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Restaurants and Dining - Version 22 vs Version 23
Aug 26, 2026, 04:31 AM
Added the announced restaurant service system and location behaviour rules
Sep 7, 2026, 07:54 AM
Marked the restaurant service system as shipped in v0.10.0 and described the released dining flow
11Eating Out22Dining out in inZOI uses a kiosk ordering system. There are no sit-down restaurants with waiters or table-service menus. Instead, Zois walk up to a kiosk or ordering machine at a venue, pick their food from the on-screen menu, then head to the counter to collect it. The system is functional but fairly streamlined compared to what players might expect from traditional restaurant dining.44Besides kiosk restaurants, food is also available from street food stalls, vending machines scattered around all three cities, and food trucks parked at public locations. Zois can grab a quick bite without ever stepping inside a formal restaurant. Vending machines sell snacks and protein shakes, while street food stands offer regional dishes at lower prices than sit-down venues.66How Eating Works88Eating fills a Zoi's Hunger need, one of the core needs that drain over time. Hunger drains faster than most other needs, so Zois frequently need meals or snacks throughout the day. A Zoi can survive without food for roughly two days before starvation sets in. Once the Hunger gauge reaches empty, the Zoi enters an uncomfortable state for the first 12 hours, followed by a more severe 24-hour warning period before death.1010The amount of hunger restored depends on the quality of the food. Meals prepared by a high-skill Zoi fill the Hunger bar more effectively, meaning the household spends less time and Meow on food overall. A level 5 chef's steak provides noticeably more hunger satisfaction than a level 0 Zoi's pancakes. Higher-quality meals also last longer before the Hunger bar begins draining again.1313Food Preferences1515During Zoi creation, players can assign the Street Food preference to their Zoi. Zois with this preference gain a positive mood boost when eating street food, while Zois who dislike street food will feel uncomfortable after eating it. Food preferences add a small layer of personality to dining decisions and can influence which venues a Zoi gravitates toward during autonomous behavior.1717Spoiled Food and Food Safety1919Cooked food left on counters or tables will eventually spoil if not stored in the refrigerator. Spoiled food emits a negative moodlet in the room and lowers the Cleanliness of the surrounding area. Zois cannot eat spoiled food; they can only smell it or throw it away. Always store leftovers in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.2121Zois who eat low-quality food or food from questionable sources risk food poisoning, which reduces mood and energy for several hours. Low-skill Zois also have a chance to start a fire while cooking, especially when attempting advanced recipes beyond their current skill level. Keep a smoke detector in the kitchen to reduce the risk of a house fire.2323Dowon Food Venues2525Dowon is the Korean-inspired metropolitan city and offers a dense selection of restaurants, cafes, and street food vendors. Most sit-down venues operate from 8 AM to 10 PM daily, while bakeries typically run shorter hours.2727VenueTypeMenu HighlightsHoursDowon DeliRestaurantTteokbokki, Bibimbap, Yukgaejang8 AM - 10 PMCafe GaonCafeCoffee drinks, pastries, Omelet, Egg Toast8 AM - 10 PMPlesio Gaming CafeGaming CafeRamen, Americano8 AM - 10 PMSodam DinerRestaurantFamily restaurant with Korean dishes8 AM - 10 PMTarot Fortune CafeSpecialty CafeBeverages and pastries; also offers tarot readings and book reading areas8 AM - 10 PMUllim CafeCommunity CafeCoffee and beverages near Ullim Temple8 AM - 10 PMLounge GongmyeongLoungeBread and beverages8 AM - 10 PMGoz's BakeryBakeryFresh baked goods10 AM - 6 PMCoin Booth KaraokeKaraoke BarBeverages alongside karaoke8 AM - 10 PM2929Street Food in Dowon3030Dowon's public spaces have multiple street food stalls and vendors. These operate outdoors and offer quick, affordable bites without the need for a kiosk.3232LocationAvailable FoodHarang River Park (Central)Fishcake, Bungeoppang, Tteokbokki, Bibimbap Truck, Ramen MachineCentral ParkBibimbap Truck, food stallUllim Temple SquareFishcake, Bungeoppang, Tteokbokki, beverage standNuri PlazaFood stalls alongside the stage and photo booths3434Bliss Bay Food Venues3535Bliss Bay is the Mediterranean-inspired coastal city. Its dining scene features beachside cafes, a burger joint, and hotel dining. Like Dowon, restaurants use the kiosk ordering system.3737VenueTypeDetailsHoursCafe MarCommunity lot CafeBeachside cafe on the eastern side of Bliss Bay8 AM - 10 PMOra d'Oro RestaurantRestaurantFull restaurant using the kiosk system8 AM - 10 PMGolden Apple BurgerBurger JointFast