No food unfortunately THIS TIME - first time here just to find it. I order a "nice Belgian ale" at the bar and it was very very good. Friendly bartender. A few here dining at the bar and some of the tables but it's only a few minutes past 5 and quiet. I will be back. The room is very nice and cozy and the compact bar is wonderful to hang out at. read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - From out in front in the Jefferson St 'hood. - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Mussels were a bit overdone and then charged a group surcharge for a party of 5 of 20% along with the 4% credit card usage fee. Update: they refunded me the surcharge. Thank you! read more

On a recent visit to DC, a friend based there suggested we meet up at St. Arnold's. It was a short walk from my hotel, and the stretch of the legs was perfect after being stuck on a cross-country flight all day. Had a friendly greeting from Cat, who informed me that they didn't have any tables available at that time since it was trivia night and a popular time to be there, but one would probably be opening up soon. Thankfully I scored two spots at the bar and told her I'd take that table when it was available. So I bellied up to the bar and admitted to the bartender, Amir, that I'm not great at beer. He was gracious and had some recommendations and let me taste a few options. I landed on the La Chouffe Belgian blond ale. Tasty! And I loved the little gnome on the glass, the brand's adorable mascot. Friend joined, ordered a beer and we were quickly escorted to our table to order dinner. They opted for the classic house mussels, served with fries and several slices of bread for sopping up those tasty juices at the bottom of the mussel pot. I got the cheeseburger and subbed onion rings for the regular fries. Rings were great(!) but the burger was pretty dry and mediocre. We also shared some mozzarella sticks and they were tasty. Lastly, we decided to participate in the evening's trivia festivities. We didn't expect to do well, especially since we were the only 2-person team. Turns out we ended up getting 2nd place. Fun! read more

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Oh my gosh, I came here three nights in a row. First time, only got a drink as I met up with friend- I'm new to DC and have no idea what anything is. Second night I came here for mussels... soooo delicious. Theirs might I came here before my flight back to the west coast- I got the seafood cold platter and they also have happy hour. The service is top notch!!! The bartender at the upstairs bar was amazing. I love this place and wish I could go back! It is great for the bar and for the food! Wow. read more

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A great casual pub offering a wide variety of German and Belgian beers, classic comfort dishes, and a focus on mussels dishes. The servers were friendly and accommodating and the food came out quickly. Everything we tried--steak frites and mussels St Arnold's--was excellent and had generous portions for the price point. The draft import beers were on the pricier side but they also offered some cheaper domestic options. Overall, a great casual pub for some beers or a home I will definitely be going back to sometime soon! read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - 1L Radeberger - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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In an era where you can't count on anything, St. Arnold's remains steadfast and reliable. Good prices, the best quality mussels, plenty of delicious choices for those who don't eat mussels, and generous drink pours. It was so comforting to visit and have the same great service and quality as always. Shout out to our excellent server, Cat. read more

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I really enjoy this place. My preference is to sit at the bar, but depending on the size of your crew, tables are great too. I'm a big believer in ordering what a place is known for. If you're gonna go there, you need to get the mussels and you need to get a few Belgian beers. Is other stuff good, yes, but it's 5 stars when you get what they're known for and what they do right. My personal favorite is the St. Arnold's style mussels. It's their namesake, hence the theme of this review. Feel free to add sausage or linguine on your second trip, but try it as is the first time. Fries are perfect, crispy on the outside soft on the inside and soak up all that delicious mussels sauce so well. Enjoy read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Beer List as of Feb 2026 - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is my favorite restaurant in the US! Very unassuming location in the downstairs of a row home in DuPont circle. Don't let the cavernous feel steer you away, if you like mussels, you will not regret coming here! There are many tasty options but I always get the Mussels St. Arnold's, cooked in duck fat and lots of yummy herbs. The richest, most flavorful sauce, and is extra delicious when you dip your bread into the generous serving of the sauce. So good you might even want to request a spoon! I was sad the other two locations have closed so I hope people continue coming here so this national treasure stays open for many years to come! read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Mussels St Arnold's and a glass of rose - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Amazing Belgian restaurant in the heart of DC. I got a Groupon so the value was great. We loved the food and drink and our server was amazing. The ambiance is cool too and reflects an old underground tavern feeling like you are going back in time into Old Europe. read more

