• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Taipei, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Taipei.

Destination

Taipei, Taiwan

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, 中文

Included

• Private guide
• 1 Local snack or drink
• Public transport
• All Withlocals tours are carbon neutral

Excluded

• Entrance tickets

What you can expect

Choose your local

Get to know these 4 passionate locals, each bringing unique perspectives and talents. Choose your favorite, check their availability, and book to create an unforgettable adventure tailored to you.

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with the host of your choice.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at In front of 大叔食事unclefoodday - Taipei to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. City Highlights

   See Bao’an Temple, Maji Market, Songshan Ciyou Temple, and more must-sees of the city. Your local host will take you to the main spots of the city so you can get the perfect overview to what makes Taipei so special

4. Hidden Gems

   long the way, your local host will show you treasures hidden in plain sight that only the locals know about. Get to know the city through a different perspective, the local way, and discover places and stories that not many tourists get to experience

5. Special Treat

   Follow your host to one of their favorite eateries for a snack or a drink beloved by the locals. Take a break and catch up with your new local friend and get the answers to all your travel questions

6. More Things to See

   With more time, you’ll have the chance to enter some of the landmarks and attractions your host has planned for you. Get in touch with the host of your choice to hear more about their plan

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Julien🇫🇷 France

(About local Daphne)

5 May 2025

We did the tour of Taipei with Daphne yesterday. She’s clearly very knowledgeable about Taiwan’s history and culture and brought good energy to the experience. I particularly appreciated her detailed explanations of Taoism—this was one of the highlights of the tour for me. She was also punctual and well-organized. That said, the overall experience didn’t fully meet my expectations. While Daphne’s pride in Taiwan and its identity is understandable and even commendable, some of her political commentary felt a bit out of place. For example, I live in Singapore, and I found her surprise at our electoral system—referring to it as a dictatorship—uncomfortable and misinformed. Another concern was the accuracy of some of the information provided. For instance, when I asked about Taiwan’s energy sources, she stated that the country relies on nuclear power. However, after checking, I found that nuclear accounts for only a small percentage of Taiwan’s electricity generation. Similarly, when I asked if Taiwan was self-sufficient in terms of food, she confidently said, “We produce everything,” which is misleading—Taiwan actually imports about 70% of its food. These inaccuracies made it harder to fully trust the rest of the information shared during the tour. In addition, the tour lacked personalization. I was traveling with our 12-year-old daughter, but the tour didn’t really take her interests or pace into account. For example, we were immediately rushed to the changing of the guards without being asked if we were interested. This kind of one-size-fits-all approach continued throughout the day. In places like the youth district, rather than offering any background or insights, we were simply told that “it’s where young people hang out”. When I asked if there were additional places to explore beyond the scheduled stops, I was surprised to hear that we had pretty much seen everything. I would have expected a local to offer more suggestions or help us discover less obvious parts of the city. She had absolutely no additional recommendations to offer. While Daphne certainly has the knowledge to take people around, I felt that the tour lacked a sense of care and hospitality. It felt more like a checklist than a curated experience. For me, a guide not only informs but also makes guests feel welcomed and engaged. Unfortunately, I didn’t quite feel that connection on this tour. Some issues to improve upon

Jasmin Marilyn🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Garen)

28 March 2025

I had a great half day tour with garen! The communication before our meet up was easy and she showed me around places, I wouldnt have managed to see them on my own!! The food was great too! Garen speaks really good english and is super kind! So happy that i did that tour-thank you again garen!!Great experience

Gregor🇨🇭 Switzerland

(About local Eva)

27 March 2025

Thank you, Eva, for an amazing tour, showing us so many things in Taipei, both the highlights, as well as some hidden gems. Highly recommend! Best, G.Amazing tour

Conny🇦🇹 Austria

(About local Garen)

1 February 2025

We had a truly wonderful tour with Garen - not only did we learn a lot, we also had a great time! Travelling with Garen felt like travelling with a friend. Highly recommend! :-)A truly wonderful time!

