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A business meal needs a particular kind of restaurant: smart but not stuffy, quiet enough to talk, reliable enough to impress a client, and central enough to reach between meetings. London has a deep bench of them, clustered in the City and the West End. This guide covers where to book to get down to business.
What makes a good business restaurant
The essentials are a calm, well-spaced room where a conversation can be heard, professional service that neither rushes nor lingers, and food that is impressive without being fussy. A central location and a good wine list help, and for a working lunch a set menu can keep things efficient. Book ahead and request a quieter table.
Grand cafes and West End classics
For a polished, all-day option, the grand cafes are ideal: The Wolseley on Piccadilly and its sibling The Delaunay near Aldwych are reliable, handsome and central. In Mayfair, the glamorous Scott's and the clubby Cecconi's are long-standing choices for a deal over lunch.
City power lunches
In the Square Mile, a cluster of restaurants exists precisely for business. Coq d'Argent offers a rooftop garden above the Bank junction, the old-school fish restaurant Sweetings is a City institution, and City Social pairs smart cooking with a skyline view. These are the rooms where London's financial deals are done.
Good to know
Where do people take clients for lunch in London?
In the West End, grand cafes such as The Wolseley and Mayfair rooms like Scott's are classic choices, while in the City, Coq d'Argent, Sweetings and City Social are long-established business spots. The best choice depends on where your meeting is and how formal the occasion needs to be.
What should I look for in a business restaurant?
Choose somewhere quiet enough to hold a conversation, with well-spaced tables, attentive but unobtrusive service and a central location. Impressive but straightforward food and a decent wine list round it off, and requesting a quieter table when you book makes a real difference.
Where to go next
For a grander occasion see our guide to special-occasion restaurants, or browse the best restaurants in London and fine dining.
