There's a special flavor when your mom or grandma cooks something. I saw some IG reel that tried to attribute it to mom's bacteria on her hand that transferes to her cooking, but I think it's something else... Love! And of course all of the years of cooking expertise that she has! This Ethiopian restaurant has that flavor, and it's definitely from the women that run it!! The food is incredible! So fresh and flavorful! Everything is vegan! The injera is gluten free! The vibe is sweet, and they have dishes I've never seen at any other restaurant, like azifa, green lentils with jalapeño and garlic! Delicious! Don't miss this gem! read more

Small spot by a busy road serving up delicious vegetarian food. The vegetarian combo here is probably hands down the best I've ever had. It's not too saucy and the injera is also perfectly chewy and a nice color as well. They also have a lentil sambussa that was delicious and definitely worth trying! Parking was street only, luckily we got a spot nearby! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Sambussa - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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So incredibly good. We found this restaurant because my brother brought us here a year ago and we did not forget about it. It's located on Oakland Ave in a residential area. If you're not looking, you will miss it. There is usually parking on the street and you can just walk up and order. We got the vegetarian plate and 2 sambusas. It did not disappoint. The flavors are delicious, the food is literally cooked in front of you, and you do not feel sick hours later. Also the ladies working here are so kind and welcoming. Absolutely recommend this mom and pop restaurant. read more

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After teaching a workshop, I took my assistant out to celebrate and he suggested Ethiopian food. A quick Yelp search led us to 5-star-rated Desta, a small neighborhood spot. The owners are warm, attentive, and it felt like being welcomed into someone's home. We shared the veggie combo: Atakilt Wot (cabbage, potatoes, carrots), Gomen (greens), Misir Wot (spiced red lentils), Alicha Ater Kik (yellow split peas), and Azifa (zesty green lentils) served on soft, airy not too tangy teff injera (gluten-free). Every bite was vibrant, comforting, and perfectly seasoned. The injera had just the right tang and sponginess for scooping up every last bit. Service matched the food: friendly, thoughtful, and fast without rushing us. Portions are generous, enough for two. Let's just say the platter was so good my assistant left the plate spotless (see pics!). For plant-based and gluten-free eaters, Desta is a dream For everyone else, it's simply outstanding Ethiopian food. Cozy space, fantastic flavors, lovely owners. Desta is an absolute must. I'll be back soon and bringing others! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Combo Plate - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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Came early for their amazing Ethiopian Ginger Tea! Service is slow but it's one mama handling it all so bring something to keep yourself company while the amazing food is being made. Definitely whole in wall place with very homey vibes. The spices in the food made the vegetarian combo mouthwatering delicious. Will definitely be back for dinner Street parking sucks, but there's a bus stop right in across the street from the unassuming restaurant. Thanks! read more

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Delicious food, I ordered the telba drink and ful/fava beans plate, with kale and potato and injira on the side. I'm going back for sure. It is a small cafe style place and you leave full. Thank you Desta! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Ful, telba, sambussa - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I've been eating Ethiopian food almost weekly since getting back to the Bay. This was my first time here and it was . I ordered the Misir Wot, my got to favorite. From the injera, to the lentils it was hands down one of the best versions I've had. 10s across the board!!! Selam on Martin Luther King has been my weekly go to. But now this spot's giving competition. I'll def be back. read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - What's left of some of the BEST misir wot I've ever had! - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

I can only complain that they don't stay open a little later. Absolutely spectacular veggie platter! One day I'll get something else, but you can't mess with perfection. My favorite lunch or early dinner spot! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Veggie Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Normally, I don't go for vegetarian only places. I was craving Ethiopian food and Desta was the closest location to me with stellar ratings so I drove in with the family. First, it's a smaller place. Maybe a total of 6 tables including the outside. It felt like being invited into someone's home to eat their food. The service was excellent! I was originally going to order individual items before the owner stopped me and advised me to order the combo instead. I couldn't have been happier with the recommendation! We also picked up some veggie Sambussa's to go along with everything. To be up front I wasn't as big of a fan of these as I was hoping it's overwhelming on the lentils and the flavor just wasn't there. The combo plate, however, was outstanding from the first bite to the last. If this was nearby in Contra Costa I'd order it multiple times a month. Lentils were cooked perfectly. Injera was delightful! Again, service was fantastic. Combo plate: 8.6/10 Sumbussa: 4.7/10 read more

