Having thoroughly enjoyed “The Anime Chef Cookbook” from Nadine Estero, I was eagerly looking forward to her follow-up “The Anime Café: 50 Iconic Treats, Snacks, and Drinks from Your Favorite Anime”. Needless to say, I was once again thrilled by the variety of recipes and drinks taken from and inspired by various anime series and episodes.

Being more of a reader than a watcher, anime is not my strong suit, but (through my daughter) even I recognize a lot of the inspirations behind the recipes. From extremely popular series, such as Sailor Moon and My Hero Academia, to movies (Spirited Away) and even video games (Pokemon), Ms. Estero ties each recipe to a specific scene or episode, showing how the art of cooking is tied closely to the art of anime. The chapters are tied to general “Café” themes, from Cute Café to to Outdoor Café to Bar Café, and yes, the Bar Café does contain alcoholic drinks for us adults as well!

As in the previous chapter, the recipes truly do vary greatly in complexity, with several requiring quite a bit of imagination to qualify as a recipe (Apple slices? Milk with honey?). Others however involve a much higher level of skill in the kitchen, both cooking and baking, such as making sponge cake or dumplings from scratch. For some of the recipes, it would also help if one has an Asian grocery store nearby.

Favorites? Since I love Spy x Family, the Anya and Bond Dumplings were fun. My daughter loves the Tri-Colored Dango as well as Senku’s Three-Layer Tea Latte. And we both agree that the Dugtrio Sandwiches really do remind us of Pokemon.

So another fun outing from Ms. Estero. I cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Quarto Publishing Group – Rock Point via NetGalley. Thank you!

This is a fun cookbook perfect for anime fans! There are lots of illustrations throughout that are fantastic! The recipes are easy to follow and creative. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Nadine Estero,Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

As someone who doesn't watch anime but has a partner who does, I found ‘The Anime Cafe’ a surprisingly fun experience. It was interesting to identify treats from anime series I’ve heard my partner talk about. Nadine Estero successfully blends nostalgia and creativity into this collection of anime-inspired drinks and treats, making it an engaging read for anime fans and casual cooks alike.

Accuracy: ★★★★☆

The book does a great job replicating the iconic drinks and treats from various anime series. Estero provides clear and accurate instructions that result in visually stunning and delicious creations. However, the authenticity of the taste may slightly differ for some recipes, depending on the ingredients available to the reader.

Perspective: ★★★★☆

Estero’s perspective is refreshing and playful. She bridges the gap between anime culture and culinary art, offering recipes that appeal to both anime enthusiasts and food lovers. Her excitement for anime-inspired cuisine shines through, making it easy to get immersed in the process of recreating these iconic beverages and snacks.

Relevance: ★★★★☆

For anime fans, this book is incredibly relevant, capturing the essence of fan-favourite scenes and translating them into real-life culinary creations. Even if you're not familiar with every anime featured, the recipes themselves are creative and fun to make. This book also serves as a great conversation starter for fans and non-fans alike.

Engagement: ★★★★☆

The detailed recipes and vibrant illustrations keep the reader engaged. Each recipe is tied to specific episodes from popular anime series, which adds an extra layer of enjoyment for fans. The book balances simplicity with excitement, though non-anime fans may find some references less engaging without prior context.

Readability: ★★★★☆

The book is well-organized and easy to follow. Each recipe is clearly explained, and the inclusion of anime-style illustrations adds a fun and accessible visual element. A few recipes may require more specific or hard-to-find ingredients, but overall, Estero makes the process of making these treats approachable for any skill level.

Enjoyment: ★★★★☆

Even as someone unfamiliar with anime, I found a lot of joy in creating these colourful and imaginative recipes. For anime fans, the experience would likely be even more fulfilling, as they get to recreate beloved treats from their favorite shows. The whimsical presentation and nostalgic references make it a delightful read and cooking experience.


‘The Anime Cafe’ by Nadine Estero is a fantastic cookbook for anime fans and curious cooks alike. It brings iconic anime moments to life in the form of delicious and visually stunning drinks and treats. Whether you’re a seasoned anime viewer or just love trying new recipes, this book offers a fun, nostalgic, and engaging way to enjoy your favourite animated worlds through food and drink.

This cook-book was so so sweet. I absolutely adore how well done it was with the recipe and the pictures of the food, which weren't exactly taken pictures but drawn.
The peach buns! I giggled at the picture and am in awe at the recipe, absolutely need to try it out.

This book is amazing. My husband is big into anime so when I saw this , I had to jump on it. The pictures are great. The recipes are easy to follow. Following along with the recipes in the pictures, it made a great date night. There were so many shows that my husband enjoyed that we had to make multiple recipes. The results were always great!

This book is both practical and cute! I can't wait to try some of the recipes in this. Although some of the ingredients may be difficult to buy for certain dishes. But there are also simple recipes that are super beautiful and don't take much time to make.

What an adorable and nerdy cookbook! This book, with its concise recipes and wonderful illustrations, is so perfect for any anime fan who has looked at animated food and gone, "I wanna eat that!" As a home baker who watches a few too many anime, this cookbook will definitely see some use in my home.

One of the things that made me fall in love with anime was the food and cooking scenes and to have these recipes now in reach through this book is such a gift. The book was full of dishes from familiar animes, and I loved that the cookbook references the episode/context. A must have for anime fans that love to cook.

