Gontran Cherrier Zhongxiao Shop

Opens at 830am, but don’t expect to get any pastries before 1130am. I’ve been coming almost weekly for a year (sons dance studio is next door) and gets later and later by the week. The pastries are amazing, but who wants pastries and coffee for lunch? They say it’s because their factory is far away, but what does that have to do with it? Bake/deliver earlier like everywhere else in the world to have the pastries available earlier or don’t open until 11am (which is common in Taiwan and blows my mind- pastries are for breakfast: 730am-10am, everywhere else in the world). It’s such a waste of everyone’s time to be open so early and have nothing to offer.

Famous for their croissants. There is usually a line-up. Enjoyed the quiche and cheese sticks. They also have a flaky green onion roll and caramel roll that was delicious. You can ask them to toast your bread for you. Price is a little high, but worth the occassional splurge.

Updating review.. from 5 stars to 2.. Few years ago, I gave this Taipei franchisee (I guess it is) 5 stars. Why change to 2 today? Gontrain Cheerier serves one of the best croissants in the world. The legendary original 18th arrondissement shop is not there anymore however it still maintains high quality and friendly service... except this Taipei shop. The pandemic makes difficult but absolutely not the reason to ruin the products and push the already unfriendly attitude to the edge It is a sin to put the best French croissant into the plastic bag. It is even disgusting to lie to the customers that it has no influence to the quality. The staffs there emphasize more on enforcing QR code, body temperature than the products. On each table the management shows the arrogant note in Mandarin "Reminding you.. this shop forbid outside food. After meal, please help to take utensils back to the collection area. Thank you." Most Taiwan shops don't like people to bring outside food in. It is however rarely seen on each table, with strong language as such. In Taiwan, most local bakeries put buns in the plastic bags to make self-served and to save labor. However they are different kind of products which in fact benefited from enclosing. Is it for the pandemic? There are other French patisserie or boulangeries in Taipei. Most of them maintain the traditional way to serve, so they can keep the quality... pandemic or not. I am wondering whether Mr. Cheerier been here seeing this change. Does he know the serious service issue here? ... My old 5 stars review from few years ago: A dream comes to Taipei. Gontran Cherrier, one of the best croissants you can find anywhere in the world comes to Taipei. Before it arrived Taipei, during my numerous trips to Paris safari hunting the best croissant I had decided the Gontran Cherrier located at Montmartre 18th arrondissement the idea product; with the contrast crispy crust and soft rich very meaty inside. To my taste the only one can compete (I cannot decide who wins) is the Pierre Hermes; however Hermes has emphasized on the high profit macarons and makes the patesseries almost impossible to get. My heart to Mr. Cherrier who has priced his heavenly creation about the same price as his Paris bakery; while shops in Taiwan tend to jack up goods prices several folds when categoried ”western imported”. The croissant here is very close to the Paris original. Maybe a tiny slightly sweeter from the butter imported. But unless you go Paris, you probably cannot find a better substitute anyway. If you have hardly to Paris, visit this bakery and get a butter croissant and a pain au chocolat (chocolate croissant). It may be hard to image, but it can really be one of the highlights for your Taipei trip.

Passing by and decided to browse a bit because of the bright decor and the plain croissants looked good. Bought a chocolate and a caramel croissant. To be honest, they both did not look good to me as the layers looked uneven and "tired". The chocolate croissant tasted too dense, not airy enough.

Fresh and tasty croissants There are savory one and also sweets. I really enjoy the one with vanilla custard

A great variety of bread and pastry. The desserts are of great design and delicious tastes. Not to mention the price is pretty fair esp concerning its location. Credit card is available if purchased over NT$500. Staffs are quite helpful. Illy cafe is served which is a plus. Afternoon available. All the food are supported for both stay in and to go.

I love the crispy outside and little chewy body to bite of croissants here. Plain and chocolate are my favourite. Lemon and vanilla puff croissants also great! Very filling for a quick meal. The shop is so big and clean. Many seats and free-wifi but have no charger.

Flaky delicious pastries. We picked out four things and they heated them up for us ?. That really made the taste better. Nice and helpful staff. I will definitely come back to satisfy my cravings for a crossaint.