Thank you for lunch is more than just a simple phrase; it’s a gesture that shows your appreciation for someone’s generosity, time, and company. Whether you just wrapped up a business meeting over a meal or enjoyed a casual catch-up with a friend, expressing gratitude appropriately makes all the difference.
But saying the same thing over and over again can start to feel stale, especially in professional settings or repeated social gatherings. The good news? There are many unique ways to express appreciation after a shared meal that feel more personal and thoughtful.
In this guide, you’ll discover 30 creative, polite, and heartfelt ways to say “thank you for lunch,” each paired with a realistic scenario. You’ll also learn when and how to use these phrases in different contexts, whether through email, text, or in person.
What to say instead of “Thank you for Lunch”
- I appreciate you treating me to lunch today.
- Thank you for the wonderful lunch.
- It was so kind of you to buy me lunch.
- I’m grateful for the lunch today.
- Thanks for the great company and meal.
- I enjoyed our lunch together.
- That was a delicious lunch, thank you.
- Thank you for the generous meal.
- I appreciate your thoughtfulness in treating me to lunch.
- Thank you for sharing a meal with me today.
- I’m so glad you invited me to lunch.
- That was a lovely lunch, thank you!
- Thanks for the amazing lunch experience.
- I can’t thank you enough for the lunch.
- Your hospitality was truly appreciated.
- Thank you for the thoughtful lunch.
- I truly appreciate the lunch today.
- I had a wonderful time over lunch, thanks!
- Thanks for a great lunch date.
- I appreciate the opportunity to break bread with you.
- Your generosity means so much. Thank you for lunch.
- I’m so thankful for your generosity in treating me to lunch.
- I truly enjoyed our lunch. Thank you for including me.
- Thank you for such a wonderful meal and conversation.
- Thanks for the fantastic lunch, I had a great time!
- That lunch was exactly what I needed, thanks so much!
- Thanks for the great lunch and the good company.
- I appreciate the time and effort you put into today’s lunch.
- Thank you for lunch, I truly enjoyed every moment.
- It was wonderful to share a meal with you. Thank you.
What Does “Thank You for Lunch” Mean?
At its core, this phrase is a polite acknowledgment of the meal and the experience that came with it. It recognizes the host’s time, generosity, and thoughtfulness, whether they paid for lunch, cooked it themselves, or simply shared their company.
In both personal and professional contexts, it builds goodwill, strengthens relationships, and shows you’re not taking the gesture for granted.
Is It Professional/Polite to Say “Thank You for Lunch”?
Absolutely. It’s considered standard etiquette to express gratitude after being treated to lunch. Whether you’re dining with a colleague, a boss, a client, or a friend, saying thanks reinforces respect and appreciation.
When it’s especially important:
- After a business lunch or networking meal
- When someone covers the bill unexpectedly
- If lunch included hospitality or was home-cooked
- As part of a follow-up email or message
In all cases, finding the right words to match the situation can make your message stand out and feel genuine.
Advantages or Disadvantages of Saying “Thank You for Lunch”
Advantages:
- Strengthens relationships (both personal and professional)
- Shows good manners and etiquette
- Can open the door for future invitations or collaborations
- Demonstrates that you noticed and valued the gesture
Disadvantages:
- Saying it too generically or too often can feel impersonal
- It may come off as robotic if it lacks warmth or variation
- In certain formal cultures, verbal thanks alone might not suffice (a handwritten note may be expected)
30 Other Ways to Say “Thank You for Lunch” (With Examples)
Each phrase is tailored for different contexts, including emails, texts, or spoken responses.
1. “I Appreciate You Treating Me to Lunch Today.”
📧 Email Example:
Hi Sarah,
Thanks again for lunch today I truly appreciate you treating me. It was great catching up and talking through ideas for the project.
2. “Thank You for the Wonderful Lunch.
💬 Text Message:
That was a wonderful lunch, thank you! I loved the food and your company.
3. “It Was So Kind of You to Buy Me Lunch.
📧 Email Example:
Hi Jake,
It was so kind of you to buy me lunch this afternoon. I enjoyed our discussion on the marketing campaign.
4. “I’m Grateful for the Lunch Today.
💼 Business Follow-up Email:
Just wanted to say I’m grateful for the lunch today, Lisa. Your insights were invaluable.
5. “Thanks for the Great Company and Meal.”
👫 Spoken After Lunch:
Thanks for the great company and meal it made my day.
6. “I Enjoyed Our Lunch Together.”
📧 Email Example:
Hi Josh,
I enjoyed our lunch together. Let’s keep the conversation going over coffee next week?
