Business Lunches: Choosing the right menu and experience

Who doesn’t love to have a hearty meal while cracking great business deals or meeting a corporate client?  Business lunches are important for corporate networking in a social setting over food and meeting prospective clients.  An aesthetic restaurant and the right food can be a perfect location to conduct a business meeting since the atmosphere is more relaxed and you have an opportunity to really get to know the client. Whether it is conducted during breakfast or lunch, a business meeting requires a business-friendly setting. It’s always good to have a handy list of some  some restaurants options to go for business meetings in Dubai.

One of the world’s leading Indian dining concepts, Punjab Grill, opened its flagship GCC restaurant at The Oberoi, Dubai – Business Bay in Q2, 2021. Punjab Grill’s newest offering is an intimate fine dining experience with  a unique menu of modern Indian cuisine, in the heart of Dubai’s  Downtown district.  “ Blending high-end design with the essence of Indian heritage, Punjab Grill is an exclusive Indian fine-dining destination perfect for corporate luncheons and private gatherings with family and friends, with views over the Oberoi Courtyard. “Dubai has access to all the high-quality ingredients we require that enable us to provide a gastronomic delight to our customers.  At Punjab Grill, you can enjoy the best of Indian cuisine in our luxurious and vibrant dining room”, said  Chef Sandeep Ail the Head chef at Punjab Grill.  

Available during weekdays from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm, This luxurious Indian restaurant  has introduced a three-course business lunch menu at AED 125 per person, perfect for mid-day breaks  for a business meeting or a quick lunch with colleagues. the Oberoi, Dubai. Aside from Abu Dhabi, Punjab Grill can also be found in Singapore, Bangkok, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Washington DC. Following in the footsteps of its other restaurants, the Dubai location has an intimate dining experience and innovative menu. The restaurant  features a live kitchen with flaming grills and aromatic tandoors. Guests can start with a choice of lentil or Tomato Shorba and appetisers such as the signature Watermelon Slider, Palak chaats. Mains include Chicken Tikka Trio in Makhani Sauce, Paneer Multani,  Lamb or vegetable Biryani and the Dabur Black Cod.  The menu can be catered to vegan diets with dishes such as the kundapur roast cauliflower and tandoori Portobello.Those who would like to end the meal on a sweet note can choose from the Chenna Poda Pie or Carrot Halwa Phyllo. “The menu embraces flavorful curries, kebabs, and classic Indian desserts with an exciting gastronomic twist both for vegetarians and non-vegetarians”  added Sandeep.

If you are looking traditional Indian cuisine for breakfast meetings in a more modern and casual setting, Bombay Bungalow can be  your new neighbourhood retreat to experience the lighter, fresher flavours of India . With it’s blue tone walls, wooden-mixed interiors and unique “bungalow-style” dining area, this restaurant nestled by the JBR beach could be great way to start your morning meetings . Alongside stunning views of Ain Dubai, Bombay Bungalow has launched a breakfast menu that will transport you to the streets of India. Whether it’s a twist on fluffy egg dishes,  mouthwatering south Indian delicacies, north-Indian paranthas or the hot-piping masala tea , Bombay Bungalow has you covered. Open from 8:30 AM every day, Bombay Bungalow caters to all food palettes, healthy and indulgent.
The Butter Chicken or Dal Makhni Omelette is an elevated version of the classics with a choice of eggs, toast, and butter and dipped in traditional butter chicken sauce. Highlighting on how to select menus for business lunches, Neeraj Rana – the Head chef from Bombay Bungalow said “Choice is important for guests with varied dietary needs. Our breakfast menu is wholesome and satisfying to start  if you want to your morning by the beach with some meetings.  We provide authentic Indian food with some contemporary twist. Our Burrata butter chicken is a creamy delight and our salads are fresh and light.  One should always incorporate its best selling dishes in the business lunch or breakfast , and should rotate the menu frequently to include a variety of dishes”, added Neeraj. 

Need to seal that deal with a major client in the heart of Dubai Internation Financial district? The DIFC district features ultra-modern office space, retail outlets, art galleries, residential apartments, public green areas, and hotels, making it the ultimate destination where business meets lifestyle. Luxury Italian- restaurant Marea offers a midweek business lunch, from noon till 5pm on weekdays. Priced at Dh 120, Marea’s business lunch includes three courses of sublime Italian fare. Menu highlights include lobster and burrata for starters, handmade pastas and wagyu steaks for mains, and a cleansing sorbet to finish. “Marea is known for its exquisite Italian seafood-inspired menu and by introducing the business lunch, we wanted to bring a world-class dining haven of food and unmatched service unlike no other; accessible to everyone. And since we are located right in the business hub- DIFC which is a leading international financial hub in the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region” we are at a great spot. Also we are very closely located to the World Trade Centre which hosts a number of business events and exhibitions”, said Petra Peternel, Senior Restaurant Manager, Marea.

