This article was originally published in the Winter 2024 issue of Hospitality Ireland magazine, in December of 2024.
The crisp autumn breeze signals the arrival of two of the most highly anticipated seasonal ingredients: crab and truffle. These luxurious foodstuffs, celebrated for their unmatched flavours and rarity, take centre 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 in which to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant, our team analysed 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 charges, VAT). Prices reported are in USD and rounded for simplicity (daily variations may occur due to currency exchange rates).
Iulia Ilsoi, Chef’s Pencil’s PR spokesperson, provided exclusive commentary on the report for Hospitality Ireland.
Iulia, please give us a quick overview of the report – your findings?
Our team analysed prices from over 3,500 Michelin-starred establishments, to rank the restaurants with the highest-priced 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.
Based on our research, the most expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in the world is Ginza Kitafuku, in Tokyo, Japan, where the exclusive Echizen Crab Kiwami Course costs ¥330,000 – approximately €2,060. It is followed by the three-Michelin-starred restaurant Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet, in Shanghai, China – approximately €1,160 – and New York’s Caviar Russe – approximately €925.
What does the report show us about the luxury market overall? Is it holding strong or in decline, etc.?
The report highlights the strength of the luxury market, as most high-end restaurants continued to offer exclusive tasting menus, with many successfully increasing their prices, indicating solid demand. However, rising operational costs, including ingredient prices and labour, have put significant pressure on many luxury establishments, and, unfortunately, some Michelin restaurants were forced to close their doors in 2024.
What are the highest-priced ingredients that you encountered in the report? Has this changed over the last few years?
The Echizen Kiwami crab is, undoubtedly, the most expensive ingredient featured, but other premium Japanese and Chinese crab varieties also command sky-high market prices. Since we’re in peak truffle season, white Alba truffles have been the highlight of some Michelin tasting menus, and they, too, are among the most expensive ingredients.
Were you surprised by anything in the report?
The pricing of the most expensive tasting menu was definitely a shocker – especially compared to two years ago, when we ran a similar report. Back then, the most expensive tasting menu was priced at around $1,500, which was already an insanely high amount.
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 – about $100 – 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.
1. Ginza Kitafuku,
Tokyo,Japan ($2,130)
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 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 1.5kg; carapace width – 14.5cm; and claws wider than 3cm. Only a tiny number of crabs earn this prestigious labelling. In 2021, for example, only 67 snow crabs, or 0.04% of the total catch, were certified as Kiwami crabs.
A single Kiwami crab typically costs between ¥70,000 and ¥80,000 – roughly $500 – but some Kiwami crabs have sold for more than ¥800,000 – $7,000. 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 8,888)
Three-starred Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet offers a captivating fusion of gastronomy and cutting-edge visual technology – a theatrical, multi-sensory dining experience featuring meticulously crafted dishes that blend French techniques with global influences.
The immersive environment uses synchronised 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 8,888 – $1,230 – 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)
Top-Priced Tasting Menu:
Grand Tasting Menu – A Tour Of
Caviar Russe ($975)
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 flavours and artistry.
4. Masa,
New York, USA ($950)
Top-Priced Tasting Menu:
Hinoki Counter Experience ($950)
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)
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 centre stage in the premium seasonal omakase course at the three-Michelin-starred Azabu Kadowaki, priced at ¥145,000 – $935. Complementing the luxurious crab are dishes like black truffle and whitefish sashimi, white truffle rice, and sea urchin caviar somen noodles, creating an impeccable and indulgent dining experience.
6. Quince,
San Francisco, USA ($795)
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)
Top-Priced Tasting Menu:
Alchemist Experience (5,400 DKK)
Copenhagen’s Alchemist provides an unparalleled dining journey, seamlessly combining gastronomy with art, theatre, 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 – 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)
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 flavour and luxurious appeal.
Priced at ¥115,000 – approximately $740 – 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)
Top-Priced Tasting Menu:
Colours, Textures & Flavours (€680)
La Liste’s five-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 flavours converge.
10. Ginza Fukuju,
Tokyo, Japan ($685)
Top-Priced Tasting Menu:
Special Course Using Luxurious
Seasonal Ingredients (¥106,480)
We’re starting and ending the top ten 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 – approximately $720 – highlighting the artistry and delicate flavours of traditional Japanese cuisine.
