Michael Jordan & Mark Wahlberg Lunch Together ... But WHO PAYS???

Michael Jordan -- made $90 MILLION in 2013.

Mark Wahlberg -- made $52 MILLION in 2013.

So, when they went out to lunch together at E baldi restaurant in Beverly Hills Wednesday afternoon ... which superstar picked up the check??

We spoke to both Michael and Mark on the way out -- and one of 'em spilled the beans.

BTW -- Wahlberg is a bigtime sneakerhead ... and has been rockin' rare Jordans for years ... in fact, he was sportin' Jordans to lunch with His Airness and made sure to point it out to our photog.