Top 10 Most Expensive Restaurants in the World

1. Sublimotion Ibiza, $2380

The most expensive restaurant in the world. It opened in 2014 at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Jose de sa Talaia on the Spanish island of Ibiza. The chef of Sublimotion is Paco Roncero, a two Michelin-starred chef. The restaurant is designed for only twelve people and is not a traditional dining establishment where you can choose dishes and drinks from a menu. Sublimotion offers its guests a gastronomic experience with elements of virtual reality. The atmosphere is created through sound accompaniment, changing microclimate, visual design using modern technologies, and, of course, unique dishes. The gastronomic show lasts two and a half hours during which guests can enjoy twenty extraordinary dishes. It truly is unique food - the restaurant typically employs three to four Michelin-starred chefs or other internationally recognized culinary experts, depending on the season. Despite the high price, a visit to Sublimotion Ibiza should be planned and booked in advance as there are plenty of people willing to pay $2380 for this culinary spectacle. The program and menu of the show at Sublimotion Ibiza are updated annually.

2. Ultraviolet, $1250

An experimental cuisine restaurant located in Shanghai. There is only one table for ten people in the dining room. The establishment was opened in 2012 by renowned French chef Paul Pairet. The restaurant's cuisine is referred to as "avant-garde sensory." It is based on the French heritage of the chef, his experience working in Paris, Hong Kong, Sydney, Jakarta, and Istanbul, and daring gastronomic experiments. Guests can expect a set of 20 dishes and a spectacular culinary performance. The restaurant's dining room is quite ascetic - there is no decor, paintings, or artifacts. However, it is equipped with state-of-the-art show technology, including dry aroma projectors, stage lighting, 360-degree wall projection, table projectors, beam speakers, and other devices. Each dish is accompanied by light effects, sounds, music, and aromas, creating its own atmosphere to enhance the taste experience. The cost of visiting the Ultraviolet restaurant ranges from $580 to $1250, depending on the menu.

3. Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki-Ryori in Pangu Hotel, $1150

Located in the seven-star Pangu Hotel in Beijing, this is the most expensive restaurant in China. Pangu is the only Chinese hotel in the unofficial "seven-star" category. Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki-Ryori is a Japanese cuisine restaurant. For $1150, guests can enjoy a complete performance in the traditional style of the Land of the Rising Sun called "kaiseki-ryori." It aims to showcase the chef's skill and provide aesthetic pleasure. The ingredients used in Kyoto Kaden Minokichi Kaiseki-Ryori are primarily imported from Japan. The tradition of kaiseki-ryori was established by Sen no Rikyu in the 16th century and is closely associated with the famous Japanese tea ceremony.

4. Masa, $950

The most expensive restaurant in New York City. It was opened in 2004 by Japanese-born chef Masa Takayama and has been awarded three Michelin stars. The menu is predominantly Japanese cuisine. Guests are offered a chef's tasting menu, known as "omakase" in Japanese tradition, which combines elements of a culinary performance as the chef explains each dish to the guest. The seating capacity of Masa is small, with only 26 seats. As of 2022, the price for omakase at Masa was $750 excluding beverages and taxes. There is also a more expensive option that offers seats at the sushi bar, where the counter is made of slow-growing and expensive hinoki wood, a Japanese cypress. In this case, the culinary experience costs $950. Reservations at the restaurant are made 30 days in advance, and a deposit of at least $250 per person is required. Visitors are warned in advance about the prohibition of excessive use of perfumes during the visit to avoid "disturbing other guests." During the COVID-19 pandemic, Masa offered sushi boxes for delivery at sky-high prices, and they were in high demand.

5. Per Se, $850

Per Se is a restaurant that offers French and American cuisine and is located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner Center in New York. The building houses the former headquarters of the media conglomerate, Time Warner. The establishment opened in 2004 and has been awarded three Michelin stars. It is owned by renowned chef Thomas Keller. Guests are offered a tasting menu in two basic variations: traditional and vegetarian. None of the ingredients are repeated throughout the menu. The cost of the base menu is $355 per person, but there is also a modified version priced at $850. This upgraded menu may include different types of caviar, more expensive white truffles, Wagyu beef, and other premium ingredients. Per Se is a small restaurant, and the portions are extremely modest in size. Each guest is assigned a dedicated waiter. To dine at Per Se, it is necessary to make a reservation in advance. If you plan to sit in the main dining room, a deposit of $200 is required. However, if you wish to dine in the East Room with a view of Central Park, the deposit amount increases to $400 per person.

