Emerald Tavern Games and Cafe

A great gaming pub and store with plenty of space. They have a larger miniatures and paint selection than you'd expect. And the TTRPG section is well stocked with both D&D, Pathfinder, and other games. Make sure to reserve a table on busy nights.

The drinks are excellent and cocktails are the price you'd expect at any bar. Coffee, espresso drinks and tea is also available. The food is good but nothing to write home about. It's mainly there to keep you fed while gaming with friends. Rentable rooms are a little tight for the money they charge.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Emerald Tavern used to be one of my favorite places to go in Austin, and I do not say that lightly. As an introverted person who enjoyed meeting up with like-minded tabletop roleplayers, board gamers, and card gamers, I was surprised by how enjoyable the food at the atmosphere was, but I feel that things have gone downhill, especially in the service department. While some of the servers are incredibly knowledgeable, polite, and understand the vision and the vibe of this cafe, they are few and far between. There is a massive gap in talented, skilled service workers here, and while this wouldn't be a problem for a cheaper establishment that is food-focused (something like a Chili's or Applebees), for what used to be such a unique and fun place to hang out, play games, and eat food at, it's spotlighting a serious problem that can only get worse.

A couple of sour experiences that have made me decide to no longer continue gaming here, as follows:

1. I've witnessed servers spill multiple glasses of water across game spaces, one of which was hosting an EDH game (for those unfamiliar, VERY expensive trading card game). Now, while I understand that accidents happen, this has become a pattern. In fact, nearly every time I've gone in recent memory, something like this has happened.
2. Servers regularly forget my order, or completely ignore simple requests. It's become a bit of a running joke now that each time my partner and I go, we have to ask multiple times for a carafe of water. Last night, our server ignored our request to split the tab, leaving me scratching my head as to how I ended up paying $13 for a single diet coke.
3. Servers are completely unfamiliar with the menu, to the point that I had to avoid an argument with one over whether or not an Athletic N/A brew was indeed non-alcoholic.
4. You'll wait for your drink or food while you can visibly see your server on the showroom floor chitchatting with other servers and employees.

You get my point. While all of these incidents could be excusable at a cheaper, more mediocre establishment, Emerald Tavern -was not- that for the longest time. I don't know where or why so many of the talented service staff have left, but it is a shame. Until things improve, I advise you take your business elsewhere.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

Fantastic gem of a spot in North Austin. I've been told they might sell games and such there as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Emerald tavern is hit and miss when it comes to food and service. We were there last Friday and struggled to get service to deliver drinks and had to go find employees multiple times. Additionally the princes are very high for most food and drink. While their baked foods are decent most of their actual meals are very bad. They have kebabs that are supposed to be marinated in chimichurri over white rice, however they were the most bland and tough thing I'd ever had. I'd asked for a side of the chimichurri to pour over however I was handed a cup of oil with a few shakes of dry seasonings in it. On the other hand, the fish and chips are decent and the tartar sauce is A+. Overall it's a solid place to go game for a bit but their model of having free play space at the cost of high prices for subpar food and service definitely isn't working.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 2

Service: 3

Joshua was incredibly helpful! As D&D noobs, he introduced my fiancee and I to the incredible world of dice and gave me a ton of pointers on being a DM. CANNOT wait to make a return trip. This is my new hobby mecca!

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Whitney was our server and we had a wonderful time!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Whitney was a great server! The Hop water was amazing!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Fantastic spot for gatherings—hidden gem!

I recently hosted my birthday party at Emerald Tavern, and it was absolutely perfect. Everyone raved about the food and drinks, and Ryan and the entire staff went above and beyond to make the night special. The service was friendly, attentive, and accommodating from start to finish.

So many of my guests asked, “How did you even find this place?” It really is a bit of a hidden gem—especially for folks who aren’t part of the gaming community—but it deserves to be on everyone’s radar. It’s a wonderful spot for small gatherings of up to about 30 people.

They were extremely flexible with the menu and offered a great variety that worked for both my vegetarian friends and the meat-eaters. And the drink options? A huge hit. There was truly something for everyone.

If you’re looking for a welcoming, unique venue with great service and even better food and drinks, Emerald Tavern is an excellent choice. Highly recommend!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great board-game café with amazing food and tons of games to choose from! Joseph and Casey are wonderful hosts—friendly, helpful, and make the whole experience even better. Highly recommend for a fun, cozy hangout!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Went into this place out of curiosity not knowing what it was , pretty cool place , u can bring ur own board games or rent one on the spot for five bucks Jospeh behind the counter pretty cool guy pointed us at some board games that he thought we would enjoy , the drinks were good aswell .

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

The team made it so easy for me. Overall fine.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great place to enjoy board or table top games, and have a cocktail or specialty coffee.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Such a chill place to meet friends for some games! Great staff, spacious, fun drinks!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

I love it there so much it's one of my go to spots when I just need to sit down and study and want some food while I do it I also love meeting up with friends there it's a perfect spot for late night get-togethers since they don't close until 2300

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Good food, great staff, and a fun casual atmosphere - you can rent games or bring your own, and party rooms are available to rent if you want to have a private party. My group had a great time running a DND one shot there. The autumn cocktail specials I have to give a shout out- if you like whiskey, try the Ravem's Descent; it's awesome! (On the regular cocktail menu, I like the Dodecahedron. It's a daiquiri and it's great.)

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5