How to Play PlateUp! on Mac (Best Options Compared)
- Sven Frese
- Games
- March 7, 2025
PlateUp! is a roguelike restaurant management game—cook, serve customers, and design your kitchen to survive increasingly chaotic days. It’s like Overcooked meets permanent progression, and it’s wildly addictive. There’s no Mac version, but the game runs excellently on Mac through compatibility layers.
Mac users have three solid options: CrossOver (a compatibility layer that runs Windows games directly on your Mac), Whisky (a free alternative to CrossOver), or CloudDeck (cloud gaming that streams the game from a remote PC). Here’s how they compare.
Option 1: CrossOver
CrossOver lets you run Windows games directly on your Mac without Boot Camp or a Windows license.
How does PlateUp! perform?
PlateUp! has a 5-star “Runs Great” rating on CrossOver and a Platinum rating on ProtonDB (94 reports). It works perfectly out of the box—the simple graphics mean it runs smoothly on any Mac.
Quick reference:
- ✅ Any M-series Mac — Runs flawlessly
- ✅ 8GB RAM — More than enough
- ✅ Online co-op — Works perfectly
- ✅ Local co-op — Works with controllers
How to get started:
- Download CrossOver ($74/year, 14-day free trial)
- Install Steam through CrossOver
- Download PlateUp!
- Open your restaurant
Tips: The game is lightweight—even a base MacBook Air handles it perfectly.
Option 2: Whisky (Free Alternative)
Whisky provides the same compatibility for free.
Performance: Identical to CrossOver—Platinum-rated games work without issues.
The trade-off: Slightly more initial setup, but for a simple game like PlateUp!, you’ll be cooking in minutes.
How to get started:
- Download Whisky (free)
- Create a new bottle and install Steam
- Download PlateUp!
- Start serving
Option 3: CloudDeck (Cloud Gaming)
CloudDeck streams the game from our servers—zero local setup required.
Performance: 60 FPS, runs on our servers.
Best for:
- Players who want instant setup
- Co-op sessions where everyone needs matching performance
- Macs with limited storage
Requirements: Any Mac and a stable internet connection (15+ Mbps recommended).
How to get started:
- Sign up for CloudDeck ($19.99/month, cancel anytime)
- Connect using Moonlight or your browser
- Install PlateUp! from Steam
- Start cooking
Which Option Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Want free local play | Whisky |
| Want polished local play | CrossOver |
| Want zero setup | CloudDeck |
FAQ
Does online co-op work?
Yes—all three options support online multiplayer with Windows and Linux players.
How many players?
Up to 4 players in co-op.
Is there progression between runs?
Yes—PlateUp! has permanent unlocks that carry over between restaurant attempts.
Last updated: March 2026.
