Chefs and restaurant workers are absolute heroes. I could never do what they do, so for everyone’s safety, I opt for virtual kitchen fires instead of real ones and embrace my inner chef in restaurant simulator games, because apparently, I like stress with a side of serotonin. I play these games for different reasons. Some days, I just want to turn my brain off, let the imaginary restaurant make money, and blow it all on upgrades. Other days, I want chaos, a storyline, dramatic customers, or at least some snarky one-liners about my poorly made latte. Bonus points if I can customize my restaurant until it looks like a cozy fever dream.
Like many gamers, I have preferences. If a game tries to bully me into micro-transactions just to progress further along in the game, I’m out. If my kitchen hustle is repeatedly interrupted by ads, it is also out. I’m here for gameplay, not a sales pitch. I’m also a handheld gamer through and through. My ideal setup is lounging with my Steam Deck OLED or Nintendo Switch while my dog, Tiger, uses me as a pillow and I frantically button mash through a dinner rush. Portable chaos always wins, so I put my culinary curiosity to the test and played everything from ramen shops to cafes, burger joints, and pizza empires. Here’s how eight restaurant simulator games stacked up, from the ones that left a bad taste to the ones that fed my inner foodie.
8. Good Coffee, Great Coffee
I wanted to start my list off with a little caffeine boost, but Good Coffee, Great Coffee ended up feeling more like a shot of pure stress. Developed by TapBlaze and launched globally in February 2025, this mobile-only title has made waves among my fellow Cozy Gamers. Actual baristas in my Facebook group have praised it for how realistic it is, but a few also admitted it’s too realistic. Basically, if you already spend eight hours making lattes IRL, maybe skip reliving it in 2D.
The game has a decent rags-to-riches storyline. You’re basically building a cafe empire from scratch, but the vibe gets muddied when every new in-game “day” starts with an ad. Nothing kills immersion faster than watching a 30-second ad for a completely different mobile game before your first digital espresso. The good news? Microtransactions exist, but they’re not aggressively shoved in your face.
Gameplay-wise, it’s a little frustrating. Even with multiple hints, it’s hard to tell what the customer actually wants, and somehow, even if you think you’ve nailed it, you’ll still get a rude remark from the customer and be forced to give a refund. Oh, and if your funds hit zero, that’s it. Game over. Still, there’s potential here. It looks clean, the character designs are adorable, and I’d love to see it on a handheld console. TapBlaze, if you’re listening, please put this on Steam! I’d happily suffer through another latte-filled meltdown if you cut back on the ad breaks.
#7: Coffee Caravan
If Good Coffee, Great Coffee was a caffeine crash, Coffee Caravan is more like that jittery sweet spot between your first and third cup: a little cozy and a little chaotic. Released in May 2024 by indie studio Broccoli Games, this one kept me both smiling and mildly panicking on my Steam Deck.
You start with a humble little coffee truck and a dream, and before long, you’re brewing lattes and espresso shots. If you keep playing, you can eventually unlock the option to open an ice cream or a tea truck. The game keeps things simple, both in design and gameplay, but that’s part of its charm. The minimalist 3D art style feels soft and cute, like the original Animal Crossing game for GameCube from 2002.
What really won me over was the clear tutorial and the option to adjust the difficulty, which is by far an underrated feature that more simulators should adopt. The customization is a bit limited, sure, but it fits the game’s cozy, stripped-down aesthetic. You’re not here to build a cafe empire. You’re simply here to enjoy the ride, even if it occasionally feels like you’re stuck in the world’s cutest rush hour.
#6: Lemon Cake
If you’ve ever dreamed of running a bakery where nothing truly goes wrong, Lemon Cake is your soft launch into pastry paradise. Released in February 2021 by Cozy Bee Games, it’s a solo operation that somehow manages to be both wholesome and mildly anxiety-inducing, like baking your first soufflé while a ghost cheers you on.
You play as a lone baker restoring an abandoned bakery, guided by Miss Bonbon, a friendly ghost who’s way more supportive than most tutorial characters. You’ll grow your own plants, raise cows and chickens, bake everything from scratch, and serve a steady stream of customers, all without the fear of actual failure. There are no real consequences for messing up an order or falling behind, which makes the game practically rage-quit proof.
The loop is simple but satisfying. Sure, doing everything solo can get a little hectic, but the low-stakes atmosphere and the freedom to move at your own pace make it one of the most comforting titles on this list. It’s basically the equivalent of a warm croissant and a slow morning.
#5: Good Pizza, Great Pizza
When it comes to TapBlaze games, Good Pizza, Great Pizza is the one that put them on the map, and honestly, for good reason. Originally released in December 2014, this indie classic has built a loyal fanbase and continues to deliver hot slices of chaotic joy. I played on my Steam Deck, where thankfully, there are no ads trying to sell me real-life pizza between rounds.
