There are two places to discuss an all-important deal or sign the dotted line. The first is your meeting room. The second is a swanky spot in the city.

If you opted for the latter, a business lunch needs no introduction. If not, we need to talk!

A short span of time is all you have to create an impression, so why not do it at a place that’s on top of its game? And thankfully, there are a few which enable you to do so at the drop of their name. They set the stage for those main moments with no compromise on the quality of food or service in the process. Boye Balogun, managing director and founder of Future Tech Media, helps us put together a list of the top ten (actually 12 – we’ve thrown in two for good measure) places that are ideal for a business lunch. 

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10. Bussola, The Westin Dubai

This charming Italian restaurant is a hit with diners for its terrace area that serves wood-fired pizzas. But don’t you worry, that’s not the only great thing about Bussola. Its business lunch gets our thumbs up too. The two-course menu, offering light and tasty dishes, changes daily.

The business lunch is available from noon to 2.45pm and is priced at AED 120.

For more info: call 04 511 7139

9. Ballarò, Conrad Dubai

You can choose to have a lunch or have a feast. And if the latter is what it takes to make a client smile, then there’s no need to scout your options. Ballarò offers an antipasti station. And for those looking to go all out, there’s a lunch buffet where you get popular international specialties prepared at live cooking stations. 

The antipasti buffet is priced at AED 65 while the lunch buffet is priced at AED 140.

For more info: call 04 444 7111

8. Certo, Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Media City

Ask a media guy (or girl) about Italian restaurant Certo and they will have lots to say. Good stuff, obvs. Some even claim it’s the closest you will get to Italy. The high-ceilinged restaurant is apt for professional meetings and the menu boasts some spectacular stuff including homemade braised beef ravioli, spicy salami (the real deal) pizza and stone-grilled veal chop.

For more info: call 04 366 9131

7. Okku, The H Hotel

We agree you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to a good Japanese lunch in the city. But creating its distinct identity among all is this extremely stylish spot, Okku, at the start of Sheikh Zayed Road. What’s not to love about a lunch menu that comes with a price tag of AED 69 and AED 99 and offers the same flavours and quality of grub that you’d pay almost triple the price for later in the day.

For more info: call 04 501 8777

= 6. Q43, Media One Hotel

While this loft-style venue on the 43^rd floor of Media One is notorious for its brunch and ladies night, the business lunch is a pleasant surprise. The three-course, reasonably-priced menu changes weekly but promises something for all palates. The bonus: Q43 has views of the Palm and extremely attentive staff.

For more info: call 04 443 5403

= 6. Mythos Kouzina & Grill, Armada BlueBay Hotel

Finding your way to this Greek restaurant is no less than
conquering a maze, but once you’re inside Mythos you
will understand why it’s called JLT’s hidden gem. It’s a cosy space that gives
out Mediterranean vibes with its clean, fresh décor and tranquil tunes. Some of
the standout dishes are gemista (tomatoes and capsicums stuffed with rice), the
gyros and the moussaka.

For more info: call 04 399 8166

5. The Ivy, Jumeirah Emirates Towers

Deep wood panels, stained glass décor and pretty good service
make this London import a hit in Dubai as well. Expect a proper taste of
England when you dig into The Ivy‘s weekly
changing business lunch menu. FYI, it includes stuff like confit duck salad,
calf’s liver with caramelised onion gravy and banana sticky toffee pudding.

The business lunch is available from noon to 4pm and is priced
at AED 130 (two-course) and AED 150 (three-course).

For more info: call 04 319 8767

4. Zuma, Gate Village 6, DIFC

This award-winning Japanese restaurant hasn’t disappointed diners since its opening therefore lunch here is a sure shot victory. Whether its rolls of soft shell crab or grilled freshwater eel or the moist melt-in-your-mouth miso black cod – the food at Zuma will ensure the deal swings in your favour.

For more info: call 04 425 5660

3. Roberto’s, Gate Village 8, DIFC

For Italian fare served with class, head to this fine-dining venue at DIFC.  The options on Roberto’s business lunch menu are plenty and the portions are generous. Though the menu changes weekly, you’re in for dishes such as asparagus soup, gluten-free gnocchi, homemade lasagna and slow-cooked short ribs.

The business lunch is available from noon to 3pm and is priced at AED 119.

For more info: call 04 386 0066

2. Intersect by Lexus, Gate Village 7, DIFC

What happens when a luxury car showrooms meets a traditional retail space? The result is a cool lunch experience. Only a second in the world, following the venue’s Tokyo debut around three years ago, the boutique-cum-café serves uncomplicated food – just how the afternoon meal should be! Intersect by Lexus‘ menu features items such as cured salmon with fennel, roasted French quail and prawn and clam mougrabieh. A cheeky walk between courses might be the quickest way to explore the culmination of technology, art, music and cuisine under one roof.

The business lunch menu is available from 11am to 3pm and is priced at AED 90 (two-course) and AED 110 (three-course).

For more info: call 04 355 9524

1. La Serre, Vida Downtown Dubai

If you spot a glass structure jutting out of Vida Downtown hotel
on Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, welcome, you’ve arrived at La Serre. The two-storey space houses a Parisian-style
boulangerie on the ground floor and a white bistro and bar on the first floor.
Its popularity with residents needs no mention proving there’s no space for error here. The onion tart, Burrata
and lentil salad are great to start with, but you haven’t experienced its fine
food until you order the whole seabass in salt crust (it’s large enough to
share), prawn risotto and whole roasted chicken with foie gras and truffle.
Très bon!

For more info: call 04 428 6966