Restaurants nearby Arlo Washington DC: where to eat within a 10-minute walk

Within a 10-minute walk of Arlo Washington DC you have three on-site options and easy access to Penn Quarter/Chinatown and Union Station for many more choices. On-site dining includes Altair (the new ground-floor restaurant), the Bodega lobby café for coffee and grab-and-go, and ART DC on the rooftop for cocktails and Pan-Asian shareable plates.
In this guide
On-site restaurants and bars
Arlo Washington DC offers three primary on-property food-and-drink venues: Altair on the ground floor (the hotel’s new American restaurant), Bodega in the lobby, and ART DC on the rooftop. Altair replaced the former Arrels restaurant and provides a sit-down dinner option at the hotel.
ART DC is the rooftop indoor–outdoor bar and lounge serving Japanese- and Pan-Asian-inspired shareable plates, hand rolls, yakitori, and cocktails; it is open daily from 4:00 p.m. to late with the kitchen typically closing around 10:00 p.m. Bodega serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and light grab-and-go fare every day from early morning into the evening.
- Altair — new American restaurant under a glassy, greenhouse-like ceiling; dinner service (hours vary).
- ART DC — rooftop cocktails and shareable Pan-Asian plates; open daily 4pm–late, happy hour 4pm–7pm; reservations via Resy.
- Bodega — lobby café, open daily 6:30am–10pm for coffee, pastries, sandwiches and quick breakfast/lunch items.
| Venue | Type | Typical hours |
|---|---|---|
| Altair | New American (dinner) | Hours vary — see concierge |
| ART DC | Rooftop bar / Pan-Asian shareables | Daily 4:00 p.m. – late (kitchen ≈ until 10pm) |
| Bodega | Lobby café / grab-and-go | Daily 6:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. |

Quick bites and morning coffee
If you need coffee, a pastry, or a light breakfast delivered quickly to your room, Bodega in the lobby is the on-site choice; it serves Spanish-inspired breakfast and grab-and-go plates. The hotel offers cooked-to-order breakfast for a surcharge as well.
For a fast out-of-room option, head toward Penn Quarter or the Union Station corridor — both are within a short walk and have cafes, bakeries, and quick-service lunch spots. The concierge can point you to specific nearby takeout windows or favorite local coffee stops.
- Bodega — lobby café for coffee, toasts, bowls and combinado plates.
- Cooked-to-order breakfast available at the hotel (paid).
- Concierge can recommend quick takeout and delivery options near Judiciary Square, Penn Quarter, and Union Station.
| Need | On-site option | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Morning coffee | Bodega | Open from 6:30 a.m. |
| Grab-and-go lunch | Bodega | Sandwiches and bowls available until 10:00 p.m. |
| Room delivery / in-room dining | In-room dining (hotel) | Menu overseen by the hotel culinary team |
Rooftop drinks and evening plans
ART DC on the rooftop is the hotel’s evening destination for cocktails and small plates with city views; it operates as both a rooftop bar and event space. It runs a daily happy hour from 4pm–7pm, and reservations are available through Resy.
The rooftop pool deck (ART DC rooftop area) is accessible to registered hotel guests via room key when the seasonal pool is open; the rooftop lounge itself remains a year-round destination with indoor and outdoor spaces.
- ART DC — cocktails, sake, craft beers, and shareable Pan-Asian plates.
- Happy hour daily 4pm–7pm; kitchen typically closes around 10pm.
- Reservations via Resy; elevated dress code is noted for rooftop indoor-outdoor space.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Rooftop access | Open to hotel guests and the public; reservations recommended for busy evenings |
| Pool access | Seasonal — accessible to registered guests with room key (seasonal hours vary) |
| Events | ART DC can be booked for private events through the hotel events team |

In-room dining and food overseen by the chef
The hotel's culinary program is overseen by Chef Pepe Moncayo; that oversight extends to Bodega, ART DC, and in-room dining. In-room dining is available (paid) — ask the front desk or view the in-room dining menu for current options and hours.
If you have a specific dietary need or timing requirement, the concierge and kitchen staff can often accommodate special requests; policies and availability may vary day-to-day.
- Chef oversight across venues: Bodega, ART DC and in-room dining.
- In-room dining menu and hours available through front desk or in-room materials.
- Concierge can help with special requests or neighborhood delivery options.
| Service | How to order |
|---|---|
| In-room dining | Contact front desk or check in-room menu |
| Room service timing | Hours and availability vary — confirm with concierge |
| Dietary needs | Notify kitchen/concierge in advance when possible |
Where to go within a 10-minute walk
Arlo Washington DC sits in Judiciary Square with very short walks to several activity hubs. Capital One Arena is about a 10-minute walk for pre- or post-game dining and bars, Union Station is an easy walk for cafés and food halls, and Penn Quarter/Chinatown (walking distance) has a concentrated restaurant scene.
Rather than listing individual off-site restaurants (which change frequently), ask the concierge for up-to-date recommendations based on cuisine, price, or whether you need an early breakfast, a quick lunch, or a late dinner after a show.
- Major nearby points: National Building Museum (1 min), Capital One Arena (~10 min), Union Station (~11 min walk via Massachusetts Ave).
- Penn Quarter / Chinatown and the corridors near Union Station offer the most varied nearby off-site dining within a short walk.
- Concierge can provide current walk-time recommendations and make reservations.
| Destination | Distance / walk time (approx.) |
|---|---|
| National Building Museum | 1-minute walk |
| Capital One Arena | About a 10-minute walk |
| Union Station | About an 11-minute walk |
Practical tips for dining at and near the hotel
Arlo Washington DC applies an Urban Fee to bookings that covers connectivity and wellness perks — this fee does not include meals, so expect on-site dining and room service to be paid separately. The hotel accepts credit/debit cards and typically requires a card at check-in.
If you need wheelchair-accessible seating or other accessibility accommodations at any hotel venue, the hotel states its on-site restaurant and public areas are wheelchair accessible — speak with the host or concierge ahead of arrival to confirm specifics.
- Meals and drinks are not included in room rates; Bodega, Altair and ART DC are paid outlets.
- ART DC reservations available via Resy; concierge can also assist with reservations for Altair and nearby restaurants.
- If attending an event at Capital One Arena, plan for crowds and allow extra time for seating and service.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are meals included in room rate? | No — meals and drinks are paid separately. |
| Can the hotel make restaurant reservations? | Yes — concierge can assist. |
| Is the on-site restaurant wheelchair accessible? | Yes — on-site dining areas are wheelchair accessible; contact the hotel for details. |


