The Cardboard Cafe

A pretty chill place to go. Lots of board games and you can order beer, coffee, candy, or food while you play.
The guy that works there knows how every game works so he can set you and your friends straight in the event of any disagreements.

Love the idea of a game café… love the idea of candy bowls… great idea!
Today, however we ordered 3 bagel bombs and tea.
Bagel bombs are from La Noisette Bakery. Amazing as usual… tea was hot but it was hard to discern a cherry blossom taste to the tea. Perhaps a different kind of tea? How about Angry Llama tea?
Anyways, I will return with a herd of teens to play my new game love «Cards Against Humanity»!

SO MUCH FUN! Went to the Cardboard Café with a group of work friends to celebrate the holiday. The selection of games are amazing and is very reasonably priced. Check it out! Bring lots of friends :)

I was on the road and stopped by this place. Massive collection of games. The owner had lots of great game suggestions. He was also very personable. I liked the guy. The setting was comfortable. Nice solid tables. I could easily see wasting huge amounts of time here. The place definitely adds a lot to Dundas Street.

I’ve always loved the idea of a board game café. They started to gain popularity in Toronto and I was happy to see one finally open up in London!
I’ve been here a few times and I always held off on writing a review. I felt there was always something lacking, but if I went enough times, it would finally all iron itself out. I’m giving it a 3.5 because of my hit-​or-​miss experiences. I will always go back to play here but there is some work to be done.
One constant across the board is the hot chocolate. It is always COLD. Please sir, pump up that heat! It’s ok, it’s supposed to be hot! I promise! I typically down it in about 5 seconds flat because 1) its lukewarm 2) its not overly large and 3) its freakin’ delicious! Tons of flavour, just no heat.
The last few times I’ve gone, the menu has expanded. No longer is this a place that just sells cookies and muffins. They have lots of options now like sandwiches and waffles. The food was great, we had the bacon waffles and they were quite yummy. It was frustrating that all of our orders came out 20 minutes apart. I get that this isn’t a true restaurant but it was a bit strange that one person got their food while the others waited. I find the items are a bit steep in price as well.
I’ve gone to cardboard café on a few occasions with different groups. Once I went with a large group for a birthday party. We weren’t sure what to play since none of us are seasoned gamers so we took a gander at the huge game wall. There are a TON of games to choose from. We stood there and stood there and no one came to help us. We ended up picking a party game that wasn’t really fun and it didn’t work because the markers inside were dried out.
However, on my latest visit, the same employee from before was super helpful and showed us lots of great options, and explained some games very well to us. This needs to be more consistent. Actually, this should always be a must!
I can’t say I haven’t had a good time here. I really enjoy my visits and it is really fun. Tuesdays has 2 for 1 gaming ($ 5 to stay and play). If they work on their service when it comes to the games themselves, they would have a 5 star review out of me. Play your cards right Cardboard Café, and you’ll be at the top of your game in no time flat!

I came to The Cardboard Café with my boyfriend. We were planning on having lunch. My first impression was not good. The tables were dirty and the atmosphere in general was pretty sketchy. The server took our drink orders but didn’t actually bring them for 20 mins and then never came back. We didn’t end up ordering food, just played one game of Scrabble then left. I won’t be coming back.

Meeples & Dice & Cards… oh my! How excited was I when Cardboard Café first opened? Pretty darn excited as I pointed to the sign in the window while still under construction and screamed scaring a walking by pedestrian who started to walk a little bit faster. What can I say? I love me some board games and Cardboard has got them in spades (actually… they even have some of mine as I donated a few that weren’t seeing as much table love as they should).
The gaming café is not a new concept, back in the 90’s there were plenty of video game ones but the hobby gamers like myself who were into modern day designer games didn’t have a destination to hang out and try the latest and greatest out other than a random shelf here or there in your local comic shop. I know what you are thinking… but couldn’t I just go to walmart, or toys r us and buy monopol… (Shhh your mouth right there!) I’m not talking those board games. Though they do have all those classics like Monopoly, Clue, Jenga etc…
I am talking the Ticket to Rides, Catans, Roll for the Galaxy, Pandemic, Aquasphere, Dead of Winter, King of Tokyo, Sushi Go, Akrotiri style games of the world. I’m talking Worker Placement, Resource Management, Take That, Area Control… right, I’ve lost you. Nevermind, what I am basically saying is there is TONS to explore here so don’t be afraid. Plus as a bonus they serve lovely goodies like candy bowls, banana bread, paninis and of course Pilot Coffee (which I happen to be fond of given I work at another establishment in town that serves them: D).
$ 5 to stay and play as long as you like. Reasonably prices food & beverage. Really other than more comfy chairs and earlier morning hours I’d say it’s right on trend with places like Toronto’s Snakes & Lattes and set to grow!

I wish my experience here had been better, because the place really has huge potential. There’s not much to tell really, because disappointment came mildly and then lingered until our departure.
We stumbled upon Cardboard Café on our walk to the Starbucks down the street. Realizing it was a spacious coffee shop with large tables, board games and beer we decided this option was much better.
We picked a table and my husband went to the counter to order. The man working was standing near another table teaching them to play a board game. He acknowledged us and said it would be a minute. After a few minutes, he went to the counter, took the order and then went straight back to teaching the board game.
Meanwhile, we began trying to connect to the internet. Neither of us could get it to work. My computer would connect but not load and my phone said password incorrect even though it wasn’t. Another 10 minutes passed and we realized we hadn’t even gotten the coffee yet and he was still playing the game.
We ended up leaving before getting our coffee.
The other review says they charge $ 5 for unlimited games, so maybe it wasn’t as weird as I initially thought that the employee was so engrossed in the game.
2 stars for potential and friendliness. Minus 3 stars for failed internet and such a lag on service.

I am so excited that London has a games café! For $ 5.00 you get to enjoy a wide variety of games; from tough strategy games to family games you remember from your childhood. The staff is very knowledgeable and seems like they’ve played every one of the games.
There is a selection of hot and cold beverages and they are licences in case you would like a beer with your Boots of butt-​kicking. Keep in mind, the goal is gaming, so the food is limited to a couple of pre-​made sandwich options, chips or other such snacks.
Update: the food options have improved!
All in all, a great place to hang out with friends and see who would survive the zombie apocalypse.