Jared🇦🇺 Australia

(About local Garen)

2 June 2025

This was an excellent way to start our week in Taipei - by getting an insight into the local food and culture. Garen was a wonderful host who introduced us to lots of delicious food as we walked the streets of Taipei. She was very knowledgeable and we appreciated her honest personal reflections thought-out the evening. The food and drink offerings were super tasty. There wasn't anything we weren't prepared to try or found we didn't like. And best of all was the relationships that Garen has developed with all the restaurant owners, which allowed for seamless ordering, and no standing in long queues. I absolutely recommend booking with Garen. Great way to start the holiday

Harley🇫🇷 France

(About local Garen)

31 May 2025

I recently took a tour in Taipei with my mother, and our guide Garen was absolutely fantastic! She was full of energy from start to finish and kept us engaged and informed throughout the entire experience without ever losing pace. What impressed me most was how adaptable and quick-thinking Garen was - she adjusted to our interests and pace. Her knowledge of Taiwanese culture and history gave us insightful understanding that we never would have gained on our own. Garen was incredibly kind and patient with us, making the experience enjoyable and stress-free. If you're looking for a local guide who can give you the real flavour of Taipei, I would highly recommend her without hesitation. This tour made our trip truly memorable! Thank you Garen :-) Wonderful tour with Garen

Maria

(About local Garen)

22 May 2025

I spent over 5 hours with Garen combining a food tour with historic treasures of Taipei. It was outstanding!!! We visited a local market. Everything what Garen recommended me to try was very tasty. Garen is very knowledgeable and well articulated. I really enjoyed our conversations about local food, culture, traditions and history. Highly recommended!!!Excellent brunch with variety of food

Marlin🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

21 May 2025

Food and Nigh Market: Fun and Interesting Garen was a wonderful tour guide. We did both “The 10 Tastings of Taipei: Street Food” and “A Magical Evening in Taipei: City Tour” back-to-back with Garen. She took us to some real nice places for our food tastings and while walking between places to eat, she shared a lot of interesting stories and facts about Taiwan. We followed that with an evening at the Night Market which was very fascinating with all kinds of food and things to look at and enjoy. Overall, the food tastings and the night market were fun and interesting at the same time, and we really enjoyed both tours. Food and Nigh Market: Fun and Interesting

Marlin🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

21 May 2025

Garen was a wonderful tour guide. We did both “The 10 Tastings of Taipei: Street Food” and “A Magical Evening in Taipei: City Tour” back-to-back with Garen. She took us to some real nice places for our food tastings and while walking between places to eat, she shared a lot of interesting stories and facts about Taiwan. We followed that with an evening at the Night Market which was very fascinating with all kinds of food and things to look at and enjoy. Overall, the food tastings and the night market were fun and interesting at the same time, and we really enjoyed both tours. Food and Nigh Market: Fun and Interesting

Bianca

(About local Garen)

18 May 2025

What a great evening! We were 2 couples and booked the food tour on our first evening in Taipei. This was mainly to get to know the Taiwanese kitchen. The meeting with Garen was very friendly. She is a nice storyteller and takes you along in her enthusiasm. We tasted delicious dishes and were pleasantly surprised by the great flavors. At the end of the evening we had tasted various dishes and of course the bubble tea could not be missed! Garen thank you for the fun, interesting but above all culinary evening!Foodtour with Garen in Taipei

Kya🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Nicolas)

15 May 2025

A great experience walking around Taipei trying traditional foods and learning about the history and culture. Nicolas was very accommodating to our dietary requirements and tailored the tour well to our interests! Would definitely recommend to anyone visiting Taipei Lovely tour with Nicolas

June Alfheim🇳🇴 Norway

(About local Daphne)

15 May 2025

We booked the day trip tour to Pingxi, Jiufen etc. with Daphne, but she unfortunately couldn't make it. She made arrangements for her colleague Carmelo to bring us so we could still do the tour, which was ok. He took us to all the places we wanted to see, and it was really beautiful. We even got some water and snacks for free, and it was nice to have a private driver who knew where to go. We missed a little more information along the way about where we were going and the history etc. about the places, but it was a good experience all in all.Great places to see

