Table Top Cafe

We had a really fun girls night here this evening. Relaxed atmosphere, comfy couches and tasty snacks! Food is really affordable and they have everything I love… hot pretzels, brownies, cake, candy bowls, chips and salsa, mochas, slurpees with vodka and so much more. Portions were very large.
They have a great selection of games for all skill levels and interests.
Service was excellent, I would definitely come here again.

I love, love, LOVE going to the Table Top Café! This is a must-​go place for my boyfriend, friends and I every time we venture to the south side of Edmonton.
Upon entering, you are always greeted by friendly staff. You give them your name and order, and head to a table to begin an awesome gaming experience. They have so many different games for you to choose from, and the gaming levels start from beginner all the way up to advanced gamers. (They even have Monopoly for those of you who are too scared to try something new!)
The food here is actually pretty good, although it takes a few options to fill you up. My favourites are definitely the Parmesan Naan with Marinara sauce and the Double Decker Cheese Panini (served with lots and lots of ketchup!). I always seem to end up pairing these with a Grown-​Up Slush — the fruit punch with rum is delectable! If you’re looking for something sweet, definitely try their carrot cake (only if they have any left — it seems to be a big seller).
The best part about going here, though, is trying all the new games they bring in. We have tried so many and ended up buying them to take home. The nice thing is you don’t have to fell obligated to buy them to try them. Some of my favourite games include Steam Park, Dead of Winter, Betrayal at House on Haunted Hill, and, of course, Munchkin. If you haven’t tried any of these games, head on down to Table Top Café today and treat yourself! I love that it’s only $ 5 to play and you can play all day — such a cheap date day/​night idea!

The first store from Table Top Café. They have a wide variety of board games and card games to try and buy. I have been to this location numerous times and I always have a good time with friends. The staff is always helpful when it comes to suggesting or teaching games. Any time I visit I usually leave with interest in a new game.
They have a good selection of snacks and beverages. They have quite a few sandwich options available. I recommend the Grilled Cheese. Table Top has a wide variety of beer and «adult» beverages. My wife usually gets an «adult» Slurpee while I usually stick with their craft beers or coffee.
It’s a $ 5 admission fee but your time is unlimited so you can have a long game session with friends or short visits without guilt. You can usually get a table however I recommend making reservations so that your group is guaranteed a spot. I have purchased quite a few games during my visit and I have not been disappointed with the prices. Table Top Café also has games available on «sale» so I always keep an eye out for something interesting.
You can follow Table Top in Facbook, Twitter, and Instagram to hear about new games or events hosted at the café.

This is perhaps less to do with the general décor as with the premise of the place itself (pun intended). It looks a little bit rundown, but the staff are absolutely lovely, the people seem happy there, and you can get lost for hours (for a flat rate! yes! it’s real!) in hard to find, unique board games. This place just makes me really really happy. Come here if you want to be happy.

Wonderful business idea, so good in fact that many replicas have been popping up around Edmonton. All they charge is $ 5 per person to hang out as long as you like playing any of their MASSIVE selection of board games. Great way to try out new games before purchasing and the owner will help explain the rules if you request so you don’t need to spend an hour figuring it out first. They have a great selection of snacks and drinks to enjoy while playing and an all around great atmosphere. If you’re looking for something different for a night out with some friends or an interesting date idea this is a wonderful choice.

My wife and I came here on a Friday night. Played a couple games, had a few drinks (beers for me, lattes for my wife) and candy bowls. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the owner and staff were friendly. We arrived around 7:00pm and you could tell we were getting in just before it was about to get busy so the owner asked if later in the night it would be alright if another couple was seated with us. «Fine by me» I said, and frankly for anyone that is not fine with, then shame on you for going out to a public café to play board games, stay at home in your parents basement if that is your attitude. Four is always better than two when playing board games anyway! I cant’ say much today about the food as we only ate skittles and peanut M&M’s and I can’t imagine those being prepared in house, however; delicious. Good selection of beer to choose from; locals, seasonal’s and tasty IPA’s. I would say price point is right on par with other café’s and bars for drinks and alcohol prices. I was actually expecting a larger tab at the end of the night when I went up to pay. All in all a great night and next time we are there we will dive deeper into the food menu. Recommended.

Love this place! A unique and must-​visit space of Edmonton! Great for board game lovers and even those who have not played a board game since they were a kid. Love the environment and the staff are super helpful. With such an array of games it makes it fun and different every time.
One of the things I always look for is parking, with ample space and never having an issue with parking it makes this place worth the drive.
Highly recommend with your visit getting a couple classic board game snacks: skittles and pretzels are my personal favorite.

