21 Most Expensive Restaurants in NYC in 2024
It probably comes as no surprise that there are a multitude of high-end restaurants in New York City, but if you’re looking to splurge, which of the most expensive restaurants in NYC must you get reservations at? To help you answer this important question, we’ve curated a list of the 21 best upscale eateries in NYC.
Whether you’re planning a birthday dinner, a romantic date night or even a fancy lunch or brunch, this list is guaranteed to have a few spots that will appeal to you and be worth the spend!
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The 21 Most Expensive NYC Restaurants
1. Eleven Madison Park
Eleven Madison Park holds precious real estate on one of the city's best-known streets and is unique in that the menu is fully plant-based. Chef Daniel Lamm adds fresh imagination to one of the chicest vegan restaurants in NYC, offering a range of one-of-a-kind dishes that even meat eaters will enjoy.
The Vibe
Clean, quiet sophistication gives a peaceful, lounge-like energy to this expensive restaurant in NYC.
What to Order
Make ordering easy by choosing either a six-course or a 10-course tasting menu to taste how exquisite plant-based dining can be.
Eleven Madison Park | 11 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
2. Jean-Georges
The dining room at Jean-Georges shines with an upscale glow that few of the most expensive restaurants in NYC can boast. It was named one of the 100 Best Restaurants in NYC by the New York Times and has earned two Michelin stars, indelible emblems of culinary prestige.
The Vibe
Garden views courtesy of wall-sized windows make this space feel like a dining terrace even when seated indoors.
What to Order
In addition to a six-course vegetarian menu and six- and 10-course omnivore menus, there's a collection of dishes from 1997 to try for a fun throwback to the most expensive restaurants in NYC of yesterday.
Jean-Georges | 1 Central Park W., New York, NY 10023 | $$$$
3. Daniel NYC
Commit to the dining lifestyle of the rich and famous by rounding up a table at Daniel NYC, a top-notch entry among the most expensive restaurants in NYC for more than 30 years. Dine here and you’ll be able to gratify your hunger for culinary luxury with faithful recreations of European classics.
The Vibe
Stunning columns and swirls of bespoke woodwork create a dreamy Art Deco oasis.
What to Order
The prix-fixe menu delivers to the table a cavalcade of non-stop delights, including dishes with exquisite ingredients like yellowfin tuna, Maine sea scallops and Colorado Springs lamb. To go all out, add caviar service to your order.
Daniel NYC | 60 E. 65th St., New York, NY 10065 | $$$$
4. Per Se
James Beard award-winning Chef Thomas Keller brings a version of his French Laundry eatery in California to the most expensive restaurants in NYC in the form of Per Se, complete with rooftop views of Central Park. Along with breathtaking vistas, the restaurant boasts ingredients from small and local producers for a memorable farm-to-table experience.
The Vibe
This culinary oasis glows in the evening with romantic lighting illuminating intimate nooks. Don’t forget to take in the stunning views during your meal as well.
What to Order
Unique tasting menus of chef-chosen dishes see each ingredient used only once throughout the experience. These menus change almost daily, so you’ll get the opportunity to try something new with each visit.
Per Se | 10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
5. Le Bernardin
For French dining par excellence, Le Bernardin adds Parisian flavor to the most expensive restaurants in NYC. Within three months of opening in 1986, this spot had earned a four-star review from the New York Times and has never lost a single one. Today, it also has a coveted three Michelin stars, making it one of the most renowned Michelin star restaurants in the USA.
The Vibe
Modern luxury combines with old-fashioned elegance to create a tasteful and high-end dining space. Large pieces of seascape wall art add a unique twist and bring the seaside to Manhattan.
What to Order
The vegetarian tasting menu can’t be missed, transforming vegetables into epicurean art, in singular dishes like truffle pasta and creamy coconut curry. If going for the meat options, the tartare with caviar is a must-try.
