7 Best Restaurants for Business Lunches in DC
Our nation’s capital is also the capital of the power lunch. Aside from the working lunch element, a business lunch is the perfect way to try some of DC’s hottest restaurants without the dinner price tag. Whether you’re visiting a client or catching up with acquaintances, there are plenty of options for business lunches in DC.
The Oval Room
Only a block away from the White House, The Oval Room is a DC business lunch classic. It is not uncommon to spot politicians discussing policy over the colorful salads prepared by Chef Bryan Moscatello.
Although The Oval Room is a classic fine dining restaurant, you can also lunch with a start-up budget. Their bar lunch is a great deal, including a main, dessert, and glass of wine for only $20 at the bar.
China Chilcano
Although its colorful festive setting says fiesta, China Chilcano is an excellent spot for a business lunch in DC. Centrally located in Penn Quarter, it’s walking distance from many of the agencies and it’s metro accessible. A perk of ordering ceviche is that it doesn’t take long to prepare, making it the perfect choice for a quick yet memorable lunch. That being said, ceviche, raw, citrus-cured seafood is not for everybody. The menu also includes Peruvian classics such as arroz chaufa (fried rice) and lomo saltado (steak, potatoes, and bell peppers).
Sushi Taro
Want to impress clients or potential business partners with beautifully presented sushi? Sushi Taro is the place. This Michelin-starred restaurant is impossible to book in the evenings but you can make lunch reservations quite easily online, only a few days in advance.
If you’re up for an early or late lunch, you can even nab your reservation the day of. Choose from their gorgeously displayed bento boxes or indulge in one of their sushi platters.
Casa Luca
If you love Italian food, Casa Luca is a great option for a business lunch in DC. As with all Fabio Trabocchi restaurants, dining at Casa Luca is an experience. You’re welcomed by stylish staff and led into their cozy dining space.
Looking to eat light? Check out Maria’s light menu for a 3 course meal including a delicious salad and a light dessert. Then again, if you want to treat yourself, there’s lobster gnocchi!
ICI Urban Bistro
Do you want an elegantly displayed lunch in less than 30 minutes? ICI Urban Bistro at the Sofitel Washington, DC provides just that. Their 30-minute lunch consists of four small dishes – an appetizer, salad, entree, and dessert – all presented at the same time. The choices vary by season but one theme is constant: their delicate French flair. Their offerings include savory everything from Provence-inspired grilled seafood to decadent macaroons.
Taberna del Alabardero
A popular choice among diplomats, Taberna del Alabardero has been feeding the international crowd in DC for over thirty years.
When you walk into their space, you’re immediately transported to Madrid with their old world decor of brass and velvet. Nothing says team building like sharing a lobster paella for lunch!
Charlie Palmer Steak DC
No DC business lunch list is complete without a steakhouse. Many restaurants come and go but steakhouses are a constant in the District. A stone’s throw from The Capitol, Charlie Palmer is a modern take on the classic steakhouse. With a modern design and tons of natural light from its wide windows, it gives a welcoming vibe despite spotting senators on any given day. Their lunch menu ranges from the decadent ribeye to a delicate tuna tartare. Not to miss: their three course prix fixe menu for $25.