Travel Taipei on foot—A Lazy Guide to 5 Restaurants and Shops on Xīnměi Street in Tainan

Text & Photos /Gui Xiaosun

Before setting off, I stumbled upon Xīnměi Street in Tainan through a Mijie Market event. The little shops there inspired us to take an afternoon stroll. I’ve compiled these spots together—they’re perfect for girls, couples, or solo travelers. A full day here lets you wander and soak up Tainan’s little stories. Tainan is bustling, yet it’s the kind of place that makes you want to plan your own trip. Anytime, you can uncover another story in its alleys. That’s exactly why I love it so much.

& How to Get to Xīnměi Street

> Brunchkokoni cafe> Walk and Explore After Eating: Must-Love Spots for the Artsy CrowdTwo Eyes Together OOuuu& Two Floors of Ice Cream: Lovi's Alleyway Ice Cream
> Shop: Manwen Workshop > Chìlóu: Yìfēng Winter Melon Tea

% Link target="_blank" href="http://enlife.pixnet.net/blog/post/108603259-%E5%8F%B0%E5%8D%97%E8%80%81%E4%BB%B6%E9%A4%90%E5%BB%B3.%E6%97%A9%E5%8D%88%E9%A4%90.kokoni-cafe">[Tainan’s Classic Brunch Restaurant] ‘kokoni cafe’ Rewrites the Story of an Old Tainan Building. With vintage decor, Japanese-inspired dishes, and large windows, it crafts another unique kokoni cafe experience.

This is my favorite brunch spot in Tainan. The warmth of the space is something I’ll always remember. They’ve recently opened a new branch, ‘kokoni green’, and I’m sure I’ll run into it again soon. Everyone should come here for brunch—you’ll notice the thoughtful details, understated but comforting, like a perfectly refreshed old house that feels natural, not forced.

Tainan has seen more and more amazing little shops pop up in recent years. OOuuu is actually one I discovered by chance. It sells imported stationery—a true haven for the artsy type. But this time, I noticed the space had shrunk, and upstairs is now Lovi's Alleyway Ice Cream.

Walking along Xīnměi Street feels really pleasant, perhaps because there aren’t too many crowds yet... But between the shops, you’ll see young people and artsy types wandering around, and occasionally cyclists passing by. Beyond the popular Zhengxing and Guóhuá streets in Tainan, I truly believe there are many alleys with their own unique stories. Like the Xìnyì Street area—it might not be as lively, but for those who prefer a slower pace, it’s just right, perfect for whatever mood you’re in.

This time, I visited a few more little shops and gathered more stories… I’ve put them all together for you. If you get the chance, plan a little trip here and explore. ^__________^ /

Xīnměi Street was once an important grain market street in Tainan, and it still preserves many of the city’s old buildings. The old Xīnměi Grand Hotel is still standing—even if it’s unclear whether it’s still open—but walking here and admiring these traces is quite meaningful. On weekend afternoons, there are often small events, so keep an eye out for updates. ^~^

Further down the street, you’ll spot several colorful, eye-catching little shops. There are fruit vendors, drink and light meal stalls... and a bit further along is OOuuu. Upstairs, the Welcome sign marks ‘Lovi's Alleyway Ice Cream’ !^~^ Previously, Lovi's sold ice cream on the street, but it seems they’ve only recently moved upstairs. You can find them on their Facebook page.

Remember to go through the right-hand hallway from OOuuu, and you’ll see the sign. Go up the stairs to reach Lovi's Alleyway Ice Cream. The second-floor space resembles a cozy little coffee shop—the atmosphere inside is really lovely. They only serve ice cream and coffee, with flavors changing daily. The blackboard shows which flavors are available that day, marked with checkmarks.

After ordering, find a seat and pay at the self-service honor system before or after your meal. It has that honest shop vibe. The owner is adorable and very artsy. We sat by the window and even chatted a bit during a local temple festival event—XD.

We ordered Caramel Toffee and Sesame Milk, served in an inky-black bowl. The presentation was simple and artsy. Sitting at the only seat facing Xīnměi Street felt like being back at my childhood desk. Each of us picked up a chilled spoonful of ice cream—the texture was silky smooth. The rich sesame paired perfectly with the milk, and I especially loved the sweet childlike charm of the caramel toffee :D.

We sat and enjoyed our ice cream simply for 30–40 minutes. Occasionally, we stepped out onto the little balcony. From the second floor, we saw the green dragon dance of the temple parade below, and by the window, we spotted neighbors at eye level. Seeing Tainan from different perspectives made me feel just a little bit closer to the city.

Continuing on to another little notebook-style shop also located on Xīnměi Street. ‘Manwen Workshop’ caught my eye right away—sometimes, a good name just leaves a great first impression. The shop has handmade goods spread across both the first and second floors. The first floor gives off a Southeast Asian vibe. Every corner and tiny object on display feels like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered.

After leaving Xīnměi Street, it’s actually close to Chìlóu. We’d parked at the Chìlóu parking lot that morning. Having walked the whole day, we ended up back here to grab a cup of Yìfēng Winter Melon Tea before picking up the car. We also tried the fun combo of winter melon tea with tangyuan (sweet rice balls)—it was surprisingly good. The chilled winter melon tea made the tangyuan extra chewy and firm, really fun to bite into. You all should try it too XD.

At the end, I’ve also compiled a map of the area. As you can see, Xīnměi Street is close to Chìlóu, Guóhuá Street, Zhengxing Street, and Yongle Market. Tainan gets crowded on weekends, so plan your route well, park your car, and explore on foot. Trust me—it’ll let you see and understand more. Let your whole body move on the trip, and every breath of air will remind you that you’re truly ‘alive’.

kokoni cafe
Facebook
Address: No. 23, Lane 372, Section 2, Ximen Rd., West Central District, Tainan City
Phone: 06 223 1591
Business Hours: 11:30–19:00

Two Eyes Together OOuuu
Facebook
Address: No. 189, Xinmei Street, West Central District, Tainan City
Phone: 06 221 0356

Lovi's Alleyway Ice Cream
Facebook
Address: 2nd Floor, No. 189, Xinmei Street, West Central District, Tainan City
Business Hours: 13:00–19:00

Slow Warm Workshop
Facebook
Address: No. 320, Xinmei Street, West Central District, Tainan City
Business Hours: 14:00–19:00

Yi Feng Winter Melon Tea
Address: No. 216, Section 2, Yongfu Road, West Central District, Tainan City

[Enjoy life, don’t be bored. — Xiao Sun]、FB