Photo courtesy of 吸泥客 張/Flickr

Jolly Brewery, perhaps the best of Taipei’s draught options, keeps six different brews on tap. Due to local law, the beer isn’t brewed on site (it’s trucked in every day), but the restaurant maintains the feel of a microbrewery with all the shiny copper brewing gear on display. Jolly’s honey ale pairs especially well with the spicy Thai flavors from the restaurant’s menu.

Another local microbrewery, Le Ble d’Or, doesn’t hit the mark quite as well as Jolly, but even their so-so lager, dunkel, and hefe make for a pleasant respite from endless pints of Tiger. The cavernous bar/restaurant tries a bit too hard to mimic an authentic German beer hall and can come across looking a bit cheesy and overworked, and the food is mediocre. Basically, Le Ble d’Or is worth incorporating into a bar rotation for an occasional change of scenery.

With only two microbreweries (so far), Gordon Biersch, the international chain restaurant specializing in craft beer and American bar food, holds a place as one of the best beer options in town. The restaurant pours five varieties of beer and a seasonal draught, and the food here is actually pretty good. Beer lovers looking to replicate the American bar and grill atmosphere will find it at Gordon Biersch.

On a final note, those looking to keep a stash of quality beer at home or in the hotel should give the Smoky Inn Beer Cellar Restaurant a call. They’ll deliver bottles of imported Bavarian beer anywhere in Taipei.

Accommodation is probably the most expensive element in any Taipei vacation, and rooms here are notoriously small. One of the cheapest (actually it’s free!) ways to stay in the city is through Couchsurfing. This worldwide network of travel enthusiasts has over 2,000 members in Taipei alone, Photo courtesy of The Meeting Place/Flickr

and for travelers going solo or in pairs, it’s easy to find a couch or extra bed to sleep on. Many hosts are ready and willing to show their couchsurfers around the city or at least offer recommendations on where to go, what to eat, and how to get around.

For travelers looking for a little more privacy, Taipei has a few clean and comfortable hostels. The Meeting Place has 4, 8, and 12 person dorms with some of the most spacious and well-kept communal areas of any hostel in town. Another cozy choice in the Shida area is the Chocolate Box. In addition to dorm rooms, this place has a few double rooms at affordable prices.

Photo courtesy of Lian Chiang/Flickr

When it comes to eating on a budget, you can’t go wrong with Taipei’s numerous night markets. The lines of food stalls at the Shilin market can satisfy the biggest of appetites for a few US dollars. For other food suggestions based on price, take a look at Hungry Girl’s Guide to Taipei.

In such a large and diverse city, travelers can entertain themselves for days without spending a penny on entrance fees or admission tickets. Taipei is full of free things to do, including pleasant hiking in Yangmingshan National Park or on Elephant Mountain, visits to the city’s many temples, or an afternoon at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial.

Take the world’s fastest elevator to the top of the world’s second tallest building, the Taipei 101, for spectacular views of the city.

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Photo courtesy of Yue Yan Pho/Facebook

Taiwanese- It would be a shame to visit Taipei without sampling some traditional Taiwanese foods, and many locals would agree than Shin Yeh is the place to do it. Steamed pork buns, sweet potato porridge, fried spring rolls, and oyster omelets are standouts at this local eatery.

Japanese- Japanese food lovers will be in heaven in Taipei with so many amazing choices, but Mitsui is probably one of the best. This upscale dining venue doesn’t even have a menu; instead, diners choose the chef’s menu of the day or simply provide a list of things they enjoy to the servers and let the chefs design a custom menu. For sushi, Niu Sushi takes the cake as one of the best in town.

Indian- Even with a half dozen options in town, Saffron is easily the best for Indian food. The couple who owns the restaurant, both from India, took over six months to plan the menu and restaurant layout before opening, and the attention to detail shines through in every bite.

Thai- Thai food is a tough nut to crack, as some prefer the sweeter Americanized versions while others like to keep things authentic. The combination of flavorful, authentic Thai food paired with an ultra-modern atmosphere sets Very Thai ahead of the pack. Come with friends in the evening to sip on cocktails and sample from the a la carte menu.

