If you're going to spend a lot of money on a single meal, you want to make sure you're getting a big bang for your buck. These restaurants offer just that – the price tags may be hefty, but you're guaranteed mouthwatering food that you'll remember for a long time. Each restaurant on our list is genuinely worthy of your time and money, but we've ranked them according to the priciest entrées and tasting menus, with tasting menus deemed better value in the case of any ties. How many will you add to your bucket list?
Click or scroll through our gallery to discover the most expensive restaurants in the US, counting down to the priciest of all.
All prices are correct at the time of publication. Our selections are based on price data, genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.
Stylish yet welcoming, The Restaurant at 1900 isn’t cheap by any means, but the quality of ingredients and cooking are exceptional. The menu features produce-led modern American cuisine from award-winning chef Linda Duerr, with influences from her native New England and nods to Italian and French food. The priciest entrées are the decadent lobster and spaghetti in spicy tomato sauce and the tenderloin of beef with foie gras, both $54.
Fine dining in Fargo is a surprisingly casual affair, and even the city’s priciest joint is affordable compared to some of the big hitters around the country. Maxwells is a cozy and welcoming spot with generously sized meals at various price points, ranging from a burger for $18 to the pepper-seared elk tenderloin, the most expensive entrée at $56. You can also treat yourself to luxurious dishes like lobster and shrimp paella ($49) or roasted garlic lamb rack ($47).
The 14oz prime rib-eye with bone marrow butter is the priciest main at R’evolution at $70, although other choices like the spiced lamb chops ($65) come pretty close. Like all of the food served at this plush restaurant, the meats are infused with Louisiana Creole flavors and cooked perfectly. Other decadent dishes include house-made lobster ravioli and roasted quail gumbo. Love caviar? R’evolution sells a pot for a whopping $400.
Gun Barrel goes beyond the usual steakhouse fare and instead focuses on game meats. The popular, cowboy-themed restaurant offers a range of chops, ribs, and sirloin. The specialty – and the most expensive main dish on the menu – is the Mixed Game Grill, priced at $72 for a feast of elk steak, bison prime rib, and venison bratwurst.
Hanover Street Chophouse serves its prime bone-in rib-eye with seasonal vegetables and potato of the day, which takes some of the sting out of its $73 price tag. It’s the most expensive main on the menu, although a few others – including the $71 surf and turf featuring filet mignon and lobster tail – come pretty close. Diners with more money to burn might want to start the meal off with a seafood tower, which costs $112 for the ‘colossal’ size.
This plush restaurant, part of the Northern Hotel, focuses on regional, seasonal ingredients and flavors for its dinner menu, where the priciest main is the aged rib-eye steak, costing a hefty $74 (and extra if you want more than one side or an upgrade of scallops or roasted mushrooms). TEN also serves other delicious bites, including black truffle arancini and lobster tartine.
With Asian-influenced wagyu hot rock on the appetizer menu, it’s no surprise that Bourbon Steak goes big on luxury. Steak breaks the bank at this spot inside the sleek Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel. The restaurant has options from a 12oz New York strip ($74), right up to the dizzy heights of the 32oz hay-smoked tomahawk at market price. It is a hefty size, so you may have some leftovers to take home and make your best-ever steak sandwich the following day.
You can share The Delmonico, a hefty bone-in rib-eye, but at $147 for two people, the signature dish still isn’t quite the most expensive main course on this popular restaurant's menu. That honor goes to the dry-aged rib-eye for an eye-watering $75. All dishes come with soup or salad and a side, at least. The restaurant was founded in 2007 by local chef Pete Franklin and continues to be a South Dakotan mainstay.
Known for expertly prepared steaks, which are dry-aged in-house for 18-24 days, The Capital Grille might be adored by customers, but it is a pricey option. If you love seafood, The Grand Plateau appetizer is decent value at $130 (for four to six people) and includes jumbo lump crab, North Atlantic lobster, shrimp cocktail, and oysters on the half shell. The most expensive entrée is the signature porcini-rubbed bone-in rib-eye with 15-year aged balsamic at $76.
