5 Best Restaurant Simulation Games of All Time

Compared to most video game genres, restaurant games are actually relaxing. There may be a bit of pressure involved when it comes to meeting food orders and managing the restaurants, but this is just part of the excitement that makes such games interesting. These are the types of games you put on when you want to unwind or take a break from a brutal combat-fueled RPG. And if you have a love for cooking, it gives you even more reason to appreciate the experience.

Restaurant simulation games have been getting more entries for console and PC lately, which means you now have a range of options to browse through. However, pinpointing the best of these titles out of such a huge cluster can be tricky. That said, we present to you a short list of some of the best games from this genre that are a must-play for any cooking fan. Let's look at the five best restaurant simulation games of all time.

5. Ravenous Devils 

Bad Vices Games' Ravenous Devils is not your typical restaurant game, as it takes a massive dark turn as far as cooking is concerned. This is a cannibalistic horror simulation set in the Victorian era. Despite the nature of the game, it has really made an impression on fans. Here you play as Percival and Hildred, a brutal couple who manage both a kitchen and a tailor shop. Percival runs the tailor shop, which he uses to slaughter unsuspecting clients. 

Once his victim succumbs to his attacks, Percival throws them down a trap door that leads directly to Hildred's kitchen. The wife prepares and serves the oblivious customers in her pub the savory remains of Percival's customers. Your tasks are to manage the pub, ensure you don't run out of resources, get new recipes, and upgrade the shops. Most importantly, you ought to keep a low profile around one person who seems to know the couple's secret. This game may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you are into horror and cooking, it may just be your best title yet.

4. Good Pizza, Great Pizza

Experience the ups and downs of running a popular pizza shop in Good Pizza, Great Pizza. All you have to do is fulfill all the incoming orders and make enough money for upgrades, new toppings, and equipment. These are the fundamental aspects of keeping the shop running for over 100 special customers. All these clients are unique, with different preferences that you need to account for when fulfilling orders.

The game starts you off with just a few ingredients and toppings, but once you make some profit, you can add more toppings. You also need to properly equip and accessorize the shop to stay ahead of your number one competitor, Alicante. How you interact with customers also determines the success of the pizza shop since every order comes with specific instructions that you must follow carefully. The games also feature some delightful graphics and amazing art styles. 

3. Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game

Moving on to a game that gives you the most customization freedom is Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game. Here, you get to build your character however you like, as well as design your own restaurant. Also, you can design the menus and come up with unique recipes using the game's amazing editor. There are also hundreds of food options for you to make, and the more difficult the recipe, the more points you get.

You start with nothing but a few bucks and work your way up to becoming the biggest restaurant. Plus, you can unlock more skills as you progress through the game. All the choices you make in running this establishment matter as they determine how many customers you can get through the door. The game features a story mode where you can select what type of restaurant you want to run. Be it a pasta place or steak house, all that matters is rising above all other competition. 

2. Cooking Simulator 

One of the most realistic restaurant games you can play today is Cooking Simulator. It is also one of the best cooking simulations that features a physics engine that makes the game feel like real-life cooking. With over 80 recipes to unlock and dozens of lifelike ingredients to explore, you can make all the meals you like. The game features a Career Mode that puts you in charge of a well-established restaurant whose success you must maintain. This is done by properly managing resources and successfully completing the number of dishes required of you. 

Two other modes exist in the Cooking Simulator: Sandbox Mode, where you can prepare whichever dishes you want, and Leaderboard Challenge, where you can compete against other players. This top-tear VR game lets you enjoy cooking plenty of dishes without worrying about messing up an actual kitchen. The quality of responsiveness the game provides is also impeccable, as every ingredient behaves as it would in real life. This is a must-play game for any cooking fan or gamer.

1. Cook, Serve, Delicious!

Cook, Serve, Delicious! is perhaps the most exciting new cooking game series in the genre. The franchise features a thrilling trilogy that requires players to rebuild their restaurant before starting the game. In the first entry, you start by first reviving a dying establishment and repairing it to create a respectable business. The same goes for the second and third titles, where players have to pick up a struggling cooking business from the ground up and turn it into a successful enterprise. You start off with a small amount of capital and a few pieces of equipment that help you create the first profit in order to expand the menu.

The quality of food is measured by the correct ingredients used, how well it is cooked, and whether or not you missed some steps in its preparation. Since the customer customizes the order, you ought to be careful not to get mixed up. Some dishes take specific amounts of time to prepare, giving you time to juggle several orders at a time. The game also has a day cycle that features rush hours during dinner and lunch when you need to prepare for more customers. Remember to do all that, and in no time, your business will rise to the top.

Do you agree with our lits if the best restaurant simulation games? Are there other restaurant simulation games you would reccommed? Share your pick with us in the comments below or over on our socials here!