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The menu understates how fantastic the food here is. Great portions, delicious flavorful food. This is now my favorite brunch spot read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Scrambled eggs on the left, butecha on the right - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

The best Ethiopian meal of my life! This place truly left a mark on me. Not only is the food unbelievably delicious, but the staff make you feel genuinely welcomed. My experience felt so warm and heartfelt, it was as if I were being served by family. I've never felt that kind of care in a restaurant before. You can taste the love and pride they put into every dish, and it really reflects the spirit of the restaurant. I live in Los Angeles, but I will definitely make it a point to return every time I'm in the Bay. This is officially my new favorite restaurant. Thank you to the for your kindness and talent. I can't wait for my next visit! read more

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amazing service and best ethiopian i've had! if you are deterred by it being vegan, don't be!!! incredible flavor and so filling. the people working here are so kind and friendly. read more

This was my first experience trying vegan Ethiopian food, and it was amazing. All the dishes were full of flavor. We tried the vegetarian sampler and asked our waiter to recommend another dish to go with it. We loved each and every dish in the sampler. The injera bread was also very tasty. They don't give you a lot of bread, but that's fine since it helps avoid waste. We also tried the Ethiopian spiced tea, which paired very well with the food. The service was fast, and our waiter was friendly. Parking can be challenging in this neighborhood, but you can usually find a spot if you drive around a bit. We will definitely be back soon to try other dishes. read more

The food here was very fresh, flavorful and satisfying. The ambiance is a peaceful retreat in the city. Highly recommend.

In the rarefied circles of oakland cuisine, desta sits in my top 3 of the east bay, with ensarro the only other ethiopian spot that competes. Chef Sirgut and her coworkers imbibe their food and drinks with the same positive vibes and beautiful smiles that they greet you with. The Azifa is a clear winner, deeply rich and exploding with flavor, a fulfilling meal paired with some extra injera. The telba drink is a total delight, served in a nice large beer mug, and after draining it the next thing I did was to go buy a bucketload of flax seeds and make it myself (it's not hard). Their version of the butecha is hearty and quite different from the butecha at Ensarro, another incredible ethiopian spot on Grand Ave (shoutout Surafel and Solomon). The gomen and misir wot are unsurprisingly excellent too, excellence is taken for granted in the work that Chef Sirgut and co do. read more

A fantastic restaurant that happens to be vegan and kosher and some of the best, most affordable Ethiopian food I've ever eaten. Desta is a cozy cafe just off of a couple major commercial streets, so it's easy to overlook. A friend and I recently got the sambusas and the veggie combo for delivery and it was ready exactly at the arranged pick-up time. The staff were extremely friendly and made pick-up easy. The sambusas were hearty, stuffed with a large portion of perfectly cooked and well-seasoned lentils, and the dough was fried well with a good filling-to-dough ratio. Although a bit on the saltier side for me, the veggie combo was outstanding. There were substantial portions of everything, some of the veggies were prepared in ways I hadn't seen before, and everything was deliciously spicy. Desta also gave us the right amount of injera to eat everything. The veggie combo was only $18, significantly cheaper and tastier than I've had at other places. I highly recommend Desta and look forward to going again! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Veggie Combo - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Best Ethiopian food in town + wonderful, friendly, welcoming service. The vegetarian plate is soooo good!

we had a great experience here, food was delicious and the owner was very considerate. Looking forward to coming here again.

