Cafe Bleu Kringlunni
A convenient cafe inside Reykjavik's Kringlan shopping centre, offering coffee, light meals, and a welcome respite from retail therapy.
Not every coffee stop needs to be a curated artisanal experience. Sometimes you are at the shopping centre, your feet hurt, and you need to sit down with a coffee and a pastry before tackling the next row of shops. Cafe Bleu in Kringlan serves exactly that purpose, and it does so perfectly well.
The Setting
Kringlan is Reykjavik's main shopping centre, a sprawling complex that houses over 150 shops, a food court, and a cinema. It is where Icelanders go when they need to buy things that are not available in the small boutiques of Laugavegur, and it has the functional efficiency of a well-run Nordic shopping mall.
Cafe Bleu occupies a space within this complex, offering a break from the retail experience. The seating is comfortable, the noise level is manageable, and the view over the shopping centre concourse provides idle entertainment while you finish your coffee.
The Coffee and Food
The coffee is solid if unremarkable -- machine-made espresso drinks that are perfectly drinkable without being particularly memorable. Pastries and cakes are available from a display case, and light lunch options such as sandwiches and salads round out the menu. Everything is competently prepared and fairly priced.
This is not a cafe that will feature in any food critic's review of Reykjavik's best, and it does not pretend to be. It is a shopping centre cafe that does its job: provide caffeine, sustenance, and a place to sit.
Who Should Visit
Cafe Bleu is for shoppers, families on rainy-day outings, and anyone who finds themselves at Kringlan and needs a break. It is not a destination in itself, and tourists who are short on time would be better served by the specialty cafes downtown. But if you are already at the shopping centre -- and Kringlan is genuinely worth a visit for its range of Icelandic shops and brands -- Cafe Bleu is a sensible and pleasant stopping point.
Practical Notes
Kringlan is accessible by city bus (routes 1, 3, and 6) from downtown Reykjavik, with the journey taking about 15 minutes. Free parking is available in the shopping centre's car park. The centre is fully wheelchair accessible, as is the cafe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Cafe Bleu located?
- Cafe Bleu is inside the Kringlan shopping centre at Kringlan 4-12 in Reykjavik, about a 15-minute drive or bus ride from downtown.
- What does Cafe Bleu serve?
- The cafe offers coffee, tea, pastries, sandwiches, and light lunch options. It is a standard shopping mall cafe rather than a destination restaurant.
- Is Cafe Bleu expensive?
- Prices are comparable to other cafes in Reykjavik. A coffee and snack will cost around ISK 800-1,500. It is neither cheap nor expensive by local standards.
- Is Kringlan worth visiting?
- Kringlan is Reykjavik's main shopping centre with over 150 shops, a food court, and a cinema. It is a good option for a rainy day and offers a broader range of shops than downtown Laugavegur.
- What are the opening hours?
- Cafe Bleu follows the Kringlan shopping centre hours: Monday to Wednesday and Friday 10:00-18:30, Thursday 10:00-21:00, Saturday 10:00-18:00, and Sunday 13:00-17:00.
- Is Cafe Bleu suitable for families?
- Yes, the cafe is family-friendly with accessible seating and a location inside the shopping centre that makes it easy to combine with other activities.
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