La Cucina Di Flora

One of the best casual Italian dining spots in Taipei. It’s incredibly popular and notoriously hard to book, but after visiting three times, I’m still amazed by the food every single time. The starters are exceptional, every bite full of depth and balance. Take the tomato and mozzarella salad, for instance, it’s an absolute must-order. The natural sweetness of the tomatoes, the rich creaminess of the mozzarella, and the slight tang from the balsamic create the perfect appetizer to awaken the palate. The foie gras toast is absolutely to die for. It’s rich, fragrant, and melts in your mouth, with the crispy toasted bread adding the perfect contrast. The dried fruit enhances the flavor of the foie gras even more, making every bite indulgent. The grilled squid is another highlight, deeply aromatic with garlic-infused oil, beautifully cooked to be crispy on the outside yet tender and bouncy inside. Two starter dishes I tried for the first time completely blew me away. The fried fish with bread crumbs was simply brilliant, unlike anything I’ve had before. And the beef tripe with bread, served piping hot with a rich tomato-based sauce and melted cheese, was pure comfort food. The chewy yet tender tripe soaked up the sauce perfectly. For the pasta, I’d say the Orecchiette won over the Gnocchi for me. The balance of textures and flavors was just right. The fresh, slightly crisp sweetness of the shrimp, the nuttiness from the pine nuts, and the shape of the Orecchiette, resembling small ears, all worked together beautifully with the sauce. The Gnocchi had a unique depth of flavor, with the chestnut’s sweetness standing out, but I think a little less saltiness would have made it even more well-rounded for my taste. The risotto was another highlight. I had the uni risotto, and from the moment it arrived, the aroma of the sea and fresh sea urchin filled the air. The deep, briny richness of the sea urchin blended seamlessly with the perfectly al dente rice. The scallops, cooked to perfection, were plump, bouncy, and naturally sweet, adding another layer of texture and freshness. Every spoonful was pure indulgence—creamy, oceanic, and utterly satisfying. I ended my meal with the braised oxtail—tender, aromatic, and deeply flavorful—an ultimate comfort dish that warmed me from the inside out. Meanwhile, my friends, who are lamb lovers, were in awe of how perfectly cooked the lamb steak was. Hope I can get a reservation again real soon!

Been here threes and find myself keep coming back. The restaurant has a quaint atmosphere which is nice for get together to catch up with friends. The food is awesome and 弗羅倫斯頓牛肚 is my personal favourite and I highly recommend it as an appetizer. It’s portion is good for two people to share. Most of the other dishes I’ve tried so far have all been quite good so no need to worry about flops. Enjoy!

Reservations a must! Every dish was good been visiting pretty much every month for family and friends dinner occasions - and it never went wrong. Around 1000 per head if you don’t order much drinks.