Best Business Lunch Restaurants in Midtown East (10022)
8 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: January 2026
Our Top Pick
Aquavit
Polished, modern Nordic tasting menus with two Michelin stars.
Essential Picks
#1
Aquavit
9.0
Two-MICHELIN-star Aquavit turns Nordic flavors into precise, modern business-lunch tasting menus in a serene Park Avenue Tower dining room. Power players come for composed plates like hay-smoked gravlax and meticulously paced service that still works within a Midtown workday.
Must-Try Dishes:
Toast Skagen with shrimp and trout roe on brioche, Swedish meatballs with pommes purée, cucumbers and lingonberries, Chef’s tasting menu seasonal fish course (often North Sea cod or Arctic char)
What makes it special: Polished, modern Nordic tasting menus with two Michelin stars.
Notable Picks
#2
Ess-a-Bagel
8.9
A Manhattan bagel institution since 1976, Ess-a-Bagel turns out oversized, hand-rolled bagels that anchor a de facto brunch line every morning. The 3rd Avenue shop specializes in loaded lox sandwiches and build-your-own creations that travel well but taste best eaten standing at the counter or on a nearby bench.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Favorite nova lox bagel sandwich, Everything bagel with scallion cream cheese, NYC BLTA bagel sandwich
What makes it special: High-volume, old-school New York bagel shop with classic hand-rolled bagels and lox.
#3
The Grill
8.9
Major Food Group’s reboot of the old Four Seasons Grill Room leans into theatrical, mid-century glamour while serving sharply executed steaks and continental classics. Prime rib carved tableside, pasta a la presse, and meticulous service make it a destination for big nights and power dinners alike.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, Pasta a La Presse, The Seagram Crab Cake
What makes it special: Old-school power-room setting married to high-wire, tableside steakhouse theater.
8.8
Sicilian chef Philip Guardione’s Uptown outpost turns house-made pastas and baked dishes like Lasagna della Mamma Rosa into a polished, bustling experience steps from Central Park. Expect tightly packed tables, a balcony level, and a wine-forward crowd that treats this as both date-night spot and pre-park pasta stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna della Mamma Rosa, Pasta alla Norma, Spaghetti cacio e pepe
What makes it special: High-energy Sicilian dining with serious pastas and a balcony setting.
Long-running Midtown East Spanish spot focused on deeply flavored paellas, from socarrat-crusted house specials to inky arroz negro. Tapas like croquetas, gambas al ajillo and patatas bravas make it a go-to for groups looking to share plates and sangria near the office core.
Must-Try Dishes:
Socarrat Paella, Arroz Negro, Patatas Bravas
What makes it special: Specializes in paellas with true socarrat, backed by a deep tapas menu and years of Midtown East regulars.
8.4
ilili Midtown translates the well-known Lebanese restaurant’s formula into a sleek, art-deco-inflected space designed for both corporate events and refined lunches. Mezza-style spreads, mixed grills, and composed plates handle everything from one-on-one meetings to larger team tables.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hummus with Croquette Falafel & Crab, Mixed Grill, Lamb Chops
What makes it special: Modern Lebanese mezza and grills in a purpose-built Midtown business dining room.
8.1
Rosemary’s Midtown brings the West Village Italian favorite to a bright, plant-filled Midtown East corner with a big sidewalk patio. Seasonal pastas, salads, and spritzes make it ideal for relaxed client lunches that still feel polished but not formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rigatoni Arrabbiata, Soppressata Pizza with Hot Honey, Pappardelle Verde
What makes it special: Farm-to-table Italian with rooftop garden ingredients from flagship West Village location
Worthy Picks
TripAdvisor Top 20 Hidden Gem serving rare Indo-Chinese fusion alongside traditional Indian dishes with notably attentive service. The unique menu features hard-to-find dishes like Chicken Lollipops and Hakka Noodles that bridge Indian spices with Chinese technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Lollipops, Chili Chicken, Hakka Noodles
What makes it special: Rare Indo-Chinese menu with authentic street food flavors unavailable elsewhere in NYC