food burgers and sides8 AM - 10 PMBreeze 'n' BreadBusiness lot BakeryFresh baked goods and pastries10 AM - 6 PMElegance Hotel & NightclubHotel DiningDining in the tallest building in Bliss Bay8 AM - 10 PM3939Cahaya Food Venues4040Cahaya is the Indonesian-inspired tropical city added with the Island Getaway expansion. It has a livelier street food scene than the other two cities, with vendors appearing more frequently than vending machines. Restaurants near the central park and along the beachfront serve a mix of local and international dishes.4242VenueTypeDetailsCentral Park RestaurantRestaurantLocated next to the central park; kiosk orderingBeach RestaurantsRestaurantBeachfront dining with sunset views; multiple venues along the coastSmoothie BarCafeTropical smoothies and fresh fruit drinksRural CafeCafeA quieter cafe in the rural area of Cahaya4444Cahaya Street Food4545Cahaya's street food scene is the most extensive of the three cities. Vendors line the beach and market areas, selling kebabs, grilled fish, fresh fruit like mango, and the local specialty Bakso (Indonesian meatball soup). Mango Rice is another dish unique to Cahaya's vendors. Vegetarian fruit stalls are also scattered around the island.4747Food Delivery4949Food can be ordered through the Pocket Market app on the smartphone (press P). Navigate to the Shopping tab, then select Food and Beverage. All deliveries arrive at the Zoi's front door in a box or package. Prices range from M 3 for a basic tomato up to M 80 for a steak. This is a convenient option for Zois who lack cooking skill or simply need a quick meal without leaving home.5151Delivery Meals5353CategoryItemsAsian DishesDumplings, Yukgaejang, Bakso, TteokbokkiSeafoodRoasted Shrimps, Oyster Ceviche, Flatfish SushiWestern MealsSalmon Steak, Steak (M 80), Tomato Pasta, English Breakfast, Fried Chicken, PizzaBreakfastPancakes, French Toast, Egg Toast, Egg OmeletSaladsSalad, Chicken Breast SaladSnacks & DessertsSliced Mango, Cake, Birthday Cake5555Delivery Beverages5656Coffee and specialty drinks can also be delivered. Options include Heart Latte, Swan Latte, Cat Latte, Rosetta Latte, Blue Cat Tree, Whisker Cream Brew, Non-Alcoholic Cafe Royal, Tropical Ember, and Feline Grace. Beverage prices range from M 8 to M 18.5858Seasonal Items6060The Pocket Market rotates seasonal food items. Pumpkin-themed candies appear during autumn events, including Bug-Eaten Pumpkin Candy, Shoddy Pumpkin Candy, Pumpkin Candy, Large Pumpkin, and Rare Pumpkin Candy. Other candy varieties (Strawberry, Grape, Orange) rotate in periodically as well.6262Fresh Ingredients6464The Pocket Market's Fresh tab sells raw ingredients for home cooking: Pumpkin, Tomato, Carrot, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Mango, and Banana. These same ingredients can also be grown in a Zoi's own garden for free, making gardening a worthwhile investment for households that cook frequently. Ingredient prices start at M 3 for basic vegetables.6666Home Cooking6868Interact with a Refrigerator or Oven in the home and select "Make Food" to open the cooking panel. Zois start with 4 unlocked recipes, and more unlock as the Cooking skill improves (up to level 10, though recipes currently only unlock through level 5). Each recipe costs a specific amount of Meow, and some require particular ingredients that can be grown or bought through the Pocket Market.7070Some recipes require specific equipment beyond the standard refrigerator and oven. Countertops are needed for prep work, and grills are necessary for barbecue dishes. As of the March 2026 update, Zois can also start baking by interacting with the fridge, and they can craft beverages and food items at any clear desk surface.7272Serving Sizes7474Most recipes produce a single serving, but a few are labeled "big enough to share with others" and will feed the entire household. Group meals cost proportionally more Meow but are much more efficient than cooking individual portions for each household member.7676An alternative way to train the Cooking skill is to watch the cooking channel on TV (found in the Entertainment section). It is slower than hands-on cooking but still provides steady skill progress without spending any Meow.7878Player-Built Restaurant Businesses8080The December 2025 update (v0.5.0) added business ownership, which lets players run their own food establishments. Several business type presets include food service:8282Business TypeDefault Customer ActivitiesNotesBakeryOrder, EatFocused on baked goods; requires oven and countertopsCafeDrink Coffee, Eat, Read a BookLow setup cost; good starter businessRestaurantOrder, Drink a BeverageFull menu dining; needs kiosk, tables, and kitchen equipmentClubDance, Drink a BeverageNightlife venue with beverage serviceLoungeRelax, Drink a Beverage, SocializeCasual atmosphere with drink and snack optionsBarDrink