The DeLorey family has opened Cliffhanger Café, a new European-style board game café at 1362 Lambton Mall Rd., offering in-house roasted coffee and a cozy “Hygge” atmosphere.
Sarnia has a new destination for cozy afternoons and friendly competition. The DeLorey family—Tina, Kaleb, and Karina—have officially opened Cliffhanger Café, a European-style board game café located at 1362 Lambton Mall Rd.
The café aims to blend the comfort of a Danish café with an extensive library of board games, all accompanied by in-house roasted coffee and a locally-focused menu.
The inspiration comes from the family's Danish heritage.
“When we visit Denmark we love spending time in the cafes because they have such a homey feeling to them,” said Tina Nicole, co-owner and manager. “There's actually a Danish term for this, it's called 'Hygge', which translates to a lifestyle focused on creating a feeling of coziness, contentment, and well-being through simple pleasures and warm atmospheres.”
That feeling is central to the café's mission. After years of planning and renovating the space themselves, the family is proud to offer Sarnia a place to unwind.
“When people walk into our café, we want them to feel at home. We want them to feel exactly what 'Hygge' is," Nicole said.
The name "Cliffhanger" was chosen to capture that feeling of engagement and excitement.
"It's that feeling that you get while you're reading a great book, and the end of a chapter leaves you on a Cliffhanger," Nicole explained. "It keeps you excited, and you want to keep on reading. This is what we hope people will feel while spending time here… so they can't wait to come back.”
Beyond the in-house coffee roasting, the menu features fresh pastries baked throughout the day, gourmet cakes (including gluten-free and vegan options), and seasonal drink specials like the popular "dirty pumpkin chai."
The food menu includes a variety of grilled paninis, with the "Cran-brie"—a turkey, cranberry, and brie panini—being the bestseller since their opening. The café also offers smoothies named after classic songs, international teas, and a full liquor license with wine, beer, and cocktails.
Supporting local is a key part of their business. A retail wall features products from Sarnia-Lambton artisans, including Billy's Honey, Sweet Ontario maple syrup, Blissfully Bare Soap Co., Wildwood Creek Candles, K&J Elderberry Syrup, and Snakeblud Apparel.
For game lovers, the café's library already boasts around 120 board games, with new ones being added weekly.
“Our entire bookshelf that holds the games are organized into categories,” Nicole said. “We also have them organized into categories on our website… kids, family, two-player, strategy/multiplayer, and group/adult. We try to carry as much variety as we can, so there is something for everyone.”
A stage built in the center of the space will host a variety of monthly community events.
To keep up with events, seasonal drinks, and new game announcements, you can follow Cliffhanger Café on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook or visit their website at cliffhangercafe.ca.
