10 Insanely Expensive Meals Around the Globe

What It Will Cost You: $1,347

After seeing this pricey drink, you won't bat an eyelash at the price of most cocktails. The Burj Al Arab, a luxury hotel in Dubai, serves a "Diamonds are Forever" cocktail in a Swarovski Crystalline cocktail glass that has diamonds in the stem. The drink is made with L'Heraud Grand Champagne Cognac, Luxor 24k Gold Flake Champagne, The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas Bitters, and sugar. Although it will set you back $1,347, you do get to keep the Swarovski crystal glass as a keepsake.

Burj Al Arab

What It Will Cost You: $210

There aren't many three-star Michelin restaurants out there, but Chicago is home to a very well-known one: Alinea. The restaurant was opened in 2005 by Grant Achatz. It's best known for its progressive cuisine and use of molecular gastronomy, or the deconstruction of food. An 18-course meal of small dishes sets each guest back $210. For that, you will enjoy a spread that includes dishes described on the menus as "Woolly Pig: fennel, orange, squid"; "Lamb: ......????.....!!!!!!!!!!"; and "Balloon: helium, green apple." Intrigued? So are we!

alinearestaurant.com

What It Will Cost You: $3,200

In a hurry? Don't order the Samundari Khazana from Bombay Brasserie, then. If you do, you are going to drop roughly $3,200, so you will want to stick around and enjoy yourself. We love a good curry, but Bombay Brasserie really loves their curry. Why so expensive? The Samundari Khazana (translated roughly to "seafood treasure") contains Devon crab, white truffle, Beluga caviar, a gold leaf, a Scottish lobster coated in gold, four abalones, and four quail eggs.

bombaybrasserielondon.com

What It Will Cost You: $145

Did we hear you complain about shelling out a couple of bucks for a New York City hot dog? Then you're in for a price shock. At Capital Dawg in Sacramento, California, the California Capitol City Dawg sells for around $145. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, this top dog is an 18-inch, 3/4-pound, all-beef, natural-casing, Chicago-style frank served with French whole grain mustard, garlic and herb mayo, sautéed shallots, mixed baby greens, applewood and cherry smoked uncured bacon, Swedish moose cheese (which costs $200 a pound), chopped tomato, sweetened dried cranberries, a basil olive oil/cranberry-pear-coconut balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh ground pepper. It is served on a custom-made herb focaccia roll toasted in white truffle butter. It is also available in a combo with french fries and a soda for a hair more: $149.77. Unfortunately, this spot has plans to shut down. Help us begin looking for the new "top dog" in the wake of Capital Dawg's demise.

capitoldawg.com

What It Will Cost You: $5,000

Can a hamburger be high-class? Hubert Keller of Top Chef Masters thinks so. His $5,000 burger is served at Fleur in Las Vegas' Mandalay Bay. The FleurBurger 5000, as it is called, consists of a Wagyu beef and foie gras burger patty topped with truffle sauce and shaved black truffles, all served on a brioche truffle bun. Although there is a pricier burger sold at The Palms (also in Las Vegas), the FleurBurger is served with a $2,500 bottle of Bordeaux.

mandalaybay.com

What It Will Cost You: $366

Following increased popularity since the release of the hit documentary "Jiro Dreams of Sushi," sushi master Sukiyabashi Jiro continues to maintain one of the most well-respected restaurants in the world. It's a small space (seats for about 10 people), but the patrons who make it in are set for a fabulous meal. The sushi spread costs around $366 per person, and you must eat what the Chef deems good for you. Trust him, he knows everything there is to know about his craft.

sushi-jiro.jp

What It Will Cost You: $450

Masa was opened in 2004 by famed sushi chef Masa Takamaya. The menu is set at about $450 per person, not including tax or drinks. Chef Masa prepares the food himself, using ingredients like truffles, Kobe beef, fish from Japan, and beluga caviar — only the best. It is a culinary indulgence.

masanyc.com

What It Will Cost You: $450

If you still have some money left in your budget after getting yourself to Paris, take a trip to 3-star Michelin rated L'Arpége, founded by legendary chef Alain Passard. At the forefront of the farm-to-table movement, Passard is mostly known for the quality of his vegetables and the manner in which he serves them. The tasting menu runs around $450. It's money well spent, as Passard's talents make him worth his weight in gold; or at least in fresh fennel.

alain-passard.com

What It Will Cost You: $450

The Louis XIII pizza, created by ambitious Chef Renato of Salerno, Italy, was deemed the most expensive pizza a few years ago — the pie cost a staggering $12,000! In 2012, Steveston Pizza Co., a quiet pizza spot with multiple locations in Canada, is offering a slightly more affordable — though still monetarily outrageous — pizza called the "C6 Pizza." Priced at about $450, it's topped with lobster and black Alaskan cod, then served with Russian Osetra caviar on the side.

stevestonpizza.com

What It Will Cost You: $25,000

New Yorkers are no strangers to the outlandish, but even Big Apple citizens have to gape at the price of this sweet. The folks at Serendipity 3 teamed up with jeweler Euphoria to create a $25,000 chocolate sundae. It's made from a blend of 28 cocoas from around the globe, infused with five grams of edible 23-karat gold, and served in a "goblet" lined with edible gold. To top it off, they add whipped cream, more gold, and a side of La Madeline au Truffle from Knipschildt Chocolatier (which sells for about $2,600 a pound). Those who purchase this deluxe treat also receive an 18-karat gold bracelet.

serendipity3.com