A treat for your eyes and your taste buds, here are the most luxurious restaurants in the world. From Michelin starred establishments to an underwater dining experience, they’re all exceptional.
Most Luxurious Restaurants in the World
Diners at these expensive restaurants will need deep pockets but the memories will stay with you for a long time. So what makes a restaurant luxurious? Culinary skill is definitely a key factor, whether the cuisine is French, New American, Japanese or Modern European.
Stylish decor also makes a difference, although it doesn’t have to be fussy. And some of these upscale restaurants boast great views, but that’s not always the case.
We’ve been lucky to dine around the world in some impressive luxury restaurants and for us, friendly service is the most important thing. Truly knowledgeable waiting staff who have tried the menu dishes themselves and can help you to make an informed choice are also worth their weight in gold.
The following high end restaurants are in no particular order but they all share a passion for food excellence.
16. Ultraviolet, Shanghai
Opened in 2012, Ultraviolet is a 10-seat restaurant created by renowned chef Paul Pairet. It aims to create a fully immersive and multi-sensory dining experience.
Boasting three Michelin stars, Ultraviolet has a secret location, disclosed only to diners who reserve one of the highly limited seats. The interior features a single 20 foot-long table surround by screens.
Diners enjoy a multi-sensory experience perfectly choreographed around custom music, visual projections, lighting, and aromas. Techniques like molecular gastronomy feature heavily, with dishes designed to engage taste, touch, scent and sight.
Address: secret location in Shanghai, China
15. Alchemist, Copenhagen
Opened in 2021, Alchemist restaurant in Copenhagen is the creation of chef Rasmus Munk. This 2 Michelin star restaurant features 50-course tasting menus based around seasonal ingredients.
The interior relies heavily on projections to create an immersive experience that transports guests. There are 4 spaces diners move between, each with different multisensory elements.
Much of the cuisine utilizes avant-garde cooking techniques like molecular gastronomy, fermentation and food science innovation. Reservations often book out months in advance.
Address: Refshalevej 173C, 1432 København K, Denmark
14. Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama, Kyoto
Kyoto Kitcho Arashiyama is a highly acclaimed and long-standing kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto, Japan. This fine dining restaurant serves kaiseki – a traditional, intricate, multi-course Japanese meal focused on delicacy, seasonality, and artistic presentation.
Chef Kunio Tokuoka is the third-generation steward of the restaurant. His approach respects both kaiseki traditions and a spirit of innovation within the rigor and discipline of the form.
Meals feature over 10 small seasonal courses like sashimi, simmered dishes, steamed and grilled plates, all incorporating artful plating.
Address: Japan, 〒616-8385 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, ５８
13. Sublimotion, Ibiza
Sublimotion is an ultra high-end restaurant located in Ibiza, Spain that is known for its innovative and multi-sensory dining experiences. It was founded in 2014 by celebrated chef Paco Roncero and claims to offer the most expensive restaurant menu in the world. Prices start at around $2,000 per person.
The restaurant has just one sitting per evening with only 12 diners maximum. Tables are not fixed but moved throughout the various multi-sensory food environments during the course of the evening. This ensures a highly personalized experience.
The interior was designed by an agency specializing in sets for magic shows and employs lighting, projections, sound, aromas, and other effects to augment the food. Diners even wear VR headsets as part of the experience.
Address: Ctra. Playa D’en Bossa, s/n, 07817 Sant Josep de sa Talaia, Illes Balears, Spain
12. Restaurant Guy Savoy, Paris
Acclaimed French chef Guy Savoy has several restaurants including Atelier Maître Albert and Le Chiberta in Paris, France. His flagship in Paris is Restaurant Guy Savoy, which holds three Michelin stars.
In the United States, Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesar’s Palace serves many of his signature dishes. This two Michelin starred restaurant has a great view of the Paris Las Vegas Eiffel Tower replica.
Diners will enjoy the artichoke soup with black truffles and parmesan cheese, the famous fondant au chocolat dessert and the extensive wine list. In Las Vegas, there’s a Krug Chef’s Table ten course menu option, paired with glasses of Krug champagne.Â
Addresses: Monnaie de Paris, 11 Quai de Conti, 75006 Paris, France; Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, United States
11. Ithaa Undersea Restaurant, Maldives
Five meters below the Indian Ocean, lies the first underwater restaurant in the world! With spectacular coral garden views, Ithaa is one of a kind.
The cooking blends Western influences with local flavors. Enjoy fusion dishes such as miso and truffle marinated black cod and Maldivian crisp lobster tortellini.
Ithaa seats up to 14 people and can be reserved for private dining or special occasions such as weddings. Just before the food service, the structure is cleaned to ensure the best views. Have your camera at the ready!
Address: Conrad Rangali Island 20077, Maldives
10. Bob Bob Ricard, London
The creator of the famous “Press for Champagne” button, Bob Bob Ricard is a glamorous restaurant in Soho, London. With Art Deco inspired interiors by David Collins Studio, it takes its name from owner Leonid Shutov whose nickname is Bob.
The only restaurant authorized by Château d’Yquem to serve their wine by the glass, Bob Bob Ricard also sells 25,000 bottles of Champagne each year. There are eight different Champagnes available by the glass, starting from a democratic £12.50.
Serving more caviar than any other UK restaurant, Bob Bob Ricard has a Russian-British menu overseen by Head Chef Tom Peters, with dishes such as Turbot Coulibiac and Beef Wellington.
Take a seat in one of the intimate booths designed to evoke the Golden Age of rail travel, or the 16 seat private dining room. There’s also a sister restaurant in the City of London, that will reopen in September.
