Taipei Outing: Bio Peace Cafe and Loving Hut at Bitan Scenic Area (Xindian)

Tragically, @Peace Cafe closed permanently on 1/1/2017. This is still an enjoyable outing, but without the icing on the cake anymore. The Loving Hut is still open. 

Updated June 2015, to include photos from my Taiwan travel guide for vegans.

Bitan Scenic Area

Xindian (新店) is the southern end of Greater Taipei, where the city meets the mountains. Xindian Station is the final stop on the Xindian (green) MRT line. It's worth visiting for Bitan Scenic Area, a section of the Xindian River which has been dammed to essentially become a lake (right outside Xindian station) and for hikes or bike rides into the mountains, but more importantly, for Bio @Peace Cafe. In August 2014 a Loving Hut opened just behind Bitan Lake, so lunch at one and dinner at the other, with a hike or paddle out onto the lake makes for a great afternoon or day outside of the Taipei crowds and pollution.


Bio @Peace Cafe

Bio Peace Cafe (August 2014)

This famous vegan cafe is also only just off the route from Xindian to Wulai, a small aboriginal town famous for its scenery and hot springs, but one I don't recommend, due both its total lack of food and its overpriced, low-quality hotsprings and poorly-maintained infrastructure.If you do go be sure to stock up on food at Bio Peace Cafe, the Loving Hut, Joy Bar or of course iVegan.

Bio @Peace Cafe serves the best pizza in Taipei, hands down.

Bio @Peace Cafe is a must-visit cafe for any vegan visiting Taiwan, and regular hangout spots for local and international resident vegans, and for non-vegan locals who come for the food and atmosphere. In 2015 the cafe has been taken back by Andrew and Kelly, its founders, and is again serving its famous pizzas and raw desserts it's been famous for for many years.

quiche and the famous 'almost-raw' lemon cashew cheesecake

Transport
Exit Xindian station onto the main road (Beiyi Road Section 1, not the smaller road adjacent to the river), turn right (towards the mountains), cross the road and you should be at a 7-Eleven. Find the bus stop for Green Bus 3 (綠3) and take it to the last stop (by the Family Mart). If in doubt, check with anyone that you're headed to 花園新城 (Hua Yue Xin Cheng / New Garden City).

Alternatively a taxi should take about 10 minutes and cost around NT200, or more if traffic is heavy; you can then easily take the bus back. Buses leave regularly and punctually from the Family Mart, so unless you intend to walk around the community ask what time the next one departs before leaving the café.


Green Pool Loving Hut

Unfortunately the nearby Loving Vegan restaurant appears to have closed, but the good news is that a Loving Hut has opened right behind Bitan lake (mid 2014).

Bitan Loving Hut, just before the footbridge.

The Loving Hut is a small, busy establishment, serving typical Loving Hut fare including burgers, rice and pasta dishes. 

Lunch from Loving Hut behind Bitan Lake

Prices are very reasonable, at around 150NT for a 'snack' (light meal, such as burger plate) or about 300NT for a set dinner (above, also including soup and a drink).

A burger meal from Bitan Loving Hut

It also serves ice cream (from a machine). Flavours change regularly, and some are more to my liking than others.

Lavender ice cream from Bitan Loving Hut.

The Green Pool Loving Hut is located just before the pedestrian-only suspension bridge across the river, when coming from the MRT.
Mon - Fri: 11:00 - 20:30
Sat - Sun: 11:00 - 21:30
(02) 2910-7656
Website, Happycow

Bitan Scenic Area is very quiet at night, and takes on a very different vibe.