Shockingly Expensive Food and Drink From Around the World

• Next-level fine dining
• LUXE Milkshake, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA
• Barclay Prime Cheesesteak, Barclay Prime, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
• A5 Sirloin Kobe, Hot Stone, London, UK
• Robata-grilled Kobe Rib-eye steak, Sushisamba, Heron Tower, London, UK
• Crème de la Crème Pomme Frites, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA
• Quintessential Grilled Cheese, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA
• Caterpillar Soup with Wild Duck, Royal China Club, London, UK (pictured: a selection of dishes available at the restaurant)
• Afternoon tea, The Rubens at the Palace, London, UK
• 777 Burger, Le Burger Brasserie, Paris Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Bagel, Westin New York at Times Square, New York, USA
• Golden Phoenix Cupcake, Bloomsbury Cafe, Dubai, UAE
• Golden Opulence Sundae, Serendipity 3, New York, USA
• Golden Tomahawk Steak, Nusr-et, London, UK
• Kaiburr Crystal cocktail, Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, Disney Wish cruise ship
• Golden Boy burger, De Daltons, Voorthuizen, Netherlands
• Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence, Fortress Resort and Spa, Galle, Sri Lanka
• Grand Velas Taco, Grand Velas Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico

Next-level fine dining

With a good smattering of caviar, gold leaf and truffle, these opulent dishes leave no expense spared. From the world’s most extravagant hamburgers to gold-dusted ice cream sundaes, extremely rare cuts of meat and even a Star Wars-themed cocktail – you’ll be amazed at how much the world’s most expensive restaurant dishes cost. Intrigued? Read on to feast your eyes on some seriously decadent dining…

LUXE Milkshake, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA

On National Vanilla Milkshake Day in June 2018, Serendipity 3 unveiled its ultra-luxurious take on the classic. And it’s no ordinary vanilla milkshake, with an ingredient list that includes Jersey milk, Tahitian vanilla ice cream, Madagascan vanilla beans, Devonshire clotted cream, artisan caramel sauce and, of course, an obligatory scattering of gold. Created in partnership with Swarovski and Crystal Ninja, it’s also served in a crystal-studded milkshake glass. If you’re willing to pay $100 for the privilege, you can try it for yourself.

Barclay Prime Cheesesteak, Barclay Prime, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Philadelphia’s iconic dish gets a serious makeover at Barclay Prime, an upmarket steakhouse which sells Philly cheesesteaks for $140. Super-expensive A5 wagyu beef is wedged between sesame bread along with Italian Caciotta al Tartufo cheese, truffle butter, shaved truffle and foie gras. The sandwich is also served with half a bottle of champagne.

A5 Sirloin Kobe, Hot Stone, London, UK

Located in Islington in north London, Hot Stone is known for its Omakase, a Japanese fine dining experience which centers on artisan, seasonal ingredients. Among its priciest offerings is a piece of A5 Sirloin Kobe beef, which will set you back £120 ($163) for 3.5 ounces. Other expensive options include 48-hour marinated black cod (£42/$57), A5 Sirloin Japanese wagyu (£69/$94) and Fatty tuna, truffle & caviar maki rolls (£42/$57).

Robata-grilled Kobe Rib-eye steak, Sushisamba, Heron Tower, London, UK

With a winning location on the 38th and 39th floors of Heron Tower in east-central London, Sushisamba wows guests with its city views and Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion cuisine. There are plenty of high-end options to choose from here, but the priciest is the Robata-grilled Kobe Rib-eye steak at £149 ($178).

Crème de la Crème Pomme Frites, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA

New York restaurant Serendipity 3 has a reputation for creating eye-wateringly expensive dishes. But it took French fries to a whole new level in July 2021, releasing the Crème de la Crème Pomme Frites, at $200 a portion. They’re dipped in Dom Pérignon champagne before being triple-cooked in goose fat; then topped with a sauce made from truffle butter, Jersey cream and Gruyere Truffled Swiss Raclette; then garnished with shaved truffle, Crete Senesi Pecorino Tartufello cheese and 23-carat edible gold dust.

Quintessential Grilled Cheese, Serendipity 3, Manhattan, New York, USA

Somehow, Serendipity 3 has even managed to take the grilled cheese sandwich – a notoriously quick and cheap meal – and turn it into a luxury menu item. Its Quintessential Grilled Cheese contains rare Caciocavallo Podolico cheese and truffle butter between two slices of French Pullman Champagne bread, made with (you guessed it) Dom Pérignon champagne and edible gold flakes. The sandwich comes in at a record-breaking $214.

Caterpillar Soup with Wild Duck, Royal China Club, London, UK (pictured: a selection of dishes available at the restaurant)

It might not sound “souper” appetizing, but we can assure you that not a single caterpillar was killed in the making of Royal China Club’s Caterpillar Soup. In fact, it gets its name from the presence of cordyceps fungus, known as caterpillar fungus, which are thought to have special healing properties and sell for as much as $100 per gram. The ultra-rare herb is slowly simmered for around eight hours to create the broth, which sells at £480 ($511), although thankfully it feeds four. Pictured are a selection of dishes available at the restaurant.

