LunchDates Reviews [Legit Boston Matchmaker?]

LunchDates is a 40-year-old Boston matchmaking service charging $3,000+ for 6-12 month contracts. While BBB reviews show 4.96 stars, Yelp ratings average 1.1-1.8 stars, with clients citing match quality concerns and high costs.

Key Insights: What You Need to Know

• Service area: Greater Boston, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island with offices in Boston, Braintree, Burlington, Newton, and Nashua
• Pricing: Packages start around $3,000 for basic service; executive-level packages with executive matchmakers Jill Vandor and Laura Kenney cost more
• Contract terms: 6-12 month commitments required upfront
• Target clientele: Educated, busy professionals seeking a dignified alternative to dating apps
• Service tiers: Standard Client (arrange your own dates) vs. Executive Client (dates coordinated for you)
• Review disparity: A+ BBB rating (4.96/5 stars) contrasts sharply with 1.1-1.8 star Yelp ratings citing match quality issues
• Dating logistics: Despite the name, dates typically happen after work or weekends—not lunch

From client experiences to service costs, this 2025 LunchDates review is packed with the answers you need to make an informed choice.

Our team of experts has reviewed well over 200 matchmaking services, diving into their cost, processes, client experiences, and success rates. With over 14 years of firsthand industry experience, we’re well versed in what customers value most in a matchmaker.

This Boston matchmaking service has been around for over 4 decades, and Executive Matchmakers Jill Vandor and Laura Kenney have both been with LunchDates since 2012.

Jill Vandor's Background

Vandor has worked in matchmaking since 1996, building her career through various leadership roles. She started as a Director at Great Expectations, advanced to VP at a national dating service, then served as regional manager for eLove before joining LunchDates.

Her philosophy centers on truly listening to clients rather than making assumptions. As Vandor explained in an interview with Global Love Report:

“It’s easy to believe you know what they want and need… but our job requires us to pay attention as much to what they are not saying and what they are.”

Laura Kenney's Journey to Matchmaking

Kenney transitioned to matchmaking 11 years ago after a professional background in marketing and tech. She's observed significant shifts in who seeks matchmaking services, noting that dating app fatigue has transformed her client base.

As Kenney explained in an interview:

“When I first started doing matchmaking, it was predominantly 50s and 60s year-olds, divorcees – they had no other avenue of meeting people. But now, over the past 5 years, my bread and butter are 30 year-olds. They don’t want to keep swiping.”

Their Matchmaking Philosophy

Both matchmakers also provide dating coaching and frequently share advice through media appearances. During an appearance on The Rhode Show, they identified a common pattern holding singles back:

“The trend seems to be that people… stand in their own way for success. They want to find out what’s wrong with somebody rather than finding out what’s right with somebody.”

This coaching perspective helps clients clarify what truly matters in long-term relationships beyond surface-level preferences.

LunchDates serves men and women across Greater Boston, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island through offices in Boston, Braintree, Burlington, Newton, and Nashua.

Ideal Client Profile

According to Vandor, LunchDates clients are typically well-educated, busy, attractive professionals who don't struggle with dating itself. They simply want an "easier, more dignified way" to meet quality people without the endless swiping.

The LunchDates Process

Step 1: Initial Consultation Fill out a form on the website to schedule your consultation call. During this conversation, you'll discuss your dating goals, matching criteria, lifestyle, and what you're seeking in a partner.

Step 2: Contract and Service Selection If you decide to move forward, you'll sign a contract typically spanning 6 months to one year. Two service tiers are available:

• Standard Client: You receive match introductions and arrange first date details directly with your matches
• Executive Client: Enhanced service where dates are coordinated for you, removing the logistical planning from your plate

Step 3: Dating Despite the company name, dates rarely happen at lunch. Most introductions occur after work for drinks and appetizers, or during weekend activities—times when busy professionals are actually available.

Optional Add-On: Dating coaching is available for clients who want additional support refining their dating approach.

