Highlights

• Restaurant simulation games offer a range of experiences, from casual mini-games to strategic management sims.
• Kairosoft brings cozy and addictive management simulation games like Cafe Master Story and Burger Bistro Story to players.
• One-Armed Cook and Good Pizza, Great Pizza provide unique gameplay experiences with challenges and memorable characters.

Gamers who want to bring their love of cooking into gaming may appreciate business simulators - especially those that let gamers fulfill their dreams of being restaurant managers. Thankfully, the gaming world doesn't fall short of restaurant simulation games for casual and strategic minds alike.

In fact, certain games offer a simpler simulation experience through mini-games or a hardcore restaurant management sim where budgeting and supplies remain an integral part of the game experience. Which restaurant sims deserve that chef's kiss of approval? This answer isn't an easy one, but players willing to make an informed decision about the games in this genre that encompass everything they want will find themselves spoiled for choice.

Updated on March 24, 2024 by Ritwik Mitra: The idea of running a restaurant in a video game is a genuinely exciting proposition that most people would love to check out. With the sheer number of video games around that try to emulate this management style of gameplay, it's easy to see why people who want to check out a good restaurant sim game don't want to check out anything mediocre. Thankfully, there are a wealth of great games that let players manage successful eateries in some form or another, keeping their customers happy and slowly turning over a profit with their dedication. To that end, more games that fit that criteria have been added to this list.

23 Cafe Master Story

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (51)

• Release Date: June 29, 2023
• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile

Players seeking out cozy management simulation games to spend some time on will love what Kairosoft brings to the table. These games all feature a distinct art style and a familiar gameplay loop as players try to accomplish the goals set by these games across a wealth of different verticals.

One such game that players will certainly adore is Cafe Master Story. As the name suggests, players have to manage and maintain a cafe, taking care of numerous verticals as they strive to appease their customers time and time again.

22 Burger Bistro Story

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (151)

• Release Date: May 7, 2021
• Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, PS4

Burger Bistro Story has pretty much everything players would want from a Kairosoft game. Cute visuals, addictive management simulation gameplay, and a laid-back approach that lets players relax as they try to supply customers with the best burgers in town!

It's a simple game that players who love running a virtual eatery will have a great time with. The straightforward gameplay is a boon for players who are tired of their restaurant simulation games being full to the brim with too many complex metrics.

21 One-Armed Cook

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (17,881)

Embark on a culinary journey in One-Armed Cook, where players take on the role of a chef who has one simple issue - they only have one arm. Master the art of multitasking, slicing, dicing, and cooking up delectable dishes for demanding customers while dealing with the fun and clever physics incorporated into the game.

The game's chaotic gameplay showcases the power of perseverance in conquering all obstacles in the kitchen. Explore diverse cuisines, upgrade the restaurant, and witness the satisfaction on customers' faces. Players will rise to the top, becoming legendary chefs with a single arm in this cooking adventure, also available for multiplayer.

20 Good Pizza, Great Pizza

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (2,957)

Enter the world of dough and toppings in Good Pizza, Great Pizza, assuming the role of an aspiring pizza maker. Players satisfy customers' pizza cravings by crafting their dream pies. The game challenges culinary skills with dough stretching and creative topping combinations to reach pizza perfection.

Encounter quirky characters, handle eccentric pizza requests, and face fierce pizza critics while managing the pizzeria. Aim to create the finest pizza in town, build a loyal customer base, and unlock new ingredients and recipes. Become a true pizza maestro, building an empire of pizza goodness in this immersive cooking experience.

19 Cooking Mama: Let's Cook!

GooglePlay Rating: 4.1 (834,891 Votes)

• Release Date: February 26, 2014
• Platforms: Android, iOS, Wii, Nintendo DS

Embark on a delightful cooking adventure with Cooking Mama in Cooking Mama: Let's Cook! Players embrace their inner chef as Mama guides them through various recipes and techniques. Chop, stir, and bake their way to culinary expertise using intuitive touch controls. The game offers step-by-step instructions to prepare mouthwatering meals from around the world.

Fun mini-games test cooking speed and accuracy, earning rewards to upgrade kitchen tools. With Mama's nurturing presence and delightful graphics, Cooking Mama: Let's Cook! provides a family-friendly cooking experience that's both entertaining and educational.

18 World Chef

GooglePlay Rating: 4.5 (719,039 Votes)

• Release Date: April 6, 2016
• Platforms: Android and iOS

Experience the diversity and creativity of the culinary world in World Chef. Players build and manage their own restaurants, catering to a global audience with distinct tastes. Players can hire skilled staff, decorate the dining space, and whip up a plethora of international dishes. Satisfying hungry patrons, including celebrities and VIPs, earns fame and accolades.

