Beijing's Best Business Lunch Specials

Workday lunches don’t have to be a dull routine of fast food or greasy dives. To simplify your midday meal meetings, Agenda has hand-picked some of the best business menus and the most outstanding lunch specials around town.

Alameda
This Brazilian restaurant is a perennial reader’s favorite, with a daily changing set menu that has plenty of options to choose from. At a mere RMB 60 the lunch deal is a steal, serving up hearty portions that satisfy. While you’re there, check out their decent list of reasonably priced wines or their capirihinas. Bigger groups should book a table. It wasn’t voted “Best Business Lunch” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards for nothing. Daily noon-3pm. Sanlitun Beijie (beside the Nali Mall), Chaoyang District. (6417 8084) 朝阳区三里屯北街

W Dine and Wine
The set lunches are a reasonable RMB 98, and the plush purple surroundings and mood lighting create a relaxed atmosphere that takes you away from your hectic workday in style. Lunch is served from 11.30am-2.30pm. Monday- Friday. 22-1 Dongzhimenwai Dajie (next to Jingkelong), Dongcheng District. (6416 9838) www.w-dinewine.com万杰福咖啡厅,东城区东直门外大街22-1

SALT
Venezuelan/Lebanese head chef Ana Estevez offers up popular two- and three-course menus (RMB 88-108), which change daily at this award-winning Lido area eatery. Voted an “Outstanding Business Lunch” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. Mon-Fri noon-3pm. 2/F, 9 Jiangtai Xilu (opposite the Japanese School,west of Rosedale Hotel), Chaoyang District. (6437 8457) www.saltrestaurantbeijing.com 盐, 朝阳区将台西路9号2层(珀丽酒店西边)

Aria
The China World Hotel restaurant delivers modern European cuisine in a smart casual dining environment that is known for its excellent service. Offering a delectable business set lunch menu (RMB 158/178/198 for three courses) from 11.30-2.30pm, you’re sure to leave satisfied after generous servings of the pigeon and pomegranate salad and coq au vin. 2/F, China World Hotel, 1 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District. (6505 2266 ext 6644) 阿郦雅, 朝阳区建国门外大街1号中国大饭店2层

Café Europa
Featuring light bistro fare, this chic venue draws in the well-heeled CBD crowd. The four lunch options change every week, and RMB 60-75 gets you the soup of the day, a green garden salad, a choice of main course and a dessert. Café Europa offers one of Beijing’s best value business lunches, and is a great place for anyone who appreciates good food and wine at fair prices. Rm 1113, Bldg 11, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 5663) www.cafeeuropa.cn 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho11号楼1113

Ganges
The mid-day crowds in the dining room attest to its popularity. Co-winner of “Best India/Pakistani” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, Ganges at The Village offers a generous, all-you-can-eat spread for just RMB 42 from 11am to 2.30pm on weekdays. S93-3, Sanlitun Village South, 19 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6416 0181/6121) www.ganges-restaurant.com 恒河印度餐厅,朝阳区三里屯路19号三里屯Village南区S93-3

Mughal’s
Up on the fourth floor of Nali Patio in Sanlitun, this authentic Indian/Pakistani restaurant serves a delicious, freshly prepared express lunch with a good selection of curries. Voted “Outstanding Indian/Pakistani” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, Mughal’s offers a midweek lunch buffet for RMB 45 from noon until 2.30pm. 4/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6082/134 6638 2160, mughalbeijing@yahoo.com) www.mughalbeijing.cn 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园4层

Saffron
Tucked away in the hutongs, this stylish Mediterranean restaurant is a fantastic lunchtime bistro with cozy interiors and an open kitchen. Saffron delivers an outstanding weekday set lunch menu priced at RMB 68 for two courses, RMB 88 for three, and RMB 108 for four courses. Tue-Sun Noon-2.30pm (lunch). 64 Wudaoying Hutong (150m west of Vineyard Café), Dongcheng District. (8404 4909) 藏红花,东城区安定门五道营胡同64号院(安定门桥东南角)

