Athena Board Game Cafe

1412 W Lunt Ave, Chicago, IL 60626, United States
$$$ Cafe
(54 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

If you're in search of a cozy spot where camaraderie meets casual dining, look no further than the Athena Board Game Cafe in Chicago. Nestled at 1412 W Lunt Ave, this charming cafe seamlessly blends the love of board games with delectable food, creating an inviting environment that is perfect for gamers and foodies alike.

The atmosphere at Athena is warm and welcoming, accentuated by its intimate layout and friendly staff. Guests are greeted with an impressive selection of board games—whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a casual player, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The cafe not only provides games, but also encourages social interaction, making it a great venue for gatherings, date nights, or even solo gaming sessions. As noted by customer Jasmine Alade'Fa, it's "a very fun and quiet cafe" where you can lose yourself in the strategic depths of your favorite games while enjoying the company of friends or fellow enthusiasts.

But it’s not just the games that make Athena special—their menu offers a delightful assortment of warm bites and cafe drinks that would elevate any gaming experience. Start your adventure with a comforting Espresso or a creamy Matcha Latte, then indulge in some Pretzel Bites or Tequeños to keep your energy up as you strategize your next move. Customers rave about the delicious milkshakes—try the classic Chocolate or Cookies & Cream for a sweet treat that pairs perfectly with a long evening of gameplay. Regina Rodríguez-Martin highlights the delicious shakes and the added bonus of being able to enjoy a sandwich while playing, making it a convenient and satisfying option for long game sessions.

Not only is the food well-received, but Athena prides itself on providing an inclusive environment. Reviews reveal a strong sense of community—the owner is known for their warm hospitality and willingness to teach newcomers about games, transforming the gaming experience into a learning opportunity. Whether you're just stopping by for a quick snack or planning an all-day game fest, you’ll find yourself enveloped in a supportive space where every visitor is treated like family.

While there is a small fee to play the games, patrons appreciate that it allows for unlimited playtime, making it a worthy investment in a day of fun and fellowship. As Becky Gallivan mentions, it has truly become “our neighborhood boardgame place,” signifying that Athena has cultivated a loyal customer base that cherishes this unique meeting spot.

In summary, Athena Board Game Cafe stands out in Chicago not just for its impressive selection of games but for the delightful culinary offerings and a welcoming atmosphere that invites everyone to share in the joy of gaming and breaking bread together. Make sure to stop by if you’re in the area—you might just find your new favorite haunt for both food and fun!

From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Kerbside pickup
On-site services
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Table service
Amenities
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilet
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Trendy
Crowd
Groups
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Thursday

05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Friday

05:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 09:00 PM

54 Reviews
Nick Tomlonovic

04 Sep 2025

The food here is amazing. I had the veggie sandwich, along with pita chips and hummus. I'm not normally a fan of coleslaw, but the serving included with the sandwich was really good. Also, the pita chips were served perfectly warm and the hummus was very good. We brought our own games, but a good selection of games were provided. Staff was also very friendly and helpful. Highly recommend for a quick bite or staying a while and some playing games.

Regina Rodríguez-Martin

26 Aug 2025

This cafe has an excellent selection of games, good food and a friendly owner. She regularly hosts Learn-a-Game events where she patiently walks you through a game you might not have played before so you can keep expanding your game knowledge. The shakes are delicious and it’s great to be able to order a sandwich when I get hungry so I can keep playing. The place doesn’t get too noisy because it’s a smaller size than other places, but it’s a good space for meeting friends and playing in a large group. I love this place.

Becky Gallivan

18 Jul 2025

This is our neighborhood boardgame place, and our go to for the last year or so! The owner is super kind and helpful, ready to help teach a game or even sit down to play with you! They've got really yummy food, and an excellent library of games to play. Also a nice selection of games for sale. Really glad we found this place!

William Garcia

08 Jun 2025

It has a small and intimate space. It has some interesting games and the quality of their food is relatively good. Thank you.

Thom Cote

05 Jun 2025

Super welcoming and cozy little board game cafe! Great to have in the neighborhood. The food is good and goes well with trying out new games - try the milk shakes and fresh guac.

rebecca rodriguez

29 May 2025

Had a very fun date and the food was yummy! But had an unplanned fee. I just couldn’t find anywhere on the website that said there was a fee to play the games, so since it wasn’t listed, I had figured your just expected to buy something to snack on in order to play. It was $5 per person and you can play as long as you want. Not bad, just an unplanned cost for a budget person. Great assortment of games.

Jasmine Alade'Fa

29 May 2025

A very fun and quiet cafe for anyone interested in playing board games. They had an excellent selection and even some solo player games too if you just want to pop in. The staff is extremely friendly and I couldn't recommend it more!

Teresa Chien

29 May 2025

Such a fun place to gather friends and really connect over casual food and an infinite variety of games!

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