Lunch dates are a great way to connect with someone special during the day. Sharing a meal allows you to focus on each other without the distractions of an evening date. From quick bites to leisurely lunches, there are many creative lunch date ideas to try. This beginner’s guide will give you lots of inspiration to plan meaningful and fun lunch dates.
Pick a Tasty Spot
The first step in planning a lunch date is choosing where to eat. Consider the following locations to spark ideas:
Local Restaurants
Visiting a new restaurant in your area is a classic lunch date. Sit down at a table and enjoy ordering appetizers and entrees off the menu. Opt for cuisines that you both enjoy, whether Italian, Mexican, sushi, or another favorite. Talking over an actual meal makes the date feel special.
Food Trucks
For a atmosphere why not explore the local food truck scene? You have the opportunity to sample and combine cuisines and dishes. Once you’ve picked up your meal find a spot to sit close by on a park bench. Food trucks offer great variety at an affordable price point.
Bakeries and Cafes
Spend time at a bakery or cafe for a sweet or coffee-centered date. Order slices of cake, muffins, or other pastries to share. Or sip lattes, cappuccinos, or iced coffees together. Cafes have cozy atmospheres that are ideal for chatting.
Fast Casual Restaurants
Chipotle, Panera, or Noodles & Company are great places to grab lunch quickly. Go through the line together and then find a table. Fast casual spots offer the convenience of speedy counter service with the perk of comfortable seating.
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Pack a Picnic
Picnics are a romantic lunch date idea if the weather is nice. You get privacy and can take in scenic nature views. Here are creative picnic ideas:
Parks and Gardens
Pack sandwiches, salads, fruit, cheese, and other portable items to enjoy at a local park or garden. Lay out a blanket and soak up the surroundings. Parks offer open space while gardens provide beautiful plants.
Beaches
Head to a beach for a relaxing oceanfront picnic. Bring fold-up chairs and an umbrella along with your food. Enjoy ocean breezes and views. Build a little sandcastle together afterward!
Hiking Trails
For an active date, pack a lunch to take on a hike. Bring trail-friendly foods like sandwiches, granola bars, trail mix, and fruits. Stop halfway through your hike, find a nice spot, and refuel with your picnic.
Your Backyard
Don’t overlook your own backyard! Throw together a homemade lunch and lay out a blanket on the grass. Put out games like cornhole afterward. Enjoy your own private picnic at home.
Learn Together
Take a class or workshop together during your lunch date for a creative experience. Here are engaging ideas to try:
Cooking Class
Take a lunch-hour cooking class focused on making a specific type of cuisine, like Italian, French, or sushi. You’ll learn new skills side-by-side and then get to enjoy eating the meal you prepped.
Wine Tasting
Sip and savor fine wines at a daytime wine tasting class. You’ll gain knowledge about wines and enhance your tasting abilities while having fun. Class sizes are often small and intimate.
Craft Workshop
Get creative together by taking a craft workshop over lunch. Pottery painting, jewelry making, candle pouring, and other short craft classes are offered many places. The take-home artifact will remind you of the date.
Dance Class
Try partner dancing by taking a beginner-level lesson during lunch. You may learn styles like swing, salsa, tango, or ballroom. Dancing is a great skill to discover together step-by-step.
Explore and Eat
Another approach for a lunch date is exploring an area together, stopping to refuel at an eatery. Consider these adventurous date ideas:
Museum and Cafe
Check out exhibits at a museum then recharge at the onsite cafe. Sit by a window and discuss your favorite displays over coffee and sandwiches. The cafe offers a nice post-exploring break.
Zoo and Concessions
Make a date of wandering through zoo enclosures, then grab food at one of the zoo’s restaurants or snack bars. You’ll work up an appetite by being active at the zoo! Reflect on the cute animals you saw.
Aquarium and Gift Shop Eats
Similarly, visit the aquatic life at an aquarium together. After checking out the sea creatures, pop into the gift shop cafe for appetizers or light bites. Chat about your underwater adventures so far!
Botanical Garden and Onsite Bistro
Stroll through themed gardens and lush greenspaces, then stop for a bite in the botanical garden’s restaurant. The bistro menu often has fresh, seasonal offerings. Dine surrounded by nature’s beauty.
Bring the Fun
Playful activities make for lively, engaging lunch dates. Incorporate these fun ideas into your plans:
Arcade and Pizza
Get competitive at the arcade playing air hockey, skeeball, racing games, and more. Work up an appetite then chow down on greasy pizza and soda. Arcades make you feel like a kid again!
Bowling Alley Food
Bowl a few games at the lanes, then feast on typical bowling alley fare like burgers, fries, nachos, and milkshakes. Laugh at your gutter balls and cheer on strikes over satisfying comfort food.
Mini Golf and Ice Cream
Play a round of mini golf as you walk and talk side-by-side. Be silly and keep the mood lighthearted. Afterward, head to the clubhouse for celebratory ice cream cones.
Trampoline Park and Smoothies
Jump your hearts out at an indoor trampoline park. Take breaks to sip smoothies packed with fruit and protein. Get your adrenaline pumping then replenish!
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Final Touches
To polish off your plans, keep these finishing touches in mind:
Focus on Quality Conversation
The best lunch dates prioritize quality conversation. Chat about meaningful topics beyond the superficial small talk. Discover new things about each other.
Have an Activity Planned Too
Balance your time together between eating, activity, and conversation. Fun activities give you shared experiences to bond over.
Show Appreciation
Thank your date for spending their lunch break with you. Express how much you enjoyed their company and the food. Show gratitude!
Make Future Lunch Plans
If your lunch date went well, bring up doing it again! Schedule another date on the calendar. Ritual lunches become special standing traditions.
Planning a lunch date may feel tricky, but creativity and advance thought make for memorable midday outings. Keep an open mind, focus on togetherness, and have fun exploring these ideas!