Madison Taipei Hotel – Gustoso

Nestled within Madison Taipei — one of Taipei's most celebrated boutique hotels in the leafy Da'an District — Gustoso is an Italian restaurant that lives up to its name in every sense. In Italian, gustoso means "tasty" and "delicious," and this is precisely the experience the kitchen sets out to deliver, drawing on the rustic, sun-soaked culinary traditions of southern Italy to create a dining destination that feels both refined and genuinely warmhearted.
The restaurant occupies the ground floor of the hotel along Dunhua South Road, with windows that overlook the verdant, tree-lined boulevard below — one of Taipei's most elegant and tranquil streets. The interior strikes a balance between stylish and welcoming: pendant lighting, a long wooden bar, and a warm, softly lit atmosphere that makes it equally suited to a leisurely business lunch, a romantic anniversary dinner, or a convivial gathering with friends. The design concept echoes the Italian spirit of condivisione — sharing — with a diverse menu built around communal dining and the pleasure of good food enjoyed together.

The kitchen focuses on seasonal Southern Italian classics, prepared with carefully selected fresh ingredients and presented with creative flair. Chef Leo's menu spans handmade pasta, risotto, pizza, and a full range of a la carte and set dining options, with standout dishes including a Cream of Squash Black Truffle Soup, Seafood Risotto, Grilled Wagyu Beef A5 with Demi-glacé sauce, and a mozzarella and pesto salad that diners consistently flag as one of the best they have encountered. The bread — house-baked, flavourful, and chewy — arrives as an early highlight. Festive and seasonal menus elevate the experience further, making Gustoso a popular choice for celebrations and special occasions throughout the year. Rich, creamy Mövenpick ice cream rounds out the dessert selection in indulgent fashion.

Service is consistently praised for being kind, attentive, and genuinely engaged — a reflection of the Madison Taipei's broader culture of personalised hospitality that earned the hotel a Michelin Guide Taipei recommendation in 2018 and World Luxury Hotel Awards for two consecutive years.