This classic, long-running spot helmed by Japanese American chef Roy Yamaguchi has two sections on the menu: land and ocean. The priciest fish dish is the blackened island ahi at $64, but that's trumped by two menu items from the land. An 8oz American wagyu filet mignon is $79 and a 14oz rib-eye and mushroom risotto dish is $75. So a solid option could be to plump for the three-course prix fixe menu, which is $77.
This classy Italian restaurant in Morgantown is regarded as the place to go to celebrate a special occasion. The romantic spot serves high-end fare, and it's easy to rack up a sizeable check by the end of the meal. The cowboy cut rib-eye steak costs $80, and there’s also the option to add a 4oz ($24) or 8oz ($48) lobster tail to your steak order. The whole Dover sole – filleted tableside for added flair – is $75. Go all out with a few courses, plus drinks, and you can expect the cost to add up, but diners say the experience is more than worth it.
The Sage Lodge, nestled in an idyllic location within Yellowstone National Park, has three Michelin keys (which are only awarded to the most exceptional hotels worldwide) so you know it's a special place to stay. It makes sense, then, that one of its restaurants, The Grill, is up there with the most expensive in Montana. Here, the dry-aged prime rib with smoked potatoes, au jus, and maître d’ butter is $82 and the 14oz rib-eye is $75. And that's before you add sides such as coal-roasted beets for another $14.
The steaks are high at BR Prime in Mississippi’s popular coastal area, Biloxi. The restaurant, inside the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino, specializes in top-quality cuts of beef prepared by the in-house butcher, as well as some excellent seafood like lobster tails, oysters, and hand-dived scallops. A 22oz bone-in rib-eye is $84, while a 40oz tomahawk rib-eye – enough for two – is $145. You can even top your steak (and top up your check) with crab meat ($26).
The Quoin Restaurant is the hidden gem at the heart of The Quoin, the only hotel in Delaware to receive a Michelin key for being 'a very special stay.' But there's a price attached to special places, and The Quoin Restaurant can certainly cost customers a pretty penny. The top end of the menu features a dry-aged 16oz rib-eye steak, with cippolini onion, confit fingerling, and truffle butter, for a tasty $87.
Two 'petit' filets of Kobe-style Australian wagyu cost $95 a person at Arthur's Prime Steakhouse – and that’s without any added extras. This is definitely a special occasion place, focusing on prime meats and seafood and an atmosphere as classy as the food. Tables are tucked in alcoves and corners for a cozy, exclusive feel. The place also offers a swanky surf and turf with Japanese Kobe and lobster tail, at market price.
This elegant restaurant, inside Kansas City’s Union Station, dishes up small plates, seafood dishes, and prime cuts of meat such as the 24oz rib-eye, priced at $95. It’s the most expensive main dish at Pierpont’s, although steeper still are the seafood towers, costing up to $220 and large enough to share between at least two.
If you're looking to splash the cash in West Virginia, we'd recommend a trip to Prime 44 West inside The Greenbrier resort hotel in White Sulphur Springs. The Nothing But Net meal for two, featuring a 44oz prime porterhouse steak, comes in at $175, but the priciest option for a solo diner is the wagyu trio. That's three portions of wagyu served with a blue cheese crust, au poivre, and Oscar-style for the princely sum of $95. While you're at it, why not add a lobster tail for an extra $32?
As suggested by the name, The Bygone is inspired by another era: the 1920s. Glamor drips from every inch of decor, while the location, on the top floor of the Four Seasons with views over the city, adds to the sense of occasion. Which is just as well, because the prices on the classic seafood and rotisserie menu are also sky-high. The most expensive entrée listed is the Holland Dover sole at $98, but the Maine lobster, stuffed with truffles, squash, and tomato, is sold at market price.
Chandlers specializes in top-quality steaks and seafood, so it’s unsurprising that the menu is on the steep side. Meat doesn’t come much more flavorsome, butter-soft, and expensive than the bull’s eye rib-eye, priced at $110 for 10oz. Add some sides and one of the aptly named ‘over the top’ embellishments such as the à la Rossini, a sauce made with foie gras, wild mushrooms, and a port reduction ($37), and one meal can easily push the $200 mark.
