BAKERY PROFILE

PAUL

★ 4.0479 recorded reviews$10–20

1275 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA

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PAUL
PLAN THE VISIT

Essential details

Address
1275 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA
Phone
(202) 506-4471
Website
Visit official site
Rating signal
4.0 from 479 recorded reviews
HOURS

Listed operating hours

  • Monday7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Thursday7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Friday7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Saturday7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
  • Sunday7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
About and visit notes

Located in the bustling heart of downtown Washington, D.C., PAUL Bakery & Café on K Street NW brings the rich, authentic tradition of a French patisserie to the District. Originating from Northern France in 1889, PAUL is an international institution renowned for its commitment to high-quality ingredients, time-honored baking methods, and a classic, rustic French ambiance. For D.C. locals and professionals working in the surrounding business district, PAUL serves as an ideal escape, offering an extensive menu that bridges the gap between a quick coffee stop and a leisurely European-style meal.

PAUL is much more than a typical bakery; it functions as a comprehensive café, cake shop, dessert shop, and sandwich shop all under one roof. The experience is centered on their freshly baked products, from the crusty, artisan Plain Baguette ($4.99) to the flaky, buttery Croissant - Paul Original ($4.50). These baked goods form the foundation of their entire menu, which spans from sophisticated breakfast fare to substantial lunch options.

Customers can start their day with classic cooked breakfast items like Eggs Benedict W/ Avocado ($17.99) or the customizable omelets. Throughout the day, the selection shifts to classic French bistro-style meals, including the indulgent Croque Madame ( With Side Salad) ($14.99) and various baguette sandwiches, such as the signature Paris Ham & Cheese Sandwich ($12.99). The dessert case, filled with everything from the Pastel De Nata - Portuguese Custard Tart ($3.49) to elaborate cakes, ensures PAUL satisfies any sweet craving.

While located in a fast-paced environment, PAUL encourages patrons to slow down and savor the French lifestyle. The combination of high-quality Lavazza coffee, freshly baked bread, and a comfortable setting with ample amenities like Wi-Fi and restrooms makes it a popular spot for both business meetings and personal breaks. The sheer variety and authentic execution of its offerings solidify PAUL as a premier destination for French dining in Washington, D.C.

Location and Accessibility

PAUL Bakery & Café is strategically positioned in the heart of Washington, D.C.'s K Street corridor, a major artery for business, commuting, and commerce.

Address: 1275 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA

This location places the bakery directly within the central business district, making it an extremely convenient stop for thousands of office workers, lawyers, lobbyists, and visitors staying at nearby hotels.

The accessibility is robust, typical for a downtown D.C. establishment. The shop is located within easy walking distance of the McPherson Square Metro Station (Orange, Silver, and Blue lines) and the Farragut North Metro Station (Red line), ensuring excellent connectivity via public transit. For physical access, the facility is entirely wheelchair friendly, featuring both a wheelchair accessible entrance and wheelchair accessible seating, catering to all members of the community. Though on-street parking is limited, the shop's central location is best suited for patrons arriving on foot, by metro, or utilizing ride-share services. The overall planning is conducive to both a quick visit for a coffee and croissant, or a longer, seated lunch break.

Services Offered

PAUL offers a full range of dining and service options that support its multi-faceted identity as a bakery, cafe, and restaurant.

UL

  • Full Dining and Cafe Service: Offers both comfortable dine-in seating and fast, efficient takeout service for all menu items.
  • Multiple Ordering Channels: Facilitates customer convenience through in-store ordering, in-store pickup, and delivery services.
  • Full Breakfast Menu: Provides extensive, cooked-to-order breakfast options, including various Egg Benedicts, Omelettes, and scrambled/fried eggs, available throughout the morning.
  • Gourmet Coffee Bar: Features a complete range of Lavazza coffee beverages, including espresso drinks like Flat White, Mochaccino, and Cortado, along with signature lattes and specialty teas.
  • Catering and Group Options: Offers bulk purchasing for both coffee, via the Lavazza Cold Brew Box ($40.00) and Hot Tea Box ($35.00), and large quantities of bread, pastries, and sandwiches for office meetings and events.
  • Accessibility and Amenities: Provides essential amenities such as a Restroom and complimentary Wi-Fi for guests choosing to dine in or work remotely.
  • Retail Jars: Sells gourmet pantry items like Honey Jar(OL) ($3.50) and various jam jars (Strawberry, Blueberry, Apricot), allowing customers to take a taste of PAUL home.
  • Features / Highlights

