If you’re a foodie with deep pockets, you might be curious about the most expensive restaurants in the world. These are not your average eateries, but rather places where you can enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience that will cost you a fortune. From underwater dining in the Maldives to basement-dwelling luxury sushi in Tokyo, here are 10 of the most expensive restaurants in the world.
Ithaa Undersea – Maldives – $320 per person
How cool would it be to dine under the sea? Well, you can do that at Ithaa Undersea, the world’s first underwater restaurant. Located on Rangali Island in the Maldives, this restaurant lets you enjoy a four-course lunch or a six-course dinner while surrounded by panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and its marine life. The cuisine is mainly European, with dishes like lobster carpaccio, foie gras, and lamb loin. The restaurant can only accommodate 14 guests, so you’ll need to book in advance and stay at the Conrad Rangali Resort to get a reservation. This unique dining experience will set you back $320 per person, not including drinks or service charges.
Aragawa – Tokyo, Japan – $260 ~ $370 per person
If you’re a meat lover, you’ll want to check out Aragawa, a steakhouse located in the basement of an old office building in Tokyo. This restaurant is famous for its Kobe beef, which is considered to be the best in the world. The beef comes from specially raised cattle that are pampered and massaged before being slaughtered. The result is a tender, juicy, and flavorful steak that melts in your mouth. The restaurant offers an a la carte menu, so you can choose your preferred cut and size of steak, as well as some side dishes and desserts. The average cost of a meal here is between $260 and $370 per person, depending on what you order. The restaurant is very exclusive, with only 22 seats and a long waiting list, so you’ll need to make a reservation well in advance.
Kitcho Arashiyama – Tokyo, Japan – $380 ~ $570 per person
Another Tokyo restaurant that makes the list is Kitcho Arashiyama, a three-Michelin-starred establishment that serves traditional Japanese cuisine. The restaurant is located in a serene setting near the Arashiyama bamboo forest and has a refined and elegant atmosphere. The chef, Kunio Tokuoka, is a third-generation master of kaiseki, a multi-course meal that showcases seasonal ingredients and exquisite presentation. The menu changes daily, depending on what’s available at the market, but you can expect to enjoy dishes like sashimi, grilled fish, tempura, and wagyu beef. The restaurant offers a 10-course tasting menu that costs between $380 and $570 per person, depending on the season and the ingredients. You’ll also need to pay extra for drinks and service charges.
Restaurant De L’Hôtel De Ville – Crissier, Switzerland – $415 per person
If you’re looking for a classic French fine dining experience, you can’t go wrong with Restaurant De L’Hôtel De Ville, a three Michelin-starred restaurant in Crissier, Switzerland. The restaurant is run by chef Franck Giovannini, who took over from the legendary Benoît Violier, who passed away in 2016. The restaurant is known for its impeccable service, elegant decor, and superb cuisine. The menu features dishes like langoustine with caviar, pigeon with foie gras, and chocolate soufflé. The restaurant offers a nine-course tasting menu that costs $415 per person, not including drinks or service charges. You’ll also need to dress smartly, as the restaurant has a strict dress code.
Maison Pic Valence – Paris, France – $445 per person
Maison Pic Valence is a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris that is run by chef Anne-Sophie Pic, who is the only female chef in France to hold this distinction. The restaurant is part of a family legacy, as it was founded by her grandfather in 1930 and continued by her father until he died in 1992. The restaurant is known for its feminine and delicate cuisine, which combines traditional French techniques with modern twists and exotic flavors. The menu features dishes like turbot with caviar, pigeon with coffee, and chocolate with passion fruit. The restaurant offers a 10-course tasting menu that costs $445 per person, not including drinks or service charges. The restaurant is located in a beautiful mansion and has a chic and elegant atmosphere.
Guy Savoy – Paris, France – $485 per person
Paris is home to many fine dining restaurants, but one of the most expensive ones is Guy Savoy, a three Michelin-starred restaurant that bears the name of its chef and owner. Guy Savoy is a master of French cuisine, who creates dishes that are innovative, refined, and delicious. The menu features dishes like artichoke and black truffle soup, lobster with caviar, and roasted veal with morels. The restaurant offers a 13-course tasting menu that costs $485 per person, not including drinks or service charges. The restaurant is also known for its impressive wine list, which features some of the rarest and most expensive wines in the world. The restaurant is located in a historic building near the Louvre and has a cozy and intimate ambiance.
Masa – New York, United States – $595 per person
If you’re a sushi fan, you’ll want to try Masa, a three-Michelin-starred restaurant in New York that serves some of the best sushi in the world. The restaurant is run by chef Masa Takayama, who sources his fish from Japan and prepares it with meticulous care and skill. The restaurant offers an omakase menu, which means the chef decides what to serve you based on what’s fresh and available. The menu consists of about 20 courses of sushi and other Japanese delicacies, such as toro, uni, wagyu, and foie gras. The restaurant charges $595 per person for the omakase menu, not including drinks or service charges. The restaurant is very exclusive, with only 26 seats and a strict no-photos policy.
Per Se – New York, United States – $680 per person
Per Se is a three Michelin-starred restaurant in New York that is run by chef Thomas Keller, who is also the owner of the famous French Laundry in California. The restaurant is located in the Time Warner Center and has a stunning view of Central Park. The restaurant serves contemporary American cuisine, with a focus on quality ingredients and flawless execution. The menu features dishes like oysters and pearls, butter-poached lobster, and herb-roasted lamb. The restaurant offers two nine-course tasting menus, one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian, that cost $680 per person, not including drinks or service charges. The restaurant is also known for its extensive wine list, which features over 2,000 selections from around the world.
Ultraviolet – Shanghai, China – $900 per person
Ultraviolet is a unique and futuristic restaurant in Shanghai that offers a multi-sensory dining experience. The restaurant is run by chef Paul Pairet, who is known for his avant-garde and creative cuisine. The restaurant has only one table, which seats 10 guests and is located in a secret location that is revealed only after you make a reservation. The restaurant uses lights, sounds, smells, and projections to create different atmospheres and enhance the flavors of the food. The menu consists of 20 courses of dishes that are playful, surprising, and delicious. The menu changes regularly, but some examples of dishes are truffle burnt soup bread, foie gras can’t quit, and bacon and eggs. The restaurant charges $900 per person for the menu, which includes drinks and service charges. The restaurant is also very exclusive, as it only operates four nights a week and has a long waiting list.
Sublimotion – Ibiza, Spain – $2,380 per person
The most expensive restaurant in the world is Sublimotion, a restaurant in Ibiza that offers a gastronomic show that combines food, art, and technology. The restaurant is run by chef Paco Roncero, who is a pioneer of molecular gastronomy and a disciple of Ferran Adrià. The restaurant has only one table, which seats 12 guests and is located in a specially designed space that transforms with each course. The restaurant uses lights, sounds, projections, aromas, and special effects to create different scenarios and emotions. The menu consists of 15 to 20 courses of dishes that are innovative, whimsical, and delicious. The menu changes every year, but some examples of dishes are edible tickets, virtual reality sushi, and liquid nitrogen cocktails. The restaurant charges $2,380 per person for the menu, which includes drinks and service charges. The restaurant is also very exclusive, as it only operates during the summer season and has limited availability.
