50 Most Expensive Restaurants In Every State. Would You Pay The Bill?
Fine dining reaches astronomical heights when money becomes no object.
Last year, I nearly choked on my water when the server casually mentioned our tasting menu would cost more than my monthly rent.
From coast to coast, America’s most exclusive restaurants are serving up experiences that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars per person.
Would you empty your wallet for culinary perfection?
1. The French Laundry – California
Thomas Keller’s culinary temple in Napa Valley commands $350 per person before wine, tax, or tip. My friend waited three months for a reservation, then spent another hour deciding between the chef’s tasting menu options.
Each dish arrives like a tiny work of art, perfectly plated with ingredients sourced from their own garden. The famous “Oysters and Pearls” dish alone justifies the price tag for many diners.
Reservations open exactly two months in advance and disappear within minutes. The total bill often exceeds $500 per person once you add wine pairings and service charges.
2. Le Bernardin – New York
Eric Ripert’s seafood masterpiece in Manhattan starts at $295 for their chef’s tasting menu. Walking through those doors feels like entering an underwater palace dedicated to oceanic perfection.
Every fish dish showcases techniques that transform simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences. The black bass with sweet and sour jus remains one of the most memorable dishes I’ve ever tasted.
Wine pairings add another $195 to your bill, but watching sommeliers explain each selection makes the education worthwhile. Dinner here easily costs $600 per person with drinks and gratuity included.
3. Alinea – Illinois
Grant Achatz’s molecular gastronomy playground charges $365 for their multi-course journey through culinary science fiction. Dinner becomes performance art when servers create dishes directly on your table using liquid nitrogen and edible balloons.
The famous dessert course transforms your entire table into a canvas for chocolate paintings and sugar sculptures. Each bite challenges everything you thought you knew about food and flavor combinations.
Reservations require prepayment, and the total experience lasts nearly four hours. Adding wine pairings pushes the final bill beyond $500 per person for this unforgettable theatrical dining adventure.
4. Eleven Madison Park – New York
Daniel Humm’s plant-based tasting menu costs $335 per person in this Art Deco masterpiece overlooking Madison Square Park. The transition to vegan cuisine shocked the culinary world but maintained their legendary service standards.
Each course tells a story about seasonal ingredients and sustainable farming practices. The carrot tartare course fooled my carnivorous father into thinking he was eating the finest beef.
Service here feels like having a personal butler for every table. The total experience with non-alcoholic beverage pairings reaches $450 per person, making it one of the priciest vegan meals available anywhere.
5. Atelier Crenn – California
Dominique Crenn’s poetic cuisine costs $365 per person for a tasting menu inspired by her childhood memories and artistic vision. Each dish comes with a poem that explains the emotional connection behind every ingredient and preparation technique.
The “Walking in the Forest” course literally brings woodland flavors to your plate with mushrooms, moss, and earthy elements. Crenn’s feminist approach to fine dining creates an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant experience.
Wine pairings add $195 to your bill, featuring small-production bottles from female winemakers. The total cost reaches $600 per person, but you’re paying for autobiography served on beautiful plates.
6. Joel Robuchon – Nevada
This Las Vegas temple to French perfection charges $445 for their degustation menu in an opulent purple and gold dining room. The late chef’s legacy continues through dishes that define modern French cuisine at its absolute pinnacle.
Their famous mashed potatoes contain more butter than most people eat in a week, yet somehow achieve transcendent lightness. Every sauce gets strained multiple times to achieve silk-like perfection that coats your spoon like liquid velvet.
Located inside the MGM Grand, this restaurant proves Vegas can compete with Paris or New York. The final bill often exceeds $700 per person once you add their extensive wine selection and impeccable service charges.
7. Masa – New York
Masa Takayama’s sushi counter experience costs a staggering $595 per person before drinks, making it America’s most expensive sushi destination. Sitting at his counter feels like attending a private cooking class with a master craftsman.
Each piece of fish gets flown in daily from Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, ensuring absolute freshness that justifies the astronomical prices. The rice temperature matches your body heat perfectly, creating harmony between ingredient and diner.
Sake pairings add another $150 to your bill, but watching Masa personally prepare each piece makes the experience priceless. The total cost easily reaches $800 per person for this once-in-a-lifetime sushi education.
