According to a recent report by the international food magazine Chef’s Pencil, Copenhagen has emerged as the global city with the most expensive Michelin-starred meals. With 14 Michelin-starred restaurants in the Danish capital, the median price of dinner clocks in at a staggering $443, making it the frontrunner in culinary extravagance. Denmark as a whole also claims the title for the country with the priciest Michelin-rated meals, with a median cost of $314 across its 32 Michelin restaurants.
Chef’s Pencil conducted an exhaustive analysis, poring over the menus of 3,517 Michelin-starred restaurants across 41 countries and territories featured in the esteemed Michelin Guide. The methodology involved selecting the most expensive tasting menu offered by each restaurant, excluding additional dishes, drinks, service charges, or gratuity.
The costliest cities for Michelin-starred dining after Copenhagen include Macau, where the average meal sets diners back $283, followed by Hong Kong with $266, San Francisco with $263, and Dubai rounding out the top five with $259. When considering countries and territories, Denmark leads the pack, followed by Hong Kong ($266), Iceland ($248), Singapore ($241), and the United States ($227).
The report reveals that the median price for a Michelin-starred meal across all restaurants in the ranking is $179. Moreover, the number of Michelin stars significantly influences the cost of dining out, with one-starred restaurants averaging $165, two-stars at $256, and three-stars commanding a hefty $356 on average. While Michelin stars traditionally symbolize culinary excellence and impeccable service, they also correlate with higher price points.
Vacation destinations renowned for their scenic beauty and luxury accommodations also tend to boast pricier fine dining experiences. Among alpine resorts with at least three Michelin-starred restaurants, France’s Megève leads the pack with an average meal cost of $314. Similarly, lakeside and beach towns with a minimum of three Michelin-starred restaurants, such as Switzerland’s Ascona, charge approximately $275 for a gourmet dining experience.
The data underscores a trend of rising costs associated with Michelin-starred dining in recent years. Diners increasingly expect to pay a premium for the privilege of experiencing top-tier culinary craftsmanship and impeccable service. As such, these findings provide valuable insights for gastronomic enthusiasts seeking to indulge in unparalleled dining experiences or for those seeking relative Michelin bargains amidst the culinary landscape.