    PAUL’s appeal lies in its authentic French heritage, diverse menu, and dedication to classic baking.

    UL

  • Authentic French Heritage: The bakery operates under a globally recognized brand with over a century of French baking tradition, ensuring an authentic taste experience.
  • Signature Baked Goods: Known for its superior quality French bread, especially the Plain Baguette and the full range of flaky viennoiseries, including the classic Croissant - Paul Original and the indulgent Croissant - Chocolate Almond ($5.99).
  • Comprehensive Menu Variety: Offers a multi-purpose menu that covers a full day of dining: extensive cooked breakfast, gourmet sandwich shop options, flatbread pizzas, and a rich dessert selection.
  • Classic French Bistro Fare: Features authentic French lunch items such as the famous French Onion Soup(OL) ($12.99) and a selection of hot Croques (Croque Monsieur, Croque Madame), which are specialties hard to find elsewhere in a casual setting.
  • Convenient Downtown Location: Situated directly on K Street NW, maximizing accessibility for the core D.C. business and professional community.
  • High-Quality Coffee Program: Partners with Lavazza for its full coffee menu, ensuring a recognized and high-standard coffee experience to complement the baked goods.
  • Dessert and Cake Shop Offerings: Functions as a full-service cake and dessert shop, providing beautifully crafted tarts, cookies like the Palmier Cookie* ($4.99), and specialty pastries.
  • Contact Information

    For direct communication with the K Street NW location of PAUL, use the following details:

    Address: 1275 K St NW, Washington, DC 20006, USA

    Phone: (202) 506-4471

    What is Worth Choosing

    When visiting PAUL, D.C. patrons are encouraged to focus on the items that showcase the bakery's French heritage and its signature baked excellence.

    The Essential Croissant: A trip to PAUL is incomplete without trying a classic viennoiserie. The Croissant - Pan Au Chocolate ($4.99) or the Croissant - Almond ($5.49) are perfect examples of the light, airy, and buttery quality the bakery is famous for. For a novel treat, the Crookie Croissant ($6.99) combines croissant and cookie dough for a unique texture and flavor profile.

    The French Lunch Staple: Opt for a classic bistro dish that transports you straight to Paris. The Croque Monsieur ( With Side Salad) ($12.99) is a savory, satisfying combination of toasted bread, Paris ham, béchamel sauce, and melted cheese. For something heartier, the French Onion Soup(OL) ($12.99) is a rich, comforting choice, especially on a cold D.C. day.

    The Perfect Sandwich: Instead of a traditional sandwich, choose an option served on their freshly baked bread. The Paris Ham & Cheese Sandwich ($12.99) on a baguette or the Chicken Tomato & Mozzarella On Poppy Seed Baguette ($12.99) highlight the quality of the bread, which is the heart of the PAUL experience.

    For Breakfast Indulgence: While the Eggs Benedict options are popular, a more authentic and reliable French breakfast is the Ham & Cheese Croissant ($8.99). The buttery, flaky pastry wrapped around savory ingredients is the perfect complement to a robust Lavazza Cappuccino. Alternatively, for a full meal, the Eggs Benedict W/ Paris Ham ($16.99) offers a taste of their full kitchen capabilities.

    Sweet Finish: For a delicious, authentic dessert or snack, the Pastel De Nata - Portuguese Custard Tart ($3.49) provides a creamy, caramelized bite, while the Apple Turnover ($6.29) is a satisfying, fruit-filled pastry that exemplifies their baking craft.

