Business Lunches in London: 6 Top Spots to Seal the Deal

Whether you’re catching up with long-time colleagues or building new professional connections, a business lunch remains a key tool for maintaining your network. It’s the perfect setting to refine the details of a project or explore future collaborations. Provided, of course, that you follow a few essential rules: punctuality is a must, and laptops should stay at the office to make way for a fluid and engaging conversation. Finally, choosing a venue that’s accessible and suited to the tone of your meeting is essential.

Need some inspiration? Here are six must-visit spots in the British capital that are sure to delight professionals seeking an exceptional dining experience.

1. Poon’s (Somerset House)

Amy Poon cut her teeth in the restaurant world at her family’s establishments, the very first of which opened in London in 1973. Despite her parents’ success—they were awarded a Michelin star—she had initially vowed never to go it alone, aware of the personal sacrifices and grueling hours that came with it. Yet her passion won out: the desire to delight others was simply stronger, almost visceral.

After hosting a series of notable pop-up events, including a one-year residency at Carousel, Poon’s has permanently settled into the new wing of Somerset House. This magnificent space with high ceilings, adorned with stunning murals, features a beautifully illustrated menu. Here, you’ll delight in the chef’s famous wontons, as well as the signature dishes that made her parents famous.

Must-try dishes: Cocotte rice with cured meats, Covent Garden-style duck salad, Lisle Street zha jiang noodles, and the famous “The Hill That Amy Didn’t Die On,” a particularly elaborate shrimp toast added to the menu on her mother’s wise advice.

2. Simpson’s in the Strand (Covent Garden)

While Jeremy King and Shayne Brady have been behind several London institutions over the past fifteen years, their new venture, Simpson’s in the Strand, is part of a legacy dating back nearly two centuries. This former chess club, transformed into a restaurant, opened its doors in 1828. Since 1904, diners have come here for its roast meats and Yorkshire puddings, served spectacularly on silver trolleys. Forced to close in the spring of 2020, this gem of the Edwardian era underwent a major renovation following its recent acquisition.

Today, the establishment has risen from the ashes and brings together several spaces with distinct atmospheres under one roof. Guests can move between the majestic Grand Divan, the highly theatrical Romano’s, the timeless Simpson’s Bar, the elegant Nellie’s Bar, or an intimate ballroom.

This establishment remains absolutely faithful to British cuisine, a golden rule established as far back as 1862. More than a century later, the tradition endures with dishes deeply rooted in the English countryside. In the Grand Divan, the ritual of Devon beef carved at the table never fails to impress, while Romano’s offers a more intimate atmosphere with lighter fare, enjoyed under the watchful gaze of portraits of the playwrights who once frequented the venue.

Order with confidence: Opt for the generous roasts in the main dining room or choose more modern creations at Romano’s. Finish your evening at Nellie’s Tavern with their signature cocktail: the “Peach Melba Sling.”

3. Mountain (Soho)

On the corner of Beak Street in the Soho neighborhood, an imposing red-brick building houses Mountain. The charm of this Spanish-inspired restaurant is immediately apparent: you push open a heavy wooden door to discover a perfectly soundproofed dining room, dominated by a magnificent elm counter and enhanced by artisan woodwork. This vast, bright space spread over two floors seats about a hundred guests in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

In the kitchen, Welsh chef Tomos Parry professes his love for impeccably fresh seafood and exceptional ingredients. Drawing inspiration from the Spanish concept of "mar y montaña" (land and sea), he delivers a culinary masterpiece. The experience is designed to be convivial, punctuated by small plates to share: spicy sobrassada, wild garlic fritters, wild broccoli, and a crab omelet with a texture bordering on perfection.

Order with confidence: The whole lobster caldereta is a must-try, as are the superb daily fish catches. Meat lovers will gravitate toward the magnificent ribeye steaks. As for more adventurous palates, the sweetbreads and tripe offer the perfect excuse to come back for another meal.

4. Sune (London Fields)

Nestled on the edge of the bustling Broadway Market, Sune fits naturally into this popular corner of East London. Founded by the duo Honey Spencer and Charlie Sims, this spot embraces a warm, unpretentious vibe—despite Sims’ impressive resume, which includes a stint at the legendary Noma. The interior charms with its raw finishes, wooden floors, brick bar topped with zinc, and large, light-filled windows.

In the kitchen, Chef Michael Robins creates highly creative bites: a confit egg resting on a generous potato patty, or "strozzapreti" pasta topped with marinated mushrooms and a runny egg yolk. On the sweet side, a sumptuous poached pear on a bed of white chocolate custard will seal the deal. A menu so impressive that it’s sure to prompt future reservations.

Order this without hesitation: Red mullet, enhanced with sea herbs and served in a broth with smoky notes. Don’t skip the side of roasted potatoes, drizzled with a rich brown butter.

5. Camille (Borough Market)

Conceived by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill, the creators of Ducksoup and Little Duck, Camille brings a breath of Provençal “cave à manger” to the heart of a neighborhood renowned for championing purely British products. On the menu: mustard-glazed pig’s trotter terrine with crunchy pickles, as well as superb seasonal dishes to share (crab toast, melt-in-your-mouth lamb shanks, crispy broccoli…).

The generous portions extend to the desserts, which definitely deserve a little room in your stomach. It’s hard to resist their flambéed tarte flambée, resting on a perfect sweet pastry made with brown butter.

Order with confidence: Trust the chalkboard! Since the menu changes with the seasons, it always holds wonderful surprises depending on what’s fresh from the market.

6. Sweetings (City of London)

The City is a fascinating neighborhood where Roman ruins stand side by side with brand-new skyscrapers. In this bustling financial maze during the week, Sweetings—a discreet seafood restaurant with about sixty seats that opened in 1889—stands as an unyielding institution. Here, you don’t make reservations, you don’t order tea or coffee, and you can only dine here on weekdays for lunch. The hours, unchanged since the 19th century, reflect a true philosophy of resistance to the frenzy of London life.

Despite all this, regulars fight for seats at this time-worn gem, with its antique woodwork and cream-colored walls, all enhanced by immaculate tablecloths. Waitstaff in vests and ties bustle across the terrazzo floor, serving house-made gravlax, oysters, and majestic sole. In the dining room, the pop of champagne corks mingles with the clink of pewter mugs filled with “black velvets” (a surprising champagne-Guinness cocktail) enjoyed by the business clientele. It’s the perfect spot for a private chat or to celebrate a decisive deal.

Must-try dishes: Skate wing with caper and black butter sauce, local oysters, sole, and the iconic “black velvet” cocktail.