The 40 Most Expensive Restaurant Dishes In America
The Gold Experience, 212 Steakhouse; New York: $400
Kobe beef is the Rolls-Royce of steaks, and when you wrap Kobe steak in 24-karat gold leaf you’re basically enjoying the epitome of luxurious foods. You can try the steak of King Midas’s dreams at 212 Steakhouse in Manhattan which sells a 6-ounce gilded steak for a casual $400.
Gruaud-Larose 1845, Bern's Steak House; Tampa: $49,000
With over 100,000 bottles in the cellar at Bern's Steak House, it can be pretty tricky to make a selection, but this 1845 Gruaud-Larose is always a safe bet. To guarantee you're getting your money's worth, the wine that predates the Civil War comes with a certificate of authenticity certifying the bottle came from estate inventory and was checked and re-packaged at the estate in 1996. If spending a year's tuition on a bottle isn't quite your style, the menu also offers her younger sister from 1855 for $42,000.
Guinness World Record 24K Pizza, Industry Kitchen; New York: $2,000
For those who think New York is just 99-cent slice shops, a trip to Industry Kitchen will certainly change their mindset. A 48-hour heads-up will get the kitchen started on preparing a pizza topped with stilton cheese, foie gras, Ossetra caviar, shaved truffles, and 24-karat gold. If that doesn’t feel decadent enough, you can throw on half an ounce of Almas caviar for an additional $700.
Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata, Norma's; New York City: $1,000
We’ve always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not start it off with a $1,000 frittata? At Norma’s in New York City, the classic egg dish gets a luxurious twist with the addition of 10 ounces of caviar and a pound of lobster. If you’re not ready to fork over that chunk of change, Norma’s also offers a petite version at a more reasonable $100.
Golden Opulence Sundae, Serendipity; New York: $1,000
With almost as many ingredients as dollar signs, this $1,000 sundae at Serendipity is worth every penny. Madagascar vanilla-infused Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream is covered with 23-karat gold leaf, chocolate syrup made from Amedei Porcelana (one of the most expensive chocolate’s in the world), chunks of rare Venezualan Chuao chocolate, candied fruits from Paris, chocolate truffles, gold-covered almonds, marzipan cherries, more edible gold leaf, oh, and a small bowl of unsalted caviar infused with passion fruit, orange, and Armagnac. Because apparently, caviar goes great with ice cream.
777 Burger, Le Burger Brasserie; Las Vegas: $777
As its name indicates, Sin City is littered with temptation and indulgence but the 777 Burger at Le Burger Brasserie in famed Cesar’s Palace might take the cake. Complete with Kobe beef, lobster, pancetta, foie gras, goat cheese, and arugula, this $777 burger will make you feel like a high roller, at least until the check comes.
Fleur Burger 5000, Fleur; Las Vegas, $5,000
Why spend 99 cents on a burger from McDonald's when you can spend $5,000 on a burger at Fleur in Vegas? This particular burger may not come with a happy meal but it does come with wagyu beef, seared foie gras, a mound of shaved truffles, and a bottle of 1995 Chateau Petrus (a super high-end Bordeaux) to wash it all down. Cheers to hitting the jackpot.
Billion Dollar Popcorn, Berco’s Popcorn; Chicago: $2,500
It’s hard to imagine dropping $2,500 on a tin of popcorn when you can buy a $8 refillable tub at the movie theater but this isn’t the stuff you’ll find at your local AMC. Made with organic sugar, Vermont Creamery butter, Nielsen Massey Bourbon Vanilla, the most expensive salt in the world from The Danish island of Laeso, and 23-karat gold flakes, this popcorn isn’t something you’ll grab by the handful. If you want to taste Berco’s luxurious treat but can’t commit to spending two month’s rent, a reasonable $5 will get you a sample.
Barclay Prime Cheesesteak, Barclay Prime; Philadelphia: $120
In Philly, spending more than $14 on a cheesesteak might be as big a crime as telling someone you’re a Cowboys fan, but Barclay Prime has made a $120 cheesesteak a thing. Thin strips of wagyu beef, foie gras, onions, and truffled cheese whiz are piled onto a sesame bun and served alongside a half bottle of champagne. Tradition be damned, we’ll take a bite.
