Trendy cafes near Daan Forest Park
Avoid the chains... these three independent cafes all serve great coffee
Taiwan’s love for coffee has taken off in recent years, with indie cafes popping up all over Taipei. And if you’re strolling through Daan Forest Park — a major park in the city — there’s a good chance you’ll be wanting a chill place to cool off, warm up, or wait out a surprise rain shower.
From a leafy garden to a quiet spot for work, here are three cafes within a 10-minute walk of the park, each offering a different experience.
#1: 2J
Coffee, cocktails, and Korean bites in a leafy loft-like space
Just steps from the park, 2J Cafe is a stylish spot that’s great for dates, catching up with friends, drinks before a night out, or getting some work done. The minimalist, Korean-inspired design gives it a modern yet relaxed feel.
Downstairs is cute — it's cozy, lively, and dimly lit. For those wanting to study, we recommend heading upstairs, where there's more space and better lighting. Or, if the weather is nice, head outside. The leafy patio, strung with fairy lights and surrounded by trees and plants, feels like a secret garden. It's also a popular selfie spot, so expect a few cameras around.
Ordering is simple — just head to the counter on the first floor when you're ready. When This Is Taipei visited in November 2025, everyone spoke to us in Chinese, but the menu is bilingual, so communication shouldn't be an issue. Water and utensils are self-serve.
The menu at 2J is great — essentially good coffee, comfort food with a Korean twist, and a small selection of alcohol. If you’re hungry, This Is Taipei recommends the Korean Bulgogi Quesadilla (NT$210). The scones (NT$120) also really hit the spot.
Lattes start at NT$170, glasses of wine from NT$220, and cocktails from NT$230.
2J is open daily between 10 AM and 10 PM and is a five-minute walk from Daan Forest Park MRT Station.
#2: Pan's Haunt
Likely one of the most passive-aggressive joints in Taipei (but we love it)
Pan's Haunt is a "quiet work cafe," meaning you cannot utter a word inside. And even if it were allowed, you wouldn't dare. You can't even pull the language card: Everyone here speaks English.
When This Is Taipei visited on a Friday evening in December 2025, we were bombarded with a list of rules: Don't talk. Don't pet the cats. Order customizations are not allowed. We've run out of oat milk. You may only be away from your seat for 15 minutes. Do not snog the person sitting next to you. The list goes on. That said, it was a good place to lock in and get work done.
We opted for Baileys Chocolate drinks (NT$200), but for those in need of caffeine, coffees start from NT$150. We were also starving, so we ordered a portion of dumplings (NT$170). The chicken panini (NT$180) was okay.
Pan's Haunt is open every day between 1 PM and 9 PM and is a five-minute walk from Technology Building MRT Station. For those of you wanting to get a solid few hours of work done, we recommend checking it out.
#3: The Quiet Light
A peaceful place to hang out
The Quiet Light is a quaint little cafe around a five-minute walk from Daan Forest Park. As soon as you step inside, the lighting, slow pace, and chill music will likely make you feel relaxed.
As the name suggests, this cafe is quiet and mainly filled with people journaling, chatting quietly, or chilling. Note — the tables are quite close together.
The coffee is tasty. The Sicilian Iced Coffee (NT$145) — a mix of espresso, lemon juice, and sugar — was refreshing.
As well as some light bites, including toast, sandwiches, and salads, there are daily specials written on a board, mainly cakes, scones, and puddings.
The Quiet Light is open from 7:30 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday and from 9 AM until 5 PM at weekends. It's a five-minute walk from Technology Building MRT Station or 10 minutes from Daan or Daan Forest Park MRT stations.
In conclusion...
These three cafes are all solid picks if you’re looking for good coffee and a bit of character near Daan Park.