How do you not love this book!?
The the pictures are literally adorable and the recipes are presented in a way that are actually relatively easy to follow. I was given an ARC by Nadine Estero and NetGalley (thank you so much) but I will ABSOLUTELY purchase a physical copy.
This is a 10 out of 10 for me.

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

The Anime Café: 50 Iconic Treats, Snacks, and Drinks from Your Favorite Anime by Nadine Estero was an absolute delight to look through. The table of contents divided the recipes into different styles of cafes, like for picnics, gift giving, or anytime. Each recipe is inspired by a different anime from classics like Clannad, Naruto, and Sailor Moon, to newer favorites like Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Spy Family and even includes the corresponding episode number. Each recipe also includes a beautiful animated picture of EVERY SINGLE RECIPE that looks delicious, a lovely description, and time estimates for every step of the making process, even decorating time. This was a "treat" to check out and I definitely want to try out several of these recipes sometime.

This is a gorgeously illustrated cookbook with real recipes for the food on various anime shows. A lovely gift for anyone who likes cooking and anime.

The attention to detail! The illustrations! The references! This cookbook is wonderfully made!

This book is the perfect gift for any Anime lover! Especially since it has a good range of recipes and various levels of difficulty.

As a Japanese girlie who is an avid Anime enjoyer- I approve!

I love watching anime and always feel so hungry when I see how delicious the food looks and this provided so many fun and beautiful recipes to test

a very cute little cookbook, and a great intro to Japanese style cooking for beginners! The illustrations were adorable as well.

A delightful culinary journey through beloved anime worlds. Estero captures the essence of iconic drinks and snacks, from Studio Ghibli classics to One Piece adventures. Each recipe is an invitation to savor nostalgia, beautifully accompanied by anime-style food illustrations. It seamlessly blends fandom love, creativity, and mouthwatering flavors, making it a must-have for anime enthusiasts and foodies alike.

Some of the recipes sound easy enough I could even make them. The art makes me wish I wasn't such a picky eater and bad cook. Everything looks so good. Cannot wait to try some of these.

5 stars

Book Review: The Anime Café by Nadine Estero

Rating: 5 Stars

As a parent to a daughter who is absolutely obsessed with anime, I couldn't resist diving into The Anime Café by Nadine Estero. Let me just say, this cookbook is a delightful treasure trove for any anime lover!

In this enchanting book, Nadine Estero takes us on a whimsical journey through the world of anime drinks and treats, allowing fans to experience the beloved beverages their favorite characters enjoy. From iconic scenes in classic series to those special moments in newer releases, the cookbook features an impressive collection of 60 recipes. Whether it's the Rainbow Dango from Clannad, the No Face Chocolate Parfait from Spirited Away, or the Warm Honey Milk from Ponyo, there's something in here for everyone!

What I absolutely love about this cookbook is the charming artwork that accompanies each recipe. It’s not just about cooking; it’s an immersive experience! Each recipe comes with details about the anime it’s from, including the specific episodes, which adds a fun layer of nostalgia. Plus, the quotes after each recipe are such a nice touch—it's like having a little piece of the show right there on the page.

The recipes themselves are straightforward and easy to follow, making it accessible even for those of us who might not be culinary wizards. I can already feel the excitement bubbling as I plan to try my hand at some of these adorable drinks and treats with my daughter. I think we’ll definitely be whipping up some Strawberry Floats inspired by Sailor Moon!

Overall, The Anime Café is a must-have for any anime enthusiast or home cook looking to add a sprinkle of magic to their kitchen. I can’t wait to share these delightful creations with my family and friends. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate your love for anime while making delicious treats, this cookbook is an absolute gem!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

If you enjoy the anime's and movies Nadine Estero includes in this book and want to create the drinks and treats she has chosen, pick up this title! Besides providing pictures in anime style, she sets the scene from the anime and gives eas-t0-follow directions for the home cook. So try out a recipe or two (like Peach buns from Spirited Away or a Mini Pumpkin Herring Pie from Kiki's Delivery Service) and enjoy the show and the food!

Thanks Netgalley and Rock Point for the chance to view this title!

As a fan of fandom cookbooks, this is one of the better ones I've seen. It has plenty of variety in terms of what shows & movies the recipes are inspired by (old and new series in a variety of genres) and some great artwork but the thing that impressed me the most was the layout. I feel like layout makes or breaks a recipe and the author included so many thoughtful details while putting these together. I love how all the steps are clear and seperated, and I love how much information is available at a glance. Did you know this thing includes lists of tools next to the ingredients? You dont see that often and I was so happy about its inclusion.

Unfortunately, I was unable to try any of the recipes in this book before I lost access, but I would be willing to buy this or the authors other work "The Anime Chef Cookbook" just based on the dishes included and the recipe layouts.

Thank you netgalley for the free ebook in exchange for a honest review.

The illustrations and theming are incredibly cute for this book! There are a couple things that deter me from considering this for purchase however. First, the categories are a little strange; the bar category, which I would usually assume contains only recipes for alcoholic drinks, contains more food and even non-alcoholic drink recipes. There are drink recipes scattered throughout the book in fact, and the categories don't feel very intuitive even if they are rather unique compared to most cookbooks. Also, some recipes feel very impractical or kind of pointless: I understand the idea here is faithfully recreating foods from anime, but do things like Honey Milk and Bunny Apples REALLY need to be full-on recipes in a cookbook?