Some restaurants are worth every penny—unforgettable food, top-tier service, and an experience that makes your wallet weep but your soul sing. And then there are the other ones—the places that charge 35 dollars for a salad, offer microscopic portions, and leave you questioning every life choice that led you there.
If you’re tired of spending half your paycheck on a meal that’s just okay, you’re in the right place. Here’s our ranking of the 15 most overpriced restaurants you’re better off avoiding—going from probably not worth it to absolutely absurd.
15. The Boathouse (Orlando, FL)
Disney World magic doesn’t come cheap, and neither does this waterfront seafood spot. The view is nice, but when you’re paying 68 dollars for a steak that isn’t even the best thing on the menu, it’s clear you’re mostly covering the Disney tax. You’re better off grabbing a meal at EPCOT for half the price.
14. Nusr-Et Steakhouse (Multiple Locations)
If you love paying for a viral moment instead of a great meal, this is the place for you. The famous Salt Bae restaurant is all about over-the-top pricing, where a gold-covered steak can cost over 1000 dollars. Yes, you read that right. And no, it does not taste better because it’s shiny.
13. Tao (Las Vegas, NV)
Tao is more about the scene than the food—because while the vibes are fun, the prices are outrageous. You’re looking at 35 dollars for lo mein, and even a basic sushi roll costs more than a full meal elsewhere. If you’re here for the clubby atmosphere, go for a drink—but don’t expect the food to be worth the price tag.
12. Peter Luger Steak House (Brooklyn, NY)
A legendary name, yes. But the experience? Hit or miss. The prices are sky-high, 140 dollars for a porterhouse, the service is famously gruff, and the steaks? Some say they’re worth it, others say they’re overrated. If you’re spending that much on steak in NYC, you have way better options.
11. CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Beverly Hills, CA)
We love Wolfgang, but this place is too Hollywood for its own good. The steaks are excellent, but do they justify 25 dollars for a baked potato? Probably not. You’re mostly paying for the name and the zip code.
10. Carbone (New York, NY and Miami, FL)
Carbone is an experience, and we respect that. But 32 dollars for spicy rigatoni? 85 dollars for veal parm? It’s a little much—especially when you can find just as good or better Italian food at half the price.
9. Jean-Georges (New York, NY)
Jean-Georges is a Michelin-starred restaurant with a 268 dollar tasting menu—which would be fine if the portion sizes weren’t so tiny. The food is undeniably good, but if you leave a three-Michelin-star meal still hungry, did you really win?
8. The French Laundry (Yountville, CA)
One of the most famous fine-dining spots in the world, but also one of the most expensive. The tasting menu runs 390 dollars per person, before wine. It’s an experience, sure, but if you’re spending that much, it should change your life. And for many, it doesn’t.
7. Spago (Beverly Hills, CA)
Another Wolfgang Puck classic, and another spot where you’re paying for the zip code. The food is good, but the portions are small, the prices are sky-high, and unless you really want to say you ate at Spago, your money is better spent elsewhere.
6. Per Se (New York, NY)
The tasting menu is 390 dollars per person, and while the service is impeccable, many say the experience feels more sterile than special. Plus, the whole vibe can be a little pretentious—and no one wants to pay rent money to feel judged while eating dinner.
5. Nobu (Multiple Locations)
Nobu is good, but is it 42 dollars for two bites of sashimi good? Not really. It’s a celebrity hotspot, which means you’re paying for the name, the scene, and the chance to maybe spot Drake. If you just want excellent sushi, you can get it elsewhere for way less.
4. Victoria and Albert’s (Orlando, FL)
A 295 dollar per person meal at Disney World? It sounds ridiculous, and honestly, it is. The food is undeniably top-tier, but at that price, you’d expect actual magic on your plate. Unless you’re a serious foodie or a Disney fanatic, you’re better off spending that money elsewhere.
3. Serendipity 3 (New York, NY and Las Vegas, NV)
A restaurant famous for its 1000 dollar ice cream sundae. Yes, really. Sure, their frozen hot chocolate is good, but 22 dollars for a basic burger? Absolutely not. This place is a tourist trap, and you’re better off grabbing dessert elsewhere.
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2. Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen and Bar (Las Vegas, NV)
Guy Fieri is a legend, but this place is just overpriced bar food. A basic burger runs you 22 dollars, nachos are 24 dollars, and while the portions are big, the quality is just okay. You’re better off going to any other dive bar in Vegas for the same food at half the cost.
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1. Barton G. (Miami, FL and Los Angeles, CA)
And finally, the most overpriced restaurant of them all. Barton G. is all about presentation—your food might come out in a literal birdcage or be served with a giant sparkler. But the taste? Mediocre at best. You’re basically paying 50 dollars or more per plate for theatrics, and at that point, you might as well just watch a magic show instead.
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