Saint’s Paradise Cafeteria

Reviews

• Melissa P.

  star star star star star 4 June 2026

  Food is just Amazing! The staff is do sweet. Forget the other soul food places this is it!

• Bruce G.

  star star star star star 25 May 2026

  HANDS DOWN the best soul food in DC! The lines are always long but it's worth the wait.
  
  The fried fish, sides and desserts are delicious. The Mac N Cheese is the best thing around. I usually just go there to eat Mac N Cheese but on the days I order a full meal it's usually... Fried Whiting, Mac N Cheese, Greens, Yams, Mashed potatoes, cabbage, etc.
  
  Saint Paradise taste better than half of the places I've tried in the dirty south. There has to be like 5 grandma's cooking in the back...the food is so good!
  
  Plenty of tables to sit and eat, cash only with ATM machine by the exit door, and parking is a nightmare... Which is the reason why I ride my moped! :D
  
  Tip: You can take photos of your food but you will be questioned by staff if you take photos inside the church/cafe...atleast I was! The lady yelled "Sir, Why are you doing that." My response was, "Sorry am I not allowed to take photos?" She then said carry-on :D
  
  They serve lunch at 11:00AM. I got there at 11:05 and there were a few people in front of me and barely anybody dining in. Don't let the photos fool you... This place gets packed pretty quick.
  
  5 stars!

• Cindy W.

  star star star star_border star_border 17 May 2026

  Listen y'all, I was born and raised in Atlanta and this is some real southern cookin'. They say VA is part of the "south" but I don't think so when you get blank stares when you mention shrimp and grits, okra, or green bean casserole...
  
  It's nothing pretentious - just plain good cooking. Will it blow your mind? No, I don't think southern food is meant to be like that, and that's why it gets a bad rep. But it will take you to a place where you're full, happy, and ready to take on the rest of the day. Generous portions, delicious, some of that southern hospitality I ain't seen anywhere else up north yet.
  
  I probably wouldn't come out of my way to eat here, but if I get a real itch of the south I'll come back. Cash only.

• Darius D.

  star star star star star_border 17 May 2026

  Ok Ok..I FINALLY get to eat here and enjoy this southern/soul food. I've had this place bookmarked for a while but never had the time to venture over. I came for lunch with my coworkers since my supervisor made a suggestion that we try this spot. In my yelper mind, I'm thinking "YES! And I actually have this place bookmarked!"
  
  The place is considered a "landmark" that many locals are familiar with. Its attached to a church or what I'll call "a place of worship" but don't let it fool you and dont let it stop you from walking in and getting full of GOODNESS! I ordered the whiting fish, greens, mac and cheese, and of course lemon cake! Don't let my slim build fool you..I ate ALL of it with NO regrets! It was THAT good.  It has the great southern flavors and will keep you satisfied and wanting more! I couldn't even go to back to work and be productive and wanted to just go find a nice bed to sleep for the rest of my day.  They have different selections for every day and have a set menu as well. I definitely need to come back again and try the other dishes!

• Joyce C.

  star star star star star_border 15 May 2026

  Very good food and awesome service. I don't know what I was expecting from this church run cafeteria but what I got was flavorful soul food with somebody's Grandmomma/Auntie/Momma in the back cooking this food fit for your soul! I arrived so hungry and greedy, I am ashamed to post my meal here...but I will! Lol!
  
  I had the porkchop meal with macaroni & cheese and green beans. I just had to get a side of the candied yams...I was eating so fat! The candied yams tasted like angles prepared them while fairies hovered over them sprinkling fairy dust over the completed product!
  
  Y'all stop through now, ya hear?!