Georgia’s state capital isn’t lacking in spendy steakhouses and sublime seafood spots, but those in the know say Bacchanalia is the place to go for a once-in-a-lifetime meal. This fine dining staple has been wowing diners with its four-course prix fixe menu since opening in 1993 and has a solid reputation for dazzling dishes made with organic ingredients from Bacchanalia’s own farm. The menu is a pricey $125 per head, but it’s so worth it to feast on incredible dishes. If you really want to push the boat out, there’s a caviar serving, too.
Birmingham has a few high-end restaurants (with high prices to match), although small steakhouse chain Perry’s tops the lot with its bone-in tomahawk rib-eye at $135. Thankfully it’s as mouthwatering as the cost is eye-watering, so it’s worth the splurge for a special occasion. There are plenty of other pricey plates to choose from, including the New York Strip Flight, which includes pieces of Texas Kobe–style wagyu, USDA-aged prime, and Japanese A5 wagyu, and comes in at $99.
The grandeur of the setting makes dinner at Marble Room worth the hefty check. Tables are arranged around marble columns and beneath the original pressed ceiling of a 19th-century former bank building. The food is suitably fine too, with a range of seafood dishes, steaks, and raw bar treats including caviar, an ounce of which could set you back $199. Of the steaks, the Miyazaki wagyu strip is the most expensive at $144 for the minimum 4oz serving.
At old-school steakhouse 801 Chophouse, the 36oz porterhouse costs $165, the 24oz Delmonico is $105, and the 20oz bone-in New York strip will set you back $95. But the real bank balance–worrying treat is the Japanese A5 wagyu tenderloin, which comes in at $36 per ounce with a 4oz minimum. You’ll have to fork out extra for sides, with choices including scalloped potatoes and lobster mac ’n’ cheese sold separately at this small Midwest chain.
This cozy, tavern-style restaurant set inside a Victorian farmhouse looks rather humble from the outside, but venture into the gorgeous dining room and you’ll eat some of Vermont’s most exciting cooking. The seven-course tasting menu ($145 per person) is a real feast for the senses, making innovative use of the freshest seasonal produce available that day, from the best-quality meat and seafood to ingredients taken from the restaurant’s own kitchen garden. If you can afford it, the wine pairing for an extra $100 is said to be out of this world.
Fancy French restaurant Fait Maison is a go-to for special occasions. If you have plenty of money to spend, that is. A filet of wagyu beef with lobster béarnaise sauce costs $145, while a Maine lobster is an eye-popping $119. Considering many of the appetizers are over $40, the five-course tasting menu for $125 is relatively good value. Every plate is infused with rich, well-balanced flavors and prettily presented so it feels worth the money.
The history of St Elmo is enough to justify its steep prices. The classic steakhouse has been going since 1902 and many of its dishes, such as the signature shrimp cocktail, have been served here from the very beginning. It’s stood the test of time for a reason, with even its priciest main – the tomahawk rib-eye for $150 – worth the splurge. For the ultimate surf and turf, you can add lobster tail for an extra $55.
Chef Fernando Olea’s cooking at Sazón is influenced by his Mexico City roots, as is the décor. The warm, off-white paint is brightened by beautiful paintings, sculptures, and ceramics, all of which are for sale. You might be tempted if you have any cash left over after forking out for impeccably cooked dishes like Popocatepetl, an Angus tenderloin encrusted with spicy black pepper and served with snow peas and jasmine rice. At $55, it’s the most expensive main dish, while the multi-course Chef’s Degustación Menu costs a cool $150.
The most expensive steak on the menu at steakhouse chain Del Frisco’s is a toss-up between the wagyu beef and the prime tomahawk. The Japanese A5 wagyu comes in at $80 for 3oz and $160 for 6oz, while the prime tomahawk is a head-turning $130. You can save a little cash by making it a meal for two by adding side dishes (an extra $14-$26 each). Although steak dominates the menu here, other dishes include double-bone lamb chops ($77), high-end seafood at market price, and lump crab cakes for $53.
Halls Chophouse, which has four other locations, serves some incredible cuts of meat – and it’s the quality and preparation that customers pay through the nose for. The priciest is the 16oz Australian Westholme New York strip, as butter-soft and richly flavored as one might expect for $165. Sides such as creamed corn ($19) and lobster mac ’n’ cheese ($25) are a must-order, while you’ll also pay extra for sauces.
