The 8 Best Cafes in Tainan City: My Guide to the Best Coffee Shops

I don’t mess around when it comes to coffee. I lived in Australia for three years, and if there’s one thing that permanently changed me, besides saying “no worries” every five minutes, it’s my coffee standards. They’re high.

So when I got to Taiwan, I wasn’t expecting much. But to my surprise, Taiwan’s coffee scene is incredible. Like, genuinely some of the best coffee shops I’ve ever been to. And Tainan in southern Taiwan is definitely a huge part of that.

While I was there, I basically made it my mission to try a new cafe every day, sometimes even two. This little guide on the best cafes in Tainan is a roundup of my favorite coffee shops in the city where you can 100% get a proper flat white and a perfect latte. 

Cafes in Tainan – My Experience

I spent about four days in Tainan, and during that time, I basically turned “trying different cafes” into my daily mission. I need my coffee fix anyway, so I figured I might as well explore as many spots as possible and share them with you.

By the time I got to Tainan, I was already familiar with Taiwan’s coffee culture after a week in Taipei. I knew cafes here don’t open super early, most places start around 9 or 10 a.m., which isn’t ideal if you’re an early riser. And yes, coffee in Taiwan is definitely on the pricey side. You’re looking at around $5–6 USD for a latte, which might feel normal if you’re coming from the US but is definitely more expensive than in Australia (where I could get a great flat white for about 5 AUD).

Even with the higher prices, I still had a coffee every day, and honestly, they were worth it. Most places use really high-quality beans, and the spaces themselves are always thoughtfully designed.

My favorite coffee overall was probably at IBT Coffee, located in a little alley with a minimalist, industrial vibe. It reminded me a lot of Melbourne.

For atmosphere, PariPari was my favorite. It’s moody and artsy, hidden upstairs inside an art shop, and you have to ring a bell to get in. It’s a great spot to hang out for a bit longer and escape the heat, which is exactly what I did.

1. PariPari // The Best Cafe in Tainan

Opening Hours: 11am-6pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

The first time I saw PariPari, I just randomly walked past it. There were a few people chatting out front, and I thought, Ooh, that place looks cool, I wonder what it is. Later on, I looked it up and found out it was a cafe, so I made a point to come back the next day.

The bottom level of PariPari is kind of an arts and craft souvenir shop, which is pretty cool on its own. The actual coffee shop is upstairs, and you have to ring a doorbell and ask if they have a table free. Once they call you up, it feels almost like you’re being let into a little secret spot.

The upstairs space is super moody, it honestly looks like it could be a cocktail bar, with dark colors and cozy lighting. It’s definitely a nice spot to hang out for a while.

When I was there, we had two lattes, which were really good. Afterwards, we also ordered tiramisu and a chocolate cake (because why not). Like a lot of cafes in Tainan, they have a solid range of pastries and sweet options to go with your coffee. I loved this Tainan coffee spot and I highly recommend stopping by!

2. IBT Coffee // My Favorite Tainan Coffee Shop

Opening Hours: 11am-1am
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

IBT Coffee is another spot I found pretty much by accident. I walked past it on my way home from the Confucius Temple and noticed it tucked away in a random little alleyway, honestly, I’m still surprised I even spotted it. Same story as PariPari: I walked past, made a mental note, and came back the next morning to actually check it out.

IBT has a totally different vibe from PariPari. It’s more industrial and minimalist with polished concrete, clean lines, and a very “Melbourne coffee shop” feel (if you know what I mean).

We definitely took our time here to escape the heat and enjoy the strong AC. We ordered a flat white and an iced latte, and both were perfect. We didn’t try any of the food, but I saw other people having some amazing-looking cakes and tiramisu. Kind of regret not getting a slice now, to be honest. This is definitely another huge recommendation from me, I really liked the vibe here. We also saw quite a few people working on their laptops in the upstairs area. So if you’re looking for a place to get some work done, this is it!

3. Bear’s Casa // One of the Top Sandwich Places in Tainan

Opening Hours: 9am-3:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Okay, Bear’s Casa isn’t technically a “cafe”,  it’s more like half coffee shop, half sandwich shop. I’ve mentioned this before, but many Tainan cafes don’t really do a proper breakfast. You won’t find your classic eggs benny or big brunch plates; it’s usually just coffee and pastries.

Bear’s Casa is a tiny hole-in-the-wall spot with only about three tables inside. Most people grab takeaway, though, because their sandwiches are just that good.

One thing I learned the hard way: you have to check their Instagram first to see when they’re open, and then message them super early in the morning to reserve a slot to pick up your sandwich later in the day. It’s a whole process, but worth it.

If you’re lucky, you might even get one of the few tables inside and eat right away. The coffee here is decent, not mind-blowing, but good enough. But the sandwiches are honestly just incredible. Especially if you’re craving something that feels a bit more Western for breakfast then I highly recommend coming here. We tried their classic egg salad sandwich as well as the chicken cutlet sandwich and they were so so good!

4. Fat Cat Story

Opening Hours: 1:30pm-6:30pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Fat Cat Story is a small, really cool little cafe that’s known for its fun desserts like blueberry cakes and other sweet treats. I had an iced latte here, and it was the perfect way to take a break and cool down for a bit.

It’s located on Shennong Street, one of those quirky little shopping laneways in Tainan that you’ll almost definitely end up wandering through at some point. Fat Cat Story is right at the end of the street, near the big temple, and for me, it was the perfect spot to rest and escape the heat after exploring.