June Alfheim🇳🇴 Norway

(About local Garen)

15 May 2025

We had two great tours with Garen, the sightseeing tour and food tour. Communication was good from start to finish, and she had lots of information about the Taiwanese culture. It was almost too much information to process. We really liked the places she took us to, and felt we got to see a lot and keep a relaxing pace at the same time. She even gave us recommendations for lunch where the tour finished, and it was one of the best things we ate on our trip. Very informative tour

June Alfheim🇳🇴 Norway

(About local Garen)

15 May 2025

We had a great food tour with Garen. Communication was good from start to finish, and she had lots of information about the Taiwanese food and culture. We got to taste a lot of things, and everything was delicious and different. This tour was definitely good value for money!Delicious from start to finish

Garrett

(About local Garen)

14 May 2025

Had a wonderful time with Garen! She’s super friendly and fun, and full of energy and enthusiasm for all things Taiwan! We gained an incredibly strong understanding of Taiwanese culture and history and of course ate a LOT of amazingly delicious foods! The perfect introduction to our time in Taiwan! Don’t miss out!

Rosanne🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

12 May 2025

Geren was an EXCELLENT Tour Guide. She is a true Pro, Everyone knew her at the various food stalls and it was clear that she and the vendors had a mutual respect for each other. She took us to experience some of the best cuisine we had in Taiwan. Do not miss the Taiwanese burritos or the Scallion Pancakes. She was also jam packed with information on Taiwanese History, Culture and Politics. She is super organized and prepared. This was for sure a highlight of our Taiwan vacation. I highly recommend her as guideTaiwan Food & Cultural Tour

Nicole🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

12 May 2025

My husband and I enjoyed our day with Garen exploring some areas of Taipei I had not visited before. She introduced us to some fruits of Taiwan which was fun. It’s great to try things we cannot readily get at home. I really appreciated the little tips she added throughout our day like identifying local versus imported goods and how to order at a restaurant. Made the rest of our trip so much easier to navigate. We added a historical element to our tour also and enjoyed our discussions about Taiwan history. Garen curates very thoughtful tours. Try to book her on your first day. It will be an excellent start to your trip in Taiwan. Oh! If you love ginger ask her to take you to the ginger store for all essential oil ginger products. Favorite thing I brought home.Terrific First Day Experience

Dalia🇫🇷 France

(About local Eva)

8 May 2025

It was a real pleasure to spend a few hours with Eva. As requested, she showed us a corner of real, everyday life in Taipei, and kept answering hundreds of our questions :) We are very grateful Eva, all the best to you!What a nice morning!

Annabel🇨🇳 China

(About local Garen)

6 May 2025

Garen was an absolute gem!! She made this one of the best tours I’ve ever done. We were a group of five girls in their 20’s and she made everything so fun and engaging. We got so much history and culture and tons of great food. Highly recommend!! A great tour and an even better guide

Jim/Mio🇺🇸 United States

(About local Nicolas)

4 May 2025

Nicolas was great in everything. I would recommend him to anyone. Excellent!!!!

dbchbzx2dz

(About local Garen)

2 May 2025

Garen’s passion for Taiwan, the food and the culture shone through from the moment we met. We were expertly guided through all that makes the food here so spectacular. Garen shared insights into the history and culture which gave us a much deeper appreciation for what we were eating. It was so hard to pick a favourite food stop as each location had something special. Her relationship with the proprietors was clearly one she had nurtured and they in kind treated us so warmly. Garen also provided very clear meeting instructions with easy communication in advance. I’d recommend doing this tour at the start of your trip so you can return to some of your favourite places for seconds!A wonderful taste of Taipei

Melanie🇺🇸 United States

(About local Daphne)

