Paste & Rind
✨ Vibe
A quaint and intimate neighborhood sanctuary where passion for domestic artisanal cheese meets a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for deep conversation.
🍸 Best For
Romantic first dates, wine and cheese aficionados, cozy happy hours, and bespoke event catering.
🔥 Highlights
- Expert Pairings: Enjoy a rotating menu of seasonal domestic cheeses paired with curated wines and beers, including standout bites like Appalachian cheese with shallot confit.
- Unique Celebration Pieces: The shop is a go-to for creative event solutions, offering everything from stunning multi-tier "cheese wedding cakes" to convenient, individual "cheese cones."
- Artisanal Leadership: Founded by industry expert Kara McGrath, the venue is a champion for American makers and has recently expanded its presence with a dedicated cheese counter at the historic Union Market.
ℹ️ Need to Know
- Join the "Trolley Club" to receive a monthly curated selection of hand-picked artisan cheeses and expert-led tasting notes delivered to your door.
- The space doubles as a morning destination, hosting the "Amazonica" coffee pop-up Tuesday through Friday starting at 7 a.m.
🔄 Weekly Events
🚜 Petworth Farmer's Market
Find our selection of artisanal cheeses, charcuterie, and accompaniments at the Petworth farmer's market.
🧀 Sunday Cheese Tastings
Join us for artisan cheese slates and wine pairings at the Tasting Bar.
🧀 Sunday Wine & Cheese Tasting Bar
Weekly artisanal cheese tastings and wine pairings available on Sundays.
🚜 Trinidad Farmer's Market
Shop our retail selection of artisanal products at the Trinidad farmer's market.
🍷 Weekly Cheese & Wine Tastings
Stop in for hand-crafted, constantly-changing cheese slates featuring six artisanal American cheeses with hand-picked accompaniments and wine pairing suggestions.
📰 In the News
Paste & Rind is closing on H Street, NE early 2026, bar service ending Sunday 12/28
Paste & Rind is closing its H Street, NE location in early 2026 after five years of operating as a champion for domestic artisanal cheese producers. While bar service concluded on December 28, 2025, the business will continue to sell through inventory at the Trinidad Market and fulfill its final cheese club deliveries through the first week of January.
“There’s a coffee pop up on H Street!”
Paste & Rind hosts a morning coffee pop-up called Amazonica at its 904 H Street NE location. The pop-up operates Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m., providing additional coffee service to the H Street and Trinidad area.
A Beginner's Guide To Artisanal Cheese
Paste & Rind owner Kara McGrath provides expert insight into the complex flavor profiles and sustainable benefits of artisanal cheese. The Washington, D.C. cheese shop emphasizes the importance of supporting local economies and offers tips for beginners on how to identify authentic, handcrafted products.
“Paste & Rind Cheese Co. is opening a cheese counter in the historic Union Market”
Paste & Rind Cheese Co. has expanded its footprint in Washington D.C. with a dedicated cheese counter inside the historic Union Market. The stall offers an extensive selection of artisan cheese, charcuterie, and accompaniments available for retail purchase or to be enjoyed on-site at the market's picnic tables and rooftop bar. This location complements the company's existing presence in the district, which includes a cheese-focused wine bar on the H Street corridor.
One of DC's Best New Restaurants Serves Eisenhower's Favorite Stew
Paste & Rind is an intimate wine bar and cheese shop located on H Street NE, founded by Kara McGrath of Cheesemonster. The venue offers a curated selection of artisanal cheeses, meats, and expert wine pairings, along with a retail shop for customers to purchase bottles to go.
Recent Reviews from Google
Paste and Rind was one of the best things to come to H Street while I was living there. The perfect wine and cheese bar with owners and staff who you can trust to steer you in the right direction with...
I had new appreciation of cheese and charcuterie coming to this place. You don’t come here for the fanciest or extensive cheese collection. You come for the amazing charcuterie/cheese pairings. The...
My bff and I visited this place on Saturday and we loved it. It's a small cheese shop with quaint seating areas. The owner, Kara, was very friendly and made us feel welcome in the shop. (My friend was...
One of the best places in DC. Their staff is wildly knowledgeable about the cheese they serve and the makers they come from. Celebrating American cheese with tried and true "old world" sometimes...
I am so incredibly grateful for Kara & Aaron (& the whole Paste & Rind Team!). They put together the wedding "cake" of my dreams. I can't believe how lucky we were to have found them. They were so...
