Kaohsiung, the second-largest city in Taiwan, is well known for its massive harbor, located along the southern coast. You can find many delicious restaurants and coffee shops along the coast, along with one of Kaohsiung’s most famous tourist spots, the Pier 2 Art Center.
You can probably guess where this is going, and you might be right. This café is located near the Glory Pier LRT, a light rail that loops around the city of Kaohsiung. You can take the LRT to visit Pier 2, which is just two stations away, and explore other coffee shops in the area as well.
At this point, I had just moved from Taipei to Kaohsiung for a new job. I haven’t quite gotten used to the Kaohsiung heat, and I’m not sure I ever will. I had visited Kaohsiung a few times during my university years in Hualien, but this dear writer always ends up seeking out the nearest air-conditioned buildings—and that’s where cafés come in.
Looking for charming coffee spots to enjoy in Kaohsiung? You may want to check out this one.
Symbiosis共生 Cafe Information
- Address: No. 69號, Haibian Rd, Lingya District, Kaohsiung City, 802 (Link)
- Tel: –
- Business Hours: 12–6:30 PM
- Facebook Page
- Instagram Page
Interior
The interior is clean, and while it’s not a huge café, the décor, tables, and chairs are spaced out nicely. That being said, you may want to arrive before peak hours (around 1 or 2 pm) on weekends, as Kaohsiung coffee enthusiasts tend to swarm the place if you’re hoping to snag one of the better seats for photos.
I used some of the books in the café as props for my photos, but it seems like you’re not supposed to meddle with the décor. Be sure to ask the staff if you’re allowed to use the books as photo props if that’s part of your plan.
Chocolate and Matcha Cinnamon Rolls
The classic café dessert with a twist—chocolate and matcha flavors. Symbiosis Cafe is very generous with the amount of sauce they pour on top of their cinnamon rolls.
The first bite will feel like heaven as the sauce melts beautifully on your tongue. I was already close to heaven, but this dessert brought me closer to the gates. The cinnamon roll tasted yummy, but it’s a bit hard to cut through the bread with the provided small knife and fork.
Apple Espresso
I ordered the Apple Espresso. Non-milk bases have been trending in recent years, so coffee beverages that incorporate soda or fruity flavors have taken over trendy cafes all across Taiwan. Not a bad thing, obviously—fruits and espresso is a combo that deserves its own essay.
For this drink, the bottom layer is apple juice, with espresso poured on top. It’s the perfect summer drink, especially for sunny days—which technically translates to almost all year round—in Kaohsiung.
Overall, the drink has a smooth taste, with the perfect combination of apple juice and espresso pairing nicely together.
Have you ever wondered how humanity discovered coffee? Read more about coffee’s history here.
Symbiosis Cafe Latte Art
The boss/barista behind the counter had won latte art competitions in Taiwan over the past few years. That day, we had the honor of having the boss himself pour a latte art for us. It was a beautiful design with great contrast between the milk foam and the crema. Although it wasn’t my drink, I was allowed a sip. The taste? Spectacular.
It’s a nice place to chill on the weekends in Kaohsiung. With a smaller café like Symbiosis Cafe, there are fewer customers crowding around your table, making it easier to feel relaxed. Pier 2 Art Centre is also not too far away; you can take a bus or the light rail nearby to get there.
Symbiosis Cafe Rating Score
| Coffee Quality | 4 |
| Variety | 4 |
| Ambience | 5 |
| Service | 5 |
| Price | 4 |
| Location | 4 |
| Extras (Food/Wi-Fi) | 3 |
Coffee Map Archive
Visiting Kaohsiung? Check out my Kaohsiung coffee map archive here.
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