Top 10 Fanciest Restaurants in the USA
Fine dining is an immersive experience that combines exceptional cuisine, artistry, service, and atmosphere. If you're looking to elevate your culinary journey, the following top 10 fanciest restaurants in the USA are renowned for their exceptional dishes and unrivaled experiences. These are the places where every detail is thoughtfully crafted for your pleasure.
1. Masa – New York City, NY
Cuisine: Japanese (Omakase)
Price: $750+ per person
Masa in New York City is one of the most celebrated sushi restaurants in the U.S. Founded by Chef Masa Takayama, the three-Michelin-starred restaurant embodies “shibui,” which refers to refined beauty that is not affected by time or trends. The décor is intentionally sparse, allowing the food to take center stage. Each course is a display of purity, using the freshest seasonal ingredients from Japan and around the world. Masa’s emphasis on simplicity and the natural character of its ingredients makes it an experience to remember.
The intimate ambiance of Masa is created with a Hinoki (Japanese Cypress) sushi counter, where guests can watch their dishes being prepared. The overall design enhances the culinary experience, making it not just a meal, but a journey into culinary elegance.
Masa
What to Order:
Toro tartare with caviar
Live uni (sea urchin)
A5 Wagyu beef grilled over Japanese binchotan charcoal
Seasonal sashimi
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2. The French Laundry – Yountville, CA
Cuisine: French
Price: $500+ per person
The French Laundry is Chef Thomas Keller's legendary establishment located in Napa Valley. Renowned for its flawless French cuisine, this iconic restaurant has earned three Michelin stars and continues to set the standard for fine dining in the U.S. The rustic, stone-built house surrounded by vine-strewn walls is an experience on its own, but the menu is where the real magic happens.
Chef Keller’s innovative tasting menu, which changes daily, offers a remarkable range of seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients. The restaurant also pays homage to traditional French techniques while introducing elements of modern flair, making it a destination for food lovers across the world.
What to Order:
“Oysters and Pearls” – Sabayon of pearl tapioca with oysters and caviar
Hand-rolled agnolotti with black truffles
Butter-poached Maine lobster
Japanese Wagyu beef
3. Per Se – New York City, NY
Cuisine: French
Price: $450+ per person
Another masterpiece by Thomas Keller, Per Se is located in the heart of New York City. The restaurant offers sweeping views of Central Park and serves a world-class French dining experience. With a menu that changes regularly to reflect the seasons, every dish is crafted with the finest ingredients, including rare delicacies like truffles and foie gras. The intimate and elegant design, featuring dimly lit alcoves, provides a romantic setting perfect for a special occasion.
The restaurant offers two tasting menus—one vegetarian and one with an array of seasonal dishes. Per Se’s dishes, including playful takes on classic French recipes, are a delightful exploration of flavor.
What to Order:
White truffle-infused risotto
Hudson Valley foie gras
100-day dry-aged beef with black truffle jus
“Coffee and Doughnuts” dessert
4. Alinea – Chicago, IL
Cuisine: Modernist/Experimental
Price: $365+ per person
Alinea in Chicago is globally recognized for its groundbreaking approach to modernist cuisine. Chef Grant Achatz's experimental cooking methods combine elements of molecular gastronomy with an avant-garde dining experience. The restaurant earned three Michelin stars, making it one of the top dining destinations in the U.S.
The restaurant offers three unique dining experiences: The Kitchen Table, The Gallery, and The Salon. Each course is more than just food; it's a performance, complete with interactive and visually stunning presentations that involve all the senses. From edible balloons to deconstructed flavors, Alinea’s menu is a true celebration of creativity.
What to Order:
The edible helium balloon dessert
Black truffle explosion ravioli
Wagyu beef with 60-hour slow-cooked onion
A dessert plated directly onto the table in a dramatic display
5. Guy Savoy – Las Vegas, NV
Cuisine: French
Price: $595+ per person for the Krug Chef’s Table Experience
Located in Caesars Palace, Restaurant Guy Savoy brings the essence of Parisian fine dining to Las Vegas. With its opulent décor and intimate dining spaces, the restaurant provides an atmosphere of sophistication. The Krug Chef’s Table offers a one-of-a-kind experience where guests can interact with the chef while indulging in a multi-course meal paired with the finest wines.
The menu features exquisite French dishes that exemplify Chef Guy Savoy’s culinary mastery, from artichoke and black truffle soup to a variety of caviar dishes. Guy Savoy's creations are a refined celebration of luxury dining.
What to Order:
Artichoke and black truffle soup
Caviar with warm brioche
Peking-style duck breast
Chocolate fondant with gold leaf
6. Joël Robuchon – Las Vegas, NV
Cuisine: French
Price: $495+ per person
Joël Robuchon’s Las Vegas restaurant is a temple of luxury French cuisine. Situated inside the MGM Grand, this three-Michelin-star restaurant is known for its lavish décor, which resembles an Art Deco townhouse. Every dish is executed with the highest level of precision, and the atmosphere is refined yet intimate. The menu includes signature dishes from the legendary Chef Robuchon, like the famous “La Langoustine” lobster.
With a prestigious wine list and a remarkable dedication to quality, Joël Robuchon offers one of the best fine dining experiences in Las Vegas.
