Boston, especially the startup and creative world, likes to make the most of mid-day lunch breaks. Whether you’re meeting with a venture capitalist, potential new hire or getting to know a friend better in the community, the “Where should we meet?” question or “You pick the place” statement inevitably comes up. Depending on who you’re meeting with your mind typically then moves to, “I need someplace not too expensive, but nicer than an in-and-out sandwich/burrito shop.” We asked around the startup and creative world and put together the list below of best lunch meeting spots from all around Boston’s boroughs. Have additions? Disagree? I bet you do. Let us know and leave them in the comments!
Right next to the State House, Scollay Square is a favorite and frequented spot by employees of the State at lunch. In the summer you can enjoy outdoor seating right on Beacon Street downtown. And if you have to sit indoors, you won’t be disappointed with the lofted ceilings, architecture and historic photos of the old Scollay Sq. area in downtown Boston near the now Government Center. Have your choice of apps, sandwiches, or full blown meals at this lunch spot.
If you have time to wait in a line that’s almost always around the corner, this spot is a gourmet sandwich shop and bakery that’s perfect for more casual lunch meetings. The fresh, mostly organic food and artisan sandwiches are sure to make your meeting (and tummy) a happy one. They have locations in the Seaport, South End and Central Square.
Hello huge patio. The good word about Daedalus in Harvard Square is getting around now that it is summer. This location features a fantastic outdoor patio and the ideal lunch meeting menu: soups and salads, gourmet sandwiches, and full blown lunch meals — all to enjoy while sitting in a nice but not overly uptight setting, and at very reasonable prices.
Kenmore Sq. is the middle point between anyone outside in the suburbs of Newton and downtown. With some of the best bartenders in Boston, some might argue Eastern Standard is a better spot for after work. The fact of the matter is, though, there really is no better place to meet someone for lunch if Kenmore is the mid-way point (your alternative is the dive bar across the street, Game On type bars around Fenway or the more upscale Island Creek Oyster bar next door). And if sitting outside is your thing, on non-afternoon Sox game days, you can easily land a seat on the patio.
Any Legal location in and around the city is great for lunch meetings, but the Harborside location deep in the Seaport is absolutely worth the trip. Sitting right on the Boston Harbor with plenty of tables, the only problem with this meeting spot is that you won’t want to leave the view and sea breeze after having those fried clams and steamers. Too busy at the Harborside location? You can also try out the Legal Test Kitchen which is right across the street.
Max & D’s is known first for it’s to-die-for Buffalo Mac & Cheese. On a side street in Downtown Crossing, Max & D’s makes the list because of it’s reasonable prices and that you can either make it a casual bar lunch or a more grown-up sit down depending on the floor you choose. If you have to choose the lunch spot and are unsure how casual a meeting your lunch is, pick Max & D’s, and then let your counterpart pick the table.
A bit more upscale, this dark and almost mysterious meeting spot is a great if your main agenda is to have a private conversation (and especially if you can manage a beer at lunch — they have a massive selection). You can grab a table flagged by vintage corsets as wall art with more privacy (the original occupant of this historic building was Chandler’s Corset Store), or sit in the bar section and drool over this venue’s oak and mahogany bar (it’s purportedly the most expensive one in the city). Stoddard’s is the perfect spot to meet a history buff for lunch.
If you were to go on Newbury for a lunch meeting, everyone knows Stephanie’s is the gold standard. There’s plenty of seating, both indoors and out, and it features an expansive menu that keeps both salad-lovers and big eaters happy. The worst part about this place is of course that it is on Newbury, so you’ll be fighting with tourists for those table tops.
If you want to sit on the water in the Seaport and have a less upscale scene, hit up Whiskey Priest. Known for it’s ridiculously vast whiskey selection, this spot might actually be a better after-work meeting spot. That being said, if you’re looking for a casual spot to cool off on the water with some typical Irish and American food (and bar food prices), this is a great go-to featuring several floors that open to the water and a roof with plenty of tables.
For those working in Central Square in Cambridge, the Asqard has become a beloved lunch meeting spot. In the winter, the Asgard will absolutely warm you up with it’s cabin feel, and in the summer you can often snag an outdoor seat. The menu is relatively cheap for lunch and ranges from salads and sandwiches to full meals. There is always plenty of room to sit, so if you’re going with a bigger group this is a great spot.
Another casual cafe lunch spot, this lunch spot is one to keep in mind if you’re in or around the South End. Buttery features a nice selection of soups, salads and sandwiches for it’s lunch and take-out menu. I have never personally been, but I rely on the team from RunKeeper to keep me in the know about what’s good in the South End neighborhood, and this is top of their list for lunch meeting spots.
Another spot in the South End, Myers + Chang has a self-described “funky indie diner setting.” This can be your go-to if you are meeting for lunch with a fellow Asian food lover. A bustling place, it might not be best for that one-on-one VC meeting, but perfect if you’re going with a group or friend.
When tapping the Boston innovation community for the best lunch meeting spots in Harvard Square, HBS grad and Evertrue founder Brent Grinna knows well, and describes Henrietta’s as a great “power lunch” spot. For the older crowd of business, academic and government folks, it is also apparently a place to be seen. Sitting at the base of the Charles Hotel, you can enjoy locally grown food and great service.
While it is a coffee shop first, Boston Common Coffee also has great pasta dishes and paninis for lunch. If you’re looking for someplace casual to meet that’s a one-up on Boloco or Al’s Sandwich shop, their location in the North End, Downtown Crossing and the Financial District features a solid selection of tables considering it is also very much a coffee joint. If you need to be checking your email constantly or doing other things on the web during lunch, this location features free wi-fi, too.
Featuring a periodic table of menu items on the wall, Miracle of Science is a great off-the-beaten-path lunch spot located between Central and Kendall Square. The venue doesn’t have a lot of tables, though, so make sure you call ahead to see how busy the place is or you might be stuck waiting outside. If you’re meeting up with the friend type for lunch, Miracle of Science is near perfect with some very sharable menu items and light lunch fares from salads and sandwiches to burgers.
What would you add to the list as go-to-spots in your borough? Let us know in the comments!
