For lunch this past Sunday, a few of us stopped by Paramount Cafe since they actually have 卤肉饭…read more(Taiwanese braised pork over rice) here. Who knew that there would be a cafe in Pentagon City with this option? The interior is a bit cramped with many cardboard boxes piling up. We were able to order the food at the counter and waited about 5-10 minutes before the food was ready. BRAISED PORK OVER RICE (卤肉饭) - 15.49 Lots of rice, more rice than I could finish with the amount of braised pork belly they give. The pork was very fatty, which made it tasty and juicy, but it wasn't very saucy. There were two halves of a bokchoy and half of an incredibly boiled egg, which was meh. Still, I finished all the toppings and maybe a little less than half of the rice. I was full, but $15.49 for the food was not worth it. Overall, 3.5/5 but bump it to a 4/5 since there's a scarcity of food like this in the area. They sell other comfort Asian dishes too, like coconut chicken cutlet rice and Japanese eel rice.

After working for years nearby this small bodega below a Crystal City apartment building, I finally…read morewent with my eight-year-old daughter. With an impressively high Yelp rating, I was disappointed to hear the new owners say the glowing reviews are from the previous owner (though I respect the honesty). Despite that, we really enjoyed our visit. The new owners live up to the legacy. First of all, the service is excellent. An older man makes the food and who I assume is his daughter takes the orders. Both are kind. At the end, she gave my daughter a granola bar for free. The menu is a mix of Korean food and the small market in the back sells Korean products and more. It's very fun to browse and pick up some snacks and treats. My daughter loved the juicy grape fruit snacks. To eat, we ordered the Japanese curry and milk tea. Both were full of flavor and made with love. "This is my new favorite meal of all time," said my daughter. She devoured the bowl herself! There's a small parking lot in front of the cafe. It's within walking distance from the Crystal City Metro.

If you're looking for good food, good drinks, and a reminder that joy is an act of resistance, make…read moreyour way to Colada Shop. In a time when some folks are busy declaring "Nuclear Family Month" and trying to decide whose rights count, Colada Shop is over here doing what really matters: serving delicious Cuban food, amazing cocktails, and creating a welcoming space for everyone. The croquetas were incredible, the drinks were refreshing, and the vibe was immaculate. The Pride decorations made me smile because despite all the noise, people are still showing up for community, inclusion, and joy. Turns out diversity isn't scary--unless you're a croqueta at my table. Those things disappeared fast. In a city that can feel especially heavy these days, this place felt like a breath of fresh air. Sometimes resistance looks like marching. Sometimes it looks like supporting businesses that make everyone feel welcome. Happy Pride Month to everyone celebrating. The haters may be loud, but the mojitos are louder.

Great stop before flying back home. This is a small location & searing can get tight especially…read morewhen having to trail in carrying-on luggage but well worth a last yummy taste of Cuban goodness. This location has the same quality of food as their Wharf location. I was so happy to be able to get a couple of empanadas, a Cuban sandwich, sweet plantains and a couple of drinks before jetting off. The staff is super friendly but getting our drinks was a little slow. Having said that, it was during busy times so we totally get it. Didn't take pictures of the empanadas before they got in my belly. We got a chicken & beef-so good just a little on the small side so if you're sharing, keep that in mind. Cheers!!

It was my first time trying RASA, and I love it! I got a build your own bowl with rice, chicken…read moretikka and some veggies. A perfect quick lunch or dinner, I'll definitely be back!

Overall delicious. This is very much like an indian version of chipotle. You can make a bowl…read moreor burrito. I chose to make my own bowl. I started off with spinach and romaine as my base . I added chicken tikka as my main . Then added various veggies and toppings. Very delicious and filling and very reasonably priced for a meal. I would certainly come back!

Great Pizza! Extreme…read morePizza has some great pizza in the Crystal City area! The prices aren't bad and the service was relatively fast. I tried the Everest pizza & wings.....The pizza was nothing but delicious and loaded with toppings. The crust was a winner too. It was a great tasting crust ( not too thick...not too thin.... just perfect!). Between the topping and tomato sauce.....I am sold and will keep this place on repeat. The tomato sauce was so good that i asked for extra with my garlic twisted sticks....i literally had to ask for more! The wings were a standout as well. If you are looking for good pizza, I recommend coming here!

Extreme pizza was one of the only restaurants open during the sleet in 2026 so I dropped by since I…read morewas from out of town and didn't have any food saved up. The workers were super nice and patient even though they had to come into work with the nasty weather. I order the chicken parm with the poppers. The chicken parm sub was delicious however the size was a lot smaller than what I expect from a normal sub. The poppers on the other hand I felt like the filling was lacking if you ate it by itself. It absolutely needed the chocolate dipping sauce that they provided to give the extra flavor profile for the dessert. Part of me wished there was just more Nutella flavoring or somehow a flavor in the middle that would be more flavor so there would be no need to dip. However, I cant deduct any points since I'm not a fan of chocolate and I believe anyone who is a fan of chocolate would be satisfied with it. The inside of the restaurant is kind of cramped but I came in when there wasn't too many people so it was spacious when it's empty. However it was cute and had seating facing the window so you can people watch outside. All in all I did give it a higher rating mainly because they were willing to stay open during the icy snow weather and provide food to all the travelers who were stranded. Thank you so much!

Best food in the airport everything else is poopy asf!!!! Good service lol! It's actually fresh…read morefood and not butt.

MEZ come again! Their new Honey harissa chicken was delicious. They let me sample the meat before I…read morewas able to purchase. The place was clean and well run. The staff were pleasant and seemed to enjoy the work that they do. I had problems with the app, and it does not work when I went to make an account. I also had reception issues in the store. You should eat here if you are into fast, casual quick bowls or burritos similar to Cava.