What to Order:
Le Caviar Imperial – Caviar with king crab and fennel cream
Black truffle langoustine ravioli
L’Agneau – Milk-fed lamb with seasonal vegetables
Le Chocolat Sensation – A decadent chocolate dessert
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7. SingleThread – Healdsburg, CA
Cuisine: Japanese-Inspired Farm-to-Table
Price: $425+ per person
SingleThread is a culinary gem located in the heart of Sonoma’s wine country. With its own farm supplying the freshest seasonal produce, this restaurant offers a hyper-seasonal menu that combines the best of Japanese and California farm-to-table cuisine. The intimate, serene setting enhances the dining experience, making it a true culinary retreat.
Chef Kyle Connaughton, alongside his wife Katina, provides an unforgettable dining experience with exceptional hospitality. Each dish tells the story of the land it came from, and the wine pairings, often sourced from nearby vineyards, complement each course perfectly.
What to Order:
Japanese A5 Wagyu grilled over binchotan charcoal
Dungeness crab chawanmushi (savory egg custard)
Seasonal vegetable and seafood sashimi
Miso-glazed black cod
8. Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare – New York City, NY
Cuisine: Japanese-French Fusion
Price: $430+ per person
Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is a hidden gem located in the back of a grocery store in Manhattan. With only 18 seats, this exclusive spot offers an intimate dining experience that combines French culinary techniques with Japanese precision. The tasting menu is a blend of complex flavors, showcasing the best seasonal ingredients in a carefully curated 20-course meal.
The restaurant is a two-Michelin-star establishment, and the wine pairings are thoughtfully chosen to complement each course. For those looking for a unique and exclusive dining experience, Chef’s Table at Brooklyn Fare is a must-visit.
What to Order:
Bluefin tuna belly with Kaluga caviar
Hokkaido scallops with yuzu kosho
Japanese A5 Wagyu with red wine reduction
Matcha and white chocolate mousse
9. The Inn at Little Washington – Washington, VA
Cuisine: American-French
Price: $365+ per person
The Inn at Little Washington is an oasis of luxury nestled in the Virginia countryside. Chef Patrick O'Connell’s whimsical yet refined American-French cuisine has earned the restaurant three Michelin stars. Set in a charming, rustic building, the inn offers not only a world-class dining experience but also impeccable service that makes guests feel at home.
With a menu that changes seasonally, The Inn’s dishes focus on local ingredients, prepared with artistic flair. From decadent foie gras to exquisite desserts, every dish is a masterpiece.
What to Order:
Carpaccio of herb-crusted baby lamb loin
Pan-seared foie gras with huckleberry sauce
Whole roasted duck for two
Chocolate souffle with Grand Marnier sauce
10. Saison – San Francisco, CA
Cuisine: Modern American
Price: $398+ per person
Saison is a leader in the San Francisco dining scene, offering a truly exceptional dining experience. The restaurant is known for its use of open hearth cooking, where ingredients are transformed over wood fire for an extraordinary depth of flavor. With two Michelin stars and a spot on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, Saison is the epitome of modern American fine dining.
The ever-changing menu at Saison is crafted with the freshest, local ingredients, often sourced from Northern California’s most acclaimed farmers, ranchers, and fishermen. Paired with an extensive wine list, this restaurant offers a sophisticated yet comfortable dining atmosphere.
What to Order:
Aged Wagyu grilled over open fire
Butter-poached abalone with sake sauce
Smoked sea urchin toast
Seasonal fruit tart with honeycomb ice cream
Bottom Line
These top 10 restaurants are more than just extraordinary places to eat—they represent the pinnacle of luxury, precision, and creativity in the culinary world. Whether it's the intimate sushi counter at Masa or the avant-garde experiences at Alinea, each restaurant offers a unique and unforgettable experience. But just as these dining experiences require thoughtful planning and a commitment to excellence, so does your financial future.
Just as you would plan ahead for a special meal at one of these incredible restaurants, it’s equally important to plan for a steady and secure retirement. By making informed choices and investing in the right strategies, you can ensure that your future is as luxurious as these dining experiences.
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Reference
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Thomas Keller. (n.d.). The French Laundry Restaurant. Retrieved from https://www.thomaskeller.com/yountville-california/french-laundry/restaurant
Michelin Guide. (n.d.). Per Se. Retrieved from https://guide.michelin.com/en/new-york-state/new-york/restaurant/per-se
Alinea. (n.d.). Welcome to Alinea. Retrieved from https://www.alinearestaurant.com/
Forbes Travel Guide. (n.d.). Restaurant Guy Savoy. Retrieved from https://www.forbestravelguide.com/restaurants/las-vegas-nevada/restaurant-guy-savoy
MGM Grand. (n.d.). Joël Robuchon French Restaurant. Retrieved from https://mgmgrand.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/joel-robuchon-french-restaurant.html
SingleThread. (n.d.). Restaurant. Retrieved from https://singlethreadfarms.com/restaurant/
Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fare. (n.d.). Chef’s Table Experience. Retrieved from https://www.brooklynfare.com/chefs-table/
The Inn at Little Washington. (n.d.). Dining Experience. Retrieved from https://www.theinnatlittlewashington.com/
Saison. (n.d.). Information. Retrieved from https://www.saisonsf.com/information