6. The Krug Room, $750

Located in the Mandarin Oriental hotel, The Krug Room is a 12-seat restaurant and is considered the most expensive establishment in Hong Kong. It was created in partnership with the Champagne House Krug, which explains why it offers the largest collection of Krug beverages in Asia. The Krug Room's menu features dishes from molecular, European, and Asian cuisine. They are often the result of bold experiments by chef Robin Zavou. Guests are offered 10-14 dishes mainly made from local seasonal ingredients. The cost of the dinner, excluding beverages, can range from $370, $500, to $750 depending on the selected items. The interior of The Krug Room is styled like a train carriage. The restaurant has a dress code, with ladies recommended to wear elegant dresses or suits and appropriate footwear, while men are requested to come in smart shirts and trousers, although ties and jackets are not mandatory. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance of the desired dining date.

7. Kitcho Arashiyama Honten, $730

Kitcho Arashiyama Honten is a restaurant of traditional Japanese cuisine located in the suburbs of Kyoto. It was opened in 1946 and consists of a complex that includes not only a kitchen and stylized Japanese houses but also an eastern traditional garden. Guests are offered a choice between the chef's tasting menu, known as "omakase," or the culinary presentation of Japanese haute cuisine called "kaiseki ryori." The establishment has a total of seven dining rooms. The menu, tableware, and decorative elements are changed four times a year. On one hand, this is done to adhere to traditions and incorporate seasonal ingredients, and on the other hand, it serves as an excellent marketing strategy, attracting repeat customers. The cost of visiting Kitcho Arashiyama Honten ranges from $370 to $730 per person, depending on the menu and chosen dining room. It is recommended to make reservations in advance.

8. Guy Savoy, $650

Guy Savoy is a restaurant owned by the renowned chef Guy Savoy, who has repeatedly been recognized as the best in the world. It is located in the Caesars Palace entertainment complex in Las Vegas. Savoy owns several restaurants, including the most famous one, Guy Savoy in Paris. However, the American restaurant is the most expensive. Its menu follows the same model as the Parisian Guy Savoy and features luxurious dishes of French cuisine. The cost of the chef's set menu ranges from $385 to $650. For example, in 2022, the "five-star" holiday menu included six dishes with a total cost of $615 without beverages. Exquisite ingredients such as tuna, caviar, Wagyu beef, lobsters, black truffles, and even plant pollen are used in their preparation. Beverages at Guy Savoy are a separate topic. The wine list consists of a 74-page selection of various noble drinks, ranging from a glass of Commanderie de Peyrassol, Cotes de Provence 2018 priced at $20 to a bottle of Colheita 1941 for $1050.

9. Alchemist, $590

This restaurant, located in the capital of Denmark, was opened in 2019. Despite the interruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it has managed to achieve the status of one of the most interesting establishments in the world. Translated to English, "Alchemist" means "alchemist." The entire concept of the restaurant is built on alchemy, combining religion, philosophy, mysticism, natural science, and art. Guests of the establishment are offered a true show in the form of a journey into the mysterious world of haute cuisine and alchemy. For several hours, customers indulge in 40-50 dishes, or as they are called here, "impressions." For example, the presentation of a dish served in an animal skull is quite shocking. Therefore, visiting the "Alchemist" is not recommended for business negotiations or a first romantic date. Emotions are intensified by a multisensory table and various show techniques, including projectors, multimedia installations, and other equipment. The cost of the special "Alchemist" menu is $590 without beverages. The restaurant can be visited by pre-ordering and purchasing a ticket that includes the full cost of the menu. Additionally, a 2.5% service charge will apply. Reservations can be made up to 90 days in advance of the planned date.

10. Alain Ducasse at Plaza Athénée, $475

The name Alain Ducasse is widely known in the restaurant business, as he is both an outstanding chef and the owner of a network of establishments. One of them is located in the Plaza Athénée hotel, which rightfully belongs to the most luxurious hotels in Paris. The restaurant was opened in 2000 and within six months received three Michelin stars, setting a kind of global record for recognition speed. The restaurant specializes in environmentally friendly seafood, organic products, and a very small amount of meat. The emphasis is on what Ducasse calls "naturalité" (naturalness). That's why the menu includes many seasonal dishes. The establishment offers French cuisine interpreted in a modern manner. The restaurant's wine list includes over a thousand different vintages from numerous producers. A dinner based on the special menu, excluding beverages, can cost up to $475 per person. The restaurant at Plaza Athénée is not the only ultra-expensive establishment by Ducasse in Paris — it can be rivalled by the Le Meurice restaurant in the city center, located in the luxury hotel of the same name.