Owlbear’s Rest has combined a cafe with board games in a unique way since opening in May 2025. The Westbrook-based cafe describes itself as “the perfect spot to eat, drink, play, and connect” and features a growing collection of over 300 board games.
“You can come by yourself, with your friends or family, or to meet strangers to play games,” said owner Patty Turnquist.
“I was trying to create a life where every day brought me joy,” said Turnquist, “coffee, games, and building community.” In 2020, Turnquist began considering the idea following an experience with cancer. Combining three of her favorite things allows her to work within her passion and create a space for others to do the same.
“I want it to be a place where community members can just stop by… and join in so that they don’t feel like there isn’t a place for them to go,” said Turnquist. She wants people in the community to feel “seen and welcomed.”
Turnquist notes that, in her experience, the gaming community is “one of the most welcoming communities” to everyone, including marginalized populations. According to Business Wire, “the demand for board games has surged” in recent years, and Turnquist says part of that is the wide variety of games and gamers. “There really isn’t one profile of what a gamer is,” said Turnquist. Games at the cafe include both competitive and casual games.
Inside the cafe, there are three main areas: a cafe area, gaming area, and private bookable room. This allows each person to choose how they’d like to spend their time at the cafe, aside from their choice of games. The cafe has a forest-like landscape, which Turnquist says is an ode to the Owlbear’s Rest namesake.
An “owlbear” is a forest-dwelling creature in the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, and the cafe’s plants and earth tones reflect this. Turnquist says the design was a team effort, and the exposed beams and wood gave it the “perfect forest feel.” On theme with the decor is a menu with traditional cafe-style drinks, as well as food such as the “Heroes’ Feast,” a reference to a spell in Dungeons & Dragons.
Owlbear’s Rest can be found in the Stockhouse Station at 506 Main St. in Westbrook. More information on the cafe is available at the Owlbear’s Rest website.