Fact: I am ADDICTED to board games. Seriously. Ask me to make plans on a Friday night, and we will be an hour deep into a game of Lords of Waterdeep with bowls of sour candy… bars, not so much.
So, how great is it that there is a place where you can go play board games AND get out of the house and into the world on a Friday night? For $ 5 you can stay as long as you want and play as many different games as you want (because, really, who stays longer than a couple games?). It’s great especially if you’re not sure which game you want to buy next because now you can try a bunch!
They have about 10 tables and it can get busy on weekend evenings (apparently there are others like me!) but I’ve always found a table (and they take reso’s!).
Food/​drink prices are a bit steep but they obviously need a bit more cash flow than the $ 5 per person (have you ever bought a hard to find board game? they cost $$$)… though I would definitely like them more if they served BETTER food. They have a few panini type sandwiches but they’re pretty simple and just basically pressed bread. Oh well. You can’t win it all.

There is so many things that is just awesome with this café, from the service to food and the selection of games itself was very impressive when you walked in.
1) The service was wonderful, it was fast, friendly and very handy. They also keep a tab open for everyone and you just pay when you finish. Plus, it was just $ 5 and you can use any game you would like, and for as long as you want!
2) The food to price ratio is just wonderful. although the food was simple, it was very easy to share with others. The prices were very affordable, so the more the merrier!
3) Lastly, the game selection! Of course this is what’s makes table top café very unique. Not only do you get to socialize, but you also get to play some board games with your friends and family. They range from card games to board games, to almost anything else you can think of!
All in all, the atmosphere of this place is also very lively and it just shows how much fun one place can be.

I actually met the owner Brian Flowers before he opened Tabletop Café, as he was advertising himself at a POGOB boardgame meetup event. I’m pleased to find that the TTC is well-​spaced, adequately lit, if a bit overly warm and lacking temperature control (if you’re a thin guy like me that spews BTUs, you’ll die in the summer months!). Spacious hardwood tables greet you as you walk in, with reservations available. You sign up at the counter and are free to float between tables, with your entry fee and all consumables paid for at the end of your visit.
The most attractive feature of TTC is the large boardgame collection as well as the flat $ 5/​day for all-​day gaming ($ 2.50/hr at rival Hexagon Café on Whyte). The customer service is efficient and polite, but not necessarily friendly. Orders may not be taken from tables generally. You must make your way up to the counter and interrupt play (or hope there isn’t a queue after taking your turn in your game).
Long hours (up to 1am on Friday and Saturday night) are quite a delight as you may choose whenever is convenient for you to go solo or with a group of friends. Despite my belief that this out of the way location would be an issue for most gamers (as many are not vehicle owners), I was pleasantly surprised that the location is only a 5 minute walk from a #8 stop.
As with most boardgame cafés, TTC suffers from more emphasis on the boardgame and not enough on the café. Overpriced and undersized portions for all food (as well as lacking diversity), though I found it of good quality and quite edible (of course, outside drinks and food are not permitted. Just like movie concession, this is where they make their money!)
All in all, a fun hangout place at great prices, just eat before you go or head out for a meal and come back to more gaming afterwards!

Fantastic time every time visiting this place! Game selection is fantastic, prices good, snacks great, and best atmosphere to just relax and enjoy the game.
Also great selection and prices for buying games.
I recommend this place to anyone and everyone that loves a good board game.

One of the only things that would make this place better would be for it to be located more centrally or closer to transit. That said, it’s not that hard to get to via transit. The food and beverage selection is great and the $ 5/​person entrance rate is really quite reasonable given the selection of tables and games you have at your disposal when visiting here!
This location is open late, run by a very knowledgeable board gamer, and includes alcohol, coffee, tea, soup, sandwiches, candy, snacks, and more as options for purchase while you’re there! There are also a number of great games for sale here, and they don’t mind if your group gets a bit loud or plays a game such as Cards Against Humanity which might include some more racy language. While I have seen children here, it isn’t the most kid-​friendly venue as a result of some of the games that are played and some of the other customers, but that is surely not intentional.
I like it when they host game tournaments though it has been a while since I have had the pleasure of attending one. It is a great place to reserve a table for a group. I like how it’s just a flat entrance fee rather than a fee per hour here, which encourages you to stay for a while and play more games (and eat/​drink more).

