Dining out is one of the most pleasurable experiences, and while value and experience might play a big role in the selection of a restaurant, for the more affluent, price is no longer a factor. From haute cuisine served in luxurious interiors to exotic ingredients, here are the world’s most expensive restaurants.
- Sublimotion – Ibiza, Spain
Situated in Ibiza, Sublimotion can be called “the kaleidoscope”. Founded by Paco Perez, the head chef and his two-Michelin-star restaurant has become an international sensation, with prices for its 20-course tasting menu at a whopping €2,000 per person. Sublimotion captures unique Spanish delights such as squid cooked inside its ink, Bacalao salt cod, veal cheek with Pedro Ximenez wine, and oxtail cannelloni, among other delicacies. It is a restaurant that brings together art, technology, and haute cuisine, making it the world’s most expensive restaurant.
- Ithaa Undersea Restaurant – Maldives
Ithaa, located beneath the Indian Ocean in the Maldives, is nothing short of breathtaking. It is a beautiful undersea restaurant boasting 180-degree panoramic views of the stunning reef waters. There is also a fascinating menu of pan seared prawns, land catch caviar, and a miso marinated snapper fillet. Diners can also enjoy seasonal vegetable tempura and lobster carpaccio. The cost for two people is a staggering USD $290-USD 500.
- Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet – Shanghai, China
Located in Shanghai at the site of a former factory, Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet offers an incredible 10-course tasting menu set in a unique interactive décor. The menu features unusual combinations such as smoked eel with cauliflower and celeriac, and juniper-smoked scallops with fresh black truffle. The cost for two will set you back an eye-watering $870.
- Le Meurice – Paris, France
Le Meurice is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant found in Paris. It has been the favored haunt of distinguished personalities such as Sigmund Freud and European royalty. Creative executive chef Alain Ducasse regularly revamps their menu, creating a unique blend of classic French haute cuisine and contemporary creations. Indulge in their signature dishes such as Imperial caviar, luxurious white truffle dishes, and Japanese wagyu beef. The price of a single meal at Le Meurice is USD $640.
- Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester – London, UK
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester is one of the UK’s finest restaurants, set within a striking Art Deco interior. The three-Michelin-starred restaurant features dishes such as posh fish ‘n’ chips, made with Dover sole, winter truffle risotto, and black cod. The signature truffle-inspired tasting menu comes at a price of $230 per person.
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Kitcho Arashiyama – Kyoto, Japan
Kaiseki dining has been perfected in Japan and Kitcho Arashiyama serves up one of the most exquisite meals. Designed by head chef Kunio Tokuoka, the dishes take inspiration from the changing seasons. Diners can expect surprisingly delicious morsels such as tempura of river eel and sea urchin, boiled snow crab, and over 30 kinds of pickles. A meal at Kitcho Arashiyama promises to be an unforgettable experience, with a seven-course meal setting you back a whopping USD$397 per person. -
Masa – New York, US
Masa is one of New York’s most expensive and trendiest restaurants. Found in midtown Manhattan, this eatery specializes in Japanese food created and served by head chef Masa Takayama. The menu includes exquisite items such as sablefish teriyaki with fugu (blowfish) jelly and the foie gras terrine, finished with a dash of sesame oil. A meal here costs a staggering $595 per person.
- The French Laundry – Yountville, California
With chef Thomas Keller of Per Se fame at the helm, The French Laundry is one of the most popular restaurants in the state of California, as well as one of the most expensive. Located in Yountville, this restaurant has a nine-course tasting menu that dishes out quintessential American delicacies, such as Hudson Valley Baby Rack of Lamb and Snake River Farms “Kurobuta Pork Cordon Bleu”. Dine here for $350 per person.
- Per Se – New York
Per Se is another Thomas Keller restaurant, located in New York and boasting a seven-course tasting menu. Enjoy dishes such as sea urchin brioche, potato-wrapped sea bass, and black truffle fondue to mention a few. There is also the option of a vegetarian tasting menu with side dishes such as Japanese pumpkin aged balsamic and black truffle risotto. A seven-course tasting menu here costs an eye-watering US$400 per person.
- TRB (The Restaurant at the Border) – Beijing, China
TRB has a unique way of presenting traditional Chinese cuisine. This is accomplished through the use of seasonal, natural ingredients and small-sized dishes. There are four to nine-course tasting menus available, featuring items such as Beijing duck with truffle sauce and braised abalone. A nine-course menu will cost USD $350 per person.
Money is no longer an issue when eating out at the world’s most expensive restaurants. Whether you’re looking for gastronomic delights in Japan, unusual offerings in China, or traditional French haute cuisine, there is a restaurant for every palate. With this list of expensive restaurants, taste some of the most exquisite food in the world and be prepared to be amazed.