Afternoon tea, The Rubens at the Palace, London, UK

While not technically a solo dish, we couldn’t resist mentioning London’s most outrageous afternoon tea on our list. At £500 ($600), The Rubens’ Golden Tips Tea (which serves two) includes a bottle of Lanson champagne, plus regal-inspired pastries, scones and sandwiches. But the real star of the show is the tea itself: Ceylon Golden Tips, which is served by white-gloved waiters and weighed using a set of golden scales, before being infused with mineral water in a silver teapot. The experience is topped off by unbeatable views of Buckingham Palace.

777 Burger, Le Burger Brasserie, Paris Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

The name of this burger is also its price in dollars ($777), which makes it one of the most expensive burgers on the planet. The high-end dish, served at Le Burger Brasserie in Paris Las Vegas hotel, includes Kobe beef and Maine lobster topped with caramelized onions, French brie and 100-year-old balsamic vinegar, while guests can choose from three types of bun. Oh, and it’s served up with a bottle of Dom Perignon Rose champagne, naturally. Gordon Ramsay is said to be a fan.

Bagel, Westin New York at Times Square, New York, USA

In October 2017, for a limited time, Westin New York at Times Square introduced a flashy new menu item: a $1,000 bagel. Needless to say, this wasn’t just any old bagel. It’s made at a local bakery and smeared in white truffle cream cheese, goji berry Riesling jelly and a good sprinkling of gold flakes. Profits from the sandwich were put towards New York’s Holy Apostles Soup Kitchen, an emergency food aid program.

Golden Phoenix Cupcake, Bloomsbury Cafe, Dubai, UAE

In July 2012, Bloomsbury Cafe in Dubai caused shockwaves when it announced it would be selling a $1,000 cupcake. It contained a whole host of ultra-expensive ingredients, including Italian cocoa, premium Ugandan vanilla beans and 23-carat edible gold sheets. Naturally, it came on a 24-carat gold cake stand.

Golden Opulence Sundae, Serendipity 3, New York, USA

As we’ve seen, opulence is certainly the order of the day at Serendipity 3. Among the restaurant’s crazily expensive offerings is the Golden Opulence Sundae, which sells for $1,000 and broke the world record for the most expensive ice cream sundae when it was released in 2004. It has to be specially ordered with two days’ notice and features Tahitian vanilla ice cream, almonds, caviar, and a bespoke sugar ornament that takes eight hours to create.

Golden Tomahawk Steak, Nusr-et, London, UK

When social media sensation Salt Bae opened the London branch of his steakhouse Nusr-et in September 2021, the restaurant generated more than its fair share of noise. The most expensive menu item? A 24-carat gold leaf-wrapped giant Tomahawk Steak, which will cost you a painful £1,450 ($1,735). Diners hoping to be served by Salt Bae himself might be disappointed, however, as the internet-famous chef has left London to open a new restaurant in Saudi Arabia.

Kaiburr Crystal cocktail, Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, Disney Wish cruise ship

Disney has just unveiled the astronomically extravagant Kaiburr Crystal cocktail, a libation available only in the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge on the Disney Wish cruise ship. Presented in a space-age contraption that emits smoke when unlocked, the $5,000 drink is served in silver shot glasses and is said to contain Camus cognac, Grand Marnier Quintessence, Pappy Van Winkle bourbon and Taylor’s Fladgate Kingsman Edition Very Old Tawny port – but that’s not all. Anyone who purchases it will also get a bottle of George Lucas wine and a free pass to tour George Lucas’ winery at Skywalker Ranch.

Golden Boy burger, De Daltons, Voorthuizen, Netherlands

Breaking the world record for the most expensive burger, the Golden Boy was created by Dutch chef and “King of Burgers” Robert Jan de Veen and unveiled in July 2021. Costing a mind-blowing €5,000 ($5,120), it has a wagyu beef patty topped with beluga caviar, king crab, Spanish Iberico ham and white truffle, smeared with luxury BBQ sauce and held between a Dom Pérignon champagne bun. The burger is sold at De Daltons in Voorthuizen, Netherlands, with proceeds from sales going towards a local food bank.

Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence, Fortress Resort and Spa, Galle, Sri Lanka

At first glance, this expertly crafted dessert looks more like a sculpture, but we promise it’s edible. Served at the Fortress Resort and Spa in Galle, Sri Lanka, the Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence includes a handmade chocolate fisherman sitting atop an Italian cassata made with Bailey’s Irish cream liquor. A pomegranate and mango compote complements the dish, which is eaten with artisan handmade glass cutlery and comes in at a not-so-sweet $14,500.

Grand Velas Taco, Grand Velas Los Cabos, Los Cabos, Mexico

While tacos are usually finished in a few mouthfuls, you might want to savour this one. The world’s most expensive taco – and one of the most expensive single dishes in a restaurant – comes in at an eye-watering $25,000 and is served at Mexico’s Grand Velas Los Cabos resort. It contains Kobe beef, Almas Beluga caviar and black truffle brie inside a gold-flake infused taco shell, while a luxurious salsa made from dried Morita chili peppers, premium añejo tequila and civet coffee beans accompanies the dish.