a Beverage, SocializeBeverage-focused establishment8484Other non-food business types include Fitness Center, Internet Cafe, Flower Shop (added March 2026), Movie Theater (added March 2026), Massage Parlor (added March 2026), and a User-Defined Settings option for custom setups.8585Setting up a Food Business8787Purchase a property marked as "Business Property" through Edit City.Open the Business App on the Zoi's smartphone.Choose a business type preset (Bakery, Cafe, Restaurant, etc.). The preset auto-configures customer activities, but these can be customized.Configure the business: set a name, operating hours, target demographics, and select which recipes to add to the menu.Set "Order" under customer activity in Player Settings to enable food purchases at your venue.Place a kiosk object on the lot (search "kiosk" in the build catalog). This is what allows visiting Zois to place orders.Add seating, tables, and kitchen equipment. Customers need places to sit, and the kitchen needs cooking stations, ovens, and espresso machines as appropriate.Customers visit automatically during set business hours. The business owner or employees must prepare and serve the food.8989Hiring Employees9191Food businesses can be run solo at first, but hiring employees becomes necessary as customer volume grows. Open the Business App and navigate to Manage Employees to recruit staff. Each employee has skills that determine their effectiveness in different roles.9393Assign Zois with high Cooking skill to kitchen duties for faster, higher-quality food preparation.Zois with strong Rhetoric skill work well in service roles, boosting customer satisfaction through conversation.Employee salaries are calculated based on business level, salary rank, and working hours. Salaries are paid after business hours.Employees can negotiate salaries through conversations with the business owner.9595Menu Pricing and Profitability9797Each business preset comes with default recipe pricing, but owners can adjust individual item prices through the Business Settings menu. Setting prices too high drives customers away, while prices that are too low cut into profit margins. Start with default pricing and adjust based on performance.9999The most profitable strategy for food businesses is to level the Cooking skill and unlock higher-tier recipes. Expensive dishes prepared at high skill levels sell for significantly more than basic meals. Group meals (labeled "big enough to share") sell at roughly 10 times their preparation cost, making them the highest-margin items on any menu.101101Cafes are recommended as a starter business because of their low setup requirements and consistent income. Restaurants have higher earning potential but require more equipment and skilled employees to run efficiently.103103Customer Satisfaction105105Customer satisfaction is the primary driver of business growth. Satisfied customers return more often, leave positive reviews, and attract new visitors. Satisfaction is measured across several factors:107107FactorDescriptionFurniture qualityhigher-quality tables, chairs, and decorations improve the ambiance rating.Pricingfair prices relative to the quality of food served.Service speedhow quickly employees respond to orders and deliver food.Employee interactionsstaff with high Rhetoric skill can engage customers in conversation, boosting satisfaction.Relationship with ownerZois who have a personal relationship with the business owner tend to rate higher.Frequency of visitsrepeat customers gain loyalty over time.109109As customer satisfaction increases, the business value grows. Higher-value businesses attract more customers and allow hiring additional employees, creating a growth cycle. Low-skill products and poor service reduce satisfaction and can cause the business to lose money, particularly in the early days when operating fees and employee wages exceed revenue.110110March 2026 Dining Additions112112The March 2026 update introduced several quality-of-life improvements to dining and food consumption. These changes apply to both eating at home and dining out.114114Multitasking While Eating116116Zois can now eat certain food items while walking around. This multitasking ability means they no longer need to sit down for every meal. Zois can also hold different objects in each hand, swap between them, and engage in conversations while holding food. This makes grabbing a quick bite from a street food vendor much more natural, since the Zoi can keep moving instead of finding a bench.118118Floor Tables and Cushion Seating120120New floor tables and cushion seating options have been added to the furniture catalog. Zois can eat, drink, and socialize at these low tables, introducing a more casual dining style. Floor beds (both single and double) were also added alongside these items. These are especially fitting for the Korean