Step into the shoes of a head chef and breathe new life into a struggling restaurant in Chef RPG! Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well , and if it's worth buying.
Chef RPG Review Overview
What is Chef RPG?
In White Ash harbor once stood the illustrious restaurant, Le Sequoia. However, over the years, it has been abandoned, a shell of its former bustling glory. Now, a young upstart in the culinary world has moved into town and will take it upon themselves to revive the restaurant to its former glory! Rebuild Le Sequoia to your liking and turn the restaurant– and the town of White Ash–into a must-visit tourist destination!
Chef RPG features:
⚫︎ Restaurant Management
⚫︎ Life Sim
⚫︎ Open-World RPG
⚫︎ Pixel Graphics
⚫︎ Over 240 Cooking Recipes
⚫︎ Over 30 Major Characters to Befriend
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Chef RPG's gameplay and story.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 Switch |
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| $19.99 | Coming soon | ||||
Chef RPG Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 Gorgeous Pixel Art Style Addicting Restaurant Management Loop Fun and Interactive World |
Game Breaking Bugs |
Chef RPG Overall Score - 84/100
If Chef RPG’s early access were a real restaurant, it’d be considered a successful soft opening. Like any startup, there’s room for improvement, with a few features still needing more time to cook. But after simmering for four years, it’s clear the game was made with immense love and passion, showing more polish than many higher-budget titles. A little more seasoning—some salt, pepper, and extra spice—and it’s well on its way to earning a 3-star Michelin rating.
Chef RPG Story - 7/10
Chef RPG tells a familiar yet charming story of a young, ambitious chef moving to a small town to restore a once-renowned restaurant to its former glory. While we’ve seen this narrative in many cooking films, the game shines with its memorable characters, my favorites being Bianca and Hasel. It’s a heartwarming, cozy tale that perfectly complements the atmosphere of the town and its residents, making you feel less like an outsider as the story unfolds. I’m excited to see how the full story develops with future updates!
Chef RPG Gameplay - 9/10
Chef RPG feels like a flavorful blend of Stardew Valley, Diner Dash, Cooking Mama, Restaurant City, and Traveller’s Rest, creating a perfect recipe for fans of these classics. While there’s room for a little fine-tuning, the game is brimming with rich details and diverse quests that make every playthrough feel like its own unique dish. If you crave games that mix creativity, strategy, and heart, this one’s a treat waiting to be savored.
Chef RPG Visuals - 10/10
Chefs often say that presentation is just as important as taste, as we eat first with our eyes. Chef RPG nails this philosophy—it not only plays beautifully but looks fantastic too, as if plated by a Top Chef like Gordon Ramsay. The town of White Ash Harbor is brimming with life and creativity, with every shop feeling distinct and the characters each standing out in their own way. Bianca, in particular, is a stunner. My only small gripe is with Uriel's design—he could use a makeover, as he's a bit hard on the eyes!
Chef RPG Audio - 8/10
The sound effects could use a bit more polish, but thankfully the music hits all the right notes. It captures that cozy, welcoming vibe perfect for the town, and I’ve found myself occasionally bopping along to some of the background tracks.
Chef RPG Value for Money - 8/10
Though still in development, Chef RPG offers plenty of fun with around 10-15 hours of gameplay already packed in. While there are a few bugs and quirks to iron out, the early access version is absolutely playable and enjoyable, giving a solid taste of what’s to come in future updates.
Chef RPG Review: A Michelin Star-Worthy Soft-Opening
Just like a new restaurant’s soft opening, Early Access games give a taste of what’s to come while gathering feedback to refine the final product. Having worked in R&D and fine dining, I know how critical this phase is for shaping perception and future success. So, does Chef RPG earn its Michelin star, or does it need a bit more time in the oven?
You kick off the game by choosing which season to start in—I went with the classic spring to get a feel for everything. The game begins on a train headed toward your new home, and you start off in the bathroom where you customize your character. It’s pretty standard, but the cool twist is that you can choose to be either an android or a human.
What really caught my eye was the skill selection, which gives you access to three different recipes from a pool of eight. I went with Rotisseur, which unlocked three meat-based recipes. After leaving the bathroom, you wait on the train until it finally arrives at White Ash Harbor. And wow, what a town! The first thing that stood out was just how stunning the game looks—the vibrant colors of the sprites are both lively and calming. It's the kind of game you could easily turn into your desktop wallpaper!
At the train station, you meet one of the most memorable characters in the game—Hazel, a quirky android who runs a boba shop downtown. From this point, the game starts to feel like Stardew Valley and other farming sims, where you meet local shop owners, gather supplies, and get to know the town before heading to your restaurant. I have to say, White Ash Harbor is vibrant, filled with life, and packed with things to do. After exploring and completing a few tasks, you finally arrive at your restaurant, Le Sequoia.
This is where the heart of the game lies—managing your restaurant in a style reminiscent of Restaurant City. You slowly build it up, hire employees, plan your recipes, and make sure you have the right ingredients before opening for business. If you've played restaurant management games like Restaurant City or Overcooked, you’ll feel right at home.
