Restaurants and dining near Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse

Restaurants you can walk to before or after your show

Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse is on Columbia Pike in Arlington, Virginia, with multiple restaurants, pubs, and cafés within a short walk of the venue. This guide highlights named spots that are realistically walkable for a pre-show meal or a post-show bite, and notes approximate distance from the Drafthouse so you can judge whether you have time to sit down or need something quicker.

Because each business sets its own hours, menu, and reservation policies, always confirm current details directly with the restaurant before you head over, especially if you’re planning to eat right before showtime.

Right next door: closest food and drink options

If you want to minimize walking and stay essentially on the same block as Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, several options line Columbia Pike within a few dozen meters. These are practical choices if you are meeting a group nearby or want to keep things simple and stay steps from the venue entrance.

• Caspi Lounge

  About 17 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 2901 Columbia Pike, categorized as a bar-focused catering spot.

• Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita

  Roughly 22 m away at 2911 Columbia Pike, listed as a Mexican restaurant.

• Boru Ramen

  Approximately 28 m from the venue at 2915 Columbia Pike, identified as a ramen restaurant.

• Los Chamacos Mexican Restaurant

  Around 35 m away at 922 South Walter Reed Drive, categorized as a Mexican restaurant just off Columbia Pike.

• Bangkok 54

  About 37 m from the cinema at 2919 Columbia Pike, described as a Thai restaurant.

American fare, pubs, and casual spots within a short walk

Several nearby businesses are listed with American or pub-style categories and are close enough for a short stroll along Columbia Pike. These can work if your group prefers a bar environment or broadly American menus. Use the distances to judge how much time to leave before showtime.

• 2910 Kitchen & Bar

  About 52 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 2910 Columbia Pike, categorized as an American restaurant.

• Lost Dog Cafe

  Roughly 56 m away at 2920 Columbia Pike, identified as a pub-style cafe.

• Cornerstone

  Also about 56 m from the venue at 2900 Columbia Pike, listed as a restaurant in a commercial building.

• L.A. Bar & Grill

  Approximately 230 m away at 2530 Columbia Pike, categorized as a pub.

• Celtic House Pub

  Around 266 m from the cinema at 2500 Columbia Pike, identified as a pub.

Mexican and Latin options near the venue

If you are specifically looking for Mexican or Latin-inspired food within walking distance of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, several restaurants on and just off Columbia Pike are categorized that way. They are close enough that you can meet there and then walk over to the show without needing additional transit.

• Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita

  Roughly 22 m from the venue at 2911 Columbia Pike, categorized as a Mexican restaurant.

• Los Chamacos Mexican Restaurant

  About 35 m away at 922 South Walter Reed Drive, identified as a Mexican restaurant just off the Pike intersection.

• Abi Azteca Grill

  Approximately 81 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 3005 Columbia Pike, listed as a Mexican restaurant.

• Burritos Bros

  Around 238 m away at 2599 Columbia Pike, categorized as a Mexican restaurant in a commercial building.

Asian restaurants within walking distance

Several nearby spots are categorized with Japanese, ramen, Thai, or Chinese cuisine. All are within a few hundred meters of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, giving you multiple options if you want noodles, sushi, or other Asian dishes before heading to your seats.

• Boru Ramen

  About 28 m from the venue at 2915 Columbia Pike, identified as a ramen restaurant.

• Bangkok 54

  Roughly 37 m away at 2919 Columbia Pike, categorized as a Thai restaurant.

• Ryu Izakaya

  Approximately 91 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 3030 Columbia Pike, listed as a Japanese and sushi restaurant.

• Takohachi Japanese Restaurant

  Around 256 m away at 2501 9th Road South, categorized as a Japanese restaurant just off Columbia Pike.

• Mrs. Chen's Kitchen

  About 187 m from the cinema at 3101 Columbia Pike, identified as a Chinese restaurant in a commercial building.

• Panda Bowl

  Roughly 265 m away at 3207 Columbia Pike, categorized as a Chinese restaurant.

• Good Fortune Restaurant

  Approximately 279 m from the venue at 3209 Columbia Pike, listed as a Chinese restaurant in a commercial building.

Pizza, kabob, coffee, and other nearby choices

Beyond the larger clusters of Mexican, Asian, and pub-style spots, there are additional options for pizza, kabobs, and coffee within a few hundred meters of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. These can be useful if your group has mixed preferences or you simply want something quick and familiar along Columbia Pike.

• Ledo Pizza

  About 137 m from the venue at 1035 South Edgewood Street, categorized as a pizza restaurant in a catering building.

• City Kaboob (Halal Foods)

  Roughly 259 m away at 3205 Columbia Pike, listed as a restaurant with halal-focused kabob offerings.

• Starbucks

  Approximately 299 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 2413 Columbia Pike, categorized as a coffee shop cafe.

Planning your meal around showtime

Most of the restaurants, pubs, and cafes listed here are within 300 m of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, which is typically a walk of just a few minutes along Columbia Pike or nearby cross streets. That makes it realistic to meet for a sit-down meal or a drink nearby and still arrive at the venue without additional transportation.

Because each business sets its own hours, menu, and reservation approach, check their current information directly, especially for weekend evenings or larger groups. If you have a tight schedule, consider choosing one of the closest spots on Columbia Pike so you can easily monitor the time and walk over to the cinema when you are ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I walk to restaurants from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse?

Yes. Numerous restaurants, pubs, and cafes are within a few hundred meters of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse along Columbia Pike and nearby cross streets. Options like Caspi Lounge, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita, Boru Ramen, Bangkok 54, 2910 Kitchen & Bar, Lost Dog Cafe, and Cornerstone are all listed within about 60 m of the venue, and many others such as Abi Azteca Grill, Ryu Izakaya, Ledo Pizza, and Starbucks are recorded within roughly 300 m. For most visitors, that is an easy walk before or after a show.

What types of cuisine are near Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse?

Within walking distance of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, available categories include Mexican restaurants such as Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita, Los Chamacos Mexican Restaurant, Abi Azteca Grill, and Burritos Bros; Asian options like Boru Ramen, Bangkok 54, Ryu Izakaya, Takohachi Japanese Restaurant, Mrs. Chen's Kitchen, Panda Bowl, and Good Fortune Restaurant; American and pub-style spots including 2910 Kitchen & Bar, Lost Dog Cafe, Cornerstone, L.A. Bar & Grill, and Celtic House Pub; plus pizza at Ledo Pizza, kabob-focused food at City Kaboob, and coffee at Starbucks.

Which restaurants are closest to the venue entrance?

Several businesses are documented within roughly 40 m of Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse. These include Caspi Lounge at 2901 Columbia Pike, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita at 2911 Columbia Pike, Boru Ramen at 2915 Columbia Pike, Los Chamacos Mexican Restaurant at 922 South Walter Reed Drive, and Bangkok 54 at 2919 Columbia Pike. All of these are effectively on the same block or at the nearby intersection, making them convenient if you want to stay very close to the venue.

Do nearby restaurants require reservations before a show?

The available data lists restaurant names, categories, and approximate distances from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse but does not include reservation policies. Because each restaurant sets its own approach, you should check directly with the specific place you plan to visit, especially for busier nights or larger groups.

Are there coffee or lighter options near Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse?

Yes. A Starbucks coffee shop is listed about 299 m from Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse at 2413 Columbia Pike, and several nearby pubs and cafes such as Lost Dog Cafe and L.A. Bar & Grill are also within a short walk. For exact menus or snack options, confirm directly with each business.