clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Manhattan
Manhattan
Photo: S. Pratt

10 Restaurants Bill Gates Has Been Spotted

View as Map
Manhattan
| Photo: S. Pratt

If millions of dollars were at your disposal, where would you go out to eat? Fast-food joints and casual Thai restaurants might not be high on the list, but they are for our local Microsoft billionaire, Bill Gates, who might just be one of the most modest diners around. Sure, letting the bottom of his wallet fall out with fine dinners at four-star restaurants isn't out of the question, but if his dining habits around our fine city are any indication, it isn't the norm.

Here now, a map of 10 restaurants he's been spotted enjoying a meal or two.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Bai Pai Restaraunt

Copy Link

Diners have reported seeing Bill and Melinda here on several occasions. The two are reportedly fans of the chef, who used to have a restaurant on the eastside.

Burgermaster

Copy Link

Not one to turn down a cheap burger (see Dick's Drive-In), Gates apparently fell in love with Burgermaster when his office was next-door.

According to Canlis, Mr. Gates has dropped in a time or two and has always treated the staff with great respect.

Dick's Drive-In

Copy Link

Bill Gates once did a 60-Minutes interview while eating french fries here. Exhibit A: http://cnet.co/AezBwa

Jade Dragon

Copy Link

Once upon a time, there was a framed photo hanging on the wall featuring the restaurant owner posing with Mr. Gates.

Okay, he wasn't technically seen here, but according to Yelper Hae A., her expectations of the Capitol Hill restaurant were exceptionally high with "...Lark being Bill Gates' favorite restaurant..." and all.

Manhattan

Copy Link

Back when Manhattan was Manhattan Drugs (i.e. when it first opened), it was a pretty big deal when Mr. Gates came in for dinner: http://bit.ly/zsLMGP

Metropolitan Grill

Copy Link

"Bill and Melinda (Gates) come in pretty often. We always have this big table that they like. They like a booth right in the middle of the restaurant so they can see the whole thing. Normally, we'd seat five or six people (in the booth), but it's just the two of them." - Metropolitan Grill Maître d' Craig Summers

Gossip columnist Robin Leach said at the time of the restaurant's opening that is was quickly becoming a Bill Gates favorite: http://bit.ly/kmQB0p

Shiro's

Copy Link

Mr. Gates is such a big fan of Shiro's, he has reportedly hired the iconic sushi chef on several occasions to cook for him personally.

Loading comments...

Bai Pai Restaraunt

Diners have reported seeing Bill and Melinda here on several occasions. The two are reportedly fans of the chef, who used to have a restaurant on the eastside.

Burgermaster

Not one to turn down a cheap burger (see Dick's Drive-In), Gates apparently fell in love with Burgermaster when his office was next-door.

Canlis

According to Canlis, Mr. Gates has dropped in a time or two and has always treated the staff with great respect.

Dick's Drive-In

Bill Gates once did a 60-Minutes interview while eating french fries here. Exhibit A: http://cnet.co/AezBwa

Jade Dragon

Once upon a time, there was a framed photo hanging on the wall featuring the restaurant owner posing with Mr. Gates.

Lark

Okay, he wasn't technically seen here, but according to Yelper Hae A., her expectations of the Capitol Hill restaurant were exceptionally high with "...Lark being Bill Gates' favorite restaurant..." and all.

Manhattan

Back when Manhattan was Manhattan Drugs (i.e. when it first opened), it was a pretty big deal when Mr. Gates came in for dinner: http://bit.ly/zsLMGP

Metropolitan Grill

"Bill and Melinda (Gates) come in pretty often. We always have this big table that they like. They like a booth right in the middle of the restaurant so they can see the whole thing. Normally, we'd seat five or six people (in the booth), but it's just the two of them." - Metropolitan Grill Maître d' Craig Summers

RN74

Gossip columnist Robin Leach said at the time of the restaurant's opening that is was quickly becoming a Bill Gates favorite: http://bit.ly/kmQB0p

Shiro's

Mr. Gates is such a big fan of Shiro's, he has reportedly hired the iconic sushi chef on several occasions to cook for him personally.

Related Maps