ABOUT THE AWARD

The FT Weekend Business Lunch Awards in partnership with OpenTable, celebrates the unique role of lunch in shaping ideas, sealing deals and building lasting relationships. In its first year, the Awards will focus on celebrating restaurants in and around London where conversation and cuisine meet. The Awards will be given in five categories: best food; best atmosphere; best new opening; best out-of-town option, plus a judge’s choice award. FT readers must submit their nominations digitally before the deadline of October 24th. The selection process begins with the determination of a shortlist which will be announced at the end of October 2025, followed by the grand announcement of the winners at a special Awards lunch in London in December 2025 hosted by FT restaurant critic Jay Rayner.

Prize for entrants

FT Readers who nominate at least one restaurant which satisfies the criteria above will take part in a draw to be among the first to lunch at Simpson’s on the Strand when it reopens in early 2026. There are 3 “lunch for two” prizes available.

View Prize Draw Terms and Conditions.

Prize for restaurants

All shortlisted restaurants will be invited to the Awards lunch (location and time to be confirmed) and receive a digital and physical decal identifying them as among the FT Weekend’s shortlisted or winning business lunch restaurants. The decal will also appear on OpenTable booking pages where applicable.

View Competition Terms and Conditions.

Judging

The judging panel will be chaired by FT Magazine food and drink editor Harriet Fitch Little and consist of the FT’s key food and drink contributors and FT Weekend editor Janine Gibson. The shortlist in each category will be determined primarily from public nominations, however the FT editor reserves the right to exercise editorial discretion.

Best Food

Cooking so good it could disrupt the flow of conversation. Judges will prioritise menus that impress without overwhelming, where the skill of the chef is front and centre, where seasonality is taken into account and ingredients are sourced from quality suppliers.

Best Atmosphere

A restaurant that manages to create a sense of occasion without sacrificing on discretion. Judges will prioritise good acoustics, charming staff, thoughtful management - and the possibility of bumping into someone interesting on your way out the door.

Best New Opening

A restaurant in the greater London area that already feels like a destination for business lunches and which opened on or after September 1 2024. Judges will be encouraged to consider vision, execution, buzz and potential longevity.

Best Out-of-Town Option

Food, service and setting beyond Greater London - whether to another city or the countryside. This restaurant should be reachable with a day trip from the capital.

Judge’s Choice

This special award is selected directly by the FT Weekend judging panel, recognising a business lunch that stands out above categories and criteria. It is reserved for a restaurant that, in the judges’ view, captures the very essence of the business lunch - where exceptional food, atmosphere and service come together. The Judge’s Choice honours those rare venues that feel timeless, influential and truly unforgettable. 

This award will be chosen directly by our judges - no public nominations are required.

If you have any questions, please contact us at ftlive@ft.com

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