Collaborating with other players, trading ingredients, and participating in thrilling events enhance the gameplay. Players expand their restaurant empire, unlock new recipes, and dazzle their clientele. With vibrant graphics and engaging gameplay, World Chef offers a flavorful adventure for food enthusiasts and entrepreneurs alike.

17 Coffee Shop Tycoon

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (517)

• Release Date: December 5, 2016
• Platform: PC

Contrary to the business-heavy Coffee Tycoon, the experience of Coffee Shop Tycoon focuses more on the active aspect of management. In this quirky-looking game, players build and take charge of their coffee shop. They might start small with a tiny space that can accommodate a few tables into a sprawling coffee house tailored to executives and their favorite caffeinated drinks.

What makes Coffee Shop Tycoon interesting is its rather deep approach to the management side of the coffee shop. Aside from tending to customers, players also need to manage little things such as equipment and inventory. In fact, they also need to pay close attention not just to their stock of coffee but to their freshness.

16 Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (1,199)

• Release Date: December 6, 2018
• Platform: PC

Aspiring chefs get to don their own apron and hat in Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game as they become rising stars in the realm of cooking. Embarking on a journey to the top of the food chain, players have humble beginnings with a small restaurant and little money. They must build up their empire, as they must work to boost their restaurants' popularity and become world-regarded professional chefs.

Having all the necessary features of a traditional restaurant simulator, Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game allows players to hire their own staff, fully customize their restaurant, and even choose their specialty food. From exotic meals to a vegan-catering menu - there's something to suit every palette and keep customers coming back for more!

15 PlateUp!

Steam Reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (11,076)

Seemingly inspired by the beloved Overcooked series, PlateUp! is a similar game that sees up to four players frantically dashing around a kitchen. They must cook and fulfill customer orders in a restaurant they have designed and built from the ground up, being wary not to cause any fires!

Featuring classic chaotic co-op action, players can cooperate together on dishes with their own separate roles like sous chef and pot-washer. Their menu can also be customized and curated with different offerings, from simple steak to more complex dishes. PlateUp! is the perfect couch-cooking party game to play with friends!

14 Cake Mania: Main Street

Steam Reviews: Positive (30)

• Release Date: February 16, 2010
• Platform: PC

Fans of Cooking Dash who want a more baking-oriented restaurant sim might appreciate Cake Mania: Main Street. As the name implies, players take on the role of Jill as she opens her new bakery. However, her goals don't just stop there. She wants to expand her restaurant to compete with the best bakeries throughout Main Street.

At its core, gameplay resembles that of Cooking Dash. Cake Mania uses a time-management cooking system where customers wait patiently in line as Jill prepares their sweet treats using careful steps. Players need to quickly bake pastries, and an assortment of bread and cakes ensure customer satisfaction and extra tips.

13 The Sushi Spinnery

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (284)

Players who want an engaging business sim on their smartphones might want to try The Sushi Spinnery. The Sushi Spinnery offers a unique premise with how players create and manage a sushi bar. As such, players need to plan the layout of their restaurant and keep an eye on other small tasks.

For instance, players need to manage which dishes to serve and which items to prioritize making. This is a great way to simulate the feeling of running their own sushi bar for sushi fans and those new to Japanese cuisine. The Sushi Spinnery grants players an accessible medium for experiencing some popular Japanese dishes.

12 Cooking Dash

Steam Reviews: Mostly Positive (92)

• Release Date: August 12, 2009
• Platforms: Android and iOS, PC

Nothing can beat classics, and there's nothing more classic in restaurant sims than the wonder that is Cooking Dash. Despite its quirky comics-style graphics, Cooking Dash still offers many challenges for its time-based management gameplay. Essentially, players start by assembling dishes by going through the necessary equipment throughout the kitchen. They then need to serve these dishes to customers before their patience runs out.

The thing is, Cooking Dash ramps up the challenge quickly as players progress through levels. Eventually, players must remain on top of their game despite their efforts to optimize their kitchen space.

11 The Ramen Sensei

Steam Reviews: Very Positive (80)

• Release Date: December 15, 2015
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, Android and iOS

Kairosoft is known as the much-reputed developer of simulation games with great pixel art style and fun gameplay that won't push players too much. Their collection of games is as cozy as they come, even if some people feel like most of their offerings can feel rather similar. One such game that players can check out if they want to run a virtual restaurant is The Ramen Sensei.

