Looking for a place to impress a date? If you can afford it, some of the fanciest restaurants in the world offer not only the best food, but an immersive experience tailored to delight every one of your senses (not just your taste buds!). From renowned city hotspots to hidden gems in breathtaking settings, these dining establishments redefine sophistication and indulgence.
Dining out at a fancy restaurant may not be an experience that’s at the top of your list of priorities in the current economic climate. Most of us are perfectly fine with staying at home and cooking a meal or saving money. In fact, staying in seems to be the new “going out”. A recent study of 2,000 Americans adults over 21 discovered that three in four respondents agree there’s nothing better than having no plans for the weekend and 71 percent also look forward to plans being canceled so they can just stay in. While the large majority of Americans (69%) prefer to stay home on weeknights – 38 percent say they continue to be homebodies on Saturdays and Sundays.
But sometimes special occasions call for a big night out. Even if you’re already in a relationship or married, it’s still important to splurge on dates occasionally. A new survey of 2,000 U.S. parents finds that romance is very dead in an alarmingly high number of households. According to the research, the average parent hasn’t been on a romantic date in three years, and three in 10 respondents can’t even remember the last date they went on. Taking your partner on a fancy dinner date can show your appreciation and reignite that spark.
Ready to find your dream dinner spot? We’ve compiled a list of the fanciest restaurants in the world to treat yourself to the best dining experience with that special someone. If you have other recommendations, let us know your favorites in the comments below!
The List: Fanciest Restaurants in the World, According to Travel Experts
1. Sublimotion in Ibiza, Spain
Travel to Spain and experience what is often ranked as the most expensive and extravagant restaurant experience in the world, known as a “gastronomic performance.” “In this Michelin-starred avant-garde restaurant, screens play around the room to create an atmosphere, and screens at the table provide even more unusual dining entertainment,” writes Restaurant Clicks.
Dinner will be serviced by 10 Michelin star chefs and the environment has been crafted by a team of engineers, composers, designers, performers, and production staff. “Located in Ibiza, Spain, SubliMotion is run by Michelin 2-star chef Paco Roncero. The restaurant was awarded the Best Innovation Food & Beverage in 2014,” says Luxhabitat. “Focusing on haute cuisine, SubliMotion promises to take you on an experiential trip that you have never experienced before.”
“SubliMotion is by far the most expensive restaurant in the world, with a staggering $2,380 price per person. You get to feast on a 20-course tasting menu for that astounding price. The two-star-rated restaurant is headed by chef Paco Roncereo, and it only operates each year in the high summer season, or from June first till September 30th,” describes Luxatic.
2. Masa in New York City
Masa is known for being one of the most prestigious sushi restaurants in the world. “Opened by Chef Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama, Masa uses an Omakase approach where chefs craft meal selections using the best sushi to surprise guests,” writes GoBankingRates. “Guests are also expected to follow specific etiquette while dining at Masa. Smartphones must be silent and photography is banned.”
Dinner service lasts for two hours, and reservations must be made three weeks prior with a deposit. “There’s no actual menu available at Masa, instead, chefs prepare fresh ingredients that are only available on the day. It’s often considered to be overpriced, and more of a spot to rub shoulders with A-listers and celebrities,” explains Wealthy Gorilla.
“Expect to pay $45 for a single scoop of ice cream, $240 for maki rolls, and $60 for grilled scampi. What’s the draw? The food is good, but really, it’s the company,” says WiseBread.
3. Ultraviolet in Shanghai, China
If you manage to get a reservation here, you’ll be treated to an extravagant dinner at a location that is a closely guarded secret. “Now, this restaurant stands apart from the rest as it is perhaps the most exclusive of them all,” explains Global Brands Magazine. “This is primarily thanks to the fact that it is nearly impossible to get a reservation, as the restaurant seats just 10 people at a time.”
Paul Pairet is the head chef, and with multiple Michelin starred restaurants around the world, you can be sure that Ultraviolet’s price tag is worth it. “Paul Pairet’s immersive restaurant errs on the side of high-tech haute cuisine: Ten diners per night gather around one table, where 20 courses are served alongside a multi-sensory atmosphere of music, video, scents, and simulations,” writes Conde Nast Traveler.
“Guests at Ultraviolet can expect to pay $1,422 for a full tasting menu that fuses Western cuisine with Asian influence. Think: foie gras cigarettes and moon cakes baked with traditionally French ingredients, all enjoyed while surrounded by walls with moving pictures,” says Travel + Leisure.
4. Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville in Crissier, Switzerland
Restaurant de l’Hôtel de Ville is a 3 Michelin star restaurant where you can dine on refined, seasonal cuisine where no two dishes ever represent the same flavor. “In Crissier’s former town hall, Chef Franck Giovannini oversees an impressive team of 25 chefs who conjure up masterful dishes such as a delicate inverted Gala apple tart with roasted hazelnut ice cream,” writes Michelin Guide.
The restaurant requires reservations several months in advance, but if you snag a spot, you can dine in one of five differently themed rooms. “If you have $415 to spend, you can anticipate an eleven-course tasting menu with dishes like fillet of lamb, mussels with saffron, ‘Scarlett tomato,’ pulp, pip consommé with Imperial Ossetra caviar, ‘Salers’ steak grilled with wild pepper, cristallines de charlotte, and young, fresh salad leaves,” writes BScholarly.
“Each item is unique and provides a distinctive taste experience,” says Restaurant Clicks. “Almost a dozen courses, from aperitif to dessert, costs about $400. The menu changes regularly, but some dishes, like lobster, foie gras, and many other expensive foods usually appear.”
5. Ithaa Undersea in Conrad Rangali Island, Maldives
Ithaa is probably the most instagrammable spot on the list. Dine underwater as you watch fish swim by in a truly immersive experience. “Ithaa Undersea is located on Rangali Island in the Maldives. It is the world’s first undersea restaurant, which enables you to dine five metres below the surface of the ocean with a panoramic view of the breathtaking coral garden,” explains Luxhabitat.
Ithaa Undersea Restaurant. Maldives. pic.twitter.com/OT9zRqFcJv
— Gratitude (@amordivino20131) July 30, 2016
Ithaa is even more exclusive because not only is the restaurant located on an island, reservations are only available to guests of the island’s main resort. “As a guest, you can expect to be served either a four-course lunch or a six-course dinner, that’s largely of European flavour, whilst being matched with some of the worlds best wines,” writes Wealthy Gorilla. “To make a reservation, you’ll have to be staying at Conrad Rangali, the main five-star resort on the island.”
“The cooking blends Western influences with local flavors. Enjoy fusion dishes such as miso and truffle marinated black cod and Maldivian crisp lobster tortellini,” recommends Luxury Columnist. “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.”
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Sources:
- Restaurant Clicks
- Luxhabitat
- Luxatic
- GoBankingRates
- Wealthy Gorilla
- WiseBread
- Global Brands Magazine
- Conde Nast Traveler
- Travel + Leisure
- Michelin Guide
- BScholarly
- Luxury Columnist
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This post may contain affiliate links.