Love Desta and the owner. Food (usually combo platter) is out of this world and made with care and love. Better than Michelin rated restaurants. Don't forget to get the coffee! read more

Incredible food. Generous portions. The telba was super good, but very filling, don't fill up on it and not be able to eat the amazing food. We got a sampler and it was enough for 2 people. The people working there were very welcoming and friendly and thoughtful. Other customers stopped by just to say hello. You can tell this place is a loved part of the community. The whole vibe is welcoming. Fully recommend eating here :) read more

I've been here twice so far, and it's been fantastic both times. Shiro is my go-to when trying a new place, and I've found my new favorite! The flavors were deeply developed, the dishes lovingly spiced. Today we also tried the Azifa, which is lentils, lemon, and jalapeños. Bright and green, it was the perfect complement to the shiro. The owner and staff are lovely and so friendly, and the restaurant smells amazing before you even enter. New favorite restaurant! read more

My grandson, the Rabbi,was visiting. His brother found this wonderful place, where we could all satisfy our appetites and our taste buds, and my grandson felt comfortable in sharing the food. And more, the warmth and kindness of the Chef and her staff was palpable. Since that first visit I have returned, and highly recommended Desta to all my friends for a wonderful culinary and human experience. And yes, indeed, the wonderful Ginger Tea!!! read more

Sooooo delicious!!!! Already can't wait to return. Appreciate the attentive service! The ladies working there were very kind. Probably the best Ethiopian food I've had before. - I highly recommend the Veggie Combo! Looking forward to trying more menu items. Thank you Desta! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

We love Ethiopian food and the reviews were so good we had to try Desta. Wherever we eat this delicious cuisine we always get the vegetable combination. The food was tasty. We noticed the red lentils was a little oily and the injera was a bit thinner than we were used to. Desta has two really hard working ladies that do it all . They greet , wait on guests , cook and buss the tables. The restaurant was cozy and we liked the decor. We're looking forward to trying other Ethiopian restaurants in the East Bay. read more

Kosher! Has a Hechsher! Phenomenal and interesting food! Definitely a new experience and I'm glad I went.

Went here with a friend who lived near by and had already read the amazing reviews and they are all correct! It is a teeny, tiny place but there was plenty of tables for lunch. Was welcomed warmly, and checked in on often, so you feel very at home and taken care of. Had a delicious ginger latte and the veggie combo and let the owner choose the options. It was so yummy, and plenty for the three of us. Highly recommend Desta! And pretty close to public transit, it took us 10 minutes to walk there from our 51a bus. read more

I. Love. Ethiopian food. I feel so lucky to live in the Bay Area where there is a fair amount of it and a fair number of like, really good spots and that I've been to enough of them to have my favorites in both the East and South bay and now I have a new favorite that's like a 5 minute walk away from where I love. Hashtag blessed? Hashtag blessed. I'd been meaning to try Desta because it's so close to where I live, but unfortunately the hours don't always work with my schedule. We finally went today and tried their vegetarian combo and the tofu scramble (pictured). Desta really stands out from a lot of the Ethiopian places I've tried for a couple reasons: 1) The Injera is less sour than other places, but pleasantly so! It's softer and I really like the texture. I actually feel like the milder flavor complements the different dishes a lot better because it's milder in flavor. 2) Each dish is SO well flavored and seasoned! Everything on the veggie combo platter had such a unique and delicious flavor from sweet, hearty, and tart. The tofu scramble was excellent- a really nice blend of I think tumeric and some other spices that was unique and satisfying. I feel like some Ethiopian places the flavor skew too tart or maybe too salty, but everything at Desta is just right 3) I love Gomen (stewed collard greens/kale) and Desta's is the perfect amount of softness and bite. A really satisfying texture all around that went really well as an entree with Injera and mixed in with the tofu scramble. Standouts for me were the Misir Wot (spicy, savory, hearty), Gomen (see above), and the Azifa (spicy, sour, refreshing), the last of which I hadn't had before. The tofu scramble was also excellent, and the sides with carrots and potatoes complemented it nicely- the carrots were really flavorful and the potatoes cooked to perfection. For drinks we got the Ginger tea and a cappuccino. The ginger tea in particular was very strong- you can ask for sugar to flavor it to your liking! Great if you like ginger, probably way too gingery if you don't. The cappuccino was fine. It's a really cute and cozy, well-lit joint in a place that gets plenty of sun throughout the day. It's family-run, and the lady who cooks and serves is extremely kind and welcoming. When we came in, it looked like family was also there for a bite to eat before going about their Sunday which gave it a really homey vibe. As other reviews mentioned, it's a little out of the way, but it's like a 10m bus ride on the 33 from downtown Oakland and, imo, absolutely worth it if you want some really wholesome and delicious Ethiopian food. The bus stop is literally right across the street (the crosswalk takes you straight to the door!) so whether you drive or take transit, it's pretty accessible. Please support this absolute gem of a spot! They're so so so worth it! read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Tofu Scramble (front) and vegetarian combo (back) - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

