I spent the day at an iconic Wall Street steakhouse in search of the power lunch — but I was looking in the wrong place
Business Insider
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Alice Tecotzky spent a day at Delmonico’s, a renowned Wall Street steakhouse, exploring how the concept of the power lunch has evolved in the finance world. Once a bustling hub for high-finance dining, Delmonico’s is now part tourist attraction and part business lunch spot. Despite its iconic status, the restaurant is grappling with changes in Wall Street’s lunch culture. The pandemic shifted office routines, and companies are increasingly offering on-site perks like fancy cafeterias and food halls to keep employees in the office longer.
Delmonico’s serves around 150 diners for lunch and 300 for dinner daily, hosting corporate events for major firms. While its signature dishes, such as the 18-ounce ribeye and baked Alaska, remain crowd favorites, the restaurant has noticed a decline in business lunches. This is partly due to employers like JPMorgan, KKR, and Meta investing in elaborate office dining options—complete with Michelin-starred chefs and curated food halls—to attract talent. These perks are particularly appealing to younger employees seeking unique benefits.
Despite these changes, Delmonico’s still caters to Wall Street’s elite. The restaurant’s location near the NYSE and its reputation for high-quality dining ensure it remains a go-to for power lunches. However, the rise of corporate-run dining spaces highlights a broader trend: food is now a key tool for companies to enhance office culture and productivity. While traditional steakhouses like Delmonico’s still hold their allure, the modern workplace is redefining what lunch—and business—
Verticals
businessfinance
Originally published on Business Insider on 3/2/2026