Royal England Tea House 486, WenXin Road, sec. 4 (04) 2237-1899 Hours: 10 am-12 midnight

ADD YOUR RATING & REVIEW | VIEW VISITSR RATINGS & REVIEWS

By Ivy Shih Translated by Cara Steenstra

Tea drinking is not just about drinking tea. It involves all five senses: the music one hears, the room temperature that touches one's skin, the decorations that one sees, the fragrance that one smells, and the flavors that one tastes are all a part of the tea drinking process. There are very few places that provide all this left in Taichung so, when I discovered this English-style tea house on the busy WenXin Road, it immediately stood out in the crowd. The shop is decorated in English country style and, upon entering, one is greeted by the owner's sweet smile and the lovely fragrance of tea. The atmosphere wins you over in a few seconds. The second floor is spacious with lovely decorations all related to either music or English tea. From tea sets, wall hangings, clocks and decorations to tables and chairs, everything is beautiful without appearing tacky. Combined with music specially selected by the owner, it fills one with eager anticipation to discover just how special the tea and food are!

Since this is an English-style teahouse, let's start with tea! Single-blend teas here are all roasted and imported from England. Start off with an Earl Grey Tea; or try the unique flavor of Darjeeling Tea. For a multi-layered taste, enjoy a cup of Ceylon Tea, you cannot go wrong with this. If you do not like single blends, there is the Apple Roasted Tea and the Orange Blossom Roasted Tea. Or try their special Milk Tea. A carefully concocted blend of tea with milk and honey, it is guaranteed to hit just the right spot! In the summertime, there are ladies' favorites, such as Apple Iced Tea, Honeydew Melon Iced Tea and English Style Fruit Tea. Coffee lovers will not be disappointed, either. Rose essence is added to carefully blended coffee. As a rose petal floats on top of the coffee, it simply looks romantic!

Sips of tea stir up the appetite, so try one of the light snacks. The waffles here are highly recommended. These tasty treats are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, quite different from waffles available elsewhere. The popular Smoked Chicken Sandwich has looks that will make your mouth water. For a more satisfying meal, you can choose from the Irish Stew, Coq Au Vin, or the Baked Curry with Rice, each are delicious in their own way. The menu is reasonably priced between NT$130 and NT$350. Find some time to come and enjoy a few moments of rest and relaxation here!