The Priciest Michelin-starred Restaurants of 2024
The crisp autumn breeze signals the arrival of two of the most highly anticipated culinary seasons: crab and truffle. These luxurious ingredients, celebrated for their unmatched flavors and rarity, take center stage on menus around the globe, making this the perfect time to explore the world’s most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants.
Many of these establishments embrace the season by showcasing these prized ingredients—alongside premium caviar, another top-tier delicacy—in their carefully curated seasonal tasting menus.
Building on our 2024 study of the most expensive cities and countries to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, our team analyzed prices from 3,500+ Michelin-starred establishments to rank those offering the highest-priced full tasting menus.
For this ranking, we focused on the most expensive regular or seasonal menus, excluding one-time celebratory meals such as those offered for Christmas or New Year’s.
Beverages are generally not included in the price, though a small number of restaurants do include them. The same is true for tips and other government charges (service charge, VAT). Prices reported are in USD and rounded for simplicity (daily variations may occur due to currency exchange rates).
1. Ginza Kitafuku, Tokyo, Japan ($2,130 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Echizen Crab Kiwami Course (¥330,000)
If you want to experience a meal worthy of royals, then head to Ginza Kitafuku in Tokyo for their seasonal Echizen crab “Kiwami” course. Priced at 330,000 Yen per person (service charge not included) this is the world’s most expensive Michelin-starred meal.
Echizen crab is a type of snow crab that is exclusively caught off the coast of Echizen, a region in Fukui Prefecture, Japan, north of Kyoto. This crab is highly prized for its sweet and tender meat, and it has earned the distinction of being presented to the Japanese imperial family as a symbol of its quality and rarity.
Over the past decade or so, a new and even higher prized Echizen crab has popped up in Japan’s markets. It’s called Kiwami, and the crustaceans need to meet very strict criteria for weight (they must be over 1.5 kg), carapace width (14.5 cm), and claws wider than 3 cm. Only a tiny number of crabs earn this prestigious labeling: in 2021 for example, only 67 snow crabs, or 0.04 percent of the total catch, were certified as Kiwami crabs.
A single Kiwami crab typically costs between 70,000 and 80,000 Yen (roughly $500 USD), but some Kiwami crabs have sold for more than 800,000 Yen ($7000 USD). Given the crazy-high market prices for Kiwami crabs, Ginza Kitafuku’s Kiwami course almost looks like a great bargain.
2. Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, Shanghai, China ($1,230)
Top-priced tasting menu: UV Royale (RMB 8888)
Three-starred Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet offers a captivating fusion of gastronomy and cutting-edge visual technology, theatrical, multi-sensory dining experience featuring meticulously crafted dishes that blend French techniques with global influences.
The immersive environment uses synchronized visuals, music, and aromas tailored to each course, creating a one-of-a-kind culinary journey. The premium UV Royale course is priced at RMB 8888 ($1230 USD), and while we haven’t yet had the pleasure of trying it, everyone seems to full heartedly agree that it’s worth every penny. Did we mention that champagne, wine and cocktail pairings are included in the price?
3. Caviar Russe, New York, USA ($975 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Grand Tasting Menu—A Tour of Caviar Russe ($975 USD)
If you’re a caviar connoisseur with a budget for an indulgent dining experience, look no further than New York’s Caviar Russe. Its Grand Tasting Menu, priced at $975 (excluding tax and gratuity), is the most expensive Michelin-starred meal in the United States.
Featuring 11 courses of exquisite caviar-centric dishes, the experience has been described by Forbes as an over-the-top odyssey, and it’s guaranteed to leave you impressed with its luxurious flavors and artistry.
4. Masa, New York, USA ($950 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Hinoki Counter Experience ($950 USD)
Masa, New York’s premier Japanese restaurant and a three-Michelin-starred gem, is synonymous with elite, ultra-expensive dining. Ranked as the third most expensive Michelin restaurant in the world in 2022, it was the first in America to break the $1,000 mark for a Michelin meal (when you include service charge and gratuity).
So, is it worth it? According to the Michelin Guide, there’s nothing quite like experiencing an omakase under Chef Masa Takayama’s care. With fragrant truffles, Ossetra caviar, and vibrant garnishes, the menu balances luxury with artistry.
5. Azabu Kadowaki, Tokyo, Japan ($935 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Seasonal Omakase Course including Matsuba Crab (¥145,200)
In addition to Echizen, Matsuba crabs are among the most highly prized snow crabs harvested in Japanese waters. They take center stage in the premium seasonal omakase course at the three-Michelin-starred Azabu Kadowaki, priced at 145,000 Yen ($935 USD).
Complementing the luxurious crab are dishes like black truffle and white fish sashimi, white truffle rice, and sea urchin caviar somen noodles, creating an impeccable and indulgent dining experience.
