Came here for DC 2026 winter restaurant week. Didn't realize it's a hotel restaurant - part of the Arlo Hotel, a new one for me as I've never heard of this chain before. The hotel looks nice and posh and restaurant is situated on the corner of G and 4th streets with a lot of windows and natural light. Dining room decor is modern and attractive, spacious with a variety of seating types, although in a generic style that it could be serving any kind of cuisine. The RW lunch menu has 4 set courses and only choice being the main is either shrimp or ribs. All the dishes have exquisite presentation with interesting complex flavors. The ribs, however, was not at all tender and very chewy. Service could use some improvement. There was a lot of lag between the first two courses - turned out they either forgot about us or suddenly wanted to know if we were vegetarians (which made no sense as the RW menu is obviously not vegetarian). They also pushed us to settle the check before dessert - I could only guess that's because our server's shift was over - even though we were not the last customers in the dining room and it was not about to close - there were at least still half a dozen tables occupied at that point. This was not something I'd experienced in any other restaurants before and certainly not expecting to encounter in an otherwise upscale restaurant like this one. read more

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I tried to make a reservation for five on Resy, but all the available bookings were capped at four people. I called and was able to secure a table for five, but it felt like an unnecessarily low limit since the restaurant clearly has space for larger groups. When we arrived, the front door was locked. We were confused and ended up calling the restaurant before someone came to let us in. We later learned they consider the hotel entrance the main entrance, but we had no idea the restaurant was inside a hotel. They also mentioned that the sign that should have been outside was never put out. I also couldn't confirm online whether they offered bottomless drinks for brunch. They do offer bottomless mimosas for 28 dollars. The space itself is very nice with thoughtful decor and a pleasant indoor and outdoor patio area. Service Our server was incredibly kind and made sure all allergies and food restrictions were handled with care. We opted for the bottomless food and drinks, which they require the entire table to participate in. The food took a surprisingly long time to come out. We were the only customers in the restaurant on a Saturday morning, yet it took about 30 minutes for the cold dishes and around 45 minutes for the hot ones. After that, the pacing improved. Mimosa refills were also slow, and I had to ask a couple of times. Food The gazpacho shot was good, although the olive oil on top overpowered the flavor for me. The charcuterie board had no cheese, which was confusing. We had two vegetarians, so we asked if we could add manchego. They brought some out at no charge, but it was grated instead of sliced. The tortilla de patata needed more seasoning but was fine. The patatas bravas were fresh, warm, and very tasty. The spinach croquettes were well made but the spinach didn't add much. A simple cheese and potato version would have been better. The shrimp skewers were great. My friend enjoyed the mushroom skewers. None of us are lamb fans, but we tried the lamb skewers and they tasted like lamb. The zucchini was a hit with my friends. The fish of the day was rockfish and it was chewy, flavorless, and overcooked. Both the veggie and seafood paellas were fine but not memorable. The churros were warm and delicious. We also had a cheesecake that I don't see listed on the menu. It was completely burnt on the outside and tasted burnt too. The inside was fine, but I was surprised it was served that way. Overall Arrels seems like a decent option if you have a large group and need a last minute reservation, based on how empty it was during our visit. The food was fine and the service from the front of the house was good. I probably would not return since there are so many other options in the city. read more

Arrels - Bottomless food and drink brunch menu - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Every dish was delicious! The server was so attentive and sweet. The interior feels classy and elegant. I particularly enjoyed the seafood paella and the shrimp and avocado toast. read more

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What a Great unlimited brunch experience! Their menu is extensive so you get a great variety of different foods and flavors. Staff are able to scale portions to your group size so feel free to bring a couple friends! I came with a group of 6 and they paced our dishes well and made she we had enough for everyone to try a little bit of everything. The final persimmons dessert that was similar to flan was so good, if I had more room at the end of the meal I would've eaten more than one! read more

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the restaurant was quite empty on a friday evening. nonetheless, the ambiance is great for a date night -- dimly lit with plenty of seating. its not the most lively place, but better when you want to talk. the food was standard spanish cuisine, nothing particularly outstanding. i liked the crab croquettes and the arroz meloso; the meats were average and the basque cheesecake tasted too burnt. the service was a little awkward as well. this place still needs to be ironed out before i would recommend it read more

I've been twice now and always sit at the bar for Happy Hour. The bar service is always great and the cocktails are always tasty. They offer great deals for happy hour on food and cocktails. The Wagyu Slider is such a good deal and is a good sizeThe Patatas Bravas are also worth the hype and even better when you can get them for happy hour prices! The Chipirones are good as well. read more

