The Top Five Most Expensive Restaurants In The World

Fine dining doesn't just satisfy your hunger. When you pay top-notch, you're spending your money on an exquisite, unique experience. If you've ever stepped into a Michelin restaurant, you’ll understand that each plate is a work of art. Each dish in your four to 12-course meal is an explosion on your taste buds and is prepared with the highest quality ingredients. The customer service? Perfection, and you’re often pampered like a queen. The ambiance at a five-star location is beautiful, relaxing, regal. You get what you pay for at many high-end restaurants – but can they sometimes go overboard? 

I mean, is any plate of food really worth thousands of dollars? You be the judge. Here are the top five most expensive restaurants in the world.

5. Masa in New York City, USA

Masa proudly holds the title of America's most expensive restaurant, and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. The high-end sushi establishment in NYC charges $950 for an omakase ("chef's choice") course. Add drinks to your tab, and you'll easily hit a $1,000 charge.

Thrillist reports that the prixe-fixe consists of 5 to 6 appetizers and 15 to 17 fresh pieces of sushi. Too much? No worries, just opt for the Lunch Omakase at only $495. 

The experience is a "refined, modern Japanese bar and restaurant serving expertly mixed cocktails and Chef Masa Takayama's renowned culinary offerings," according to the official website. 

4. Aragawa in London, England

The dining experience at Aragawa London is exceptional. The steak is meticulously prepared using a specialized kiln, fueled by Japanese binchotan charcoal, and cooked to perfection by Chef Kazuo Imayosh. The Wagyu cuts of beef (shipped from Japan) are tender and marbled. The fat melts at room temperature, and the meat is lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. 

Steak prices begin at £500 ($632) to £900 ($1,138) for a 14-ounce serving. 

3. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet in Shanghai, China

Ultraviolet, by French chef Paul Pairet, is a restaurant based in Shanghai, China. It emerged in 2012 as a pioneer in multi-sensory dining experiences, offering a single table setting for 10 guests each night and an elaborate 20+ course dinner menu. The establishment is not your typical wine-and-dine setting – Ultraviolet utilizes immersive technology like scent projectors, lighting, sound systems, and 360-degree projections to create tailored atmospheres for each dish. 

The avant-garde and psychedelic 20-course meal will cost about $1,000 – but I guarantee the dining experience will be unforgettable. 

2. Alchemist in Copenhagen, Denmark 

The Alchemist – led by chef Rasmus Munk – is ranked among the top eateries globally. If you want something different, I’m talking utterly unconventional, then put Alchemist at the top of your list. The restaurant presents a 50-course meal (come in hungry) that spans approximately six hours. 

A lucky writer for Food & Wine, Daniel Modlin, detailed his experience with Alchemist in his article this year. He was served a freeze-dried butterfly (exactly what it sounds like), sheep's brains in a silicone human head mold, a fake human tongue coated with a sweet substance, and much more. 

The price? About $718.48 per person, not including drinks, of course. 

5. Sublimotion in Ibiza, Spain

Reminiscent of Paul Pairet's Ultraviolet, Sublimotion is another mind-blowing multisensory dining experience that also utilizes a Samsung VR headset to immerse its customers in a fantasy world. 

Sublimotion is currently known as the "most expensive restaurant in the world," charging $2,300 per person for a 20-course tasting menu.

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