5. 台南-秘氏咖啡 // The Most Quirky Tainan Cafe

Opening Hours: 2pm-10pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

This cafe in Tainan is a bit different, actually, it’s unlike anywhere I’ve ever been. Someone told me it’s more like a Hong Kong–style cafe  and I’ll just take their word for it.

First of all, it’s almost impossible to find. It’s located in Yongle Market, which is a daytime market in Tainan with tons of food stalls and some really cool architecture. Definitely worth checking out on its own.

We almost gave up trying to find the cafe. I’ve tagged the location here, but what Google Maps doesn’t tell you is that it’s actually upstairs. In the market, there’s a dark stairwell that looks almost off-limits, but yep, that’s where you need to go. Just walk up (don’t overthink it), and you’ll find it at the top.

The space itself is super quirky. It kind of feels like you’ve stepped into a Taiwanese grandma’s living room with mismatched furniture, random decor, souvenirs everywhere. It sounds chaotic, but somehow it totally works and is kinda cool.

The place is known for its pour-over coffee and desserts like tiramisu and a kind of crème brûlée (I’m not even sure what it actually was, to be honest). Nothing is in English, and no one really spoke English when we visited, so we just used Google Translate to ask for the most popular items  and went with that. Good luck ordering your own!

6. Present Coffee

Opening Hours: 11am-11pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Present Coffee is definitely one of my favorite coffee spots in Tainan. If I had to describe it, I’d say it’s kind of like a Japanese-style coffee shop, though honestly, I’m not even totally sure myself. The decor looks Japanese, and they serve sushi as well, so… close enough.

I loved the interior. It feels a bit like a Japanese teahouse, with lots of wood, some low tables where you sit on the floor, and an overall minimalist design. It has a really calm, cool vibe.

Their cold brew is great, and they also had some interesting-looking desserts. I didn’t try them (kind of regretting that now), but they looked super good.

7. Carpenter Coffee // Good Tainan Coffee Shop for Take Away Coffee

Opening Hours: 7am-6pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★
Menu & Location

Carpenter Coffee is more of a grab-and-go type spot. It’s located between Yongle Market and the Zhengxing shopping district, so if you’re exploring Tainan on foot (like I was), you’ll probably pass through this area at some point.

The shop itself looks pretty cool. It has a more traditional design, and it’s small and a bit quirky. We just grabbed takeaway coffees here while wandering around the city.

It was super hot the day we stopped by, so we both went for iced lattes and they were great. Definitely a good choice if you’re looking for a good takeaway coffee while exploring.

8. Hunk and Gorgeous

Opening Hours: 9:30am-5:30pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Okay, so this last place I actually didn’t get the chance to try myself. I walked past it while exploring Tainan, saw it packed with people, and thought it looked cool, so I looked it up later. Unfortunately, I just didn’t have time to stop by.

Hunk and Gorgeous is more of a brunch cafe. It has a mix of vintage, hipster, and slightly fancy vibes in my opinion. The food looked super interesting, like they took inspiration from European cafes but added a local Taiwanese twist to the dishes. I thought that was pretty unique.

Anyway, I didn’t get to try it, but if you’re looking for a sit-down breakfast or brunch that’s a bit different and creative, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out. And if you do go, shoot me a message and tell me what it’s like!

FAQs About Tainan Cafes & Coffee Shops

What is the best Tainan cafe?

Tough question! If I had to pick, I’d probably say IBT Coffee for the actual coffee quality, it really reminded me of a good Melbourne-style shop. But for vibe and atmosphere, PariPari wins.

Where to eat in Tainan?

Tainan is known as the food capital of Taiwan, so honestly… everywhere. From street food at night markets to small local noodle shops and trendy cafes, it’s hard to go wrong. If you want specifics, I have a full Tainan food guide coming soon where I share all my favorite spots!

What are the best bars in Tainan?

Tainan isn’t really known for its bar scene like Taipei, but there are a few fun spots to grab a drink. I personally didn’t go out much at night here (too busy eating, sorry!), but there are some speakeasy-style cocktail bars and a few craft beer places worth checking out if you’re in the mood. The only place for a drink that I went to was Chikan Pharmacy Bar and it was super cool and unique.

Is Tainan worth visiting?

Absolutely, 100% yes. If you’re into food, history, cute alleyways, and a more laid-back city vibe, you’ll love it.

Final Thoughts on the Best Tainan Coffee Shops

I really loved the coffee culture in Tainan. To be completely honest, I still think Taipei does it better overall when it comes to cafes and coffee shops but Tainan is definitely up there.

I visited so many different cafes here, and each one had its own style. In other places, you sometimes get that copy-and-paste vibe (lmao… hello, Bali), but in Tainan, every spot felt unique and had its own character. That’s what made them feel special to me.

Of course, the coffee itself was top-notch at all of these places, that’s kind of a given if they made it onto this list.

I hope this little guide helps you find some amazing coffee spots in Tainan on your next visit. And who knows, maybe you’ll end up planning your whole day around your next cup, just like I did.

Check Out My Other Tainan Travel Guides

Is Tainan Worth Visiting?: My Honest Review

Food in Tainan: My Where to Eat in Tainan Travel Guide

Cafes in Tainan: My Top Coffee Shops & Cafes in Tainan