World’s Most Expensive Tasting Menus – Can you afford them?

When it comes to dining out, many people always try to get the most out of their money’s worth. Is this steak meal worth $100 or is this butter-poached lobster with caviar worth it’s price? Are you willing to shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars for a posh meal? Well, this list of some of the world’s costliest meals which are jaw-dropping for their prices alone. Aside from spending big bucks for a gastronomic adventure, you’ll also experiencing the best of the best – from a luxurious dining experience to the best ambiance. And while it’s entirely debatable whether or not these meals are worth it, if you can afford one that is, we’d insist that it be tried. After all, how many of us can afford to spend that much money without having to take out a second mortgage (or perhaps, sell a kidney)?

Tasting Menu at Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville by Chef Benoît Violier – Cost $390 per person (Crissier, Switzerland):

Run by Chef Benoît Violier, this fine dining restaurant boasts of three Michelin stars. The chef’s special menu will enable guests to enjoy a ten-course meal comprising of vegetables, meat, protein, a selection of the finest cheeses, and desserts. Some of the specialties to look out for are the varieties of caviar, mussels with saffron jus, roasted rack of lamb with violet-mustard dressing, turbot with star anise dukkah, and a frozen pairing of apricots covered in almond and hazelnut caramel.

Jardin-Marin at Plaza Athénée by Chef Alain Ducasse – Cost $425 per person (Paris, France):

Acclaimed Michelin star awardee and chef Alain Ducasse’s Jardin-Marin and his menu are well-known in Paris so next time you’re planning a trip to the City of Love, stop by chef Alain’s restaurant for a feast of a lifetime. The fixed-price menu includes three half-courses, a cheese course which is followed by dessert. The menu costs $390 without drinks and $425 with alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages. The chef’s other restaurant Le Meurice also offers a pre-fixed menu for the same price, while those visiting on a budget can enjoy a set lunch for a mere $225.

Tasting Menu at L’Atelier by Joël Robuchon – Cost $445 per person (Las Vegas, Nevada):

Chef Joël Robuchon combines simplicity with the extraordinary at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, creating an exquisite eighteen-course menu at L’Atelier De. Each dish is prepared right in front of the guests’ eyes right across an open countertop. Moreover, chef Robuchon makes use of the freshest and best ingredients, giving his guests gastronomic explosions in their mouths with every bite. Particular favorites include Osetra caviar with cauliflower cream and green asparagus gelée, and Le Caviar served with three varieties of couscous.

Chef’s Special Omakase at Kitcho Arashiyama Honten by Chef Kunio Tokuoka – Cost $475 per person (Kyoto, Japan):

Following his family tradition, Chef Kunio Tokuoka’s Kyoto branch of Kitcho is definitely a trip worth making to when one is in Japan. The restaurant has several fixed price menus one can choose from, but the one that’s most popular (and expensive) is the ten-course Omakase meal including two sashimi courses, as well as steamed and grilled varieties. The menu is priced at $475 per head and guests will be able to enjoy their meal served to them in antique dining-ware while soaking in idyllic views of the region’s natural beauty. There are a number of private Tatami rooms with gardens for those seeking a more personal experience.

The Tasting Menu at Ultraviolet by Chef Paul Pairet – Cost $579 per person (Shanghai, China):

The Ultraviolet, conceived and run by acclaimed chef Paul Pairet, is an eloquent example of opulence. The stage is set for just ten guests who will enjoy a twenty-course, futuristic menu inspired by the chef’s scientific background. The meal will be enhanced via a multi-sensory atmosphere consisting of visual, auditory, and olfactory simulations. The space is devoid of any décor, paintings, or views – just white walls and a brilliant light and sound display complete with moving walls and plates that dance and joke. Seeing is believing as they say!

The Tasting Experience at SubliMotion by Chef Paco Roncero– Cost $2,000 (Ibiza, Spain):

This three-hour dining experience will deduct a hefty $2,000 dollar from each of the twelve guests who will get to enjoy a single-tasting menu. Michelin star chef Paco Roncero came up with this innovative degustation menu that relies heavily upon molecular gastronomy. With twenty-five professionals, rotating screens, interactive tables, and a burst of animation, this is indeed a unique meal, granted you can afford its price!

While these aren’t the only places that serve some of the most expensive meals, they surely are some of our best picks. So, if the day arrives when you think it’s fine enough to spend some thousands over an exquisite meal, these are surely some of the places to choose from. Happy dining!