Le Bernardin | 155 W. 51st St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
6. The Modern
For fans of world-class cuisine and first-rate art, no selection on the list of the most expensive restaurants in NYC is a better destination than The Modern. Two Michelin stars and a prime location on the grounds of the MoMA make this a dreamy setting for lavish dining.
The Vibe
Tasteful tables and a vibrant bar are only steps away from outstanding artwork. Whether dining for lunch or dinner, the restaurant’s bustling atmosphere will also add a touch of excitement.
What to Order
An ever-changing tasting menu features innovative creations, from lobster with English peas and poached apricots to milk-fed pork with morel mushrooms. Wine pairings are also available and the tasting menu culminates with a decadent dessert.
The Modern | 9 W. 53rd St., New York, NY 10019 | $$$$
7. Gramercy Tavern
Bring more than a touch of elegance to your most special occasion with a trip to Gramercy Tavern, a delicious excuse to add the most expensive restaurants in NYC to your joyous plans. Whether you book a choice table in The Tavern (think bar and lounge) or reserve seats in The Dining Room, prepare to be wowed.
The Vibe
High ceilings, a vibrant wall art mural and wood furnishings make this space bright and contemporary yet warm and cozy. There is a charming patio as well for summer dining. With an elegant vibe and outstanding dishes, Gramercy Tavern is a popular spot for a memorable birthday dinner in NYC.
What to Order
When dining in The Tavern, you can choose from a selection of sharing plates, such as broccolini salad, beef tartare and grilled flatbreads with seasonal dips, all of which can accompany craft cocktails. In The Dining Room, a seasonal tasting menu is served, with options like mushroom tortellini, hamachi with coconut and lime and pan-seared skate. Wine pairings are also available.
Gramercy Tavern | 42 E. 20th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
8. The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare
Give yourself the gift of exquisite living by settling in for a meal at The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. A hidden door in a grocery store serves as a portal to this entry on our list of the most expensive restaurants in NYC, adding to the delicious mystique.
The Vibe
Warm wood surfaces, exposed brick walls and rustic metal fixtures create a modern industrial feel. Sneaking to the back of the gourmet grocery store to find the restaurant’s hidden entrance also adds a sensation of exclusivity to dining at this expensive NYC restaurant.
What to Order
Japanese-French fusion dishes make up a 20-course tasting menu, guaranteeing visitors a parade of incredible eating.
The Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare | 431 W. 37th St., New York, NY 10018 | $$$$
9. Atera
Atera is one of the most expensive restaurants in NYC that has to be on a list of must-visits for anyone looking for a sumptuous spot to celebrate the finer moments in life. The name means "to go out" in Basque, affirming your decision to add this one to your roadmap.
The Vibe
Dark slate and sturdy concrete surfaces lend the walls and tables a sense of cool importance. The simplistic, industrial-style décor draws the focus to the incredible food.
What to Order
It's all about the details of the seasonal tasting menu at this expensive restaurant in NYC. Whether you're savoring a dish of quail eggs or luxuriating in a plate of crab ravioli, you’ll be blown away by the innovative dishes full of fresh and in-season ingredients.
Atera | 77 Worth St., New York, NY 10013 | $$$$
10. Carbone New York
Call (well in advance) for reservations at Carbone and take your evening out to a whole new level. This spot offers everything you would expect in one of the most expensive restaurants in NYC, with a distinctive Italian-American twist that brings elevated fare down to Earth.
The Vibe
Carbone New York has a Prohibition-era feel, complete with plush seating, red accents and a hidden bar. Dining here is like stepping back into the Golden Age.
What to Order
Pop in for lunch or dinner and indulge in dishes like lobster ravioli, spicy rigatoni and jumbo shrimp scampi.
Carbone New York | 181 Thompson St., New York, NY 10012 | $$$$
11. Kurumazushi
Gather your closest friends and sashay into Kurumazushi for a personal party at one of the most expensive restaurants in NYC. This classic Japanese eatery offers an evening of absolute indulgence while dining on some of the best NYC sushi.