I saw many of these locations in the area and needed something to eat before my flight. It's a…read morepretty nice area and we were seated right aways for an early lunch. Steak & fries (5/5): I did not expect this to blow me away. The steak was tender and chewy and marinated in chimichurri. The fries may have been one of the best fries I've ever had. It seemed like it was fried in tallow and just packed it with flavor. I really enjoyed my experience here.

Erica is THEEE BEST bartender in the DMV area!…read more She gave me her recommendation for the Tini Takeover, and baby... she did NOT miss. If you go, you HAVE to try the Secret Garden 10/10 -- trust Erica!

I love this place! The salads are really good and you can make your own. Get the blackened chicken…read more(upcharge) and the pesto vinaigrette dressing.

This particular SweetGreen is close to my work. I was low on food and didn't have lunch and was…read morehangry! I wanted a salad so, here I am. I couldn't really decide what I wanted. I've only been to sweetgreen a few times and don't do well with too many options. So, I opted for the Guacamole Greens salad with additional salmon. Again, I was hungry. My server appeared new as she kept reading something to remind her what goes in my salad. I've gotta say that....... this whole tipping thing is getting out of hand. I was trying to pay and couldn't figure out how to work the payment device. I was trying to figure it out and asked for help when the server told me what was going on. It was asking for a tip. Huh? I ordered a salad to go. I'm confused. When she asked if I wanted to leave a tip and my response was no I feel she kinda 'turned off'. Like, she was done with me. Awkward! I wonder, is McDonald's asking for tips now too? Anyway, I got back to my desk and devoured that salad! It was okay. I think next time I'll try the build your own.

90 minutes of unlimited plates, yes please!…read more I'm very been to Yunnan a couple of times but this was my first time trying their Chef's Endless Table experience. There are two tiers to the menu that are priced at $44 and $69 per person. The menu offered a little bit of everything from Bao buns to their popular Mixian noodles. The restaurant's design was clean, chic and minimal.

Stopped in after running some errands on a rainy evening an hour to close; figured I'd update my…read morereview. Ordered the Mogu Shiitake Mixian Noodles like last time; overall it was solid, though the hard-boiled egg probably could have benefitted from a little more time in the broth, but it was near-closing, so not a big deal. Unfortunately, the service quality has ebbed since my last visit. My server, while outwardly calm and friendly enough, was eager to remind me of their imminent closure thrice during my meal. I eventually had to say "Yes, I'm aware" to ensure I understood. I suffer from heartburn and need to pace my meals, so this felt like a rather passive-aggressive "get out". Moreover, I asked at the end of my meal if I could apply a $5 off coupon I received for my birthday. The server told me that the manager has to be on duty in order to apply the discount code, and that they already left. I found this bizarre, having worked with Toast POS systems before, I know this isn't a difficult thing to train your staff on. This was compounded by the fact that I had to wait an additional 10 minutes for another employee, ostensibly an assistant manager, to apply it, and she wasn't even aware until I flagged her down. Again, solid fare; always love when I get to stop in to Yunnan for that reason alone, so I still recommend it. Unfortunately, I think the management should circle back on a few items with the staff in terms of service quality.

I'm a huge fan of Panera Bread! This location is brand new and recently open in the Crystal City…read moreshopping district. The location is bright, airy, and a very open space. This location is for online, mobile app, and take out orders only. There is no seating our dining area like most Panera breads. So when coming here, keep in mind that it is mainly a grab and go spot. I was in the area for a business meeting and needed something quick. This Panera Bread location delivered! The young lady that assisted me at the counter was very polite and helpful. I ordered the pick 2 meal.... Which is always my go to. On this day, I tried the new. Pecan Apple Crisp Salad and a bowl of the House Chilli. Everything was fresh, made to order and delicious. The veggies on the salad were so fresh and crisp, and the apple cider vinaigrette really complimented the salad along with the crunch of the pecans as a topping. The salad was soooo good and will definitely be on repeat! The chili was very flavorful and full of you're a typical ingredients..... 3 beans, tomato, ground beef and spices. A double thumbs up on the taste and consistency. Most of all, it was meaty and not watered down. Not to mention, this place moves fast. The order came very quick..... and securely packed for me to grab and go. I highly recommend this place, when in the area and you need something quick. The food is healthy, delicious, and the menu changes frequently with the seasons. Not to mention, the baked goods selection are great and always an added, plus!

From the owner: From focusing on quality ingredients to serving our food to you in a warm and welcoming…read moreenvironment, Panera Bread is committed to being an ally to our guests. That means crafting a menu of soups, salads and sandwiches that we are proud to feed our families. You don't have to compromise to eat well. Whether you want to come in and enjoy a coffee and our complimentary Wi-Fi, or order online using Rapid Pick-Up so you can grab something quickly, Panera Bread Crystal City is here with warmth and welcome. Panera Bread. Food as it should be.

Had a quick morning bite at Toastique and I'm already thinking about going back! The Greek Toast…read morewas a 10/10, the combo of sourdough, hummus, fresh colorful tomatoes, pickled red onion, olives, and feta was dynamic and super flavorful. The blueberry lavender collagen latte came recommended and was the perfect refreshing drink to pair with it. Love how clean and bright the space feels. Bonus points for having cocktails on the menu for a later afternoon treat. Definitely a new favorite in the area! Service was friendly, quick, and efficient!

Smoothies are good but their processes are broken. Your order will never be ready if you order…read moreonline (and system minimum time is 20 minutes). They're 0/3 on online orders. Order in person and wait. $16 24oz smoothie with 30 minute wait is the math you should do when considering should I just make this at home? You can get a juicer online for $90. Employees can only do so much in lieu of poorly designed processes.