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A burger from The Smith
The Smith [official site]

15 Destinations for a Business Lunch in D.C.

Where to sit down and talk shop

by Missy Frederick
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A burger from The Smith
| The Smith [official site]
by Missy Frederick

Lunch is big business in a town full of politicos, power brokers, and government contractors. This map offers a mix of cuisines while also featuring a few restaurants with wide-ranging menus that might appeal to picky clients. Each one of these places is accessible for downtown offices. Bonus: no generous expense accounts are required for these meals.

Have another business lunch favorite? Share it in the comments.

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The Riggsby

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This quiet, comfortable restaurant within the Carlyle Hotel revels in upscale comfort food and has several “safe” options for less adventurous eaters, whether it be spaghetti or steak frites. There are also several varieties of salad.

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 787-1500
(202) 787-1500
The Riggsby in Dupont Circle
R. Lopez/Eater DC

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Hank's Oyster Bar

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Hank’s always manages to feel both casual and classy at the same time. Lunch crowds, which usually aren’t too overwhelming here, can sample items like raw oysters, lobster rolls, and fish tacos, There’s additionally a $14.99 two-course lunch special. If the lunch runs long, the newly revamped cocktail bar upstairs opes at 4 p.m.

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265
Upstairs at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont
R. Lopez/Eater DC

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Iron Gate Restaurant

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The atmospheric Iron Gate acts as a quiet getaway within bustling Dupont Circle for lunch meetings. Diners there can order dishes like shrimp scampi, spinach and mushroom salad, or a smoked mozzarella burger.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 524-5202
(202) 524-5202
Roasted carrots from Iron Gate
Iron Gate [official photo]

Also featured in:

Unconventional Diner

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Some contacts prefer to conduct business over a diner meal. Unconventional Diner whips up classics that are a step more upscale than the typical greasy spoon. During lunch hours, chicken noodle soup and fried chicken sandwiches appear alongside Lebanese fried rice and chickpea stew.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

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Blue Duck Tavern

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This Michelin-starred restaurant’s airy, modern vibe and open kitchen provide a bustling atmosphere for a business lunch. The menu changes by the season, but right now oyster stew, herb-roasted scallops, and vegetable pot pie appear on the menu. The adjoining tea cellar is also a quiet option for meetings.

1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 419-6755
(202) 419-6755
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern [official site]

Also featured in:

The Lounge at Bourbon Steak

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Somewhat more casual than the main dining room at the Four Seasons, the lounge at Bourbon Steak has a cozy energy during the day, perfect for business meetings over fancy burgers and duck fat fries. Note the lounge does not take reservations.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-0444
(202) 342-0444
A burger from the Bourbon Steak lounge
Bourbon Steak [official photo]

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

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This new Peruvian restaurant is a great place to go for variety on the lunch menu. There are Peruvian salads and sandwiches, traditional dishes like chaufa and lomo saltado, and a variety of appetizers and ceviches. It’s a great pick for a lunch companion who wants to experiment without a crush of crowds or noise.

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 559-3726
(202) 559-3726
The chef’s counter at Pisco y Nazca, with a brick backdrop, blue back lighting and cooks at work
Inside Pisco y Nazca
Brendan Kownacki/Eater

Also featured in:

Ris

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This neighborhood place always has a civilized atmosphere during lunch. The restaurant also takes various steps to keep things affordable. The “lunch club” grants customers a free seventh entree if they’ve already bought six. It also has a $25 multi-course lunch box and a $20 bar lunch deal, which includes a wine or beer.

2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 730-2500
(202) 730-2500

Also featured in:

Chez Billy Sud

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This Georgetown restaurant’s quiet patio is a nice getaway for a business meeting. Lunch items range from croque madames to an herb omelet with salad.

1035 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606
An entree from Chez Billy Sud
Chez Billy Sud [official site]

Also featured in:

District Commons

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District Commons appeals to a wide audience — raw bar dishes, Thai steak salads, and grilled salmon dishes all find a home here. During lunch hours, there’s a full roster of flatbreads, daily lunch specials (lobster rolls, for example, are up on Mondays) and even a raw bar selection.

