Step into the early 20th century, where coffee is more than just a drink, it’s a growing industry, a cultural centerpiece, and a symbol of prestige.
In Café, you take on the role of a coffee company looking to build the most efficient and influential supply chain in Portugal’s booming coffee scene.
Inspired by real historical events (including the secret mission to bring coffee seeds to Brazil) Café takes place during a period when Portugal’s coffee trade flourished. With beans arriving from Brazil, Angola, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor, elite cafés began popping up across Lisbon and beyond, serving as hubs for society and business alike.
In this beautifully compact strategy game for 1 to 4 players, your goal is to oversee the entire coffee process, from the ground to the cup. You develop plantations, dry beans, roast them, and distribute your coffee to prestigious cafés. Success depends on your ability to optimize space, timing, and logistics.
The core of the game lies in how you place and overlap cards to build your network. Every card has multiple icons representing different actions or production steps, and careful placement is key to unlocking powerful combinations. Each decision impacts your ability to produce and deliver efficiently — and to outmanoeuvre your competitors.
Café is easy to learn but rich in tactical depth, offering a satisfying challenge whether you are playing solo or with others. Rounds move quickly, but each turn invites meaningful planning as you expand your company and navigate limited actions.
As the game progresses, players aim to fulfil delivery goals, expand their influence, and ultimately become the leading name in Portuguese coffee.
If you enjoy spatial puzzles, supply chain planning, and a strong historical theme wrapped in elegant design, Café offers a smooth yet bold experience you’ll want to savour.
Take a look first on the tutorial to brew your strategy, serve with style, and leave your mark on coffee history:
https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=cafe
Let's thank Rôla Costa and the publisher Pythagoras for their joined efforts to bring this title to our platform, and as always, let's salute the work to develop it, done by BanBan.
That's your Wednesday release!
PSsssst: as extra sugar, we would like to mention that the SUMMER OF GAMES Calendar will come back on Board Game Arena on the 1st of August for a full month of games.
As always, take care, play fair and... see you around in a few days!
