Southern European flavors in Taipei's eastern district
Mediterranean comforts just a few minutes' walk from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station
If you’re after something a little different from typical Taiwanese food, Taipei’s eastern district has a few great Southern European food options. Whether it’s pasta, tapas, or a seafood rice dish, these restaurants all offer quality dishes, good wine, and a relaxed pace.
This Is Taipei visited three restaurants — Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese — that are all within walking distance of Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station and are well worth a visit when you're in the mood for a slower Mediterranean dining experience.
#1: PS Tapas
A taste of Spain in a Taipei alley
PS Tapas offers a range of Spanish dishes to Taipei’s east side. With its brick walls, open kitchen, and warm amber lighting, the place has an easygoing feel, and it tends to fill up fast.
When This Is Taipei visited on a Saturday afternoon, the place was packed, so we recommend making a reservation.
The menu encourages sharing, and dishes come out when ready. Our highlights included the grilled octopus (NT$300) and the albondigas, or meatballs (NT$280) — both rich in flavor without being heavy. We couldn't resist the sangria (NT$780 per jug), which was refreshing and strong. We recommend going with the red wine option.
Six dishes between two people turned out to be slightly too much, though the staff did warn us. Prices aren’t low: Our bill came to around NT$3,000, but it felt good value for the variety we enjoyed.
Dining at PS Tapas is easygoing and unhurried. The Taiwanese owner was inspired by the relaxed style of dining he witnessed while traveling in Spain and recreated the experience in Taipei.
PS Tapas is open daily from noon to 4 PM for lunch and from 5 PM until 10 PM for dinner. On Fridays and Saturdays, the restaurant stays open until midnight. It's a few minutes from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station Exit 3.
#2: Casanova Osteria con Bar
Northern Italian fare with an unpretentious atmosphere
Casanova is a relaxed, family-run restaurant serving northern Italian classics. The setting is warm, with deep red tablecloths, marble placemats, dim lighting, and walls lined with vintage photos of film stars. It’s a great spot for date nights, small group dinners, or casual drinks at the bar.
When This Is Taipei visited, we started with the house bruschetta (NT$240). Portions at Casanova are on the smaller side, so appetizers are a good idea.
For mains, we ordered the lasagna bolognese (NT$480) and the gnocchi with blue cheese (NT$480). Both were delicious, especially the lasagna, which was surprisingly cheesy. If you have room, the tiramisu (NT$280) is light, creamy, and easy to share.
The staff members were attentive and quick to refill water and offer more drinks. At the end of your meal, you'll be offered a shot of limoncello — and multiple refills if you're lucky.
Once seated, there's no pressure to leave your table — it's basically yours for the night. It's a good idea to make a reservation, even during the week. You can message the restaurant on Facebook in English.
Happy Hour runs daily from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM, with house wine and beer available for NT$90. Sadly, because of work, we missed our fill of cheap drinks, but our bill was still fairly reasonable given we had a fair few beers — NT$2,500 for two.
The restaurant is open from 11 AM to 2:30 PM for lunch and from 5:30 PM to 11 PM for dinner. It's a couple of minutes' walk from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station Exit 4.
#3: Tuga
Intimate corners, abundant seafood, and a wine wall worth checking out
This Is Taipei dropped by Tuga on a rainy weekday evening, and we were immediately taken in by its warm, dimly lit atmosphere. The restaurant is small but cleverly laid out — the space is divided into intimate sections, giving you privacy without cutting you off from the energy of the room.
Lining the walls are more than 400 types of Portuguese wine, each labeled with prices. You can order a bottle with dinner or buy one to take home. In the center of the restaurant, there’s also a small gourmet shop stocked with imported European goods, including Minerva sardines, ceramic salt grinders, and Portuguese gin. Rooster figurines add a playful touch throughout the space.
We started with a jug of sangria (NT$1,000) and a bowl of caldo verde (NT$280), a light but flavorful cabbage soup with chorizo. The squid rings were fresh and generously portioned. Our highlight was the Arroz de Marisco (NT$980) — a seafood rice dish loaded with scallops, clams, mussels, shrimp, and lobster.
The restaurant is relaxed and unpretentious, even though it looks fancy. There were people on dates, groups of friends, and office workers unwinding. We recommend booking ahead as the place was packed during the week.
A word of warning — it's expensive. Definitely expect to spend more than NT$2,000 per person if you're ordering starters, mains, and a drink or two.
The service was friendly, with staff speaking both Chinese and English. Glasses were topped up regularly, and the Portuguese owner was floating around, making sure everybody had what they needed.
Tuga is located a two-minute walk from Zhongxiao Dunhua MRT Station Exit 3 and open daily from 12 PM to 10:30 PM, with last orders at 2 PM for lunch and 9:30 PM for dinner.