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Arrels by Pepe Moncayo Overall Rating: 7.5/10 It's Galentine's Day, and what better way to celebrate than with unlimited tapas at DC's newest Spanish spot? While the experience left a little to be desired, I'd still come back for another round. The flavors were hit or miss, but with endless tapas, you're bound to find a few gems worth savoring. Food: 5/5 Unlimited tapas means trying everything--seafood, veggies, and all the Spanish flavors in between. Not every dish wowed me, but that's the beauty of this dining style: something is guaranteed to hit. PSA: Their traditional menu is not unlimited tapas‼ Service + Décor: 2.5/5 The space is warm, inviting, and housed in a hotel with a stunning rooftop, but let's talk about that service... or lack thereof. We waited way too long just to be acknowledged. And on a slow night, that's a big red flag--especially compared to the seamless service at Pepe's other restaurant, Cranes. Let's hope they get it together! Full Review on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG1I6_6xfJR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Disclaimer: These are my personal opinions. Please try these restaurants and form your own judgments--it's what I would do. read more

Arrels - Full review on my Instagram (@_edaj_) and TikTok (@_edaj_jade_) - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

4.5 stars for the newest restaurant in the Chef Pepe empire! Yes, D.C. can adsorb more than one Spanish super-star!! In the newly built Arlo Hotel the wine-cave like cement ceilings and low-sat tables transport you out of downtown D.C. and into a beautiful "Old World" establishment. A small bar in the front will certainly get slammed at Happy Hour and don't sleep on the Japanese inspired coffee shop on the other side of the lobby. Inspired by the Chef's home-cooked meals, the restaurant departs from the classic tapas heavy menu and showcases beautiful takes on the fried fish code fritters and patatas bravas (that come in a cone with a smear of delicious dipping sauce)! Even things like the shrimp in oil, that we all remember as a sizzling dish of oil-soaked baby shrimp and garlic slices is elevated into large, perfectly garlic-poached shrimp on a bed of 'grits'. The fried squid are served with a soft egg that you stir into the crispy fried bowl of squid to add a thick texture to a classic dish. The mains are also both rustic and elevated with a pallela based on noodles instead of rice that allows every bite to get that crispy 'socorat' flavor. The rabbit pallela was my favorite. Shredded side-table by our fabulous waitress, the rabbit was perfectly cooked and the rice was so flavorful. We paired our dishes with a beautiful bottle of wine that was actually a great price (yes, mark-up is a thing, it's fine, but this was a great price)! I slept on the cocktails here, but don't worry, I'll be back to hit those up too! The flavors, portions and "weight" of the food were all perfectly balanced and great for all seasons! read more

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I ended up going to Arrels with a couple friends because we were staying at the Arlo hotel. We came during the day to grab some mimosas and the bartender was extremely friendly and we received our drinks quickly which we much appreciated. We also ended up coming back during a party into the night which had an entirely different vibe. I felt like they definitely needed more bartenders and also the drinks were just so-so and extremely overpriced! The best part about the environment were the beautiful views from the rooftop. read more

Arrels - Rooftop view at night - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This place really surprised me. Stopped in for lunch as it was close to where I was working and I knew they had a sandwich cooler. Surprise! They have a hot food menu and a kitchen! I got shrimp fried rice with a horchata and it was beyond my expectations. Very well done, high quality ingredients, lots of huge shrimp, fresh veg and great rice. Excellent flavors and while seating is very limited, it's a nice quiet spot in a bustling area to sit and relax. Horchata was great as well, not overly sweet or thick. I'd go back. I could see how on a busy morning it might be tough to get an order in or find a seat, but I had a good experience about 30 minutes before close for lunch. read more

Arrels - Shrimp fried rice. Very good. 8/10 - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Super accommodating staff and the food is so good. We recently visited Barcelona and came to this place to be reminded of some of the food we experienced over there (or some rendition of it). We came for brunch and it did not disappoint, and once the bottomless mimosas are involved, I'm sold! I really like the smell and design of the place, I would def go back. read more

