Paramount Café

Paramount Cafe offers delicious and authentic Chinese food, plus a convenience store packed with popular Chinese snacks. Super convenient for Crystal City residents—great food, great drinks, and a fantastic selection of treats. Highly recommend!！

Great option for lunch if you’re at the office! We got the braised pork over rice ($15~) & the pork burger (~$8).

Small business dedicated to serve the local community, providing convenience to the foreign students who miss the taste of home. Excellent service with reasonable price (which is very rare in food service industry now). I cannot recommend them more and I encourage people to support them.

The lady in front desk is super nice. I am impressed with the food. Tastes delicious!!! I would recommend it. Definitely will come back again.

I ordered the beef bowl and it absolutely hit the spot. The beef was tender, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. The rice was fluffy and soaked up all the delicious sauce. Portion size was generous and the food was hot and fresh. Definitely one of the best comfort meals I’ve had in a while — I’ll be coming back for more!

I stopped by this cute little café today after my dentist appointment. The two ladies that were working were both super sweet and kind. The bread on this vegetarian sandwich is so soft and delicious. You can really tell that they put love into the food and drinks they create. I’m so happy I found this place! Their prices are totally affordable too.

This place reopened under new ownership in September 2024. Still the same great sandwich shop and some new things. They’re open for breakfast now! Right now they have fresh made Chinese egg tarts that are awesome

The most kind owners! You should all give this place a try. Amazing food and top service. Number 1 sandwich shop in Pentagon City. Fantastic egg tarts also, the best I’ve had in the USA!

After working for years nearby this small bodega below a Crystal City apartment building, I finally went 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

My son and I went to the Paramount, hoping for sandwiches. The staff said they weren't serving sandwiches anymore because they were too hard on their bottom line. We ordered beef and onion over rice,, and it was really tasty. Don't go if you're looking for traditional sandwiches. But if you're looking for somewhat nontraditional and East Asian fare, we still recommend.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

Best sandwich ever! The owner is lovely and personable. So glad I found her place! Had the Roasted Turkey and Avocado BLT and am glad I did.

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.

The Turkey Club was excellent. This is a great spot to stop for lunch if you're in the area

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.

Ms. Kim is an excellent source of customer service and her meals keep me alive at lunch; the food is absolutely delicious and great to-go.

Long story short: The sandwiches are delicious! The owner is wonderful! Support your local deli/bodega! I've lived in Pentagon City for 4 years now, but typically I work in DC. Because of the pandemic, I've been working from home. I had a craving for a turkey club and wandered next door to the Paramount Cafe, which I was pleasantly surprised to find open. I walked in and chatted with the owner, who is the nicest and most optimistic woman. She told me she hasn't seen much business because of COVID-19 (lots of the nearby offices are closed), and was thrilled to see myself and another construction worker stop in. The sandwich she made was delicious, they have chips and snacks, some essentials (toilet paper, cleaning supplies) and some beer and wine as well. The customer service is incredible and the owner is a gem. They also do dry cleaning and alterations here in case you want to drop some garments off. Highly recommend you check it out!

This great little sandwich shop and convenience store is what small businesses are all about. Kim is a delight and is amazing at making delicious sandwiches for breakfast and lunch. Turkey Avocado BLT, Turkey Club, Napoli, and The Pastrami are my favorite, but they are all great! Amazing customer service and food!! Please support her.

We discovered this wonderful little cafe after checking in to the Doubletree Hotel two blocks away. The owner and head chef crafted masterful and delicious sandwiches. This is the highest rated restaurant in Crystal City for good reason.