8. The Inn At Little Washington – Virginia
Patrick O’Connell’s countryside retreat charges $298 per person for their fixed-price menu in a charming village setting. The drive through Virginia’s horse country builds anticipation for what many consider America’s most romantic dining destination.
Each room features different themes and color schemes, creating intimate spaces that feel like dining in a wealthy friend’s country estate. The service anticipates your needs before you realize them yourself.
Wine pairings cost an additional $145, featuring selections that complement both the food and the restaurant’s fairy-tale atmosphere. The total experience reaches $500 per person, not including the overnight stay many guests require.
9. Providence – California
Michael Cimarusti’s seafood sanctuary in Los Angeles offers tasting menus starting at $285 per person. The restaurant’s connection to sustainable fishing practices means you’re eating the ocean’s finest while supporting environmental responsibility.
Their Santa Barbara sea urchin course tastes like concentrated ocean essence, briny and sweet simultaneously. Each fish preparation showcases techniques that highlight natural flavors rather than masking them with heavy sauces.
Wine pairings add $165 to your bill, featuring selections that enhance the delicate seafood flavors. The total cost reaches $475 per person for this educational journey through Pacific Coast waters and responsible fishing practices.
10. Commander’s Palace – Louisiana
New Orleans’ grand dame of Creole cuisine offers their chef’s tasting menu for $145 per person in a Victorian mansion that oozes Southern charm. The turquoise dining room buzzes with energy from both tourists and locals celebrating special occasions.
Their famous turtle soup tastes exactly like childhood memories of grandmother’s kitchen, rich and complex with layers of flavor. The bread pudding soufflé requires advance ordering but delivers dessert perfection worth planning around.
Wine pairings cost an additional $85, featuring selections that complement spicy Creole flavors without overwhelming delicate seafood. The total bill reaches $275 per person, making it surprisingly affordable for such legendary status and impeccable service quality.
11. Canlis – Washington
Seattle’s mid-century modern landmark charges $235 per person for their tasting menu with stunning views of Lake Union. The Canlis family has maintained this restaurant’s reputation for over 70 years through consistent excellence and innovative cuisine.
Their signature Canlis salad gets prepared tableside with theatrical flair that never gets old. The restaurant’s architecture creates an atmosphere where Mad Men characters would feel perfectly at home.
Wine pairings add $125 to your bill, featuring Pacific Northwest selections that showcase local terroir. The total experience costs $395 per person, but the combination of food, service, and atmosphere justifies every dollar spent on this Seattle institution.
12. Addison – California
William Bradley’s California cuisine temple in San Diego costs $295 per person for their tasting menu featuring ingredients from local farms and Pacific waters. The restaurant’s location within the Grand Del Mar resort creates a vacation atmosphere even for local diners.
Each dish celebrates Southern California’s year-round growing season with vegetables that taste impossibly fresh and vibrant. The abalone course showcases techniques that transform tough shellfish into tender, flavorful perfection.
Wine pairings cost $155 additional, featuring California selections that highlight the state’s diverse wine regions. The total bill reaches $485 per person for this celebration of Golden State ingredients and Mediterranean-inspired cooking techniques.
13. Blue Hill At Stone Barns – New York
Dan Barber’s farm-to-table masterpiece charges $258 per person for their “Farmer’s Feast” menu that changes based on daily harvests. Located on a working farm, diners can literally see their dinner growing in nearby fields.
The “waste not” philosophy transforms vegetable scraps into elegant dishes that challenge preconceptions about fine dining. Carrot tops become vibrant sauces while beet greens star in sophisticated salads.
Wine pairings add $135 to your bill, featuring natural wines that complement the restaurant’s sustainable philosophy. The total cost reaches $425 per person for this educational experience about sustainable agriculture and creative cooking techniques.
14. Saison – California
Joshua Skenes’ fire-focused cuisine costs $398 per person for their tasting menu cooked entirely over open flames. The restaurant’s industrial space feels like dining inside a modern blacksmith’s forge dedicated to culinary excellence.
Every dish bears the smoky kiss of fire, from delicate vegetables to perfectly charred meats. The bread course alone justifies the price, featuring loaves baked in their custom wood-fired oven with crusts that shatter audibly.
Wine pairings cost $198 additional, featuring selections that complement the intense smoky flavors without competing. The total experience reaches $625 per person for this primal approach to sophisticated dining and fire-based cooking techniques.
