How we score
Every place gets a solo score from 1 to 5 and a check level. The rubric is public so you can judge it yourself. Affiliate deals and sponsorships never change a score.
The solo score is about how easy and comfortable a place is when you are on your own. It is not a rating of the food or the sights.
Solo score: food and cafes
| Score | Meaning | Typical signs |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Built for one | Single seats or one pot per person; most diners are solo |
| 4 | Very comfortable | Counter or small tables, solo diners common, no minimum |
| 3 | Fine solo | Mostly groups, but you will not be turned away; you may share a table |
| 2 | Possible, with caveats | Avoid peak hours, minimum spend, or dishes sized for sharing |
| 1 | Not recommended | Large portions only or group bookings required |
Solo score: things to do
For sights and experiences we look at different things: entry rules and group minimums, whether you need a booking or a guide, how easy it is to understand without Chinese, and how comfortable it feels alone at the times it is open.
| Score | Meaning | Typical signs |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Built for one | Self-paced and designed for individuals, e.g. a museum with English labels or a private hot spring room that takes one person |
| 4 | Very comfortable | Many people come alone, no group rules, easy to visit without a guide |
| 3 | Fine solo | Mostly couples and groups, but nothing stops you going alone |
| 2 | Possible, with caveats | Some parts need two people, tours have a group minimum, or it is better at certain times only |
| 1 | Not recommended | Couples or groups only, or not comfortable alone at the times it is open |
Check levels
| Level | What it means |
|---|---|
| L3 | We visited alone and took our own notes and photos. |
| L2 | We asked the place directly (message or phone). |
| L1 | Several independent public sources agree, at least one of them not sponsored. |
| L0 | Based on public sources; not yet confirmed. |
We only publish a place once it reaches at least L1.
Sponsored sources
Many Taiwanese food and travel posts are sponsored. We still use them for facts you can see — seats, menus, prices, opening hours, a “cash only” sign — but never for opinions. Each place page says how many of its sources were sponsored.
Missing details
If a detail is not shown, or says “Check on site,” we could not confirm it from our sources. It does not mean “no.” Payment is the most common gap: many small shops take cash only, so carry some. See how paying works in Taiwan.
Keeping it current
Every place shows the month we last checked it, and we aim to recheck each place within six months. Places change, so check on site before you rely on hours, prices or payment. If something is out of date, email us at hello@justmeplease.com with the place name.