Spot Taipei

I'm just gonna say it – this is the best damn chicken and waffles dish I've ever had!

I love how those waffles are baked such that they have that perfect combination of crisp exterior and plush insides – you can see the two distinct textures in the picture for yourself – and that chicken!!! Oh my, that deep-fried slab of chicken thigh deep-fried in a spice coating until golden-brown and gloriously crunchy outside while the flesh within remains succulent and tender.

Stack all these with fresh tomato slices, pickled onion and a generous smear of zingy shichimi ranch sauce, and you've got an outstanding winner.

Taipei is home to some really excellent western cafes, and Spot is one of them. The food was absolutely scrumptious and the staff was lovely – they didn't even flinch when I insisted on carrying everything outside to take pictures.

If you like savoury brunches, these two will definitely hit the mark, but if you prefer something sweet, their Ferrero Rocher French Toast – which I sadly had not the stomach room for – is supposed to be a cracker of a dish.