The Avenue, 2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 587-8277
(202) 587-8277

Also featured in:

Rare Tavern

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The Tavern at Rare Steak can satisfy clients craving a steakhouse vibe without requiring too large an expense account. An all-day menu has a range of soups, salads, seafood pops, and, naturally, steaks. The higher-end restaurant upstairs also has a $25 lunch prix fixe.

1595 I St NW Suite 100, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 318-6012
(202) 318-6012
Rare Tavern
R. Lopez/Eater

The Bombay Club

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This longtime power spot is a huge destination for political types, thanks in part to its proximity to the White House. Lunchgoers have their choice of an extensive array of Indian dishes like fish tikka, cilantro shrimp, and wild boar curry, along with thali combo platters and starters.

815 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 659-3727
(202) 659-3727
Curry from Bombay Club
Jessica van Dop DeJesus/Official photo

Also featured in:

Centrolina

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Homemade rigatoni or taglioni make for a pleasant lunch course at this CityCenterDC restaurant from chef Amy Brandwein. Those looking for something more substantial can choose from dishes prepared in the wood oven, like grilled fish or a lightly dressed chicken paillard.

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-2426
(202) 898-2426
Pasta from Centrolina in DC
Centrolina [official site]

Also featured in:

Sushi Gakyu

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Business lunch over sushi? At Sushi Gakyu, the quality of fish is high, and lunch prices range from $18 bento boxes and nigiri sets to a $42 special chirashi bowl.

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 849-3686
(202) 849-3686
Sushi Gakyu
Sushi Gakyu [official site]

Also featured in:

The Smith

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The Smith, a relatively recent transplant from New York, has a wide-ranging menu and plenty of space. Vegetable bibimbap and chicken pot pie appear alongside a section of “big salads” that would make Elaine from Seinfield proud. There are also steaks, starters, and sandwiches.

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 868-4900
(202) 868-4900
A burger from The Smith
The Smith [official site]

Also featured in:

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The Riggsby

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009

This quiet, comfortable restaurant within the Carlyle Hotel revels in upscale comfort food and has several “safe” options for less adventurous eaters, whether it be spaghetti or steak frites. There are also several varieties of salad.

1731 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 787-1500
(202) 787-1500
The Riggsby in Dupont Circle
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Hank's Oyster Bar

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009

Hank’s always manages to feel both casual and classy at the same time. Lunch crowds, which usually aren’t too overwhelming here, can sample items like raw oysters, lobster rolls, and fish tacos, There’s additionally a $14.99 two-course lunch special. If the lunch runs long, the newly revamped cocktail bar upstairs opes at 4 p.m.

1624 Q St NW, Washington, DC 20009
(202) 462-4265
(202) 462-4265
Upstairs at Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont
R. Lopez/Eater DC

Iron Gate Restaurant

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036

The atmospheric Iron Gate acts as a quiet getaway within bustling Dupont Circle for lunch meetings. Diners there can order dishes like shrimp scampi, spinach and mushroom salad, or a smoked mozzarella burger.

1734 N St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 524-5202
(202) 524-5202
Roasted carrots from Iron Gate
Iron Gate [official photo]

Unconventional Diner

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Some contacts prefer to conduct business over a diner meal. Unconventional Diner whips up classics that are a step more upscale than the typical greasy spoon. During lunch hours, chicken noodle soup and fried chicken sandwiches appear alongside Lebanese fried rice and chickpea stew.

1207 9th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 847-0122
(202) 847-0122

Blue Duck Tavern

1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037

This Michelin-starred restaurant’s airy, modern vibe and open kitchen provide a bustling atmosphere for a business lunch. The menu changes by the season, but right now oyster stew, herb-roasted scallops, and vegetable pot pie appear on the menu. The adjoining tea cellar is also a quiet option for meetings.

