clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
The Palm, Beverly Hills
The Palm, Beverly Hills
Elizabeth Daniels

LA's Hottest Power Lunch Spots, Fall 2016

Where to dine when you've got the time

View as Map
The Palm, Beverly Hills
| Elizabeth Daniels

Lunch in Los Angeles is more than just a midday meal — it's a reason for co-workers to gather, for business deals to happen, and for that hot new restaurant to showcase its culinary talents in front of droves of daytime actors, writers, and underemployed creatives.

Step out at the right power lunch spot during a random weekday, and you might spot a music exec talking numbers with an up-and-coming artist, two actors commiserating in a quiet corner, and power suit Downtown brokers angling for real estate deals. As much as Los Angeles earns the perception as an industry town, the truth is there's no shortage of money to be made both in and out of Hollywood. And restaurants perfect for making all those deals happen.

Below is a list of some of the hottest spots for putting in weekday work, whether it's with a corporate bigwig or your up-and-coming business partner. You've got gorgeous Downtown bastions for the wealthy, Beverly Hills options for those who keep it close to the office, and many more colorful choices for sealing the (business) deal, ordered alphabetically.

Read More
Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

71Above

Copy Link

There is no better place to impress (or intimidate) an out of town business client than a lunch high above the cityscape at 71Above. It helps of course that Vartan Abgaryan’s food is as top-notch as the views.

Wonho Frank Lee

Beauty informs Otium from top to bottom. The place is breathtaking inside, and the clientele usually isn’t anything to scoff at either. Definitely a place to see and be seen after a day at the Broad, the restaurant is thankfully also well-covered with a menu from all-star Timothy Hollingsworth.

Century City may not have a better place for powerful people to gather than Craft, which offers a staggering $40 three-course lunch option that not only gets you in and out fast, it provides a glimpse into what the impeccable restaurant is truly capable of.

Georgie

Copy Link

Beverly Hills hasn’t had a room this buzzy in a while. Georgie fulfills just about every need, from cozy lounge area to padded booths and big tables, for getting the job done with folks from the many agencies nearby.

Wonho Frank Lee

Melrose newcomer Kali carries a serious pedigree thanks to chef Kevin Meehan and Drew Langley, the former floor sommelier at Providence. The food is approachable but refined, the space is comfortable but elegant, and the daytime clientele is a mix of locals, studio types, and business people eager for a glass or two of wine with their midday meal.

The Rose

Copy Link

Jason Neroni’s The Rose is a dinnertime powerhouse, but their lunch is not to be trifled with either. Arrive early enough for coffee and pastries, then stick through midday for a sandwich or salad — or go all out with a larger option from within the Italian-leaning chef’s expansive repertoire.

Officine Brera

Copy Link

Downtown’s Officine Brera is a power player’s paradise, steeped in dark wood and dim lighting. The rich meat and pasta menu is a throwback to power lunches from days gone by, while the soaring main dining room makes the grittier Arts District feel a world away.

Matthew Kang

Nick & Stef's Steakhouse

Copy Link

One of the city’s best steakhouses, Nick & Stef’s has been firing on all cylinders since their remodel a while back. The new look offers a more casual bar and sit-down space for a drink and a bite, while the more formal dining room is meant for securing the next big client.

Wonho Frank Lee

Hinoki & The Bird

Copy Link

This Century City must-eat spot is the perfect lunch option for the power players nearby, many of whom can be found out on the patio on a given day, putting together deals and languishing over a bottle of champagne.

Dylan + Jeni

Revamped Downtown corner location Miro has been pulling in the crowds lately, thanks to a strong charcuterie game and easy access to the many offices nearby. Bonus points for a whiskey collection that encourages a bit of business day-drinking.

Wonho Frank Lee

The Palm

Copy Link

A classic that never gets tired, The Palm on Canon Drive remains a great place to work deals or just enjoy a lingering steak and wine lunch with a group of suited comrades.

