Business lunch in Dubai has become an institution unto itself – an elevated midday pause that blends good food with purpose. If you’re hosting clients or entertaining guests, the right setting can carry as much weight as the meeting itself. Beyond work, set lunch menus offer a way to sample some of the city’s best kitchens without the fanfare (or price tag) of full dinner service. Read on as we uncover six of the best business lunches in Dubai in 2025, from artful Nikkei in DIFC to an Emirati tasting menu served in a contemporary majlis.
1. Zuma
DIFC is the de facto home of the elevated business lunch, and few do it better than Zuma. Sleek and endlessly consistent, this Japanese izakaya has long been the go-to for working lunches that are polished without feeling too formal. The brand’s award-winning Ebisu business lunch is generous in format: miso soup, two starters, and one main, with options including Wagyu sirloin and a standout Chilean seabass. Priced at AED 159 per person, it’s available 12pm to 3pm and comes with the option to add a wine pairing. Service is fast, the setting is comfortably buzzy, and the guest list spans everyone from finance magnates to fashion editors. For a longer lunch, the à la carte menu runs all day and includes Zuma’s famed Daikoku, an extensive platter curated by the head chef.
2. Estiatorio Milos
Where Zuma draws on the bold flavours of pan-Asia, Estiatorio Milos turns to the Mediterranean, serving some of the most authentic Greek dishes in the city. This Athens-born restaurant has already built a loyal following in London and New York, and its new outpost at Atlantis The Royal continues that legacy. Helmed by chef Costas Spiliadis, the menu is guided by four of the Earth’s “finest raw materials” – salt, honey, olives, and lemon – with rich Hellenic flavours recognised by the Michelin Guide and Gault&Millau UAE Guide.
Business lunch at Milos spans three courses, with a focus on daily imports from Greece. Dishes include grilled octopus from Limnos Island and sea bass ceviche from Corfu, paired with a well-curated wine list that highlights boutique vineyards in Santorini and beyond. This is where business lunch meets fine dining on Palm Jumeirah – all white tablecloths, warm service, and a resolutely food-first philosophy. It runs daily from noon to 4pm and is AED 200.
3. Gerbou
Meaning “welcome to our humble abode” in Arabic, Gerbou offers a refreshing change of pace from the polished institutions of DIFC and Palm Jumeirah, honouring Emirati heritage. Tucked away in Nad Al Sheba 1, the business lunch includes a starter and homestyle-cooked main, including spiced chicken machboos, Jordanian lamb mansaf, and vegetable saloona. The dessert menu nods to the region with fragrant mastika ice cream and indulgent date cake, best paired with cardamom-infused Arabic coffee poured straight from the dallah. Gerbou follows a strict farm-to-table approach, nurturing long-standing relationships with local farmers and artisanal retailers across the UAE.
The space was curated by Dubai-based art studio Tashkeel and reinterprets the Emirati majlis through a contemporary, design-led lens. A highlight is the courtyard – an old-world al fresco dining space with native foliage and a central fountain. Business lunch at Gerbou runs daily from 12pm to 3pm and is priced at AED 140.
4. La Petite Maison (LPM)
For a lively business lunch with undeniable savoir faire, there is only one place: LPM. A long-time fixture in DIFC, La Petite Maison brings a laid-back Riviera sensibility to Gate Village, pairing French-Mediterranean flavours with a sunlit, artistic setting. The lunch menu runs Monday to Friday from 12pm to 3pm in two formats: Le Petit Menu (AED 135 for one starter and one main), and Le Grand Menu (AED 180 for a starter, main, and dessert). Dishes rotate regularly but tend to favour seasonal French simplicity: think burrata with basil, confit chicken leg with piperade, and pan-seared scallops in turmeric and tomato. Warm bread and fresh salads are served as standard. LPM is ideal for a longer, more convivial business lunch – wine is poured by the carafe, and the dining room is usually full by early afternoon.
5. The Guild
New to ICD Brookfield Place, The Guild is a grand expression of a European brasserie. Spanning 17,000 square feet, this spectacular dining space is divided into five concepts, including The Nurseries – a Bohemian-style café filled with potted plants; The Aviary, a late-night speakeasy; and Rockpool, a raw bar centred around an indoor pond with live seafood. Business lunch is served in The Salon – the main dining room – and runs from noon daily until 3pm.
The set menu is priced at AED 119 and leans firmly into continental favourites: slow-roasted meats, grilled seafood, and fresh seasonal pastas. For dessert, the menu resists cliché with inventive options like thyme and yoghurt ice cream, and a dark chocolate mousse layered with crème Chantilly. If the occasion calls for it, a post-lunch cocktail or mocktail in The Aviary is a fitting way to extend the meeting – particularly toward the end of the week.
The Guild is recognised in the Michelin Guide and was awarded Michelin’s Opening of the Year in 2024.
6. Jun’s
For a food-forward business lunch that feels more creative than corporate, Jun’s in Downtown Dubai is a local treasure. Tucked along Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Boulevard, this low-key eatery is the brainchild of Chicago-raised chef Kelvin Cheung, whose ‘third culture’ style of cooking draws influence from China, North America, and Southeast Asia. Jun’s is best known for its 13-course tasting menu – described by the Michelin Guide as “contagiously fun” – but the business lunch is an excellent way to explore the flavours in a shorter format.
Served daily from 12pm to 3pm, the menu is a dizzying display of sharp, unexpected combinations: tempura za’atar chaat, mapo tofu with claypot rice, and Szechuan eggplant with hummus. Dibba Bay oysters elevate the experience, with the option to pair with crisp champagne or sparkling wine. Priced at AED 145 for three courses, it’s a standout for a laid-back lunch with views toward the Burj Khalifa.
Jun’s has been featured in the Michelin Guide since 2023 and holds one toque from Gault&Millau.
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