Matchmaking packages start around $3,000 for basic service. Final pricing depends on several factors:

• Your search criteria complexity
• Geographic scope of your search
• Service tier (Standard vs. Executive Client)
• Contract length

Boston Matchmaker Price Comparison

To provide context for LunchDates pricing, here's how other Boston matchmakers compare:

Enamour Curates an invitation-only roster and uses recruiting technology plus an extensive scout network to identify matches beyond their database. Packages begin at $20,000 for 6 months.

VIDA Select Offers an alternative to multi-month contracts with month-to-month matchmaking packages that start at $1,595. There is also a 90-day "Match Guarantee" package that includes at least 5 highly curated matches you personally approve for $5,750. Guaranteed results, or the search continues at no additional cost. 

On average, 82% of VIDA Select clients meet someone special within 90 days.

Elegant Introductions is now based in Florida, but it was founded by former long-time Boston residents Nancy Gold Zimmer and Barbara Black Goldfarb. The service still provides matchmaking for Boston singles, with packages starting at $15,000.

A boutique matchmaker with an office in Boston, Susanne MacDowell from Susie Q Matchmaking charges up to $15,000 for her services. Her packages typically include a 6-month search.

Now that you have a ballpark idea of cost, let’s see what past clients have to say about their experience with LunchDates!

The star ratings for this Boston matchmaker vary widely, depending on which review platform you’re checking out reviews on.

Better Business Bureau: A+ Rating

LunchDates holds an overall A+ rating with the BBB, earning 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 20+ customer reviews.

Positive Theme: Enjoyable Experience and Quality Matches

Many BBB reviewers praised the service quality and match compatibility. Several specifically mentioned meeting someone special through LunchDates, expressing satisfaction with their investment.

Other LunchDates reviewers highlighted how they met someone special through the service, like these two:

Yelp Reviews: Significantly Lower Ratings

The contrast between BBB and Yelp reviews is stark, with multiple locations showing concerning patterns.

Braintree Office: 1.8 Stars Based on 5 reviews, only one reviewer gave 5 stars, praising the planned dates and supportive staff. Other reviewers expressed disappointment with match quality, with one client feeling misled and another lacking confidence the service would deliver results.

Brighton Location: 1.1 Stars With 20+ reviews (though most from 2016 or earlier), this reportedly closed location shows a pattern of unhappy clients. Multiple reviewers complained about poor match quality, with many expressing frustration about receiving introductions that didn't align with their stated preferences.

The vast majority of the LunchDates Brighton Yelp reviews are older, left in 2016 and prior.

Google Reviews: Mixed Ratings Across Locations

800 Boylston Street, Boston: 2.7 Stars (3 Reviews) The single 5-star review contained no text. A 1-star review detailed a billing dispute, while a lengthy 2-star review expressed frustration with match quality.

20 Park Lane, Boston: 2.1 Stars (7 Reviews) Most reviews offered only star ratings without explanations, making it difficult to assess specific concerns.

425 Washington Street, Brighton: 1.0 Star (1 Review) Single review with no accompanying explanation.

150 Grossman Drive, Braintree: 2 Stars (4 Reviews) The 5-star reviewer praised their overall experience, while a 1-star reviewer criticized the high price relative to results. Other 1-star reviews included no text.

The Review Disparity Pattern

The significant gap between BBB ratings (4.96 stars) and Yelp/Google ratings (1.1-2.7 stars) suggests potential differences in who leaves reviews on each platform, when reviews were written, or varying experiences across different time periods and matchmakers.

With numerous Boston matchmaking services available, your decision should consider several key factors:

Budget Alignment: Does the $3,000+ starting price fit your financial comfort zone, especially given the mixed online reviews about match quality?

Contract Commitment: Are you comfortable with a 6-12 month upfront commitment, or would you prefer month-to-month flexibility that lets you stop if unsatisfied?

Consultation Experience: How confident and comfortable do you feel after your initial consultation with the LunchDates team?

Review Patterns: The significant disparity between BBB and Yelp/Google reviews warrants careful consideration and thorough questioning during your consultation.

Next Steps

Before making your decision, check out our insider's guide to hiring a matchmaking service. It's packed with insightful questions to ask during consultations, factors to evaluate, and everything you need to confidently choose the right matchmaker for your situation.

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