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    Paramount Cafe

    4.8 (355 reviews)
    Closed • 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

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    PARAMOUNT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Quiet
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Paramount Cafe

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    Beef sandwich

    We looked at pictures of the menu on Yelp and thought the options looked good. Turns out that is an old menu from previous owners. The menu is limited. Either a beef or pork sandwich and about a dozen Asian dishes. We opted for the sandwiches in both beef and pork. We were pleasantly surprised. They were good sized sandwiches and had great flavor. Service was great. Price was likely okay for this area.

    Tank G.

    This is a cute little café that doubles as a small convenience store. The café serves coffees, and sandwiches. They used to serve breakfast but has discontinued that for now. There is a small private parking lot in front of the café, but most of them are reserved for businesses in the strip mall that the café is co-located. They have coolers full of drinks, chips and random items such as bleach, paper towels, toilet paper, laundry shop, and paper cups. The place also looks like it is a pick-up spot for dry cleaning. Talk about your one-stop shopping. They have bar seating along the wall, in the front of the store and a few tables and chairs on the opposite side. The seating is very limited. There is music playing throughout the café. They had some Stevie Wonder playing while I was there. They have a wide selection of sandwiches. I was in an exotic mood, so I decided to go with the Thanksgiving Morning Sandwich. It is a one-person operation, so it took a little time for me to get my food. I would say about 15 minutes. The woman working there was extremely friendly though. I got a drink from the cooler and a bag of chips to go with my sandwich. The sandwich looked small at first glance, but was filling, fresh and delicious. It was packed with flavor. I really liked it. This little hole-in-the-wall café that you will find in a little duck-off, has some awesome food and top-notch service. I really enjoyed my meal here. I highly recommend checking this place out.

    Chinese style box lunch (盒饭)with pork and cauliflower, egg and tomato stir fry, pork ribs, bok choy and egg soup and white rice
    David S.

    I've tried the Chinese pork burger 肉夹馍 and the box lunch 盒饭 and they are both excellent! I especially loved the box lunch, you get to sample a lot of different authentic Chinese food for only $12.99! I'm definitely goin back for more. The service is wonderful, the owners are very friendly! And the ambiance is very relaxing:) try them out!

    the menu for the restaurant
    Esther S.

    Incredible cute little cafe! Smell of delicious food hit as soon as I walked in. They have a variety of different snacks and a beverage fridge. I got the #6 and it was delicious, wish I got 2 sandwiches. Will definitely be back.

    Roasted turkey BLT
    Mike B.

    I have no doubt in my mind why Paramount Cafe has 245 reviews and 5 solid stars. Well, there's several reasons. 1. The owner is one of the most welcoming, caring, and sweet individuals you'll ever meet. 2. The food is fresh and made with love. 3. It's pretty darn convenient. Especially if you live in the Paramount Apartments that sit atop the Paramount cafe. Or even if you're passing by in Pentagon City. They have a few dedicated parking spaces out front for the store, and it was a quick easy delicious meal. From the very moment I walked through the door, the owner of the cafe was treating me like family. "Hey there, how are you doing? What can I do for you? Are you here to have a sandwich?" I have to assume that her sandwiches are what's really bringing in people from far and wide. Sure there's a drink fridge with a variety of different bottles and canned beverages. Sure there's a mish mosh of common household goods like aluminum foil, plastic wrap, canned goods etc. I'd be willing to bet that her biggest revenue stream is from these loaded hearty sandwiches. They're just about 12-15 on the menu. She also does gyro sandwiches too. And right behind the counter there is a little conveyor belt oven that she uses to whip up a pretty darn tasty sandwich. She's an honest business owner (completely fine with me), the competition from the Whole Foods that opened a year ago down the street has definitely taken a big bite out of her business. But if you trust me at all, and I know there's a few of you out there that do, the sandwich that I got at Paramount Cafe stands on a different level than the super giant down the street. It's truly made with love. Is the bacon cooked perfectly? No. Is the bread artisan? No. Is the turkey handcarved fresh right there? No. I can't exactly tell you why, but like I said, trust me; it does. I ended up getting the Roasted Turkey BLT. She first roasts the turkey meat and puts it on a very sizable piece of marble rye. Second she makes sure I want the default horseradish sauce as the base. I opt for mayo, but get horseradish on the side. She then hand cuts avocado, piles on lettuce tomato and bacon, and throws it in a panini press. The result is a SOLID sandwich that I'd be happy to serve in my home. She tells me I can pay later and not to worry, just enjoy my sandwich and relax. She then comes to check-in JUST at the perfect time to make sure that everything is too my liking. "Do I need any more horseradish sauce?" I tried it, its delicious, but "No, I'm good for now." It just goes to show that Customer Service can be everything. From start to finish I felt cared for, cared about, and taken care of. Just an absolutely pleasant experience. Food gets a 4 stars. Customer Service gets 10 stars. Overall: 5 stars.

    Denny K.

