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From a $21,000 martini to a gold-leaf salad, these are the most expensive things you can order at hotels

Sept. 22, 2022
6 min read
Food and drink in a restaurant
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There's splurging on a nice dinner, and then there's splurging tens of thousands of dollars for anything from an over-the-top dessert to a gem-laden cocktail.

For the world's most dedicated gourmands, these extravagant menu items served at hotels and resorts around the world are some of the most expensive menu items you can buy. Some even cost as much as a car.

No matter the size of your wallet, these dishes and drinks might leave you with a little bit of sticker shock. But for a one-of-a-kind dining experience, the price might just be worth it.

Taco at Grand Velas Los Cabos: $25,000

GRAND VELAS LOS CABOS

Considering the humble taco originated as street food, the $25,000 taco at Grand Velas Los Cabos' Frida restaurant in Mexico is a true "started from the bottom now we're here" moment. Forget carnitas or al pastor — this is a gold flake-encrusted corn tortilla stuffed full of Kobe beef, Almas Beluga caviar, langoustine and black truffle brie cheese. If you really want to go big, you can pair the taco with a $150,000 bottle of Ley .925 Pasion Azteca Ultra Premium Anejo. The resort requires a $12,500 deposit for each taco order, which must be placed a week in advance of dining.

Diamonds Are Forever Martini at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo: $21,000

The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo
MARRIOTT

How can a martini cost six figures? By being served with a diamond, of course. That's right — patrons who purchase the Diamonds Are Forever Martini at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo have their drink served with a one-carat diamond at the bottom of the glass. (Yes, it's inspired by James Bond.) The cocktail itself isn't anything too over the top: it's Absolut Elyx vodka and a splash of lime juice. Its current price tag is 3 million yen, which is roughly $21,000, but keep an eye out on the ever-changing exchange rate.

Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence at The Fortress Resort & Spa: $14,500

THE FORTRESS RESORT & SPA

Diners with a sweet tooth and deep pockets should head to Galle, Sri Lanka, for one of the world's most expensive desserts. The Fortress Stilt Fisherman Indulgence at The Fortress Resort & Spa comprises an Italian cassata cake, a pomegranate and mango compote, and a Champagne sabayon, propped up by a chocolate sculpture of a traditional stilt fisherman. What takes the price to $14,500 isn't the dessert itself, but the 80-carat aquamarine stone that's served with it. The stones are said "to have special qualities including the ability to soothe, heal and bring about calmness," according to the hotel's website, and have been used as a good-luck charm for fishermen and sailors. If you'd like to place an order, make sure you do so at least 24 hours in advance.

Related: Why I always charge my meals, gifts and spa treatments to my hotel room

Gilded Sultan’s Elixir at Ciragan Palace Kempinski: $2,500

It's appropriate that the Ciragan Palace Kempinski, a former Ottoman palace in Istanbul, serves up a cocktail called the Gilded Sultan's Elixir. Unlike some of the other items on this list, it doesn't come with a gemstone, but it is served with edible gold leaves. The drink itself blends Hennessy Richard cognac with coconut-infused pineapple juice, fig bitters and honey syrup, and it's served in one of the most scenic settings on the property: Le Fumoir bar, nestled into the gardens along the Bosphorus.

McCarthy Salad at The Beverly Hills Hotel: $1,912

THE BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL

Leave it to a hotel in Los Angeles to charge nearly $2,000 for a salad. All jokes aside, this is actually the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel's signature salad — and it usually costs around $45. But the famed hotel is serving up a special edition of the salad honoring the 110th anniversary of the hotel this year — and it comes with gold leaf-topped lobster and caviar, and is served with a bottle of Dom Perignon. And you'll get to take home a commemorative Bernardaud French porcelain bowl. Furthermore, a portion of the proceeds from this limited-edition salad will be donated to the Los Angeles Conservancy, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the historic architecture of the city. Get this salad while you can; it's only available through the end of the year.

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Related: My life as an A-lister: A review of The Beverly Hills Hotel

Ritz Sidecar at the Ritz Paris: $1,500

RITZ PARIS

There are many pricey things on the menu at the Ritz Paris' famous Bar Hemingway, from $18 mini hot dogs to a $35 Pimm's Cup. (Both worth the cost, truthfully.) But those prices pale in comparison to the $1,500 Ritz Sidecar, made with 19th-century cognac. The cocktail itself originated in England in 1921, but barman Franck Meier, who served the bar's namesake, Ernest Hemingway, created the Ritz's riff on it two years later. In 2001, it entered The Guinness Book of World Records as the most expensive cocktail, though that title has been passed on to a cocktail called The Winston which went for almost $13,000 at a bar in Australia.

Almas Caviar Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong: $800

MARRIOTT

Located on the 102nd floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the Almas Caviar Bar is a seven-seat speakeasy-style spot for lovers of sturgeon roe (and Champagne and vodka). The priciest food item on the list is beluga caviar, which comes in at $800 — not a lot compared to some of the other items on this list, but when you consider you're only getting an ounce of caviar for that price, well, that's one expensive treat. The bar is also able to source the world's most expensive caviar, Almas Persicus, which can cost up to $14,000 for about half a pound (250 grams). It does need a month's notice in order to do so.

Featured image by MORSA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.