SMITH&HSU

33, ZhongXiao E Rd, Sec 5
(02) 2459-5899
Hours:7:30 am-11 pm
Credit cards accepted. No service charge.
MRT: Taipei City Hall Section #4 Exit

An undertone wooden door welcomes customers to a tea tasting house called smith & hsu—the owners expect patrons to come in, relax, and enjoy a slower pace of life. Choose from about 50 teas, each type is specially picked from famous farms and has received reviews from tea critics all over the world. Take a seat on their classic Wishbone chairs and enjoy a nice afternoon tea meal (NT$165) that includes Earl Grey tea and Devonshire clotted cream or jam scones—get a piece of Covent Garden right here in Taiwan. --By Josie Wu, translated by Ann Lee

A. smith & hsu offers light meals all day, like the pictured French Smoked Chicken with Whole Grain Mustard Sandwich (NT$140). A convenient and thoughtful idea for customers is the "free to touch" mug on the left, which prevents burns from hot mug exteriors.
B. The space inside smith & hsu has some unique architecture. The shiny black display cabinets that separate the tea house showcase different packages and flavors of tea, as well as cups, saucers and containers needed for the art of tea-drinking. Peruse the first-edition tea pot set created by an English designer, a seashell stirring spoon, and some posh looking tea jars.