# Café International

## General Info
- **Year Published**: 1989
- **BGG Rating**: 6.2
- **BGG Rank**: #4001
- **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 4)
- **Duration**: 45-60 min
- **Weight**: 1.64 / 5
- **Designers**: Rudi Hoffmann
- **Artists**: J. W. Thompson, Oliver Freudenreich
- **Publishers**: AMIGO, Kaissa Chess & Games, Leo Toys, Mattel, Inc., Relaxx, Rio Grande Games, Swan Panasia Co., Ltd.
- **Categories**: Abstract Strategy
- **Mechanics**: Hand Management, Pattern Building, Tile Placement

## Verdict
If you enjoy an abstract game with a puzzle-like feel and rules that make you think, Café International is a sure bet! It's fast, elegant, and surprisingly challenging.Clever and accessible strategyQuick and engagingSimple rules, tactical depthGreat for familiesCan feel repetitiveLuck of the drawHIGHLY RECOMMENDED

## Description
Get ready to put your hands to work (or rather, on the tables!) in Café International, a 1989 classic that puts you in charge of a bustling restaurant. Your goal is to seat customers of various nationalities at the tables, but be careful: each table has its quirks! Some chairs are right on the border between two nations, allowing customers from either side to sit there. And to make things even more interesting, the golden rule is gender balance: no tables with only men or only women! As the game progresses, some seating options may become unavailable, forcing you to think fast and manage your pieces masterfully. It's an abstract strategy game with a touch of hand management and pattern building, where every decision on where to place a customer can bring you closer to victory or leave you with an empty table. With simple rules to learn but surprising strategic depth, Café International is a great choice for those who enjoy an intelligent and quick challenge, perfect for playing with family or friends who like a good puzzle on the board. It won the prestigious Spiel des Jahres award in 1989, which says a lot about the quality and impact of this game!

## FAQ
### What is the main objective of the game?
The objective is to be the player who scores the most points by seating customers at the tables, following nationality and gender balance rules, and utilizing the border chairs.

### Is this game difficult to learn?
No, the basic rules are quite simple and quick to explain. The complexity arises from the strategic decisions you make with each move.

### How many players can participate?
The game is for 2 to 4 players and works well at all player counts.

### Is the restaurant theme important to the rules?
The theme serves more as a backdrop for the abstract mechanics. The rules for seating customers of certain nationalities and genders are the main focus.

### How long does a game typically last?
A game usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes, depending on the players' familiarity with the game.

### Is there a lot of language dependency?
No, the game has very little language dependency, making it fully playable in any language.

### Is it more of a pure strategy game, or is there luck involved?
It's predominantly strategic, but the drawing of tiles (customers) adds an element of luck that you need to manage.

## Price Comparison
### Best International Offers
- **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 32.19 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=3433957&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com)
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