Cycling Cafe Culture: 10 of Taiwan's Most Instagram-Worthy Bike-Friendly Cafes

Bicycles × Coffee: A New Rhythm of Life

“Why does a cycling break always have to mean a convenience store?”

Over the past decade, a “Cycling Cafe” culture has taken hold among Taiwanese riders — treating cafes not just as a place to refuel and rehydrate, but as a ritual for photos, conversation, and community.

This trend originated in Europe (especially the UK and the Netherlands), where brand cafes like Rapha Clubhouse and Look Mum No Hands! have become pilgrimage sites for cyclists worldwide. In recent years, Taiwan has seen more and more spaces “born for cyclists”. This article rounds up 10 cycling cafes in Taiwan that are well worth a dedicated visit.

Taipei Metro Area

1. tokyobike Taiwan (Wanhua, Taipei)

Location: 1F, No. 70, Sanshui Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City (1 minute from Exit 3, Longshan Temple MRT Station)

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 08:30–18:00 (closed Mondays)

Highlights:

• The only tokyobike branch worldwide run as a “cycling cafe”
• Housed in a Japanese-style wooden heritage building (behind the Xinfu Market Cultural Center)
• Menu incorporates local Wanhua culture, with ingredients sourced from the traditional market nearby
• Offers tokyobike test rides and bicycle rental

Why go: A Japanese-style old house, elegant bicycles, and Wanhua’s local culture combine to make this one of Taipei’s most Instagrammable spots.

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2. SeedDown Please Cafe (Minsheng Community, Taipei)

Location: No. 6, Lane 27, Section 5, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City

Hours: 08:30–16:30

Highlights:

• Run by the owner of PNS, a cycling jersey shop
• Mixed-use space: bike shop and cafe on the 1st floor, member area and bike fitting studio in the basement
• Industrial metal decor with a design that reflects genuine passion for cycling
• Offers custom jersey orders and professional fitting service

Why go: If you want to sip coffee while watching a proper bike fitting session, this is a truly one-of-a-kind spot.

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3. Velocity Coffee (Da’an, Taipei)

Location: Da’an District, Taipei City (near Renai Roundabout)

Highlights:

• A long-standing gathering spot for local riders
• Walls lined with pro team jerseys and race photos
• Often hosts “Coffee Ride” meetups after weekend morning rides

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Yangmingshan and the Beiyi Highway

4. Fengguizui 7-Eleven (Not a Cafe, but a Classic)

Location: Fengguizui, on the descent toward Neihu

Why go:

• While technically not a cafe, the 7-Eleven at Fengguizui functions as the “waypoint hub” for northern riders
• On weekend mornings from 7 to 10 AM, dozens of road bikes line up outside
• Grabbing oden and a hot Americano here after summiting is part of Fengguizui culture

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5. Cafes near the Pinglin Tea Industry Museum (Pinglin, New Taipei)

Location: Old Street area of Pinglin, along the Beiyi Highway

Why go:

• The best refueling stop at the end of the Beiyi Highway
• A cluster of shops blending local tea aromas with coffee
• A must-stop after tackling the famous “18 Bends” of the Beiyi Highway on weekend rides

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6. Xiaoyoukeng Visitor Center (Yangmingshan National Park)

Location: Yangjin Highway, at the trailhead of Xiaoyoukeng

Why go:

• A high-point refueling stop on the Yangjin and Dadun Mountain cycling routes
• The scenic restaurant offers views of Qixing Mountain and Guanyin Mountain
• Soaking in a hot spring followed by a hot coffee is a winter ritual for local riders

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Dakeng, Taichung and Central Taiwan’s Mountains

7. Embers Coffee (Dakeng, Taichung)

Location: Beitun District, Taichung City (near the Dakeng hiking trail cluster)

Why go:

• A must-pass stop on the descent from the Dakeng mountain loop
• Specialty pour-over coffee with house-roasted beans
• Widely regarded among local riders as the best post-ride coffee in central Taiwan

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8. Toupianken Mountain Pass Coffee, Taiping (Taichung)

Location: Toupianken mountain area, Taiping District, Taichung City

Why go:

• A midpoint refueling stop on Taichung’s intermediate mountain routes
• Sweeping views wrapped in mountain mist
• Typically the 75–80 km mark on the “Taiping–Toupianken–Wufeng” route

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Southern Taiwan

9. Meinong Hakka Cafe Cluster (Meinong, Kaohsiung)

Location: Meinong District, Kaohsiung City (around the Hakka Cultural Park)

Why go:

• A rest stop on the Kaoping mountain routes (Liugui, Maolin, Meinong)
• A blend of Hakka cuisine (ban tiao noodles, ginger pork intestine) and coffee
• Best cycled from September to March, the golden season in this region

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10. Xuhai Hot Spring Cafe (Manzhou, Pingtung)

Location: Xuhai, Manzhou Township, Pingtung County

Why go:

• A refueling stop for the Along Ancient Trail and South-Link route
• Unbeatable Pacific Ocean views, hot springs, and coffee all in one
• An essential stop on the southeastern leg of any round-island ride

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The Essence of Cycling Cafe Culture

Why Are These Places More Than Just Cafes?

1. Community bonding: Each cycling cafe functions as a local riders’ “guild,” a fixed weekend gathering point

2. Information exchange: Route planning, gear reviews, race news — more gets discussed over a coffee table here than on any online forum

3. Low-pressure socializing: For beginner riders, walking into one of these cafes feels far less intimidating than joining a “formal” cycling team

4. Extended retail: Many of these shops also sell jerseys, water bottles, and small accessories, functioning as an extension of the local bike shop

Rider Etiquette: 5 Unwritten Rules for Visiting a Cycling Cafe

1. Watch your footing in cleats (some shops provide floor mats)
2. Park your bike outside if there’s a rack (don’t wheel it inside unless the shop invites you to)
3. Don’t nurse a single Americano for two hours (support the shop with real purchases)
4. Keep conversations at a reasonable volume (not every other customer is a cyclist)
5. Bus your own cup when you leave (most cycling cafes are small businesses, and the owner is often a rider too)

Taiwan’s Next Wave: Membership-Based Cycling Cafes?

In Europe, places like Rapha Clubhouse operate on a membership model, offering members Coffee Rides, professional fittings, and gear discounts. Taiwan hasn’t scaled this up yet, but SeedDown Please Cafe already has a similar concept in place with its basement member fitting studio.

Over the next 3–5 years, we may see more “bike shop + cafe + membership community” hybrid spaces emerge in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung.

Conclusion: Cycling Can Be a Lifestyle Too

Cycling isn’t only about competition or fitness — it’s also a lifestyle. A good cup of coffee, a cafe with real character, and a group of like-minded riders: these are what make cycling sustainable and, ultimately, fun.

Next time you’re planning a route, consider making “which cafe to visit” your destination, rather than “how far, how much climbing” your only goal.

Slow down, and greet every weekend morning with the aroma of coffee.

Related Reading

• Cycling Cafe Culture: 10 of Taiwan’s Most Worthwhile Bike-Friendly Cafes to Visit
• Chasing Coffee on Two Wheels in Taiwan: The Perfect Route Combining Cycling and Coffee Culture
• Cycling Cafe Culture: Bike-Friendly Cafe Routes Across Taiwan
• Taipei’s Cycling Cafe Culture: Riders’ Secret Bases and Energy Refueling Stops