Wine And Cookies At a Secret Cafe In a Furniture Shop
Yes, you read that right — in Minsheng Community there is a boutique furniture shop called La Chambre that is home to a “secret” cafe with a limited menu. They only take two groups of customers per day, and reservations are a must.
When we first heard about it from friends, we loved how random it was. A cafe? In a furniture shop? One that’s not IKEA? It was intriguing, and we couldn’t wait to check it out.
The store itself sells mostly chic home furnishings and luxe toiletries. They also have an epic candle collection, but be warned: they’re not cheap. It’s pretty girly, so do bear that in mind if you decide to visit.
It’s not the sort of place we would usually go shopping, but it’s a cute little spot to check out nonetheless.
There are two options for seating: a large table at the back of the furniture shop, or a smaller table set up in their tiny little outdoor area, which is much more intimate.
Unfortunately, on the day we went the garden area was not set up. Considering we had decided to go on a whim — and the owner had very kindly agreed to accommodate us last-minute despite a reservation she had later — this was perfectly acceptable. We can’t stress how lucky we were on this day — if you decide to go, don’t forget to call in advance! Some desserts must be pre-ordered, and there is no guarantee of menu items being available unless they have advance notice.
We briefly toyed with the idea of getting a coffee before succumbing to the urge to day drink. Since it was last-minute, they were out of everything apart from red wine and cookies, which is what we settled for. Despite one of us not being a red wine drinker, it was actually delicious — full-bodied and not bitter. We meant to ask what wine it was, but forgot after becoming increasingly more buzzed.
We didn’t have particularly high hopes for the cookies when we ordered, but they were actually pretty good — freshly baked (we waited around 20 minutes) and piping hot, with a distinctly home-made taste. Cookies aren’t usually paired with wine, but these hit the spot.
As we drank, we wandered around and smelled the candles and laughed about how random the whole concept was. Despite that, though, the cafe does have quite a unique, cozy appeal — with its chic interior, soft French music, and delicious smells, it’s actually a pleasant place to take a moment. The owner was also super sweet and helpful, and we felt guilty for not buying anything.
So there you have it! If you’re tired of Taipei’s mainstream cafes and fancy exploring a more unique establishment, The Secret Cafe at La Chambre is one option. We actually talked about how it might be a nice spot for a date if you get the table in the garden — intimate and novel, with zero chance of any distractions. And you won’t be running into your ex here, that’s for sure.
What’s the vibe?
It’s literally a furniture shop where you can drink wine. A nice furniture shop, though, with gentle French music and the smell of $2000 candles in the air.
Worth it?
Sure, if the idea appeals to you! At $220, the wine is reasonably priced and the cookies were decent. It’s really more of a novelty place than a serious cafe, but it could be a nice spot for a date or a casual sit-down with friends.
Would you go back?
Probably only if we were taking someone there, but that’s partly to do with our inability to keep it together after a few glasses of wine. We do want to try the cheese board, though!
Visited: May 2018
| The Secret Cafe at La Chambre |
| Chinese Name: 常室 |
| Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 6pm, closed Sunday and Monday |
| Phone: 02 7708 3109 |
| English Address: No. 32, Alley 8, Lane 36, Section 5, Minsheng East Road, Taipei, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan 105 |
| Chinese Address: 105台北市松山區台北市民生東路五段36巷8弄32號1樓 |
