Taipei Cuisine｜A Semi-Outdoor Shop Near MRT Exit Coffee Sind Ranked Among the World's Top 100 Cafés

Coffee Sind located at the exit of Taipei Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station

From Exit 5 of Zhongxiao Xinsheng MRT Station, before you've even reached the ground floor, as you slowly ascend the escalator, you'll catch a faint aroma of coffee. It's not a strong, overpowering scent, but rather a gentle fragrance carried on the breeze, making you instinctively wonder, "Where does it come from?" Turn right after exiting the MRT station, and it's the second shop there. Located in a small alley next to a main road, surrounded by residential areas, it offers a different atmosphere from the usual bustling MRT exits, naturally slowing down your pace as you step out.

After the rain, the street scene and the aroma of coffee blend together in front of Coffee Sind.

Semi-outdoor roadside coffee shop with limited space

Coffee Sind, which has been open for 10 years, is a rather unique type of coffee shop on the list of the world's top 100 coffee shops. It is not a typical indoor coffee shop, but a small street-side shop that operates in a semi-outdoor format. There are only three bar seats around the brewing station, and customers sit almost facing the barista, allowing them to watch the brewing process up close. Staghorn ferns and other plants adorn the walls and corners, creating a simple and natural space that doesn't follow any deliberate design approach.

Coffee Sind operates in a semi-outdoor setting, allowing customers to better experience the relaxed atmosphere.

Many customers choose to sit outside, in the small square in front of the building, where a few simple tables and chairs are arranged. Some drink while standing, some chat while seated, and others pass by briefly before leaving. The overall atmosphere is very relaxed and stress-free. The shop owner once mentioned on social media that the inspiration comes from the common street corner coffee culture abroad, and the word "Sind" in "Coffee Sind" originates from Danish, meaning "mind" or "thought." The aim is to help people return to their daily routines and relax through coffee.

The coffee shop only has three bar seats, so customers sit almost facing the barista. The walls are covered with succulents and ferns, creating a comfortable and lush green environment.

Selected as one of the world's top 100 without participating in the competition

I directly asked the owner how they were selected for the list of top 100 cafes. The owner said they had no idea either—they didn’t use a specific coffee for the competition or make any special submissions. It probably worked like a Michelin anonymous tasting method, where someone might come in to drink and observe, and then they’d be listed.

Coffee Sind has been operating at its current location for 10 years, and its original intention remains unchanged.

According to publicly available information, the "World's 100 Best Coffee Shops" selection covers eight aspects, including coffee quality, barista skills and experience, customer service, innovation, ambiance, sustainability practices, and consistency in food and service quality. In other words, it's not just the coffee itself that's being considered, but the overall experience. However, after spending some time at Coffee Sind, it's easy to understand why this small shop was selected.

The owner of Coffee Sind meticulously brews every cup of coffee.

Creating a community micro coffee base through warm interaction with regular customers

Sitting in the shop, you will soon realize that the focus is not just on the drinks. The barista would chat with customers while pouring the coffee, occasionally looking up and asking, "How ‘s it?" with a natural tone that doesn't make people feel pressured. When the boss lady with a smile on her face places an order, she will kindly inquire about the customer's taste preferences and make adjustments for them. No wonder there are many regular customers, some of whom are called out by name as soon as they walk by, and can even get their regular coffee without saying a word.

The coffee shop menu is very rich, you can ask the staff to recommend it.

The clientele is diverse, including office workers in suits, employees from the neighboring burger joint, students using computers, pilgrims who have come specifically to see the coffee, parents with young children, and babies sleeping in strollers. Although there are many customers, and you often have to wait half an hour to order a cup of coffee, the atmosphere remains relaxed and comfortable, with no one showing impatience or making a fuss.

The workspace of the coffee shop is very small and can only accommodate two baristas.

Hand brewed and creative coffee are equally emphasized with Chikan Sugar Latte becoming the signature drink

Coffee Sind offers hand-brewed, espresso and a variety of creative specialties, and some drinks will be combined with local ingredients in Taiwan Province. The author ordered the hand-brewed coffee from "Ethiopia-West arshi-Meihua Treatment Plant" with washed coffee beans. The entrance is light fruity, clean and smooth, and will not be too sour or heavy. The latter part brings out a solid tea feeling and a strong aftertaste. As the temperature drops, the flavor will change again and the level will be more obvious. It is a cup of coffee that will make people drink slowly and smile.

Hand brewed coffee from Ethiopia West Arshi Meihua Treatment Plant. The coffee is very smooth and delicious!

Another signature drink, the "Chikan Sugar Latte," is even more memorable. It's topped with a layer of roasted brown sugar, which the owner says is made from brown sugar slowly roasted over a wood fire near the Chikan Tower, a historical site in Tainan. It makes a crisp sound when tapped. Some people stir it, while others eat it directly, like a dessert. The coffee underneath uses a blend of medium-light roast beans from various origins, perfectly balanced with milk so it's not overpowering by the sweetness, resulting in an excellent overall flavor.

Signature Special "Chikan Sugar Latte." The top layer of brown sugar has a texture similar to that of a dessert. "Good Persimmon Peanut" not on the regular menu.

The price of coffee is between NT $120 and NT $150 per cup, which is a daily price range for street coffee. The threshold is not high, but the small shop has stunning boutique beans, impressive and delicious special flavors, and the coffee quality and overall experience are of a high standard.

Coffee professionals grind and hand brew each cup of coffee, customer have to wait for about half an hour for each cup. The store offers a variety of specialty coffee beans and rare beans for sale. Drip coffee bags can be given as souvenirs.

On the day of my visit, it wasn't officially open yet, but there were already customers waiting at the door. The owner glanced around and said it was almost time to open, then brought out chairs for the customers to sit down and browse the menu. The staff chatted with the customers with smiles, treating them like friends. Being able to sit casually outdoors in the city's alleyways is a truly pleasant experience that makes you want to come back again and again.

On the day of the writer's visit, the boss opened the shop half an hour early.

Coffee Sind

Address: No. 8, Lane 56, Section 1, Xinsheng South Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City

Business Hours: 12:00-22:00, Rest Days to be Announced on Official FB.

Transportation: Taipei MRT "Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station", Exit 5.

Facebook ： https://www.facebook.com/CoffeeSind/

Instagram ： https://www.instagram.com/coffee_sind/