Ask 10 long-term Taipei residents which neighborhood they’d recommend a visiting friend stay in, and at least 7 will say Da’an. The central-southern district is Taipei’s foodie and café heart — anchored by the famous Yongkang Street (recently named the 4th coolest street in the world by Time Out), the city’s largest urban green space at Daan Forest Park, and one of Asia’s deepest concentrations of third-wave coffee shops. The food scene runs from world-class Michelin-starred dining (Logy, ZEA) to the original Din Tai Fung to neighborhood beef noodle shops where the broth has been simmering since 1963. Locals describe Da’an as Taipei’s “real” neighborhood — less hectic than Ximending, less expensive than Xinyi, with a quieter sophistication that reveals itself slowly.
For travelers, Da’an District is one of Taipei’s best neighborhood choices for a full-trip base. The MRT is excellent (Daan, Da’an Park, Dongmen, Xinyi Anhe stations all serve the district). The food scene is the deepest in the city. The cafe culture is rich and ongoing. And the residential streets give a “real Taipei” feel that the more touristy districts can’t match.
This guide covers Da’an District for 2026: what to do, where to eat, where to stay, the famous Yongkang Street, and how to make the most of one of Taipei’s most-loved neighborhoods.
Da’an District at a Glance
- Location: Central-southern Taipei
- Get there: MRT Tamsui-Xinyi (Red) Line to Daan, Da’an Park, or Dongmen Stations
- Best for: Foodies, slow travelers, repeat visitors, foreign residents, café people
- Hotels: NT$2,500–8,000/night, with strong mid-range boutique options
- Time needed: Full day for the district; multiple visits for the food scene
- Iconic spot: Yongkang Street (Time Out’s 4th coolest street in the world)
- Daan Forest Park: The city’s largest urban green space (64 acres)
What Is Da’an District?
The Da’an District (大安區) is one of Taipei’s 12 administrative districts, covering 11.36 square kilometers of central-southern Taipei. It’s the most densely populated district in Taipei, with over 300,000 residents. Major boundaries include Civic Boulevard to the north, Roosevelt Road to the west, and the Xinyi District to the east.
Da’an’s modern identity emerged in the 1980s–2000s as Taipei developed wealthier urban neighborhoods, café culture, and Michelin-starred dining. The district contains multiple universities (National Taiwan University, National Taiwan Normal University, and others), which gives it strong residential energy and a younger demographic than Xinyi or Zhongshan.
Today, Da’an is Taipei’s most-recommended residential and travel neighborhood — quieter than Ximending, more interesting than Xinyi for many travelers, with a uniquely accessible mix of high-end dining, traditional Taiwanese food, design culture, and green space.
How to Get to Da’an District
Multiple MRT stations serve the district:
- Daan Station (Red + Brown Lines): Central Da’an; interchange station.
- Da’an Park Station (Red Line): For Daan Forest Park.
- Dongmen Station (Red + Orange Lines): For Yongkang Street and the southern Da’an / Zhongzheng border.
- Xinyi Anhe Station (Red Line): For southern Da’an and Tonghua Night Market.
- Zhongxiao Dunhua Station (Blue Line): For northern Da’an and East District shopping.
From Taipei Main Station: 5–10 minutes to most Da’an MRT stations.
Top Things to Do in Da’an District
1. Yongkang Street (永康街)
The single most-visited Da’an attraction. Recently named the 4th coolest street in the world by Time Out, Yongkang is the city’s most famous food street — a half-kilometer of restaurants, dessert shops, cafés, and indie boutiques anchored by:
- Din Tai Fung Original Branch: The first Din Tai Fung restaurant from 1972.
- Yong Kang Beef Noodle: The legendary 1963 beef noodle shop.
- Smoothie King: Famous mango shaved ice.
- Tian Jin Scallion Pancake: The street’s most famous casual snack.
- Dozens of cafés, boutiques, and small restaurants.
Best at lunch and afternoon. Get there via Dongmen MRT.
2. Daan Forest Park (大安森林公園)
Taipei’s “Central Park” — 64 acres of trees, ponds, walking paths, an eco-pond with hundreds of birds, exercise areas, and an amphitheater. Open 24 hours; free.
- Best time: Early morning for tai chi and birdwatching; late afternoon for picnic and family scenes.
- Free events: Outdoor concerts (especially in summer); cultural performances.
- Stroller-friendly: Excellent paths and family facilities.
3. The Café Scene
Da’an has Taipei’s best third-wave coffee scene. Notable spots:
- Simple Kaffa: Award-winning specialty coffee.
- Fika Fika Café: Polished modern specialty roaster.
