Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Halloween dining: themed buffet from NT$1,580 and an Alchemist cocktail set until October 31

Renaissance Taipei Shihlin Hotel offers two different approaches to Halloween dining in 2026. On the ground floor, Shihlin Kitchen turns ghosts, pumpkins and monster faces into buffet desserts and breads, with dining from NT$1,580 per person. R bar offers an Alchemist set comprising a purple cocktail and six shots for NT$420, available until October 31. Both prices are subject to a 10% service charge: the advertised buffet starting price becomes NT$1,738 and the cocktail set NT$462. Confirm the applicable meal price and availability when booking.

What is inside the Halloween-shaped desserts?

Shihlin Kitchen gives familiar baking ingredients a seasonal appearance. Its purple sweet potato pound cake combines a cocoa pound-cake base with puffed rice and a covering of purple sweet potato purée. The pumpkin cream tart blends cooked pumpkin and cheese into its filling, then uses stretched marshmallow to suggest cobwebs. One combines cake and grains; the other pairs a tart shell with a smooth filling. The underlying dessert style offers a useful way to choose beyond the decoration.

Despite its name, the mochi ghost has a vanilla pound-cake centre, with chopped walnuts, almond flour and textured red bean filling, drawing on the appearance of red bean daifuku. It should not be assumed to be made entirely of mochi. Monster-face bread uses white dough, sweet dough and cocoa sauce for its features, with a filling of charcoal-roasted sweet potato purée, cheese and a little cinnamon. Guests with nut, dairy or other ingredient allergies should ask about current recipes and cross-contact.

A handmade fondant cake is also presented as a photo opportunity. A display piece should not automatically be treated as a buffet item available to cut and eat. Halloween decorations extend through the hotel, but the release does not provide a separate end date for the themed buffet or say that every meal period costs the starting price. October 31 is explicitly the cocktail promotion's deadline; it should not be applied indiscriminately to both offers.

How does the NT$420 Alchemist set work?

The main drink combines butterfly pea flower, elder syrup, gin and sparkling water. Alongside its purple appearance, the recipe brings floral and herbal notes, sweetness and fizz. The six accompanying shots may be tasted separately or added to the main glass to compare the flavours before and after mixing. This is an alcoholic DIY tasting set, rather than six full-sized cocktails or unrestricted access to the bar's spirits.

The six flavours have distinct names. Blood Spell features sweet-tart berries; Witch’s Tears has a lemon character; Dark Curse carries coffee-liqueur notes. Golden Elixir combines honey and fruit, Forest Potion focuses on mint and lime, and Mystic Bloom finishes with floral and lightly tart notes. Small separate tastes can help guests choose a combination without needing to pour all six into the main glass.

Meal periods, location and questions before booking

R bar opens daily from 14:30 to 23:00, with last orders at 22:30; call 02-8861-2389, extension 11821. Shihlin Kitchen serves lunch from 11:30 to 14:00, dinner from 18:00 to 21:00 and Saturday–Sunday afternoon tea from 15:00 to 17:00; reservations use extension 11611. These are operating meal periods, rather than a promise that identical Halloween dishes are offered throughout. Confirm afternoon-tea and lunch or dinner prices, items and seats separately.

The hotel is at No. 8, Lane 470, Section 5, Zhongshan North Road, Shilin District, Taipei. Its official dining page provides restaurant and booking links. Hotel-supplied photographs show food, cocktails and the bar; the existing interior image does not establish the complete appearance of this year's decorations. Alcohol is prohibited for those under 18. Do not drink and drive, and arrange a safe journey home if choosing the bar experience.