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    Paramount Cafe

    4.8 (354 reviews)
    Open 11:30 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 month ago

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    PARAMOUNT CAFE ATMOSPHERE

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

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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.

    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!

    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.

    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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    8 years ago

    Hands down the BEST sandwich place in the DC/MD/VA area. I get the Turkey Club w/ Avacado. Unreal. MUST TRY

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    8 years ago

    This place deserves all the praise it gets. The owners are wonderful kind and helpful, the food is great.... such a rare find in this area!

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    5 years ago

    Great sandwich spot! The owner is incredibly nice, food is good, and you can even knock out your dry cleaning if you need to.

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    Page 3 of 9

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    Espressamente Illy - Foamy coffee and basic croissant

    Espressamente Illy

    3.7(67 reviews)
    0.9 miCrystal City
    $

    Great place for a fantastic doppio espresso. I really like this location as the staff are super…read morefriendly and they know what they are doing. Fast, efficient service Couple with a great product. Sitting inside and stand up areas also...just like Naples "A banco". Located within the hotel it also has external doors to the street. Prices are reasonable. Sparkling water, sodas, tea and ever present cafe. Great morning starter.

    I visited here when I stayed at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel. This location is…read moreinside the lobby of the hotel. Every morning I need my coffee fix so I made my way down. I was there at 8am and only had about a 5 minute wait to be helped. I ordered an iced latte and a blueberry muffin. This cost about $15 which was pretty steep. The inside of this location was very clean with bright lighting. The barista was helpful and kind. There was only one person working (making coffee and handling payment). I would recommend atleast 2 people to be working since I saw the line get much longer after I was served. I made my way to the lobby where there is plenty of seating. My latte was good and gave me the pep I needed for the day. The blueberry muffin was very disappointing. It was really cold, almost as if it had just came out of a refrigerator. I wouldn't mind a room temperature muffin but I did not like it cold. Also, there was only about 5 blueberries throughout the whole muffin. I don't think this should constitute as a blueberry muffin. With the high price for it, I felt like it was not worth it.

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    Espressamente Illy
    Espressamente Illy - Espresso single

    Espresso single

    Espressamente Illy - Espresso single

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    Espresso single

    Colada Shop - Nachos

    Colada Shop

    4.5(62 reviews)
    0.3 miCrystal City
    $$

    Ok so first of all, I have been here before but seemingly never got around to writing a review from…read morethe last time I was in the area, my sincere apologies. The first time we got coffee and food and it was legit. Five star rating. That was back in early fall so I'd be remiss to try and remember everything. So I'm just going to review today's visit. We stopped in after a day in Alexandria, and the metro was down in crystal city so we had to walk, bus, metro, shuttle hop and repeat. So a busy day. We just wanted a good solid coffee. And a good solid coffee is what we got. The place was low key, despite it being happy hour time (4-8 every day), and Valentine's Day. Which totally fine by me, I don't love crowds encroaching in my personal space. We got a cute little table by the door and helped ourselves to the coffee station area that had some water while waiting to order at the kiosk (you can order at the counter or the kiosk). He got a cafe con leché (hot) (espresso steamed milk and sweet cuban crema) and I got a cortadito (espresso steamed evaporated milk and sweet Cuban crema). Both were phenomenal and hit the spot after a long day. Would highly recommend. I'm eyeballing getting a couple bags of their fresh roasted coffee beans to go home when I leave.

    Stopped in for some drinks. There are two outdoor bars, one downstairs and one upstairs. Fun…read moreatmosphere and friendly service. Decent prices, also. Spicy Cubanella Margarita - sweet and spicy. Cutting down just a bit on the sugar wouldn't be bad but tasty overall Guava oatmeal cookie - sweet and filling.

    Photos
    Colada Shop - Inside

    Inside

    Colada Shop - Platanachos (plantain chip nachos) - $9 at happy hour

    Platanachos (plantain chip nachos) - $9 at happy hour

    Colada Shop

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    Commonwealth Joe - Pumpkin Cookie Butter Latte (hot)  Cozy Honey Cinnamon Latte (cold)

    Commonwealth Joe

    4.6(514 reviews)
    0.2 miPentagon City
    $

    Used Yelp to find a nearby coffee shop after a race. Glad we found Commonwealth Joe! The decoration…read morefrom exterior to interior was so cute/chic! Love the cherry blossoms! Long line to order. Also bought some coffee beans. Employees tried to work as fast as they could. Breakfast taco came out before the coffee. Food was delicious and super filling! My cookie butter latte was AMAZING! Just the right sweetness! Also got to try some of the earl grey matcha and it was good. Highly recommend this coffee shop!

    Super cute coffee shop but WOW does it get busy here!…read more They do themed drinks for cherry blossom season which certainly contributes to how busy it was, but the drink quality and food is genuinely quite good. The line went out the door and it took a while to find a free table. Service is very friendly despite how busy they were. It took a long time to get our drinks and food (at least 10+ minutes) but that came at no surprise: we were there during rush hour right as the Cherry Blossom 5K ended with a bunch of hungry runners arriving at the same time, us included. The Strawberries & Cream Matcha Latte was a popular pick. I enjoyed mine but it didn't stand out too much from other strawberry matcha lattes I've had in my life. My friend ordered the Earl Grey Matcha Latte and topped it with lavender foam and this was definitely the way to go. Also tried the sundried tomato and feta sandwich which was a perfect light snack. The hash brown and egg burrito was also delicious but really dense. Ambiance is a 10/10- they hung faux cherry blossoms from the ceiling and also have a positive affirmation wall in the back for people to contribute to. I would definitely be a regular here if I was a local. - Ambiance: 5/5 - Food: 4/5 - Service: 4/5

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    Commonwealth Joe
    Commonwealth Joe
    Commonwealth Joe - Interior

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    Interior

    Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen - Origin Benedict

    Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen

    4.0(179 reviews)
    0.6 miPentagon City
    $

    A while back I went to get some dim sum from 1983…read more I ate a lot, A LOT. Like a crazy amount of food. I needed something to push that delicious dim sum down a bit. So I saw Origin Coffee Lab and decided to get some peppermint tea from here. While I was ordering tea, I saw their BANANA PUDDING. I AM A [redacted] FOR BANANA PUDDING. So, I grabbed both of these things. Went to my car and decided to check it out right away. That banana pudding didn't miss at all. I loved it. The peppermint tea was high quality as well. Both of these things really make me want to come to Origin again. It is a nice cozy spot with industrial/retro ambiance. The service is great, the baristas know what they're doing. I highly recommend this place! 4.3/5

    Went to try Original Coffee today during lunch from work and I was not impressed…read more Service was mediocre at best. You self order on a tablet and it's not obvious because when I came in, the screen was updating. I was asking one of the employees and she gave me an attitude, not realizing the iPad required a PIN to go back to the order screen. The menu doesn't correspond to what they have available so that's also confusing. I ended up ordering the Japanese matcha and a BLT sandwich. Food and drink quality was very good (I was impressed). Food was warm and fresh and would recommend adding sweetener with the Japanese matcha. It was pretty packed today, so maybe it'll be less crowded on a weekday.

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    Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen
    Origin Coffee Lab & Kitchen - Original Breakfast and Latte

    Original Breakfast and Latte

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    Vanilla Pancake

    Paramount Cafe - cafes - Updated May 2026

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