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Mussel bar @ Washington DC We had an early dinner 5:30pm on Monday and the restaurant wasn't too busy. There is a Happy hour menu from Monday to Friday, 4 to 6pm. There are variety of mussels sauce to choose from. The spicy white wine mussels pots were quite spicy. The fries weren't too crispy, oven roasted chicken wings were ok. The beer battered onion rings were very crispy and good. The roasted beet with red onion, goat cheese on arugula were very tasty. Our server recommended batik Belgian pilsner and duvet Belgian blonde draft beers which went very well with our dishes. We enjoyed our dinner and the service was attentive! read more

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A brilliant combination of a friendly local, a Belgian beer haven, and a superb purveyor of mussels. The namesake Mussels St Arnold will roll your eyes into the back of your head, and the frites will complete the experience. Pair with a beer of choice and you've been to Belgium and saved the airfare. read more

Tasty mussels and excellent Belgian beer! A hard combo to beat! I had the house mussels, they were very tasty and flavorful. They also had several different Belgian beers on tap. read more

I honestly dream of this place and their pots of mussels! I can't even say which flavor is the best because there are all amazing! Will be back for suree. read more

Stopping in DC again, I visited St Arnold's again for a mussels evening. Alsatian style didn't disappoint. Paired with a delicious Belgian blonde and a great staff in a relaxed atmosphere. Well done read more

On a cold late night, we weren't ready to head home but many bars were already closed. A friend suggested this place as it was a favorite for mussels and other seafood so we headed over. I can only rate this place based on the beer selection, but absolutely loved our visit. This place is off Dupont Circle, kind of half way in the basement. It's dark and cozy, with lots of art and items around the Belgian beer world. We took seats at the bar - the bartender was immediately welcoming and friendly with us. Their draft and bottled list is long, mostly focusing on Belgian breweries or Belgian beer styles. I opted for their house beer - a Belgian dubbel which was rich and delicious, the perfect beer to slowly sip on a cold night while talking with a friend. This is a great spot for Belgian beer and seafood if you're in the area. read more

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Don't be fooled! St Arnolds is a wonderful, unassuming gem. The mussels are amazing!!! I stopped in here by word of mouth and it did not disappoint!! Nice variety on mussel broth and crisp pomme frites. Oh and great Belgian beer selection and generous pours for all the non beer drinkers. Suffered after covid years and had to close down their other locations so this is the last stand! Go and support. read more

St. Arnold's is a chill dive bar/pub vibe with a local feel that you can tell has its regulars. The mussels on happy hour are a great deal and have a ton of flavors. We tried the St. Arnold signature and they were delicious, highly recommend. Definitely will come back to anytime I'm in the mood for mussels, I'd love to try the other flavors read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Beer Battered Onion Rings - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food: 5/5 Service/cleanliness: 3/5 The whole menu is online via scanning a QR code. There's a variety of mussels but when we asked our server for recommendations/her thoughts, she wasn't very nice or helpful. She was a bit rude and just said all of the choices are good. All of the appetizers we ordered were good. The onion rings are probably the best I've ever had. It had a light batter and was crunchy. Same for the calamari. The plates were smelly - it smelled like it was wiped with a dirty kitchen rag. St. Arnold mussels & L'Alsacienne: The St. Arnold was better. It was creamier and had richer flavors. Both were overall good though so you can't go wrong with either choice. We added linguine and it was very filling. I didn't even have space for the bread/fries it came with. read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Absolutely best place in town for mussels and frites. Traditional recipes like the St. Arnold's or Alsatian, then more creative interpretations if someone wants to try something new. I stuck to the originals, St Arnold's in the St Bernardus Trappist ale, and Alsatian with cream and leeks. Brought to the table in hot metal pots and a stack of frites and mayonnaise, it's particularly great on a cool night. The burgers are amazing as well, and large. The beer selection covers the bases with a great selection of Belgian and other European beers on tap and bottle. The only drawback is it can get quite loud when it's full, but well worth it. read more

