A British retro café in Taichung serving red sauce risotto loaded with clams and squid

Text & Photo /Mika

This DEPOT Little Warehouse was a spontaneous choice for us. We only found out upon arrival that they close at seven, and we got there at six XD. As a result, many dishes were sold out. The place emphasizes daily fresh ingredients, made-to-order and sold until they run out. All the online-recommended savory tarts and lemon tarts—we didn’t get to try any!! Sob… Guess we’ll have to save them for next time.

I love the space of this British retro-style diner. Though parking here is really difficult, the vintage vibe gives you a sense of time-travel. Being here makes you want to blend into the atmosphere and feel effortlessly relaxed and laid-back. Of course, it should come with a bit of British elegance—but… bringing kids here? That’s just a pipe dream. Honestly, it’s not kid-friendly—this is a retro, artsy café best enjoyed with your laptop or a book, dining while pondering life’s meaning, or maybe writing a poem or two XD

When we went, there seemed to be construction work happening upstairs, which was a slight... eyesore from an aesthetic point of view.

Has anyone mentioned how hard it is to park here? Even motorcycles struggle, let alone cars. It’s very much a residential area.

The indoor space features dim yellow lighting, vintage tones, and an artsy retro vibe.

I really like this windowsill..

This British retro suitcase is pretty rare~~~ Must have been painstakingly collected by the owner.

Every corner here is picture-worthy.

The wooden decor dominates, creating a retro ambiance.

The micro-industrial retro lamps play a key role here, adding just the right finishing touches.

The owner’s collection of paintings and clocks, paired with the yellow industrial-style hanging lamps, is simply perfect.

Haven’t seen one of those radios in ages?? The owner really loves collecting antiques and isn’t shy about displaying them for everyone to enjoy.

I think the menu is also worth photographing because it’s all handwritten and hand-drawn—very warm and personal.

Grilled Chicken with French Sauce Sandwich – NT$180
Upgrade to Combo A for NT$70 (choose between soup or salad, plus a drink)

The ciabatta-like bread has a chewier texture that gets more flavorful the more you chew. Paired with thick slices of chicken and sauce, it’s actually quite satisfying and filling... Adding some crispy fries makes it even more filling~ The portion is pretty generous, so I think girls probably don’t need to add on Combo A or B—it might be too much XD

The soup is rich and delicious, super comforting when hot.

The salad is pretty average, nothing too special.

The drink that comes with the meal is black tea—tasty.

Tomato Cream Seafood Risotto – NT$200
This plate is quite deep. From the outside, it looks like a small portion, but there’s actually an extra-deepened section in the middle, so it’s still quite filling.

Packed with clams, squid, veggies, etc… the portion is pretty generous and sincere. The risotto is well-seasoned—you can taste the sweet-tangy creaminess of the red sauce and the briny flavor of the seafood. The moist, tender, and flavorful risotto is my favorite—love the umami-rich taste enhanced by the sweet-tangy red sauce that adds layers of flavor. Totally satisfying.

I do think because this place insists on using daily fresh ingredients and making everything to order, plus they might be a bit understaffed, there could be long waits or less attentive service when it’s crowded. Also, the space is small, so loud noises really stand out—so it’s not great for big groups or bringing kids. This place really suits people who enjoy this kind of retro, nostalgic space—you can come here occasionally to be a bit of a hipster. In short, it’s okay for a small group of friends to chat quietly over a meal and coffee. But if you’re in a big group looking to dine together, I wouldn’t recommend it here. The food is still good though, so maybe come back another time to finally try that savory tart and lemon tart we missed this time. Recommended for your reference.

DEPOT Little Warehouse
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Address: No. 7, Sichuan 5th St., West District, Taichung City 407
Phone: 04-23125573
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM

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