Lunch Date Ideas
A list of lunch date ideas, and why a lunch date is a great idea to shake up your date night routine!
When I was in graduate school, we were dating and then engaged. It was a busy time! I was working and earning a demanding master’s degree. I was also trying to spend lots of time with this guy I was madly in love with! We learned during busy weeks with so many late nights, the only time we could see each other was a quick lunch date.
Lunch dates have had a special place in my heart ever since that time!
We’ve become lunch date experts and are here to help you find a great way to up the romance and spend some quality time together with the best lunch date ideas!
Why a Lunch Date is a Great Date Option
Beyond that season of life, as young professionals who put in some late hours in corporate jobs, we’ve found a lunch date is always a great idea for several reasons!
- You aren’t tired and ready for bed
- There’s a different atmosphere
- It’s usually cheaper
- More availability at busy locations
Lunch Date Ideas
If you’re ready to make a lunch date happen, we have a bunch of fun ways to make it feel new and exciting! Try one of these lunch date ideas.
Luxury on a Budget Lunch Date
Book a high-end restaurant for a less expensive meal
Feast on Something New
Try a foreign cuisine you’ve never had. Seriously, use this little time together to broaden your horizons and try some new cuisines! Bonus points for a place with a unique ambiance and live music.
Cheapest Lunch Competition
See if you can find the cheapest place in your area to grab lunch. You can eat decently and only spend pennies with a little creativity and a little competition!
Enjoy a Great View Lunch Date
Get a table with a view. If you want the perfect lunch date that tunes up the romance, find a scenic spot and make a reservation. You can usually get a great meal with a lower price tag if you’re willing to go early to late afternoon.
Follow the Ratings Lunch Dates
Look up the highest-rated restaurants or most recommended spots from food influencers, and use them for lunch date ideas all year.
Take turns picking your favorite lunch locations
I know there’s an eternal joke that couples can’t ever agree on a spot to eat, or one never truly gets to pick. But make it a rule that you have to take turns. Whoever chose last time agrees to happily go along with the other party’s choice.
And if my own husband is reading this, yes, that does mean you’re gonna love that salad with spinach and chicken with a smile next week!
Office Picnic Date
Have lunch outside the office. I once had coworkers married to each other, and I loved when I’d accidentally stumble on their cute lunch dates on the grass or small tables outside. Invite your date to come to you, and enjoy your space.
Pack a Picnic Date
Tune up the romance with a picnic date idea! Grab a blanket, pack your picnic basket, include some light bites, and head out for a fun date at your local park.
Takeout Picnic
If a full picnic sounds overwhelming, try a takeout picnic date. You just order your takeout/takeaway meal and head to a place that has a table or bench. It’s an easy way to focus on the relaxed atmosphere and facilitate some great conversation while you have a picnic lunch date.
Enjoy Brunch for a Lunch Date
Find a favorite breakfast spot and enjoy breakfast food at a less busy time just before they switch the menu for lunch. Take your time so it’s truly a lunch date!
Food Truck Date
Have a lunch date at a food truck. You can usually find where they are set up on their social media accounts. Also, many cities have Food Truck Friday at major hot spots. Those make for a great date spot because you can try food from different trucks all in one date!
Farmer’s Market Date Ideas
Head to your local farmers market and enjoy lunch while you explore local vendors.
Surprise Sack Lunch Date
Pack each other lunch and meet up to eat together for a lunch date that will bring out your inner child, opening that lunch sack to see what’s for lunch.
Enjoy the Café Patio
Most cities and towns have at least one cafe that feels very European. Think a delicious seasonal meat and a setup where you can go eat on the patio. Lean into this movie-worthy scene that makes for a very cute lunch date.
Romantic Stroll with a Side of Lunch Date
Grab food you can enjoy while you take a walk around your area. Think a casual walk on the beach or in the park, where you wander around instead of a sweat inducing speed walk.
Enjoy a Sweet Treat
Go get a dessert item as the main course. You only live once. Here’s your permission to let dessert be lunch for a date.
Restaurant Crawl Date
Do a quick restaurant crawl and get lunch and dessert from different places
Lunch Date with History
Find the oldest restaurant in the area and go patronize it
Split a Meal
Split a large meal to save stomach space and some money. Lots of places are happy to pre-split in advance. But we’re never going to stop you from having your own Lady and the Tramp spaghetti moment either!
Appetizer Date
Order appetizers only. Get a great mix and enjoy those for a light bite.
Ride Your Bikes
If you have a lunch date that isn’t on a workday, turn it into a bike ride lunch date! We love to do these on Saturdays when the weather is nice. It’s so fun to get in a little activity, a scenic view, and a delicious meal together.
Lunch Date Tips
- Plan for a longer lunch and buffer your schedule if it’s a workday
- Try to make reservations in advance
- Choose a lunch date outfit appropriate for the setting
- Try a lunch date on a workday as well as a weekend to see what fits best for your schedule
- Don’t make it at noon: It’s the busiest time of day. Opt for an earlier or later lunchtime
- Feel free to turn a lunch date into a double date to catch up with friends
- If you’re not in a committed relationship, offer to go Dutch. It’s good dating etiquette, particularly for a low-key date.
We hope you feel inspired to make a lunch date happen! We promise you won’t regret it, and sometimes couples love it so much, they swap their date night dining time entirely!
Like these lunch date ideas? You may like these posts too:
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