7. “That Was a Delicious Lunch, Thank You.”
💬 Text Message:
Delicious lunch, thank you! You always pick the best places.
8. “Thank You for the Generous Meal.”
📧 Formal Email:
Dear Mr. Collins,
Thank you for the generous meal and the opportunity to connect over lunch. I appreciate your time.
9. “I Appreciate Your Thoughtfulness in Treating Me to Lunch.”
💬 Text Message:
You didn’t have to treat me, but I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thank you for lunch!
10. “Thank You for Sharing a Meal with Me Today.”
📝 Lunch Appreciation Note:
It was lovely sharing a meal with you today—thank you!
11. “I’m So Glad You Invited Me to Lunch.”
📧 Business Lunch Thank You:
Hi Olivia,
Thanks again for the invite! I’m so glad you included me for lunch—it was both productive and enjoyable.
12. “That Was a Lovely Lunch, Thank You!”
💬 Casual Message:
Such a lovely lunch, thank you! Let’s do it again soon.
13. “Thanks for the Amazing Lunch Experience.”
📝 Dining Etiquette Expression:
Thanks for the amazing lunch experience—everything was perfect, from the food to the vibe.
14. “I Can’t Thank You Enough for the Lunch.”
💬 Text Message:
I can’t thank you enough for the lunch. It truly meant a lot.
15. “Your Hospitality Was Truly Appreciated.”
📧 Professional Email:
Your hospitality was truly appreciated during our lunch meeting. I look forward to collaborating further.
16. “Thank You for the Thoughtful Lunch.”
💬 Message to a Colleague:
Thank you for the thoughtful lunch today. I feel recharged and ready for the next steps.
17. “I Truly Appreciate the Lunch Today.
📧 Client Email:
I truly appreciate the lunch today—it gave me a fresh perspective on the project.
18. “I Had a Wonderful Time Over Lunch, Thanks!”
💬 Casual Message:
Had a wonderful time over lunch—thanks again, Amy!
19. “Thanks for a Great Lunch Date.”
💬 Friendly Text:
Thanks for a great lunch date! Loved catching up.
20. “I Appreciate the Opportunity to Break Bread with You.”
📧 Professional Setting:
I appreciate the opportunity to break bread with you and discuss strategy in such a relaxed setting.
21. “Your Generosity Means So Much, Thank You for Lunch.”
💬 Gratitude Message:
Your generosity means so much—thank you for lunch today.
22. “I’m So Thankful for Your Generosity in Treating Me to Lunch.”
📧 Formal Thanks:
I’m so thankful for your generosity today. The lunch and conversation were both excellent.
23. “I Truly Enjoyed Our Lunch, Thank You for Including Me.”
📧 Team Follow-up:
I truly enjoyed our lunch—thank you for including me. Looking forward to the next steps!
24. “Thank You for Such a Wonderful Meal and Conversation
💬 Text Message:
Thank you for such a wonderful meal and conversation. You always brighten my day.
25. “Thanks for the Fantastic Lunch, I Had a Great Time!”
💬 Message to a Friend:
Thanks for the fantastic lunch—I had a great time catching up.
26. “That Lunch Was Exactly What I Needed, Thanks So Much!
💬 After a Tough Day:
That lunch was exactly what I needed—thanks so much!
27. “Thanks for the Great Lunch and the Good Company.
📧 Polite Lunch Response:
Thanks for the great lunch and the good company. Let’s make it a monthly thing!
28. “I Appreciate the Time and Effort You Put Into Today’s Lunch.”
📧 Client Appreciation:
I appreciate the time and effort you put into today’s lunch—it was a pleasure connecting.
29. “Thank You for Lunch, I Truly Enjoyed Every Moment.”
💬 Warm Message:
Thank you for lunch, I truly enjoyed every moment.
30. “It Was Wonderful to Share a Meal with You, Thank You.”
📧 Professional Note:
It was wonderful to share a meal with you. Thank you for taking the time.
Conclusion
Expressing gratitude after lunch doesn’t have to be boring or repetitive. With these 30 creative alternatives, you can say “thank you for lunch” in a way that feels sincere, fresh, and meaningful. Whether you’re aiming for professional thank you phrases or a simple lunch appreciation note, you now have plenty of options to match the moment.
Emma Olivia is an experienced blogger and the creative mind behind Grammar Scope. With a passion for language and years of writing expertise, she crafts engaging, informative content that simplifies grammar and writing tips for readers worldwide. Emma’s dedication to clear communication and love for the written word shine through every article she publishes, making Grammar Scope a trusted resource for language enthusiasts and learners alike.