This is a really fun café and something a little different too. It has coffees, and drinks (including local brews by Alley Kat) as well as food options, but the main draw for this café is the board games. For $ 5/​person you have unlimited access to, well there were probably close to a hundred board games if not more, for the durations of your visit. Everything is done on a tab, so you go up and order your food and drinks, let the staff know how many people will be at your table, and then you settle the tab when you leave. That way you don’t have to worry about someone taking over your property on Park Avenue during an intense game of Monopoly.
I met a couple of friends here and we played several games. First up Jumanji, because I am a child of the 90’s and that just sounded awesome. Turns out a board game based on a movie based on a book about a magical board game that can cause an elephant stampede or trap you in the jungle isn’t as exciting as it seems. There was a secret decoder in the game that I remember from other 90’s board games (like Clue Jr), but the game itself was pretty boring. To be fair it’s aimed for those 8 and up, so I’m a bit above that target audience.
After that wholesome goodness we needed to go in the other direction, so we played Cards Against Humanity. Or I think we played Cards Against Humanity. There were’s directions in the game box so we googled how to play and then kind of made up our own rules. I don’t know who won, but it was funny.
After humour it was time for a depressing game of Life (at least for me — I lost on all accounts). I think a few of the pieces (some Life tiles for sure) may have been missing from this game. It’s bound to happen in a place like this, pieces go missing, break, get torn (hopefully from competitive game use and not someone intentionally trying to be a jerk). That $ 5 admission fee helps to repair old games and buy new ones, but things aren’t perfect.
Finally we played Mad Gab, the game where you’re reading a nonsensical phrase from a card and you’re saying something legit, but you don’t know what it is (you have to guess). Turns out my friend had this game as a kid and she whooped us with it, so I know what game I’m not playing with here next time I come here.
And yes there’ll be a next time, because I think this is a great little café, and I love the fact there’s somewhere in this odd industrial neighbourhood to grab some food and drinks, and have some fun.

I love the idea of a board game café! Table Top Café is really well executed. They’ve got a huge selection to play and they don’t seem to mind if your group gets a little rowdy and loud. They also have a nifty tab system so that your party can each individually settle their bills at the end of the night.
There is a flat entrance rate of $ 5 per person, but that lets you play for as long as you’d like. The food and drinks are reasonably priced and taste fine.
When I went, I expected it to be a walk-​in kind of affair but I actually had to leave my name on a waiting list. They told me that once a spot opened they would call and I have as long as I needed to get there. My wait was around an hour, which wasn’t terrible. But if you don’t like waiting around I’d suggest calling in and making a reservation.
It’s an awesome place with a fun atmosphere to go with friends for a cheap night out!

I’m extremely jealous of Table Top Café. Create a business from an activity you love and do it well, that’s an ambition of mine!
From Jenga to Puerto Rico you have a wide range of games at your finger tips. We played Puerto Rico, Forbidden Desert and King of Tokyo in one night for the price of $ 5 and drinks. The tab system is extremely efficient and clever. The crowd had some surprising variety as well.
I will say it can get noisy inside with the noise from other patrons as well as the music from the bar next door. There are a fair number of tables, but on a Friday night it was pretty packed. I would suggest coming around 7ish on a Friday.
All in all, I’m happy this establishment exists because this is Edmonton board game heaven!

As you age, your tastes in everything changes. After entering adulthood and the expected tour of duties of the bar scene, you may be fortunate to find some friends who also share the same fear of alcohol and partying as you do. Although I grew up with board games, my friends weren’t board game frenzied yet and the ones we played weren’t as engaging as the ones we have found with age. Thankfully, it seems like my group of friends have reached an age where sitting around a table with tea/​coffee/​wine/​beer and a good board game is more enjoyable than dreading the morning headache and D.A.D.S after a night of clubbing.
I still play the classics like Rummicub, Life, Cluedo but if you ask some avid board gamers in their mid to late 20’s, they might mention games you may never heard of such as 7 Wonders, Suburbia, Love Letter, Dominion, and the ever favorite (but not mine!) Settlers of Catan.
As board gamers, these new breeds of board games are sometimes much more expensive than the games you’re used to. Some creep close to $ 100.00 based on popularity and awards.
An alternative to buying the games is to head on to Table Top Café and «renting» games for the day. Instead of going to a coffee shop to read a nice book, why not go to a café with some friends and play some board games for a spectacular cost of $ 5.00? This is a great way to try new games before taking the plunge. They even have some tasty pastries, hot teas, coffees and beer too if you like to play and eat. Which is great because this way, you won’t smear your grubby fingers on my board set!
Their selection of board games is quite impressive. I would even say they carry games that trump even River City Games in terms of selection. Like a game you just played? No problem. You can purchase a brand new copy in store! Unfortunately, like most physical retailers, their mark up is about average and the same as River City. But, if you’re in a rush to just buy a game right away and don’t plan on buying many games off online retailers to save on shipping, this is a great alternative.
Oh, did I also mention I offensively played Cards Against Humanity for a few hours quite loudly and it was perfectly acceptable? That’s an OK in my book.
Pro Tip: Book a table in advanced to guarantee your spot!
Pop Up Video Fact: Locally owned and run!