Jeff Ruby’s is a small chain with various sites in the region, and the Louisville location is a favorite with people celebrating special occasions and get-togethers. The dining room is suitably glitzy and glamorous, with vintage-style artwork on the walls and sultry low lighting. The prices are anything but low, though. A 6oz wagyu filet mignon will drain you of $168, and that's without a side order of the spot's signature (and must-try) lobster gnocchi ($32).
There’s steak, and then there’s steak. Carnevor serves the latter, and diners pay top dollar for it. The priciest on the menu is, unsurprisingly, the Japanese wagyu A5 filet mignon, at a vertiginous $168. And that’s before you’ve added sides, sauces, and luxurious toppings like foie gras or king crab. You can also order a dry-aged rib-eye that's big enough to share for $130.
A reservation at this tiny fine dining spot from acclaimed Midwestern chef Gavin Kaysen is the hottest ticket in town because there are only 20 seats at a U-shaped bar surrounding the open kitchen. Demi is an intimate, tasting menu–only affair, with plates of food elegantly cooked and artfully presented. Provenance and seasonality are at the fore, and you can expect dishes like sweet potato tart with pickled kombu, bacon-wrapped pheasant with juniper sausage, and grilled bison rib-eye. There are two set menus, priced at $125 and $175.
Splash by name, splash by price tag. Splash Seafood's signature Royal Surf & Turf plate, combining a tender 8oz filet steak with lobster tail and Alaskan king crab leg, will set you back $179. Surprisingly, it isn’t the priciest thing on the menu. The colorful restaurant’s Oyster Bar also has some real wallet-busters, such as caviar (up to $200) and shellfish platters for $190.
The 14oz Mishima ultra New York prime steak with truffle fries and beef fat soubise is the priciest main dish on the menu at Crow’s Nest in the Captain Cook Hotel. It’s a staggering $180, though there are cheaper cuts available on the menu. Specials such as king crab legs, sold by market price and weight, often cause more wallet damage.
Trailblazers of the farm-to-table food movement, this stunning 100-seat restaurant is set on a working organic farm within Appalachian Virginia. Lush herbs, edible flowers, fruits, and vegetables grow in abundance here, and seemingly humble ingredients are transformed into some seriously sophisticated dishes on the restaurant’s nine-course tasting menu. It costs $185 per person, plus an extra $100 for paired wines, but this is destination dining at its most magical.
Tasting menus are the norm at many of Portland's fanciest restaurants and one of the city’s finest is served at this subtly elegant New American joint. The vibe inside Quaintrelle may be cool and laid-back, but the prices are anything but – the seasonal seven-course tasting menu is a hefty $155, while the 10-course feast comes in at $195. Fans say the price is justified considering the amazing service and fantastic quality local ingredients cooked with style and fun.
New Jersey has an impressive number of high-end restaurants to rival New York’s scene, and Restaurant Latour at the exclusive Crystal Springs Resort in Hamburg is said to offer an eating experience unlike anywhere else in the state. Diners rave about elegant, flavor-packed dishes like the cuttlefish risotto and Kurobuta pork Wellington, and the breathtaking mountain views from the dining room really seal the deal. But the seven-course tasting menu costs $195, so it’s one to save for the most special occasions.
Colorado has plenty of steakhouses guaranteed to put a dent in your bank balance, but to get the most bang for your buck, Denver locals love Beckon. This tiny, reservation-only chef’s counter releases quarterly multi-course tasting menus in concurrence with the lunar phases, bringing the best of Colorado’s seasons to your plate. The Scandi-cool restaurant has just 18 seats, and you can watch the team of chefs craft beautifully presented dishes before your eyes. Prices vary by season but expect to pay around $195 per person for an unforgettable dinner.
Steaks and seafood dishes infused with regional, seasonal flavors are the focus at Mill’s Tavern, a chic, warmly lit restaurant that’s particularly popular for special occasions. Its prices are on the special side too, with the 32oz wagyu tomahawk rib-eye steak a whopping $197. By the time you’ve added appetizers, side dishes, drinks, and maybe desserts, you’re looking at a hefty check.
