Apps for finding local places (and people?)

Cuisine Greater Taipei Restaurants
1

I have been to Taipei twice (but briefly) before and will be travelling there for work 1-2 times a year now for work. I am always solo when I go out and as such have to depend on others (forums, hotel employees, etc.) for suggestions on where to eat, drink and go out. These forums are fairly helpful but I need a resource while out and about in the city.`

So . . . what are the most useful apps people use in Taipei for finding establishments close to them? In particular, something that uses your current location. Also, what are the popular apps for meeting people who are nearby? I am not looking for hookups but just people to meet and hang out with, so I don’t need a dating specific app.

Thanks in advance!

2

ipeen (愛評) is probably the most useful yelp-like app, but I think it’s in Chinese only. They probably figure the foreign community/overseas visitor numbers are not great enough to warrent translation into other languages.

3

So as a repeat visitor to Taipei, what is my best best for finding restaurants and bars? I have found some good places before by hotel suggestion but I don’t want to keep going to the same places every visit as it will not satisfy my adventurous side. I like to explore and would love to have a resource to use while out and about. However, I am only just learning to speak Chinese and definitely cannot read it yet. Any ideas for a solo wanderer?

4

I know you cannot read Chinese, yet but here are two apps that are highly rated and use location services to search for eateries in your vicinity. They are pretty easy to use and quite a few restaurants have names in both English and Chinese. I think with a little help you should be able get some use out of them. The first one is called 美食Walker(play.google.com/store/apps/deta … p.delicacy)

5

Google maps on iPhone has the capability to search for restaurants nearby and it continues to improve. Mostly in Chinese but their is a score as a reference and usually a few pictures and links to website.

6

The Taiwanease app (iPhone and iPad) is extremely useful for restaurants in the Taipei area, esp. Westerner-friendly ones.

For Android devices there’s the related Taizan. But I haven’t tried that one personally because it requires Facebook, which I don’t have.

I think the Hungry Girl site might have an app. But that site tends to be less organized than one might wish, esp. if you’re new and don’t know the city yet.

7

Thanks everyone! I will check these out and report back about which I find the most useful. I appreciate the helpful suggestions!

8

try this one, tripadvisor!

9

try this one, tripadvisor!

10

Sorry for the late report back but I found the Trip Advisor app to be the best. Easy to use, tons of info and very user friendly for English speaking visitors. The reviews are particularly helpful. Highly recommend it!

11

[quote=“SeeSharp”]I have been to Taipei twice (but briefly) before and will be travelling there for work 1-2 times a year now for work. I am always solo when I go out and as such have to depend on others (forums, hotel employees, etc.) for suggestions on where to eat, drink and go out. These forums are fairly helpful but I need a resource while out and about in the city.`

So . . . what are the most useful apps people use in Taipei for finding establishments close to them? In particular, something that uses your current location. Also, what are the popular apps for meeting people who are nearby? I am not looking for hookups but just people to meet and hang out with, so I don’t need a dating specific app.

Thanks in advance![/quote]

Yelp is here now :wink: Hi~ waves

12

Foursquare is amazing for Taiwan. It has the latest clubs and food. Just the right mix of English and Chinese.

Google maps “Explore nearby” is my second goto.

13

  1. Yelp
    The community is still growing with some staple members posting pics and writing reviews everyday. It’ll be tough to overpower the blogs that locals are so used to looking at for restaurants and venues, but I think Yelp is doing what Yelp does best, creating a community. Maybe it’s because I compare all restaurant review apps to Yelp, but I personally think the iPeen app is too much at once and can be confusing.

  2. Foursquare/Swarm
    Foursquare and Swarm has been in Taiwan much longer than Yelp has. I think Yelpers are new to the “Tip” option, so there’s not many tips for businesses on their business pages. I used to use Foursquare and Swarm to look up some tips/tricks before Yelp came along, but mostly rely on Yelp for all my info. However, if Yelp doesn’t have an English/Mandarin review, I come to Foursquare.