Great date spot, no bad bites, great restaurant service, bar service varies. My friend and I made a reservation for 5 PM and met at the bar at 4 PM. They were seating until around 4:55 PM so we ordered some happy hour drinks and food. Our initial bartender was great - attentive, friendly, helpful. As it got busier/closer to dinner time, there were two other bartenders that weren't as attentive and it could be difficult to get their attention to order more. We were seated a few minutes past 6 PM. Our coats had been with us at the bar so I laid them next to me on the booth seat; a few minutes after being seated they offered to take our coats to the coat room and gave us a number to retrieve them after our meal. They brought us the check from the bar along with a stool/basket to put our bags on which was nice (random fun fact/context: in Japan, there's almost always a basket or designated area near your table to set your things, especially bags/purses, so they never have to be on the floor and aren't in the way). ---------------------------------------------------- Drinks: I asked for the sweetest drink and the bartender recommend the mirame - I liked it! Not too sweet and relatively easy to drink as someone who isn't big on alcohol. My friend ordered the Spanish gin & tonic. I'm glad I didn't order it as I'm not part of the fennel fan club - it's definitely on the herbal side. Food: Highly recommend the oysters, shrimp, and patatas bravas. The short noodle paella was good (flavor-wise, think of a fancy mushroom-based lo mein). I liked the cauliflower but prefer cauliflower more roasted/crispy - I think it's cool that it was prepared three ways but wish that was explained to us before we tried it as I was confused why parts of it was cold (it's because one way it's served is as a salad). ---------------------------------------------------- Ordered: MIRAME Blanco Tequila, mezcal, honey, paprika SPANISH G&T Gin, quince, pink peppercorn, fennel, tonic CROQUETAS DE BACCALAO Cod, tartar sauce OYSTERS Tomato water mignonette PATATAS BRAVAS Potatoes, brava sauce GAMBAS AL AJILLO Charcoal grilled shrimp, garlic and lemon puree, chili-garlic crunch COLIFLOR Charcoal grilled baby cauliflower, fried capers, brown butter, lemon vinaigrette FIDEUA DE SETAS Short noodle paella, organic and seasonal mushrooms, mushroom aioli read more

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This space is beautiful and the service was phenomenal on a busy Saturday night. Cocktails were great. However I wasn't a huge fan of the food. Starters were good - oysters had a kick, potato bravas were hot and crunchy, puerro con romesco was my fav (leeks). Tried all four paellas: the crab paella smelled VERY fishy which was a turn off, mushroom was good but heavy on salt (instead of rice it comes with noodles), the rabbit shoulder with artichokes was the best, and arroz caldosa was inedible to me. Each paella is small, serves about 2-4 people. We ordered whole fish but what came out was a small filet for 4 of us. I don't even think I tried it. The customer service however was amazing. They listened to our feedback, comped some of the dishes and sent us two orders of churros. Appreciated the chef and manager both coming over to make things right. read more

Arrels - Arroz caldoso (I personally did not enjoy- was like porridge) - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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So excited to try Arrels, we came after they had been open for only about 2 weeks! Our server Kristia was awesome. She explained the vision behind the menu very well, educated us on the restaurants / chefs history and described the drinks and food in an alluring way. The menu consist of tapas, small plates and some larger plates for sharing. We had so much good food; but the stands outs are the Waygu sliders, the TBone and the croquettes. The menu has familiar items with the chefs personal twist. Everything was flavorful and unique. The ambiance gives elevated casual. The service is great. Our water never went empty and the staff kept our tables clean, and refreshed with new napkins and utensils, as well as constantly removing used dishes and cutlery. I will definitely be back and recommend arrels to others! read more

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I stayed at the hotel for three nights and had breakfast included. It was a delicious and valuable breakfast service each day! I loved the Spanish flare and the ambiance was very lovely to start my day. The staff was nice as well. Always left full! read more

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We had high hopes for Arrels with its modern Spanish food, tapas, and open-flame cooking. It did not live up to the hype. The inside was beautiful and set up where you could have a nice semi-private event by the large bar in the back corner or sectioned off to the left when you enter. Service was slow and it was clear that there was little coordination between servers as we often had to repeat ourselves multiple times to servers. The waitress did not seem to have a good command of the menu even going so far as to say that she doesn't eat a number of the dishes. The food was good, but overpriced for the portions (yes - even for small plate, share dishes). You can expect to pay $20-$30 for a small plate and it is recommended to have 2 per person with a shared larger dish or two that will run you $60 or so. The food was good, but not close to other tapas places in the city with similar price points like Boqueria or Jaleo (both nearby). We enjoyed the octopus and the rabbit palea was something that we had not traditionally seen on menus, but were far overpriced for the portions. We perked up when we saw the cocktail list as every drink sounded delicious and creative. However, they were severely lacking to the point where we could barely finish them. They seemed to still be working through the right mixes and we tasted several things in the cocktail that did not seem to be an ingredient (it's shocking to get a swig of licorice when you are not expecting it based on the ingredients). We hope Arrels is still working out some kinks and gets on track. We'll wait and see before our next visit. read more

We stopped by Arrels on Valentine's Day before heading to dinner and had a drink. The servers were very professional and efficient. Our drinks came out swiftly. The ambiance was nice; they had flamingo dancers doing a live performance. I had the FLOR DE GRANADA made with Vodka, pomegranate, clove. It was very refreshing! The alcohol flavor wasn't too strong, but it was present. I loved it. I would go again and try their food. read more

