The Bond Collective Neighborhood Guide: 25 Best Business Lunch Spots near Madison Square Park
Each Bond Collective location is set in a dynamic neighborhood with a vibrant culinary identity of its own. The Bond Collective Neighborhood Guide will feature some of the best restaurant, cafe, and bar options for our members to enjoy. Your local Community Team is always available to steer you in the right direction! At Bond Collective, we want you to love the space and neighborhood as much as we do, and as the old saying states, the best way to a person’s heart is through their stomach…
The following list includes the fancy, the quick and the delicious options of restaurants in the Flatiron/Madison Square Park area that are sure to impress no matter the scenario. In no particular order of tastiness...
1 - Harding’s
Serving upscale American Fare, Harding’s provides a warm, social environment with a reliable menu. While it’s excellent for a team lunch, it can sometimes have slow service. So save this for the days you want to have leisurely company bonding time!
32 E 21st Street - Visit Website
2 -Luke's Lobster
With it's flagship located in East Village, Luke's now brings traceable sustainable seafood to guests across the country, including it's newest outpost in bustling NoMad.
PS: Bond Collective members get 15% off catering services and a free beverage or side with meal purchase at any Luke's NYC location.
5 West 25th Street - Visit Website
3 - Sarabeth’s
Known for its weekend brunch, Sarabeth’s shouldn’t soon be forgotten for the weekly lunch crowd as well! Its large, open interior welcomes guests and their fresh, locally sourced ingredients ensure a delightful meal experience every time. Save this for the picky eater in your work life, they’re sure to find at least one thing they love.
381 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
4 - Almond
Almond takes the best of French cuisine and serves it in a simultaneously casual and elegant atmosphere. Word on the street is that if you check in on Yelp, you get a free glass of bubbly...let us know if that’s true!
12 E 22nd Street - Visit Website
5 - Hillstone
Forget what you’ve heard about chain restaurants, because Hillstone breaks the mold! They have a menu that boasts sushi, salads and burgers, so you’ll be well fed for doing those grueling afternoon expenses. Pro Tip: The Brussel Sprouts are not to be missed!
378 Park Ave South - Visit Website
6 - Upland
A chic brasserie with California influences, Upland is ideal for a group with various lunch tastes. From Pasta to cheeseburgers, and pizzas to salads, this restaurant doesn’t have a bad item on the menu. Plus side is that while it’s blizzarding outside, you’ll feel like you’re chowing down in sunny LA.
345 Park Ave South - Visit Website
7 - Bocca
A quiet Italian eatery tucked away on sleepy 19th street, Bocca offers a 3 course lunch special of $17. That’s reasonable enough to treat yo-self AND your boss!
39 E 19th Street #1 - Visit Website
8 - Craft Bar
Craft Bar is fantastic because it’s more casual than its upscale counterpart, Craft, yet it still offers renowned chef Tom Colicchio's famous meal options. A must-order to make all your coworkers who ordered the arugula salad jealous is the crispy, flavorful Chicken and Waffles! But honestly, the arugula salad is pretty epic also.
900 Broadway - Visit Website
9 - Florian
An upscale trattoria that puts a modern flair on classic Italian dishes, Florian has one of Flatiron’s most Instagrammable dishes. Luckily, it also happens to be one of the tastiest. We recommend that if you come here, you do not miss the Lobster Pizza! Apologies in advance for all of your coworkers that will now be taking pictures of food at lunch...
225 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
10 - Maialino
While you can get a generous Pre-Fixe lunch at Maialino for $48, you can also opt for flavor-packed Italian sandwiches that combine Salumi with Chili Tapenade and luxurious pasta dishes filled full with braised rabbit and olives. Our advice? Go back more than once to try it all.
Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Ave - Visit Website
11 - Craft
Not to be confused with its more casual cousin down the block (if Craftbar is wearing jeans, Craft is in pressed khakis), Craft is Chef Tom Colicchio's more elegant brainchild. This restaurant uses only the finest seasonal ingredients, so you know whatever is on your plate is fresh and prepared to perfection. Recommended for the boss that is meeting an important business associate.
43 E 19th Street - Visit Website
12 - The Smith
If you’re meeting friends for lunch and want crispy fries on the side of your Arugula, Goat Cheese and Steak salad, The Smith is for you! Fancy enough to take reservations, but not so fancy that it requires a sports coat, The Smith has some of the best damn Mac ‘n Cheese in NYC. Make sure you try it out!
1150 Broadway - Visit Website
13 - Friend of a Farmer
It’s no surprise that this restaurant is always packed from open to close; its farm-to-table mentality ensures that each dish is fresh and tasty. You can’t go wrong by choosing the option of “Breakfast for Lunch” and go with a fluffy, veggie-stuffed omelet.
