Jibei New Port View Yatai Homestay

For over three decades, the owner-chef has been supporting charitable causes and cooking for the disadvantaged. Regulars come here not just for his classic banquet dishes, but also for his vision of using only local, eco-friendly ingredients. All dishes, including the array of signature milkfish items, and ‘herbal’ prawns farmed without antibiotics and harmful chemicals, are available in different portion sizes.

This restaurant is a relative newcomer in this city swamped by century-old stalls, but it has made a name for itself since 2018 thanks to fresh seafood cooked to order. Its renowned milkfish and assorted seafood congee (more like soupy rice) is lavishly topped with fish skin, fish balls, fish meat, shrimps, clams and cuttlefish, imparting deep seafood umami. Steamed seafood in salt is also popular – try steamed giant grouper for its gelatinous texture.

In the past 10 or so years, nearly every car on the way to Jiangjun Fishing Harbour stops here to try its fresh catch at great prices. Pick your critters from the fridge and ask the server for the best way to prepare them. The sizzling three-cup marbled eel is its speciality, exuding heady aromas and savoury umami. A great spot for lunch on your trip to Qinkunshen Salt Fields or Mashagou 3D Mural Village. Reservations on holidays are recommended.

Its sign could use a new coat of paint and the room is nothing to write home about, but the regulars have been returning for its hearty beef soup for nearly three decades. The broth is made from beef bones and tendons, slow cooked for up to eight hours. Fresh local beef is shipped from the slaughterhouse three times a day to ensure freshness. Besides the soup, beef stir-fry and braised pork rice are also popular. Avoid peak hours if you don’t want to wait.

A must for birdwatchers and seafood lovers, the restaurant is one of the best places to see endangered black-faced spoonbills in Taiwan. From September to May, these migratory birds fly here and feed on the fish in the restaurant owner's pond. Try the sustainably farmed milkfish and clams straight from his fish farm. To reduce food waste, the servers suggest the right portion for your party. Reservations are mandatory on holidays.

In stark contrast to the century-old façade, the interior juxtaposes local serpentine stone and cypress wood for a sleek, Nordic vibe. The owner remodelled the family manor she inherited and manages the business; her partner, who received formal training in France, helms the kitchen. The menu showcases local ingredients such as Muscovy duck or glue berries into culinary gems using French techniques. To honour the family's roots in poultry farming, the menu includes a signature egg dish that celebrates their history.

The chef, who hails from Pamplona in Spain, was originally a trader of Spanish food. He married his Tainanese wife and decided to use his knowledge by opening a restaurant, on a quiet street that resembles the European countryside. Both set menus and à la carte choices abound, all made with quality ingredients, such as live seafood from Anping Port. Check out the Spanish wines at bargain prices. On balmy nights, ask for a table on the terrace.