Café del Gatto
Café del Gatto at your next game night?
Add Café del Gatto to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
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- Designer Lena Burkhardt , Julia Wagner
- Publisher Schmidt Spiele
- Illustration Robin Struss
The description, FAQ and assessments for this game were generated with the help of artificial intelligence from the game data and reviewed editorially. Spotted a mistake? Let us know.
What to Expect
You play as competing baristas collecting coffee and milk tiles to complete drink glasses (cappuccino, latte, etc.). The game features an espresso-machine display where you draft tiles, take coins, or serve completed drinks. Completed drinks and spent sugar cubes convert into coins and points across the game.
Who Is This Game For?
A family/entry-level hobby game: age 8+ and a 30-minute playtime make it accessible for families, while tactical decisions on buying, placement and timing provide meat for casual gamers.
How It Works
On your turn you choose one of three actions: take 2 coins, buy a tile from the espresso machine (cost equals the adjacent tile on the opposite side) or serve completed drinks. Bought tiles are placed into matching spaces on your glass tiles; 1-tiles grant sugar cubes. When serving, you gain coins based on symbols and may take completed drink tiles to score; sugar cubes can raise a drink's value. You can also pay to flush one side of the machine and refill it.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Lena Burkhardt and Julia Wagner. Café del Gatto won the Spiel der Spiele Game of the Year 2023 and was a 2023 finalist for Lys Grand Public. The open-drafting espresso-machine layout sets it apart in the café/food-&-drink family.
Awards
2023
- 2023 Lys Grand Public — Finalist
Pro
- Short playtime (~30 minutes) allows multiple sessions
- Accessible action choices with meaningful decisions (Open Drafting)
- Awarded Spiel der Spiele Game of the Year 2023
- Family-friendly age recommendation (8+)
Contra
- Competition for tiles can be punishing
- May feel light for experienced hobby gamers
Setting & atmosphere
The theme centers on a café with anthropomorphic cats serving various coffee and milk drinks. Categories list Animals and Food & Drink, reinforcing the café atmosphere.
Tips for beginners
Focus on completing individual glass tiles early and use sugar cubes to boost tight-serving situations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I play this solo?
No. The game is listed for 2–5 players; no solo mode is specified.
How long does a game really take?
Duration is given as 30 minutes; allow extra time for setup and rule explanation.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with drafting helps, but rules are designed to be family-accessible.
How does this compare to similar games?
Its open-drafting via a two-sided espresso machine and the coffee/milk tile interaction define its niche within café-themed games.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Age 8+ and a short playtime make it suitable for family groups.
What mechanic makes it special?
Open Drafting is the standout mechanic, applied through the espresso-machine layout.
Fazit
A compact, tactical drafting game that fits many short sessions; a good pick if you want a 30-minute café strategy with accessible rules.
Café del Gatto at your next game night?
Add Café del Gatto to your collection, let your group vote on what to play, and keep track of winners and scores. Free, no credit card.
Add Café del Gatto to my collectionAlready have an account? Log in
