The top 10 restaurants in London for business meetings
London is diverse, exciting and brave when it comes to pushing dining limits, which explains why the city is one of the world’s most visited restaurant capitals. And, although the once-bustling restaurant city has taken a painful hit due to a continuation of strict lockdowns, it hasn’t stopped visitors, Londoners and business professionals from remaining hopeful.
Sooner or later, business meetings will once again be an event that allows for much discussion, planning and, of course, dining.
To inspire and take the worry out of planning a business meeting, here is a guide to eateries across London to impress your companions.
10 of London’s best restaurants for business
Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Mayfair
The acclaimed Michelin-starred fine-dining institution, Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, serves the highest quality British and French ingredients, focusing on seafood and seasonal vegetables.
Led by Executive Chef Jean-Philippe Blondet, the restaurant offers a new fine-dining menu every season. The set lunch menu changes every Wednesday.
Opening hours: lunch from 12–1:30pm, Wednesday to Friday; dinner from 6–10pm, Wednesday to Saturday.
OXO Tower Restaurant, South Bank
Situated on the eighth floor of the famous OXO Tower, the OXO Tower Restaurant is walking distance from the National Theatre, Big Ben, the London Eye and Trafalgar Square.
Diners can take in St Paul’s and the city’s skyline views while enjoying seasonal British food, afternoon tea or cocktails, depending on your meeting style.
With a menu created by Executive Head Chef Jeremy Bloor and an extensive wine list picked by Head Sommelier Diego Muntoni, OXO Tower Restaurant is the ideal venue for appointments that require a touch of luxury.
Opening hours: lunch from 12–2:30pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and 12–3pm, Sunday; afternoon tea from 3–4pm, Wednesday to Saturday, and from 3.30–4:30pm, Sunday; dinner from 5–9:30pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 5:30–9:30pm, Sunday.
The Cinnamon Club, Westminster
Set in the historic former Westminster Library, The Cinnamon Club is an institution in the world of Indian fine dining. The restaurant also offers private dining options and can accommodate groups for sit-down meals or standing canape events.
The menus feature vesavara-spiced lamb mille-feuille with smoked paprika raita; char-grilled halibut fillet with Mangalore style curry sauce; Cured salmon moily, mustard seed caviar and curry leaf snow; and crisp courgette flower with tamarind glazed vegetables, grilled zucchini and cholar dal.
Opening hours: lunch from 12–3pm, Monday to Sunday; dinner from 6–11pm, Monday to Saturday, and from 5–10pm, Sunday.
Frenchie Covent Garden, Covent Garden
Frenchie Covent Garden – owned and led by acclaimed chef Gregory Marchand – is a modern French brasserie that combines the best of France and Britain.
Diners can indulge in the set menu, a tasting menu or the a la carte option, depending on your meeting’s needs. There is also the five-course seasonal vegetarian menu – only available for dinner. Menu highlights include bacon scone, maple syrup and Cornish clotted cream; buttermilk fried chicken, cream and caviar; and Scottish scallops, foie gras, celeriac and black truffle.
Opening hours: lunch from 12–2.30pm, Monday to Sunday; dinner from 5.30–10.30pm, Monday to Friday, and from 6–10.30pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Kaspar’s at The Savoy, The Strand
Kaspar’s at The Savoy showcases "contemporary seasonal dishes from land and sea" that evolve from casual lunches to chic dinners throughout the day.
The restaurant’s menu, created by Joost Bijster, features the finest ingredients sourced from across the British Isles, including Dover sole with brown butter caper sauce, Ilse of Harris lobster, and native oysters.
For meetings of up to 14, guests can also enjoy an exclusive dinner in Kaspar’s private dining room that overlooks the River Thames.
Opening hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am–11pm, Monday to Friday, and from 12–11pm, Saturday and Sunday.
Claude Bosi at Bibendum, Chelsea
Located on the first floor of the historic original UK headquarters for the Michelin Tyre Company, Claude Bosi offers guests an opulent French dining experience that’ll undoubtedly impress.
The light-bathed first-floor dining room features a giant stained-glass depiction of Bibendum (the Michelin Man), with "well-spaced tables and attentive service".
The fine-dining menu yields the likes of veal sweetbread with black cardamom, coffee, cédrat lemon; Norfolk quail with cumin, Brassicaceae and matcha tea; and Brittany rabbit with Scottish langoustine and French tarragon, plus much more.
Opening hours: lunch from 12–2pm, Friday to Sunday; dinner from 6–9pm ,Tuesday to Sunday.
Laylow, Notting Hill
The restaurant at Laylow showcases a menu of "freshness, subtlety and quality" with vegan, vegetarian and meat options.
The drinks selection also doesn’t disappoint as guests can choose from a comprehensive list of no-and-low alcoholic beverages, cocktails, wines, champagnes, beers and cider. Designed by Bella Freud, the interior is described as "lavish in its details yet simple in its appearance, offering understated elegance".
Opening hours: lunch and dinner from 12–11pm, Friday and Saturday; dinner from 6–11pm, Wednesday and Thursday; lunch and dinner from 12–9pm, Sunday.
Kettner’s, Soho
Located in seven Grade II-listed (structure of special interest) townhouses, Kettner’s is a London venue with history, luxury and comfort, making for a meeting sure to impress.
Serving as a lounge, brasserie, and collection of private dining rooms, Kettner’s is a Soho institution known to be a stomping ground for the likes of Oscar Wilde and Sir Winston Churchill.
Closed since 2016 after a 150-year run, Kettner’s reopened its doors in 2018 following a wholesale refurbishment by new owners Soho House, who have now made the restaurant and piano bar members only. The Art Deco Champagne Bar remains open to the public, so this is an option for a more impromptu get-together.
The house kitchen, which serves modern British dishes with European influences, prepares hearty, unpretentiousness and classic dishes that appeal to various diners. Menu highlights include squash risotto with sage and pumpkin seeds; aged rib eye with onion rings and bearnaise; and Norfolk bronze turkey with sage and onion stuffing, and cranberry sauce.
Opening hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am–1am, Monday to Saturday; and from 8am–12pm, Sunday.
Franco’s, St. James’s
Franco’s – believed to be one of the first Italian restaurants in London – is situated amid lifestyle boutiques, private clubs, art galleries and hotels.
The restaurant offers various private dining spaces including boardroom-style private meetings, presentations, seminars, cocktail and dinner parties.
The set menu changes weekly while the a la carte menu offers a selection of dishes including salads, grills and house-made pasta and bread.
Opening hours: breakfast, lunch and dinner from 7am–12am, Monday to Friday, and from 8am–11.30pm, Saturday.
National Dining Rooms, Trafalgar Square
The views, atmosphere and the food make the National Dining Rooms a suitable business location. Located at the National Gallery, the venue looks out over Trafalgar Square, serving a selection of seasonal salads, open sandwiches, pastries and stone-baked pizzas.
The menu features roasted cauliflower with hazelnut butter, spicy cranberry and caper relish; roasted vegetables with Cotswold rapeseed oil; and roasted boneless half chicken with chestnut and brown mushroom sauce. There are also around 25 wines served by the glass to choose from.
Opening hours: breakfast and lunch from 10am–5pm, Monday to Sunday; dinner is only available until 9pm on Friday.
Please be mindful that it’s best to confirm the restaurant’s opening hours directly due to the changing government guidelines and restrictions.