Longtail is a contemporary restaurant and cocktail bar at No. 174, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei, combining internationally minded cooking with an intimate, warmly lit dining room. Opened in 2017 by chef Lam Ming Kin, it helped establish Taipei’s appetite for ambitious food in a relaxed, late-evening setting. Today, chef Erik Chen leads a kitchen shaped by cross-cultural cooking and fermentation, making this a destination for dinner, inventive drinks, and an evening that need not end with dessert.
What to Expect at Longtail
Chen’s background explains the restaurant’s current direction: born in Bangkok, raised partly in Taiwan, and educated in Canada, he later worked at RAW and became opening sous-chef at FRASSI. His approach combines European technique with Asian ingredients and multiple fermentation methods, rather than following one national cuisine. Longtail’s earlier reputation included shrimp sliders and kaya French toast; these belong to its culinary history, not a promise about tonight’s menu. Consult the restaurant’s current menu before building an evening around a particular dish.
The room is polished without the ceremony of a grand hotel restaurant: subdued lighting, closely arranged dining spaces, and a bar-led atmosphere suit couples and small groups. The drinks program includes fine wines, craft beer, and creative cocktails, so choosing drinks alongside individual courses makes sense. Describe your preferences to the team rather than expecting a conventional French wine pairing. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-related requests should be discussed when reserving, particularly because fermented sauces and stocks can contain ingredients that are not obvious from a dish’s name.
- Chef Erik Chen: Experience at RAW and FRASSI informs the kitchen’s contemporary, internationally influenced cooking.
- Fermentation-led flavors: Chen uses fermentation to develop depth, acidity, and layered savory notes.
- Creative cocktails: The bar makes Longtail suitable for a complete dinner-and-drinks evening.
- Wine and craft beer: Alternatives to cocktails let different diners choose their own drinking style.
- Late-evening service: Food orders continue until 10pm, with drinks available later under a separate cutoff.
Longtail at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | No. 174, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City 106, Taiwan |
| Neighborhood / Area | Southern Da’an, near the Far Eastern Plaza business and hotel district |
| Operating Hours | Monday and Wednesday–Friday, 6pm–midnight; Saturday–Sunday, 5:30pm–midnight; Tuesday closed. Last food orders 10pm; last drinks 11:30pm. |
| Admission / Price Range | $$$; upscale dining, with drinks additional. Check the official menu for current prices. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 2 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Liuzhangli MRT, Wenhu/Brown Line BR07, Exit 1; approximately 10–12 minutes on foot. Paid underground parking at nearby Far Eastern Plaza. |
| Official Website & Phone | Longtail official website and reservations; +886 2 2732 6616 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead for Friday and Saturday dinner, especially for more than two people. An opening-time booking suits diners who want to focus on the food before the room becomes more social; a later table works better for a bar-oriented evening. Smart-casual clothing fits the atmosphere. Confirm any deposit, cancellation conditions, service charge, and accepted payment methods when booking, and budget in New Taiwan dollars. The 10pm kitchen cutoff matters more than the midnight closing time if you want a full meal.
From Liuzhangli Exit 1, walk toward Dunhua South Road and continue north to the restaurant. Drivers can use Far Eastern Plaza’s paid parking, without assuming restaurant validation. Longtail occupies street-level premises, but wheelchair users should telephone about entrance thresholds, table clearance, and toilet access before reserving; request a table with room for mobility equipment or a folded stroller. Pair dinner with the Dunhua South Road landscaped median immediately outside, Far Eastern Plaza about five minutes away, or Linjiang Street’s Tonghua night-market area roughly 12–15 minutes northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Longtail open, and when should I arrive?
Longtail opens at 6pm on Monday and Wednesday–Friday, and 5:30pm on weekends; Tuesday is closed. Arrive near opening for a food-focused evening, and order dinner before the 10pm kitchen cutoff.
How expensive is Longtail, and do I need reservations?
Expect an upscale $$$ meal, with cocktails or wine increasing the total. Reserve through the official website or by telephone, and review current menu prices before booking.
How much time should I allow?
Allow two to three hours for dinner and drinks. Leave additional time if you want a separate cocktail after eating rather than rushing toward the last-drinks deadline.
Is Longtail suitable for children or wheelchair users?
The intimate, late-night setting is best suited to adults and older children comfortable with a leisurely dinner. For wheelchair access or stroller space, call ahead to discuss the street-level entrance, seating arrangement, and bathroom requirements.
When planning your Taipei travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and western restaurant in Taipei, pair this stop with standout local spots including Ya Ge, Taiwanese Eats, Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, and Shangri-La Far Eastern, Taipei (0.3 km away).
