Looking to try somewhere different with your colleagues, somewhere to seal the deal or somewhere to toast to closing the contract? We’ve gathered Jozi’s ideal restaurants for every sort of business lunch.

The hidden gems

Bellagio (Illovo)

Bellagio is tucked away inside Oxford Manor, positioning it perfectly for intimate lunchtime meetings in a refined yet relaxed setting. The menu is extensive: think classic Italian meets French bistro. The signature fish dishes, however, are the main attraction. Think mussels, salmon tartare, prawn linguine and, on the meatier side, veal parmigiana. It’s the kind of restaurant that pays special attention to detail. There’s a famous bread basket, only the best ingredients are used, and the waiters are unobtrusive. They also offer superb wines by the glass so you can indulge without overdoing it. Secure parking right outside the restaurant is the cherry on top.

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Mastrantonio (Illovo)

Eloquent service, crisp white table cloths, a sophisticated setting and a simple but tasteful regional Italian menu – very little can go wrong in a place like this. You’ll find perfectly al dente pastas, rich risottos and robust salads. Owner Gianni’s father established a faultless formula for the business lunch in 1954 and they’ve continued to honour his legacy. He wanted diners to feel as though they were eating at home, offering accessible but beautiful food in an environment where, no matter your fame or fortune, your privacy would always be respected. And so it is.

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Luce Ristorante (Sandton)

Most people think of the Island Bar when they think of the Hyde Park Hotel, but at the other end of the hotel you’ll find Luce, a stylish and urbane restaurant that ticks all the boxes for a business lunch. It’s understated and elegant with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that offer views across the city. It’s fine-dining Italian with a Japanese slant. Don’t worry, this isn’t fusion food, they just offer the best of both: antipasti, primi and secondi, as well as all things sushi and tempura from Japan. Couple these delights with an award-winning wine list and you’re sure to seal the deal.

Consistent and speedy

The Local Grill (Parktown North)

Whilst they don’t offer much in the way of views, the glass doors open out onto 7th Avenue, meaning you won’t feel like you’re stuck indoors. The waiters and the management are very accustomed to serving those ‘on the clock’, so if you tell them you need your food quickly or describe any other way you want things done, they’ll be more than happy to oblige. The steak menu is extensive – keep things simple by opting for the wet- or dry-aged rump, or the rib-eye steak with hand-cut fries, and you can’t go wrong.

A steak at The Local Grill. Photo supplied.

Fishmonger (Rosebank and Illovo)

People say getting steak right is tricky, but I think fish can be more difficult. Here you’re guaranteed perfectly cooked, top-quality fish every time. They’re consistent, fast and friendly, and the huge size of the restaurant means it’s easy to get a table at lunch with or without a booking. Order the king seafood platter if you’re aiming to impress, or the simple battered hake, grilled linefish or kingklip Mediterranean for something on the lighter side. (They also go the extra mile by covering suit jackets on chairs with cloths and offering bibs for messier dishes, so you can be assured that you’ll head back to the office just as dapper as when you left.)

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Punchinello’s (Fourways)

This Montecasino restaurant is located just above the Pivot parking on the exterior of the shopping centre, so it’s relatively easy to access for a quick business lunch. It’s wonderfully quick to get in and out, there’s always parking, service is excellent and they have a phenomenal antipasti buffet, meaning you don’t have to waste precious time figuring out what to order. The buffet changes daily, but you’ll always find a variety of beautiful salads, imported cured meats, salmon, delicious cheeses and freshly made breads. A starter plate will set you back R85 and a main plate R135 and, if serving yourself isn’t your bag, then there’s also a concise but delectable a la carte menu from which to choose.

Making an impression

Café Del Sol Botanico (Bryanston)

The Viljoen family is at the heart of the Café Del Sol brand – each member always remembers your name and makes your guests feel special. Botanico is chic, light and tranquil, making it an ideal lunchtime oasis between Bryanston and Sandton. (And it’s situated just off William Nicol, with ample secure parking.) Try the signature gnocchi, black sesame-crusted salmon with smashed avocado, and the lamb rack with porcini risotto. Make sure to peruse the award-winning wine list. They also have an adjoining cocktail bar with a huge variety of whiskeys and cognacs, and a private dining room that seats up to 22 people with an HD projector and a 100-inch screen for conferencing, should you need it.

The interior of Cafe Del Sol Botanico. Photo supplied.

Marble (Rosebank)

If a bold first impression is what you’re after then you’ll certainly make one here. Sensational views and décor meet modern but approachable cuisine. It’s ‘live-fire theatre’ in the open-plan kitchen; every dish incorporating an element of either smoke or fire. The dish to go for is, without a doubt, the grilled rib-eye steak with heirloom tomato tartare, savoury pepper puree and grilled and confit peppers. And then, of course, there’s the bar, which is a triumph of aesthetic and scenery. What better place is there to persuade a client or celebrate a deal than overlooking the Joburg skyline?

Sunset at Marble. Photo supplied.

Gemelli (Bryanston)

It’s stylish, it’s sexy and it’s unapologetically loud. This is the kind of atmosphere that gets people in the mood for a good time and, hopefully, signing on the dotted line. It’s very much a corporate lunchtime café with a calibre of customers that inspires networking. This is not a restaurant for intimate conversations – it’s the kind of place to spoil a client with gorgeous modern Italian-inspired cuisine and lavish wines. It’s the kind of restaurant that encourages you to indulge, but tastefully so. Ensure you try the Calamari Gemelli and the famed lamb rump. Make use of their downstairs venue (The Pantry) for intimate tapas or a private dining experience.

The Spanish-inspired Rigatoni Spagnoli from Gemelli. Photo supplied.

Where’s your favourite spot to dine on the company credit card? Tell us in the comments.