29 April 2025

We spent a wonderful day with Daphne. She was friendly, helpful, and right on time. Despite the rain she and her driver kept us on schedule and we didn’t miss anything. We really enjoyed learning about the history and culture chile sipping tea and launching our lantern. Thank you for a memorable adventure. Taipei travel

Unknown

(About local Garen)

28 April 2025

Food is as important an expression of culture, society, history, and politics as it is "mere" taste. Especially in a place like Taipei, all these competing influences can become touchy topics. We really appreciated how Garen treated food as a way to approach broader topics of the past, present, and future of Taiwan. The restaurants and dishes she introduced us to also happened to be delicious. Truly, Garen's tour is a perfect meal: the right balance of heavy and light, sugar and spice. Go Garen!

Lisa🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

28 April 2025

Garen was a pro! Thoroughly enjoyed learning about Taiwanese cuisine and culture from someone so candid and passionate. She shared her reasonings for why she picked each stop on the tour, and it felt very well thought out and intentional. We hope to return to this special city soon. <3

Marisol🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

27 April 2025

We came to this evening tour with varying levels of knowledge of Taiwanese history and culture. Our wonderful guide Garen helped us level set, first providing a general history of the country, city and the neighborhood we were in. We got to visit the temple around which the night market grew, then plunged into the market itself. Garen showed us the ropes and helped us find what we were interested in and some surprises too! She was also very caring and helpful with a senior member of our group, for which we were very grateful. A fantastic experience. Thanks, Garen!Wonderful tour with Garen!

Jim

(About local Garen)

24 April 2025

Melanie and I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with Garen. We tasted many delicious food and drink selected by Garen. Her choices were varied and very enjoyable. We also learned about Taiwan’s history from Garen and she was very knowledgeable. We highly recommend Garen as a guide as her personality is engaging and very friendly.Great afternoon with Garen - Food Tour

Kyle🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

22 April 2025

I loved the tour with Garen! She was super knowledgeable and not only taught me about all the great food taiwan has to offer but some of the more cultural and historical aspects as well!Fun Food Tour

Unknown

(About local Garen)

16 April 2025

Garen was the best so make sure you book this tour! She not only gave us a food tour of many different and delicious foods, drinks, and desserts, but she gave us so many history nougats. She knows Taiwan's history and the history of Taipei and was more than willing to share it while answering many of our questions. When we go back, we will book another tour with her again.It's a must-have tour while in Taipei

rob🇨🇦 Canada

(About local Garen)

14 April 2025

Garen provided us with a magnificent evening. She was so kind, knowledgeable and full of energy. Everything was first class. Delicious and really fun

Mike🇲🇾 Malaysia

(About local Daphne)

14 April 2025

Daphne guided us around Taipei for three-plus hours and the time flew by. She took us to several spots we would not have found on our own. Daphne was personable, engaging, informative, and insightful. She gave restaurant and bar suggestions, and talked about Taiwanese history, religion, and culture. As a bonus, we lucked out on the day of the tour, as it was just my wife and me, so this turned out to be a private tour. Highly recommended.Great tour and guide!

cc4jx9szcb

(About local Nicolas)

14 April 2025

We booked the Pingxi, Shifen & Jiufen Day Trip experience with Nicolas. We saw some beautiful spots on the tour and painted our own lantern, Nicolas took us to a great spot for lunch which must have beautiful views when it is not raining. Due to the wheater we wanted to change the plan so Nicolas suggested a tea tasting at his favourite teashop which was great and a very unique experience. Driving with Nicolas was very safe and conversation is easy. We can definitely recommend this tour, thank you Nicolas!Great day despite the rain

Ben🇺🇸 United States

(About local Daphne)

13 April 2025

Excellent tour. Particularly enjoyed the experience of setting the lanterns aloft … with our wishes! Would certainly recommend this tour!Excellent Tour

Ben🇺🇸 United States

(About local Eva)

12 April 2025

My wife and I have traveled to more than 70 countries and have taken countless tours. The night market and temple experience with Eva was absolutely fantastic! She was so warm and personable, knowledgeable about Taipei, snd introduced us to so many local foods. She told us a little about each dish before she ordered it. If the dish didn’t seem interesting, she always offered alternatives. Try to book Eva. You will be very pleased!Super Guide!