Arrels - FLOR DE GRANADA - Desserts Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Arrels Restaurant is a true gem! From the moment you walk in, the ambiance sets the perfect tone -- sleek, inviting, and lively, with an open kitchen that lets you peek into the magic happening behind the scenes. The food? Absolutely phenomenal. The Wagyu slider was beyond expectations -- every bite was pure bliss. I also couldn't get enough of the tender T-bone, which was cooked to perfection. The happy hour and tapas options are a great way to sample the diverse menu, and I highly recommend taking advantage of that. A special highlight was when Chef Pepe stopped by our table, adding such a personal touch to the experience. The location is convenient, right near the FBI building, but keep in mind parking can be tricky depending on the time you visit. Definitely worth the visit -- I'll be back for sure! Special shoutout to our beautiful server Krissia. She was very attentive and spoke about the food very well read more

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Arrels, has been open for a few days at the Arlo hotel, and we were excited to check this new Spanish restaurant by Chef Moncayo. Their menu consists of small plates, paellas, rice dishes, protein entrees, and desserts - we ordered: +the Patatas Bravas - fried potatoes with brava sauce, smoked paprika, and chives +Croquetas de Baccalao - with cod and tartar sauce +Gambas al Ajillo - charcoal-grilled shrimp with garlic, lemon puree, and chili-garlic crunch +a Pincho Moruna - a lamb skewer with fava bean pinyonada +and, the Wagyu Steak - served as a 6 oz; with patatas pajas, salad, aioli, beef jus, and confit piquillo We finished our meal with their Tarta Vasca de Queso Quemado, which was a pumpkin cheesecake with coffee flavors and fall spices. Arrels also has an HH menu, that I'd like to check out in the future. Staff were friendly! Metered street and garage parking can be found in the area. +friendly service +located inside the Arlo read more

This review reflects my experience dining out with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that requires me to maintain a diet free of gluten (including cross contact). SERVICE: 5/5 stars DRINKS: 4/5 stars FOOD: 4/5 stars AMBIANCE: 5/5 stars VALUE: 3/5 stars OVERALL RATING: 4/5 stars I recently dined at Arrels, a new Spanish restaurant in downtown NW DC. While the menu was not marked, the manager annotated the menu to show food that was gluten-free, options that could be modified to be gluten-free, and items that did not contain gluten but were cross-contaminated. Photos from the manager's efforts are attached to my review to help those avoiding gluten. I had a T-bone steak, which was cooked perfectly and accompanied by delicious sides. My cocktail of choice, a Madras, was made perfectly. I did not experience any side effects from gluten exposure following the meal. The ambiance and service at Arrels made the experience. From the moment we arrived, I felt like a VIP--checking my coat, providing a stand for my bag, receiving service from the manager. I will be back. read more

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I was taken to Arrels for a birthday dinner during restaurant week and I highly doubt the meal and the night could have been improved in any way. I started off with a glass of Cannelita, which came with ice shaped in the mold of a rose. This leaned into creating an atmosphere of romance that did not leave until we did. We mixed a la carte options with those on the set menu to give ourselves more to experience, and our server was absolutely wonderful help in aligning on what dishes would best complement each other. To be fair, I do believe the Puerro con Romesco would have honestly gone well with anything. We tried a couple of different octopus dishes and strongly encourage others to do the same, the flavors differ drastically between but the tenderness of the octopus remains perfect, almost buttery. I enjoyed everything but the croquetas de queso stay at the top of my mind. How they masterfully cooked these balls of cheese to keep the middle liquid and hot astounds me, and I wouldn't mind a future birthday filled with more of these delights. To round out the night, we were treated to the cutest churros and a lovely cake that I wish I had more room for the marvelous meal to enjoy. The chocolate sauce with the churros even had this slight kick to it that complimented the cinnamon of the churros perfectly. read more

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My first bad review- I respect those in the service industry, but this experience was frustrating. Our server (i think Sarah?) barely checked on us, so I had to ask multiple other staff members for orange juice and hot sauce -- several times. The orange juice didn't arrive until the end of my meal, with no apology, yet it was still charged. When someone finally brought hot sauce over, the server snatched it from his hand before he could even set it down, saying they only had two bottles and she'd serve it in a bowl -- which made no sense. We had planned not to leave the full 20% tip because of the poor service, but gratuity was automatically added without notice. The whole experience felt dismissive and unfair. Also food is very average. read more