When it comes to cooking, the game adds a fun twist with Cooking Mama-style mini-games, which you can choose to skip once your progress hits 90%. It’s less frantic than other similar games—diners don’t rush in as quickly, and you don’t need to serve dishes or clean up after customers, making for a more relaxed experience, which I personally enjoy.
As you progress more restaurants and recipes will come and managing and customizing them to make it your own becomes so much more fun and detailed. I can’t wait til they add more in the future!
Chef RPG isn’t just about managing your restaurant; it features a fully explorable world filled with intriguing characters and quests. There’s a wealth of activities to dive into, such as harvesting crops, hunting for meat, fishing, mining, crafting, researching, farming, and brewing—each contributing to your character's and restaurant’s growth.
The game is so engaging that at one point, I got so wrapped up in a quest and find the perfect gift for Bianca that I almost forgot to manage my restaurant!
Each day offers new experiences, like discovering different items from shopkeepers or completing quests that are available only at certain times. The game also includes a skill tree where I focused on hunting and cooking to speed up my restaurant’s progress and ensure a steady supply of meat, which is central to my restaurant's theme.
The only real drawback is the occasional bugs and glitches, which are to be expected in early access. Despite this, what we have now from World 2 Studio is a fantastic game, and I’m excited to see what future updates will bring.
Pros of Chef RPG
| Things Chef RPG Got Right |
|---|
|
Gorgeous Pixel Art Style Addicting Restaurant Management Loop Very Interactive World |
Gorgeous Pixel Art Style
Any chef will tell you that presentation is just as important as taste—your eyes feast first! Chef RPG nails this with a creative fusion of cozy and cyberpunk aesthetics. Picture androids roaming the city, futuristic touches sprinkled here and there, all set against a backdrop that feels like it’s straight out of Stardew Valley. The blend of modern and classic creates a truly distinct world. The food and shops are so unique that you’ll never feel lost, and the characters, aside from Uriel, are memorable and a joy to look at. Each season also transforms the town and surroundings, giving everything a fresh, vibrant feel.
Addicting Restaurant Management Loop
The heart of Chef RPG lies in its restaurant management, and I love how everything you do outside the kitchen feeds back into improving your restaurant. Hunting and fishing bring in fresh ingredients, learning new skills makes running the place easier, side quests offer valuable rewards or money, and networking with townsfolk or shopkeepers opens up new buying and selling opportunities. It can feel a bit overwhelming at first, but the gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying. There's a ton of attention to detail—from managing waiters and chefs to ensuring you have enough supplies and tables, all topped off with fun cooking mini-games. It feels like a perfect blend of Cooking Mama, Overcooked, Restaurant City, and even a bit of Animal Crossing.
Fun and Interactive World
The world beyond restaurant management is just as enjoyable, offering plenty to do—whether it's tackling side quests or building relationships with characters. Even in early access, the game is packed with content, and the world is rich with exploration, full of hidden nooks and crannies waiting to be discovered. Chatting with shopkeepers daily can reward you with special items, all of which help you grow and improve in the game. There's always something new to keep you engaged!
Cons of Chef RPG
| Things That Chef RPG Can Improve |
|---|
|
Game Breaking Bugs |
Game Breaking Bugs
Bugs are a common ingredient in the early-access recipe, and Chef RPG is no exception. I hit a few snags, like a game-freezing glitch that struck when my restaurant was bustling and another during a hunting expedition. It's a bit like losing your progress when you’re about to perfect a dish—it can be frustrating! I’m optimistic that these hiccups will be ironed out soon. A sprinkle of quality-of-life upgrades, such as controller support, would also be a delicious addition, making the gameplay experience even more satisfying.
Is Chef RPG Worth It?
It’s Worth A Michelin Star!
Chef RPG is absolutely worth picking up, though it’s understandable if some prefer to wait for the full release to experience it in all its glory. As it stands, the game is already fantastic, and with even more features on the horizon, you’ll want to get in early! At $20, it's a steal for what’s on offer.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
Switch |
||||
| $19.99 | Coming soon | ||||
Chef RPG FAQ
Is Chef RPG Steam Deck Verified?
Chef RPG is currently not Steam Deck verified however the developers have stated that this will be a top priority.
What are the Chef Specialties in this Game?
⚫︎ Rotisseur: +3 meat recipes
⚫︎ Poissonier: +3 seafood recipes
⚫︎ Patissier: +3 desserts recipes
⚫︎ Entremetier: +3 vegetable recipes
⚫︎ Patissier: +3 desserts recipes
⚫︎ Mixologist: +3 beverage recipes
⚫︎ Saucier: +3 soup recipes
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Chef RPG Product Information
 | |
| Title | CHEF RPG |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 12, 2024 |
| Developer | World 2 Studio |
| Publisher | World 2 Studio |
| Supported Platforms | PC(Steam), Nintendo Switch |
| Genre | RPG, Adventure, Simulation |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Rating | RP |
| Official Website | Chef RPG Official Kickstarter |