1201 24th St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 419-6755
(202) 419-6755
Blue Duck Tavern
Blue Duck Tavern [official site]

The Lounge at Bourbon Steak

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007

Somewhat more casual than the main dining room at the Four Seasons, the lounge at Bourbon Steak has a cozy energy during the day, perfect for business meetings over fancy burgers and duck fat fries. Note the lounge does not take reservations.

2800 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-0444
(202) 342-0444
A burger from the Bourbon Steak lounge
Bourbon Steak [official photo]

Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036

This new Peruvian restaurant is a great place to go for variety on the lunch menu. There are Peruvian salads and sandwiches, traditional dishes like chaufa and lomo saltado, and a variety of appetizers and ceviches. It’s a great pick for a lunch companion who wants to experiment without a crush of crowds or noise.

1823 L St NW, Washington, DC 20036
(202) 559-3726
(202) 559-3726
The chef’s counter at Pisco y Nazca, with a brick backdrop, blue back lighting and cooks at work
Inside Pisco y Nazca
Brendan Kownacki/Eater

Ris

2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037

This neighborhood place always has a civilized atmosphere during lunch. The restaurant also takes various steps to keep things affordable. The “lunch club” grants customers a free seventh entree if they’ve already bought six. It also has a $25 multi-course lunch box and a $20 bar lunch deal, which includes a wine or beer.

2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 730-2500
(202) 730-2500

Chez Billy Sud

1035 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007

This Georgetown restaurant’s quiet patio is a nice getaway for a business meeting. Lunch items range from croque madames to an herb omelet with salad.

1035 31st St NW, Washington, DC 20007
(202) 965-2606
(202) 965-2606
An entree from Chez Billy Sud
Chez Billy Sud [official site]

District Commons

The Avenue, 2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

District Commons appeals to a wide audience — raw bar dishes, Thai steak salads, and grilled salmon dishes all find a home here. During lunch hours, there’s a full roster of flatbreads, daily lunch specials (lobster rolls, for example, are up on Mondays) and even a raw bar selection.

The Avenue, 2200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 587-8277
(202) 587-8277

Rare Tavern

1595 I St NW Suite 100, Washington, DC 20005

The Tavern at Rare Steak can satisfy clients craving a steakhouse vibe without requiring too large an expense account. An all-day menu has a range of soups, salads, seafood pops, and, naturally, steaks. The higher-end restaurant upstairs also has a $25 lunch prix fixe.

1595 I St NW Suite 100, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 318-6012
(202) 318-6012
Rare Tavern
R. Lopez/Eater

The Bombay Club

815 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006

This longtime power spot is a huge destination for political types, thanks in part to its proximity to the White House. Lunchgoers have their choice of an extensive array of Indian dishes like fish tikka, cilantro shrimp, and wild boar curry, along with thali combo platters and starters.

815 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006
(202) 659-3727
(202) 659-3727
Curry from Bombay Club
Jessica van Dop DeJesus/Official photo

Centrolina

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001

Homemade rigatoni or taglioni make for a pleasant lunch course at this CityCenterDC restaurant from chef Amy Brandwein. Those looking for something more substantial can choose from dishes prepared in the wood oven, like grilled fish or a lightly dressed chicken paillard.

974 Palmer Alley NW, Washington, DC 20001
(202) 898-2426
(202) 898-2426
Pasta from Centrolina in DC
Centrolina [official site]

Sushi Gakyu

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Business lunch over sushi? At Sushi Gakyu, the quality of fish is high, and lunch prices range from $18 bento boxes and nigiri sets to a $42 special chirashi bowl.

1420 New York Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 849-3686
(202) 849-3686
Sushi Gakyu
Sushi Gakyu [official site]

The Smith

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004

The Smith, a relatively recent transplant from New York, has a wide-ranging menu and plenty of space. Vegetable bibimbap and chicken pot pie appear alongside a section of “big salads” that would make Elaine from Seinfield proud. There are also steaks, starters, and sandwiches.

901 F St NW, Washington, DC 20004
(202) 868-4900
(202) 868-4900
A burger from The Smith
The Smith [official site]

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