coffee stopover

Review

Coffee Stopover occupies a two-story detached old house in Lane 217 off Minquan Road in West District, near the Calligraphy Greenway and the Eslite Green Boulevard. The house-roasting café pairs an industrial gray look with big windows and plants, so it is full of daylight. It has been named one of Taiwan's 25 best coffee shops, and some media mention recognition among the world's top 100 cafés; the owner has about a decade of experience teaching coffee.

Beans are roasted in-house from green coffee, from light to dark, and nearly every cup can be ordered with your choice of roast and brew method, mainly pour-over or espresso. The pour-over is extracted in early, middle and late stages for a bright, clean cup; one article notes the acidity stands out while hot and the finish rounds out as it cools. Another draw is eight original drinks blending Taiwanese tea with coffee. A single-origin pour-over is about NT$120 and an 8 oz latte about NT$140, which several articles call excellent value for the quality.

Praise centers on choosing your own beans, thoughtful explanations from staff and fair prices. On the other hand, the ground floor has only bar seating, which feels cramped for long chats, and fans of low acidity may find light roasts too sour. For a fuller, sweeter style, the second shop, Coffee Stopover Black, uses siphon and lever machines and has a record shop downstairs.

The main shop is open 11:00 to 20:00 and closed on Sundays, with a one-drink minimum from about NT$100. The bar lets you watch the baristas up close, and upstairs has a long table, a sofa and a balcony. The second shop on Fulong Street opens 14:00 to 19:00, closes Mondays and Sundays, and takes no reservations.

Ideal for specialty coffee lovers who enjoy talking beans with baristas. First-timers can sit at the bar, order a single-origin pour-over and ask staff to suggest a roast; for something new, try a tea-coffee blend.