You’ve probably heard “eating out is expensive” a thousand times, but these cities take that phrase and turn it into their unofficial mottos with burgers priced like steak and sushi rivaling rent. Your wallet will be left gasping in these 20 places in the U.S., where going out for dinner one too many times may bankrupt you.
New York City, NY
The Big Apple offers an unmatched culinary journey because Iconic spots like Peter Luger Steak House and Le Bernardin leave wallets reeling with their high-stakes price tags. The combination of expensive rents, premium ingredients, and the city’s love for dining out keeps restaurant prices among the highest in the country.
San Francisco, CA
Dining in San Francisco may be a food lover’s dream, thanks to locally sourced ingredients. However, the triple-digit bills that most meals for two can incur puts a damper on that sentiment. Premium wages are the main culprit here, causing places like Zuni Café and Atelier Crenn to be out of budget for most foodies.
Boston, MA
The city’s charm comes with prices that make you feel like a pauper. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a meal lower than $80 even if you order something basic like clam chowder, especially if you have company. Make no mistake, the food quality is impressive; however, budget-conscious diners might wish for cheaper options.
Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood budgets plague casual eating in the City of Angels, with celebrity endorsements and organic trends jacking up prices across the board. As a result, a simple dinner for two will often cross $100, and even taco trucks like Guerilla Tacos sporting upgraded prices proportional to their artisanal nature. Dining here feels glamorous, but your bank account pays the price.
Washington, D.C.
Combine a city full of power brokers and sky-high rent, and what do you get? A killing field of budget foodie dreams where burgers exceed $18 and shelling out half a grand for a couple’s meal at a fine-dining establishment like El Cielo doesn’t make the headlines. D.C. is a city where the tongue often writes a check that the wallet is unwilling to cash.
Seattle, WA
The city’s tech-driven reputation hides the gradual gentrification of Seattle’s dining scene. A decent burger costs about $17, and sustainable seafood dishes can double that. Rising wages for workers and locally sourced menus contribute to the high prices, which follow the principle of commitment to quality irrespective of the premium.
Miami, FL
When a couple pays $70 for an average meal in Miami, they’re paying extra for waterfront views and imported ingredients, without which the bold Cuban flavors that characterize this city couldn’t be achieved. Combining that with tourists’ expectations and lavish venues explains why Miami’s restaurants make both the mouths and eyes of patrons water.
Chicago, IL
In Chicago, iconic foods like deep-dish pizza come with surprising price tags at places like Lou Malnati’s. Also, meals enjoyed by more than one hover around $85, thanks to a strong restaurant culture and premium ingredients. Steakhouses and Michelin-starred venues stand alongside classic eats to offer variety—with costs to match their reputations.
Honolulu, HI
The island paradise’s need to ship ingredients results in restaurants with infernal prices. A bill of $85 is commonplace for two people dining together, who can thank tourists for flocking to poke bowls and fine dining spots for the sustainedly exorbitant menu prices, which seem oddly proportional to the place’s beauty.
San Diego, CA
San Diego’s dining scene combines beachside charm with big-city prices, where burgers often come with a $20 price tag and upscale seafood dinners easily hit triple digits. Tourism and the emphasis on fresh, local ingredients drive up costs, subjecting its laid-back charm to bills that can leave diners feeling anxious.
New Orleans, LA
The Big Easy’s bold flavors are accompanied by big bills that never go easy on your wallet. A two-person meal can soar to $70 and even higher with high tourist traffic and demand for local specialties. Festivals like Mardi Gras further drive up demand, adding to the already premium dining prices.
Philadelphia, PA
It’s never sunny in Philadelphia for food enthusiasts on a budget. Don’t let the cheesesteaks fool you, as dining out with company at a restaurant averages $75, reflecting Philly’s growing demand for upscale dining and a bewildering fascination with artisan menus. The result? BYOB bistros with experiences worth savoring—as long as you’re prepared for the tab.
Baltimore, MD
The rising costs of living and tourism ensure that Baltimore’s Chesapeake flavors come with big-city price tags. They climb as high as its famous crab towers, with meals for two averaging $75 in popular establishments, an escalation driven by the popularity of seafood and waterfront venues. Increased living costs and tourism also add to the expense.
Oakland, CA
Homeroom’s gourmet mac and cheese and Commis’ Michelin-starred tasting menus showcase Oakland’s thriving food culture, built on creativity and artisanal flair. From creative food trucks to bold fusion eateries, dining in this city frequently surpasses $85, fueled by a focus on fresh, local ingredients and inventive culinary concepts.
San Jose, CA
Innovation and luxury define San Jose’s dining scene, where bold flavors at spots like Orenchi Ramen come with steep price tags, and high-end sushi bars cater to Silicon Valley elites. Unfortunately, these culinary experiences often remain out of reach for many, reflecting the region’s upscale lifestyle.
Virginia Beach, VA
This place pairs coastal dining with steep prices, where a meal for two at a waterfront spot averages $70. Seafood specialties dominate menus, often priced around $85. With high demand from both tourists and locals, waterfront meals consistently come with a premium price tag.
Las Vegas, NV
Gluttony may be a sin, and Las Vegas decided to make people pay for it. A Sin City dinner for two regularly vaults over $85, driven mainly by celebrity chefs and its extravagant venues. Imported ingredients and lavish settings also inflate the costs and turn even casual meals into a spectacle worthy of the Strip.
Atlanta, GA
Its reputation as a food hotspot keeps Atlanta’s dining prices climbing. Two people can exceed $70 with a regular meal, while local specialties command an even higher premium. You could enjoy Southern staples or take your chance with innovative fusion cuisine; either way, it will leave a mark on your budget.
Denver, CO
Fresh, local ingredients lie at the heart of Denver’s culinary identity, where restaurants like Fruition set the standard with their farm-to-table philosophy, while hotspots such as Acorn add inventive twists to classic dishes. All of this ensures that dining out here is as much a test for your wallet as it is a treat for your palate.
Portland, OR
It’s easy for two people to cough up $70 for a standard meal at a decent place in the manic pixie dream girl of cities, Portland. When you take a look at the city’s commitment to locally sourced ingredients and inventive menus, you begin to see why, as each restaurant visit feels colored with imaginative dishes.
