With indoor dining opening up again in New York City, we’ve put together a list of the heavy hitters offering exclusivity and a heavy dose of NYC flavor.
The power lunch has evolved past the boozy, heavy meal commitment of the yesteryear into a more sophisticated dining experience, complete with stunning interiors and lighter fare. We’ve rounded up a few places to enjoy your lunch while getting down to business. Word of warning though: be sure to book ahead!
abcV, Union Square – your daily greens
Most everyone is familiar with ABC Carpet & Home, and their restaurants, ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina. Now you can get to know their veggie-centric offshoot abcV, which is the perfect place for a creative power lunch. Elegant sharing plates include avocado lettuce cups, a grain bowl or a tartine. Every option is light but satisfying and helps with keeping a constant conversation as the dishes are both visually appealing and incredibly delicious.
Bar Boulud, Upper West Side – a cavernous restaurant with quiet spaces
Chef Daniel Boulud’s casual bistro Bar Boulud is located across from Lincoln Center and is designed to look like a wine cellar. The cavernous restaurant is filled with various little booths which make for a great setting for intimate conversations. Here you will find the more traditional brasserie standbys like French onion soup and steak
Oxomoco, Brooklyn – Michelin-starred tacos
It may be in Brooklyn, but Michelin-starred Mexican restaurant Oxomoco is worth the trip. Using a wood-fired oven to elevate its taco offerings, the main drawcard for lunch visitors, Oxomoco is a serious power lunch contender. Start with the soy-marinated tuna tostada or wood-fired romaine caesar before diving into tacos topped with lamb barbacoa or tender flank steak.
Jean-Georges, Midtown West – enjoy views of Central Park
Head chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is at the helm of his namesake
Peak NYC, Hudson Yards – An elevated lunch
Elevate your lunch — literally — at Peak NYC Restaurant, perched 101 floors above the sprawling city. Led by executive chef Chris Cryer, the offerings at Peak are inspired by the views of the city. Reserve a table near one of the floor-to-ceiling windows and let the sunlight shine down on some incredible plates including New York strip steak with black truffle or perfectly cooked scallops.
Freds, Upper West Side – a lighter option for serious meetings
This is the ultimate in fancy salads for ladies who lunch, or people who prefer lighter midday meals. Fred’s is typically a great spot for celebrity spotting and their menu is full of American classics. To top that off, if your time permits, it’s located within one of the best department stores in town.
Casa Mono, Gramercy Park – sophisticated Spanish tapas
While this tapas spot may get busy on an evening, booking a midday table means more space and the chance to dine on Michelin-starred plates over a work lunch. Don’t be fooled by the small kitchen, as this place pumps out some brilliant food alongside an extensive wine list. Pro tip: try the confit goat with avocado queso, scallion ash and Sicilian pistachios.
CUT New York – Wolfgang Puck’s first Manhattan restaurant
CUT is tucked away into the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown and is known for its power meals and dedication to first-rate ingredients. In this establishment, bacon cheeseburgers sit right at home alongside handmade agnolotti and some of the best steak in the city. Sit back, relax, and admire French designer Jacques Garcia’s superb interior design features.