This swanky, modern spot has suitably swanky prices, with an Australian wagyu strip steak costing a hefty $200 for 12oz. Slightly more affordable is the porterhouse ($200 but big enough to share), and the whole Dover sole, priced at $80. These are quality ingredients impeccably prepared, so nothing is cheap, but there’s a variety of wood-fired meats, raw bar specialties, and seafood to suit slightly smaller budgets too. On the obligatory caviar menu, you’ll pay between $80 and $195 for an ounce of the good stuff.
Philly cheesesteak is, of course, the city’s most famous culinary creation, but how about a fancy take on the fast food favorite that costs a cool $140? The Barclay Prime Cheesesteak is one of the priciest entrées on the menu at this elegant, library-style restaurant in Rittenhouse Square. Mind you, the beef is wagyu rib-eye, the cheese is truffled, and it’s topped with foie gras. For an extra touch of luxury, it comes with half a bottle of Champagne, too. At the even higher end, various Japanese wagyu steaks on the menu cost $210 and a seafood platter is priced at $185.
For a truly unique experience, head to The Catbird Seat above the Patterson House cocktail bar in Nashville. The price can be up to $250 a head, but at least that includes tax, a hospitality charge, and an exquisite 12-course tasting menu. Come with a group of up to three friends (only tables of four or fewer are accommodated) and savor responsibly sourced food in an intimate setting. Previous dishes have included tomato seasoned with melon seed miso, rainbow pepper sherbet, and Brittany blue lobster.
Georgia Boy takes the idea of being a hidden gem and runs with it. After all, diners hoping to take their table at the acclaimed spot, run by James Beard Award–nominated chef Joey Ward, have to walk through a secret passageway inside the larger Southern Belle restaurant to find it. But that's just the start of the foodie journey at Georgia Boy, where diners feast on a multi-course menu of Southern-influenced cuisine. It'll cost $255 per person, but that at least includes service and a three-hour night out.
Archipelago is a restaurant with a mission. The team not only want to serve you the best American Filipino food in the Pacific Northwest, but they also want to celebrate the culture and people of the Philippines. Each dish on the multi-course tasting menu has its own story, and the 12 diners who enjoy each sitting are encouraged to experience them in any way they see fit. The restaurant has won a number of rave reviews, and the menu costs up to $255 a head.
Monarch in Downtown Dallas only opened in 2021 but has already garnered a reputation as one of the city's hottest eating spots, known for its wood-fired, modern Italian food with a luxury twist. The restaurant is on the 49th floor of The National building, and diners rave about the incredible views from the floor-to-ceiling windows. For a special occasion splurge, The Royale Menu ($270 per person) offers the best Monarch has to offer. You won’t know what’s coming until it lands in front of you, but expect a caviar service, Alaskan king crab legs, whole Maine lobster spaghetti, wagyu strip steak, and all manner of delicious desserts.
The Japanese art of omakase – where guests leave their menu choices in the hands of the chef – is executed to elegant perfection at this wildly popular Boston spot. For $295, guests are served 20 edible works of art, consisting of unique nigiri, sashimi, and various cooked dishes. You never know quite what you’re going to get, but expect singular treats like the A5 wagyu tartare hand rolls, Kona abalone with yuzu, and foie gras nigiri. The experience doesn’t come cheap, of course, and it costs extra for the drinks pairing.
Anywhere that serves a lobster tasting menu is bound to leave a dent in your wallet, but locals say the hefty price tag at White Barn Inn is money well spent – and the list of awards backs that up. This elegantly rustic restaurant has been a New England staple since the early 1970s and is set inside a centuries-old white clapboard barn, with live piano music and a dramatic picture window giving gorgeous views of the gardens. The ever-changing seasonal menu is sublime, making delicious use of the region’s tastiest produce. The prix fixe menu costs $165, while the lobster tasting menu is $265 and the chef’s eight-course blind tasting menu is $295.
Diners have two options to enjoy the delicious offerings at Ambra. The first is to sit at the chef's counter, where you can peep behind the kitchen curtains to see where the magic happens. The second is to take a seat at the communal dining table and enjoy a culinary journey with your fellow guests. Both are exceptional choices, and both cost a chunk of change. To be precise, that's $300 each for the chef's counter and $280 for the dining table.
