We all love treating ourselves to a special night out. But sometimes, even at famous restaurant chains, the only thing more jaw-dropping than the food is the bill. Plenty of chains keep it affordable and family-friendly, but others serve up luxury at prices that can make your wallet wince. From celebrity-chef hotspots to old-school steakhouses, here are 11 places where you’re shelling out for the name as much as the meal. Get ready for some sticker shock as we tour these pricey dining experiences.
Gordon Ramsay – Big Name, Big Check
Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant empire spans the globe, and dining at one of his spots often comes with a side of sticker shock. Whether you’re grabbing a fancy burger or dining at his Michelin-starred flagship, you’re partly paying for the fiery celebrity chef’s name. Prices vary by location, but expect to drop a hefty $150–$300 per person on a typical meal – and much more for special occasions. In fact, Ramsay’s high-end holiday tasting menus can soar well above a thousand dollars per head! The food is crafted with world-class skill, but be prepared: at Gordon Ramsay restaurants, the fame on the marquee definitely adds to the final bill.
Nobu – Dine Like a Celebrity, Pay Like One Too
Nobu has become the go-to sushi spot for A-list celebrities – and its prices are as famous as its clientele. This Japanese-Peruvian fusion chain (co-founded by chef Nobu Matsuhisa and Robert De Niro) lets you eat like Miley Cyrus or the Kardashians, but it’ll cost you. The signature black cod with miso and other luxe dishes come with a premium price tag. On average, dinner runs about $135 per person at Nobu, and that’s before fancy cocktails or sake. Sure, the fish is top-notch and flown in fresh, and the vibe is ultra-trendy. But you’re also paying for the scene and the Nobu name – a luxury experience where the check reminds you just how A-list it is.
Fogo de Chão – Endless Meat, Hefty Price Tag
If you arrive at Fogo de Chão hungry, you’ll certainly leave full – but your wallet will be a lot lighter. This Brazilian steakhouse chain is known for its all-you-can-eat churrasco experience: servers carve endless fire-roasted meats from beef and lamb to chicken right at your table. It’s a carnivore’s dream come true, but that dream doesn’t come cheap. Plan on roughly $70 per person for the full rodízio feast (and that’s not including drinks, dessert, or tip). You do get unlimited trips to the gourmet salad bar and Brazilian sides, which softens the blow. Still, by the time you’ve sampled every juicy cut, you might wonder if the “ground fire” Fogo is named after is actually burning in your pocket.
Mr Chow – Chinese Cuisine at Hollywood Prices
Mr Chow offers Chinese dining with a side of Hollywood glamour – and a bill to match. With locations in hot spots like Beverly Hills, New York, and Miami, this upscale chain has long attracted celebrities and jet-setters. The menu features elevated takes on Chinese classics (think Beijing duck carved tableside, fresh lobster noodles, and squid ink rice noodles), all served in a chic, white-tablecloth setting. But be warned: a night out here isn’t your average takeout bill. A prix-fixe dinner runs around $100+ per person, and that’s before you even glance at the specialty cocktails or elite wine list. At Mr Chow, you’re paying for more than moo shu pork – you’re buying a stylish experience where the rich décor and star power are part of the package (and the price).
Joël Robuchon – The Priciest of French Fine Dining
Named after the late legendary French chef Joël Robuchon (who amassed a record number of Michelin stars), this restaurant chain is synonymous with ultra-fine dining – and ultra-high prices. With outposts from Las Vegas to Tokyo, Joël Robuchon restaurants offer luxurious tasting menus that read like culinary art: think truffle-topped tartlets, caviar-topped crab, Wagyu beef, and delicate foie gras creations. The experience is unforgettable, but you’ll pay dearly for it. Multi-course menus can start around $90 for a lunch entrée and soar to $500 (or more) for a full 12-course dinner. Opt for the lavish wine pairing and the cost per person can approach a jaw-dropping $1,500–$2,000 once taxes and extras are factored in. Dining here is truly a once-in-a-lifetime splurge – just know you’re investing in chef Robuchon’s name and legacy as much as the meal itself.
The Palm – Old-School Steakhouse at New-School Prices
The Palm is a classic American steakhouse with nearly a century of history – and prices that reflect its lofty reputation. Known for its caricature-covered walls and traditional Italian-American fare, The Palm serves up everything from massive aged steaks to whole lobsters, along with familiar sides and strong cocktails. It’s an opulent throwback to 1920s fine dining, and the experience feels like dining in a bit of culinary history. But nostalgia isn’t cheap. A dinner here can easily run $120 to $200 per person once you’ve factored in appetizers, a prime steak or surf-and-turf, and a nice glass of wine. The portions are generous and the service top-tier, but you’re undeniably paying steakhouse prices with a side of heritage – the cost of enjoying that storied Palm pedigree.