Best food ever Service outstanding : kind ladies Food fresh witness amazing flavors Decor: authentic read more

As an Ethiopian myself... this was the best Ethiopian restaurant experience I've had in the Bay Area. Fantastic service, immaculate vibes, and amazing food. I came fresh from church on a Sunday and had my fill! Will definitely be coming back!! read more

Absolutely delicious healthy and authentic eats! This will be one of my regulars for sure.

Literally the best veggie combo ive ever had, this is my new favorite ethiopian place!!

Wow, this place is a hidden jewel tucked away in a residential neighborhood. My partner and I have mainly come here for weekend brunch/lunch and gotten the combo. One combo feeds two adults without us leaving too full. Everything has been wonderful. The injera is especially good, as are the split peas, gomen, and atakilt wat. Our favorite dishes have to be the yesimir wat (red lentils with bebere spice) and the azifa (green lentils with jalapeno). Those are some of the best I've had in Oakland, which is a bit of a haven for delicious Ethiopian food, so that is saying a lot. Service is attentive and the owner/chef is extremely kind, interactive with her customers, and proud of her wonderful cooking. People often stop in just to say "hi" to her, so she has many loyal customers which is a great sign. read more

Very good small Ethiopian restaurant, good food. Everything tastes good, vegetarian food is very good as well

Food is delicious and this restaurant has the feel of a neighborhood gem. I have been 3x and recommended others to Desta. Note that while food is not in short supply, portions are slight smaller than other Ethiopian restaurants that I have been to. read more

This place is in a different league from any Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to (and I go a lot). SUPER fresh. I had the veggie breakfast sandwich and my friend had the fava beans. The teff was also incredibly fresh. read more

DELICIOUS food from a women-owned family business. Very sweet lady running the place. And very beautiful decor, flowers, pots, etc. Amazing experience every time and cannot get enough of the veggie platter. read more

Desta Ethiopian Cafe - Veggie platter and spiced tea with sugar. So yummy i forgot to get a photo in the beginning - Ethiopian Near Me - Oakland, California

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First off, this review is coming from an Ethiopian cuisine connoisseur whose favorite cuisine is Ethiopian. I have tried all the Ethiopian restaurants in Oakland, Berkeley and San Jose. Not only does Desta have THE BEST Shiro Wot I have ever had (thick, smoky, and rich), their whole veggie combo was very very high quality and flavorful. Their 100% teff injera bread is super fluffy and soft and not too sour like most other gluten free injera breads. On top of all the great food and vibes, the owners are such sweet lovely ladies that treat you like family. Everyone eating there was having an enjoyable meal. read more

Desta is a bright small cafe on Oakland Ave that offers a homey ambiance. We got a veggie combo and was pleased with the amount of injera it came with. I loved the decor in the space and witnessed the owner interacting with a number of customers they seemed to have known throughout the years. It felt very positive and I'm glad to find this new addition to the community. I felt the food was pretty on par with other options around Oakland, but the menu is definitely smaller here. A suggestion may just be for the food to brought warmer. The breakfast options appeared to be unique and would definitely try those out next time! read more