Jose🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

11 April 2025

Garen was a fantastic food tour guide! Super friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun and delicious. Highly recommend her if you're in Taipei!Garen was a fantastic food tour guide!

Lorna🇬🇧 United Kingdom

(About local Nicolas)

10 April 2025

We had the pleasure of spending the day with Nicolas as our guide, and it was truly a highlight of our trip to Taiwan. From the moment we met, Nicolas impressed us with his deep knowledge of Taiwanese history and culture, which he shared with humour, insight, and genuine passion. Travelling with a teenager can sometimes be tricky, but Nicolas was incredibly accommodating and made sure everyone felt included and engaged throughout the day. He took us on a fantastic tour of Shifen and Jiufen - where we marvelled at waterfalls, released sky lanterns, explored beautiful temples, tasted delicious traditional dishes, and admired the coastal views. The day ended on a magical note with a serene and elegant tea ritual, hosted by Nicholas’s gracious friend. It was such a special experience - an unexpected highlight that will stay with us for a long time. We can’t recommend Nicolas highly enough. His warmth, humour, and thoughtfulness made this more than just a tour - it was a truly memorable cultural experience.Highlight of our trip

Emily🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Daphne)

7 April 2025

We had a wonderful time touring with Daphne. We loved all the sights she showed us, but really enjoyed listening to her share all her knowledge and stories. She was great with our kids - even perfectly timing a bubble tea stop when our youngest got a little antsy. Her passion is evident. We highly recommend Daphne! Amazing Tour

Emily🇸🇬 Singapore

(About local Garen)

7 April 2025

Garen was an absolute delight—one of the best tour guides we’ve ever had. Her passion for food and Taiwan shines through. While we loved sampling all the delicious dishes, it was Garen’s storytelling and the rich insights she effortlessly wove into the experience that left a lasting impression. Don’t miss your chance to tour with her! Garen is Great!

Iliana🇧🇬 Bulgaria

(About local Garen)

4 April 2025

I had an amazing time with Garen! She is very knowledgeable and very sincere and I enjoyed talking to her about Taipei's history and her own personal take on world events. She showed me places that I wouldn't have visited by myself and took amazing pictures of me. She also helped me buy some medicine for my husband. If you have a chance, book a tour with Garen, you won't regret it.Fun day in Taipei

cc4jx9szcb

(About local Garen)

2 April 2025

The tour with Garen was a wonderful introduction into taiwanese eating habits. We tried a great variety of food and Garen knew all the history about it. Apart from that Garen gave us a lot of information about the city, people and life in Taipei - one could tell she does her job passionately. We can highly recommend this tour!Great start

Nanette🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

1 April 2025

Garen is a perfect guide. She had great energy, was super nice and knew her stuff. More importantly she made history interesting and fun with all her great stories. We couldn't have asked for a better guide. I would highly recommend Garen!!Best Guide Ever

Frank🇳🇱 Netherlands

(About local Garen)

30 March 2025

Garen told us a lot about the Ciyoutempel 松山慈祐宮. That made the visit even more spectacular. After that we walked over the Raohe Street Night Market 饒河街觀光夜市, where we tasted a bit of the food, and she told us a lot of good to know information about the different types of food available on the night market.Good experience! Enjoyed the trip

Unknown

(About local Garen)

30 March 2025

We had a wonderful time. Garen was so knowledgeable about Taiwan’s food, people, and history. We booked this tour for our first full day in the country, and Garen provided many helpful tips and tricks to help us find our way around and to locate the best and freshest food options during the rest of our trip. We would highly recommend her tours to anyone looking to learn more.Great Tour!

