My Favorite Cafes To Get Work Done

As the admin for the Facebook group Xiaoliuqiu for Foreigners, I have become a bit of an unofficial representative of Xiaoliuqiu for foreigners in Taiwan and thus receive a lot of direct inquiries about visiting the island ((also known as Lambai Island, Lamay, and a few other names)) or remote workers looking for a change of scenery for more than just a few days. 

The longer I live here, the more I realize this island is a pretty cool place, though less than ideal,  for remote workers or digital nomads as it has a pretty low cost of living, easy access to all major cities in Taiwan (within 4 hours) and anywhere on the island is spitting distance to beaches, nature, the sunset, and sunrise. I can't think of a better way to break up your day by taking a break with a dip in the ocean; not only will you feel more refreshed and relaxed, but you'll also prime those creative juices; it's SCIENCE.

Follow this link to see my interview with my friend Susie, who recently took a break from her life in Taipei to stay in Xiaoliuqiu to work remotely for a month with her four-year-old daughter.

With that said, a critical component of considering a move to Xiaoliuqiu, whether temporary or permanent, is whether there are appropriate workspaces to work from. As this island primarily derives its income from #1 fishing and #2 tourism, co-working spaces do not exist as Xiaoliuqiu is in its infancy as a remote work/digital nomad destination, hopefully in the future.

Without co-work spaces, we must look at the next best thing - CAFES! Where they serve COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE COFFEE! Espresso, latte, americano, and the ever-trendy hand pour-overs from premium beans. 

Although I love my coffee, black and bitter is how I like it, I am not a particular snobby about it; these days, I'm genuinely digging the value/quality ratio (aka CP質）of coffee from 7-11, and the Louisa Coffee chain. Thus, I'm not judging these places by their coffee quality, but all cafes listed below serve a decent cup of joe. Instead, I consider them a place to get some work done.

If you want to see how easy it is to get to Xiaoliuqiu, check out the video I posted on YouTube below.

With that in mind, below are my four favorite cafes to work from on the island of Xiaoliuqiu.

Islet Lemonade Cafe

It opened just a few years ago and is run by two good friends whose beaming smiles are infectious. It makes my day just seeing them. Their opening marked a vast improvement to the cafe scene on this island; that's why they are first on this list.   

They recently completed a nearly one-year renovation expanding its indoor space, thus offering much more seating area to work from and even a bar. There are some electrical plugs, but not all tables have access.   The color scheme of the interior gives off a definite calming island vibe.

With numerous windows, this cafe provides a very airy atmosphere with plenty of natural light. One issue is that it is challenging to locate since you must travel down a rather nondescript alleyway, and then it's hidden behind another building.

Find them on Google Maps and Instagram.

Ocean Looking Ice

This is one of my favorite places, whether hanging out or working.  It sports one of the fastest internet speeds on the island, so I come here occasionally to upload media files.

The cafe was designed with sustainability in mind with their extensive use of up-cycled materials in their design.

Like most of the cafes on this list, the view is stunning as the outdoor deck is not too far from the seashore. The deck is lined with cushions, so you may laze in the sun lying down while enjoying your favorite drink. If it's too hot, you can take refuge indoors facing the ocean while charging your laptop and phone in their electrical outlet.

Find them on Google Maps and Instagram.

77 Seaview Cafe

New kids on the block only having been opened a few weeks ago, but on my first visit there, I was stunned by the mountain top scenery and the design of the place.

Sporting several tables with electrical outlets, you can't help but feel uplifted and motivated to work with the scenery from here.

This is also the closest cafe on this list to the main ferry terminal and the national scenic area Beauty Cave and is located right next to the trendy bar inside an old bus.

Find them on Google Maps and Instagram.

Island Bistro & Cafe

Last but certainly not least, this is my favorite place to have my coffee and work behind my computer. But I am also massively biased as I sometimes help out a friend here as a barista a few hours a week.

This restaurant, without a doubt, has the best Western cuisine on the island and was started by the team that created the ever-famous Island Burger (their burgers often get sold out). Opened by a chef with extensive experience in Michelin-star kitchens in San Francisco,  he brings his sophisticated California food culture and knowledge to the humble island of Xiaoliuqiu.

The menu is relatively modest, yet everything on it is excellent. Must-tries are the clam chowder, grilled squid, and pork chops.  The creme brûlée is the best I've ever had (and I've sampled a lot from some of the best restaurants in Asia).  And as much of the menu is sourced locally as possible.

The restaurant also offers the best selection on the island of fine wines and craft beer from Lost Coast in California. Grab a crispy white wine on the terrace and enjoy the stunning sunset overlooking the cliff.

But enough about the world-class food.  The restaurant/cafe offers some big tables with a few having access to electrical plugs, and there's even an outdoor deck if you want to catch some sun on a fabulous day.

An afternoon tea set is on the cards. In terms of coffee, they offer the usual americano, espresso, latte, and pour-overs. The ice coffee is special on the menu, which is creamy and velvety without adding any creamer. They are also one of the few to offer vegan oat milk latte with the oat milk sourced from suppliers of the best oat milk in Taiwan JBW and promoted by YouTube mega-celebrity Lukas.

Find them on Google Maps and Instagram.

I hope this was helpful to you if you are planning to get some work done on Xiaoliuqiu. If you are considering moving here, one of the biggest hurdles is finding an affordable place to stay. My wife and I have helped a handful of people with their move to Xiaoliuqiu, so please reach out if you would like our assistance.

If you are coming for just a visit and want to take all the fuss out of planning it, we also assist people with planning their holiday here; you can contact us here on our Facebook page,  Escape to Lambai.

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