Rival Restaurants (2019) Board Game

Rival Restaurants is a board game that was released in 2019 by Gap Closer Games. It was designed by Gary Alaka, Rob Chew, and Jon Kang, with artwork by Audrey Jung. The game falls under the categories of Auction/Bidding Contracts Negotiation, Real-time, and Set Collection, with a theme centered around food and cooking.

Game Components of Rival Restaurants

1 Game Board

1 Discard Tray

8 Restaurant Boards

12 Chef Cards & Cutouts

24 Basic Recipes

24 Gourmet Recipes

174 Ingredient Cards

36 Action Cards

Various tokens and coins.

How To Setup Rival Restaurants

To set up the game, each player chooses a restaurant board and a chef card, each with unique powers and bonuses. Players start with two recipe cards and a set amount of money. The game board is set up with various market locations, and the ingredient cards are distributed across these markets. The action cards are placed at specific markets, and the garbage tokens are set aside. The game is ready to play once all components are in place and players understand their starting conditions.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Real-Time Trading and Negotiation: Players simultaneously buy ingredients, trade with other players, and use action cards to gain advantages.

Market Phases: Each round consists of three phases: income collection, “Buy and Barter” (where players buy ingredients and trade), and “Cook and Counter” (where players cook recipes and clear garbage).

Action Cards: These cards can be played to disrupt other players or gain benefits, freezing time when played.

Chef Powers: Each chef has a unique power that can be used during the game.

Objective: The first player to earn 20 popularity points (likes) by cooking recipes wins the game.

Player Experience

**Rival Restaurants** offers a dynamic and chaotic gameplay experience, particularly at higher player counts. The real-time mechanism ensures that all players are engaged simultaneously, reducing downtime. The game combines strategic planning with the unpredictability of negotiation and action card play. Players must manage their resources, navigate market competition, and utilize their chef’s unique power to outmaneuver their opponents. The game’s art style and components are of high quality, adding to the overall enjoyment.

Pros

Engaging Real-Time Mechanics: Keeps all players involved at the same time.

High Replayability: Multiple chefs, restaurants, and recipes ensure no two games are the same.

Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation and trading among players.

Easy to Learn: Simple to understand, but challenging to master.

High Quality Components: Well-designed boards, cards, and tokens.

Cons

Game Length: Can be longer than expected, typically taking 45-60 minutes or more.

Optimal Player Count: Best with 6 players or 2 players using the special 2-player rules; less engaging with 3-4 players.

Personal Thoughts on Rival Restaurants

**Rival Restaurants** is ideal for groups looking for a dynamic and interactive experience. It shines with larger player counts, making it a great choice for parties or game nights with multiple participants. For those who enjoy negotiation, trading, and real-time strategy, this game offers a unique blend of mechanics that keep the game fresh and exciting. However, players seeking shorter games or those who prefer more structured turn-based gameplay might find it less appealing. Overall, it’s a great addition to any board game collection for those who enjoy a mix of strategy and social interaction.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.