Visited for a 7:30 pm dinner reservation. It was easy to a make a reservation on Resy. The restaurant was lively and busy but we were promptly seated. Lively ambience but was not loud. The table was a little off balance and shaking however once we informed staff they quickly adjusted the table. We were sat at a two seat table area of the restaurant which were very close to other diners (our server apologized for squeezing in between or leaning over me to assist with the patrons next to our table). Shannon, our server, was great with recommendations and was courteous throughout dinner checking on us to ensure our dining experience was smooth. We ordered the gambas al ajillo and fish entree (pictured) and both were amazing. They were presented beautifully and the gambas has just the right amount of spice and the branzino was well prepared and flavorful. Definitely would visit again. There is valet parking and paid street parking. You can enter from separate door for restaurant or through lobby of Arlo Hotel. $$ read more

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"Cheese plate" with four tiny slices of cheese? Probably three little toasts per cheese slice. Ridiculous. Brussels charred. Old fashioned fine and bartender pleasant enough. Place brand new and some serious wrinkles in the menu to iron out. read more

I called them EIGHT times and they finally picked up. during opened hours. had to call to make a reservation bc their website didn't take tables of 5. i was running late but 3 of my friends got there and told me they sent them to my reservation in the rooftop, and i never asked for that. i arrived, the host told me to head upstairs. my friends came down confused bc there's no actual meals or plates upstairs. i called arrels for the dinner reservation and upstairs is a different restaurant... with rooftop bars and bar bites only. why would you not clarify that especially if i made the reservation with you? smash burger was really good. i got the salmon and it was appetizer size... i knew it wasn't gonna be big but the squash salad was all hiding under the salmon. price is okay. service is horrible. for a restaurant that only had 3 tables, it shouldn't have taken them 45 minutes to get me my check after we told them no dessert. wouldn't come again! wouldn't recommend! the only bright side is it's super quiet so might be nice for a chill date night. they have plenty of people on shift but just zooming around doing nothing read more

Excellent new restaurant! We went here for restaurant week lunch. The mushroom "espresso" soup was so good, creamy and full of mushroom flavor. The romanesco inside was salted nicely and the enoki had kind of a sweet tangy soy marinade reminiscent of menma/ ramen bamboo shoots. The squid ink "fideuá" -- paella made with pasta -- was really nicely flavored, shrimp cooked perfectly. Pork with pickled radishes and beet sauce was also very good, texture was similar to duck breast. For dessert, goat milk chocolate cremeux with olive oil ice cream and lavash was rich and delightful. Service was attentive and friendly. Very sleek and spacious restaurant with tasteful decor. They also have a huge courtyard that would be great to try when the weather's warmer. Excited to come back! read more

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Went with a large party, so it was a bit chaotic. But the ambience was nice, there was a cool, upscale vibe. Service was good, I think, again, with a large party so it was hectic. But the food- it was amazing. Flavors were off the chart. Great selection of wines. read more

We stayed in the Arlo hotel for a weekend and with limited options for restaurants in the immediate vicinity we were forced to eat here. I Wasn't impressed at all. Tapas can be fun and a great way to try many different flavors in a meal. But when a 2-3 bite plate costs as much as an individual entree at any other restaurant it's a bit ridiculous. If you have money to burn this might be a good place to eat. If not save your money and walk down to the local pizza place. read more

The bar and restaurant experience at Arrels is exceptional. Valentine, the bartender, crafted amazing drinks and bites during Happy Hour, making it a must-visit. Herberto kept our glasses topped off and added a personal, welcoming touch. Our server, Shannon created a "chef's kiss" dining experience, with seamless support from Maya and Allison. The staff's attention to detail and genuine hospitality made every moment memorable. All of our food was EXCEPTIONAL from the appetizers like oyters and patatas bravas to our mains FIDEUA DE SETAS, PAELLA DE MARISCO, the Fisherman's Stew, the cauliflower, to the churros for dessert! read more

Great ambiance with polite and professional wait staff and bartenders. Food was very good.

Nice surprise in a new downtown hotel. Cool vibe, solid service, excellent food. Nice twist on traditional Spanish cuisine. We had Croquetas de Jamón, lamb skewers, and grilled branzino. Everything was delicious, richly flavored and perfectly prepared. Plato de Queso was the perfect ending. Well worth the trip. read more

I was excited about this restaurant opening in the neighborhood and wanted to love it. But, found the food lacked flavor. Tried several items - the hummus with beef (bland and boring), the cauliflower (was so overcooked it was mush), the feta cigars (oily). Only had one cocktail (the sidecar) which had a weird aftertaste. Cut short our meal and left disappointed. Maybe it was an off night for the kitchen. On a positive note, the interior is lovely and the service was good. read more