Meatup - Taipei - American diner pasta in Xinmending

If you find yourself wandering the bright, bustling streets of Ximending, Taipei’s trendiest youth district, there’s a good chance you’ll stumble across Meatup — or at least hear about it from someone who has. It’s not just another spot in Ximending’s maze of bubble tea stalls and night market snacks; Meatup has carved out a reputation of its own, boasting over 11,000 Google reviews, many of them glowing.

Highlights	Fun diner vibe meets hearty pasta in Ximending. Delicious mains, great atmosphere, and quirky touches make Meatup a must-try for Taipei visitors!
Cost	NTD$395 for Scallop Pasta with White Truffle Cream Sauce or Roasted Garlic Steak Pasta NTD$150 to add side of fries and drink
Location	108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, Section 2, Wuchang Street, 37號6樓
Website	https://reurl.cc/q5lN3E

First Impressions

Meatup sits comfortably in Ximending’s food scene as a colourful, American diner-themed restaurant that cleverly bends expectations. On first glance, the neon signs, cheerful décor, and social media–friendly vibe make it feel like you’ve stepped into an urban twist on a retro diner. There’s a playful aesthetic to everything — bright murals, booth seating, and quirky décor pieces that make it perfect for selfies and group photos.

But once you get a look at the menu, you’ll realise that the “American diner” theme is only half the story. Instead of a fried-food free-for-all, Meatup serves up a menu that is unexpectedly Italian at its heart — pasta first, with some classic American sides and indulgent desserts.

Why It’s So Popular

One reason for Meatup’s huge popularity is its ability to blend different dining cultures into one fun, accessible experience. It’s no surprise that it’s nearly always buzzing — with locals, students, and tourists alike filling its tables every day of the week. The smart QR-code ordering system means you can settle in, order at your own pace, and focus on enjoying your meal and your company without feeling rushed.

If you’re planning to visit, do yourself a favour and book a table in advance — especially if you’re planning to drop in for dinner or over the weekend. Meatup’s reputation and Ximending’s non-stop foot traffic mean it fills up fast.

The Food: Pasta with a Twist

Despite the diner vibe and branding as an American comfort food spot, the real stars of the show at Meatup are its pasta dishes. We went with a few of their signature mains and were not disappointed.

We ordered their Scallop Pasta with White Truffle Cream Sauce, which cost NTD$395. The sauce was rich, silky, and aromatic, and the scallops were beautifully seared — sweet, delicate, and perfectly cooked. The truffle flavour was gentle rather than overpowering, making the dish decadent without feeling too heavy.

Alongside it, we tried the Roasted Garlic Steak Pasta. This dish felt like the perfect marriage of East meets West — tender slices of steak laid over a bed of al dente pasta, with the roasted garlic lifting the whole plate to another level. It’s the sort of dish that makes you wonder why more diners don’t serve pasta with steak — it just works.

To make it a proper “American” meal, we added fries and a drink for an extra NTD$150. The fries were hot and crispy with a satisfying crunch, and the drink was refreshingly sweet — a classic diner pairing that made the whole meal feel just indulgent enough.

The Little Extras

One thing Meatup does really well is thoughtful details. For instance, the bathrooms are worth mentioning on their own. While many busy restaurants barely stock soap, Meatup goes a step further by providing mint mouthwash and dental floss, a small but surprisingly delightful touch. After all, if you’re about to head back out into the neon buzz of Ximending — maybe to meet friends or hit a bar — having fresh breath is a nice bonus.

The atmosphere in Meatup also deserves a mention. It’s lively but not overwhelming, upbeat but not chaotic. The crowd is mostly young — students, couples, and groups of friends catching up over hearty plates of pasta and a round of milkshakes. Music hums in the background, the open kitchen lets you peek at the action, and the cheerful staff keep everything running smoothly without being intrusive.

A Few Things to Keep in Mind

It’s fair to note that Meatup’s menu might surprise you if you arrive expecting an all-American diner loaded with burgers, fried chicken, and pies. While there are certainly some American-inspired sides and drinks — think milkshakes, fries, or fried snacks — the heart of the meal is pasta and more pasta.

Is that a bad thing? Not at all — the food is good, the portions are generous, and the price point feels very fair for the quality. It’s just not quite the burger-and-sundae diner you might expect from the name alone.

Another thing to keep in mind is the QR code ordering system. While it’s easy and convenient, some people prefer the old-school personal touch of a waiter taking orders and chatting about the menu. At Meatup, the system works well — but it’s something to know in advance if you like full table service.

Final Thoughts

In a city overflowing with street food stalls, night market bites, and incredible local eateries, Meatup stands out by offering something a bit different: a place to sit down, chill out, and enjoy a satisfying plate of pasta with a playful American twist.

It might not be what you expect from a “diner,” but that’s part of its charm. Instead of a greasy spoon, you get a stylish, Insta-worthy space with hearty, well-made pasta dishes and the vibe of a modern urban hangout.

When you need a break from night market snacking and want to tuck into something filling, tasty, and familiar yet surprising, Meatup is a solid bet — whether you’re a solo traveller, on a date, or rounding up your friends for a fun meal before heading back out to explore Ximending’s bright lights.

For us, it delivered exactly what we hoped for — tasty comfort food with good portions, a quirky atmosphere, and the kind of casual dining experience that sticks with you. We’d happily recommend it to anyone visiting Taipei who wants a different twist on the city’s ever-evolving dining scene.

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