    Nearly hidden on the ground floor and Bank of America side of the Paramount Apartment building is a true gem of a mom and pop convenience store. (More of the latter than a Cafe - but it serves dutifully as both.) As you walk in through a narrow seating area near the front door, your senses likely will be stimulated by the appealing aroma of fresh Expresso being brewed or the wafting, toasty notes of a grilled panini sandwich. Operated by a family - not a corporation - this small den of delights, aka snacks, notions, drinks, and sundries, is a repository for all the little things you might have forgotten at the big grocery store (or on your vacation trip). From popcorn and chips to ice cream and candy bars, seltzer to soap, and single serve headache remedies to Ben and Jerry's ice cream, this small store seems to stock a little bit of everything. Freshly made delicious sandwiches, beer, wine, and soft drinks fill the bill for folks in the apartment complex above the store and those in the hotel right around the corner. The list of what they stock is figuratively endless. Love the service, friendliness, and congeniality of Mia and Dave.

    Club Focaccia
    Dj S.

    The BEST sandwiches in the area, and the owner is the sweetest lady. This was voted as the best sandwich shop in Virginia in recent years. Help support small businesses like this stay open!

    Tuna Love

    Really delicious sandwich. Staff was super friendly. Only cons are the lack of air conditioning and the store hours. I wish it was open more often!

    Mozarella + veggie sandwich
    Brady R.

    Two words that set this place apart from most other places you'll find in the area: customer service. I stopped in and was a bit taken aback as it was nothing like I expected. It's located under an apartment building is like a little shop that happens to also be a cafe where you can buy coffees, teas, and small eats, like sandwiches, etc. They have alcohol, bottled beverages, random snacks, and lots of other random finds. I opted for lunch and got the veggie mozarella sandwich, per Kim's suggestion. I also got an iced tea. Kim was phenomenal from start to finish. She helped me decide which vegetarian option was the best. Within a few minutes, instead of handing me the sandwich at the counter, she walked the dish to my table and insisted on doing so. After I was finished, she then made sure that everything was nothing but delicious. I requested that she pour my leftover tea into my reusable water bottle I had to not waste it, and she had no issues with this. Customer service wins the five stars at this location. Food is about 4 stars. Interior could use some love, but the service is the star of this place.

    Turkey blt
    Jen E.

    Was really excited to check this place out since it had five stars for a quick lunch while at a conference at the Crystal City Marriott. It was definitely a neat shop, with lots of fun drinks and necessities. The woman behind the counter seemed nice. We ordered sandwiches. It was fine, but definitely nothing to write home about.

    In the strip center near a Bank of America.
    Crystal R.

    Only in town for a few hours and needed a quick lunch. So glad I found Paramount Cafe. The food is good but I enjoyed the cozy atmosphere and the friendly owner. I enjoy supporting establishments like this one!

    A turkey avocado BLT sandwich and 2 generous sized coffees.

    Small but cute restaurant with a homey atmosphere with friendly staff. The roasted turkey and avocado BLT was well presented, tasty and a generous portion. The staff was friendly as well as efficient in getting our food out in good time. Locals drop by for coffee, a treat or a meal.

    BLT with avocado and chicken.

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Three words: Fan Tas Tic. Great sandwiches...we had the turkey faccacio and the pastrami panini. Both were A+!!

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    9 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Great, hidden gem! So attentive and sweet and they happily customized my sandwich. Will definitely return.

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Seriously... Try the roasted turkey avocado BLT. Have a conversation with the owner while she makes it for you. 10/10 will eat here again!

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Local spot with Amazing sandwiches! The steak and cheese was delicious with all the fresh peppers.

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    7 years ago

    The thanksgiving day panini is delicious!! The service is wonderful, very friendly staff. I will definitely be coming back!

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

    The Thanksgiving day sandwich is a blessing when I come home from work it is like a whole thanksgiving meal in a warm toasted bun.

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    11 years ago

    Thanksgiving Day sandwich was excellent. Friendly service, and old world treats makes Paramount cafe a hidden gem in pentagon city!

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Trust the patrons, this hidden nook is a gem. From the atmosphere to the service to the food, a home-run all the way.

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    9 years ago

    Eat here. Best vegetarian sandwiches I've had in a long time! And the customer service is incredible

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    A sweet discovery. Really respect the owner's intentionality with each order and customer. Can't go wrong with any of the choices.

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    8 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    Solid cafe! Great service, friendly staff & food was delicious! Very convenient for the residents of Paramount.