The first time we went to St. Arnold's was on a whim. Ever since, if we find ourselves in DC, we must visit. Their mussel dishes are creative and always expertly prepared. Paired with a heavy Belgian beer, and everything is perfect. When you enter, it's like you've stepped backing time to an underground café. It's not German, but is very reminiscent of a ratskeller. It's cozy, warm, and always enjoyable. The staff is very accommodating, even as our dining party has grown over the years. As long as it's open, we will always eat at St. Arnold's when I DC. read more

What a time! St Arnold's not only had the best mussels, but the best service. Lorraine and Vanessa made us feel like family and friends on our anniversary and made our night! Thank you to them! read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - bar area - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Came here for dinner on a Friday night and it wasn't too busy, so we got seated fast. My husband ordered their nachos which was basically chips with some cheese and other stuff on there. I enjoyed the sausage and pepper sandwich I ordered that came on ciabatta bread. My father in law ordered their sausage platter that came with sauerkraut and fries. They also had several German and Belgian beer options. read more

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We were visiting Washington DC again and we were googling pubs and this place came up with really good reviews. It's a very unique smaller pub where you walk down the steps to get inside. One of the owners was the bartender and was very personable and fun. Very unique concept where they have a pretty much full menu but they're known for their mussels and french fries. It's a pub with a full bar but lots of Belgium beer. Apparently the mussels are shipped in from Prince Edward Island in Canada daily. My hubby had the Mussel St Arnold's (the house mussels) and I had chicken strips and fries (frites). Everything was delicious!!! read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Mussels St Arnold's (the house mussels) - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Delicious muscles and the best bar experience with Paul! He taught us all about Belgium beers and beer culture. Where has this been my whole life? I'm so into it! Now I've added going to Belgium to check out the brewers and breweries on my travel list. The bar is nestled in a cozy little area by the street and the vibe was so down to earth. Loved all of the decor and the stories behind every little thing on the wall. Service was phenomenal. Paul was a gracious host with such great energy from the second we wandered in. The digestif was the cherry on top of the whole experience! It settled our tummies from spending 3+ hours drinking all kinds of beer and liquor. read more

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Very good mussels and fries. Cozy atmosphere especially in winter, though it can get a bit crowded and loud at times. Nice selection of German and Belgian beer. Service always friendly. Very reliable spot. read more

Lorraine was an excellent bartender/server that kept the fun vibe going all night- love her! The mussel pots were absolutely delicious and the dirty martini with blue cheese olives was amazing. This spot is a hidden gem - try it and you'll love it! read more

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Bar specializing in a variety of different mussels that is tucked away down some stairs in what resembles a basement Large portions of solid food Not the best service or the friendliest servers I got the St. Arnold's mussels and they were pretty solid. They also came with some tasty fries and French bread to dip in the sauce Can add pasta and shrimp to your mussels for a small extra charge Also have a few non-mussel options for food Solid Belgian beer and cocktail selection read more

Excellent beer in a basement that serves a great selection of Belgian and monk-ist beers. Beers are affordable ($8-15), especially because most of them are higher in abv. I didn't have a chance to try the food, but I'd come back to try mussels! Their menu looked intriguing. Service was a typical bar but their seating was very cool chapel pews. Bathrooms are clean and spacious. Bartender was efficient and seemed to have quite a few regulars at the bar. Overall a quiet place to have conversations! I'll be back. read more

Super busy little bar. Got mussels fries. Absolutely delicious. The belvan beer was superb, and I'm not a beer drinker. I will be back. Very attentive staff read more

Fantastic service, amazing Belgian beer selection, and the mussels were fun. Small bar with the best Belgian beer list I've seen. Love the vibe here. read more

