What is a Michelin star?

For culinary enthusiasts and afficionados, fine dining is an experience worth the premium cost. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary or a momentous life occasion, a Michelin starred restaurant is the perfect destination to get bang for your buck.It is a designation of culinary given to restaurants that offer not only outstanding cooking, but take into consideration the quality of ingredients, harmony of flavours, mastery of techniques, personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine and, consency across the entire menu and over time.
A report Chef’s Pencil, New York’s trusted culinary guide, has ranked the world’s top 10 fine dining Michelin starred restaurants of 2024 — upon considering the price of their most expensive tasting menus, which use premium seasonal ingredients like snow crab, Ossetra caviar and white truffle. Let’s take a look, and find out how much it will cost you for a meal:
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1. Ginza Kitafuku, Tokyo: Rs 1,79,990 ($2,130)
Conde Nast Traveller reported that 2024’s most expensive Michelin-starred menu was served at Ginza Kitafuku, Tokyo. At Rs1,79,990 ($2,130) per head, the seasonal menu featured a Echizen crab “Kiwami” course. Known for its sweet and tender meat, the crab is only caught off the coast of Echizen, a region north of Kyoto, and is a sign of exclusivity.
2. Ultraviolet Paul Pairet, Shanghai: Rs 1,03,937 ($1,230)
In second place was Ultraviolet Paul Pairet in Shanghai, a restaurant that melds theatrical dining with immersive visuals. Its premium UV Royale French-inspired menu is priced at Rs1,03,937 ($1,230) per head, which includes Champagne and wine pairings.
3. Caviar Russe, New York City: Rs 82,391 ($975)
Third on the l is New York City’s Caviar Russe with its Grand Tasting Menu, priced at Rs82,391 ($975) per head (excluding tax and gratuity). The menu, featuring 11 courses, showcases different types of premium caviar.

4. Masa, New York City: Rs 80,279 ($950)
Masa, New York’s premier Japanese restaurant and a three-Michelin-starred gem, was ranked as the third most expensive Michelin restaurant in the world in 2022, and was the first in America to break the $1,000 mark for a Michelin meal (when you include service charge and gratuity). With fragrant truffles, Ossetra caviar, and vibrant garnishes, the menu balances luxury with artry.
5. Azabu Kadowaki, Tokyo: Rs 79,005 ($935)
In addition to Echizen, Matsuba crabs are among the most highly prized snow crabs harvested in Japanese waters. They take center stage in the premium seasonal omakase course at the three-Michelin-starred Azabu Kadowaki, priced at 145,000 Yen ($935 USD). Complementing the luxurious crab are dishes like black truffle and white fish sashimi, white truffle rice, and sea urchin caviar somen noodles.Story continues below this ad
6. Quince, San Francisco: Rs 67,176 ($795)
Priced at $795, it holds the title of the most expensive Michelin-starred meal on the West Coast, offering a white-truffle-focused tasting menu.
7. Alchem, Copenhagen: Rs 64,224 ($760)
Copenhagen’s Alchem is a two-Michelin-starred establishment is widely regarded as one of the most iconic dining destinations globally. Led Chef Rasmus Munk, the restaurant’s immersive setting and conceptual storytelling make it a once-in-a-lifetime dining adventure.
8. Sazenka, Tokyo: Rs 62,956 ($745)
From mid-October to mid-January, the restaurant features a Shanghai crab-centric course, a seasonal delicacy highly prized for its rich flavor and luxurious appeal.

9. Guy Savoy, Paris: Rs 60,421 ($715)
La Le’s 5-time consecutive winner of the world’s best restaurant crown, Guy Savoy in Paris is renowned for its sophicated French haute cuisine and is also France’s most expensive restaurant.Story continues below this ad
10. Ginza Fukuju, Tokyo: Rs 57,886 ($685)
Ginza Fukuju is a two-Michelin-starred restaurant renowned for its refined kaiseki-style dining. Featuring luxurious seasonal ingredients prepared with meticulous attention to detail, the restaurant offers an exclusive omakase menu.