We all know that dining out — especially fine-dining — has gotten more expensive. But sometimes those small artful plates on tasting menus, though pricey, get you more bang for your buck. This is your guide to some of the best tasting menus in the world, when traveling to a city for a meal is actually worth it.
Alinea
Location: Chicago
Alinea is one of only thirteen restaurants in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars, and for good reason. Nestled in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Alinea is the creation of Chef Grant Achatz. Inspired by quirky childhood experiences — like eating pickles wrapped in french fries — Achatz creates wonder and surprise through food. His modern American cuisine leans into playful presentations and unexpected flavor pairings. Think caviar served in the palm of your hand or a course plated on a roll of cloth instead of a dish. Even the dish names reflect his whimsy: Jacob’s , short rib with jameed and pistachio, or Fairy Tale, a playful mix of pumpkin, suckling pig, and spiny lobster.
Alinea offers three ways to experience its tasting menu, depending on your budget and group size. Upstairs in The Salon, intimate tables of up to six guests dine for $325-$395 per person. Downstairs, The Gallery offers a more immersive experience for up to four guests, priced between $435-$495 each. For the ultimate splurge, there’s the Alinea Kitchen Table — a private dining experience — for 3-5 guests at $495 per person. This option seats you inside the kitchen, right in the middle of the action.
Atera
Location: NYC
Compared to others on this list, Atera in NYC is relatively affordable, even with two Michelin stars. At $298 a person (excluding a $198 wine pairing), Atera offers a sensory-driven, seasonally rotating menu that puts the spotlight on fresh ingredients. Chef Ronny Emborg wants all your senses engaged when you dine at Atera. This might mean noticing tree bark on your plate or admiring the botanical wall decorating the restaurant’s interior. The menu doesn’t shy away from bold pairings. Past offerings include tuna with foie gras and pineapple, venison with salsify and raspberry, and wagyu served alongside shrimp. Many of the garnishes on your plate likely come from their hidden hydroponic garden, tucked away in the basement of their Tribeca space.
For those skipping alcohol, Atera offers a non-alcoholic temperance pairing for $138. Whether you sit at the chef’s counter, a high-top, or in the private dining room, the price stays the same.
The Alchemist
Location: Copenhagen
The Alchemist is definitely the boldest, full-sensory experience on this list. There’s nothing subtle about Chef Rasmus Munk’s two-Michelin-star Copenhagen creation. This mythical spot combines performance and food, transporting you to an alternate reality for six immersive hours. That’s right—six. The 50-course meal, divided into “acts,” explores food, art, and social messaging. Guided by performers and set against a backdrop of art installations, modern dance, and dome-projected visuals, each dish comes with a message. Themes often revolve around sustainability or social responsibility. Dining here is not for the faint of heart. You might be served a freeze-dried butterfly, sheep brain with cherry sauce, and for dessert, pig’s blood ice cream.
A standard ticket starts at €720, but with wine pairings, the total can reach €2,200 a person. It’s an investment, but A-list celebs, like Bradley Cooper and Matt Damon, have spent half a day here, and you just might want to, as well.
Gucci Osteria
Location: Tokyo
Massimo Bottura’s Gucci Osteria has made its mark worldwide, expanding from Florence to Beverly Hills, Seoul, and Tokyo. For our list of best tasting menus in the world, we’re highlighting the Tokyo outpost, where Italian cuisine meets Japanese flavors. Chef Antonio Iacoviello ensures that Gucci Osteria Tokyo is a conversation between two cultures. The blending of styles appears in both the food and decor — a chic fusion of Renaissance-inspired design and Japanese botanicals.
Menus change seasonally, but inventive dishes, like “Parmigiana that Wants to Become a Ramen,” always stand out. Here, tomato-and-eggplant spaghetti is served in a Japanese-style broth. Gucci Osteria Tokyo also offers lunch tasting menus, making it perfect for a midday feast with friends. Dinner menus start at $145, while lunch menus are an even better deal at $105. Wines are available à la carte, so you can sip as much — or as little — as you like while taking in views from the top of the Gucci Namiki flagship store.
Arpège
Location: Paris
We couldn’t talk about prix fixe menus without mentioning Paris. While French cuisine often leans heavily on meat, Arpège — Chef Alain Passard’s three-Michelin-star restaurant — puts vegetables at the forefront. Long before plant-based dining became trendy, Passard was crafting produce-forward dishes using ingredients straight from his own organic farms. Arpège’s ever-changing tasting menu elevates vegetables to the next level. With dishes like smoked celeriac carpaccio or roasted shallots in caramelized jus, you won’t even miss filet mignon.
At Arpège, no two meals are the same. The kitchen decides the menu based on the day’s freshest harvest, ensuring a one-of-a-kind dining experience. At €490 per person, it’s a bit of a splurge, but it’s an indulgence you shouldn’t miss while in Paris.
FAQs
Q: When are tickets for the Alchemist released?
A: Tickets for the Alchemist are released every three months for the following 2-3 months.
Q: Does Arpège ever have meat or fish on their menu?
A: Yes, Arpège will include meat or fish, but fresh produce remains the most important part of their meals.
Q: Does Gucci Osteria Tokyo accept walk-ins?
A: No, Gucci Osteria Tokyo does not accept walk-ins.
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