Lakeside Café Tanygrisiau
Tucked beside the Tanygrisiau reservoir just south of Blaenau, this beloved café serves an unexpected feast of Greek food — think proper gyros and homemade dishes — with views across the water to the surrounding mountains. It is the kind of place that makes you do a double-take, then immediately order seconds.
The Food & Atmosphere
The café's menu leans Greek in a landscape that is defiantly Welsh, and the combination works brilliantly. Visitors consistently praise the welcoming atmosphere, generous portions and the quality of homemade desserts alongside the savoury dishes. All-day breakfast options mean it works as a morning fuel stop before a hike just as well as a post-adventure lunch.
The location beside the reservoir adds a genuinely picturesque dimension — the café's large windows and outdoor seating face directly onto the water and the slate-scarred hills beyond, making even a simple coffee feel like an occasion.
Getting There
Tanygrisiau is a small village about a mile south of Blaenau Ffestiniog town centre, easily reached on foot along the road or via the footpath that skirts the reservoir edge. The Ffestiniog Railway's Tanygrisiau halt is a request stop on the Porthmadog line, meaning you can arrive by steam train.
Parking is available near the reservoir. The café is a natural midpoint for walkers heading up to Cwmorthin valley or cyclists on the Antur Stiniog network, so expect a convivial mix of muddy boots and damp waterproofs at the neighbouring tables.
What Else Is Nearby
The Tanygrisiau reservoir itself is worth a slow circuit on foot — a flat, easy 2-kilometre loop with good birdwatching and uninterrupted views of the Moelwyn peaks. The Stwlan Dam sits above the village and is reachable on a steep but short walk, rewarding you with one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the area.
For evening dining back in Blaenau town, Red Chillies on the high street is the local go-to for Indian food, while Cellb — the community arts centre and bar — is the place for a post-dinner drink with locals.
Lakeside Café Tanygrisiau on video
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