Where The Fashion Crowd Power Lunch

“I recently had lunch with a friend at Dover Street Counter, which has quickly become one of my favourite lunch spots in London. I find it hard to find a restaurant that offers the full package – often the décor and vibe are amazing but the food not so much, or the food is great but the service not so much – but Dover Street Counter ticked pretty much all the boxes for me. Food was great, service was great, décor was amazing and I love the casual counter-style dining. Dimly lit but not too dark, and you can see your food being cooked which is always a good sign. Honestly, I would have ordered the whole menu if I could, there were so many good options. I ordered the tuna tartare, whipped ricotta and truffle honey to start, baby chicken with a side of sweet potato and broccoli for main, finished with a glass of chablis.

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“This is a no‑brainer. My go‑to is Mister Nice. It’s the perfect blend of chic and business – the kind of place where conversations flow easily and deals happen. The atmosphere is sexy, confident and polished without being stiff. Its French cuisine always transports me to the South of France, in the best possible way. Some of my most successful meetings have started over lunch here… and drifted into dinner. Not to mention the location – it’s right in the middle of Mayfair, which makes it so easy to reach. I go all in: smoked salmon to start, steak tartare, vodka pasta and devilled eggs to share (or not, because it’s my favourite thing on the menu), all paired with a good glass of red wine. It’s exactly the kind of food that sets the tone for a good meeting.”

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“Most of my meetings happen around Mayfair, so my favourite lunch spot is Cipriani London. My top things to order are the artichoke and avocado salad, the vitello tonnato, the bresaola, and the veal limone or Chilean sea bass for a main. We almost always get a pasta to share for the table too – I love the genovese or the ragu.”

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“I would book The Fat Badger on Portobello Road for a significant (it is not cheap) power lunch. I love the neighbourhood and feel very at home there, which is always a good thing. The pub and restaurant is quiet, chic and delicious, and I love that you don’t know what you will be served – the menu is always a surprise – which is unusual.”

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“I’d choose Langan’s Brasserie in Mayfair. It’s a true institution that’s elegant and stylish – the sort of place that feels established and reassuring, which is exactly what you want when you’re having a working lunch. Langan’s has that classic brasserie energy: warm lighting, crisp white tablecloths and a dining room with a gentle midday buzz. It feels polished without being intimidating; you can have a serious conversation there but it never feels stiff or corporate. I like to keep it classic: to start, French onion soup followed by Dover sole (timeless and never disappointing). To drink, a glass or perhaps two, of crisp and clean sancerre, with an espresso to finish.”

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“I love Arlington. I’ve had quite a few meetings there and it’s chic, quiet and I rarely bump into anyone I know. Arlington feels grown‑up and calm – elegant but not intimidating – and you can actually talk and easily hear yourself. I keep it classic: I order either the beer‑battered haddock and chips or the chargrilled rib‑eye with béarnaise and allumettes – proper food, done well, nothing fussy. As for what I drink, I’d usually order a pot of hot water and potentially a sweet mocktail – I get the bartender to suggest their favourites.

“I also like The Dover; the food is better but the vibes are a little darker and moodier, so it’s good for meetings with people you already have a working relationship with. The Dover is more atmospheric; a bit more fashion and I usually bump into someone I know there but it does still feel intimate. I usually order penne arrabbiata, the flat‑iron chicken breast and the grilled asparagus with porcini and black garlic.”

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