A study conducted by gastronomy publication “Chef’s Pencil” has analyzed more than 450 Michelin restaurants – all of them with the highest awards, between two and three stars – and ranked the most and least expensive ones per country.
The study revealed that, among all geographies, the average value of the tasting menu is around 235 euros per person, with the two-star menu being closer to 215 euros and the three-star menu set at 304 euros. The values did not include drinks. The results revealed that in continental Europe, the value for money was higher in Portugal than in any other country.
The ranking showed that Thailand is where it is really worth visiting these top venues, which charge an average of €173 per person. This is followed by Ireland with €180, South Korea and Taiwan with €181, and Portugal in fifth place, with a value of around €185.
The rest of the table is completed by Spain (€186), Belgium (€190), Austria (€196), the Netherlands (€201) and Germany (€210).
At the opposite pole are the countries with the most expensive average prices. Denmark is hands down the most expensive place to dine out at a top Michelin-starred restaurant. Prepare to spend on average over $400 (roughly 345 euros) in one of Denmark’s eight Michelin-starred restaurants that have two or three Michelin stars.
The most expensive tasting menu in Denmark costs $552, or 3,500 in local Danish currency. Singapore is the second most expensive country, where the average full tasting menu costs $364 (310€). The city-state consistently ranks among the world’s most expensive cities to live in, especially when premium items such as gourmet food and fine dining are factored in.
Sweden ranks 3rd worldwide and 2nd in Europe, with an average price of $327 for the full tasting menu. A full tasting menu in Sweden ranges from $242 (2100 SEK/278€). All except one of Sweden’s five Michelin-starred restaurants with two and three stars are located in Stockholm, while the other is located in Malmo.
Japan, home to the highest number of Michelin restaurants per capita in the world, is by no means a cheap dining destination. A full tasting menu costs on average $322 (274€), without tax and service charges.
The U.S. ranks fifth worldwide, with the average menu costing roughly $313 (266€). In the U.S., the Michelin Guide coverage is limited to three states, New York, California and Illinois, and the District of Columbia, which are home to a combined number of 47 Michelin restaurants with two and three stars. They were followed by China (264€), the United Kingdom (256€), France (255€), Switzerland (248€) and Italy (217€).
The analysis went even further and made the distinction city by city. Bangkok (Thailand) leads the ranking of the cheapest cities, followed by Lyon (France), Seoul (South Korea), Rotterdam (Netherlands), Barcelona (Spain), Vienna (Austria), Madrid (Spain), Taipei, Hamburg (Germany) and Macau (China).
On the other side, Copenhagen leads the table of most expensive, followed by Shanghai (China), Kyoto (Japan), Singapore, Paris (France), Stockholm (Sweden), Hong Kong (China), Amsterdam (Netherlands), New York (United States) and Milan (Italy).