ZD Abacus Dinner, Bourbon & Bones Chophouse; Scottsdale: $20,000
OK, so this isn’t technically a dish, it’s a full-fledged feast. Throwing down $20,000 at Bourbon & Bones in Scottsdale, Arizona gets you a six-course dinner for 12, which includes a hand-selected customized menu complete with 12 32-ounce dry-aged wagyu tomahawk ribeye steaks, a three-liter bottle of limited edition ZD Abacus wine, and transportation to and from the restaurant in a limo. It’s kind of like going to the prom, if you paid $20,000 for your prom.
White Truffle Pasta, Nello; New York: $275
Although technically listed at “market price” on the menu at Nello, countless patrons have griped about enjoying the white truffle pasta up until the bill arrives revealing each dish costs $275. Granted, the fungus is a limited seasonal ingredient, but $275 feels a bit steep for a small shaving to garnish some noodles.
Japanese Wagyu A5+ Steak, Old Homestead Steakhouse; New York: $350
You’ve never had a steak until you’ve had an A5 wagyu steak. These cuts are the highest quality pieces of beef out there which is why the 150-year-old establishment charges $350 for 12 ounces of this premium cut. If that feels like too much of a financial commitment, there’s a more reasonably (ish) priced six-ounce option for $175. What a bargain.
High Roller Roll, Sushi Roku; Las Vegas: $250
Nothing says “I won big” quite like dropping $250 on a roll of sushi. This off-menu roll at Sushi Roku includes lobster tail, tuna, wagyu beef, avocado, asparagus, golden Ossetra caviar, truffle oil, and gold leaf. Because that’s how high rollers roll, right?
A5 Aragawa Style Wagyu StripLoin, O Ya; Boston: $280
It doesn’t get better than A5 wagyu, and O Ya in Boston serves this eight-ounce cut of meat with truffle fries and fresh wasabi. If $280 is a bit of a splurge, opt for the two-ounce option that's available for a mere $70.
Whole Suckling Pig, Bazaar Meat; Las Vegas: $540
If you’re not balling out with an entire suckling pig in Vegas, you’re doing everything wrong. José Andrés’s Bazaar Meat offers a whole hog prepared in a traditional Spanish cazuela that feeds up to 11 people for $540 (which is actually a pretty good deal for Vegas). We’ll take all the crispy skin, please and thank you.
Tasting Menu, Masa; New York: $595
Chef Masayoshi Takayama’s Shibiu Experience at Masa is the most expensive pre fixe meal in the United States. For $595 per person diners are treated to plate after plate of chef's choice consisting of fish flown in from Japan, caviar, wagyu beef, and truffles, to name a few. If you'd like to drink with your meal, expect to easily spend upwards of $1,500 per person (with tax and gratuity).
Salmon “Mi- Cuit”, Guy Savoy; Las Vegas: $130
Delicate salmon prepared “mi cuit” (sous vide in a salt bath that creates a decadent texture) is a luxury rarely seen in restaurants, except at Guy Savoy. The French institution serves the fish atop a luscious beurre blanc, and is garnished with a dollop of Ossetra caviar, aka one of the world’s finest caviars.
Le Burger Extravagant, Serendipity; New York: $295
Serendipity holds four Guinness World Records for extravagant foods, but let’s talk about what makes their burger that extravagant. A campagna roll gets a shmear of white truffle butter and crème fra?che, followed by wagyu beef, James Montgomery cheddar cheese, black truffles, a fried quail egg that's topped with a blini, caviar, and gold leaf. Not sure if it’s physically possible to take a full bite of this burger, but we’re definitely up for the challenge.
Foot Long Haute Dog, Serendipity; New York: $69
Ditch the street hot dogs sitting in suspicious-looking water and try one that’s worth $69 instead. The all-beef hot dog at Serendipity is served on a pretzel bun, topped with foie gras, Vidalia onions, and black truffles. And because they didn’t want the luxury to end, the hot dog is grilled in truffle oil.
