'Congratulations, you guys are in charge of a unicorn stable'. Overheard from one of Thirsty Meeples' experts explaining a game to another table, this pretty much sums up what visitors love about Oxford's first board game café. The humour, warmth and imagination involved in sustaining such a unique place goes some way to explain why, unlike many of its neighbours in Gloucester Green, the café has surfed the unforgiving wave of Oxford's tricky business conditions and continued to thrive.

I went with my partner on a Friday night, and the place was buzzing despite this being a less traditional weekend activity, proving that organised fun can be the best kind. Whether you are considering a particular game and want to try before you buy, want to satisfy a serious competitive streak, or indulge in something completely silly, you will find all that here (sometimes even rolled into one game). The encyclopaedic knowledge of the hosts, coupled with the volume and range of games available, ensures there is always something to discover - so you'll always have an excuse for a return visit.

The furniture at first looks more functional than cosy, but after a few hours of intense sitting I was not uncomfortable in the slightest: I suspect, therefore, that the chairs had been carefully chosen for prolonged occupation, a thoughtful touch for which I was very grateful by the end of the night! Similarly, the tables were of varying sizes, to accommodate groups large and small, giving the impression that everyone is welcome.

At times, genuine squeals of delight emitted from some of the larger groups, though this may be in part due to the café being licensed: the variety of beers, wines and even cocktails available would rival most pubs. If caffeine is your poison of choice, however, you will also be well-catered for: espressos and flat whites sit alongside characteristically creative pistachio mochas and caramel lattés.

The food offered has certainly evolved in the last 5 years: whereas in the past, the snacks were seen as necessary sustenance for fuelling gaming marathons, there are now a range of dishes that are a pleasure in and of themselves. The vegan chickpea and spinach pie disappeared from my plate so quickly that I was (sadly) unable to photograph it, while there is a daily rotation of flavours of gourmet sausage rolls: on the evening I visited, the options were sweet chilli, barbecue and stilton. The range of freshly made sandwiches sounded equally as delectable, and my 'Munching Matilda' (brie, prosciutto and spicy mango chutney) did not disappoint. With all that in mind, I was surprised to discover that the root vegetable couscous pot was not in fact the fresh bowl of fresh delights I had expected, but a new middle-class version of a Pot Noodle. This was a minor flaw in an otherwise excellent menu, but I feel like others deserve fair warning!

For those with a sweet tooth, there is a range of cakes available (plus the 'parents' nightmare' sweetie bowls on the kids' menu - their words, not mine!). However, I decided (after ordering a chocolate orange hot chocolate) that I had been quite indulgent enough...

My overriding impression of Thirsty Meeples is that it has benefited from a huge amount of attention to detail, producing a very special place where the café aspect is of equal importance to the board game element, and an experience that will be memorable and enjoyable, whether you are a novice or a dedicated board gamer.

Thirsty Meeples is a lovely place. The only reason I haven't been more often is because my partner felt it lacked a little something what with only serving coffee and no alcohol. Happily this has been remedied - craft ales are now available (without jeopardising the wide selection of coffees) and so I look forward to installing myself there more often.

On this occasion four of us went to play a specific game, and were able to book a table and a copy of that game (though this does depend on its popularity and some games cannot be pre-booked). The staff were immensely helpful and we were given a complete (and vital) description of how to play, entirely from memory. Given that it was a reasonably obscure game we were all the more impressed.

The setup is that you pay a cover charge, which is £6 per adult (£5 per child) unless you order food or drink in which case it drops to £4.50 (£3.50). That covers you for 3 hours, though you might get longer if it's quiet. It's a good evening's playing, and definitely sufficient for most games. Food is available, including gluten-free sandwiches. The only problem we found was making space for the cups of coffee in amongst all the playing pieces. The food is sustaining rather than gourmet, which is not a comment on its quality so much as its purpose. After all you've gone there for the games.

The space is welcoming and appealing. Board games are in their very nature good to look at, and the shelves look ten times more exciting than the best library. (And do go to the bathroom, just to check out the mirror!) The games are sorted into categories - quick, children's, wordgames, cooperative etc. and you can go in without the faintest idea what to play - just tell the staff what sort of things you like and they can recommend something. And of course if you don't like it you don't have to play to the end. There's no charge for chopping and changing games.

Many games are available to buy. The prices are good especially compared to other outlets in Oxford. This is useful to know at Christmas, though a better present even than a boardgame might be a boardgame party - definitely an option to get the friend who has everything.

The night we were there it was fairly quiet, except for a group having a heated game of Articulate. "Rat pack singer... nicknamed Ol' Blue Eyes... First name rhymes with Spank!" shouted the increasingly frustrated player. In that friendly and convivial atmosphere it was all we could do not to join in.

Within the last few weeks, Oxford has become home to the UK's first and only board game café. Alongside your regular hot and cold beverages, sandwiches and nibbles, Thirsty Meeples offers games ranging from household classics like Scrabble and Monopoly to more recently designed games that most people have never heard of. With 1,500 titles available, it's like a library of board games.

I came for the first time with a group of five people. The online table reservation system, though somewhat inflexible, did mean we were certain of getting a table in this already bustling venue. Standing outside I was struck by the bright lighting of the place which at first made it look more like a board game shop (which it is as well) than a cosy café. However, once inside my hesitation vanished as we were warmly welcomed by the very helpful staff.

The café employs a "game guru" who talked us through finding a game that would suit our group of very mixed taste and experience, and also enthusiastically explained the rules and stood by for the first round to make sure we were enjoying the game. A small cover charge is incurred for all guests, but after this we played two other games without any further cost and again with assistance from the guru.

The owners of this café have a contagious enthusiasm for board games, and this is clearly what their time and money have been invested in during the months before the launching where the hundreds of games have been sourced. The food and drinks are perfectly decent as well and come with some game related surprises which you should discover for yourself. The decor has yet to acquire the character to match the vision of the place, but this is a secondary issue.

Considering the price of buying board games, the cover charge of £3.50 a head is very good value, especially if you like to try out new games. There is a loyalty card which means your 6th visit is free – I expect to be using mine up before long.