Argo
Situated in a beautiful courtyard building, this authentic Greek restaurant offers a reasonable lunch menu from 11.30-14.30 during the working week. For RMB 89, their Greek chef will serve you with a soup or salad, a choice of main course, a soft drink and a coffee. 59 Wudaoying Hutong (100 meters west of Vineyard Café), Dongcheng District. (8403 9748) 东城区五道营胡同59号

Village Café
This contemporary city café offers a new take on international flavors in a casual dining atmosphere. The set lunch menu costs RMB 68 for two courses, and RMB 88 for three, and friendly waiters serve quality food that’s sure to make you go for a second visit. The lunch menu is available weekdays from 11.30am to 2.30 pm. 1/F, The Opposite House, Bldg 1, Sanlitun Village, 11 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (6410 5210) www.theoppositehouse.com 朝阳区三里屯路11号三里屯Village1号楼瑜舍1层

Mosto
Offering inventive, exciting contemporary food with a South American twist, their incredibly popular weekday lunch specials are served daily from noon to 2.30pm and were voted an “Outstanding Business Lunch,” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. 3/F, Nali Patio, 81 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (5208 6030) www.mostobj.com 摸石头, 朝阳区三里屯路81号那里花园3层

Athena
Voted “Outstanding Mediterranean” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards, Athena offers an RMB 68 lunch buffet of salads, kebabs and sliced cold cuts all week from 11.30 to 2.30pm. 1 Sanlitun Xiwujie, Chaoyang District. (6464 6036) 雅典娜希腊餐厅, 朝阳区三里屯西五街1号

Di Napoli
Extensive and inexpensive set menus offer the best of this Italian eatery. RMB 68 gets you pizza, risotto or six pasta options along with a choice of salad and drink, while RMB 88 gets you a meat or seafood dish with a salad and a drink. C-10, Lucky Street, 1 Chaoyang Gongyuan Lu, Chaoyang District. (5867 0263) 拿波里餐厅, 朝阳区朝阳公园路好运街C-10号

Olive Cafe
This long-running restaurant combines Italian, Greek and southern French flavors and was voted “Outstanding Mediterranean” in the Beijinger’s 2010 Reader Restaurant Awards. The weekday set lunch menu offers a three-course meal featuring a choice between salad or soup, two entrees and two types of desserts, making it a good spot for a workday lunch. 17 Gongti Beilu (opposite north gate of Workers’ Stadium), Chaoyang District. (6417 9669) 朝阳区工体北路17号

Time Café
If you’re after five-star food at three-star prices, this two-course business set lunch menu is one of the best deals in town. The standard set lunch includes an appetizer, a main dish and desert, while RMB 68 will upgrade you to a steak set lunch. Daily from 11.30am to 3pm. Unit 1038, 3/F, Bldg 10, Jianwai Soho, 39 Dongsanhuan Zhonglu, Chaoyang District. (5869 3488) 食客满源咖啡厅, 朝阳区东三环中路39号建外Soho10号楼3层1038

TERRA
Check out newly opened TERRA at lunchtime for good food and great value. Their lunch rapido, served Tuesday to Friday from 11am-2pm, offers a choice of two courses from the daily specials menu, plus a glass of wine, local beer or juice for RMB 98. 1 Sanlitun Nanlu, Chaoyang District. (6591 9148) 朝阳区三里屯南路1号

La Pizza
Get a pasta dish and a salad for RMB 58, a salad and a pizza for RMB 68, a salad and fish or steak for RMB 78, a salad, pasta and soup for RMB 88. You can also choose the two-person set menu for RMB 98, which includes a salad and a margarita pizza. All set lunches come with soft drinks. Daily from 10.30am to 3pm. 1/F, 3.3 Mall, 33 Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang District. (5136 5582) 朝阳区朝阳区三里屯路33号3.3服装大厦西北角底商

Taverna
Set lunch menu features two courses following tea or coffee. Add RMB 20 for dessert, and RMB 30 for a glass of house wine. Daily from noon to 2.30pm. 1949–The Hidden City, Courtyard 4, Gongti Beilu (behind Pacific Century Place), Chaoyang District. (6501 8882) www.elite-concepts.com 朝阳区工体北路4号院 (盈科中心南面)

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