Taipei’s Creative Southern European Cuisine: A Plentiful Seafood Fleet & Bread Boat Platter

Text & Photos /DaKou

I wonder if you’re like me, DaKou, with a deep interest in international cuisines and an occasional craving for authentic foreign flavors. Some friends love to explore Bistros for a taste of something new — typically offering small plates from Italy, France, or Spain, usually not very filling but great when paired with drinks.

But this time, DaKou is here to introduce a hidden gem in Taipei’s alleyways that specializes in Southern European cuisine — “Cosy Cote.” “Cosy Cote” means “a comfortable nest,” aiming to make every guest feel at home, relaxed, and at ease. The place mainly serves Portuguese or Spanish specialty dishes.

With a touch of creativity, the food is refined and delicious — not only artfully presented but also satisfyingly hearty. The highlight is the wide variety of home decorations collected by the owner from around the world. The rustic and cozy atmosphere makes you feel as if you’ve wandered into someone’s lovingly styled home from another corner of the globe.

“Cosy Cote” is located in the alleys along Dunhua North Road in Taipei’s Songshan District. The warm glow from yellow-hued lights filtering through wooden-framed glass windows gives off a cozy vibe — it’s like hearing the faint laughter and liveliness of a family gathering abroad in the evening.

The entrance to this small yet stylish restaurant is adorable — you’ll love it at first glance.

In the winter season, the warm lighting inside contrasts beautifully with the cold outdoors, creating a mood that’s both homely and inviting, sparking curiosity and drawing people in.

There are cozy two-seater, four-seater, and even six-seater tables here — plenty of options for different group sizes.　

The wooden tables resemble those found in European countryside households. In the evenings, when the lights are dimmed, it feels like you’ve teleported to a European nook.

When you come here, no matter which seat you choose, you’ll find that every corner is filled with little treasures collected from all over the world. The owner hopes that guests will take their time exploring, immersing themselves in the details, and feeling a sense of discovery. You can easily spend an hour here just soaking in the ambiance.

The bouquet on the table that looks like fresh flowers is actually handcrafted by the owner’s friend. It’s said to be an everlasting flower, able to maintain the bloom’s perfect form and vibrant color — it looks fresh every day as if it were newly picked.

There’s also this particularly charming little design detail — a small drawer cleverly hidden beneath the counter. Upon discovering it, you’ll find a sweet little message inside — quite meaningful.　

On the walls hang a few travel-themed small decorations, giving off a vibe of adventure and exploration. The overall interior design has a contemporary European café feel, and each element is thoughtfully arranged.

After browsing through the menu, when our bread boat platter arrived, we couldn’t help but gasp in delight. Not only was the presentation delicate and dainty, but it also looked incredibly appetizing.

The bread comes in various flavors — some are stuffed with tomatoes, others with basil, allowing you to mix and match according to your preference.

The tomato flavor is made using sun-dried tomatoes from southern Italy, blended with herbs and olive oil, then baked into a paste that’s spread onto thick slices of toast. It’s rich, tangy, and bursting with umami.

The basil flavor features grilled eggplant combined with sun-dried tomatoes and olives, mixed with pesto and layered between toasted baguette slices. The texture is layered — the chewiness of the eggplant, the saltiness of the olives, and the aroma of the basil create a wonderful mouthfeel.

The garlic butter bread is also fantastic — the aroma of roasted garlic and butter instantly whets your appetite.　

The tomato bruschetta version uses heirloom tomatoes, which have a richer flavor and juicier texture. Combined with basil and mozzarella, it’s a true taste of summer.　

The bread is freshly baked and still warm, with a crispy exterior and soft interior. When paired with the spreads, the taste is simply divine.

Next up, the signature Spanish Seafood Paella — a dish originating from Valencia, Spain, traditionally made with rice, saffron, olive oil, and a variety of seafood or meats. Since the rice used in traditional Spanish cooking is often al dente, which many Asians find hard to adjust to, the restaurant uses Taiwan’s premium Chihshang rice instead. It’s cooked in a rich seafood broth, infused with Spanish spices, aromatic white wine, and an assortment of seafood. The result? A vibrant, generous-looking dish that’s simply mouthwatering.

The dish is loaded with shrimp, squid, clams, mussels, scallops, and more — almost too many ingredients to list. Most of them are fresh catch-of-the-day seafood.

The seafood is incredibly fresh, with shrimp, squid, and others soaking up the essence of the flavorful broth. Each bite bursts with umami, juiciness, and sweetness — it’s rich, satisfying, and utterly delicious.