15. SingleThread – California
Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s Sonoma County retreat charges $295 per person for their farm-driven tasting menu. The restaurant sits on an 11-acre farm where most ingredients grow within walking distance of your table.
Each course reflects the current season with obsessive attention to ingredient quality and preparation techniques. The wine program features selections from their own vineyard alongside neighboring Sonoma producers.
Wine pairings add $165 to your bill, creating perfect harmony between food and local terroir. The total cost reaches $485 per person for this immersive experience in wine country living and agricultural excellence.
16. Benu – California
Corey Lee’s Asian-fusion artistry in San Francisco costs $285 per person for their tasting menu that bridges Eastern and Western culinary traditions. The minimalist space lets the complex flavors take center stage without distraction.
Their famous “Thousand Year Old Quail Egg” tastes nothing like its name suggests, delivering umami bombs that explode across your palate. Each dish tells a story about cultural fusion and personal culinary history.
Wine and sake pairings cost $145 additional, featuring selections that complement both Asian spices and French techniques. The total bill reaches $455 per person for this educational journey through modern Asian-American cuisine and cultural bridge-building through food.
17. Minibar – Washington DC
José Andrés’ molecular gastronomy laboratory charges $275 per person for their interactive tasting menu. Sitting at the chef’s counter feels like attending a magic show where food transforms before your eyes.
The “Olive Oil Lollipop” dissolves on your tongue while delivering intense flavors that shouldn’t exist in solid form. Each course challenges your understanding of texture, temperature, and taste combinations.
Cocktail pairings add $125 to your bill, featuring liquid nitrogen creations that smoke and bubble dramatically. The total experience costs $425 per person for this theatrical approach to Spanish cuisine and molecular gastronomy techniques.
18. Blackberry Farm – Tennessee
This luxury resort’s restaurant charges $195 per person for their Southern-inspired tasting menu featuring ingredients from their own farm and local producers. The Great Smoky Mountains provide a stunning backdrop for elevated comfort food.
Their cornbread course elevates humble ingredients into sophisticated perfection with house-churned butter and local honey. Each dish celebrates Appalachian traditions while incorporating modern techniques and presentation styles.
Wine pairings cost $95 additional, featuring selections that complement rich Southern flavors without overwhelming delicate preparations. The total bill reaches $315 per person for this celebration of regional cuisine and mountain hospitality at its finest.
19. Bazaar Meat – Nevada
José Andrés’ carnivorous playground in Las Vegas charges $185 per person for their meat-focused tasting menu. The restaurant’s dramatic red and black décor creates an atmosphere that celebrates humanity’s relationship with fire and protein.
Their Iberico ham course features paper-thin slices that melt on your tongue like savory snow. The dry-aging room displays massive cuts of beef like precious artworks waiting for their moment of perfection.
Wine pairings add $115 to your bill, featuring bold reds that stand up to intense meat flavors. The total cost reaches $325 per person for this carnivorous celebration and education in meat preparation and appreciation techniques.
20. Pujol – Mexico (Special US Events)
Enrique Olvera’s Mexico City masterpiece occasionally hosts pop-up dinners in major US cities for $350 per person. These rare events sell out within hours as food enthusiasts clamor for authentic modern Mexican cuisine.
The famous “Mole Madre” course features two different moles aged different lengths, creating layers of chocolate and spice complexity. Each dish redefines preconceptions about Mexican food’s sophistication and cultural importance.
Mezcal pairings add $175 to your bill, featuring artisanal spirits that complement complex spice profiles perfectly. The total experience costs $550 per person for this rare opportunity to experience Mexico’s finest cuisine without leaving the United States.
21. Osteria Francescana – Italy (US Pop-Ups)
Massimo Bottura’s three-Michelin-starred restaurant occasionally brings their $400 per person tasting menu to exclusive US events. These dinners represent the pinnacle of Italian culinary artistry and cultural preservation through food.
The famous “Five Ages of Parmigiano Reggiano” course showcases how time transforms simple milk into complex flavors. Each dish tells stories about Italian history, family traditions, and regional pride.
Wine pairings cost $225 additional, featuring selections from small Italian producers that most Americans never encounter. The total bill reaches $650 per person for this rare taste of Italy’s greatest culinary achievement and cultural heritage.
