Unwind at Dubai's board game cafes

With more than 400 different board games to pick from, you won't get bored. From Monopoly to Suspend and even Jenga, you'll have plenty of challenges against which to pit your talent. That's why this cafe in the Onyx Towers in The Greens, which serves comforting favourites like pizza and pasta, has gathered such a following.

Homemade sandwiches – the El Cubano is our top pick – plus desserts and coffee are all available as you choose which of Unwind's 800 games to play next. This Al Barsha playing place, the first of its kind in the country, gets rave reviews. Its more recent Zabeel branch offers even more board games, e-games, a reading corner and a menu featuring speciality beverages. Take tips from Unwind's games masters to get an edge over your friends and family at this colourful cafe.

Take on the competition at this Downtown Dubai cafe that lets you play to your heart's content – there are 1,000 games in their catalogue – for a flat fee. Fuel your momentum with treats like their signature steak-topped poutine chips, sliders and sharable bites. We highly recommend their cake pops. An ideal place to stop after shopping or sightseeing at The Dubai Mall nearby.

A gem of a spot that is known for speciality coffee as well as a vast selection of books and games, Al Mamzar's Kefi is a bit of an insider secret. You'll find yourself losing track of time as you work your way through a menu of light bites, with presentation as much a focus as taste. Their latte art is extraordinary so it's an ideal place for your Instagram feed too.