Video games and cooking go together more than you might think. Tons of RPGs and simulation games have some form of cooking mechanic or, at the very least, delicious-looking food. From the cozy familiarity of meals from Stardew Valley to fantastical feasts in The Witcher, I can personally say I’ve encountered tons of animated food I wish was real. Well, turns out it can be.
Gaming cookbooks offer an opportunity to learn unique recipes while immersing yourself in the lore of a world you love. Getting the materials you need might not be as fun as in-game adventuring or farming, but the end result is more than worth it. Whether you’re passionate about a specific game, are looking for gift ideas for the gamer in your life, or just love some themed recipes, here’s our list of the best gaming cookbooks in 2026.
Our Favorite Gaming Cookbooks
One of our top picks for gaming cookbooks is the Official Stardew Valley cookbook, which features 50 recipes written in the voice of various characters as well as some adorable art. The recipes are naturally based on the meals you can make in-game, including Pink Cake, Strange Buns, and even a full Autumn’s Bounty to help you power through the mines.
Stardew Valley Cookbook Preview
A great gift to inspire young chefs (especially those who particularly enjoyed A Minecraft Movie), the Minecraft cookbook includes 40+ recipes inspired by the game’s various mobs and biomes. The same goes for The Pokémon Cookbook, which focuses more on cute snacks and quick meals.
Outside of crafting-based games, themed cookbooks are also a great way to immerse yourself in fantasy worlds. The official Witcher cookbook takes inspiration from the games as well as The Witcher books, with 80 recipes covering everything from a refreshing drink to an exquisite banquet. The Elder Scrolls cookbook hones in on the world of Skyrim (as opposed to the rest of the Elder Scrolls games) while the Fallout cookbook is great for anyone who’s particularly curious about the taste of Nuka-Cola ahead of Fallout season 2 episodes.
The Elder Scrolls: The Official Cookbook
On the tabletop side of gaming, the Heroes’ Feast Dungeons & Dragons cookbook is the crème de la crème for anyone trying to impress their party. Across the board, these cookbooks feature great recipes as well as interesting new bits of lore and art for dedicated fans.
New Video Game Cookbooks for 2026
The trend of gaming cookbooks isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. More recent releases have been inspired by MMOs like Genshin Impact as well as the Persona games. One particularly exciting upcoming cookbook is A Feast for a Tenday: The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Cookbook, which is seemingly themed as a ‘walkthrough’ of the award-winning RPG’s story.
A Feast for a Tenday (Baldur’s Gate 3): The Official Baldur’s Gate 3 Cookbook (Hardcover)
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Blythe (she/her) is an Audience Development Coordinator at IGN who spends way too much time in character customization screens and tracking down collectibles.