    PAUL Bakery & Café provides a consistent, high-quality French culinary experience in a conveniently located downtown D.C. setting. It's the place to go when you need a moment of authentic European indulgence amidst the hustle of the nation’s capital.

    VISIT FEATURES

    Services and accessibility

    These attributes come from the directory record and should be confirmed when essential.

    Service options

    • Delivery
    • In-store pickup
    • Onsite services
    • Takeout
    • Dine-in

    Accessibility

    • Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair accessible seating

    Offerings

    • Coffee

    Dining options

    • Breakfast

    Amenities

    • Restroom
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi

    Planning

    • Quick visit

    Payments

    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
    PHOTOS

    See the bakery

    VISITOR FEEDBACK

    Reviews and recurring themes

    Read individual comments as personal experiences, not verified guarantees.

    quiche 13french 11almond croissant 10eggs benedict 9omelet 7smile 7chain 7eclair 7americano 6salmon 5
    ★ 1.0

    I want to hope other things at this place would be better than what we ordered. However, reviewing off of our experience.... Awful. Service was not rude, just unfriendly. The wait was what you'd expect for this type of spot and not awful. We came for breakfast and I ordered the eggs Benedict with smoked salmon... The MAYBE 2oz of salmon (probably less) was fishy tasting and low quality. And I have never seen such poorly made poached eggs. Raw whites. Stringy. Bland. One side had only the yoke almost and the other had double the egg whites. The "side salad" was pretty skimpy as well. No baguette on the side which is somewhat misleading based on the menu. My husband's croissant sandwich was just bland but not bad like mine. Also. The pricing was crazy high considering what was served.

    May 9 · Arianna Taggart
    ★ 3.0

    I was very excited for breakfast time, but I was not impressed. Service was not friendly and she did not even smile or try to interact with us while ordering. The food was ok. I did not try the tarts since they were not out yet in display and it was already 8:30am and I had to catch a flight. The coffee and Hot chocolate was good. We had the Ham and cheese croissant and the chocolate croissant those were ok. Apple almond pie was good

    Mar 31 · Eli Ruiz
    ★ 5.0

    Updated September 2024:Went back to this location again today and the staff was awesome. But they are understaffed by a lot so be patient. The cashier is literally cooking and bagging food while running it to tables and the manager was the barista and trying to cover the cashier role when the actual cashier is doing food prep.Be patient, the food is good and worth it and the staff are doing their best.Original:One of the best places to grab a quick breakfast if you want quiet in the morning or a fast lunch during the day. And yes this is the same Paul bakery you’ll find in Paris.My favorite was the blueberry tart but they stopped making it a few years back, but I still love the prosciutto sandwiches. This morning I had a sausage, egg and cheese croissant and my friend had the ham and cheese one. We finished with pistachio and raspberry macaroons.It’s a great place for a quick bite to eat, and quiet first thing in the morning.

    Sep 1 · Adam Riemer
    ★ 4.0

    Located in a great area atmosphere is nice lots of chairs to sit and have a cup of coffee. Food options are good I tried the vegan avocado croissants sandwich which was good but it was missing the cucumber and the spinach. Almond croissant was amazing. Would come again.

    Apr 18 · mike villalobos
    ★ 3.0

    Came based off of reviews. The quiche Lorraine was great! Super fluffy. Wasn’t crazy about my partners ham and Swiss. The ratio was off. The hot chocolate was normal but a bit sweet towards the end. The croissant and chocolate croissant were fluffy and good. Eclair was delicious my partners tea was okay. The strawberry shortcake was dry. Not worth the amount of money.

    May 27 · Emma Rogers
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    About this listing

    This page combines directory records, available business details, submitted photos, and visitor feedback. Information may be incomplete or change without notice. For corrections, contact server@heavenlydelightsbakery.com.

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