Don't be fooled by the dive bar atmosphere - there's some seriously good food here among the unfussy ambiance. We visited between work & the theatre recently and they graciously held our reservation even though we were very late. The server, Kat (Cat?) was friendly, attentive, and a good conversationalist - bringing us plenty of extra bread to sop up the rest of the mussel broth with before we had to ask. Out of many varieties, we got the Mussels & Frites St Arnold's ("The original house Specialty! Ommegang Abbey Dubbel beer sauce, caramelized shallots, garlic, thyme, and duck fat") and, at Kat's recommendation, the chicken sandwich ("With caramelized shallots, garlic and thyme in duck fat rosemary mayo") with a side salad. The mussels were plentiful, fat, and flavorful, the broth was rich and delicious. The grilled chicken sandwich was among the best we've had (props especially to the "duck fat rosemary mayo" which I wish we could buy jarred), the frites were crispy and substantial, and the salad was fresh. We are not big beer people but Kat helped us find delicious choices from the extensive list that suited our tastes. The meals, three pints of beer, tax and a generous tip all came out to $110 in the end. A bit pricey for what we got which is why we wavered between 4 & 5 stars, but the service & quality made the difference. (Especially found it a bit silly that the chicken sandwich was $19 despite the fillet being so thin. Tasted amazing, but that felt like a stretch value-wise.) Our only true complaint is that we wish the bread for the mussel broth was more substantial (it appears so on the website but in reality is small thin baguette slices you might find in a plastic tub at any grocery store). read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - Our meal! - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I love SAMB and try to make it there on every DC visit. Too few pubs like this left in the world. Unassuming little joint off the beaten path with great mussels and other bar food. Usually staffed with an old school soul of a bartender who 'gets it' to boot. Don't sleep on the pretzel bites either, they are the best I have ever had. #publife! read more

Great server! Great feeling in the bar! Got the St Arnold's mussels and OMG, yes, just do it. I could eat those all night. read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - St Arnold's Mussel Pots & Bread - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

This is a fun hole in the wall type establishment near Dupont Circle. The muscles were good as was the house made Dubbel beer. Service was all right - nothing to write home about. read more

Twisted my knee and limped in, hoping that a glass of wine would cure me. Great food, good wine, and kindness. Stayed for Monday night trivia which was really fun. My knee still hurt, and when I hobbled out, Kat, the server, asked if I needed a hand. Almost made me cry. Wish I had tipped more. read more

Went to St Arnold's after work on. Monday night. It was fairly lively with a nice atmosphere. They have a nice Belgium Beer selection, especially on tap, however they were out of quite a few. It may have been due to it being Monday after a busy weekend but it was a tad disappointing. We had a bunch of appetizers which were all fairly good. I'd love to go back for the mussels. read more

This place also has steak! I wanted to go into this review with something other than muscles. But when you go here, you go here for muscles, which we also ordered. My husband was in DC for work and one evening when he was finished we were checking out Yelp and this was described as a Belgium type bar. We went in with just wanting beers and a snack. We were greeted by Kat at the bar and noticed cast iron pot after cast iron pot come out with muscles. The ladies next to us just looked liked they were in heaven. So when we asked about the muscles, Kat let us know that it's their specialty and muscles are served several different ways and on Tuesday's any style pot is $19! We enjoyed our pints and frites and went on our way. But the muscles stayed on our mind. On Tuesday night we couldn't resist and went for muscles and steak. We got the house special muscles with garlic, white wine and duck fat. The muscles were HUGE and one pot was enough for 2 to share. They were delicious and the sauce was so creamy. We emptied all our muscles and let them sit in the pot while we dipped our bread in the sauce. Our steaks were really good and canes with frites and really fresh greens. I couldn't eat it all because of the star of dinner which was muscles. Go for the muscles, enjoy a variety of Belgian beers and the convo with Kat was a delight!!! I can't say enough about Kat. She was the hostess with the mostest. Don't miss going to this little non assuming place when in DC if you want really good muscles. We also both orders steak & frites. The read more

St. Arnold's Mussel Bar - They have steak too! 4/2023 - Belgian Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Food is good - you can't really go wrong with any of the mussels. Service is a little hit or miss

Great bar!! Great Belgium beers!!! Great mussels!! The bartender Lorraine who works the weekends is in my opinion, the best bartender in DC. She is great a greeting everyone who comes in. She often introduces new customers to regulars. She creates a very welcoming environment. I highly recommend! read more

Impromptu date night. Hidden away local bar. Great atmosphere. Food and drinks were very good. Great service from Lorraine. Definitely will be back read more

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