Ellie wants to show Joel around, and introduce him to all her friends now that they're out of the arena and the harrowing situations that produces. Frankly, Joel wouldn't really care either way, but he likes making Ellie happy, likes seeing her bright and smiling and enthusiastic - he hasn't seen it enough since Colorado.

So he lets her.

He minds even less when they stop off at the District 7 suites, when the smell of food is nearly overpowering. It sets Joel's mouth watering and he blinks at the spread. She said she has a friend here who's a dwarf. Maybe this is his doing.