Tucked in a quiet alley just off Zhongxiao East Road, Wood x White has, over a decade, matured into a quietly reliable cafe and bakery that feels cozy in its vintage Japanese simplicity without feeling like a backdrop.

You’re coming here for the pastry case, which is filled with cakes and tarts and confectionaries that are all made onsite, which you can observe through the window into the kitchen in the back (mesmerizing). The desserts draw from the Japanese French tradition: lemon tarts come layered with matcha cream, and mont blancs get a matcha makeover. Strawberries star in delicate dacquoise, fresh local mango are layered onto cream filled choux. From tiny chiffon rolls to elegantly decorated layer cakes, everything is executed with finesse.

On the drinks side, their coffee is standard, and they have a lengthy tea list that spans Japanese style (sencha, hojicha, etc), Taiwanese style (oolongs), French (Mariage Frere), and plenty of decaf options. There’s enough tables in the back for a seated moment, though it seems many people come for desserts to go. And with a relatively lax time limit, it remains a tried and true spot for an afternoon tea any day of the week.