Capital One Landing at DCA — Restaurant in Washington

I recently had the chance to visit the Capitol One Landing Lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the experience actually was above my expectations of how I thought it would be.

Ambience & Design:

The lounge offers a newly renovated, vibrant design with an open and spacious feel. Despite arriving around 1 PM, it wasn’t chaotic at all—creating a good vibe to relax prior to my flight. My significant other and I spent about 2.5 hours there total. Reservations weren’t required during our visit, though the app suggests making one (Typically booked up days/weeks in advanced)

Food & Beverage:

The highlight of the lounge was definitely the food and drink experience. The walk-through area featured a good amount of tapas, all prepared with attention to detail and for presentation. The à la carte menu was a complete shocker- surprisingly top-tier!! Better than a majority, if not all of the food we had in DC during our trip.

I had multiple rounds of the carne asada beef, chicken brochette, and shrimp dishes, all of which were freshly prepared and brought to our table in under five minutes. Every plate was flavorful and of high quality and pleasing to the palate. The standout, though, was the flan—which my girlfriend, who is Spanish, called the best she’s ever had.

The bar also didn’t disappoint. Beyond standard offerings, they featured premium options like Grey Goose and Tito’s, giving the experience a premium touch.

Service:

The servers were incredibly attentive without being overbearing, ensuring that we had everything we needed throughout our stay. Their attentiveness added to the overall relaxed and elevated vibe of the lounge.

Amenities:

High-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of charging stations, and designated places for luggage, the lounge perfectly balanced comfort and functionality.

Final Thoughts:

The Capitol One Landing Lounge at DCA delivered a five-star experience. From the top-quality food to the premium drinks and attentive service, Chef Andrés and his team created a space that feels both luxurious and welcoming. This visit set a high bar, and we’ll definitely return next time we fly...

First, the good. We were told a 15-30 minute wait and it ended up being 8 minutes. Win! There was confusion about available tables but we finally made our way. Most of the dishes which were available were pretty good.

Now the terribly unfortunate. I ordered a NA cocktail. When the drink arrived I took a sip. Something didn’t feel quite right. I paused. Moments later another drink arrived. The server confirmed that the first drink I was given had alcohol and the second drink was the non-alcoholic cocktail. I do not drink alcohol and celebrate sobriety for myself and others. This is simply an inexcusable error made by the lounge’s systems and staff. I spoke with a manager who explained that other guests are able to change table numbers in the system and therefore could’ve ordered a drink to my table. That is not ok. I then explained how I normally order NA beer because of the quality control but there wasn’t one on the menu. He said that was wrong and would get one for me. And did. Perhaps I should’ve confirmed the NA cocktail, however at a Capital One Lounge, run by Jose Andres, I suppose I assumed a higher level of service and systems. I could not be more disappointed by this experience. It’s inexcusable.

Additionally, we had one entire food order simply not show up. 20 minutes later we ordered again. The server came out and said the kitchen was out of the carne asada. Ok fine, but why did that cancel my order entirely? Second, I ordered the ham and cheese sandwich but modified to eliminate the ham which was an option in their ordering system. Server came out and said they could not accommodate. My son does not eat ham. How hard is it to modify that?

Overall, I am so disappointed by the experience. With rising costs and elimination of certain benefits, I’m certainly questioning my Capital One card moving forward; Not to mention the disappointment in a Jose Andres operation.

I’ve been in the past and the experience was good. Tonight’s episode was...

Capital One Lounge at DCA: A Five-Star Airport Experience

The Capital One Lounge at DCA transforms the typical airport wait into something extraordinary - akin to dining at a Michelin-starred restaurant rather than an airport terminal.

From the moment you enter, the service is exemplary - attentive without being intrusive, with staff who clearly take pride in creating an exceptional experience for every guest.

The culinary offerings are truly impressive. The tap selections feature a thoughtfully curated array of beverages, and the coffee program stands out as genuinely exceptional - a rare find in an airport setting. Each food item appears crafted with care, elevating what could be standard airport fare into something worth savoring.

The ambiance strikes the perfect balance - sophisticated yet comfortable, with thoughtful design elements that create a peaceful respite from the typical airport chaos.

For Capital One Venture X cardholders, the experience becomes even more valuable as everything is complimentary. If you're short on time, the pick-up and go café on the side (open to all travelers) offers the same quality with Venture X cardholders enjoying a substantial 50% discount.

Highly recommended for anyone traveling through DCA - this lounge sets a new standard for what airport lounges can and should...