La Madeline au Truffe, House of Knipschildt: $250
Calling all (chocolate) truffle lovers, this one’s for you. Named the “Most Expensive Chocolate in the World” by Forbes, this dessert involves dipping a rare French Perigold truffle into a rich dark chocolate ganache, then covered in dark chocolate, and dusted with cocoa powder. Serious self-control will be exercised when eating this nugget.
The Crane, Barton G; Miami: $250
Equal parts dessert and spectacle, the Crane involves chocolate mousse and a hunk of brownie that get dunked in hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream from a jet pack, and presented on a crane. Barton G’s goal is to bring out your inner child, and I think they’ve accomplished just that.
Oops I Dropped My Ice Cream Sundae, Barton G; Miami: $190
Continuing with the elaborate presentations and nostalgia at Barton G, four feet of a cinnamon ice cream sugar cone is filled with vanilla cake, fresh strawberry ice cream, chocolate crumble, and chocolate frosting. A little different from the ice cream you’d get as a kid but we’ll take it.
Brennan's Blue Crab & Caviar Nachos, Brennan’s of Houston; Houston: $100
The nachos at Brennan’s are not your average sports bar nachos. These bad boys are loaded up with a pound Louisiana crab meat, roasted corn, Saint Andre queso, avocado, pico de gallo and lime crema, and Petrossian caviar.
The A5 Experience, A5A Steakhouse; San Francisco: $665
Sample an assortment of the most superior pieces of beef with the A5 experience at A5A Steakhouse. The meat-heavy adventure includes four ounces of A5 New York strip, filet, ribeye, and ribcap. The entire production will only set you back a cool $665, so you can pay rent or enjoy the A5 experience.
The Oyster Pie, Bellemore; Chicago: $59
This savory pie found at Chicago’s Bellemore consists of an oyster custard topped with crème fra?che, apples, and Ossetra caviar—some of the world’s finest. This little appetizer won’t set you back like some of the other items on this list, but it’s still a little slice of pricey heaven.
The Platinum Crab Cake, The Twist; Columbia, South Carolina: $310
You’d probably never expect to find the world’s most expensive crab cake at a food truck, but The Twist, based in Columbia, SC, is where you’ll find it. The Platinum Crab Cake starts with the basics (crab meat, butter, and herbs), but takes a decadent turn with the additions of black truffles, platinum leaves, platinum dust, and king crab meat.
Side Car Royal, Baccarat Hotel; New York: $450
If you think $20 is steep for a cocktail (...which it is), try wrapping your head around the Side Car Royal at the Baccarat Hotel in New York. This cocktail is made with Louis XIII cognac ($4,000 per bottle), Grand Marnier Quintessence ($650 per bottle), lemon, and gold leaf. Cheers to whomever can afford to drop $450 on something that won’t last longer than 30 minutes.
A5 Wagyu Steak, Edge Restaurant & Bar, Four Seasons; Denver: $395
Sure, having savings to fall back on is nice, but again, have you ever tried A5 wagyu? The 16 ounces of melt-in-your-mouth bliss at Edge Restaurant & Bar at the Four Seasons in Denver will have you considering factoring this splurge into your monthly budget.
Quintessential Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Serendipity; New York: $214
The Serendipity grilled cheese sandwich is the embodiment of the word “extra." For starters, the bread is made with 24-karat gold flakes and Dom Perignon, and spread with white truffle butter, and topped with Caciocavallo Podolico cheese. The cheese is the big ticket item here—there are only 25,000 Italian Podolica cows that can be used to make this cheese and they only lactate from May to June.
Sazerac, Canon; Seattle: $650
This cocktail bar in Seattle has a section of high roller cocktails, its cheapest starting at $205, while its most expensive will cost you $650. The high price tag is due to the vintage spirits, and the Sazerac, in particular, is made with either 1935 Cognac or 1945 Monticello rye, bitters, and Pernod absinthe from 1940. Let’s hope the World War II-aged spirits at Canon can justify the hefty price tag.