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    Page 7 of 9

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    Astoria DC - Fried chicken wing flats

    Astoria DC

    4.3(644 reviews)
    3.6 mi•Dupont Circle
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    Astoria DC is one of those spots I genuinely look forward to going back to. The restaurant itself…read moreis pretty small and intimate, but the vibes are always so good. Just keep in mind that it gets VERY busy, especially on weekends, so I definitely recommend making a reservation instead of trying to walk in. Now the garlic beef noodles... literally one of the best noodle dishes ever. I get them almost every single time I'm in the area because they're THAT good. The noodles are coated in this super flavorful, garlicky sauce with the perfect amount of spice. Every bite is savory, rich, a little spicy, and packed with garlic without being overwhelming. The beef is sooo tender too. It practically melts in your mouth and there's actually enough beef throughout the dish, so you're not just eating a bowl of noodles. It's also incredibly filling, so you definitely leave satisfied. The walnut shrimp was another standout. SOOO good. The shrimp were perfectly cooked with that crispy outside while still being juicy and tender inside, and the sauce was creamy, sweet, savory, and just rich enough without completely overpowering the shrimp. The walnuts add that little crunch that brings everything together. Truly one of those dishes where you keep reaching for another piece even though you're already full. Overall, Astoria is such a good spot if you love bold, spicy, flavorful food. The garlic beef noodles alone keep me coming back, but the walnut shrimp might be competing for my new favorite. Definitely make a reservation because the space fills up FAST!

    First time visiting this place after saving it on my list for a while now. Well, let's just say…read morethat it's worth the hype! Advice: sitting outside might be better in the cooler weather because we were being eaten alive by mosquitoes and fighting off flies. I really hope that they consider some type of nature oils near the tables to help guests feel more comfortable outdoors. Also, it would help to get more than one fan. Hospitality: aside from the bugs encounter, I would say that we did not have reservations (they were packed inside) so the hostess was nice enough to accommodate us outdoor. Our waiter, Anthony was a ball of energy and he really understands the dishes and was able to give great recommendations, some of which we plan to try on our next visit. Portions: the dishes are shareable so we only ordered the beef noodles and walnut shrimp and both were more than enough for a party of 2. DRINKS: I ordered the dark and stormy which can best be described as not too sweet and perfect for anyone desiring a well balanced drink. The bourbon smash was also really good. Well balanced with a smoky flavor which I loved. FOOD: Beef noodles- gosh this was so divine! Be warned however, there is a bit of spice to it but nothing that you won't be able to handle. I think the spices paired with the preparation of the noodles and the beef all made this dish memorable. Walnut shrimp- another memorable dish which came with a side of white rice. The shrimps were HUGE! But the flavors on each shrimp paired with that crunchy texture and creamy sauce, spectacular! Safe to say that we enjoyed both dishes and cannot wait to return and reserve indoor tables lol

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    Astoria DC - Interior dining space. Narrow but really nice on the inside.

    Interior dining space. Narrow but really nice on the inside.

    Astoria DC - Fried rice

    Fried rice

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    Shōtō - Pork belly skewers

    Shōtō

    4.0(713 reviews)
    3.2 mi•Downtown

    After walking past this place nearly every day for two years, I finally made it in…read more Overall, I enjoyed the meal. The menu spans a wide variety of Japanese cuisine (or at least, how one might traditionally imagine it), and there were some genuine highlights: the steak (it wasn't billed as wagyu, so I'm not entirely sure what it was), the eggplant taco, and the corn. That said, as someone who's particular about Japanese food, I do feel that restaurants specializing in each of these dishes execute them better -- Uchi's sushi and Izakaya Seki's yakitori both outshine Shoto's versions. The room itself is glamorous in a very Miami way: sleek decor, a showy bathroom, and it takes on a bit of a nightclub vibe as the night goes on. My main gripe was pacing -- service felt rushed at first, then there was a sudden lull, and dessert took forever to arrive.

    My mom & I went Shōtō in DC for an early birthday treat and we had such a great experience! The…read moreservice was immaculate from start to finish. They started us off with warm towels, which was such a nice touch, and everyone was so attentive and welcoming throughout the meal. I started with a martini that came with a shot of sparkling sake, while my mom had a cappuccino. For food, we shared the Wagyu no gyoza and OMG... so good! Definitely an 8/10 and something I'd recommend trying. I also ordered the grilled octopus with potatoes, and that was delicious as well. My only wish is that the portions were a little bigger, but honestly, the excellent service and the fact that we shared several dishes made up for it. My mom ordered the Suzuki yaki, branzino, which was delicious, and the corn was SO good. It's covered in butter and absolutely worth trying! We ended the night with the matcha tiramisu, and they even wrote "Happy Birthday" on the plate for my mom. Such a cute touch and a perfect way to end the meal. They said online that we might leave hungry, but we were actually pretty full! I definitely think sharing several dishes is the way to go. If you're only ordering one entrée for yourself, you may leave wanting more, but with a few dishes to share, we had plenty. Overall, I'd definitely recommend Shōtō. It's definitely a bit pricey but the service really stood out, the food was delicious, and it felt like a special place to celebrate. I'm already looking forward to coming back to try the sushi!

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    The beautiful bar

    Shōtō - Premium omakase (tempura)

    Premium omakase (tempura)

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    Seating area

    Paramount Cafe - cafes - Updated October 2026

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