A relatively new addition to the neighborhood that surrounds Yongkang Street (永康街) in Taipei, Caffe Libero (咖啡小自由) has become one of the hottest hangout spots in the capital, and for good reason. Renovated from a 40-year-old mansion, the establishment attempts to revive the building’s past glory by keeping its original Taiwan zelkova flooring, marble walls and engraved wood door and spicing up the space with vintage furnishing and embellishments.
The 50-ping (one ping equals 3.3m2) Caffe Libero is divided into three sections. Visitors will first be greeted by a cafe that offers a solid selection of brews made from an old manual, lever-operated espresso machine. House specialties include hot coffee with whisky (NT$250), iced coffee with Prucia plum liqueur (NT$250) and espresso corretto (NT$230).
The lounge in the back serves a variety of whiskeys from Japan and Scotland priced between NT$280 and NT$1,200 per glass. Located between the cafe and whiskey lounge, Le Petit Patissier (chefleslie.pixnet.net/blog) is a bakery within Caffe Libero that boasts a pleasing selection of pastries and sweets.
Caffe Libero is located at 1, Ln 243, Jinhua St, Taipei City (台北市金華街243巷1號). Tel: (02) 2356-7129. Shop opens Monday to Saturday from noon to midnight and Sunday from noon to 6pm.
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