This video game lets players run a ramen shop that starts out small and humble before amassing enough of a reputation to reach greater heights. Players must try out various combinations of ramen recipes and figure out the best one that their customers will love, making for simple yet engaging gameplay that will be right up the alley of any restaurant sim fans.

10 Coffee Tycoon

Metacritic: 39

• Release Date: April 30, 2005
• Platform: PC

Despite its age, Coffee Tycoon is perhaps one of the most comprehensive looks into coffee in the context of a business simulator. Released in 2005, this PC game tasks players with running the best cafe in town.

The game features two modes of play. In a planning mode, players get to assess the current state of their shop. These include their employees, their existing menu, potential upgrades, and frequent customers. However, in the simulation mode, players need to wait and see if their planning efforts paid off in attracting customers for the day and what else they may need to improve.

9 Pizza Connection 3

Metacritic: 55

• Release Date: March 22, 2018
• Platform: PC

Why settle for a restaurant when players can finally create their favorite pizzas in their very own pizzeria? With Pizza Connection 3, players can bake the pizza of their dreams, some even topped with pineapple! In this pizzeria simulator, players build their own restaurant from scratch - complete with nearby establishments that may or may not lead to more customers.

When players construct their shops, they even need to select designations for certain rooms to denote their role. Typical to business games, Pizza Connection 3 will also have players keep track of statistics, employees, marketing, and research of their own pizzerias. However, the game also features an in-depth menu option and the unique feature of sabotaging competitors.

8 Cooking Simulator

Metacritic: 64

Players who want to experience the joys of cooking and running their own restaurant will have a blast in Cooking Simulator. As the name suggests, players can hand-make delicious culinary delights for customers with over 80 different recipes to master, with more unlocked in the various available DLC!

Cooking Simulator is one of the most realistic restaurant sims on the market, as players have an arsenal of kitchen utensils at their disposal to experiment with. A practical and meticulous detail means that the ingredient measurements will affect the overall end quality of the dish. Players can have free reign of the kitchen without all the real-life mess!

7 Diner Dash

Metacritic: 64

Anyone even remotely familiar with restaurant management games will know what Diner Dash is all about. This simple yet fun management game lets players take on the responsibility of helping a diner thrive by seating customers appropriately, taking their orders, delivering their food, and giving them the check without stumbling in any of these steps.

It's a gameplay loop that players will become slowly familiar with over time. Diner Dash may not be a deep video game, but the sheer amount of fun players can have with the simple act of running this restaurant daily and satisfying as many customers as possible makes it clear why this series has attained a strong reputation, with its presentation and Flo's presence becoming iconic in their own right.

6 Restaurant Empire 2

Metacritic: 64

• Release Date: June 1, 2009
• Platform: PC

In Restaurant Empire 2, players take charge of building and managing their restaurants. Players begin by choosing their specific cuisine specialization (American, Italian, German, or French) and creating the restaurant of their own choice. Additionally, players need to pay particular attention to specific statistics between their staff and customers.

In turn, Restaurant Empire 2 has this minor micromanagement element that earned the ire of some gamers. For instance, players must track how long customers wait in line as they grow impatient. Rather, they sometimes boast a high budget in place of high-quality expectations. Players looking to manage these tiny elements will appreciate Restaurant Empire 2.

5 Recipe For Disaster

Metacritic: 66

• Release Date: August 5, 2022
• Platform: PC

Seemingly inspired by retro cooking games like Diner Dash with elements of The Sims, Recipe For Disaster is an intense real-time restaurant management simulator. Players are challenged to run their own dining establishment, all while managing their staff and menu.

With all the stresses of a real-life restaurant, players must be wary of dietary requirements and allergies when preparing their menu and experimenting with different ingredients. These menu alterations could potentially be the all-important difference between their restaurant flourishing, to the players finding themselves out of business.

4 The Sims 4: Dine Out

Metacritic: N/A (70 For The Sims 4)

The Sims 4 has dominated the gaming scene and increased in popularity since becoming free-to-play in 2022. As such, tons of additional content is available, including the purchasable Dine Out game pack. It allows Sims fans to get first-hand experience building and owning their own restaurant and gives them micromanagement skills.

The Sims 4 allows many dreams to become a virtual reality, and it becomes possible to build anyone's dream restaurant. Not only that, but players can also choose who they hire, the employee's uniforms, and hand-select the dining menus from scratch. Although Dine Out is not an expansion pack, it adds exciting content that Sims 4 players and aspiring chefs should definitely check out!