Not everyone can have the charm of Don Draper, but we can help you nail your next business lunch meeting by choosing the right restaurant.
First off, you want to be mindful of your guest’s diet — don’t bring a vegetarian to a steakhouse.
Next, service should be attentive to obtain the check at a moment’s notice, but also observant enough to not intrude on any important conversations.
“We’ve all been there,” said Matt Russell, CEO of public relations firm Russell Public Communications. “Getting a server that annoyingly hovers and checks in with you every 90 seconds. While the eagerness is intended to maximize guest enjoyment, this level of service can easily interrupt the rhythm of the table conversation. And if this a business lunch, that rhythm is critical. The best business lunches are at venues where the servers understand this.”
While sandwiches are often ideal for a lunch break, you’ll want something more formal than a deli for a lunch meeting.
“Business lunch implies that we have actual businesses to return to after the lunch hour,” Russell said. “With this limitation, long ticket times can be a deal-breaker. We shouldn’t be waiting for our dishes to arrive at 12:45 if we were seated at noon. Restaurants that are able to serve a memorable meal, with the right level of service, within the confinements of the clock are favorites of mine.”
The environment should also be quiet enough that you don’t have to raise your voice across the table. At the same time, you want it just loud enough for a sense of privacy from eavesdroppers.
With these criteria in mind, Russell’s favorites for a business lunch are Kingfisher, Wildflower American Cuisine, Feast, and Arizona Inn.
In alphabetical order, here are our picks for the best restaurants for a business lunch.
Agustin Kitchen
100 S. Avenida del Convento Ste. 150
Nopales Fries at Agustin Kitchen (Credit: Dana Sullivan)
The elegant, clean interior is balanced with antler chandeliers and rustic wood tables for an environment formal enough to take anyone without any of the stuffiness.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Calamari – red bell peppers, carrot, mae ploy, black sesame seeds
Kale Pesto Salad – crispy tandoori garbanzos, sheep’s milk feta, kale pesto, Granny Smith apples
AZ Prime-Steak Frites – sirloin, fries, Whiskey Del Bac bavaroise sauce
Duck and Waffles – duck confit, Belgian waffle, cherry compote, sriracha maple syrup
For more information, call (520) 325-1541 or visit arizonainn.com.
Bottega Michelangelo
420 W. Magee Rd.
Interior at Bottega Michelangelo (Credit: Jackie Tran)
The recently renovated interior features a more open feel and wooden tables instead of the special occasion white tablecloth. Southern Italy-influenced dishes often involve red sauce, so try to avoid getting marinara or bolognese on your expensive business outfit.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Salmon – oven-roasted tomatoes, arugula, and olive risotto
The decor is more on the casual side, but the dishes are more refined. The room to place orders can get a little noisy, so choose one of the side rooms or the lovely patio for a more manageable volume level.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Grilled Salmon Salad – oranges, fennel, kalamata olives, red onion, grape tomatoes, pea sprouts, organic greens, citrus-orange vinaigrette
While we love sister restaurant The Little One, their loud music, and cash-only policy can cause issues for business meetings. Thankfully, Cafe Poca Cosa features cuisine as spectacular. Its location under a parking garage also means easy access downtown.
The menu changes twice daily, but you can also trust the Plato Poca Cosa to be a memorable meal.
Southwest Salad at Cup Cafe (Credit: Claire Kaufman)
Hotel restaurants are generally a safe bet for business lunch. Cup Cafe stands out with its spacious downtown patio and signature dishes.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Depot Salad – Piedmontese beef for its top sirloin along with mixed local greens, cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan, avocado, smoked crispy onions, and roasted shallot dressing
For more information, call (520) 798-1618 or visit hotelcongress.com.
El Berraco
2960 N. First Ave.
Lunch Combo with Shrimp Pastor Taco, Octopus Chicharrón Tostada, and Torito at El Berraco (Credit: Jackie Tran)
El Berraco’s dimly-lit environment features colorful tables and modern bossa nova tracks for an upbeat yet calm environment. Their lunch combo program features a self-ordering system on tablets to help keep the pace brisk.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Subvocados – avocados sliced in half and filled with salmon, fresh tuna with creamy oriental dressing
Shrimps al Grill – grilled shrimp brochetas with chile butter and chuqui salsa
El Octopus – grilled octopus, cilantro rice, special salsas
For more information, call (520) 620-9828 or visit el-berraco.com.
El Charro Cafe
311 N. Court Ave.
Carne Seca Burro at El Charro Café on Court Avenue (Credit: Jackie Tran)
An iconic local institution, El Charro’s carne seca and chimichanga are the stuff of legends.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Mole con Pollo – Chef Carlotta’s mole recipe over 100% natural, cage free grilled chicken breast with arroz blanco, frijoles charros, y tortillas
El Charro Carne Seca Recipes – your choice of carne seca recipe: lunch-size platter or burrito
Just Keto – Three lettuce-wrapped chicken, avocado, and bacon tacos topped with queso cotija, toasted pepitas, jalapeno, and Chipotle crema.
Salmon Salad – arugula, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate, cucumber, and orange dressed with lemon-herb vinaigrette and topped with parmesan
Gnocchi con Pollo – house-made sundried tomato gnocchi, sunflower seed basil pesto, grilled fennel
bulb, red onion
For more information, call (520) 445-6625 or visit ermanosbrew.com.