Thomas Keller – Haute Cuisine, Haute Price
Thomas Keller’s restaurants are a holy grail for foodies – think The French Laundry in California or Per Se in New York – and they come with sky-high standards and prices to match. Keller is an award-winning American chef famed for his meticulous approach to cooking, so dining at one of his establishments is like attending a culinary orchestra. The chef’s tasting menus feature delicacies like oysters and pearls (a caviar-topped oyster dish) and butter-poached lobster that will leave your taste buds singing. The bill, however, might hit a sour note for the unprepared. Expect to pay around $350–$400 per person for a multi-course tasting menu before drinks and tax. Keller’s cuisine is often described as perfection on a plate, but that perfection comes at a premium price – an indulgence reserved for those willing to splurge big on fine dining bragging rights.
Morton’s The Steakhouse – Premium Steak, Premium Price
Morton’s is the quintessential power steakhouse – dark wood interiors, white linens, and the aroma of sizzling prime beef. Founded in Chicago in the late 1970s, Morton’s has grown to dozens of locations, all serving up top-quality USDA Prime steaks and seafood in a swanky atmosphere. The food is undeniably delicious (their cuts of beef and famous jumbo lobster tails are hard to beat), but be ready for a serious check at meal’s end. A filet mignon or ribeye here will set you back more than at your neighborhood grill, and once you add sides and a starter, dinner often averages around $150+ per person (before you even consider a nice bottle of red). Morton’s delivers on that classic steakhouse experience – just know that living the high life for a night will cost you a pretty penny.
Smith & Wollensky – Stately Steakhouse, Steep Bills
Billed as “America’s Steakhouse,” Smith & Wollensky caters to those who don’t mind paying top dollar for a top-cut steak. This upscale chain (with locations from New York to London and even Taipei) is famous for its white-and-green storefronts and clubby, old-money vibe. Inside, you’ll find dry-aged steaks cooked to perfection and seafood towers that make a statement – along with a price tag that makes one, too. How high are we talking? Well, if you’re in the mood for their fancy fillet topped with crab and hollandaise (the signature Filet Oscar), you’ll be looking at upwards of $80 for that steak alone. Even a basic ribeye or filet easily lands in the $60–$70 range. The food is premium quality and portions are generous, but at Smith & Wollensky you’re absolutely paying for that deluxe reputation and steakhouse status symbol. It’s an experience in luxury dining – just don’t expect any bargains on this menu.
Ruth’s Chris – Sizzling Steaks, Scorching Prices
Ruth’s Chris Steak House is known far and wide for its buttery sizzling steaks – and for being one of the priciest major steak chains around. With over 150 locations globally, it has a loyal following, but first-timers might get a bit of heat from the bill. The steaks here are high-grade and served on 500°F plates to keep them piping hot, a signature touch. Yet each of those delicious cuts comes at a premium: most steaks range from the low $60s into the $80+ territory à la carte. By the time you add on classic sides (which are often ordered separately) and maybe a starter or dessert, your tab per person can easily climb into triple digits. Regulars swear by the flavor and the upscale experience – white tablecloths, elegant service, and all. Just remember, at Ruth’s Chris you’re paying extra for that special sizzle and famous name stamped on every plate.
Del Frisco’s – Dress-Up Dining That Empties Wallets
Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse offers a lavish night out – as long as you adhere to the dress code and don’t mind a lavish bill at the end. This fine-dining chain, now owned by a major restaurant group, operates in big-city locations and spares no expense in creating a luxurious atmosphere. Guests are expected to swap the jeans and sneakers for suits or cocktail dresses, setting the stage for a high-end experience. The menu is full of decadent options: beautifully marbled steaks, premium seafood, and even a famous Wagyu cheesesteak on the lunch menu. But with luxury comes a steep cost. Dinner at Del Frisco’s often rivals the prices of the priciest independent steakhouses, easily reaching into the $100+ per person range before drinks. So while you’ll enjoy attentive service and gourmet flavors in a plush setting, prepare for your credit card to get a workout. At Del Frisco’s, dressing up for dinner goes hand in hand with paying up for dinner.
