Even with all the changes in the business world in recent years, business lunches remain a popular activity for professionals in a variety of industries. But when trying to appeal to young professionals — whether clients, employees or new business partners — finding the trendy lunch spots for those meetups be a special challenge.
Fortunately, there are plenty of great restaurants for business lunches across the country, whether you’re looking for a casual locale or a more upscale experience. Here are 50 business lunch ideas trendy enough for the most demanding young professionals in your group.
Trendiest US Spots for a Business Lunch for Young Professionals
Le Bernardin
An elite French restaurant in New York City, Le Bernardin is a prime spot to go for lunch meetings where you’re aiming to impress. The menu features caviar, bass duck and a number of other upscale options that are so classic they will never go out of style. And there’s also a chef’s tasting menu for adventurous diners.
Fearing’s
Fearing’s in Dallas, Texas features elevated American style cuisine with bold flavors and a lively atmosphere. The menu features everything from street tacos and brisket to salmon and short ribs. So there’s sure to be something for pretty much everyone on the menu.
Eventide Oyster Co.
Located in Portland, Maine, Eventide Oyster Co. emphasizes fresh ingredients that offer refreshment and rejuvenation. The restaurant is known for seafood offerings which rotate daily and offer restorative ingredients that can be great for those mid-day meetings.
Gotham Bar and Grill
This New York City staple features quality, seasonal menu items and surprisingly reasonable prices for lunch. The summertime fixed-price lunch at Gotham Bar and Grill features menu items like heirloom tomato gazpacho, Nova Scotia halibut and assorted sorbets.
Naoe
This contemporary Japanese bistro is located in the heart of Miami. So it’s a convenient option for active entrepreneurs who enjoy being in the heart of the city. In addition to its vibrant location, Naoe is known for unique Japanese inspired menu items and its ever-changing chef’s choice menu.
Lucques
Located in West Hollywood, California, Lucques specializes in fresh but inventive menu items. Some of the lunch options currently on the menu include ricotta gnocci, chopped chicken fattoush salad and Spanish grilled cheese.
Cosme
Cosme is a New York City based restaurant that features Mexican inspired cuisine like fried oyster torta and ayocote bean salad. In addition, the space offers a relaxed environment for laid back meetings, as well as private dining options.
Commanders Palace
This New Orleans landmark is a great choice for business lunchers who want to really experience the Creole flavor and culture of New Orleans. Commanders Palace has graced the city’s garden district since 1893, and features popular menu items like Creole gumbo and jumbo lump crab.
Huckleberry Café
The Santa Monica, California based Huckleberry Cafe features a menu of homemade artisan breads, soups, pastries, sandwiches and more. The menu of simple yet quality items made with local ingredients changes regularly. So it can be a fresh spot to visit regularly and still receive a different experience each time.
The Granary
The Granary is located in Fearrington Village near Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The restaurant serves a seasonal menu full of comfort food and southern classics meant to complement the casual meeting place atmosphere. All menu items are also designed around the restaurant’s extensive bar and wine list.
Birchwood Café
This popular café is a pillar of the community in Minneapolis. Birchwood Cafe features breakfast, lunch and dinner options throughout the week, with menu items such as strawberry salad, vegetable hand pies and savory waffles. The restaurant sources much of its food from local farms and hosts art showings and other events to benefit the local community.
Peter Luger Steakhouse
With locations in Brooklyn and Great Neck, New York, Peter Luger Steakhouse provides traditional steak house fare in an old fashioned beer hall setting. The menu includes USDA prime steaks and special lunch items like pot roast and homestyle chicken.
Jitlada
Jitlada offers authentic Thai cuisine in an unassuming looking strip mall location in Los Angeles. Popular menu items include Thai spring rolls and Oxtail soup. The actual location doesn’t feature much indoor seating. But it can still provide a casual source for a good quality lunch to satisfy the most discerning Thai food fans.
Tei-An
This Japanese Soba house is located in Dallas, Texas. The restaurant and bar are open for lunch throughout the week. And Tei-An’s menu features specialties ranging from sashimi and tempura to soba and pressed sushi.
Detroit Vegan Soul
For the vegan and health conscious professionals, Detroit Vegan Soul offers menu options made from whole, plant-based foods in Detroit, Michigan. There you can find soul food inspired menu items like “catfish” tofu and seitan pepper steak, along with corn on the cob and kale salads.