Omg love this cute little sandwich shop. Has random store items that bring so much personality to the shop. Owner of the shop was SO sweet and adorable. Good vibes. The sandwiches tasted like they were made with love. Can't wait to go back for the Reuben

I have driven past Paramount Cafe for over a year without stopping in, so I figured, after I was returning from my field placement in SE DC on Friday afternoon I'd stop in for lunch to-go. There is a counter with some seating when you first walk in plus a couple of tables. While I was there around 2pm, there were three people dining in, but they were mostly doing take-out service. I asked if I could have the roast beef wrap (roast beef, horseradish sauce, swiss, lettuce, tomato, red peppers) as a panini instead, and the woman who was making the sandwiches was enthusiastic and said she'd give me "the best kind of bread-focaccia!" I paid ($8.50) for the sandwich, and the gentleman ringing me up said he'd bring it out when ready. Only one woman is making the sandwiches, so I was expecting to wait, which I did-to the tune of 15 minutes. While I was waiting, a guy came in and mentioned to them that he just moved to the area, so he wanted to stop in and check their hours and menu. The woman told him "we are rated #1 on Yelp-best sandwiches!"- I thought that was kind of cute. A couple of regulars also came in while I was waiting and both the woman and the man knew them by name, which is always nice for a neighborhood cafe. I also noticed an extensive beer selection in the back for beer to go and BYO six packs. When I got home and opened my sandwich, I was disappointed that it was not the roast beef wrap sub panini but the actual roast beef panini (roast beef, provolone, roasted red pepper spread, red peppers, and tomato). I wasn't going to go back and point out the error since I was already home, so I just went with it. The sandwich was good-not in the category of best sandwiches I've ever had, but I'm also not a huge fan of roasted red pepper spread. I am a fan of horseradish sauce, which is why I ordered what I did, so perhaps I would have been able to bump my rating if I received the correct sandwich. I did like the focaccia bread, which had an olive taste to it. The roasted red pepper spread was rather thin, and I added mustard (spicy ground) at home to kick the sandwich up a notch. The size of the sandwich was large for the price. I'd say this was 3.5 stars but I'll bump it to 4 because of the kindness of the owners and the fact it is a small local business. I'll return eventually to try something else, but this time I know to not vary from the menu with any substitutions or special requests. Also, Parking can be tricky so be aware of that situation if you are planning a visit here.

My boyfriend and I were looking for a quick sandwich shop that didn't compromise flavor; I stumbled upon this cafe on yelp, based off the reviews we decided to give it a try and ooooweee, so happy we did! This spot is a hidden gem in Crystal City First off, customer service is great! The owner, a very nice lady, welcomed us soon as we walked in and took care of us with ease. She makes your food with love and at a very reasonable price as the sandwiches are pretty filling and delicious. (:

Sandwiches are incredibly delicious, and cafe owner is a sweetheart. Always the most affordable and healthy lunches here. Highly recommend!

Stopped in to grab a sandwich on Saturday afternoon. Ordered the Pastrami and roast beef paninis. Not all paninis are created equal. Bottom line is the Pastrami is a must order and the roast beef was just alright. The Pastrami panini came with the standard toppings but with the addition of a tomato pesto and delicious in every way. The roast beef panini came with the same pesto but didn't really impress me. I'll definitely be back to try more in the future.

This place is AWESOME-- the owner treated us SO well and the food is delicious-- we tried the turkey avocado BLT-- the best! 5 stars in our book!

I absolutely love this place. It's such a hidden gem of crystal city. Going here feels like picking up lunch from your grandmothers house because Ms Kim (the owner) treats every customer like family. Sandwiches are unique and super tasty.

After a job interview I was in search of a quick breakfast option. Fortunately for me, Paramount Cafe was right around the corner. I walked in and was welcomed by a nice woman who seemed to be operating the place alone. It had the ambiance of a privately-owned establishment, but in a good way. It's a combination of Cafe and convenience store, also selling cigarettes and bottled beverages in addition to freshly made sandwiches and espresso. The woman was quick to make recommendations, which was great for someone like me who was indecisive at the time. She recommended the sausage, egg and cheese croissant and a caramel macchiato (hot). The croissant was not made ahead of time, and it was all cooked to order! Yes, even the eggs were made to order and were absolutely amazing. Altogether, the breakfast sandwich was a success and coupled nicely with the macchiato. The woman served it up to me while I was still sitting, making the remark "best croissant in Crystal City." Although I am not from the area, I surprisingly believed her based on how amazing everything was. Stop in here and I promise it will be with it!

