Lunch date doesnt automatically imply anything romantic all by itself, but there are times when it can. If a coworker saw you leaving the office at 11:25 a.m. and asked where you were going, and you said, I have a lunch date, that wouldnt necessarily imply anything romantic (though it could if you wanted it to).

Does lunch count as a date?

Lunch does not have to be a date. It might be a job offer or just a way to get to know someone else. You can say during lunch that you wanted to have lunch with the person and you enjoy the company. And then you might ask if it is a date.