and Southeast Asian aesthetic themes present in Dowon and Cahaya.122122Teatime124124A new teatime social feature allows Zois to enjoy tea together. This works as a social interaction where Zois sit down to share tea and conversation, fulfilling both Hunger and Social needs simultaneously.126126Baking From the Fridge128128Zois can now start baking by interacting with the refrigerator, which streamlines the process of making baked goods. Previously, baking required separate interactions with specific equipment. Eating animations for baked items have also been improved.130130Table-Only Foods132132Certain food items can now only be eaten when placed on a table. This adds a layer of realism: while snack-sized foods can be eaten on the go, larger meals require a Zoi to sit down. Empty plates from finished meals are automatically placed on the nearest table surface after the Zoi finishes eating.134134New Ambitions136136Three new food-related ambitions were added with the March 2026 update: Baking Master, Coffee Master, and Drink Mixing Master. These give Zois long-term goals tied to their food and beverage skills, and completing them unlocks additional rewards.138138Announced Restaurant Service System139+Restaurant Service System (v0.10.0)140140A developer letter on August 14, 2026 described a restaurant service system being prepared for the September 2026 update. It has not shipped yet, so nothing below describes the live build.141+A developer letter on August 14, 2026 described a restaurant service system being prepared for the September 2026 update. It shipped in v0.10.0 on September 3, 2026, so the flow below is now live.142142The team said that building business content around longer activity chains proved harder than expected, and that cooking was the hardest case because each individual interaction takes a long time. Under the announced system, groups of customers arrive and dine together rather than one at a time. Customers take available seats and order from a waiter, the chef prepares the requested dishes, and the waiter serves the food at the table. Customers then eat, pay the bill, and leave. Cooking time is described as streamlined against the existing cooking system so that it works better when several meals are prepared for a group at once.144144Restaurants that have been sitting unused around the cities are to be renovated so they can use the new functionality, which would put working venues in places that are currently decorative.146146Two underlying systems make the flow possible. The first defines which actions a Zoi should prioritize when it enters a particular location, so a visit to a burger restaurant results in ordering and eating rather than unrelated socializing. The second is an interaction permission system that specifies who may use each object, which is what stops employees from occupying seats meant for customers. The team warned that players who have already customized regions or spaces may need to register some of the newly added information again, and that a reset path to apply the new system correctly is being prepared.148148How the Released Dining Flow Works150+A full dining experience was added to restaurants in v0.10.0. A group of Zois enters together and is guided to a table, where they order from the menu. The chef cooks the ordered dishes and a waiter brings them to the table. The Zois pay once they have finished eating, then leave.152+The same flow can be run at a restaurant business a Zoi owns. Cooking was adjusted to suit it: a higher quality range cooks food faster and can produce better results, and a new food item is not prepared if one is already sitting nearby.154+Regional holidays in Cahaya were added to the calendar as social events in the same update, with notifications and messages announcing them, and the reworked central market now hosts a night market.156+Tips150158Keep a refrigerator stocked with leftovers. Storing cooked food prevents spoilage and saves Meow on repeat meals.Grow ingredients in the garden to reduce cooking costs. Tomatoes, pumpkins, and other vegetables can be harvested for free.Train the Cooking skill early. Higher-skill meals restore more Hunger, taste better, and sell for much higher prices in a restaurant business.When running a restaurant, start with a Cafe preset and upgrade to a full Restaurant once you have skilled employees and capital.Place a smoke detector in the kitchen. Low-skill Zois can start fires when cooking, and a detector reduces the risk of losing the house.Use food delivery through the Pocket Market when a Zoi is too busy to cook. It costs more Meow but saves time.Group meals ("big enough to share") are the most efficient way to feed a large household. They cost more upfront but serve everyone.Take advantage of multitasking: grab street food and eat while walking to save time during busy in-game days.