Unknown

(About local Garen)

29 March 2025

We loved Garen’s food tour! Not only did we get to try unique and delicious foods, but she shared their histories as well as more context about the culture and country. Would recommend!Great tour

Farah

(About local Garen)

27 March 2025

"I recently went on a private food tour with Garen, and it was amazing. She was friendly, spoke excellent English, and made the experience unforgettable. Not only did she introduce me to some incredibly tasty local dishes, but she also shared fascinating insights about Taiwanese history and culture. Garen provided helpful tips that you wouldn't normally know unless you were a local. I highly recommend her for anyone looking to explore Taiwan through its food and heritage!"

cecile🇭🇰 Hong Kong

(About local Garen)

27 March 2025

My husband and I had the most incredible private food tour with Garen in Taipei last November. From start to finish, the experience was seamless, well-organized, and truly special. We had requested a tailor-made tour, wanting to go off the beaten path since we’ve been in Asia for over a decade and were eager to discover something new about Taiwanese culture and cuisine. Garen was fantastic in her communication and planning, ensuring that every stop introduced us to authentic, regional Taiwanese dishes. She always checked in with us to make sure we were comfortable and was incredibly easy to talk to, making the experience even more enjoyable. Beyond just food, Garen added a cultural depth to our tour by stopping at temples along the way, where she explained the significance of different gods and offerings. Her knowledge and insights made these visits truly enriching. One of the highlights was when I asked her about purchasing high-quality green tea. Even though our tour had officially ended, she took us to a family-run tea shop where the owners cultivate their own tea. She stayed with us through the tasting, translating our conversation with the tea expert, ensuring we had the best experience. This extra effort meant so much, especially as this tour was part of my husband’s birthday celebration. Garen is not only knowledgeable and passionate but also incredibly thoughtful and easygoing. She went above and beyond to make this tour unforgettable, and we couldn’t be more grateful. If you’re looking for an authentic, insightful, and delicious food experience in Taipei, we wholeheartedly recommend Garen!Unforgettable Private Food Tour with Garen

Unknown

(About local Garen)

25 March 2025

Garen provides an amazing experience with native food tastings as well as in depth historical background. She speaks fluent English as well as Chinese. My husband speaks Mandarin/cantonese while I require English so Garen switched easily between languages. During the tour, we can see her love of native foods and warm relationships with local vendors. Some of the tips that she teaches us are not found in any guidebook. Garen also customized tastings to our preferences so I found the entire tour to be enjoyable. If you truly want an in depth local guide to Taipei, you should sign up with Garen. Excellent food tour

9kpbtx5jjw

(About local Garen)

23 March 2025

This was our first ever food tour and we loved it. Garen took us around a neighborhood that was interesting both for its food options and for its overall vibe. She picked great things to eat, and she supplemented that with interesting background on not just the food, but Taiwan culture and society. Strongly recommend!!Great food tour

Unknown

(About local Garen)

20 March 2025

Garen was a great guide for us. Our interests were both on historical insights and the cuisine of Taiwan. Garen shared the historical evolution of Taiwan thru the lens of the ancient Temple rituals. She explained the economic evolution up thru today as seen in the Market & Factory changes as different occupants ruled the island. We loved walking through the old town food markets and seeing the generational families at work in the markets. Garen speaks exceptionally clear American English. She is interesting and has a Radiant exuberant personality. She is ideal for anyone wishing to know the real Taiwan!Beyond expectations

jtc331

(About local Garen)

20 March 2025

We booked the food tour with Garen for our group with 3 adults and 5 kids (ages 9 down to an infant). Garen did a great job interacting with the kids and keeping them interested as well. We enjoyed the food choices, and the route was well planned (starting at a MRT stop and ending only a couple of blocks from the same stop for convenience). All of this was extra impressive because we ended up with pouring rain on a good bit of the tour, but Garen did well despite that.Fantastic host with our kids

Danielle 🇺🇸 United States

(About local Garen)

19 March 2025

We were led around by Garen and she did a wonderful job of showing her city and country and giving us a true taste of the local food. We never would have had that experience on our own. In addition she explained the political history of her country as well as current info like the receipts lottery. Highly recommend!! A great intriduction to Tapai