Most of us go out to eat because we’re hungry or maybe we want to try that place we saw on Instagram. But what if dinner wasn’t just about the food? What if it was a show, an artwork, maybe even a bit of a fever dream that you remember for years? In the world’s most exclusive restaurants, that’s exactly what you get. These aren’t places you stumble into. They’re destinations. You plan, you save, and you go in knowing full well that the bill might be more than your rent. But for some, the experience? Worth every cent.
SubliMotion in Ibiza isn’t really a restaurant. It’s more like a science fiction movie you eat your way through. With only 12 seats per session, and a 20-course menu that feels like a ride at a theme park (but for adults with refined palates), it’s the kind of place where nothing is served the way you’d expect. Lights, music, projections it’s all part of the experience. Chef Paco Roncero has taken molecular gastronomy to the next level, where even the table might surprise you. Is it excessive? Completely. But that's the point.
If SubliMotion is loud and wild, Kitcho is the opposite. It's a whisper. A bow. A brushstroke. Hidden in Kyoto, Kitcho isn’t about big flavors or flashy plating. It’s about harmony seasonal ingredients, delicate textures, and a philosophy rooted in tea ceremony tradition. There’s no menu. The chef decides what you eat based on what's freshest and most appropriate for the moment. Every bite is intentional. It's not about being full. It's about feeling something. And yes, that quiet, sacred feeling costs about $600.
Walk into Masa in New York and you’ll notice something strange: there’s no music, no windows, and barely any decoration. Why? Because all your attention is meant to go straight to the sushi. Chef Masa Takayama doesn’t serve a menu he creates it, in the moment, with ingredients flown in daily from Japan. It’s intimate, intense, and often wordless. The entire experience takes around three hours. You’re not just eating you’re witnessing craft at the highest level. The bill? Around €400. But some leave feeling like they’ve had a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Others just wish there had been a chair cushion.
Let’s say you want your dinner to come with chandeliers, gold accents, and a side view of the Tuileries Garden. Then you book Le Meurice. The restaurant is pure French decadence like dining inside a Fabergé egg. Overseen by legendary chef Alain Ducasse, the dishes are classic, elevated, and deeply Parisian. Lobster and potato, game pie, intricate desserts it’s all executed with elegance and restraint. It’s less about novelty and more about mastering the tradition. For around €480, you’ll dine like a king. Just don’t spill anything on the velvet.
Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée says yes. While most fine dining spots aren’t exactly rolling out the red carpet for toddlers, this Parisian gem finds a way to include the whole family. The vibe is polished, the food is clean and locally sourced, and kids even get their own special menu for €120, no less. Adults can expect a sleek, light-forward tasting menu around €400, and a room that feels both luxurious and surprisingly relaxed. It’s one of those rare places where elegance doesn’t mean exclusion and that alone feels worth celebrating.
Started my career in Automotive Journalism in 2015. Even though I'm a pharmacist, hanging around cars all the time has created a passion for the automotive industry since day 1.
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