Poverty and food insecurity are rampant around the world, and even the wealthy are feeling the effects of recession and inflation. Nevertheless, there is still a market for $10 million yachts, $20 million condos and $30 million properties – and for fine dining that cost more than a large percentage of the world population gains in a month or more. Those few hours of food and drink cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars per person. (Of course, you wouldn’t worry about things like that if you were one of richest americans of all time.)

How can a restaurant meal be so expensive? Many factors are at play. The luxury ingredients – wild mushrooms, caviar, bluefin tuna, etc. – can cost hundreds of dollars a pound (or in the case of fresh Italian white truffles, up to $10,000). Then there is the preparation of expensive dishes, which are generally labor intensive (those mini vegetables do not cut). In many three-star Michelin restaurants, the kitchen staff literally outnumber the diners. (These are the most expensive three Michelin star restaurants in the world.)

Add the costs involved in creating a memorable environment for guests, including dazzling decor, the finest tableware, intricate service, and the cost of prime real estate, then add the prestige factor of being able to afford an extraordinary meal cooked (or at least designed) by a world-renowned chef.

To determine the most expensive restaurants in the world, 24/7 Tempo consulted numerous food, travel and business websites to compile a shortlist of high-priced dining places around the world. We then checked the websites of the restaurants themselves as well as local booking and review sites to put together a final list.

Restaurants are ranked by the price of their lowest-priced all-inclusive dinner, excluding drinks, taxes, and gratuities (unless otherwise noted). Some of these establishments offer less expensive lunch menus, and some also offer à la carte dishes. These may allow a diner to order a meal for less than the price listed here, but the prix fixe dinner offers better price comparability and a full dining experience. Prices have been converted from local currencies to US dollars using exchange rates on September 28, 2022.

On this list are classic and contemporary French restaurants, representatives of Scandinavia’s thriving culinary scene, modern American gems, two highly quirky Spanish venues, a legendary sushi bar and even an underwater temple of food.

Remember that the prices listed are for a single meal without beverages and without non-voluntary taxes or voluntary tips. These can add hundreds of dollars to a tab – and since few people would sit down alone at an extravagant feast like those offered by these establishments, whatever the final total would likely be doubled.

It’s also worth noting that at several of these restaurants, including Ultraviolet in Shanghai and SubliMotion on the Spanish island of Ibiza, the dining experience is enriched with music, art and theatrical performances.

Click here to see the most expensive restaurants in the world