The Optimist
The Optimist is a fine seafood restaurant in Atlanta that focuses on sustainable menu options. The menu features a full oyster bar selection along with other fine seafood options. So the restaurant provides an authentic seaside experience in landlocked Atlanta.
Café Annie
Located in Houston, Texas, Cafe Annie mixes southwest styles and flavors with other refined cooking methods. Popular menu items include bacon wrapped quail, shrimp tacos and blueberry salad.
Babbo
Babbo is a luxurious spot for Italian fare in New York City. The menu features some classic options like fettuccine and linguine but also some more adventurous choices like grilled quail and beef cheek ravioli.
Pigwich
In Kansas City, Missouri, Pigwich is a restaurant that serves sandwiches and burgers. Perfect for quick, relaxed meetings, you can get a sandwich for just $7 or a combo with homemade chips and a drink for $9. Daily specials include brisket and meatloaf patty melt.
avec
In Chicago, avec is a unique restaurant that offers lunch reservations and walk in seating for guests. The menu features a number of sustainable options and unique fare including beet tartine, lamb burger and a variety of small plates that are perfect for sharing.
Zuni Café
Zuni Café is a San Francisco-based restaurant that incorporates French and Italian flavors into its cuisine. The menu changes daily based on the availability of sustainable, organic ingredients. So it’s a good spot to go regularly for lunch and still get something different each time.
Peche
Peche is a seafood grill in New Orleans that has won multiple awards for its cuisine. The restaurant features a variety of locally sourced menu items, including small plates, a raw bar and grilled seafood options.
L’Albatros Brasserie + Bar
This Cleveland restaurant features French inspired menu options including croque monsieur and duck confit. L’Albatros Brasserie + Bar also features an upscale environment as well as an outdoor patio for you to enjoy the fresh air during summer meetings.
D’Amico’s The Continental
Located in Naples, Florida, D’Amico’s The Continental is a mix between a steak house and a craft bar. The menu features prime cuts of beef, along with both classic and modern libations. The location also features both indoor and outdoor seating and live entertainment seven days a week.
Spago
From Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff, Spago is a staple of the Beverly Hills restaurant community. The menu features specialty items such as local market fish options and pizzas from the wood burning oven. And the restaurant also features a bar area and private dining options.
Caspian Café
Caspian Café features Mediterranean inspired cuisine in Colorado Springs. The lunch menu features specialties like baba ghanouj, shrimp pesto and Mediterranean pizza.
Whistle Pig Korean
If you’re in the mood for some interesting Korean food in Bozeman, Montana, there’s Whistle Pig Korean. The restaurant features a laid back atmosphere with affordable yet healthy menu options like vegan bibimbap and bulgogi.
Oyster Club
This specialty seafood restaurant is located in Mystic, Connecticut. Aside from Oyster Club’s selection of local oysters and clams, the restaurant is also known for it’s Treehouse location, which is an outdoor oasis above the restaurant, perfect for people who want to feel like they’re getting away from it all during lunch.
Guerrilla Tacos
You might not expect to find world class fare from a mobile food truck. But Guerrilla Tacos in Los Angeles aims to provide just that. While not exactly a standard meeting spot, this food truck has a regular weekly schedule, so it could make for an interesting meeting place for casual lunches. And, of course, the menu includes unique taco options including baja shrimp and sweet potato tacos, all made with fresh, local ingredients.
Husk
Husk is a Nashville staple that specializes in southern cuisine. The menu features items that put a modern or playful spin on the classics, like crispy chicken skins and fried squash bread.
The Black Sheep
In Richmond, Virginia, The Black Sheep features southern and Cajun cuisines in a comfortable atmosphere. The menu features biscuits and gravy, grits and more southern favorites. And there are also some vegetarian options for those with stricter diets.
Franklin Barbecue
This popular barbecue spot in Austin, Texas opens at 11 a.m. daily and is only open for lunch until the day’s food selection is sold out. Franklin Barbecue serves brisket, pulled pork and more classic barbecue items by the pound, along with sandwiches and other individual menu options.
Momofuku Noodle Bar
This NYC establishment features ramen, fried chicken, pork buns and other unique specialties. Momofuku has lunch hours throughout the week and offers affordable options ranging from $2 snacks to $18 larger plates.
