Few things beat the slow ritual of a well-poured coffee—unless you can enjoy it while contemplating a life-size chess move. These cafés, all featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, keep oversized boards or giant pieces on hand so guests can battle wits between sips. Pull up a pawn, settle in with a latte, and let the game—and the caffeine—begin.
1. The Coffee Cup Café — Boulder City, NV
This longtime Boulder City hangout pours bottomless cups for cyclists and road-trippers headed to Hoover Dam. A patio-side, waist-high chess set invites friendly competition while you wait for a seat, and regulars know to budget extra time for a full match. On its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives episode, the Coffee Cup proved that a quirky pastime pairs perfectly with good brews and hometown hospitality.
2. The Coffee Shop— Gilbert, AZ
Tucked inside the urban-farm community of Agritopia, this family-run café roasts its own beans and bakes everything from scratch. Just outside the roll-up doors sits a tile-inlaid patio chessboard large enough for kids to stand on the squares, making the wait for coffee downright fun. When “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” stopped by, the laid-back vibe and farm-fresh approach earned the crew’s approval—and the chess set earned a cameo of its own.
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3. Blue Moon Café — Baltimore, MD
An offbeat Fells Point institution, Blue Moon Café is as famous for its all-night hours as for the quirky décor. Upstairs, an antique Persian rug frames a chunky wooden chessboard big enough to double as a coffee table, encouraging night owls to keep their brains as busy as their taste buds. The 3 a.m. energy was palpable on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, proving that strategy and caffeine go hand in hand.
4. Café Kacao — Oklahoma City, OK
Known for its Latin-inspired breakfast plates, Café Kacao also prides itself on single-origin Central American beans. A painted checkerboard floor in the waiting area doubles as a playable chessboard when the staff wheels out oversized pieces on busy weekends. The lively scene made it onto “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”, reminding viewers that coffee culture and family fun aren’t mutually exclusive.
5. Squeeze In — Truckee, CA
While Squeeze In is celebrated for hearty breakfasts, locals also flock here for strong coffee served mountain-town style. A floor-to-ceiling bookcase of board games hides a surprise: a folding, four-foot chessboard that staff will happily set up next to the front windows. Gamers and skiers alike were showcased on the restaurant’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives segment, reinforcing Truckee’s reputation for laid-back creativity.
6. Perk Eatery — Scottsdale, AZ
Perk Eatery blends sunny Scottsdale hospitality with serious coffee know-how, sourcing beans from a local micro-roaster. Out front, a checkerboard of paving stones hosts knee-high chess pieces that migrating snowbirds and neighborhood kids can’t resist. The playful atmosphere came across clearly during the Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visit, rounding out the café’s reputation as a community hub where strategy meets steam.