Elizabeth Daniels

Beautiful new player Paley is already a must-eat for Hollywood types taking meetings at the studios nearby. Plus, it’s got one of the best looks of any restaurant in the city right now.

Wonho Frank Lee

République

Copy Link

This maximalist spot on La Brea is both a haven for the moneyed lunchtime set and an all-out destination for everyone else. There are pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, and cocktails galore, making the place is a come-one-come-all haven for lunch.

Winsome

Copy Link

Winsome is among the most stylish restaurants on this list (albeit in a very different sort of way), making it an Eastside favorite for actors and managers and musicians alike. All those national accolades certainly must help give the place a little more cred, too.

Wonho Frank Lee

Loading comments...

71Above

There is no better place to impress (or intimidate) an out of town business client than a lunch high above the cityscape at 71Above. It helps of course that Vartan Abgaryan’s food is as top-notch as the views.

Wonho Frank Lee

Otium

Beauty informs Otium from top to bottom. The place is breathtaking inside, and the clientele usually isn’t anything to scoff at either. Definitely a place to see and be seen after a day at the Broad, the restaurant is thankfully also well-covered with a menu from all-star Timothy Hollingsworth.

Craft

Century City may not have a better place for powerful people to gather than Craft, which offers a staggering $40 three-course lunch option that not only gets you in and out fast, it provides a glimpse into what the impeccable restaurant is truly capable of.

Georgie

Beverly Hills hasn’t had a room this buzzy in a while. Georgie fulfills just about every need, from cozy lounge area to padded booths and big tables, for getting the job done with folks from the many agencies nearby.

Wonho Frank Lee

Kali

Melrose newcomer Kali carries a serious pedigree thanks to chef Kevin Meehan and Drew Langley, the former floor sommelier at Providence. The food is approachable but refined, the space is comfortable but elegant, and the daytime clientele is a mix of locals, studio types, and business people eager for a glass or two of wine with their midday meal.

The Rose

Jason Neroni’s The Rose is a dinnertime powerhouse, but their lunch is not to be trifled with either. Arrive early enough for coffee and pastries, then stick through midday for a sandwich or salad — or go all out with a larger option from within the Italian-leaning chef’s expansive repertoire.

Officine Brera

Downtown’s Officine Brera is a power player’s paradise, steeped in dark wood and dim lighting. The rich meat and pasta menu is a throwback to power lunches from days gone by, while the soaring main dining room makes the grittier Arts District feel a world away.

Matthew Kang

Nick & Stef's Steakhouse

One of the city’s best steakhouses, Nick & Stef’s has been firing on all cylinders since their remodel a while back. The new look offers a more casual bar and sit-down space for a drink and a bite, while the more formal dining room is meant for securing the next big client.

Wonho Frank Lee

Hinoki & The Bird

This Century City must-eat spot is the perfect lunch option for the power players nearby, many of whom can be found out on the patio on a given day, putting together deals and languishing over a bottle of champagne.

Dylan + Jeni

Miro

Revamped Downtown corner location Miro has been pulling in the crowds lately, thanks to a strong charcuterie game and easy access to the many offices nearby. Bonus points for a whiskey collection that encourages a bit of business day-drinking.

Wonho Frank Lee

The Palm

A classic that never gets tired, The Palm on Canon Drive remains a great place to work deals or just enjoy a lingering steak and wine lunch with a group of suited comrades.

Elizabeth Daniels

Paley

Beautiful new player Paley is already a must-eat for Hollywood types taking meetings at the studios nearby. Plus, it’s got one of the best looks of any restaurant in the city right now.

Wonho Frank Lee

République

This maximalist spot on La Brea is both a haven for the moneyed lunchtime set and an all-out destination for everyone else. There are pastries, sandwiches, salads, soups, and cocktails galore, making the place is a come-one-come-all haven for lunch.

Winsome

Winsome is among the most stylish restaurants on this list (albeit in a very different sort of way), making it an Eastside favorite for actors and managers and musicians alike. All those national accolades certainly must help give the place a little more cred, too.

Wonho Frank Lee

Related Maps