Going up Taipei 101 was something I had in mind for this trip, but I wasn’t fully sold on paying for the observatory. The ticket to the 89th floor costs around ₱1100, which felt a bit steep for something I wasn’t sure I’d fully enjoy. I still wanted the view, though, so I looked into alternatives.

That’s how I found Simple Kaffa, a café located on the 88th floor of Taipei 101. The minimum spend is around NTD250 or around PHP460, which is basically the price of a coffee and significantly cheaper than the observatory ticket. It felt like a more reasonable way to enjoy the view without paying the full price.

Simple Kaffa Taipei 101

To get there, you enter the Taipei 101 building and head to the left side, where you’ll find the Simple Kaffa counter. They’ll ask if you want dine-in or takeaway, and this is where it matters. Dine-in comes with a longer wait time, a time limit, and a higher minimum spend, while takeaway only requires a minimum spend of NTD250 and comes in cute takeaway cups. They also explain that with takeaway, you can access a standing corner area on the 88th floor with a few high tables overlooking the city, and there’s no time limit there.

Simple Kaffa Taipei 101
panoramic views from the 88th floor

I went with the takeaway option and ordered and paid at the counter. They gave me a receipt with a QR code along with directions to access the 88th floor. Once upstairs, I handed over the receipt at the café so they could prepare my coffee. It’s also possible to order additional items like more drinks or pastries in takeaway containers.

This turned out to be a really good choice. It gave me the flexibility to stay as long as I wanted without worrying about time limits or waiting for a table. It still felt like the full panoramic experience, just without the extra cost, but with coffee.

Simple Kaffa Taipei 101

The panoramic view from the 88th floor was honestly more than enough for me. You still get that wide, open perspective of Taipei, and it didn’t feel like I was missing out by not going one floor higher. If anything, having a drink in hand while taking it all in made the experience feel more relaxed.

For me, this was the better way to do Taipei 101. I got the view I wanted, spent less, and didn’t have to deal with strict timings or a crowded observatory. If you’re okay skipping the official experience, this is an easy alternative that still feels worth it.