Text by MOOK Travel Life Network, reported by Chen Guanxin
When visiting Taichung, besides exploring night markets and shopping malls, one of the best ways to enjoy a leisurely and nature-filled holiday within the city is none other than the Calligraphy Greenway. This scenic route weaves together several green spaces in Taichung’s West District, beginning at the National Museum of Natural Science and stretching through Civic Square, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, all the way to Fine Arts Greenway — covering a total length of approximately 3.6 kilometers. Along the way, various events are frequently held, making it a popular spot for city dwellers seeking greenery on holidays. Thanks to its popularity, nearby eateries are constantly innovating to attract visitors, with uniquely styled cafes and sweet treats being perfect companions for a relaxing afternoon. Below, we share some of the top food spots around the Calligraphy Greenway, allowing you to enjoy the urban greenery while savoring unforgettable flavors.
Visiting the Calligraphy Greenway not only lets you enjoy rare urban greenery but also offers a chance to explore many charming specialty food shops nearby. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Forty Café
Forty Café, which embodies the lifestyle philosophies of fashion, wellness, and simplicity, is located on the first floor of a building beside the Greenway on Gōngyì Road. Its understated exterior and floor-to-ceiling windows create an undisturbed dining atmosphere, while natural light and greenery flood in with layered charm. Notably, the café insists on using ingredients that never sit overnight, so even the salads are deliciously fresh. The coffee is brewed by hand on-site, making this a truly unique café worth a visit.
[Info]
Phone: 04-2302-8627
Address: No. 88, Lane 155, Gōngyì Road, West District, Taichung City
Website: www.wretch.cc/blog/fortycafe
Fresh and delicious meals are the signature feature of Forty Café. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Mo Time Coffee
Mo Time Coffee, created by two men in their seventies (in the Taiwanese counting system), is a space that transforms a 35-year-old old house into one that blends urban flair with vintage charm. The owners highly recommend their handcrafted “Vienna” and “Irish” coffees. There’s also the visually enticing honey pancakes, best paired with apple milk tea for the perfect afternoon tea set — these pastries were something the owner specifically learned to make before opening the shop, showing great dedication.
[Info]
Phone: 04-2326-0248
Address: No. 5, Lane 117, Section 1, Měicūn Road, West District, Taichung City
Website: http://goo.gl/OX4GD
Handcrafted Irish coffee is infused with a touch of whisky and sugar, then finished with fresh cream, giving it a distinct whiskey aroma. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Ichigo Ichie Kobe Waffles
Located on Gōngyì Road, Ichigo Ichie Kobe Waffles may not have a flashy storefront, but its dignified brick-red sign bears the shop’s philosophy: “Ichigo Ichie,” meaning “one time, one meeting” — cherishing every encounter in life. The Japanese-trained owner couple was amazed by the taste of Kobe waffles during their time in Japan, sparking their connection to this treat. In the early days, the couple faced challenges due to the meticulous standards of Japanese craftsmanship. To perfectly recreate authentic Kobe waffles, they custom-built a waffle machine and invited Japanese masters to teach the traditional techniques — all to offer customers the most genuine taste. The waffle flavors include popular choices like original butter, red bean fresh milk, matcha red bean, caramel, dark chocolate, and raspberry. They also sell “Good Morning Waffles,” which can be spread with jam and cream or served sandwich-style with fresh fruits and vegetables — making them a great breakfast option. These uniquely flavored Kobe waffles also make excellent gifts.
[Info]
Phone: 04-2320-6000
Address: No. 2, 188, Gōngyì Road, West District, Taichung City
Website: www.jp-waffle.com.tw
The smooth texture of Kobe waffles is distinctly different from regular ones. (Image provided by MOOK Editorial Department)
Sunrise 'Terra'
This chain cake shop, famous for its Taiwanese pineapple cakes and cheesecakes, may be a chain but has only four branches in Taichung: Terra, Traveler, Earthy Pineapple, and Monastery. The brand hopes to put down roots in Taichung, creating the most delicious and healthy baked goods for people across Taiwan to enjoy. The reason Sunrise cheesecake tastes so good lies in its production process — using only 85% cream cheese, with minimal eggs and sugar. The simple ingredients ensure a rich, creamy flavor. Without adding flour, butter, or pie crust, the resulting pure cheesecake has a dense, velvety texture that becomes more aromatic the more you chew. And because no butter or additives are used, it’s also lower in calories than typical cheesecakes. Sunrise also offers Taiwanese pineapple cakes and nougat. The nougat comes in a variety of flavors, including Gold Label Coffee, Salty Legend, Coffee, and Original Sunrise. Among them, Salty Legend is a savory nougat that uses salt to enhance the flavor, making the sweetness even more distinctive and the milkiness more pronounced the more you chew.
[Info]
Phone: 04-2376-1135
Address: No. 43, Section 3, Wǔquán West Road, West District, Taichung City
Website: www.dawncake.com.tw
Made by simmering fresh pineapple and malt, instead of using common winter melon paste and pineapple essence. (Photo provided by HowToTrip Editorial Department)
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