22. Damon Baehrel – New York
This mysterious Earlton restaurant charges $295 per person for a meal that Damon Baehrel claims to prepare entirely himself. The waiting list allegedly stretches years, though many question whether the restaurant actually exists as described.
Baehrel forages ingredients from his property and creates everything from scratch, including making his own salt and aging his own cheese. The dining experience lasts four hours with courses that challenge conventional ingredient usage.
No wine pairings exist since Baehrel makes his own alcoholic beverages from foraged materials. The total cost stays at $295 per person, but getting a reservation remains nearly impossible for this controversial culinary experience.
23. Vespertine – California
Jordan Kahn’s architectural marvel in Los Angeles charges $250 per person for their avant-garde tasting menu served in a building that looks like a spaceship. The entire experience feels like dining in a science fiction movie set.
Each course arrives with unusual serving vessels and preparation methods that challenge traditional dining expectations. The “Bone Marrow” course gets served inside actual bones with specially designed utensils for extraction.
Beverage pairings cost $125 additional, featuring unusual combinations that complement the restaurant’s otherworldly atmosphere. The total experience reaches $395 per person for this architectural and culinary journey into the future of fine dining.
24. Manresa – California
David Kinch’s Los Gatos restaurant charges $295 per person for their tasting menu that celebrates local ingredients with French techniques. The restaurant’s connection to nearby Love Apple Farm ensures vegetables arrive within hours of harvesting.
Their “Into the Vegetable Garden” course literally plants edible flowers in soil made from dehydrated vegetables. Each preparation showcases how proper technique can elevate simple ingredients into memorable experiences.
Wine pairings add $155 to your bill, featuring California selections that highlight local terroir and seasonal ingredients. The total cost reaches $475 per person for this celebration of Northern California’s agricultural abundance and culinary innovation.
25. Meadowood Napa Valley – California
This luxury resort’s restaurant charges $325 per person for their wine country tasting menu featuring ingredients from their own gardens and local producers. The dining room overlooks rolling vineyards that supply grapes for their extensive wine program.
Each course pairs perfectly with wines from their 200,000-bottle cellar, creating harmony between food and local terroir. The service feels like having personal sommeliers dedicated to your table’s wine education.
Wine pairings cost $195 additional, featuring rare selections that showcase Napa Valley’s diversity beyond famous Cabernets. The total experience reaches $545 per person for this immersive wine country lifestyle and viticultural education.
26. Blanca – New York
Carlo Mirarchi’s 12-seat restaurant in Brooklyn charges $195 per person for their intimate tasting menu. The tiny space creates an atmosphere where diners feel like guests in the chef’s private kitchen.
Each course gets prepared directly in front of diners, creating theater and education simultaneously. The wood-fired oven produces bread with crusts that crackle audibly when broken.
Wine pairings add $95 to your bill, featuring natural selections that complement the restaurant’s artisanal approach. The total cost reaches $315 per person for this intimate dining experience and personal cooking demonstration.
27. Gabriel Kreuther – New York
This Alsatian-inspired restaurant in Manhattan charges $275 per person for their tasting menu that bridges French and German culinary traditions. The elegant dining room features modern interpretations of European design elements.
Their famous “Sturgeon and Sauerkraut” course transforms humble ingredients into sophisticated perfection through classical French techniques. Each dish tells stories about Alsatian culture and culinary history.
Wine pairings cost $145 additional, featuring selections from both French and German producers that complement the restaurant’s cultural bridge-building. The total bill reaches $445 per person for this educational journey through European culinary traditions and regional specialties.
28. Temporis – Illinois
This intimate Chicago restaurant charges $185 per person for their seasonal tasting menu that changes completely every few months. The 20-seat space creates an atmosphere where diners witness every aspect of meal preparation.
Each course showcases techniques that transform local ingredients into unexpected flavor combinations. The restaurant’s commitment to seasonality means menus reflect what’s actually growing in Midwest farms.
Wine pairings add $95 to your bill, featuring selections that complement seasonal ingredients and preparation methods. The total experience costs $305 per person for this intimate celebration of Midwest ingredients and seasonal cooking techniques.
29. Lazy Bear – California
David Barzelay’s communal dining experience in San Francisco charges $195 per person for their family-style tasting menu. Strangers share tables in an atmosphere that feels like attending a dinner party at a chef’s home.
