What It's Just Lunch Does
It's Just Lunch is a matchmaking service that pairs single people on dates rather than leaving matching to an algorithm or app. A matchmaker at the company reviews your profile, learns what you're looking for, and suggests specific people they think you'd connect with. You meet for a meal — usually lunch or coffee — and the service handles the introduction.
The service operates in major U.S. cities and some international locations. You pay a membership fee upfront, and that fee covers a set number of introductions over a set period. Unlike dating apps where you swipe and message, It's Just Lunch does the filtering work before you ever meet someone.
The company has been operating since 1991 and positions itself as an alternative to online dating for people who prefer a more personal, curated approach. The matchmaker's job is to understand both people well enough to predict whether a date will be worth both people's time.
Key Takeaways
- It's Just Lunch assigns you a personal matchmaker who suggests specific people based on your stated preferences and personality, not an algorithm.
- You pay a membership fee upfront that covers a certain number of introductions over a set timeframe, typically ranging from several months to a year.
- The service handles the initial introduction and arranges the logistics; you meet the other person at a restaurant or café for a meal.
- The matchmaker follows up after each date to gather feedback, which they use to refine future matches for you.
- Membership costs vary by location and package, and the company offers different tier levels with different numbers of introductions included.
How the Matching Process Works
When you join, you meet with your assigned matchmaker for an initial consultation. This conversation covers your relationship history, what you're looking for in a partner, your lifestyle, your values, and what matters to you in a relationship. The matchmaker takes notes and builds a profile of who might be a good fit.
The matchmaker then searches their existing client base for people who align with what you've described. They're looking for compatibility on the factors you mentioned — not just age and location, but personality, life stage, values, and what you each want from dating. When they find someone they think could work, they contact both people to propose the introduction.
If both people agree, the matchmaker arranges the logistics: they suggest a restaurant or café, coordinate a time that works for both of you, and provide each person with basic information about the other (name, profession, interests). You show up to the date without having messaged back and forth beforehand.
What Happens Before and After Your Date
Before you meet, the matchmaker gives you a brief overview of the other person — their job, a few interests, maybe something about their personality. You don't get a photo exchange or a chance to message; the idea is that you go in with an open mind and let the conversation flow naturally.
After the date, the matchmaker reaches out to you and asks how it went. They want to know whether you felt chemistry, whether the conversation flowed, whether you'd want to see the person again, and what specifically did or didn't work. This feedback is crucial: it helps the matchmaker understand what you respond to in person, which often differs from what people think they want on paper.
The matchmaker uses this information to refine their understanding of you and to make better matches going forward. If both people want to see each other again, the matchmaker may facilitate a second introduction or step back and let you two handle it directly.
Membership Tiers and Costs
It's Just Lunch offers different membership packages, and the cost depends on your location and which tier you choose. Packages typically include a set number of introductions — commonly ranging from 6 to 12 dates — over a period of several months to a year. The company does not publish exact pricing online; you get a quote after an initial consultation.
Higher-tier memberships usually include more introductions, a longer membership period, or additional services like a photo consultation or wardrobe information. Some packages also include the option to extend your membership or roll unused introductions into a new term if you haven't met someone by the end of your contract.
The service is more expensive than most dating apps but less expensive than some other professional matchmaking firms. You're paying for a person's time and judgment, not just access to a database.
Who It's Just Lunch Works Best For
The service appeals to people who are tired of swiping, who don't have time to message back and forth with matches, or who feel overwhelmed by the volume of choice on dating apps. It also works well for people in smaller cities where the dating app pool is limited, or for those who prefer a more old-fashioned, personal approach to meeting someone.
People who have had success with It's Just Lunch often describe themselves as busy professionals, people who value efficiency, or those who appreciate having someone else do the legwork of filtering. If you know what you want and you're willing to trust someone else's judgment about who might be right for you, the service can save you time.
The service is less ideal if you enjoy the browsing and messaging part of dating, if you have very specific or niche preferences that a small local matchmaker team might not understand, or if you're on a tight budget.
What to Expect From Your Matchmaker
Your matchmaker is a person who works for the company, not an AI or algorithm. They have access to the profiles of all current clients in your area and they spend time thinking about who might work together. They're trained to ask good questions during your initial consultation and to listen carefully to what you say — and what you don't say.
A good matchmaker will push back gently if they think your stated preferences are too narrow or if they sense a mismatch between what you say you want and what might actually make you happy. They'll also be honest if they think a particular introduction isn't a good fit, rather than setting you up just to meet a quota.
The matchmaker's success depends on your success, so they have an incentive to make thoughtful matches. That said, they're working with a limited pool of clients in your area, so the number and quality of matches depends partly on how many other single people in your city are also members.
How It's Just Lunch Differs From Dating Apps
On a dating app, you control who you see and who sees you. You swipe, you message, you decide when and whether to meet. It's Just Lunch removes most of that control: the matchmaker decides who to introduce you to, and you either accept or decline the introduction.
Dating apps show you hundreds or thousands of potential matches. It's Just Lunch shows you a much smaller number of carefully considered options. This can feel limiting, but it also means less time spent swiping and messaging people you'll never meet.
Dating apps are free or cheap; It's Just Lunch costs money upfront. Dating apps let you message before you meet; It's Just Lunch introduces you cold. Dating apps let you see photos and read profiles; It's Just Lunch gives you minimal information beforehand. These differences appeal to different people depending on what they value in the dating process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to go on a date with everyone the matchmaker suggests?
No. The matchmaker proposes an introduction, and you can decline if you're not interested. However, the whole point of the service is that the matchmaker has already filtered for compatibility, so declining too many introductions suggests either that your preferences need to be adjusted or that the service may not be the right fit for you.
What if I don't like the matchmaker I'm assigned?
Most It's Just Lunch locations allow you to request a different matchmaker if you feel the fit isn't right. This is worth doing early in your membership if you sense a mismatch, because your matchmaker's understanding of you directly affects the quality of your matches.
Can I use It's Just Lunch at the same time as dating apps?
Yes. There's no exclusivity clause that prevents you from using other dating methods while you're a member. Many people use It's Just Lunch alongside apps to maximize their options.
What happens if I meet someone through It's Just Lunch and want to keep dating them?
Once you've both agreed you want to see each other again, the matchmaker typically steps back and you handle the relationship directly. Some memberships include a certain number of "bonus" introductions if your first match doesn't work out, so you're not left with nothing if the relationship ends.
How long does it usually take to meet someone serious through It's Just Lunch?
There's no standard timeline. Some people meet someone they want to keep dating on their first or second introduction; others go through their entire membership without finding a match. The outcome depends on how well the matchmaker understands you, how large the client pool is in your area, and how open you are to the people you're introduced to.