Spent 2 weeks here with the primary goal of visiting my younger sister, who was living in Taipei for the whole summer. Most of our time was spent around the green line (MRT), so there are a lot of neighborhoods I didn't get to explore but will do so next time.
Public transit is amazing in Taipei — you can use Google Maps and the instructions will be really clear for which color line to take, which exit to leave the station from, etc. If you don't want to take public transit, Uber is pretty popular in Taipei.
Stayed in Ximen area and really loved it — hotel and Airbnb options are plentiful, inexpensive, modern, and super close to lots of restaurants/gift shops/clothing shops, as well as the Ximen MRT station.
You will need cash for a lot of spots — ATMs are very accessible, you can usually find them in FamilyMarts or 7-11s.
Green & blue MRT lines
Shopping & Entertainment
MuMu Nail
The owner, Tina, is so nice — highly recommend for mani/pedi
POYA
Great for cosmetics, gifts, etc.
Green & yellow MRT lines
Restaurants & Cafes
Cafe Macho
Great coffee shop recommended by a local friend
Mr. Tree
Highly recommend if you have kids, owned by a friend
Green MRT line
Shopping
Fembooks
Amazing bookstore with an impressive English-language section
Green & red MRT lines
Restaurants & Shopping
PAR STORE
Love this store that my sister took me to
Red & yellow MRT lines
Shopping
LAI HAO
Cute gift store right next to the tea shop
Restaurants & Cafes
Pan's Cake
My sister's favorite pineapple cake — the ones with egg yolk inside are amazing
Sunny Hills
My favorite pineapple cake — they give you a complimentary cake and tea in-store
Huge shoutout to my sister and my friends Eddie, Sabrina, Lisha, and Ashley for their recs. Didn't have time to hit everything so will need to go back soon!