The Met, as it’s known, has a prestigious location inside the 1903 Marion Building in downtown Seattle. The menu is suitably prestigious, with an emphasis on expensive cuts of meat. The priciest entrée is the combination of snow-aged, Ōmi, and olive-fed Japanese A5 beef filets for $300. A cheaper option is to share the classic chateaubriand for two ($190), which is carved at the table and served with sides.
Cooking steak is treated as an art form at this glitzy restaurant from Iron Chef America star David Burke, known for its ostentatious three-story wine tower and sprawling dry aging room. The priciest main here is the Kobe beef filet mignon, at $360. A few other menu items creep up not far behind, though, including the 16oz boneless Japanese wagyu sirloin and caviar with crème fraîche, egg, blinis, and red onion.
There's no doubting the quality of the food at The Inn at Little Washington. This is a restaurant with a AAA Five Diamond award, a Forbes 5-star rating, and three Michelin stars. But all of that luxury comes with a hefty price tag. Guests can choose between two tasting menus – one for meat-eaters and one for vegetarians – with each one costing $388 per person. For an extra $250 each, guests can also enjoy a drinks pairing.
Quince has three Michelin stars and a Michelin green star for sustainability – plus any number of other accolades, to boot. The restaurant recently had a refresh for its 20th anniversary, but one thing that didn't change was its dedication to local produce, seasonal ingredients, and incredible plates of food. The Gastronomy menu is a ten-course feast that will cost you $390, but the restaurant has started offering a four-course lunch experience for the (somewhat) bargain sum of $195.
California is home to some of the most expensive restaurants in the country, including famous Michelin-starred spots such as The French Laundry, where chef Thomas Keller’s meticulously crafted tasting menus will cost $390 plus add-ons. However, three Michelin–starred Atelier Crenn, in San Francisco, narrowly beats it in the pricing stakes, charging $395 plus add-ons. The stunning restaurant is led by chef Dominique Crenn and offers a multi-course tasting menu that showcases her inventive and poetic approach to cooking, drawing inspiration from nature and art.
Walt Disney World is famous for its candy apples and giant turkey legs, but did you know it also has a spot where you can spend over $400 on dinner? Victoria & Albert's, the jewel in the crown of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, proves there really is something for everyone at the House of Mouse. The restaurant is highly acclaimed, earning both a Michelin star and a Forbes Travel Guide five-star rating in 2024. Here, guests buckle up for an epic three-hour experience, complete with delicate patisserie, melt-in-the-mouth wagyu, and multiple bread courses. The tasting menus start at $295 but can cost $425.
If you're going to dine at the place named the Best Restaurant in North America 2024 by The World's 50 Best Restaurants, then expect to be faced with an eye-popping check at the end of the meal. For $395-$450 per person, you'll get a seat at the chef's counter to experience an unbeatable 12-course menu of Korean-inspired dishes. The restaurant also offers a bar tasting menu for $270-$320 with a shorter (though just as tempting) menu and a drinks pairing.
If you’ve got cash to splash in Chicago, there are countless high-end spots for a sensational meal. However, it’s hard to beat three Michelin–starred icon Alinea, located in the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. This trailblazing spot is loved for its innovative approach to modernist cuisine and artful presentation – complete with edible balloons, clouds of dry ice, and consumable art. A meal here is as much about the food as the overall experience, but prepare to pay handsomely for the pleasure, as your multi-course meal could cost over $500 a head. Prices range from $325 to $495 before add-ons.
Located at the iconic MGM Grand, Joël Robuchon Restaurant is the only three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Las Vegas, and you’ll certainly pay handsomely for the pleasure of eating here, with the signature tasting menu clocking in at $525 – plus a whopping $995 extra for the Grand Cru pairing. But for a true old-school Vegas experience, complete with flowing crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and Art Deco opulence, it’s certainly unforgettable. An express menu with just a main and a dessert costs $235.
New York City is home to some of the world’s most expensive restaurants including Masa, a dizzyingly brilliant Japanese restaurant with equally dizzying prices. This storied spot offers a 26-course omakase menu for an astonishing $750 per person, or if you really want to splash the cash, a seat at the sushi counter costs $950. Masa takes its food so seriously that guests are asked not to wear much perfume in case it takes away from the flavor of the dishes on offer.