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Steak frites at Brasserie Du Parc.
Brasserie Du Parc [official photo]

10 Excellent Business Lunch Destinations in Houston

Where to meet with clients and co-workers, or slip out for a fancy solo lunch

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Steak frites at Brasserie Du Parc.
| Brasserie Du Parc [official photo]

Sometimes, the best part about going to work is dipping out to treat yourself to a nice lunch. Instead of going the boring brown bag route or grabbing a fast-casual burrito bowl, consider taking some time for a proper lunch to re-energize and make it through 5 p.m.

Fortunately, Houston boasts a ton of business lunch options, all of which are perfect for dining solo or catching up with clients or co-workers. From a $22, two-course steal at sophisticated spot Tony’s to three-course, rotating menus from James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega at Xochi and Caracol, lunch offers a chance to sample stellar Houston eats without draining the wallet or expense account.

Here’s a guide to the city’s best business lunch destinations.

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Rainbow Lodge

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Head to this iconic Houston restaurant for a three-course business lunch, then stay for the views. Located inside a historic dining room with lots of rustic flair, diners can score smaller portions of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes, along with a soup, salad, and a small dessert, for just $15. 

Rainbow Lodge table set-up.
Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge/official photo

B.B. Lemon

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Looking for a casual business lunch that doesn’t skimp on class? The Italian-American darling’s weekday lunch special allows diners to build-your-own-combo for $14. Pair a TX wagyu beef burger, cheeseburger, or grilled chicken-topped house green salad with cottage fries or onion strings and a soft drink or iced tea.

The recent addition of a 3-course business lunch to the menu at Xochi in the Marriott Marquis allows Downtown diners to enjoy chef Hugo Ortega’s weekly rotating lineup. Guests can choose from multiple starters and entrées, followed by chef’s choice for dessert — all for $25.

Brasserie Du Parc

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This dreamy Downtown cafe, complete with sweeping vistas of urban park Discovery Green, is the perfect place to escape the 9-to-5 grind. Indulge in a mini French feast via a 2-course menu ($18), while a 3-course option ($22) is designed for hungrier diners. The menu changes weekly, but expect items like grilled salmon and red fish with ratatouille, crêpes, and a soup du jour.

A croque monsieur at Brasserie Du Parc.
Brasserie Du Parc/official photo

Killen's STQ

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It’s business as usual during the 3-course lunch at Killen’s STQ, where many of the restaurant’s hits are listed as options. Kick things off with chef Ronnie Killen’s famed pecan-smoked pork belly, continue with an STQ burger and fries, and finish with a slice of traditional carrot cake. Not too bad for just $29. 

Caracol Restaurant

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James Beard Award winner Hugo Ortega means business with his 3-course, $25 weekday lunch menu. Offerings here rotate weekly, with various proteins and vegetarian options to choose from. And for dessert? Chef’s choice.

Le Colonial Houston

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This River Oaks District hotspot boasts a lunch special featuring a choice of two courses for $25 with a complimentary soft drink or iced tea. Choose from house favorites like chilled shrimp rolls, crunchy salad, and spicy organic tofu curry.

Peli Peli Galleria

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The “executive” lunch menu at the South African steak and seafood chain includes dishes like its beloved beef bobotie, curry chicken, and a solid burger. For dessert, the restaurant’s sticky toffee pudding is a seriously sweet finish.

Fig & Olive Tasting Kitchen & Bar

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Traffic can be exhausting during lunch hour near the Galleria, but Fig & Olive makes things easy by extending its 2-course prix fixe lunch menu ($28) until 4 p.m. Savory appetizer selections include a mushroom croquette with truffle aioli and carrot and ginger soup, while heartier main options include salmon burger with caper mayo on a brioche bun and squash risotto.

This sophisticated dining room ups its approachability factor with a two-course “express” business lunch for $22, making this a budget-friendly way to dine at one of Houston’s most vaunted eateries. Options include risotto with Neapolitan lemon and veal cutlet al bosco.

The dining room at Tony’s.
Tony’s/official photo

Rainbow Lodge

Head to this iconic Houston restaurant for a three-course business lunch, then stay for the views. Located inside a historic dining room with lots of rustic flair, diners can score smaller portions of the restaurant’s most beloved dishes, along with a soup, salad, and a small dessert, for just $15. 

Rainbow Lodge table set-up.
Rainbow Lodge
Rainbow Lodge/official photo

B.B. Lemon

Looking for a casual business lunch that doesn’t skimp on class? The Italian-American darling’s weekday lunch special allows diners to build-your-own-combo for $14. Pair a TX wagyu beef burger, cheeseburger, or grilled chicken-topped house green salad with cottage fries or onion strings and a soft drink or iced tea.

Xochi

The recent addition of a 3-course business lunch to the menu at Xochi in the Marriott Marquis allows Downtown diners to enjoy chef Hugo Ortega’s weekly rotating lineup. Guests can choose from multiple starters and entrées, followed by chef’s choice for dessert — all for $25.

Brasserie Du Parc

This dreamy Downtown cafe, complete with sweeping vistas of urban park Discovery Green, is the perfect place to escape the 9-to-5 grind. Indulge in a mini French feast via a 2-course menu ($18), while a 3-course option ($22) is designed for hungrier diners. The menu changes weekly, but expect items like grilled salmon and red fish with ratatouille, crêpes, and a soup du jour.

A croque monsieur at Brasserie Du Parc.
Brasserie Du Parc/official photo

Killen's STQ

It’s business as usual during the 3-course lunch at Killen’s STQ, where many of the restaurant’s hits are listed as options. Kick things off with chef Ronnie Killen’s famed pecan-smoked pork belly, continue with an STQ burger and fries, and finish with a slice of traditional carrot cake. Not too bad for just $29. 

Caracol Restaurant

James Beard Award winner Hugo Ortega means business with his 3-course, $25 weekday lunch menu. Offerings here rotate weekly, with various proteins and vegetarian options to choose from. And for dessert? Chef’s choice.

Le Colonial Houston

This River Oaks District hotspot boasts a lunch special featuring a choice of two courses for $25 with a complimentary soft drink or iced tea. Choose from house favorites like chilled shrimp rolls, crunchy salad, and spicy organic tofu curry.

Peli Peli Galleria

The “executive” lunch menu at the South African steak and seafood chain includes dishes like its beloved beef bobotie, curry chicken, and a solid burger. For dessert, the restaurant’s sticky toffee pudding is a seriously sweet finish.

Fig & Olive Tasting Kitchen & Bar

Traffic can be exhausting during lunch hour near the Galleria, but Fig & Olive makes things easy by extending its 2-course prix fixe lunch menu ($28) until 4 p.m. Savory appetizer selections include a mushroom croquette with truffle aioli and carrot and ginger soup, while heartier main options include salmon burger with caper mayo on a brioche bun and squash risotto.

Tony's

This sophisticated dining room ups its approachability factor with a two-course “express” business lunch for $22, making this a budget-friendly way to dine at one of Houston’s most vaunted eateries. Options include risotto with Neapolitan lemon and veal cutlet al bosco.

The dining room at Tony’s.
Tony’s/official photo

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