rewrite this title Capital One Landing DCA: Upscale Dining, Grab-and-Go Food – NerdWallet

Capital One’s new airport lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), which opened on Nov. 19, 2024, features food curated by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés. Called the Capital One Landing, it looks more like a restaurant than a traditional lounge.

You won’t find loungey work stations, buffet food, cozy corners to relax in on a long layover, and — it hopes — crowds of people milling around and waiting to get in.

Instead, visitors will be seated in the warm, inviting dining room by a host and can enjoy made-to-order tapas delivered from a QR code-placed order. Or, passerbyers can purchase fresh grab and go bites from the quick service counter. But to fit this mainly short-haul airport, the celebrity chef-crafted experience is designed to be more transient than other lounges.

The Landing is an elegant and inviting space, located right past security in Terminal 2. Visitors are seated in the warm, inviting dining room by a host and can enjoy made-to-order tapas. The dining room seats about 90 guests. Or, passersby can purchase fresh grab-and-go bites from the quick service counter. But the two parts are completely separate — each can only be accessed from the terminal. One downside: Unlike with other Capital One lounges, the to-go options in this lounge come with an extra cost.

I visited the Capital One Landing at DCA during a press preview before its opening day. Here’s what it was like.

Food is the focus at the Capital One Landing DCA, and it delivers a variety of delicious, elevated offerings. In partnership with José Andrés, the Landing features Spanish-style tapas. Guests can order hot tapas items and beverages from a QR code on their table with a few easy taps.

While you wait for hot tapas to arrive, head up to the counter service cold tapas bar and grab a few starters. You’ll find elegantly prepared standard fare like Caesar salad and veggies with hummus, and also Spanish favorites like made-to-order pan con tomate (tomato bread), fresh anchovy selections and jamon (ham) directly from Spain.

Our hot tapas took about 10 minutes to arrive, which was relatively quick. To be sure, I was attending a small, closed event. But Capital One says the menu and the entire kitchen have been designed with efficiency and speed in mind.

The carne asada con mojo verde (grilled hanger steak with green sauce) was a table favorite.

For dessert, I loved the Spanish flan, the burnt Basque cheesecake and the soft serve with a drizzle of olive oil topped with chocolate shavings.

While you eat, you can also get other small bites and drinks from carts circulating throughout the dining room. A trolley of caviar meticulously prepared into labneh (soft cheese) cones strolled by on our visit, followed by a cart with gin and tonics. Watch for a cheesecake cart to make its rounds in the afternoons and a mimosa cart in the mornings, complete with orange, pineapple and pomegranate juices.

You won’t just find pre-flight beverages on specialty carts. The Capital One Landing has a full bar menu designed to deliver cocktails and other drinks quickly. The bar offers wines and beers originating from Spain and D.C. and features foosball-inspired taps. An espresso martini machine whips up chilled drinks quickly.

The Capital One Landing DCA works differently than other lounges, starting with what’s included for which cardholders – and what isn’t.

Unlike most lounges, you’ll be able to make advance reservations for a table at the Capital One Landing between six months and 24 hours in advance. Use the Capital One Mobile app to reserve a spot, monitor real-time availability and join a digital waitlist.

It’s efficiently designed with traveler creature-comforts in mind like power outlets at every table, luggage cubbies to stow your carry-on and in-lounge bathrooms. Foodies will delight in both the food and beverage offerings, though children probably won’t be as thrilled.

Unlike other Capital One lounges like Denver, which encourages eligible visitors to take food to go at no extra cost, nothing in the ‘On the Fly’ offerings is free.

The concept of a gourmet sit-down lounge experience without an additional bill (for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cardholders) and without having to circle around the crowd to snag an empty seat and the last bit of the buffet tray is highly appealing.

While Capital One is betting that small plates in a host-seated environment will ease crowded lounge complaints, the reality remains to be seen.