This little place is a great - and hidden! - find, but venture in and you will find sandwiches, beer/wine, snacks and ice cream from the coldest freezer in the neighborhood. And if that weren't enough, the woman who is always there (I am guessing the owner) is incredibly sweet.

Very cute cafe/deli and such warm and hospitable service from the woman that takes your order. I apologize, I forgot to get her name to include in this review, but believe me, you will know exactly who I am speaking of the moment you step in the cafe and encounter her at the register. We wanted a quick and convenient cafe for sandwiches and after seeing the rave reviews on Yelp, we couldn't pass it up. Speaking of passing up, we do not live in D.C. and almost walked right past this place. Paramount Cafe is located right before you get to the light at 15th and it is located directly next to Bank Of America. We ordered the veggie sandwich and turkey club with 2 bags of dirty chips (our fave!) and 2 drinks and it was only $24! Extremely reasonable. Paramount cafe is a definite all around winner.

We both got the mozzarella veggie sandwich and it was delicious! I got mine toasted on focaccia bread and I would recommend it!! Kim is very sweet and set up outdoor seating for us. I will definitely be going back.

Very nice café with an offer of very tasting sandwiches and wraps. We stopped for a coffee, but when I saw the sandwich they were preparing for the person in front of me, we decided to order. I recommend the pastrami and the blt, which I had with pork ham rather than turkey. They were both delicious, well above the average of DMV area cafés.

Whether it's hangover food, or just a delicious meal that you crave, Paramount Cafe has it all. This establishment has 5 stars and 166 reviews. Impressive? Heck yeah. I had to see for myself what all the hype was about! I was staying with friends in Pentagon City when we were craving Brunch. I suggested we check out this place because of the food potions, and unbelievable reviews it had. Boy oh boy, I'm so glad I checked YELP and had an exact location. You would NEVER see this place from the road, nor know of its existence if it weren't for YELP. The restaurant/store is tucked away in a building where you can't quite read the sign as you pull in. Once you park, it's easy to see the main door and you proceed straight inside. Yes, the have both cold and hot sandwiches/wraps/panini's available. But most importantly, they sell alcohol and snacks as well. I ordered the #4 which was turkey, lettuce, tomato, avocado and bacon. I put mine in a spinach tortilla and added a little ranch for flavoring. The sandwich portion was big, and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. My only gripe is that I live so far away! I wish I could eat here more often. The staff was extremely courteous, and more then willing to accommodate whatever substitutions you wanted. What better way to run a business then to cater to your customers needs, and deliver a solid product. Absolutely I would recommend this place, and I will be back!!!

Really friendly staff The menu is somewhat limited but the sandwiches and wraps are tasty They can change anything on be menu with minimal fuss Cheaper than the in hotel eateries. I tired the beef gyro which was very fresh and spicy (just the right amount) and the turkey panini as well

This is a fantastic sandwich shop.. she pours all her love into her sandwich's.. We had the pastrami sandwich with Russian dressing and it was soo good!

This is a great deli grocery store. I saw the reviews on Yelp so had to pop by! My co-workers and I have gone a few times now. They have great sandwiches to choose from like turkey, bacon and avocado on rye or even a Gyro in pita bread. The service here is very friendly and helpful when trying to select a sandwich. They even let you customize them. It is quick and easy to get in and get sandwiches to-go, but they also have some table in the front of the store where you can sit to eat. I enjoy they are also a mini grocery store, allowing multiple options for drinks, chips and items you might need like cleaning supplies, general health items, even beer/wine!

