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Office Freedom
Office Freedom
  • 3 Minute Read
  • 16th August 2017

Where should I take my clients for lunch in London?

Impress your clients and bag the deal at one of these prime lunch locations.

Despite the many thousands of options out there, it can be difficult to find - or decide on - somewhere to eat in London. The West End is always stock full of tourists all vying for a seat, and the City of London can sometimes feel so soulless it hurts. To make things easier, we've hunted down some of the best venues this colorful city has to offer, and organised them into a nice top 10 list for your reading pleasure.

Enjoy!

1. Sky Garden, Fenchurch Street

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Built (and planted) in 2015, the Sky Garden sits atop one of London's tallest skyscrapers, and acts as a colourful oasis in the middle of the City. Visiting the Walkie Talkie building's epic Sky Garden is free of charge for everyone - but you must book well in advance. Once there, you can choose to wine and dine your clients in one of five top eateries, suitable for dinner, drinks or both. Expect stunning views of the capital's skyline and exceptional service.

client lunch

Source: Colin

Another of London's secret gardens lies within the Barbican Centre and is open on Sundays and Bank Holidays only.

2. Chisou, Mayfair & Knightsbridge

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Sushi, sashimi, sake and sakana - Chisou serves up authentic Japanese cuisine guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest client's palate. The restaurant offers a range of menus for different stages of the day, all specialising in izakaya - small plates that are perfect for sharing with clients and colleagues over a cold flask of the strong stuff.

3. Workshop Coffee Company, Central London Locations

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With branches in Old Street, Holborn, Marylebone and Fitzrovia, you're never far from a Workshop Coffee if you live or work in Central London. Expert espressos are served throughout the day and there's enough space to sit down and relax for a lunch with a client or two.

client lunch

Their newest location can be found in the White Collar Factory, where you can also rent a workspace.

4. Dishoom, Shoreditch

'From Bombay with love' is the venue's motto and tagline. Inspired by the classic old Irani Cafes of 1960s Bombay, Dishoom aims to replicate their characterful atmosphere whilst serving up everything from healthy light salad dishes to indulgent bacon naan rolls.

Unfortunately, you can't make a reservation here, but feel free to browse the menu before turning up.

5. Brawn, Columbia Road

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Brawn is an unassuming yet superb restaurant set on Columbia Road, East London's most floral street. The lunch menu serves up dishes for under £10 and the chef creates recipes with provenance in mind. Where possible, ingredients are sourced from local producers and suppliers.

client lunch

Columbia Road's flower market is open on Sundays only.

6. Black Roe, near Hanover Square

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Hidden away in the heart of Mayfair around the back of Maddox Street is Black Roe, London's top Pacific Rim restaurant and perfect the perfect plaice (sorry!) for lovers of fish. Rated 4.5 on Trip Advisor and described as "a relaxed stylish environment."

client lunch

Show them love - after all, the way to a client's wallet is through their stomach.

7. Palatino, Clerkenwell

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Adjoining London's first proworking space, this restaurant is run by top chef Stevie Parle and specialises in Italian - specifically Rome orientated - fare. If you're feeling flush, treat your client to six courses, from the antipasti through to gelato, not forgetting, of course, the famous Palatino Spritz. Having a workspace in the same building also gives you the opportunity to book a meeting room too.

8. Treves and Hyde, Aldgate East

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I discovered this little gem of a restaurant when I spent the day coworking at Techspace in Aldgate. Think cool, clean architecture, classic cocktails with a twist and the freshest of ingredients. Definitely one for creative clients with an appreciation for diverse flavours.

9. Cafe OTO, Dalston

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Cafe OTO has been one of the trendiest places to go in Hackney since it opened its doors to experimental performances almost a decade ago. So much so in fact that Vogue Italia named it 'the coolest venue in London'. The space is also used to record live albums for the cafes own label, OTOROKU.

By day, the venue is a great place to host a lunch meeting - out and indoor seating is available, alongside a variety of wines, beers and freshly made fare. And if you fancy staying for the music, tickets can be bought on the door at the venue.

client lunch

Source: Ewan Munro

10. Benugo Bar & Kitchen, BFI Southbank

Book a table and see what's on.

As a high street cafe chain, Benugo is at the higher end of the spectrum, but it's really the location that makes this one list-worthy. The British Film Institute, founded in 1933, is home to the nation film archive and shows some of the greatest old films and most innovative new ones in its three screens.

client lunch

Eat, drink and catch a classic movie, like Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, 1992.