Each course gets served simultaneously to all diners, creating shared experiences and conversations with fellow food enthusiasts. The open kitchen allows diners to watch meal preparation while socializing.
Wine pairings cost $95 additional, featuring selections that encourage sharing and discussion among tablemates. The total bill reaches $315 per person for this social dining experience and community-building through shared meals.
30. Knife & Spoon – Florida
John Tesar’s steakhouse at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando charges $165 per person for their meat-focused tasting menu. The restaurant’s location within a luxury resort creates vacation atmosphere even for local diners.
Their dry-aged beef program features cuts aged up to 240 days, developing flavors that justify premium prices. Each preparation showcases different techniques for maximizing meat’s natural flavors and textures.
Wine pairings add $115 to your bill, featuring bold selections that complement rich meat flavors without overwhelming delicate preparations. The total cost reaches $305 per person for this carnivorous education and luxury resort dining experience.
31. Spago – California
Wolfgang Puck’s Beverly Hills landmark charges $155 per person for their California cuisine tasting menu. The restaurant’s celebrity clientele and paparazzi presence create an atmosphere where diners feel like Hollywood insiders.
Their famous smoked salmon pizza started the gourmet pizza trend that spread worldwide. Each dish showcases how California cuisine evolved from fusion experiments into sophisticated culinary tradition.
Wine pairings cost $95 additional, featuring California selections that highlight the state’s diverse wine regions and terroir. The total bill reaches $275 per person for this celebrity dining experience and California cuisine history lesson.
32. Victoria & Albert’s – Florida
Disney World’s only AAA Five Diamond restaurant charges $295 per person for their Victorian-themed tasting menu. The restaurant’s location within the Grand Floridian Resort creates fairy-tale atmosphere for adult diners.
Each course arrives with theatrical presentation that maintains Disney’s storytelling tradition while delivering sophisticated cuisine. The “Queen Victoria’s Soup” course gets prepared tableside with dramatic flair.
Wine pairings add $165 to your bill, featuring selections that complement both the food and the restaurant’s royal theme. The total experience costs $485 per person for this unique combination of Disney magic and fine dining excellence.
33. Tru – Illinois
Rick Tramonto’s Chicago restaurant charges $245 per person for their contemporary American tasting menu. The sleek dining room features modern art installations that complement the restaurant’s artistic food presentations.
Each course arrives as edible artwork with presentations that photographers love capturing. The famous “Tru Caviar Staircase” displays different caviar varieties on a custom crystal sculpture.
Wine pairings cost $135 additional, featuring selections that complement both the food’s flavors and artistic presentations. The total bill reaches $405 per person for this combination of culinary artistry and contemporary American cuisine innovation.
34. Daniel – New York
Daniel Boulud’s Upper East Side institution charges $265 per person for their French tasting menu in an opulent dining room that recalls Versailles’ grandeur. The restaurant’s wine program features one of America’s most extensive French collections.
Their signature “Black Truffle and Foie Gras Soup” justifies the price with ingredients that cost more per ounce than gold. Each dish represents classical French technique executed with modern precision.
Wine pairings add $155 to your bill, featuring French selections that showcase regional diversity and vintage excellence. The total experience reaches $445 per person for this education in French culinary tradition and wine appreciation.
35. Highlands Bar & Grill – Alabama
Frank Stitt’s Birmingham landmark charges $125 per person for their Southern-French fusion tasting menu. The restaurant’s commitment to local ingredients creates dishes that celebrate Alabama’s agricultural heritage through sophisticated techniques.
Their famous “Grilled Red Fish” showcases Gulf Coast seafood with preparations that highlight natural flavors. Each course tells stories about Southern hospitality and French culinary influence in regional cuisine.
Wine pairings cost $75 additional, featuring selections that complement both Southern spices and French techniques. The total bill reaches $225 per person for this celebration of regional cuisine and cultural fusion through food.
36. Farmhaus – Missouri
This Kansas City restaurant charges $95 per person for their farm-to-table tasting menu featuring ingredients from local producers. The rustic-elegant space showcases Missouri’s agricultural abundance through sophisticated preparations.