The Vibe
Simple and minimalist with Japanese décor accents and a central kitchen with counter seating, allowing you to watch the chefs at work.
What to Order
There are a few chef’s tasting menus on offer, ranging in price from around $150 to $300 and up. Opt for any of the menus and you’ll be served the highest quality sashimi and sushi, including both classics and dishes with ingredients you’ve likely never tried before.
Kurumazushi | 7 E. 47th St., New York, NY 10017 | $$$$
12. Frevo
Located in Greenwich Village, Frevo epitomizes the potential for the most expensive restaurants in NYC to double as a makeshift art gallery. Culinary creations that mimic the paintings and sculptures on display fit the theme perfectly.
The Vibe
The 16-seat counter gives you front-row views of the phenomenal artworks and the chefs at work, creating dishes that resemble masterpieces.
What to Order
Let the seasonal menu of chef's specialties surprise you with a different experience with every visit. While the menu changes based on what is in season, dishes could include milk bread with smoked tofu and butternut squash with truffle and Parmesan. A standard or premium wine pairing can also be enjoyed.
Frevo | 48 W. Eighth St., New York, NY 10011 | $$$$
13. Gotham Restaurant
Prime dishes and gold-plated wishes are only part of what diners can enjoy at Gotham Restaurant. This option among the most expensive restaurants in NYC also features live music, including jazz brunches, and impressive art scattered around the space.
The Vibe
Bohemian romance abounds here, thanks to linen lanterns and pillars topped with pyramid finials. There’s also a large central bar and lots of amazing artworks, adding to the sense of high-end exclusivity.
What to Order
The Sunday jazz brunch is unique among the most expensive restaurants in NYC, where caviar, cheeseburgers, croque monsieur and fantastic live jazz music share the menu. If dining for lunch or dinner, dishes like Japanese eggplant with coconut tahini and Maine lobster with carnaroli risotto are just a few of the must-tries.
Gotham Restaurant | 12 E. 12th St., New York, NY 10003 | $$$$
14. Harry's
Could the most expensive restaurants in NYC get any more deluxe than Harry's? In operation since 1972, this long-time representative of the most expensive restaurants in NYC imbues the Manhattan dining world with a sense of rich history.
The Vibe
Space-age lighting mixes with tin-panel ceilings, Roman columns and leather booth seating to make one eclectic space.
What to Order
Set your sights on a prime Cajun boneless ribeye steak with a side of Yukon Gold purée for steak and potatoes in an elegant package deal.
Harry's | 1 Hanover Sq., New York, NY 10004 | $$$$
15. Wallsé
You know you’re in one of the most expensive restaurants in NYC when you see the mind-blowing architecture and plush surfaces at Wallsé. This plumb eatery transplants Austrian dishes to a contemporary New York setting for a cultural blend worth tasting.
The Vibe
Oversized canvases splash merry color around this upscale bistro-style spot. The charming eatery is notably one of the best places for a romantic dinner if you’re searching for luxurious date night ideas in NYC.
What to Order
A platter of red snapper served with fiddlehead ferns and a side of spätzle will leave you with plenty of room for Black Forest cake when the dessert cart comes around.
Wallsé | 344 W. 11th St., New York, NY 10014 | $$$$
16. Buddakan
Bring your platinum card and your sense of fun when dining at Buddakan! At this wildly imaginative stop among the most expensive restaurants in Midtown NYC, Asian dishes are served in a Renaissance-style dining room for a meal that is truly unique.
The Vibe
Vaulted ceilings, grand chandeliers and banquet-style seating provide luxe, awe-inspiring splendor.
What to Order
With whimsical versions of Asian classics like crispy cauliflower lollipops and lobster egg rolls on the menu, you'll have no difficulty finding deluxe forms of your favorites. If you can’t decide on a few dishes, get a selection to share among the table or opt for the tasting menu.
