchanting British-style cocktails, it stands as one of the top lounge bars in southern Taiwan. With a tropical Southeast Asian palm theme and a fashionable design space, it offers a brand-new concept in wine bars. Late-night options include chef-prepared stir-fries and German pork knuckle dishes. Birthday guests receive a 25% discount on the day of their visit and a complimentary “birthday joy” shot glass cocktail based on their age.