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I want to introduce you to a small neighborhood family run restaurant that deserves to be experienced as much as any restaruant in the Town. Desta Ethiipian (https://destaethiopiancafe.com/) is founded and run by Sirgout Aga Badana. We came on a Friday right after the rains with the sun just coming out. Desta is a small restaurant--there are about 6 tables inside and 2 tables inside. The interior is bright and clean and decorated with traditional Ethiopian baskets and pottery. Most immediately what we noticed was the three sisters -- and a cousin in the space. They ALL greeted us and made us feel welcome. We eat Ethiopian food often, but I would say we are still novices at knowing what to order. New to us were sambussas which are a deep fried triangular filled pastry akin to an empanada or samosa. We got one of each. * Lentil Sambussa: lentils cooked in a blend of spices, onions, garlic and jalapeno pepper * Sweet Potato Sambussa: carrot, rosemary, onion & garlic Both were delicious--the pastry is closer to a samosa skin--nice and crispy without any oiliness. The lentil sambussa had some kick. The sambussas are bigger than they look and quite filling. We had to take one home. As our usual, we ordered a combo plate that was $18. It came with two rolls of injera. * Misir Wot - Red Lentils cooked in flavorful berbere sauce, ​a blend of red onion & garlic * Atakilt Wot -Carrots, potatoes and cabbage cooked in a ​blend of spices, onions, garlic & turmeric * Gomen - Kale (or Collard Greens) sautéed with garlic, ​leaks, olive oil and spices * Alicha Ater Kik - Split peas cooked in a blend of spices, onions, ​garlic & turmeric * Shenbera Assa - Baked chickpeas sautéed in spices, berbere, ​onion, garlic & ginger Every dish was bright and delicious. The plate was beautiful to look at as well as to eat. The Atakilt (potatoes, carrots, cabbage) is my personal favorite and it feels like a homey stew of potatoes, carrots and cabbage. It's the kind of dish that if I poured over a dish of jasmine rice, it would be soul filling and comforting. The dish that surprised me and my taste buds was the Azifa (green lentils, garlic, jalapeno). It was bright, herbaceous, and spicy. When eaten with injera with its soury undertones, the azifi is a delicious medley of flavors. It reminded me a bit of a lentils with a Mexican flair. For the two of us, it was plenty. I tapped out before we finished everything. Such an amazing amount of food for about $30. Sirgout offered us freshly brewed coffee at the end of our meal. Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee and Ethiopian people know their coffee. It was smooth and full bodied--better than most of the gourmet coffees I've had in the area. In short, please give Desta a try if you are in the neighborhood during lunch. It's located on Oakland Ave near the 580 overpass. Desta is not too far away from downtown Oakland or Piedmont so if you regularly go, drive a bit further and taste some of Sirgout's magical cooking. Two important things to note - all dishes are vegetarian and the restaurant only open for lunch. Go support this wonderful restaurant serving wonderful food that is highly elevated and homey at the same time. Your stomach and soul will thank you. read more

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Deliciously warm, bright & fresh. Phenomenal Ethiopian food. There are some cuisines that feel like big gracious hugs. Ethiopian food is that for me. And in particular, Desta Cafe. The freshness of the ingredients is evident by the bursts of color that arrive a top of pillowy injera. It's all about the vegetarian combo. Spice-forward and aromatic red lentils (yemeser wot), comforting cabbage, carrots & potatoes (ataklit), yummy kale & leek (gomen), and my kids' favorite, creamy and rich turmeric split peas (aterkik). There was this fresh jalapeño spice blend that came with the plate that elevated the whole meal. We devoured it. The space is bright and modern with beautiful Ethiopian baskets and decor. Incredible freshly roasted coffee completed our meal. Sirgout, the owner, greeted us with the warmest smile and service. Needless to say, we are smitten and will be back for this dreamy brunch many times. read more

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