Cafe Dareye
Ethiopian restaurant · Northgate
2504 Telegraph Ave, Oakland, CA 94612
Highlights
Vegan Ethiopian comfort food, market, takeout, sidewalk seating
Vegan Ethiopian comfort food, market, takeout, sidewalk seating
"A fine-dining Arab restaurant in Oakland created in partnership with a hospitality group, conceived as an attempt to shift industry norms but ultimately reflective of the same power dynamics the founders hoped to change. The project placed intense pressure on its lead to perform as a visionary 'chef,' leading to repeated proof-of-legitimacy, negotiations with business partners over governance, and feelings of tokenism and martyrdom despite intentions to center cultural wisdom and healthier workplace structures." - Reem Assil
"Ethiopian restaurants are usually solid choices for vegan diners, but Cafe Dareye is the rare 100-percent vegan and gluten-free spot. The $11.99 combo is loaded with lentils, split peas, collard greens, and stuffed jalapeños." - Eater Staff
"Meanwhile, in Oakland, Alta Group runs Dyafa with chef Reem Assil." - Caleb Pershan
"Sorry, Eater NY, but my two best were both in the Bay Area — Angler and Dyafa." - Serena Dai
"Owned and helmed by Reem Assil, who was raised in a Palestinian-Syrian household, this Oakland restaurant is an homage to both her Arab heritage and her identity as an Oaklander. The menu focuses on Levantine cuisine — especially Syrian and Palestinian traditions — and highlights spreads and communal dishes such as hummus topped with spiced lamb, muhammara, and musakhan centered on sumac-roasted chicken. Assil frames the food as authentic to her and as stories about her upbringing; the restaurant and its feasts have also been featured on the series Cooking in America with host Sheldon Simeon." - Eater Video