Buddakan | 75 Ninth Ave., New York, NY 10011 | $$$$
17. Junoon
Sweet times lie ahead when you add Junoon to your global voyage through the most expensive restaurants in NYC. This Indian restaurant not only serves incredible dishes but is also one of the most decorated restaurants in the city having been awarded a Michelin star eight years in a row.
The Vibe
Wooden ceilings, atmospheric lighting and Indian décor accents create a luxurious yet warm and welcoming place to dine.
What to Order
The five-course tasting menu includes molecular gastronomy inventions like It's Not An Egg, a mango sphere filled with coconut, as well as ornate Indian dishes like mushroom and truffle kozambu and asparagus ghost chile korma.
Junoon | 19 W. 24th St., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
18. Reserve Cut
Surround yourself in luxury with seats at Reserve Cut, the most expensive restaurant in NYC serving up Kosher steakhouse specialties. Owner Albert Allham descends from a long line of Syrian butchers to bring international pedigree to steak dining in the city.
The Vibe
Subdued lighting and artful wine bottle vignettes flood this dining room with romance and sophistication.
What to Order
A starter of bourbon baby back ribs will whet your appetite for a 10-ounce prime Reserve Cut steak supreme.
Reserve Cut | 40 Broad St., New York, NY 10004 | $$$$
19. Hawksmoor NYC
The name Hawksmoor NYC conjures up images of banquet halls filled with mind-blowing feasts suitable for royalty. While the menu prices also put this restaurant among the more upscale places in the city, Hawksmoor is actually quite laid-back and ideal for a relaxed yet memorable dinner.
The Vibe
Uplit cathedral ceilings and grand arches give the sensation of dining inside a monument. If you’re searching for fancy restaurants in NYC to dine at, this spot has to be top of your must-visit list!
What to Order
The Sunday roast shares a U.K. custom with a New York audience. Complete with dry-aged beef, beef-dripping roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gourmet vegetables, this high-end rendition of the classic dish is sure to impress. If you don't feel like a large meal, the burgers are also highly recommended.
Hawksmoor NYC | 109 E. 22nd St., New York, NY 10010 | $$$$
20. Jungsik
Modern Korean cuisine sets the table at Jungsik, another top spot among the most expensive restaurants in NYC that serves up delicious Asian dishes. Regional recipes get gold-star treatment to become elevated versions of their humbler counterparts.
The Vibe
Geometric precision and a minimalist design make this a relaxing place to dine, with all the focus on the high-end dishes.
What to Order
To get a taste of what this expensive restaurant in NYC is all about, go for the signature tasting menu that features an array of Korean dishes with a twist and a focus on fresh seafood.
Jungsik | 2 Harrison St., New York, NY 10013 | $$$$
21. Avra Madison
Contemporary Greek kitchen Avra Madison turns up the style while serving premium selections that rank it among the most expensive restaurants in NYC. Don't be surprised to see celebrities and luminaries lounging about when you glide in.
The Vibe
Vibrant Mediterranean foliage flourishes in an indoor garden paradise.
What to Order
The oysters to start are recommended by many. Follow with Youvetsi, a sumptuous paella-style mix of seafood and vegetables, with orzo standing in for paella rice.
Avra Madison | 14 E. 60th St., New York, NY 10022 | $$$$
Other Foodie Experiences in NYC
Having dined at some of the most expensive restaurants in NYC, you may be looking for something a little different yet just as luxurious. If so, consider booking a private chef in NYC who will cook upscale dishes in your own home or another venue of your choice. And if you're interested in discovering more fantastic restaurants in the city, food tours in NYC are a must-book experience, providing an insider's view of the city's vast dining scene.
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As you can see, there are numerous fine dining options in New York City. While deciding where to make reservations can be a challenge, this list of the most expensive restaurants in NYC should have narrowed down your choices, allowing you to splurge on the city's most innovative high-end dishes that are sure to leave a lasting impression.
For even more ways to explore NYC and beyond, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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