Iceland review - 2015, Page 124

122 ICELAND REVIEW
Eat Meat & Fish
People often talk about this or that place as an ‘institution,’ but Tíu Dropar really can claim that
mantra. It’s one of the oldest cafés in Iceland and has a distinctive grandma’s kitchen feel and coffee,
cakes and light meals to match. When we talk about grandma’s kitchen, we’re not talking pink lace
and doilies. This is a cool grandma. Maybe she was even a hippie, back in the day.
The name Tíu Dropar means ‘ten drops’ and comes from an Icelandic expression for indicating how
much coffee one would like: “Do you want coffee?” someone might ask. “I’ll just have ten drops,” the
other might respond. Unsurprisingly then, Tíu Dropar is known for excellent coffee. It’s also known
for its generous servings, whether a simple slice of moist chocolate cake, or a plate groaning with
bacon and eggs—you get value for money.
At night, when grandma leaves the kitchen, the French take over, turning it into Le Chateau des Dix
Gouttes. It’s out with the coffee and in with the extensive wine list and gourmet cheeses. Tíu Dropar
is downstairs below Laugavegur 27. 551-9380.
SPECIAL PROMOTION
Yes, the clue’s in the name. This is a bar devoted to the cult 1998 movie, The Big Lebowski. Strange to
base a bar on a box office disappointment, you might say – but that would be to miss the point.
Like the movie, the Lebowski bar has found a place in people’s hearts and become a true cult classic.
Maybe it’s the American diner-like décor with all the clever attention to detail. Maybe it’s that there’s
plenty enough space (a bit of a rarity in Reykjavík bars). Perhaps it’s the real bowling alley. Or the reg-
ular events, including karaoke, open mic, quiz and more. It’s most likely all of the above.
You don’t need to have seen the movie to appreciate a very cool establishment with an extensive,
good value and tasty menu and an inexhaustible selection of milkshakes, cocktails and white Russian
variants. But if you do happen to love the movie, you’ll love the Lebowski Bar even more.
The Lebowski Bar is on Laugavegur 20a. 552-2300. lebowski.is
Kol is a new restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Reykjavík, combining sizzling styling with
a refreshingly down-to-earth and welcoming atmosphere. In typical Reykjavík style, the restaurant
which owners describe as “casual fine dining” is also a trendy cocktail bar with, we might add, at least
two cocktails on tap! The name Kol is a direct tribute to the kitchen centerpiece: a charcoal oven which
gives food an aromatic smoky flavor. The oven is used for steaks and luxury burgers, while Kol also
specializes in fish dishes and a wide variety of other innovative cuisine. The owners have previously
worked in some of the top eateries in London, and you can really taste it. At the same time, the
place itself—with its distinctive wooden floor and huge falcon mural—is very much Icelandic in feel.
Kol can be found on Skólavörðustígur 40. 517-7474. kolrestaurant.is
K O L
L E B O W S K I B A R
T Í U D R O PA R
The story begins in 2010 when a young chef named Gústav Axel Gunnlaugsson from the small fishing
town of Húsavík, Northeast Iceland, was awarded the national title Chef of the Year. His passion for
food started in early childhood, and after spending months traveling to every corner of the country,
looking for the ultimate Icelandic taste, he founded the restaurant Sjávargrillið on Skólavörðustígur
14, in the heart of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavík. On the long road, Gústav Axel came up with a menu,
a collective taste of the best of Iceland, such as golden ocean perch and grilled langoustine, vegetable
spring roll and slow-cooked egg, grilled catch of the day from Jón the fisherman, grilled leg of lamb
and slow-roasted lamb shank and grilled pork belly with hot BBQ sauce. Sjávargrillið is open seven
days a week, from 11 am to late. 571-1100. sjavargrillid.is
S J ÁVA R G R I L L I Ð