77 Irving Place # 1 - Visit Website
14 - Gramercy Farmer and the Fish
Situated on Park Avenue South, Gramercy Farmer & the Fish is the brand new counterpart to Purdy’s Farmer & The Fish in North Salem, NY. This restaurant takes a twist on the whole farm-to-table fad: it’s fish to table. With a raw bar including oysters, clams, shrimp & crab, you’ll feel like you’re spending your lunch break by the sea!
245 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
15 - Union Square Cafe
Danny Meyer’s first restaurant is still one of the most iconic restaurants in New York City. It is a no-tipping establishment that is constantly bustling with native New Yorkers and new locals alike for its delicious fare. Try to make a reservation, because this is a can’t miss experience.
101 E 19th Street - Visit Website
16 - Pete’s Tavern
A no-frills vintage bar that has been opened since 1864, Pete’s Tavern has the absolute best burger in NYC. If you disagree with us, you’re wrong.
Pete's doesn't take reservations, so plan accordingly!
129 E 18th Street - Visit Website
17 - Dos Caminos
Meeting an old colleague and want to drink away any tension from that time you stole his stapler? Take him to Mexican haven Dos Caminos for a few margaritas! By the time you’re halfway through your Pineapple Guacamole, you guys will be best friends again.
373 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
18 - Sugarfish
If you can get into this brand new restaurant, you’re either working for a super hip digital magazine and need to get a story, or you’ve been camping out since 11am to get a table when they open. The freshest sushi from here to Florida, all of your trendy, food-blogging friends will be impressed with this choice. Make sure to get the “Trust Me” choice on the menu! Unfortunately, Sugarfish doesn't take reservations - but the delicious sushi is worth the wait!
33 E 20th Street - Visit Website
19 - Aleo
Another Italian eatery takes the list, but we can’t help it, you just can’t say no to a $22 Pre-Fixe menu where you can stock up on all the carbs you want. Carbo-loading gives you energy, and that’s just what you’ll need for Jerry’s presentation on Coding Analytics at 4pm. While you’re at it, a glass of wine couldn’t hurt either.
7 W 20th Street #1 - Visit Website
20 - Little Beet Table
It’s your first day at the new office, and your coworkers ask you where you want to eat. You don’t want to suggest Shake Shack and scare them off by the ferocity at which you down cheese fries, but you know you’ll be hungry after just a small soup. The solution? Little Beet Table. Healthy, delicious and flavorful dishes that never disappoint. You’re welcome!
333 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
21 - Mizu
Serving consistently delicious sushi with a few Thai options on the menu, Mizu is a fan favorite local sushi spot in Flatiron. Come here enough, and the owners make a point to recognize you. Can’t beat a place where everybody knows your name!
29 E 20th Street - Visit Website
22 - Barbounia
250 Park Avenue South - Visit Website
A hip mediterranean restaurant across the street from Gramercy Farmer & The Fish, Barbounia has excellent options to either share a $27 Israeli “Hafla” -- starting with dips and salads and moving on to the heartier fishes and meats -- or go solo on sandwiches and flatbreads that will briefly make you forget about your employee performance review at 3pm.
23 - ABC Kitchen
ABC Kitchen is the place where you take your colleagues visiting from out of town that want the “Real New York Experience.” It’s chic, organic and is constantly frequented by celebrities. The restaurant may be a little pricey, but trust us, it’s worth it. And you will never taste anything like their Crab Toast.
35 E 18th Street - Visit Website
24 - Osteria Del Principe
A couple steps away from the Flatiron building stands a restaurant that houses some of the best charcuterie in NYC. This is the perfect place to have that midday (necessary) glass of vino while shamelessly tossing back a block of cheese.
27 E 23rd Street - Visit Website
25 - Periyali
One of the most famous Greek restaurants in Manhattan for a reason, head straight with your work pals to Periyali for unreal authentic cuisine. With Charcoal Grilled Octopus and tastebud hugging Chicken Kebabs, Periyali is the ideal place to beat those Monday Blues.
35 W 20th Street - Visit Website
About the Author:
Lara Gould is the Assistant Community Manager at our Bond Flatiron location.
Lara made the move from North Carolina to New York immediately after high school, attending Syracuse University and graduating in 2015 with a major in Public Relations and minor in Psychology. With a passion for engaging with people, Lara took her interpersonal skills to the entertainment world where she spent time in reality television casting and production. After a couple years, she transitioned to Bond Collective, bringing her collaborative and outgoing nature to the Bond Flatiron community.
Have any questions about what Bond Collective can offer your company?
We’d be more than happy to answer them and to offer you a personalized tour of any of our locations in the Financial District, Flatiron and Brooklyn.