Night + Market Song
In Los Angeles, California, this restaurant features Thai street food items like pad Thai and hot pot soup. Night + Market Song features a laid back environment that aims to create a fun time among friends.
Boqueria
Located in Dupont Circle in Washington D.C., Boqueria offers an affordable tapas bar menu for lunch during the week, along with a la carte options like seared tuna sandwiches and even some vegetarian options.
Del Posto
An Italian eatery located in the meatpacking district of New York City, Del Posto is known for its unique and high quality cuisine, along with luxurious dining experience. Menu options include Traditional Del Posto Garganelli Verdi and Livorno Style Cacciucco.
Pok Pok
In Portland, Oregon, this Thai restaurant serves menu items inspired by the foods found in the pubs, homes and streets of Southeast Asia. The menu features popular specialties like Kai Yaang and Papaya Pok Pok. And the food at Pok Pok is served family style, so you can easily share different menu items with everyone at your table.
Pizzeria Bianco
This Phoenix establishment specializes in artisanal pizzas like those made with fresh mozzarella, parmigiano reggiano, ricotta, fennel sausage and even pistachios. Pizzeria Bianco has two locations in Phoenix and provides a laid back atmosphere for lunch outings.
Kitchen Table
Kitchen Table in Omaha, Nebraska aims to provide fresh, healthy menu items made from local ingredients. All foods are made from scratch. And some of the lunch menu items include veggie dog sliders, hummus salad and even a grown up pb&j.
Uchi
This Austin, Texas based restaurant features menu items including specialty sushi and sashimi, along with other Asian inspired items and even saki social options. Uchi is a great option for those who want a bit of a different experience for their business lunches.
Manresa
In Los Gatos, California, Manresa focuses on offering a unique tasting experience for every diner. Reservations are required, so this business lunch might take a bit of planning. But the ever-changing tasting menu means that you’ll get a truly one-of-a-kind experience that can be made even more special with beverage pairings specifically made to go with your tasting experience.
Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse is a neighborhood bistro in Berkeley, California. The café menu features lunch items like heirloom tomato and shell bean salad and wild mushrooms with parmesan.
Cheese & Coffee
This specialty sandwich shop in Albuquerque, New Mexico is perfect for quick meetings where you just want some good, solid food and maybe a cup of coffee. Cheese & Coffee’s menu features classics like corned beef, pastrami and tuna melt sandwiches, along with some specialty items.
al di la Trattoria
This Brooklyn establishment features a number of classic and Italian inspired dishes, including ricotta and lemon ravioli and pork belly hash. The restaurant features a traditional seating area and a bar that can be reserved for private events. But unlike a lot of the upscale options on the list, al di la is mainly a walk-in establishment. So it can work for those more spur of the moment business lunches.
Galatoire’s
Located on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, Galatoire’s features an upscale menu that’s heavy on the shellfish. But it also includes classic steak and poultry dishes. For those who want to experience the New Orleans culture in an upscale way, lunches at Galatoire’s can be an attractive option.
Salvation Taco
Salvation Taco is located on the rooftop of the Pod 39 hotel in New York City. Walk in diners are welcome at this establishment, which offers a laid back rooftop atmosphere and affordable menu items such as Mexican sticky rice tamales and pork belly with kimchi.
Wright Square Café
The Wright Square Cafe is a downtown Savannah, Georgia restaurant that features European inspired fare using fresh ingredients. The lunch menu features salads, Panini and bistro sandwiches. And there’s even a selection of fine chocolates to choose from.
Holeman and Finch
This Atlanta establishment offers lunch hours on Fridays and weekends. And the menu at Holeman and Finch features a number of unique and affordable options ranging from house-made dry cured meats to veal brains and even regular old cheeseburgers.
Chuck’s
Chuck’s is a burger bar located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The menu features specialty burgers like the high and valley, which includes crushed avocado, bacon-onion jam and blistered red peppers, and the last word, which features sottocenere truffle cheese and shredded dino kale in hazlenut vinaigrette.
Roberta’s
This Brooklyn pizza restaurant offers a menu of items made with local ingredients including some from the restaurant’s own garden. Roberta’s menu features classic and specialty pizzas, along with sandwiches, pasta and more.
Lunch Group Photo via Shutterstock
This article, "50 Perfect Millennial Business Lunches" was first published on Small Business Trends
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