Vietnamese- There’s nothing quite like a hot bowl of pho on a cold day, but even in the hot Taipei summers Yue Yan Pho has you covered with a France-meets-Vietnam baguette sandwich stuffed with grilled chicken, pickled vegetables, and a creamy sweet sauce.

Korean- Once upon a time, Happy Korean would have easily earned the title of Best Korean food in Taipei, but since the management change a few years back, things just haven’t been the same. While it’s still tough to find a good all-around Korean restaurant, Ari Tofu House does a pretty good job of serving up a traditional Korean comfort food: spicy tofu soup, or sundubu jjigae.

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Yin/Flickr

Mala Yuanyang Hot Pot- Most hot pot restaurants in Taipei are all-you-can-eat, and many are good, but Mala is one of the best due to it’s huge self-serve selection of ingredients, and, of course, its all-you-can-eat Haagen Daaz ice cream.

Jogoya- There are plenty of options when it comes to seafood and Japanese buffets in Taipei, but they don’t get much better than Jogoya. Seemingly endless tables of fresh seafood, sushi, dim sum, hot pot, fruits, and desserts, paired with unlimited drinks, makes this place an excellent value for money.

Ali Baba’s Indian Kitchen- The buffet at Ali Baba’s is only served during lunch on weekends, and it’s well worth the trip. The food is on the milder side, but the offerings are always fresh and flavorful. Drinks are included in the price.

Jen Dow Vegetarian Buffet- At Jen Dow Vegetarian Buffet, diners eat alongside local monks and nuns enjoying the fresh Buddhist vegetarian offerings. A chocolate fountain at the dessert bar is definitely a highlight.

Cafe at Hyatt Taipei- For Western food (especially breakfast), a meal at Cafe at the Hyatt Taipei makes for a special treat. While expensive, the buffet includes treats like a waffle station at breakfast and huge, fresh oysters at lunch and dinner.

Shin Yeh Japanese Buffet- While not quite as good as Jogoya, Shin Yeh’s Japanese Buffet restaurant remains a good value with plenty of fresh, high-quality Japanese food offerings in an elegant setting.

Photo courtesy of 林冠昇/Flickr

1885 Burger Store

The kitschy American decor, blackboard specials, and topping options make 1885 Burger Store one of the best in town. The meat is peppery and flavorful, and each burger comes heaped with toppings. Good options include the blue cheese burger and the BBQ pineapple cheeseburger. Order the daily special to get fries and a bottomless drink free of charge.

Bravo Burger

Bravo Burger, considered by many an expat to be the best in Taipei, is home of the Jumbo Cheeseburger, a monstrosity on a bun. It may well be the only burger joint in Taipei where you need reservations to get a table, and for good reason. The chefs cook the thick, juicy, and well-seasoned patties on the medium side, and topping choices are plentiful. The beverage menu is just as excitement-inducing as the food, with difficult-to-find beverages like Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, and A&W Root Beer flowing.

American Grill in Taiwan

The American Grill in Taiwan isn’t even in Taipei (it’s in nearby Hsinchu), but the burgers are worth the trip up. The gigantic flame-grilled burgers are some of the favorites with Taipei’s expats, and the owner recently added burgers stuffed with ham and blue cheese or mushrooms, onions, and provolone.

California Grill

All-American beef, beer (including root beer), and crispy onion rings are a few of the draws of Taipei’s California Grill. Their signature special, the Mofo burger, comes heaped with bacon, garlic mayo, cheddar cheese, and barbecue sauce. For diners who just can’t decide, the menu includes an option of four mini-burgers, each with a different set of toppings. For the vegetarian traveler, California Grill has the best tofu burger anywhere in the city.

Kiwi Gourmet Burger

Kiwi Gourmet Burger, also known as KGB, serves the most eclectic menu of burgers and has the best variety of vegetarian burgers around. Some of the more unique offerings include the CC Heaven burger, covered in camembert cheese and cranberry sauce, and the Indonesian Satay burger. Each offering comes with beef, chicken, or a vegetarian-friendly walnut lentil patty. The bacon and Gouda cheese fries are the icing on the proverbial cake.