Taiwan: A Food Paradise — Dining Etiquette and Tips

Taiwan is a food lover’s paradise, offering everything from street snacks to top-tier Michelin-starred restaurants. When dining in Taiwan, you may notice that some customs differ from those in your home country. Here are a few tips on Taiwanese dining etiquette to help you enjoy a smoother dining experience.

1. Waiting to Be Seated 

At most restaurants in Taiwan, customers typically wait at the entrance to be seated by a staff member. In more casual eateries like traditional breakfast shops or street food stalls, it’s more common to seat yourself. At popular restaurants (such as Din Tai Fung), there may be a queuing system involving a number-dispensing machine or staff-managed waitlist.

2. Reservations

In densely populated cities like Taipei, or when dining at popular restaurants, reservations are often required. These are usually made online or by phone. (Of course, if your restaurant visit is arranged by us, we’ll make the reservation for you.) Walk-in seating is possible, but depends heavily on luck.

3. Service Charges

Taiwan doesn't have a tipping culture, but many restaurants charge a “service fee,” usually 10% of the total bill. This fee isn’t given directly to the waitstaff, but goes to the restaurant. The presence of this fee doesn’t necessarily guarantee better service, and it isn’t optional. Conceptually, it's similar to Italy’s "coperto" (cover charge), though in Taiwan there's no difference in pricing for standing vs. sitting (and standing dining is quite rare).

4. Minimum Spend Requirement

To ensure revenue, many establishments set a minimum charge per person. This may be a specific amount or a required item (often a drink). These requirements are usually stated on the menu. For example, many cafés require each guest to order at least one drink. You might wonder: if a drink is NT$100, can I just order a dessert worth NT$100 instead? The answer is no — if you really can’t drink anything, you can ask the staff to pack it to go.

5. Free Water

Water is typically provided for free, either in a bottle placed on the table or via a self-service station. You usually don't need to ask for it. Sparkling water, however, is considered a premium option and must be paid for, just like in many Western countries.

6. Time Limits

Some restaurants enforce a dining time limit — usually 1.5 to 2.5 hours — especially when there are long queues. This helps reduce conflict and increase turnover. The time limit is either listed on the menu or informed verbally by staff. Don’t worry about timing yourself — if needed, staff will remind you when your time is up. If there are no customers waiting, the limit may not be strictly enforced.

7. No Assigned Waitstaff

Unless you're at a high-end restaurant, waitstaff in Taiwan typically don't serve specific tables. If you need assistance, simply raise your hand to get any staff member’s attention. Since service is shared and not table-specific, it’s possible they may not notice your needs right away. Don’t hesitate to raise your hand or even call out “Miss” or “Sir” — it’s not considered rude.

8. Paying the Bill

Most restaurants do not offer tableside payment service. Instead, you’ll usually bring your order slip to the front counter to settle the bill.