Personally, one of my favourite pastimes is a good board game cafe. I mean, what’s better than being surrounded by your closest friends, and all you can hear is the sound of your own laughter and hopefully indulging in your own victory? Board game cafes are scattered all over the city, which means they are easily accessible to everyone. So, just for you, here is a list of the best board game cafes in Dubai.
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1. Hive Board Game Café
Head over to the vibrant Hive Board Game Café – here, you’ll be greeted by a dazzling collection of over 500 board games ready to ignite your competitive spirit. As you immerse yourself in epic battles of strategy and fun, don’t forget to capture the café’s stylish ambiance, adorned with captivating murals, in a few Instagram-worthy snapshots.
Quick Deets
Location: Onyx Tower 1, The Greens – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 12 PM–12 AM | Fri-Sat 12 PM–2 AM
Contract: 058 826 9077
2. Unwind Speciality Board Game Café
At Unwind Café, board game enthusiasts can unwind, relax, and dive into an impressive library of over 800 board games. Feeling a bit peckish? No worries! The café also serves up a delectable selection of sandwiches, salads, and pizzas to fuel your gaming marathon. And for those seeking a momentary escape from the board, there’s even a cozy reading corner where you can lose yourself in a good book.
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Quick Deets
Location: Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3 – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 2:30 PM–12 AM | Fridays 2:30 PM–1 AM | Sat-Sun 12:30 PM–1 AM
Contract: 04 336 6611
3. Dice Board Game Café
Gather your friends and prepare for a gaming extravaganza at Dice Board Game Café. With a staggering selection of over 1,000 games to choose from, including classics like Monopoly, you’ll be spoiled for choice. But it’s not just about board games here – unleash your creativity by colouring intricate mandalas at the Circle Mall location. And when hunger strikes, savour a mouthwatering menu featuring shakes, burgers, pizzas, and more. Dice Board Game Café is your passport to hours of boundless entertainment.
Quick Deets
Location: Jumeirah Village
Timings: Open daily from 10 AM–12 AM
Contract: 04 582 0108
4. Charade
Charade isn’t your ordinary board game café; it’s a triple threat. Step into a hipster haven with a wicked-cool interior, where you can feast on delectable burgers and chicken wings while engaging in epic battles of Jumanji or intense Scrabble showdowns. In this unique establishment, you can also explore quirky art, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.
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Quick Deets
Location: Iranish, Shop20, Wasl51, Al Wasl Road – 1st – Jumeirah – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 12 PM–1 AM
Contract: 050 774 6961
5. The Six
If you’re in search of an Insta-worthy board game café, look no further than The Six. Inside, you’ll find a cozy and charming atmosphere, while outside, the majestic Burj Khalifa graces the skyline. The menu at The Six boasts imaginative creations, from themed mac ‘n’ cheese dice to wild volcano cheese fries. For a mere AED 35, you can delve into a treasure trove of over 1,000 games, making it an unbeatable choice for board game enthusiasts.
Quick Deets
Location: Burj Vista – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd – Downtown Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 9 AM–12 AM | Fri-Sat 9 AM–2 AM
Contract: 04 334 2666
6. Kefi Books, Board Games & Cafe
Kefi believes in the magical trifecta of books, board games, and coffee. Gather your besties and spend an enjoyable afternoon at this snug venue. For just AED 35 per person, immerse yourself in endless gaming delight.
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Quick Deets
Location: Tower 1 – Al Mamzar – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 10 AM–1 AM
Contract: 04 385 2888
7. Game Over Escape Rooms And Board Game Cafe
Whether you’re in the mood for thrilling games, a soothing coffee, a milkshake, or a quick snack, Game Over has it all. This café caters to colleagues, students, families, and adults alike, offering a library bursting with over 100 board games suitable for everyone. Best of all, order your drinks and play board games for free, and don’t forget to explore their captivating escape room experiences.
Quick Deets
Location: Nakheel Mall, Palm Jumeirah Second floor – Dubai
Timings: Open Daily from 10 AM–10 PM | Fri-Sat 10 AM–12 AM
Contract: 04 577 3289
8. Public Cafe
Public Cafe is the perfect spot for friends to catch up over coffee and delectable bites. But it’s not all about relaxation; you can also get a little competitive with a game or two. It’s the ideal blend of socialising and friendly competition.
Also read: Dubai: Newest Culinary Hotspot, F.R.N.D.S. Grand Café Now Open At Address Fountain Views
Quick Deets
Location: JLT, Cluster T
Timings: Open daily from 8 AM–10 PM | Sat-Sun 8 AM–7 PM
Contract: 04 451 9670
9. The Hungry Monkey Dubai
Situated in Al Barsha, The Hungry Monkey Dubai is a barrel of laughs. As a combination of a bar with refreshing drinks, dancing, and a plethora of board games, it promises endless entertainment. To ensure you secure your spot, be sure to book in advance, as tables are limited. With just AED 25 per person per hour, you can dive into thrilling board game adventures. And if you decide to indulge in the menu, you’ll get to play for free. Don’t miss out on this exhilarating gaming experience!
Quick Deets
Location: Donatello Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha 1 – Dubai
Timings: Open daily from 12 PM–3 AM
Contract: 050 707 5307
10. H2o Cafe
This quaint cafe in Karma has two levels and is ocean themed. Now, it may not specifically be a board game cafe but once you are there you can play an array of games all for free. That’s right at H2o you only have to pay for your delicious food and enjoy all the games you want for as long as you want. However, some of their larger varieties of games such as Carrom, will cost around AED 15 but it definitely sounds worth it to me. And while you’re there you can also indulge in some fantastic shisha flavours as well.
Quick Deets
Location: Al Safa 1, Al Karama – Dubai
Timings: Open daily form 12:15 PM–4 AM | Fri-Sat 12:15 PM–6 AM
Contract: 04 338 3244
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