- Café Kuroshio: Cozy local favorite.
- Caffè Libero: Italian-style espresso.
- Roaster Family Coffee: Single-origin focused.
- Saturn Landing Turkish Coffee: Authentic Turkish coffee.
- Youmoutoohana: Garden café with extensive lawns.
- Yaboo: Quiet neighborhood favorite.
Coffee prices NT$150–300 per cup.
4. Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market
The local-favorite night market in southern Da’an. See our dedicated Tonghua guide. NT$300–500 for a full grazing-style dinner.
5. Jian Guo Flower Market
Taipei’s most famous flower market, in northern Da’an. About 8,000 square meters of plant and flower stalls — open Saturday and Sunday 9 AM – 6 PM. Free to wander; beautiful photography. Connected to the Jianguo Jade Market and the surrounding Sunday markets.
6. Fine Dining
Da’an has Taipei’s deepest fine-dining scene:
- Logy: 2 Michelin stars; Tokyo Florilège’s Taipei sister restaurant. Contemporary Asian.
- ZEA: 1 Michelin star; Taiwan’s first South American–focused fine dining.
- Raw: 1 Michelin star; Andre Chiang’s restaurant.
- Tairroir: 1 Michelin star; modern French.
- Mume: 1 Michelin star; contemporary.
- Various others: Many Bib Gourmand–listed casual restaurants.
Reservation typically required weeks ahead.
7. Boutique Shopping
The lanes off Yongkang Street, around Daan MRT, and through the Qingtian and Lishui neighborhoods are dense with indie boutiques — Taiwanese designer brands, vintage stores, ceramic shops, and small design studios.
8. Daan East District (Anhe Road area)
The eastern half of Da’an is also Taipei’s craft cocktail and craft beer hub. Multiple speakeasy-style bars and craft beer taprooms within walking distance.
9. Mucha Tianhou Temple
A smaller Mazu temple in southern Da’an. Worth a quick stop for the architecture.
10. The Universities
NTU campus and NTNU campus are both partially in Da’an. Both are open to the public and pleasant for a daytime walk. NTU especially has architectural and historical interest.
What to Eat in Da’an
The Yongkang Street Loop
- Din Tai Fung (original): Xiao long bao. NT$700–1,000 for two.
- Yong Kang Beef Noodle: Red-braised beef noodle since 1963. NT$200.
- Smoothie King: Mango shaved ice in season. NT$200.
- Tian Jin Scallion Pancake: Crispy scallion pancake. NT$45.
- Lao Sun Beef Noodle (老孫牛肉麵): A quieter beef noodle option.
Beef Noodle Specialists Beyond Yongkang
- Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodle (劉山東): Cited by locals as one of Taipei’s best.
- Halal Chinese Beef Noodle: Quieter alternative.
- Lao Wang Ji (老王記): Old-school Da’an favorite.
Cafes and Brunch
- Simple Kaffa, Fika Fika, Youmoutoohana for specialty coffee
- Various brunch spots on Roosevelt Road area
Casual Lunch
- Set-meal Taiwanese diners (定食): NT$120–180 for a complete lunch.
- Japanese ramen shops: Several quality ramen specialists.
- Vegetarian shops: Da’an has Taipei’s deepest vegetarian scene.
Dinner Options
- Yongkang Street restaurants
- Tonghua Night Market (southern Da’an)
- Michelin-starred fine dining (RAW, Logy, ZEA, etc.)
- Craft beer taprooms with food (Taihu, 23 Public, Jim & Dad’s)
Late Night
- Cocktail bars in the Anhe area
- Late-night noodle shops
- Bubble tea late-night stops
Where to Stay in Da’an
Mid-Range (NT$2,500–5,000/night)
- Hotel Resonance Taipei: Boutique design hotel.
- Amba Da’an: Design-forward boutique.
- Eclat Hotel Taipei: Art-focused boutique.
- Park Taipei Hotel: Near Daan Forest Park.
- Just Sleep Hotel: Mid-budget reliable chain.
Upper Mid-Range (NT$5,000–9,000/night)
- S Hotel: Design-forward boutique.
- Imperial Hotel Taipei: Established mid-luxury.
- The Tango Hotel Da’an: Design chain.
Boutique Options
Many small boutique hotels and serviced apartments throughout Da’an. Especially in the Yongkang Street area and around Daan Forest Park.
Budget
- Star Hostel Da’an: Modern design hostel.
- Various budget chains: Reliable mid-budget options.
Da’an consistently ranks as one of Taipei’s best mid-range hotel neighborhoods.
A Da’an Day Plan
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at a Da’an café (Simple Kaffa or local breakfast shop).