What a nifty little place! I came with a small group of friends on a Sunday afternoon and we were able to get a table, no problem. As soon as I walked through the door, I spotted Jumanji calling out my name like it was written in the stars. Turns out, the game is actually not as fun as I thought it was as a child. But never fear, there are thousands (okay, I may be exaggerating) of other games to choose from. Next, we played Cards Against Humanity, and Scrabble (Onyx Edition, the one with a rotating board and grooves for the tiles so that they don’t move around– talk about high class). We stayed for a few hours, each had some bevies and snacks. I didn’t get a brownie, but my pal did. I had a bite and it was seriously to DIE for. So good!
All around good-​times and great crowd of nice people! Love their tab system. The staff was very nice, friendly, kept their distance while you were playing but still watched to clear your dirty dishes as you finished up your snacks.
Like I said before, they have a huge collection of games. But they only have multiple units of some of them… so if you have a popular game in mind, it might already be in use when you get there. Overall, I can’t wait to go back! My only qualm is the location, which is a bit tough to get to if you rely on ETS. Let me know if you’re down for a game of Scrabble– I’m unbeatable! :P

Table Top Café is an awesome idea and a great place to meet up with friends if you want a place to hang out and play board games. Sure, other cities in Canada already have this but this is the first one in Edmonton!
We went there for the first time on a Friday evening and all the tables were full. The owner, Brian, was nice enough to ask and we were able to squeeze onto a table that wasn’t full. The place is bright, warm and inviting — perfect to get your game on and man, there is a BIG selection to choose from. Not only that, you can purchase the games brand new right there and then.
All you need to know is:
1) It’s $ 5/​person to play
2) You can play and try unlimited amount of games. Hours are great too! Open till 2am Friday and Saturday, 12am for the rest.
3) Brian is a super nice guy. He was nice enough to show us how to play/​start a new game that we had grabbed (Terra Mystica)
Will definitely be back to try more games and to bring new people! Oh and apparently you can reserve a table if you call ahead.

I am so happy this place exists in Edmonton! I remember hearing about it before it opened and was worried I would be disappointed. Thankfully this was not the case and since it opened I have come loads of times to hang out and catch up with friends over a board game. It’s a fun alternative to Starbucks or going out to eat and there is such an amazing selection of games to choose from. The staff is awesome and really helpful if you want to skip reading the rules/​instructions on a new game and be shown how to play.
The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is that I hope the café part improves in the food options. I think we paid something like $ 6 for a tiny veggie tray, and overall the variety just wasn’t there. You can’t bring outside food/​drink, so if you plan on staying for a longer portion of the day I would recommend eating a hearty meal before you go.
All that aside though, I love the Table Top Café, and I will definitely keep coming back!

I finally had the chance to make it out to Edmonton’s newest café that not only offers delicious food and drinks, but a huge selection of board games.
I went with a girlfriend on a Tuesday night to avoid some of the rush at the shop. We were greeted by friendly staff, as well as the owner, who was chatting up all the new customers.
The space is bright and open with a variety of tables and couches to set up a board game.
It was $ 5 to play any board game from the wall of games. We were to choose our table and then started a tab with food and drinks, including our gaming fee.
The menu was large including coffee, tea, beer, coolers, paninis, and desserts. My friend ordered a tea latte and I had a hot chocolate. Both drinks came out quickly and were really delicious! The hot chocolate was made with a really delicious dark chocolate syrup and had a really light flavor, the only thing missing was whip cream.
We shared the cold pasta salad. It was made fresh that day and had a tasty light vinaigrette sauce. The brownie I ordered was quite possibly the most scrumptious, gooey, chocolate brownie of all time.
We browsed the game selection and had a hard time making a choice to play. All of the games are organized in categories and are easy to peruse. They also have a large wall of games for sale, in case you find a game you really enjoy.
Our tab ended up only being $ 25 for playing games, both drinks, and all of our food. It was a cheap, entertaining night out.
I will definitely be making my way back to learn my hand at a few more strategic games!
Ashley Marie