Each course celebrates Midwest farming traditions while incorporating modern techniques and presentations. Their famous “Pork Three Ways” showcases different cuts from single local farms.
Wine pairings add $65 to your bill, featuring selections that complement hearty Midwest flavors without overwhelming delicate preparations. The total cost reaches $175 per person for this celebration of Missouri agriculture and farm-to-table dining philosophy.
37. Canoe – Georgia
This Atlanta restaurant charges $135 per person for their Southern-contemporary tasting menu overlooking the Chattahoochee River. The dining room’s floor-to-ceiling windows create an atmosphere where nature becomes part of the dining experience.
Each course reinterprets Southern classics through modern techniques and presentations. Their famous “Buttermilk Fried Chicken” elevates comfort food into fine dining without losing its soul.
Wine pairings cost $85 additional, featuring selections that complement both traditional Southern flavors and contemporary preparations. The total bill reaches $245 per person for this riverside dining experience and Southern cuisine evolution.
38. The Herbfarm – Washington
This Woodinville restaurant charges $275 per person for their nine-course “Herbfarm Experience” featuring ingredients from their own gardens. The restaurant’s location on a working farm creates immersive atmosphere where diners connect with their food’s origins.
Each course showcases different herbs and their culinary applications through creative preparations. The famous “Herb Garden Salad” contains over 30 different varieties grown steps from the kitchen.
Wine pairings add $145 to your bill, featuring Pacific Northwest selections that complement herb-forward preparations. The total experience costs $445 per person for this educational journey through herb cultivation and culinary applications.
39. Arrows – Maine
This Ogunquit restaurant charges $165 per person for their farm-to-table tasting menu featuring Maine ingredients. The restaurant’s own organic farm supplies vegetables while local fishermen provide daily seafood selections.
Each course celebrates Maine’s natural abundance through preparations that highlight ingredient quality over technique complexity. Their famous “Maine Lobster” course showcases why the state’s crustaceans command premium prices worldwide.
Wine pairings cost $95 additional, featuring selections that complement both delicate seafood and hearty farm vegetables. The total bill reaches $285 per person for this celebration of Maine’s agricultural and maritime heritage.
40. Vie – Illinois
This Western Springs restaurant charges $145 per person for their seasonal American tasting menu. The intimate space creates neighborhood atmosphere while delivering sophisticated cuisine that rivals downtown Chicago establishments.
Each course showcases seasonal ingredients through preparations that balance creativity with accessibility. Their commitment to local sourcing means menus change based on what’s actually available from area farms.
Wine pairings add $85 to your bill, featuring selections that complement seasonal ingredients and preparation methods. The total cost reaches $255 per person for this suburban fine dining experience and seasonal cooking celebration.
41. Republique – California
This Los Angeles restaurant charges $125 per person for their French-inspired tasting menu in a stunning space that formerly housed Charlie Chaplin’s offices. The restaurant’s all-day format transitions from casual breakfast to sophisticated dinner service.
Each course showcases French techniques applied to California ingredients, creating fusion that feels natural rather than forced. Their famous “Bone Marrow” course gets served with house-made bread that diners use for spreading.
Wine pairings cost $75 additional, featuring French and California selections that highlight both regions’ strengths. The total bill reaches $225 per person for this celebration of French-California cuisine fusion and historic atmosphere.
42. Ox Restaurant – Oregon
This Portland steakhouse charges $155 per person for their Argentine-inspired meat tasting menu. The restaurant’s wood-fired grill creates smoky flavors that transport diners to South American pampas through aromatic experience.
Each course showcases different cuts and preparation methods from their whole-animal butchery program. The famous “Asado” course features multiple meats grilled simultaneously over oak coals.
Wine pairings add $95 to your bill, featuring Argentine and Oregon selections that complement rich meat flavors. The total cost reaches $275 per person for this carnivorous journey through South American grilling traditions and local meat sourcing.
43. Talula’s Garden – Pennsylvania
This Philadelphia restaurant charges $135 per person for their garden-to-table tasting menu featuring ingredients from their own urban farm. The greenhouse-like dining room creates atmosphere where diners feel surrounded by growing ingredients.
Each course celebrates seasonal vegetables through preparations that make plant-based cuisine feel indulgent rather than restrictive. Their famous “Garden Salad” contains over 20 different varieties grown on-site.