- 10:00 AM: Walk through Daan Forest Park.
- 11:00 AM: Visit Yongkang Street. Browse the indie boutiques.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at Yong Kang Beef Noodles or Din Tai Fung original.
- 2:00 PM: Coffee at Youmoutoohana or Yaboo café.
- 3:30 PM: Walk the Lishui / Qingtian neighborhood (preserved Japanese-era houses).
- 5:00 PM: Tonghua Night Market for early dinner.
- 7:30 PM: Cocktail bar in the Anhe Road area.
- 9:30 PM: Optional: live music at The Wall, Sappho, or Witch House.
Da’an vs. Other Taipei Neighborhoods
Da’an vs. Ximending: Da’an is calmer, more residential, more food-focused. Ximending is louder, more youth-focused, more touristy.
Da’an vs. Xinyi: Da’an is less expensive and less corporate. Xinyi is shinier and more business-oriented.
Da’an vs. Zhongshan: Both are stylish. Zhongshan is design-rich and craft-curated; Da’an is foodie-and-café-rich and slightly more residential.
For a 5+ day Taipei trip, Da’an is the most-recommended neighborhood for travelers wanting a “real” Taipei base.
Tips for Visiting Da’an
Stay multiple nights. Da’an rewards slow exploration. Single-day visits miss the depth.
Eat at lunch. Yongkang Street is calmer at lunch than dinner. Din Tai Fung is calmest 11 AM – noon.
Reserve fine dining weeks ahead. Michelin restaurants book out.
Drop into cafes. Da’an’s café culture rewards drop-in exploration.
Walk the residential streets. The preserved Japanese-era houses, small temples, and indie boutiques on Da’an’s quieter streets are worth wandering.
Use Daan Forest Park as a base. Central to all major Da’an attractions.
Visit Tonghua Night Market for dinner. Local-favorite alternative to bigger markets.
Combine with Xinyi for a full day. Da’an is a 5-minute MRT to Xinyi District.
Related Taipei guides
- Best Luxury Hotels in Taipei: 12 Top Picks
- Best Hostels in Taipei for Backpackers
- Airbnb in Taipei: Is It Legal and Where to Book
- Best Taipei Hotels Near MRT Stations
- Taipei Travel Guide : The Complete Planning Resource
- Taipei Transportation Guide: Getting Around Taipei
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Da’an District in Taipei?
Da’an is one of Taipei’s 12 districts, located in central-southern Taipei. It’s Taipei’s foodie and café neighborhood — home to Yongkang Street (4th coolest street in the world), Daan Forest Park (largest urban green space), and the city’s deepest concentration of third-wave cafés.
Is Da’an a good place to stay in Taipei?
Yes — particularly for mid-range travelers, foodies, and longer trips. Less touristy than Ximending, less expensive than Xinyi, with excellent MRT access and the best café scene in Taipei.
What’s the best food in Da’an?
Yongkang Street is the food heart — Din Tai Fung original, Yong Kang Beef Noodle, Tian Jin Scallion Pancake, Smoothie King mango shaved ice. Plus 5+ Michelin-starred restaurants (Logy, ZEA, RAW, Tairroir, Mume) and dozens of casual options.
How big is Daan Forest Park?
64 acres. The largest urban green space in Taipei. Free, open 24 hours.
How do I get to Yongkang Street?
Take the Taipei MRT Red Line to Dongmen Station, Exit 5 (or Exit 4 for the south side of the street). 7 minutes from Taipei Main Station.
Are there cafes in Da’an?
Yes — Taipei’s best café scene. Simple Kaffa, Fika Fika, Café Kuroshio, Caffè Libero, Roaster Family Coffee, Youmoutoohana, Yaboo, and many more. NT$150–300 per coffee.
Is Da’an expensive?
Mid-range. Hotels NT$2,500–8,000/night. Food: NT$150 for casual; NT$500–1,500 for sit-down; NT$2,500+ for Michelin. Cheaper than Xinyi for hotels; similar food prices to other central districts.
What time does Da’an come alive?
Daytime — Yongkang Street is busiest at lunch (11:30 AM – 2 PM). Cafés peak in afternoon. Tonghua Night Market 7:00–10:00 PM. Cocktail bars 9 PM – 1 AM.
Final Take
Da’an District is the most-recommended Taipei neighborhood for mid-range travelers, foodies, and anyone wanting a “real” Taipei base. The food scene is the city’s deepest. The cafés are some of Asia’s best. Daan Forest Park is the city’s most-used green space. Yongkang Street is recognized as world-class. Visit for at least a half-day; consider staying 2–3 nights for the full experience.
