Tiu Dropar utilizes social media really well. We knew about the café before leaving for Reykjavik. Guess which café came top in our list of cafes to visit? Tiu Dropar of course. Located in a basement with a side entrance door on the busy shopping street of Laugavegur, entering Tiu Dropar’s main door gave us a sense of familiarity.
Décor and ambience
Upon entering there was a small upright piano on the left wall just like any grandma’s home. The café was decorated with old photos and kettles of assorted sizes and shapes. There were two rooms with seats for two or four. Though located in a basement, Tiu Dropar has natural lighting from the windows.
The barista told us that it is one of the oldest cafés in Reykjavik. In fact there is a group of four friends who have been visiting the café every morning for over 30 years. This group of friends needs no introduction to the staff. They get their regular coffee and still pay the same price like 15 years ago at about 150kr.
Tiu Dropar is a cozy and friendly place to relax with a cup of your favorite coffee while you have breakfast or lunch. It provides free WiFi to all guests.
Coffee: Type, price and taste
Our macchiato came in a beautiful cup with blue painted flowers on a saucer with red painted flowers. It was like grandma’s mix and match cup and saucer. Tiu Dropar also serves espresso, latte, cappuccino and regular coffee.
You get unlimited refill for regular coffee. Just ask for kaffi (Icelandic word for coffee) for regular coffee.
Tiu Dropar serves a variety of waffles, sandwiches, soups and sweets. They have typical Icelandic breakfast of rye pancakes and sliced smoked lamb (flatkokur) or pancakes with sugar or jam and whipped cream (ponnukokur). The good thing is breakfast is served all day. We had a Belgian waffle with rhubarb jam and whipped cream, a perfect match for a sugarless macchiato.
How to get there
Reykjavik is a small walkable city. Laugavegur Street is in the heart of the city and is a 5-8 minute walk from the must visit Hallgrímskirkja church.
Nearest tourist/fascinating attractions
Hallgrímskirkja church and the souvenir shops of Laugavegur Street.
Our ratings
Coffee 4.5/5
Ambience, concept, décor 4.5/5
