Wrap it like Mars: our top lunch tips

At Mars, we believe that great collaboration starts with a good lunch. Every day around noon, we close our laptops and gather at the table for lunch as a team. No rushed bites we take our lunch seriously. What started with a single pack of wraps has grown into a full-blown wrap culture at the office.

We’re now five years and thousands of wraps further, with endless flavor combinations under our belt. Time to collect and share our knowledge. Whether you’re looking for inspiration at home or want to level up your office lunch, here are our top wrap tips from the Mars team. And yes, we take this as seriously as your web design.

1. Start with a solid base

A wrap without a good base is like a website without a strategy. Everything depends on what holds it together. Our top choice? Baba ganoush. We’ve tested at least thirty spreads, but this one always makes a comeback. Why? It’s thick, bold in flavor, and keeps everything in place.

Other spreads we love:

• Muhammara: a mildly spicy and sweet blend of red peppers and walnuts. Great for a touch of sweetness.
• Cottage cheese: fresh, creamy, and nutritious. A perfect match with spicy ingredients.

Pro tip: avoid runny sauces like mayo or yogurt dressing. They soak into your wrap and add little flavor. Stick with something thick and tasty that everything else can lean on.

2. Structure makes all the difference

A wrap isn’t just a random pile of veggies. Just like a website menu needs structure, so does your lunch. It’s all about the right mix of texture, flavor, and color. Here’s our go-to checklist:

• A spread (see above)
• At least two kinds of vegetables think cherry tomatoes and cucumber, or rocket and bell pepper, or spring onion
• A fresh herb coriander or mint adds instant character. We vote coriander (except Daan, who thinks it tastes like soap)
• Veggie balls or a crispy veggie burger more on that in section 4
• Something spicy crispy chili oil is our go-to, but sriracha mayo, sambal, or gochujang are all great. Not into heat? Start mild and work your way up

Spice adds that extra kick your wrap needs. Even just half a teaspoon of crispy chili oil can transform your lunch. Just a warning: it’s addictive. Ask Robin and Michel.

3. Don’t forget the cheese

One of the few things we all agree on: cheese is a must. Like a website needs animation, a wrap needs something cheesy.

Our favorite? Real Greek feta (Emma swears by it). Not those salad cubes, but the firm block you crumble yourself. So much more flavor.

Other great choices:

• Grated cheese: you can melt it slightly on a warm wrap, then build the rest
• Halloumi: salty, firm, delicious when grilled. It takes some love, but it’s worth it
• Goat cheese: soft texture, strong taste. Try it with honey and walnuts. You can even grill it briefly to melt it into the honey

Cheese adds umami that extra layer that pulls everything together.

4. Go (plant-based) bold

A wrap with meat is like a stock photo in your branding: safe, predictable, and kind of boring. We’ve tried chicken burgers, salmon, egg salad… but these days we go fully vegetarian. And honestly? Our wraps are better for it. Less meat = more creativity.

Our top three meat-free picks:

• Vegetarische Slager Swedish balls almost impossible to tell they’re not meat. Cut in half, two or three is enough
• AH Terra Indian balls a mild curry flavor that pairs well with cucumber and feta
• Vivera Crispy Chicken burger a favorite for celebrations (or Tuesdays). Nelson’s #1. Fry until extra crispy

Want to mix it up? Try lentil salad, falafel, or jackfruit (Hilde loves it we’re still trying to understand why). You don’t need meat for flavor or satisfaction.

5. What about the wrap itself?

A wrap that tears is like a project with no project manager: chaos. Our tip? Warm it up quickly in a pan or under the grill. It makes it softer and stronger, and helps your spread go on smoothly.

Using whole wheat wraps? They tend to be drier, so warming is even more important. We like the No Fairytales veggie wraps (in the fridge section) or Santa Maria whole wheat wraps.

Bonus: Our Thursday Favorite
The always-a-wrap combo:

• Whole wheat wrap, lightly grilled
• Baba ganoush
• Diced cucumber
• Red pointed pepper
• Two teaspoons of crispy chili oil
• Real feta
• Fresh coriander
• Spring onion
• Vivera Crispy Chicken burger

Wrap it up

Lunch at Mars is a daily ritual. Eating at your desk? Not an option. And talking about work during lunch? Definitely not. No meetings, no deadlines just wrap building with care and love. Just like we do with our services.

Even if, like Sven, you’re just in the mood for a simple grilled cheese that’s totally fine too. The important thing is: laptops closed, no work talk, just lunch together.

Because the best ideas often come when you’re not thinking about work at all.