McDonald's — Restaurant in Taoyuan City

A decent pit stop for breakfast or lunch if you're flying through Taoyuan Airport Terminal 1. Service is relatively quick, staff are polite, and food is passable for airport fast food. That said, tight pickup areas, mild communication hiccups, and so-so flavor mean it’s nothing to write home about—but good enough to grab a bite before your gate.

Full Review: McDonald's – Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 (麥當勞-桃園機場一餐廳) ⭐ 3/5 – Reliable for a rushed traveler, forgettable for a foodie.

When it comes to airport dining, expectations shift. You're not hunting for culinary epiphanies; you're looking for something edible, quick, and (ideally) comforting. And in that regard, McDonald's inside Taoyuan Airport’s Terminal 1 performs about as you'd expect: serviceable, predictable, and just fine.

Let’s start with the positives, because there are a few. The staff were polite, and the service moved at a decent pace. In an airport setting where time is currency, that’s not nothing. For those who find solace in familiar golden arches before or after a flight, this location delivers the basics: a recognizable menu, fast turnaround, and a bite of comfort when you need it most.

I visited during breakfast hours, but from what I’ve heard and seen, the lunch operation shares the same strengths and struggles. While my meal wasn’t piping hot or particularly memorable, it was presentable and adequately prepared. The hash browns still had a crunch (a miracle, really), and the main entree did its duty—nothing to celebrate, but nothing to complain about either.

But that leads me to the caveats—and there are some, minor but noticeable. The pickup queue area is cramped, which may not seem like a huge deal, until you're juggling luggage, passport, and phone, while trying to dodge elbows and grab your tray. Not ideal when you're half-awake or mid-transit.

There was also a communication hiccup during my visit. One staff member had difficulty understanding us, even with the relatively simple menu items we were ordering. It wasn’t a major problem—Google Translate saved the day—but it’s worth mentioning for fellow travelers who may not speak Mandarin. That said, the staff remained courteous and patient, which goes a long way.

And of course, one can’t help but compare. If you’ve ever eaten at a McDonald’s in Japan, where flavor, freshness, and presentation feel a step above the global norm, then this Taiwan airport outpost might leave you underwhelmed. Less crispy, less hot, less flavorful, but still perfectly edible.

In short, this McDonald’s is reliable, not remarkable. It does what it’s supposed to do: fill your stomach without messing up your schedule. It won’t wow your taste buds, but it won’t offend them either. And in the world of airport fast food? That’s a modest win.

Verdict: Grab-and-go friendly, staff are kind, and food’s acceptable. Just don’t expect Tokyo-level polish, and you’ll walk away satisfied enough. A solid 3 out of 5 for travelers needing a familiar fix...

McDonald’s hates children! Ready to board for a 16 hour flight. I’m through here every 3 months. My son would eat only chicken.Horribly mean manager, would not discuss a special order for my son. I asked to order 5 orders of two piece chicken with leg and thigh. Asked them to not give me the thigh, just the 5 legs. He refused to do it. A nice girl at the counter pleasantly asked him to comply. He finally relented without looking at me or talking with me. I agreed to take all 10 pieces of chicken and was going to throw away the thighs. I opened the bag there were two thighs and three legs. I was told that was all they had left. Stood there for a while and watched others order the two pieces and the orders were filled....

By far, the worst service ever encountered in my life, consider I am in my late 50s and I am always trying to be empathetic. We waited half hour for our pick up number only to unavailable after 30 min. Politley checking with cashier, suppose to be a young man, yell back directly to check the overhead number screen. "But the display number already 20+ passing mine". He ignore, then I waited another 10 min. As I approached the counter again, I notice my bag was at the far corner. My meal was never called...