Chatime

Bubble tea in Reykjavik? It is not the first thing you think of when picturing Icelandic food culture, but Chatime on Laugavegur has quietly built a following among locals and visitors who need a break from the relentless coffee-and-pastry routine.

The Drinks

The menu is extensive by bubble tea standards. Classic milk teas, fruit teas, matcha blends, smoothies — the full Chatime international lineup is represented. The tapioca pearls are freshly prepared and have the right chewy texture. The taro milk tea is reliably good, and the mango green tea with pearls is a solid warm-weather choice (on the rare Reykjavik day that qualifies as warm weather).

Customisation is part of the appeal. Sugar levels from zero to full, ice preferences, and a range of toppings let you build something tailored to your taste.

The Experience

This is not a sit-down restaurant. It is a counter-service bubble tea shop located at street level in the 100 Iceland Hotel building. Order, wait a couple of minutes, grab your drink, and go. The space is functional rather than charming — you are here for the tea, not the ambiance.

The location is convenient. Laugavegur 100 puts you at the eastern stretch of the main shopping street, an easy stop if you are walking the length of it. On a cold day (which is most days), a warm taro milk tea is surprisingly comforting.

Worth Knowing

Staff friendliness can be inconsistent based on reviews — some visitors rave about the service, others less so. The drinks themselves are reliable. Prices are reasonable for Reykjavik, sitting well below what you would pay for a cocktail or a glass of wine at most bars.

If you are a bubble tea enthusiast traveling in Iceland and worried about withdrawal symptoms, Chatime has you covered. If you have never tried bubble tea, this is a low-risk introduction. It is not going to change your life, but it is a fun, affordable novelty in a city where novelty often comes with a steep price tag.