The setup is simple. You run a humble pizzeria, learning how to make pizza orders for customers whose requests range from oddly specific to completely unhinged. The highlight, though, is the writing. The customers are unintentionally hilarious, and their weirdly aggressive pizza preferences kept me both entertained and mildly concerned for their sanity. There’s a grind when it comes to unlocking upgrades, but it feels worth it. You genuinely feel your little pizzeria growing from nothing into something special, and while microtransactions exist, they’re not pushy.
Plot-wise, it’s another loose rags-to-riches arc, but what truly makes this game memorable is its unhinged side quest energy. Befriend a homeless man, give him free pizza a few times, and suddenly, he’s sending bears to attack your competitor’s restaurant. It’s absurd, it’s funny, and it’s the kind of storytelling twist that keeps this game in a league of its own.
#4: Galaxy Burger
I never expected to be flipping burgers for cats in outer space, but Galaxy Burger makes it feel like the most natural thing in the world. Released on Steam in August 2024 by Galactic Workshop, this indie gem combines fast-food frenzy with cosmic cuteness, and it’s weirdly delightful.
You’re stationed on various planets serving burgers to alien cats in robosuits (yes, you read that right). Each planet has its own difficulty level, which definitely keeps you on your toes. The gameplay loop is simple: take orders, grill patties, and keep your furry customers happy. Every meow from my Steam Deck speakers made me smile, which is probably the most serotonin I’ve ever gotten from a cooking game.
What really seals the deal is the multiplayer option. There’s something undeniably joyful about teaming up with friends to feed space cats. It’s exactly the kind of game that makes you say, “Okay, one more round,” until suddenly, it’s 2 a.m., and you’re still serving burgers to intergalactic felines. If you’re a cat person, or just need an excuse to hear meows in surround sound, this one’s for you.
#3: Midnight Ramen
Some food games feed your inner foodie. Midnight Ramen, on the other hand, feeds your soul. Released in July 2024 by Cointinue Games, this indie title blends storytelling and comfort food into one late-night, heartwarming experience. I played it on my Steam Deck, but it deserves to be experienced anywhere you can sit quietly and soak it in with a pair of headphones on.
You play as Homura, a teenage orphan destined to inherit the ramen stall she works at, which only opens from midnight to sunrise. Your customers are literal spirits. Each bowl you serve is for someone who has died, and every interaction slowly reveals fragments of their stories. It’s emotional without being too heavy-handed, and the game doesn’t punish you for imperfection; even if your ramen isn’t perfect, the spirits still find comfort in your efforts.
The art style feels like stepping into a manga from childhood, with soft lines and gentle tones that pull you right into the midnight glow of the tiny stall. What really stands out, though, is how the story handles grief, depression, and PTSD with quiet honesty. It doesn’t try to “fix” anything. It just lets you sit with it, one bowl at a time.
Midnight Ramen isn’t just a game. It’s a quiet moment of reflection, disguised as a cooking simulator. It’s the kind of experience that lingers long after the screen fades to black, like the memory of a comforting meal you didn’t realize you needed.
#2: Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends
After the emotional weight of Midnight Ramen, Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends is like stepping into a sunbeam. Released in June 2024, this game by Catch & Release LLC (and published by Humble Bumble) is pure joy from start to finish. I played on my Steam Deck, where it quickly became my go-to “I need something wholesome before bed” game.
You play as an adorable sushi-making robot who moves to the cozy town of Rolling Hills to help bring life back to the community. It’s as cute as it sounds. You’ll upgrade ingredients, decorate your restaurant, and slowly build friendships with the locals who wander into your little sushi haven. It’s not just about running a restaurant. It’s about finding your place in a town that wants to feel alive again.
There’s no real punishment for mistakes here, which makes it refreshingly low-stress. The background music adds to the mellow atmosphere, wrapping the whole experience in soft, relaxing energy. It’s the gaming equivalent of a gentle pat on the back and a perfectly rolled maki. Rolling Hills doesn’t ask for perfection. It just wants you to make sushi and make friends, and honestly? That’s a life philosophy I can get behind.
#1: Chef RPG
Released in September 2024, Chef RPG is an indie gem by World 2 Studio and Pixel Architect, available on Steam and Nintendo Switch. Though still in early access, it already feels surprisingly full. Players can explore, gather ingredients, and even shape the game’s future in the review section on Steam’s website.
I played on my Steam Deck, and it gave me major futuristic Stardew Valley vibes in the best way. You can choose your starting season, birthday, and even whether you’re human or android, which is such a fun twist. Between cooking, building relationships, decorating your space, and completing bulletin board requests, it’s the perfect balance of chill and immersive. And yes, I might be curious to see if any of these characters are romanceable. Guess I’ll just have to keep playing to find out!