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Cooking is a way of life for some, simply a necessity for others, but for many, it’s a passion, a skill, and an art form. If you love spending time in the kitchen, you might enjoy trying out some fun cooking video games every now and then.
Here, we’ve put together a list of some of the top cooking simulation games. From classic favorites to new releases, most of these games feature management aspects, but our focus is on the food preparation part of the gameplay.
Chef RPG
Developed by World 2 Studios, Chef RPG was released on September 12, 2024, and is available on Steam. If you like cozy life simulation games with a culinary twist, this game is perfect. You get to live the life of a chef, leveling up your skills in a charming pixel art world. The game involves gathering ingredients from the wild before cooking them in various restaurants, giving a true farm-to-table experience. You’ll collect ingredients, prepare, and serve tasty dishes.
Venba
Made by Visal Games, Venba came out on July 31, 2023, and can be played on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox One/Series X. If you love heartfelt stories along with cooking, Venba is ideal. It tells the story of an immigrant family in Canada through shared meals and recipes, mainly Indian cuisine. As you cook complex Indian dishes, you also teach players about the culture and the art of recipe creation. It’s a cozy game with a meaningful story, perfect for fans of warm storytelling.
Waku Waku Sweets
Created by Sonic Power Co. Ltd, Waku Waku Sweets was released on November 22, 2018, and is available on Nintendo Switch. If you prefer sweets over savory foods, this game will satisfy your craving. It’s a cute visual novel where you pursue your dream of becoming a top pastry chef owning your own bakery. You’ll learn and compete in making various desserts, chatting with charming characters along the way.
Good Pizza, Great Pizza
Developed by TapBlaze, this game was launched on December 9, 2014. It’s available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Google Play. When craving a cheesy pizza, this game lets you run a pizzeria in a town obsessed with pizza. You start each day watching pizza-themed news, then take orders, make pies, and keep your customers happy to grow your business.
Cooking Mama
From Cooking Mama Limited, this iconic series has appeared on various Nintendo consoles. While the release dates differ depending on the platform, this game is famous for its simple step-by-step recipes. Players get to chop, stir, and cook using mini-game style controls, making it fun and accessible. Mama’s cheerful face and classic recipes make it a beloved choice for casual cooks and gamers alike.
Papa’s Games
By Filipino Studios, the Papa Louie series offers restaurants specializing in everything from burgers and pizzas to pancakes and ice cream. The games involve learning to take orders, prep ingredients, and serve customers. You start small and upgrade your shop, unlocking new recipes and ingredients to increase sales and reputation.
Lemon Cake
Created by Cozy Bee Games and released on February 18, 2021, Lemon Cake is available on Steam. This baking simulation game centers on restoring a run-down bakery by baking and selling sweets. You also need a green thumb, as farming your own ingredients is part of the process. If cozy gardening and baking appeal to you, Lemon Cake is a delightful option.
Cook, Serve, Delicious!
Developed by Vertigo Gaming Inc., this game debuted on October 8, 2013, on Steam. It challenges you to run a restaurant by preparing intricate recipes under varying conditions. You can customize menus, adapt to weather and events, and increase your restaurant’s ratings through diligent cooking and service.
Cooking Simulator
From Big Cheese Studio, Cooking Simulator launched in June 2019 on Steam. As one of the most recognizable cooking games today, it puts players in a detailed kitchen environment where they perform nearly every step of recipe making—from gathering ingredients to plating dishes. It’s perfect for those who want an authentic and challenging cooking experience.
Chef Life
Released by Cyanide Studio on February 23, 2023, Chef Life is available on Steam. This game simulates a professional kitchen, with large spaces and complex recipes that require detailed preparation. It aims to teach real cooking skills, making it ideal for players interested in gaining practical knowledge while managing a restaurant.
These games offer various ways to enjoy cooking, whether you want a cozy baking experience, a restaurant management challenge, or an authentic kitchen simulation.