Japanese A5 Ribeye, Barclay Prime; Philadelphia: $195
Your wallet might hate you but your tastes buds will praise you for the opportunity to sample this steak at Barclay Prime. With its perfect marbling, the highest quality beef melts in your mouth with each bite helping you forget the price tag, until the bill comes.
Foodgod 24K Gold Wings, The Ainsworth; New York: $1,000
It’s hard to make a casual bar food like chicken wings feel elegant but The Ainsworth has proven that it is indeed possible. The popular sports bar offers 50 decadent nuggs brined for 24 hours, dusted in gold, and served with a gold bottle of Ace of Spades Champagne. Level up, McNuggets.
The Cordyceps Soup, The Cosmopolitan; Las Vegas: $688
This soup made from cordyceps that are also referred to as caterpillar fungus—due to its fuzzy resemblance—and the stuff actually has properties that naturally cure cancer. The rare fungus is very seasonal and can only grow at a minimum altitude of 12,500 feet (hello, Himalayas) and sells for $100 a gram. The soup at The Cosmopolitan uses the highest breed of chickens to make the broth along with Longan berries, Chinese dates, and, of course, cordyceps.
Ono, XS Nightclub; Las Vegas: $10,000
The name of this off-menu cocktail at XS Nightclub pretty much sums up the sentiment of its drinker the next morning: "Oh no." The lavish cocktail is served in a Baccarat crystal-encrusted Champagne glass with Remy Martin Louis XIII Black Pearl Cognac, Charles Heidsieck 1981 Champagne Charlie, fresh-squeezed orange juice, Sence rose nectar, and apricot purée. The drink also comes with an 18-karat white gold necklace with a Tahitian black pearl pendant and XS logo, and 18-karat gold Mont Blanc XS logo cufflinks with stingray leather.
A5 Ozaki Tenderloin, Don Wagyu; New York: $180
This is definitely not one of the sandwiches to include on your list of “grab and go options” during the work week. This particular sando is made with beef raised on a single farm in Japan that comes from one of five cows that are shipped to the US each month, exclusively for Don Wagyu.
The Lawn Moo-er, Barton G; Los Angeles: $250
This steak is only 48 ounces, but it’ll feel like you ate a whole cow after you’re done. The whopping 48-ounce dry-aged porterhouse steak at Barton G comes with roasted mushrooms, mashed potatoes, onion rings, and cheesy greens and is perfect for sharing. Although, you might not want to bring someone you’re still trying to impress unless they’ll be dazzled by the amount of cow you can put down.
Truffled Lobster Trap Mac and Cheese, Barton G; Los Angeles: $195
If you’re going to splurge on carbs smothered in cheese=, you might as well go to Barton G’s where they do it right. They serve up their mac that’s tossed in a cheese sauce filled with five pounds of lobster meat and shaved truffles. This is a crustacean creation we can get down with.
Cup of Elida Geisha 1029, Klatch Coffee Roasters; San Francisco: $100
Paying $100 to get your day started seems a little steep, but this isn’t your everyday blend. Only sold at Klatch Coffee Roasters, these beans come from a farm with "a unique microclimate in Panama caused by a combination of winds from the North (Caribbean) and South (Pacific) in the mountain range and its volcanic soils surrounded by virgin forest," Klatch explains.
Deluxe Filet Parrillada, El Tiempo; Houston: $359
Tex-Mex is never considered an expensive food, but El Tiempo is proudly attempting to change that mindset. The Houston hotspot serves a fajita platter complete with two filet mignons, lobster tail, quail, sweetbreads, ribs, and shrimp with all the fixin’s. According to the menu, the mountain of food serves four, but it's unclear whether they're referring to ravenous teenage boys or a normal hungry person.
16-Ounce A5 Wagyu Ribeye, Prime 112; Miami: $230
Back in the day, this was how much I had to save to buy my own iPod classic. Now, it’ll get you 16 ounces of the best beef on the market. Claiming to be the first modern steakhouse in America, Prime 112 offers the crème de la crème of steaks as-is allowing you to relish in the luxurious flavor.
Whether you're celebrating a promotion or just feel like balling out by dropping a month’s rent on a burger, there are plenty of places across the country where you can do just that.