Feast
3719 E. Speedway Blvd.
Seared Sea Scallops at Feast (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Feast’s monthly-changing menu and extensive wine selection make it an easy go-to for repeat clients without worrying about it becoming stale. The jazz music isn’t too loud as well.
For more information, call (520) 326-9363 or visit eatatfeast.com.
Ginza Sushi
5425 N. Kolb Rd. Ste. 115
The Ventana Special roll at Ginza Sushi (Credit: Jackie Tran)
For a longer lunch, consider visiting Ginza. The Japanese izakaya is comparable to a gastropub or tapas bar, so order some beers and share multiple Japanese dishes as you discuss business.
For more information, call (520) 529-8877 or visit ginzatucson.com.
Harvest Restaurant
10355 N. La Cañada Dr. Ste. 141
Short Rib Nachos at Harvest Oro Valley (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Make sure you save room after your birthday dinner so that you can enjoy one of their fresh, homemade cupcakes or house-churned ice cream.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Coconut Curry Ceviche – shrimp, white fish & scallops in coconut milk & lime sauce served with blue corn tortilla chips
Hemp & Chia Crusted Seared Ahi Tuna Salad – served on a bed of organic field greens w/ jicama, red bell pepper & daikon sprouts tossed w/ sweet cilantro-ginger dressing
Patio at Maynards (Photo courtesy of Maynards Market & Kitchen)
While the kitchen is only open for dinner, the market is open in the morning. Enjoy the patio that is quiet even though it’s a few feet away from train tracks.
“Maynards Market is my go-to lunch spot,” said Quinn Miller, a campaign manager. “They have great salads and sandwiches. Plus it’s convenient to order and pay up front, so you can get right to business. You don’t have to worry about ordering, eating and paying the bill in time.”
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Avocado Barrio Toast – avocado, heirloom tomato, Queen Creek olive oil, and zatar on levain
Duckin’ Kale Salad – baby kale, marinated shallots, duck confit, blue cheese, toasted walnuts, raspberries, blood orange vinaigrette
Curry Chicken Salad – Mary’s Organic Chicken, currants, apples, pistachio, and lettuce on a toasted croissant
Ensalada de Betabel at Penca (Credit: Jackie Tran)
While we won’t stop you from trying Penca’s outstanding tacos on made-to-order corn tortillas, their elegant fork-and-knife entrees eat more neatly.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
El Tazon – large bowl of poblano rice, black beans, salsa bandera, escabeche, avocado, queso fresco; with choice of arrachera, guajolote, nopales, barbacoa
The lunch special features a pizzetta (mini-pizza) and side salad for $12. The cuisine is approachable enough for anyone but features gourmet details such as house-milled flour and house-fermented goodies.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Brussels Sprouts – house hot sauce, sherry vin., pecan brittle crumbs
Chopped Salad – romaine and radicchio, chickpeas, pepperoncini, red onion, salumi, provolone, oregano-sherry dressing
Easily the nicest Thai restaurant in town, Senae is still reasonably priced with a solid wine list.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Gai Kra Prow – minced chicken wok-fried with onions and garlic in basil-chili-oyster sauce served over rice or as fried rice
Karee Gai – julienned chicken, potatoes and scallions, stewed in yellow curry and coconut milk
Pad Se Ew – wide rice noodles, wok-fried with vegetables, eggs and soy sauce
For more information, call (520) 373-5335 or visit senaethai.com.
Tito & Pep
4122 E. Speedway Blvd.
Grilled Pear & Radicchio at Tito & Pep (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Tito & Pep proudly features a mid-century modern aesthetic with mid-century cookbook-inspired paintings, teal booths, and warm pendant lamps. The space is inviting enough to show up for a casual meal but nice enough to visit for a special occasion. With the recent soundproofing, you’ll be able to converse without being drowned out by other patrons.
Las Cruces Chili Spiced Chicken Salad at Wild Garlic Grill (Credit: Jackie Tran)
Dinner service is packed and bustling, but the lunch service is quiet enough for a business lunch. The new location’s facade is also more inviting than the original location.
Highlighted Lunch Items:
Roasted Poblano Mushroom Salad – with grilled vegetables, Willcox vine-ripened tomatoes, baked goat cheese, baby field greens, balsamic vinaigrette
Las Cruces Chili Spiced Chicken Salad – baby field greens with mango, grilled pineapple, berries, seasonal fruit, Danish blue cheese, raspberry vinaigrette
Braised Red Quinoa and French Lentils – extra virgin olive oil, braised greens, roasted corn salsa, avocado tapenade taro chips
Jackie Tran is a Tucson-based food writer, photographer, culinary educator, and owner-chef of the food truck Tran’s Fats. Although he is best known locally for his work for Tucson Foodie, his work has also appeared in publications such as Bon Appétit, National Geographic, and the New York Times.
An adventurous foodie, he enjoys culinary experiences ranging from seasonal omakase to scarfing down late night green chili patty melts in his car. His favorite foods include aguachile, garlic noodles, and leftover fried chicken illuminated by the fridge light. His favorite drinks include morning micheladas, fireside imperial stouts, candle-lit negroni, and grassy mezcales.
Outside of food, he also loves playing musical instruments, karaoke, Tetris, Super Smash Bros. Melee, and petting Addie’s dog Spaghetti.
If you’d like to stalk him, visit his Instagram @jackie_tran_ or jackietran.com.