The rice is perfectly cooked, with a slight bite, and the saffron gives it a lovely golden hue. Paired with a squeeze of yellow lemon, the flavor becomes even more refreshing without being overly heavy.

We opted for the fruit yogurt sauce, which is sweet, tangy, and pairs wonderfully with the crispness of fresh fruits and vegetables — a refreshing palate cleanser that balances all the flavors nicely.

Another highlight is the seafood platter — not only is it piled high with an abundance of seafood, but the portion size is truly astonishing. The huge serving platter makes your hands look tiny in comparison.

The star of the platter is the shrimp — it’s large, juicy, and sweet. There’s also squid, sea urchin, clams, scallops, and crab legs, each ingredient shining with its own unique ocean-fresh taste.　

% The seafood here isn't just incredibly fresh—it’s also incredibly safe to eat. There's no trace of that common fishy smell, and some of the cooking methods are especially good at bringing out the umami of the seafood. The shrimp tastes richly of the sea, with Q-textured, plump meat that makes you fall in love at first bite. The clams are tender, sweet, and juicy, offering a satisfyingly rich mouthfeel. The squid has a delightful chewiness, with a smooth, Q-textured feel paired with a sweet, briny aroma—your mouth will be filled with the pure taste of the ocean!

% The seafood here is super fresh, and you can really taste that. There's a lot of thought put into the seasoning, and when you combine it with the ingredients, it’s really something special. The shrimp is incredibly flavorful, with Q-textured, juicy meat that makes you fall in love at first bite. The clams are tender, sweet, and juicy, with a rich, satisfying texture that's just so enjoyable. The squid has a nice chew to it, and its smooth, Q-textured feel combined with its sweet flavor leaves your mouth full of the taste of the sea!

% The seafood here is super fresh, and the chef's skills are also top-notch. Even the abalone, which is usually quite tricky to cook well, is done just right here, making it especially memorable.　

% The seafood here is also known for its delicious scallops. But what makes it even better is that the chef adds a bit of butter to the scallops as they cook, which gives most of them an especially rich flavor.

% The seafood here is honestly really impressive. It’s almost like every piece is cooked to perfection. When you come here, you’ll find that the flavors are layered and exciting. It really makes you want to keep ordering more, and you won’t want to leave once you’ve started.　

% The seafood hot pot here is a must-try. The clams are particularly special because they’re the kind that open their shells when cooked. The fun part is guessing when they’ll pop open!

% We ordered a set meal here that was surprisingly great value. Upon closer inspection, the hot pot broth also has a rich and complex flavor.

% In addition to the hot pot broth, there are also toppings like onions and eggs. It’s really a unique and creative way to enjoy the meal!

% When you come here to eat, you get to experience the chewiness of the hot pot ingredients, their sweet and savory taste, and the sweetness and richness of the toppings. It all comes together in layers, offering a surprising and delightful experience!

% The grilled squid and oysters are also very popular dishes. The squid is tender and flavorful, and the oysters are fresh and juicy. The grilled squid is especially fragrant and delicious when served fresh off the grill. Additionally, the oysters are grilled using a special method that gives them a unique smoky flavor, along with a naturally rich taste and texture that’s really memorable.

% The grilled scallops are also very popular. They have a rich aroma and are full of umami. The scallops are juicy and flavorful, and the grilled flavor is especially rich. The scallops are also served with a bit of spice, which adds a nice kick without being too overwhelming. The grilled squid is also very tender and flavorful, and the overall taste is very satisfying.　

Coming to “Cosy Cote,” you can not only enjoy authentic yet creatively prepared Southern European cuisine, but the collection of items here is also worth savoring slowly, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in a feeling of relaxation and ease. The menu offers a wide variety of choices. In addition to standard set meals, you can also order Spanish-style paella, burgers, appetizer cold dishes, salads, platters, hot appetizers, signature dishes, desserts, a variety of cocktails & alcoholic beverages, coffee, juices, teas, and more. The ingredients are high-quality and generous in portion size, and most importantly, the flavors are executed exceptionally well. Whether it’s the texture or the taste, it’s full of pleasant surprises. Friends who love international cuisine should definitely come try it—you might just find a dish that you’ll remember forever!

Cosy Cote
Address: No. 11, Lane 165, Dunhua North Road, Songshan District, Taipei City (about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Taipei Arena MRT Station)
Phone: 02-25471778
Business Hours: 12:00–21:30 (Closed on Sundays and Mondays; last order at 20:30)
FB Fan Page:https://www.facebook.com/Cosy-Cote-775075482601283

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