If you get coffee they’ll give you a little cup and come around with refills. I always get the little bit of everything plate and it’s big enough for two people or bring it home for dinner. The ginger drink is my favorite drink ever!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Combination
Elliot Rosenthal
Everything was incredible. Not only was the food delicious. The owner showed our 3 year old daughter all the choices and made her a custom small plate. It was very family friendly and delicious. Can’t wait to go back!!Vegetarian options: DeliciousParking: Lots of street spaces to park atKid-friendliness: They were very accommodating for kids. We had 5 kids total from baby to 3 year old. They were so friendly.
Thank you for the hospitality and generosity Sirgut.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Misir Wot
K. Petrice L.
In the cuts on busy street but worth it 100%. I live out of the area and don't get to have Ethiopian often. I was very pleased. I had the veggie combo.
Aina Ferrer
Awesome food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leon Santen
cozy street with sunshine outisde, veggie combo is a large nice portion, I enjoyed the oregano tea a lot, very warm and sweet people. One of my new favorites!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Epic Bites Catering
This place is a great addition to the kosher keeping community in the East bay. Service is quick, the veggie combo plate is huge and filled with beautiful hearty good for you yummies.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Laura P.
There are many good Ethiopian options in Oakland, but Desta manages to stand apart for amazing freshness, seasoning, teff injera, and hospitality. I am not alone in appreciating the hospitality. While we ate, people walking by peeked in the door just to say high to the owner.
Meg Dimpfel
Was visiting from out of town and knew Ethiopian food was high on my "wants" list. This place absolutely hit the spot. One thing to note, if you are ordering online, they do have platters like most Ethiopian restaurants, even though that is not reflected on the Google menu. I ended up ordering things separately and had way too much food. Search around to find how to order a platter. And then eat here. You won't be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ema G.
Words and pictures don't do this little hidden gem justice. The food and service is excellent! I'll be back for more
We have been coming back here for a few times since we found this place last year. It's fantastic vegetarian Ethiopian food served family style. I highly recommend starting with the combo and then order more of what you like best. The food is ready and will be served quickly. The atmosphere is very cozy and friendly as the owner (?) is super nice and always has a smile for the guests. There are no meat options but I bet you won't miss them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Veggie Combo Plate
G Y
Delicious Ethiopia vegetables ? food ? plus coffee ☕️ was amazing…costumer service awesome ?
The food at Desta is amazing. Every item is freshly made and delicious! My favorite is Ataklit a mildly seasoned mixture of carrots, potatoes and cabbage served with tiff injera. It is gluten free which is a bonus for those who have gluten intolerance. Every dish is lovingly prepared by the owner and her presence fills the restaurant with a sense of peace and joy. Our orders are always taken promptly and the wait times are minimal. The seating area is light, beautifully decorated with Ethiopian crafts and most pleasant. Having gone to many Ethiopian restaurants including New York City, Detroit, and Monterey I can Desta is the absolute best!
Richard T.
Desta is a gem. The food is the best-flavoured food from the region that I have found. It's a lovely place too. The atmosphere is friendly, the space is cheery and well lit, parking is no trouble. I haven't tried breakfast, but lunch is great and it's a nice cafe to hang out at between mealtimes. Sirgut, the chef de cuisine is sweet and humble. There's no meat served here, but I don't miss it at all. I wish dinner were served here, but it closes too early for that.
Garth S.
We went to Desta today for lunch. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Two adults and a toddler were able to eat our fill with soft drinks and coffee after the meal for $30 plus tip. And the service is out of this world. Sirgout, the owner, was such a gracious host it felt like she was welcoming us into her home! Very kid friendly and comfortable. It's not on the menu but you can request traditional Ethiopian style coffee which they roast to order.
If you get coffee they’ll give you a little cup and come around with refills. I always get the little bit of everything plate and it’s big enough for two people or bring it home for dinner. The ginger drink is my favorite drink ever!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Combination
Everything was incredible. Not only was the food delicious. The owner showed our 3 year old daughter all the choices and made her a custom small plate. It was very family friendly and delicious. Can’t wait to go back!!Vegetarian options: DeliciousParking: Lots of street spaces to park atKid-friendliness: They were very accommodating for kids. We had 5 kids total from baby to 3 year old. They were so friendly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Veggie Combo Plate, Veggie Sambussa
Thank you for the hospitality and generosity Sirgut.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Misir Wot
In the cuts on busy street but worth it 100%. I live out of the area and don't get to have Ethiopian often. I was very pleased. I had the veggie combo.
Awesome food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
cozy street with sunshine outisde, veggie combo is a large nice portion, I enjoyed the oregano tea a lot, very warm and sweet people. One of my new favorites!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is a great addition to the kosher keeping community in the East bay. Service is quick, the veggie combo plate is huge and filled with beautiful hearty good for you yummies.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
There are many good Ethiopian options in Oakland, but Desta manages to stand apart for amazing freshness, seasoning, teff injera, and hospitality. I am not alone in appreciating the hospitality. While we ate, people walking by peeked in the door just to say high to the owner.
Was visiting from out of town and knew Ethiopian food was high on my "wants" list. This place absolutely hit the spot. One thing to note, if you are ordering online, they do have platters like most Ethiopian restaurants, even though that is not reflected on the Google menu. I ended up ordering things separately and had way too much food. Search around to find how to order a platter. And then eat here. You won't be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Words and pictures don't do this little hidden gem justice. The food and service is excellent! I'll be back for more
Restaurantji Recommends
We have been coming back here for a few times since we found this place last year. It's fantastic vegetarian Ethiopian food served family style. I highly recommend starting with the combo and then order more of what you like best. The food is ready and will be served quickly. The atmosphere is very cozy and friendly as the owner (?) is super nice and always has a smile for the guests. There are no meat options but I bet you won't miss them.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Veggie Combo Plate
Delicious Ethiopia vegetables ? food ? plus coffee ☕️ was amazing…costumer service awesome ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Double Veggie Combo Plate, Veggie Sambussa
The food at Desta is amazing. Every item is freshly made and delicious! My favorite is Ataklit a mildly seasoned mixture of carrots, potatoes and cabbage served with tiff injera. It is gluten free which is a bonus for those who have gluten intolerance. Every dish is lovingly prepared by the owner and her presence fills the restaurant with a sense of peace and joy. Our orders are always taken promptly and the wait times are minimal. The seating area is light, beautifully decorated with Ethiopian crafts and most pleasant. Having gone to many Ethiopian restaurants including New York City, Detroit, and Monterey I can Desta is the absolute best!
Desta is a gem. The food is the best-flavoured food from the region that I have found. It's a lovely place too. The atmosphere is friendly, the space is cheery and well lit, parking is no trouble. I haven't tried breakfast, but lunch is great and it's a nice cafe to hang out at between mealtimes. Sirgut, the chef de cuisine is sweet and humble. There's no meat served here, but I don't miss it at all. I wish dinner were served here, but it closes too early for that.
We went to Desta today for lunch. The food was delicious and extremely reasonably priced. Two adults and a toddler were able to eat our fill with soft drinks and coffee after the meal for $30 plus tip. And the service is out of this world. Sirgout, the owner, was such a gracious host it felt like she was welcoming us into her home! Very kid friendly and comfortable. It's not on the menu but you can request traditional Ethiopian style coffee which they roast to order.