Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe

Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe

9012 Research Blvd, Austin, TX

★★★★★4.7(1,822 Google reviews)

Crema's Take

Emerald Tavern is a wonderfully quirky Austin hideaway that blends board game tavern culture with a genuine café, letting you settle in for hours with friends over BLTs, specialty drinks, and unlimited game access for just $10. The low-key, chill atmosphere draws a loyal crowd who appreciate the rare combination of quality comfort food, thoughtful beverage options, and a curated game library—making it feel less like a typical café and more like your coolest friend's living room tucked beneath an overpass. With stellar ratings and reviews praising its hidden-gem status and family-friendly vibe, it's the kind of place where time disappears while you're playing D&D, sipping ginger ale, and genuinely connecting with your crew.

What to expect

Specialty coffee. A slow-sit spot, good for meetings. Light food on the menu. Open late. Family friendly. Wifi.

Specialty drinksFamily friendlyWifiLate nightsTraditional drinksMeetingsSlow sitLight food

Google Reviews

Amy Campbell Doucet
★★★★★2 months ago

When our merry band of travelers embarked upon our journey through the capital of Texas, we happened upon a mysterious tavern. Nestled between an overpass and a menagerie of exotic beasts, The Emerald Tavern beckoned us toward promises of adventure and respite. Upon arrival, we…

Digory Overlander
★★★★★2 months ago

10/10 reserved a booth one day for a few hours, went with friends, ordered BLTs with British back bacon, ginger ales and loads of fried potatoes and played dnd until we had to leave. A luxury location for board game geeks and TTRPG players. (They've also got the best mocktails…

Amber Lee
★★★★★4 months ago

This place is such a hidden Austin gem, we can’t believe we stumbled upon it by accident. Emerald Tavern is a board game and card game focused tavern and cafe serving up delicious bites in between unlimited play for just $10 (day pass; you can select your board games at the…

johnperez4628
★★★★★4 months ago

This is a fantastic, low key, and chill place to play board and card games! You can either bring your own or borrow from their game library. $5 for 1 game or $10 for unlimited games. If you get hungry while playing they have a menu filled with pub food that is delicious. The…

Mary W.
★★★★★6 months ago

I really do love this place, our server seemed new and didnt keep up with our table well, but the next people sid great. The atmosphere is always wonderful, though if the ac was more powerful I think it would be good because it gets busy and hot but I love the design of the…

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