The executive chef Yunus has curated the most healthy dishes which vary from the starters are the likes of raw fish crudo and antipasti polipo with frilled octopus, fregola, apricot, and black olive oil. Then choose a signature main from spaghetti with clams, calamari, baby leeks, and Calabrian chilies, or ravioli with veal, mushroom, and suggo di arossto. “We source specifically fresh products from premium locations. This includes seabass from the Canary Islands, scallops from the USA, Gillardeau Oysters from France, live lobsters from Canada, seabream from France, tuna from Spain, fresh clams from Italy, and salmon from Norway, amongst others; this is what makes Marea restaurant absolute heaven for seafood aficionados and pasta lovers alike” , said Petra

An exquisite fine dining Modern Mughalai restaurant, Jehangirs is now open at Al Mankhool  to offer its diners a complete royal experience that is equal to the service and quality of a five star establishment at inexpensive prices.  “For a business lunch menu to be a hit among corporate professionals, one should focus on quick service and hot tasting food along with choice offerings. If these three elements sync together, it makes up for a popular brunch offering”, said Swarup John, Managing Director at Fine Dining restaurant Jehangirs Al Mankhool and Al Ain. The design for this modern day F&B marvel was inspired by the Traditional Royal Darbar of the Mughal dynasty during the reign of Emperor Jehangir. “ Jehangirs Business Lunch menu has been created mainly to cater to the dietary needs of busy individuals looking to satisfy hunger cravings yet challenged by time and wishing for a meal that’s not fast food but wholesome” added Swarup.  

The Executive Business Lunch Menu here offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian choices at AED 39 and AED 45 respectively, available from Monday to Friday between 12-4 pm. The menu includes, for appetizers- Malai Brocolli, or Pepper Cauliflower, or Methi Paneer Tikka, Seekh Kabab, or Punjabi Murgh Tikka.  The main incorporates Dal Makhani with Sada Chawal (steamed white rice) and a choice of curries or veggies from Kadhai Paneer, Edamame and Mushroom, Tawa Vegetables, Murgh Makkhan Masala, Madras Fish Curry, and Kalimirch Ka Gosht., accomplished by Naan or Roti or Laccha Paratha. For dessert, you will be served classic Gajar Ka Halwa or Gulab Jamun. The restaurant interiors’ modern take of the Royal Darbar infuses elements of Mughal Architecture subtly featured in all aspects of the décor from detailed wall cladding, beautifully crafted chairs with rich velour fabric, an impressive mocktail bar with elegant Mughal-inspired motifs and a piece de resistance central architectural feature bringing all ambient elements together.

“It’s important to select items of preference or best sellers on the menu as an offering, as only then business lunch could sell well. Additionally, offerings should be served in a way, whereby no item seems repetitive. In other words, providing options to choose from, wouldn’t make the business lunch boring or restrict to a one time try”, said the General Manger at Highnote in Aloft Mina. If you are working towards Mankhool or Bur Dubai and fancy a Poolside lunch with breathtaking views?  Then head over to newly-open Pool and Sky Lounge, High Note at Aloft Mina to spend your weekdays for business meetings. The restaurant  overlooks the enchanting view of Dubai skyline, with a cozy ambiance and an aesthetic appreciation of art displayed at the premises.The menu is full of barbeque options, live pasta stations, pizzas,  desserts and much more along.

Several corporate employees also look to catch a quick bite or meal that is affordable as well as filling. “Our Unlimited Thali not only satiates your cravings but also offers best sellers on the menu in moderate portions.  Moreover, in order to avoid any wastage, optimum portions of each course meal in a Thali set up is just apt for anyone, said Eti Bhasin, owner at Dhaba Lane. Dhaba lane offers Unlimited Thali for a reasonable price of 40 AED, during the business hours at both our outlets, Karama & Garhoud. Thali offers an “all you can eat”, like concept. We have Shahi Veg and Non Veg Thali, that encompasses one cold Starter (Papdi Chaat), 1 Hot Starter, 2 mains, 2 sides (Dal Makhni & Biryani Rice) and a dessert (Gulab Jamun).

A 10-minute drive from the Expo 2020 site Nawab Restaurant is located at Jebel Ali Recreation Club. Originally found in 1989’s old Dubai, well known for serving authentic heritage Indian cuisine has introduced business lunch from Sunday- Thursday priced at AED 89 per person. Nawab is a licensed venue with cocktails inspired by Indian spices, craft hops and chilled grapes that can be enjoyed with their signature Nawabi dishes, all while being the perfect affordable community gastropub. The menu includes salads, appetizers like Kataifi Paneer fingers, Hara Bhar Kebab, Murgh Angara Tikka, Chicken Seekh kebab and a main course Palak Kofta curry, Butter chicken, Chicken Xacuti, Chicken tikka masala or Kadhai paneer. You can also choose some Dal makhani or Yellow Dal. All dishes are served with assorted breads followed by a dessert.

“Nawab’s food is well known for its quality and they have served the same flavors for over 30 years and even during these changing times, their consistency has been intact. Nawab has on-boarded some very experienced chefs who have brought in more flavor to their Nawabi delicacies where they hope to take their guests on a journey that depicts the evolution of Indian cuisine as we know it today” said Rajesh Sachdeva , Owner of Nawab.