A Guide to Hualien's Coffee Shop Scene

I remember the minute I stepped off the train from Taipei. I felt defeated — the weather had canceled my plans for the day. Discovering Hualien’s coffee shop scene was never part of the plan, and in fact, it was a complete surprise. Maybe others knew about it, but I surely didn’t. What I found was a welcomed surprise and one that turned the day around in a flash.

But more about those moments of getting off the train… I had stored my bags and started to walk a few blocks near the train station. I was hungry and my maps weren’t working, and after two attempts at asking someone for directions, I gave up. I made the cardinal sin of travel — I settled for McDonalds. I held my head low, called my husband, and ranted about how this day was a bust. I was without a plan, something I avoid at all costs when traveling. Admittedly, I threw myself a pity party for one.

I decided to head over to the hotel to drop my bags off and restart. I scrolled the maps once I got service, and decided I’d do what I would at home — walk the streets. I had saved one cafe that looked decent, and sure enough, walking in that direction was the best thing I could have done.

What I found that afternoon was a bustling coffee scene, with these incredible spaces and killer coffee. The first one I stumbled upon was Soave Plan and I nearly had tears rolling down my face when I found it — the owner surely thought I was delirious. I don’t know if it was because it reminded me of home, or the Japanese-inspired space reminded me of my travels from the month before, but it felt familiar. I settled into my seat with a warm latte and felt rejuvenated — weird to think a proper coffee can do this. As the day continued, I found many more cafes, beautiful boutiques hidden in alleys, and a center dedicated to creatives. Hualien was full of surprises.

Lesson learned? Weather should never get you down and a pity party will get you nowhere when traveling. This is what travel is about — being pleasantly surprised when you least expect it. Taiwan knew how to do this and in a way I never expected. A huge thank you to each one of the coffee shop owners I met in Hualien, your welcome and kindness meant the world.