The 7 best spots in Manchester for a business lunch

Corporate meetings do not have to rely on professional meetings in study rooms, an ideal business lunch could create the foundation to motivate your colleagues. Especially if staff needs to travel and stay for business purposes

Being outside of the usual workplace setting can boost morale and energy levels leading to a more productive meeting with lots of ideas sharing and problem-solving. Not to mention you’ll be able to indulge a little in some of the menu highlights of your chosen venue!

And there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from for your business lunch in Manchester. Whether you’re looking for a quick coffee and pastry or a three-course extravaganza with top-tier wine, read on for our guide to the best spots in Manchester for a business lunch.

The one with great coffee

Embankment Cafe Co.

Need a casual space with good coffee to keep you going during an all-important business lunch? As well as serving great coffee, Embankment Cafe Co. has a delicious selection of cakes, pastries, sandwiches and wraps. There are also plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians, as well as fresh fruit and gym-friendly snacks. 

Inside the cafe, there is lots of space for a work meeting or lunchtime catch-up with a client. There are plug sockets aplenty, particularly on the higher tables, which means you can power your workstation as easily as your body. The relaxed atmosphere in Embankment Cafe Co. means you can catch up without feeling hurried and enjoy your coffee at a leisurely pace.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous at lunchtime, we recommend trying the Embankment Cafe Co.’s, Espresso Martini. Made by their expert baristas with their fresh, aromatic coffee, we dare you not to order two!

The one to show off your culinary credentials

Erst

Recently recommended by Jay Rayner in The Guardian as ‘One of the best meals of the year’ in 2021, Erst is an unassuming restaurant nestled in the red bricks and former cotton mills of Ancoats. While not quite in the city centre, it’s well worth the short walk over, as its seasonal menu of small plates is really quite stunning. There aren’t many dishes on the menu, but what is on there is delivered to the finest quality and is an excellent place to take your business lunch if you want to show off your culinary prowess.

Sharing is the way to go at Erst, so make sure your palette and dietary requirements align with whoever you’re going to lunch with!

The one to impress

Peter Street Kitchen

Peter Street Kitchen is the place to go if you’re looking to impress a client or treat your team to something truly special. The menu is a beautifully balanced selection of fine contemporary Japanese cuisine complemented by the heat and zing of a selection of delicious Mexican dishes. The food is matched perfectly with the finest wines, sake, and signature cocktails.

The space itself is gorgeously atmospheric with high ceilings, marble tables, and staked sake barrels in the bar. If you’re looking for a luxury restaurant experience in Manchester, look no further. Peter Street Kitchen is the place to go.

The trendy one

The Pen and Pencil

Okay, so it almost definitely isn’t very trendy to use the word “trendy”, but hear us out for a moment. The Pen and Pencil, on the edge of the Northern Quarter, is a New York-style bar and restaurant, open from 10 am every day. It takes its name and inspiration from the infamous mid-20^th century bar in New York’s ‘Steak Row’ which was popular with journalists and people in advertising, the original ‘Mad Men’ of NYC.

The menu has a delicious selection of dishes covering you from classic brunch options to sandwiches and burgers, as well as mains, including a marinated flat iron steak. You can enjoy a refreshing smoothie or shake as well, sure to give you an energy boost.

The one for all dietary requirements

Mowgli

Mowgli is the place to go with anyone with a specific dietary requirement. They have a dedicated menu for their vegan options which contains a delightful array of curries, dahls, and sides. Vegan options include Tea Steeped Chickpeas, vegan tiffin boxes, a Mowgli Chip Butty, Treacle Tamarind Fries, and something called the Holy Chow which is their vegan showstopper.

Mowgli also has a gluten-friendly menu for anyone who might be coeliac or intolerant. Grab yourself a fresh lassi and tuck in.

The one for the influencers

Tattu

The opulent interior design in Tattu makes this restaurant a favourite among those who like to document their foodie experiences. From the beautifully dim interior lighting to the flourishly faux cherry blossom tree, it won’t just be your taste sense that comes alive here. And talking about taste, Tattu delivers contemporary Chinese cuisine, a fusion of traditional dishes and flavours with modern cooking methods. Menu highlights include Shanghai Black Cod and Caramel Soy Aged Beef Fillet, along with a huge range of small plates and dim sum.

Tattu Manchester is only open for lunch on Thursdays and Fridays. Make sure you book your table in advance.

The fun one

Dog Bowl

Need something a bit quirky for your business lunch? Or are you looking for a talking point or activity to break the ice? Dog Bowl Manchester is a ten pin bowling and retro arcade venue where you can unwind and talk shop while knocking down the pins. Although the venue is open until the early hours for the night owls among us, during the week it’s open from a respectable 12pm, making it a great spot for a fun business lunch. The food offering comes from 9 Cut Fried Chicken, the same people behind Yard & Coop, so you know it’s going to be good.

From Tuesday to Friday, 12.00 – 17.00, you can make the most of their ‘Beer, Burger and Bowl’ deal for £15. Strike!