PAO PAO Early Access invites players to build a new life around food, friendship and a restaurant in a colourful seaside town. Cook for locals, gather ingredients and shape the home, garden and dining room alone or with up to three friends.
At a Glance
- Release Date: October 26, 2026 (Early Access)
- Genre: Cozy Life Simulation, Restaurant Management, Adventure
- Platform: PC (Windows via Steam)
- Cost: $14.99 USD
- Developer/Publisher: ArtDock / Dreland Enterprises
- Store Link: Get PAO PAO on Steam →
A Fresh Start by the Sea
PAO PAO blends a cozy life sim with the daily rhythm of running a restaurant. The town and surrounding coast provide ingredients, activities and people to meet, while each service period turns the player’s gathering and planning into a working menu.
The Early Access version already supports single-player and online co-op. Up to four players can divide the work, explore together or focus on different parts of the restaurant and homestead.
Core Gameplay Features
Cook and Manage a Restaurant
Players prepare dishes, serve customers and improve the restaurant as demand grows.
- Learn recipes and build a useful menu
- Organize the kitchen and dining space
- Upgrade the restaurant with earnings from each service
Fish, Farm and Gather Ingredients
Not every ingredient comes from a shop. Fishing, farming and exploration make the surrounding world part of the restaurant’s supply chain.
- Grow crops in a customizable garden
- Fish along the coast for fresh ingredients
- Explore the town and nearby areas for useful resources
Decorate Alone or With Friends
The home, restaurant and garden can all be personalized. Online co-op lets friends share tasks without forcing everyone to follow the same routine.
- Play solo or with up to three friends online
- Coordinate cooking and ingredient gathering
- Create a seaside space that reflects the group’s style
What Early Access Means
ArtDock expects Early Access development to continue for roughly six to twelve months, although that schedule may change. Planned work includes more content and refinements shaped by player feedback, so buyers should expect the game to evolve.
Who Is PAO PAO For?
PAO PAO is aimed at fans of cozy life sims who want more structure than pure decorating but less pressure than a demanding business simulator. It should be particularly appealing to groups looking for a relaxed online co-op game with shared goals.
Pro Tip
Split responsibilities during co-op sessions. One player can gather or fish while another handles crops and restaurant preparation, reducing downtime before the next service.
