When seeking the perfect backdrop for your special moments, immerse yourself in sophistication. Be it a birthday, anniversary, promotion or any occasion that needs to be celebrated, the challenge lies in finding the ideal setting. Some cities excel in attracting fine-dining establishments, making them perfect for creating unforgettable memories.
Before planning your next vacation or business networking event, explore these cities that specialize in upscale experiences. To compile this list, we took into account Michelin-star restaurants, the Zagat guide and walkability.
Here’s our list of the best fine-dining destinations in the world:
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PARIS
Paris, the City of Light, boasts 118 Michelin-star restaurants — a density of 2.87 per square mile — making it an ideal destination for walkable fine dining. Notable establishments include Le Cinq, serving modern and elegant French cuisine. The 10-course December tasting menu, which runs for 675 euros (about $730) per person, pairs with wine tastings and live music. The Bistrot d’Henri serves traditional family French dishes in a relaxed setting, and Le Florimond emphasizes seasonal products for a sustainable menu.
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TOKYO
This bustling metropolis combines tradition and modernity and is a global culinary hub. The city has the most Michelin-star restaurants worldwide at 198 within 847 square miles. A few raved-about ones include Narisawa, which serves a seasonal and carefully sourced menu of innovative Japanese dishes; Ishikawa, where a tasting menu goes for 45,000 yen ($310) per person; and Ryugin, whose eight-course tasting menu costs 44,000 yen ($300).
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KYOTO
This ancient city, which blends historical charm and natural beauty, is famous for its traditional tea ceremonies, geisha districts and shrines. But it is also a hotbed of culinary delights, with 97 Michelin-star restaurants within 320 square miles. A few favorites include Kikunoi Honten, which has traditional Japanese food ranging from 29,000 yen ($200) for lunch to 74,000 yen ($500) for dinner; Isshin, known for its rare use of the cow’s inner shoulder blade; and Seto, renowned for its homegrown chicken meals.
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OSAKA
Considered the commercial heart of Japan, the city is considered a culinary paradise and is often called the “kitchen of Japan.” Osaka has 92 Michelin-star restaurants, making it a walking destination with 1.07 per square mile. A few top restaurants include the traditional tea-house-style Kashiwaya, whose sustainable menu tells the "tale of the four seasons." Courses range from 28,500 yen ($200) for weekday lunches to 83,000 yen ($570) for a special course dinner. Also check out the French cuisine at Point and the tempura and hassun restaurant Shunsaiten Tsuchiya, which costs 39,500 yen ($260) for dinner, including more luxurious ingredients.
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HONG KONG
A financial and cultural hub known for its iconic skyline, vibrant street markets and active harbor, Hong Kong is also famous for its international and local cuisines. The city has 76 Michelin-star restaurants over 426 square miles. A few include The Chairman, a humble-looking restaurant known for its Cantonese cuisine; Amber, located in the Mandarin Oriental, featuring a seven-course tasting menu with caviar and hand-selected wine at 2,888 Hong Kong dollars ($370); and L’Atelier, located in the Landmark Atrium shopping mall.
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LONDON
Known for its history, arts scene and iconic landmarks such as the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, London also hosts 74 Michelin-star restaurants and a growing food scene. One place of note is the Sketch, inside an 18th-century townhouse tea room that converts into a cocktail lounge every evening. The experience is equally about wandering the eclectic rooms as it is enjoying the modern French cuisine. There’s also The Fat Duck on High Street, a sensory menu known for its innovative contemporary British cuisine, with a 12-course tasting menu ranging from 295 pounds ($375) to 395 pounds ($500) per person; and on Dean Street, the more affordable Barrafina, serving classic tapas and seafood.
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NEW YORK CITY
The city that never sleeps is home to many museums, theaters, entertainment and, most important, a diverse selection of food, with 70 Michelin-star restaurants. A few top stops include Eleven Madison Park in the city's heart, serving a 10-course tasting menu of entirely plant-based items at $365 per guest; Daniel, with its elegant French cuisine; and Masa, located in The Shops at Columbus Circle, offering a modern sushi menu.
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SINGAPORE
This small but dynamic nation is known for its multicultural society, reflected in a famous culinary scene that boasts 55 Michelin-star restaurants throughout its 275 square miles. Some offerings include Labyrinth, a modern twist on local Singaporean street foods. Waku Ghin, in the famous Marina Bay Sands, offers a five-course prix fixe menu at $250 a person and is known for its Japanese fine-dining experience, boasting several celebrity chefs; while Les Amis serves classic French cuisine.
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SAN FRANCISCO
The “City by the Bay,” known for its tech hub, rolling hills and fog-encapsulated Golden Gate Bridge, is also a popular destination for fine dining. The city boasts a diverse culinary scene, from seafood at Fisherman’s Wharf to the enticing aromas of Chinatown and authentic Mexican flavors in the Mission District. The city has 26 Michelin-star restaurants within its 47 square miles. Some notable stops include Benu, a minimalist destination with New American cuisine that offers a tasting menu of $420 per person; Lazy Bear, serving contemporary modern cuisine in a two-story warehouse; and Nari, featuring contemporary Thai-Californian cuisine.
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BARCELONA
Located along the Mediterranean Sea and with Gothic and modernist architecture by Antoni Gaudi, this vibrant city is well-known for its delicacies, with 24 Michelin-star restaurants over its 39.2 square miles. One of those spots is Disfrutar, which features experimental tasting menus for 275 euros ($300) for dinner and 145 euros ($160) for a wine pairing. Caelius, in the Ohla Barcelona hotel, serves French-influenced Mediterranean cuisine; and Moments, in the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona hotel, serves food with Catalan tradition.