Dinner and a board game night: a menu that keeps your hands (and the cards) clean

A game night has a catch that ordinary dinners do not. Somebody is always mid-turn with a hand full of cards, and nobody wants to stop for a knife and fork. The best menus for these evenings are built around that fact: food that can be eaten with one hand, that does not drip, and that does not leave a greasy thumbprint on the board.

Split the evening in two

The easiest way to plan is to separate eating from playing.

1. A proper sit-down course first. Something warm and simple, eaten at the table before anyone opens a box. A big pot of chili, a baked pasta or a tray of roasted chicken thighs all work.
2. Grazing food during the game. Small things that can sit out for an hour or two without turning sad.
3. Something sweet at the break. Most longer games have a natural pause. Time dessert for that moment.

This also gives you flexibility. If the first game runs long, the grazing food carries everyone. If it ends early, you still served a real dinner.

Food that suits the game

Pick the grazing food by asking one question: can it be eaten without touching the components?

• Good: cheese cubes, sliced cucumber and carrot, olives, roasted nuts, mini meatballs with toothpicks, soft pretzel bites, small skewers, grapes.
• Fine with a napkin: mini quiches, sausage rolls, stuffed mushrooms, spring rolls with a dip in a small cup.
• Avoid: anything powdered or sticky, such as cheesy popcorn dust, glazed wings, or a dip you have to scoop with a big chip. Tape and sauce do not mix with card sleeves.

If you like the idea of a board, a well-built cheese and charcuterie board is practically made for game night, and it can be assembled before anyone arrives.

A sample menu for six

Quantities below are for six adults who will eat a real dinner and then snack.

• Dinner: a pot of beef or bean chili (about 1.5 kg of meat or 4 tins of beans), with rice, grated cheese and sliced green onion on the side.
• Grazing: a cheese and fruit tray, a bowl of roasted chickpeas, and a plate of cut vegetables with hummus.
• Break: brownies cut into small squares, or a bowl of clementines for people who want something lighter.

Chili is a good choice because it holds on a low setting. If you have a slow cooker, set it to warm and let people refill as they like.

Drinks that respect the board

A tipped glass can end a game faster than any bad dice roll.

• Use glasses with a wide base, or give each player a coaster.
• Put drinks on a side table or the floor beside the chair, not on the playing surface.
• Offer a non-alcoholic option that looks as good as the rest: sparkling water with citrus slices, or a jug of iced tea.
• If you serve alcohol, keep a pitcher of water on the table too.

Set up the room

A little setup saves you from getting up every five minutes.

• Put small plates and napkins within reach of every seat.
• Place two or three snack bowls so nobody has to lean across the board.
• Keep a small bin or an empty bowl for toothpicks, skewers and shells.
• Check the lighting. Dim and cozy is nice until someone cannot read the cards.

What can go wrong

• Allergies. Nuts are everywhere in snack food. Ask in advance, and keep a bowl of nut-free options clearly separate. Our guide to cooking for guests with food allergies goes through how to do this calmly.
• Food sitting out. Perishable items such as meatballs, cheese and cut fruit should not stay out for more than two hours. Keep the rest in the fridge and refill small amounts. More on this in our food safety for dinner parties piece.
• A game that takes forever. Plan for a longer evening than the box says. Teaching a new game at a table of beginners often takes double the listed time.
• Competitive guests and snack theft. A bowl for each side of the table solves this.

A relaxed finish

You do not need an elaborate menu. A warm dinner, a few things to pick at and one good sweet is enough. If you want more ideas for hosting friends at home, browse our dinner parties section, and have a spare pack of cards ready in case the main game does not go to plan.

This article offers general food-safety information, not medical advice. If you or a guest has a food allergy, check ingredients carefully and consult your doctor.