6. Quince, San Francisco, USA ($795 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: 21st Annual White Truffle Dinner ($795)
For roughly six weeks from mid-November to late December, Quince, a three-Michelin-starred gem in San Francisco, offers an exquisite white-truffle-focused tasting menu.
Priced at $795, it holds the title of the most expensive Michelin-starred meal on the West Coast. Helmed by celebrated chef Michael Tusk, the truffle-centric dishes reflect both luxury and innovation, making this menu a bucket-list experience for white truffle lovers.
7. Alchemist, Copenhagen, Denmark ($760 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Alchemist Experience (5400 DKK)
Copenhagen’s Alchemist provides an unparalleled dining journey, seamlessly combining gastronomy with art, theater, and scientific innovation. This two-Michelin-starred establishment is widely regarded as one of the most iconic dining destinations globally.
At a price of 5,400 DKK (approximately $760 USD), it is the most expensive Michelin-starred meal in Europe. Chef Rasmus Munk pushes the boundaries of culinary creativity, with each dish designed to provoke thought and stimulate all senses. The restaurant’s immersive setting and conceptual storytelling make it a once-in-a-lifetime dining adventure.
8. Sazenka, Tokyo, Japan ($745 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Special course of carefully selected ingredients and Shanghai crab (¥115,500)
One of Asia’s premier dining destinations, the three-Michelin-starred Sazenka masterfully blends Chinese culinary techniques with the elegance and philosophy of Japanese cuisine. From mid-October to mid-January, the restaurant features a Shanghai crab-centric course, a seasonal delicacy highly prized for its rich flavor and luxurious appeal.
Priced at 115,000 Yen (approximately $740 USD), this exclusive menu highlights the restaurant’s dedication to showcasing the best seasonal ingredients, providing an unforgettable experience that perfectly balances tradition and innovation.
9. Guy Savoy, Paris, France ($715 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Colours, Textures & Flavours (€680)
La Liste’s 5-time consecutive winner of the world’s best restaurant crown, Guy Savoy restaurant in Paris is renowned for its sophisticated French haute cuisine. It is also France’s most expensive restaurant. Helmed by celebrated chef Guy Savoy, the restaurant offers an intimate, luxurious dining experience where artistry and flavors converge.
10. Ginza Fukuju, Tokyo, Japan ($685 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Special course using luxurious seasonal ingredients (¥106,480)
We’re starting and ending the top 10 with a Tokyo restaurant. Ginza Fukuju, situated in Tokyo’s prestigious Ginza district, is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its refined kaiseki-style dining.
Featuring luxurious seasonal ingredients prepared with meticulous attention to detail, the restaurant offers an exclusive omakase menu priced at 106,480 Yen (approximately $720 USD), highlighting the artistry and delicate flavors of traditional Japanese cuisine.
11. Hōseki, Dubai, U.A.E. ($680 USD)
Top-priced tasting menu: Ruri (2,500 AED)
Just outside the top 10, Hōseki, located in Dubai, offers an exceptional dining experience with its exclusive “Ruri” tasting menu, priced at AED 2,500. This menu features a selection of seven appetizers, including sashimi and seasonal dishes, a premium sushi offering, miso soup, Japanese fruit, and a Japanese omelet. The menu reflects the highest level of craftsmanship and luxury, emphasizing the best of traditional Japanese cuisine in an intimate, refined setting.
The Priciest Michelin-starred Restaurants in Each Country
The world’s 15 most expensive Michelin-starred restaurants are concentrated in a select few countries, but what about the rest of the 30+ countries and territories covered by the Michelin Guide?
In the affordability rankings, Lithuania stands out, newly added to the Michelin Guide, with its priciest meal costing just 95 euros (about $100 USD)—less than a tea course at the costliest restaurants worldwide. Other nations like the Czech Republic, Malaysia, Croatia, Malta, and Brazil also offer Michelin-starred dining at surprisingly accessible prices, showcasing diverse, high-quality cuisines without breaking the bank.
Methodology
Our team researched the menus of 3,500 Michelin-starred restaurants (one, two, and three stars) in all countries and territories covered by the guide, finding pricing data for over 90% of the listed restaurants. The research was conducted between November 1st and November 20th, 2024.
For this ranking, we focused on the most expensive regular and seasonal tasting menus, excluding one-time celebratory meals like those offered for Christmas or New Year's. Prices are per person and generally exclude service charges, VAT, or gratuity. Wine and cocktail pairings are included at a few restaurants.
Prices were rounded for simplicity (e.g., 2,138 was rounded to 2,140; 672 was rounded to 670). Daily and weekly price variations may occur due to fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
Featured photo taken at Ginza Kitafuku courtesy of @mermaidkumi.