Wine pairings cost $85 additional, featuring natural selections that complement vegetable-forward preparations without overwhelming delicate flavors. The total bill reaches $245 per person for this urban farming experience and vegetable-focused cuisine celebration.
44. Fore Street – Maine
This Portland restaurant charges $145 per person for their wood-fired tasting menu featuring Maine ingredients. The open kitchen’s massive hearth creates theatrical atmosphere where diners watch their meals cooking over oak coals.
Each course showcases how fire transforms local ingredients into complex flavors through ancient cooking methods. Their famous “Wood-Roasted Mussels” arrive still sizzling from the hearth with aromatic smoke rising from the bowl.
Wine pairings add $85 to your bill, featuring selections that complement smoky flavors without competing with wood-fired preparations. The total cost reaches $255 per person for this primal cooking experience and Maine ingredient celebration.
45. Blackbird – Illinois
This Chicago restaurant charges $165 per person for their contemporary American tasting menu in a sleek space designed by award-winning architects. The minimalist dining room lets sophisticated food presentations take center stage.
Each course showcases modern techniques applied to familiar ingredients, creating dishes that surprise without alienating diners. Their famous “Foie Gras” course gets presented in unexpected ways that challenge preconceptions.
Wine pairings cost $95 additional, featuring selections that complement contemporary preparations and architectural atmosphere. The total bill reaches $285 per person for this modern American cuisine experience and architectural dining environment.
46. Bacchanalia – Georgia
This Atlanta restaurant charges $155 per person for their contemporary Southern tasting menu in an elegant space that feels like dining in a wealthy friend’s home. The restaurant’s wine program features one of the South’s most extensive collections.
Each course reinterprets Southern classics through modern techniques while maintaining regional soul and character. Their famous “Foie Gras and Grits” course elevates humble ingredients into sophisticated luxury.
Wine pairings add $95 to your bill, featuring selections that complement both traditional Southern flavors and contemporary preparations. The total cost reaches $275 per person for this Southern cuisine evolution and extensive wine education.
47. Restaurant Eugene – Georgia
This Atlanta restaurant charges $145 per person for their French-Southern fusion tasting menu. The intimate space creates romantic atmosphere perfect for celebrating special occasions with sophisticated cuisine and impeccable service.
Each course bridges French techniques with Southern ingredients, creating fusion that honors both culinary traditions. Their famous “Duck Confit” showcases how French methods enhance regional ingredients.
Wine pairings cost $85 additional, featuring French and American selections that complement fusion preparations. The total bill reaches $255 per person for this cultural cuisine bridge and romantic dining experience.
48. The Grey – Georgia
This Savannah restaurant charges $125 per person for their Southern tasting menu served in a restored Greyhound bus terminal. The Art Deco space creates unique atmosphere where transportation history meets culinary innovation.
Each course celebrates Southern ingredients through preparations that balance tradition with creativity. Their famous “Shrimp and Grits” elevates the classic dish into fine dining without losing its regional character.
Wine pairings add $75 to your bill, featuring selections that complement Southern spices and preparation methods. The total cost reaches $225 per person for this historic atmosphere dining and Southern cuisine celebration.
49. Husk – South Carolina
This Charleston restaurant charges $115 per person for their Southern heritage tasting menu featuring only ingredients that existed in the South before 1865. The historic mansion setting creates atmosphere where culinary history comes alive.
Each course tells stories about Southern food traditions and their cultural significance through historically accurate preparations. Their famous “Heritage Pork” showcases heirloom breeds that nearly disappeared from American tables.
Wine pairings cost $75 additional, featuring American selections that complement historical Southern flavors and preparation methods. The total bill reaches $215 per person for this culinary history lesson and Southern heritage celebration.
50. Brennan’s – Louisiana
This New Orleans institution charges $135 per person for their Creole tasting menu in a historic French Quarter mansion. The restaurant’s famous “Breakfast at Brennan’s” tradition extends into sophisticated dinner service.
Each course showcases classic Creole preparations through techniques perfected over generations of family ownership. Their famous “Bananas Foster” gets prepared tableside with theatrical flair that never gets old.
Wine pairings add $85 to your bill, featuring selections that complement spicy Creole flavors without overwhelming delicate seafood preparations. The total cost reaches $245 per person for this New Orleans tradition and Creole cuisine heritage experience.