Address: 1 Upper James St, London W1F 9DF, United Kingdom
9. Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris, Paris
Known for his modern French cuisine, Alain Ducasse was the first chef to own three Michelin star restaurants in three different cities. These are Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée in Paris, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester in London and Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris in Monaco. Restaurant Le Meurice is another luxurious restaurant, and it holds two Michelin stars.
If you include hotels, artisan chocolate manufactures and training centers, there are over 60 Ducasse Paris establishments on three continents in seven countries.
Le Louis XV is one of the most exclusive restaurants in the world, with an ornate dining room decorated with mythological frescoes. One of the most popular dishes of this fine dining experience is the signature rum baba dessert, served under a silver cloche.
Address: Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco
8. The French Laundry, Napa Valley
An award-winning restaurant by Michelin starred chef Thomas Keller, The French Laundry is located in the heart of Napa Valley. Formerly a steam laundry, the stone building has been carefully modernized.
Dining at this three Michelin starred restaurant is a very special culinary experience, with a tasting menu that changes daily to reflect the seasons.
The entree could be an Oysters and Pearls Sabyoan of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and Regiis Ova Caviar, and the main course could be a Snake River Farms Calotte de Boeuf.
Chef Thomas Keller is the only American born chef with two three-starred Michelin restaurants: The French Laundry and Per Se.
Address: 6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599, United States
7. Maison Pic, Valence
Not just a restaurant, but also a five star hotel in France, Maison Pic was first established in 1889 by Eugene and Sophie Pic. Their descendant, chef Anne-Sophie Pic is the first female French chef to hold three Michelin stars.
In addition to Valence, there are also has several restaurants overseas: La Dame de Pic at Raffles Singapore, two Michelin starred Anne-Sophie Pic at Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne and two Michelin starred La Dame de Pic in London.
The ten course menu is a polysensory experience designed to appeal to all your senses. One of Pic’s signature dishes is banon goat cheese berlingots – a sublime combination of Banon goat’s cheese with a watercress consommé infused with bergamot and ginger.
Address: 285 Avenue Victor Hugo, 26000 Valence, France
6. Per Se, New York City
The second three Michelin starred Thomas Keller restaurant on our list, Per Se has been going strong for 17 years. There are two tasting menus on offer: a nine course chef’s tasting menu, and a nine course vegetable tasting menu.
No ingredients are ever repeated throughout the meal. Thanks to its central NYC location, Per Se is also popular for business events.
There are two private dining rooms seating 11 and 66 guests. It’s also possible to hire out the main dining room overlooking Central Park for exclusive use.
Address: 4th Floor Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, New York, 10019, United States
5. Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville de Crissier, Switzerland
Located within the former city hall, this Swiss restaurant is known for its elegant and seasonal cuisine. Chef Franck Giovannini holds three Michelin stars for his cooking which uses fresh, local ingredients.
Savor dishes such as perch from the Leman lake with crunchy fennel or a frozen duo of candied Cléry strawberries and Verbena.
The sauces are particularly delicious and the wine pairings are chosen with care. The waiting staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
Address: Rue d’Yverdon 1, 1023 Crissier, Switzerland
4. Masa, New York City
Taking its name from the owner, chef Masayoshi Takayama (nicknamed Masa), this 3 Michelin starred restaurant in New York City specializes in sushi, wagyu beef and other Japanese food. There are 26 seats, which get booked weeks in advance.
Masa is known for its omakase menu, meaning that the chef chooses the dishes that you will eat. Masa keeps a note of your preferences and any dishes that you have not yet tried.
As well as Masa restaurant, there’s Bar Masa next door, together with Tetsu and Kappo Masa. The latter is a collaboration with the gallery owner Larry Gagosian.
Address: 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019, United States
3. Eleven Madison Park, New York City
One of the world’s best restaurants, Eleven Madison Park is the brainchild of chef Daniel Humm. The Art Deco dining room overlooks one of the most beautiful parks in New York.
Since the pandemic, he has decided to switch to a plant-based menu with no animal products. Each dish is made from vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes or fungi.
Moreover, he and his team are redefining luxury dining to serve a higher purpose. With every dinner purchased, they will give five meals to New Yorkers in need.
Address: 11 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10010
2. Jules Verne, Paris
With an unparalleled location on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, Le Jules Verne could well be the fanciest restaurant in the world. There are three dining rooms 125 meters above the ground , giving you panoramic views of Quai Branly, Trocadero and the Champ-de-Mars.
Chef Frédéric Anton was awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France. He and his team have designed a wonderful a la carte menu that is available from Monday to Friday.
The 5 course and 7 course tasting menus are popular for a special occasion.
Address: Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris, France
1. Atelier Crenn, San Francisco
Since 2011, chef Dominique Crenn has been creating delicious French dishes at Atelier Crenn. She is the first female chef in the US to receive three Michelin Stars.
Located in Cow Hollow, San Francisco, the restaurant itself is quite minimalist. Paintings by Dominique’s artist father adorn the walls.
The focus is firmly on the food, much of which comes from her Bleu Belle Farm. The 14 course pescatarian menu is extremely popular and gets booked out months in advance. Diners move to Chef Crenn’s Salon at Bar Crenn next door for the dessert.
Address: 3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123, United States
Final Thoughts: The Most Luxurious Restaurants in the World
Dining at one of these luxurious restaurants is an experience that you will never forget. Each fancy restaurant has its own unique atmosphere and style of cuisine that is sure to please any palate.
If you’re looking for more information on the best places to dine, be sure to check out our other dining articles. In the meantime, enjoy trying out some of the most exquisite meals in the world!
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