This is an incredible and absolutely delicious hole-in-the-wall shop. The shop has an unassuming exterior and interior, but the sandwiches and gyros are a hidden treasure. Additionally, the owner is wonderful and very kind. She takes the effort to talk and to take care of all the customers who come through. The food itself was phenomenal. I got the pastrami sandwich that was delectably juicy with an explosion of flavor. My girlfriend ended up getting the lamb gyro that was just delicious, plain and simple. The servings were generous, and I came out stuffed! This shop is one of those rare mom-and-pop shops that is definitely worth the support and the visit! I would definitely make it out to Crystal City again just to get another sandwich or gyro!

Absolutely top-rate mom-and-pop family cafe-store-restaurant. The warm lady who runs it is always friendly and happy to help - did you just move in and need a kitchen towel? Did you forget your toiletries kit on you flight in - and need some shampoo? Are you hungry - would you like one of the best turkey club sandwiches in the area? Maybe you just want a tea or hot chocolate on a nice, soft chair, where a friendly bartender-like ear (the sweet grandmother version) is available, with a relaxing chat and even advice to make you feel at home included? Please come support this family's cafe & store as the big box chain stores and residential communities crowd in around them.... all of us need to support places with character and warmth like this where we can.

Doesn't matter when I come here I always have great service. Not only the owner but the staff is super accommodating. Try the sandwiches very delicious with quite a variety. You can even call in your order. If you live close by she things in the store to tide you over. Great small business.

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!

The staff are very nice and welcoming. Mom & pop store & the sandwiches are finger licking good. Need a drink, they sell wine & beer too! This hidden gem is a 1 stop shop. I ordered the Turkey Avocado BLT on panini bread, watch out Panera bread!

LOVE LOVE LOVE the customer service here. If the owners could put their customer service in a bottle and ship it to all the businesses in the world, it would make the world a better place. They really go above and beyond. There's nothing like seeing warm smiling faces in a neighborhood cafe. I got the iced caramel macchiato which was delicious and very sweet and caramel-y. I also got a plain bagel with cream cheese which was pretty basic.

Delicious grilled chicken sandwich! Simple, flavorful, and under $10 just how I like my lunchtime sandwiches :) The owner also makes everything herself and is literally the sweetest human being. Please support them! Crossing my fingers we don't lose another gem like this one due to the strain on the industry from the pandemic.

Decent cafe but the best owner, this is why I feel sad writing anything less than a 5 star. I think I ordered the wrong thing and it's not a reflection of the store owner. I came in and got a turkey wrap without the avocado and with ranch dressing. I think it was the ranch I did not like, as the brand being used is not personally my favorite. I should have tried one of the other hot sandwiches. I will say 5/5 for service but 3/5 for what I personally tried.

Thanks yelp for leading me to this little store, sandwich shop and cafe. Got a cappuccino and turkey, bacon and Avocado on marble rye. They were delicious. My son got a Napoli and it was delicious as well.

I've been in the Arlington area for almost 6yrs and just finally found this little gem of a deli. The sandwiches, excellent sandwiches that are made very well. Customer service makes you feel like you stopped by your grandmother's house for lunch. I'm just a few minutes waiting for my sandwich, I felt a comfort that you can only find in a local small business. It's heartbreaking to see such a great place with so little business because of the COVID-19. Let's pray these places can survive the wait. Meanwhile, I'll be back as often as I can

This place is so good! She has convenience items, amazing sandwiches and a large selections of wines and other things people might not want to go to the store for. It's kind of hidden in the Bank of America/Paramount apartments but it's totally worth it. The last that runs the store does everything on her own and is so sweet.

This place is great and well worth the stroll. Kim is wonderful and I appreciated the care she put into preparing my Turkey and Avocado BLT. I would definitely recommend it if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle while experiencing great "local hometown" customer service. Thanks Kim! Juan

Mom and pop convenient store just like all the others in Crystal City. I got a #9, Tuna Love, and it was gross. I didn't have the heart to tell the manager. Customer service was great and I liked my hot chocolate, but I don't think I'll be back anytime soon. Wrap was stale and tuna was weird. What's up with all these 5 star reviews?!!

A hidden gem/ diamond in the rough. Great sandwiches topped with great service. Definitely worth it and will be back for more.