The best restaurants in London for a business lunch

Whether you want to impress a client or treat your team, there are plenty of great places in London to enjoy a business lunch. From casual Italian restaurants and sandwich spots to swanky steakhouses and wine bars, the choices are endless!

Need some inspiration? We’ve put together a list of mouth-watering recommendations to help you decide where to go. 

Hawksmoor - Air Street 

Head to Hawksmoor for a classic British menu including a full cocktail and wine list. Offering high quality dishes made from the finest homegrown ingredients, Hawksmoor’s delicious menu covers a range of plates, from seafood to steak.

This popular dining spot offers an upmarket yet laid-back atmosphere, with impressive architecture and a chic interior. There are options for private dining and a set two- or three-course menu for a fixed price. 

Cuisine: British steakhouse
Price: ££
How to get there: From London Waterloo, hop on the tube and head northbound on the Bakerloo line to Piccadilly Circus. From there, the restaurant is about a minute’s walk. The address is 5a Air Street, London W1J 0AD.

Scarpetta - Canary Wharf 

Located in Canary Wharf, Scarpetta is a buzzy, all-day Italian restaurant. Offering affordable and authentic Italian cuisine, this delightful restaurant is an easy option for a business lunch for those working in the city’s East side.

Choose from a range of small plates and fresh pasta dishes. Pair your lunch with wine from an extensive list, or opt for a cocktail. 

Cuisine: Italian
Price: £
How to get there: The closest train station is London Waterloo. From there, jump on the tube at Waterloo and head eastbound on the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf. The restaurant is a two-minute walk from the tube stop. The address is 20 Canada Square, London E14 5NN. 

Cabotte

Cabotte is a wine bar and restaurant in the heart of London that offers a modern take on traditional French cuisine. Enjoy the authentic seasonal menu with dishes made from quality ingredients.

Set up by two Master Sommeliers, Cabotte has a unique, hand-selected wine list. With private dining options available for large groups, head here for a cool but classy business bistro-style lunch.

Cuisine: French
Price: ££
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take the tube eastbound to Bank on the Waterloo & City Line. From there, the restaurant is a four-minute walk. The address is 48 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7AY. 

Social Eating House - Soho 

Visit Social Eating House for a relaxed atmosphere and an impressive menu of contemporary sharing plates. It’s a great spot for a sophisticated lunch.

Get a meal from the a la carte menu or opt for a two- or three-course set menu. A semi-private dining room is also available for hire. After lunch, head upstairs to The Blind Pig for cocktails in one of London’s finest speakeasies.

Cuisine: British food and cocktails
Price: ££
How to get there: London Waterloo is the closest station to Social Eating House. From there, get the tube to Piccadilly Circus, northbound on the Bakerloo line, then walk for seven minutes to reach the restaurant. The address is 58 Poland Street, Soho, London W1F 7NR. 

La Gamba - Waterloo

If you're after lunch with a view head to tapas restaurant La Gamba which overlooks the Thames. 

Enjoy a selection of sharing dishes, including ham croquettes, cured chorizo, and plenty of veggie options like Spanish tortilla, roasted aubergine and more. 

Cuisine: Spanish
Price: ££
How to get there: From London Waterloo, take a short 5 minute stroll to Unit 3, Royal Festival Hall, SE1 8XX. 

Berenjak - Borough

For drinks, choose from specialty cocktails right through to wine, beer, and soft drinks. Berenjak takes dining bookings for up to 14 people, with set menus available for a fixed price per head.

Cuisine: Persian
Price: ££
How to get there: The closest station is London Waterloo. From there, catch the eastbound tube via the Jubilee line to London Bridge. The restaurant is a four-minute walk. The address is 1 Bedale street, London SE1 9AL. 

Dehesa -Soho

Dehesa is a Mediterranean-inspired small plates restaurant in Soho, ideal for casual dining. With a seasonal menu of tapas and sharing plates, visit Dehesa for an easy-going atmosphere with Spanish and Italian flair.

Larger parties can enjoy a group set menu. Or, choose from a selection of plates for the table and pick a bottle of wine from the extensive list. With ample outdoor dining space, it’s the perfect spot for lunch with colleagues in the summer.

Cuisine: Spanish and Italian
Price: ££
How to get there: Dehesa is a short tube journey from London Waterloo. Travel northbound on the Bakerloo line and get off at Oxford Circus, just a five-minute walk from the restaurant. The address is 25 Ganton Street, London W1F 9BP. 

The Coal Shed - London Bridge

The Coal Shed is located near Tower Bridge, offering a modern dining experience with an open grill and cocktail bar. This popular dining spot prides itself on its coal-roasted heritage meat and fish selection.

With an a la carte menu, specials and seasonal dishes that are regularly updated, The Coal Shed is the perfect place for meat lovers. There are some vegetarian options, too! For extra privacy, book the private dining room for your lunch meeting.

Cuisine: Persian-inspired grilled meat and fish
Price: £
How to get there: The closest station is London Waterloo. From there, head eastbound on the tube via the Jubilee line from Waterloo to London Bridge. The restaurant is a 10-minute walk from London Bridge tube station. The address is One Tower Bridge, 4 Crown Square, London SE1 2SE.

Ekstedt at The Yard - Westminster

In the heart of Westminster, Ekstedt at The Yard was founded by Michelin-starred chef Niklas Ekstedt and offers premier Scandinavian cuisine made from seasonal British ingredients. 

Open Tuesday to Sunday, the impressive tasting menu is bound to impress, or guests can fill up on a traditional two- or three-course meal.

Cuisine: Scandinavian 
Price: £££
How to get there: Ekstedt at The Yard is a 13-minute walk from London Waterloo, or a short tube journey to Embankment, northbound on the Bakerloo line. The address is 3-5 Great Scotland Yard, London SW1A 2HN.

Discover cheap train tickets with SWR

Heading into London for a business lunch? Get prepared with our business meeting checklist before you set off. Discover cheap train tickets to your chosen destination by going off-peak, or buy a Railcard to save even more. If you travel often to meet your teammates, you may benefit from GroupSave or a Family and Friends Railcard.

If you are a business client, you can buy business train tickets with Business Direct, SWR’s business and corporate train service platform.