Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Ethiopian restaurant · DeKalb County

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

Ethiopian restaurant · DeKalb County

5

3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329

Photos

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by Amy Sinclair
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null
Desta Ethiopian Kitchen by null

Highlights

Popular Ethiopian spot offering a variety of exotic dishes, including ample vegetarian options.  

Featured in The Infatuation
Featured in Eater

3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 Get directions

destaethiopiankitchen.com
@destaethiopiankitchen

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 Get directions

+1 404 929 0011
destaethiopiankitchen.com
@destaethiopiankitchen
𝕏
@destaethiopian

$$ · Menu

Reserve

Features

dine in
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
outdoor seating

Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

"After 19 years of business, Desta Ethiopian Kitchen announced on social media that it’s moving from its original location on Briarcliff. The restaurant will move to The Village at Druid Hills this winter. The date for the grand opening has yet to be announced. There is an additional location on Marietta Boulevard. The one in Emory Point is temporarily closed." - Henna Bakshi

Cocktail Bar Inside a Vintage Tour Bus Opening in Reynoldstown - Eater Atlanta
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@eater

"This Ethiopian restaurant institution includes a drive-thru. Call ahead to order for pick up at the window. Make sure to try the goden tibs (short ribs), the sambusa stuffed with beef or lentils, or one of Desta’s meat, vegetarian, or vegan platters." - Eater Staff

14 Local Restaurants Around Atlanta Featuring a Drive-Thru Window
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@eater

"With two locations now in Atlanta, this restaurant institution focuses on traditional Ethiopian dishes. Founded by Ash Nega and Titi Demissie, Desta began life as a bite-sized restaurant accommodating only eight diners inside. These days, the sprawling Briarcliff location and the newest location on Marietta Boulevard serve Ethiopian breakfast staples like kinche (cracked wheat porridge with Ethiopian butter and spices), as well as sambusa stuffed with minced beef or lentils, goden tibs (short rib), dinech wot (potato stew), and beef or salmon kifto wraps. There’s also a full vegan menu and a variety of drinks to choose from, including Ethiopian tea." - Carolyn Desalu

17 Atlanta Restaurants to Explore Dishes From Around the African Continent
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@infatuation

"We all have those friends who change their diet just as often as the IT department forces us to change our system password. Just three months ago, they were on keto, then they’re vegan just on weekends, and now they only eat things that start with an L. Who knows why? But here’s what we do know: Desta is the best place to meet that friend for a satisfying meal you can both love. Located in a shopping center, Desta’s Westside Village location is a casual scene, reminiscent of any old-school neighborhood restaurant. There’s not a lot to focus on—just a few framed photographs, booth seating along the walls, and tables in the middle for large parties. Afrobeat or R&B hits play in the background to set the scene. But diners aren’t here for the aesthetics; they’re here for their favorite Ethiopian staples like Kitfo and Gored Gored, which come quickly out the kitchen. Desta has a menu to appease everyone–vegans, low carb dieters, and even your friends who can’t handle much spice. It’s even perfect to take a first date because sharing a basket of injera is probably how Pixar would re-envision the Lady and the Tramp scene. But Desta also serves big bowls of pasta, so you can still do the spaghetti kiss thing if you’re really invested. Food Rundown Sambusa These spring roll wrappers are stuffed with either savory lentils or minced beef, then fried for a perfect crispy shell and served with a sweet chili dipping sauce to dial up the heat. Sadly, these are just an appetizer, so only two come with the order, but we double up every time. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Tibs Whatever your choice of protein, from lamb or salmon to filet mignon, that meat is going to be cubed, seasoned and sauteed with tomato, onion, and pepper. We like our tibs to be laid over shiro–a stew of pureed chickpeas, which is a thick sauce we’d gladly eat by the spoonful. photo credit: Amy Sinclair Vegan Platter All the vegetable sides are well-seasoned and cooked without meat or animal products—though the shiro can be made with butter or olive oil, so ask about that one. But everything from the mushroom stew to the gomen are so satisfying that they may make you consider a foray into veganism. Pasta If you are in a carb mood, find your way to the pasta options for a big serving of spaghetti drenched in Ethiopian flavors and your choice of protein. We like it with the salmon or with Kifto, a seasoned, raw minced beef (or done well if you also prefer)." - Nina Reeder

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen — West Village Review - Upper Westside - Atlanta - The Infatuation
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@eater

"This Eater 38 essential restaurant offers Ethiopian fare for takeout, delivery through UberEats and GrubHub, and via its drive-thru. Call to order, and pick up food at the drive-thru window. For first-timers to Desta, try the tibs — protein of choice cooked in spices, onions, tomatoes, peppers, and olive oil." - Eater Staff

The Eater 38 Restaurants Open for Takeout, Delivery, or Makeshift Soup Kitchens
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Andy C.

Google
An Atlanta staple and great, no frills, casual spot for some tasty Ethiopian food. We love to order the big platters with multiple meat options and side dishes for share. Everything’s tasty and the portions are good. It’s been this way for many years and there’s a reason it’s still here and got so many repeat customers.

0504 Traveller

Google
we were in the mood for ethiopian and had heard good things about Desta so went to try it out. we ordered the beef sambusa and the vegan platter. the sambusa was good and the sauce accompanying was really spicy. the vegan platter was plentiful and had a variety of options including lentils, beets, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes and others along with injera bread. the food was plentiful and the flavors good. overall good food, big portions and good service

Ajay Sathe

Google
My first visit to an Ethiopian restaurant. Excellent food resulting from excellent and cheerful recommendations from the lead staffmember who helped us. The only reason I say 4 stars for atmosphere, is that the indoor space was full with a lot of waiting time, but outdoor seating was available, though very warm. On the whole a wonderful experience. The meat lover's Tibs combo was yummy, as was the Vegan Platter. The cocktails, customized to our request, were great!

Toniae B

Google
Everything was absolutely perfect! Me and my mom sat upstairs, on our way up it was cleaned, and beautiful. The customer service was absolutely terrific. She offered refills on our waters when she saw it was low, she didn't have a problem adding another item on our tab when we was eating, and she presented us that beautiful cheesecake. I stopped and asked my mom something and made a face. Although it didn't retain to the food, she rushed over and asked if everyrhing was okay and if it was nasty. Shes a great employee here, and made our first experience lovely.

Travis Westmoreland

Google
Order sambusa both lentil & beef (lentil was the best). I also order meat lover tibs (lamb, ribeye, and filet mignon) with a side of mushroom stew, miser, potato stew, rice, and tomato fitfit. Gomen-Siljo dip and Ethiopian butter was so delicious. I love everything about my order beside the tomato fitfit its an acquired taste, other than that food was great. My host he was very friendly and attentive to my needs. Will be coming back soon, to try other dishes on the menu.

Grayson Drew

Google
We had the vegan platter and mushroom soup and it was so good. It was my first time trying Ethiopian food and I think I’m hooked. Portions are also very generous.

Jon Snow

Google
It was my first time eating Ethiopian food and my server Yohannes made my experience very exquisite! I’m a fan now and will make sure to stop by here every time I am in Atlanta! He recommended some dishes and I appreciate him giving me background on the dishes and how they are made. If it’s your first time you HAVE TO try the meat lovers platter and the Sambusa! The Sambusa was so good I ordered another round of them! I had the lamb, filet mignon and goden and they were cooked to perfection and the flavors are one of a kind and delicious! The Dulce De Leche Cheesecake was fire and hit the spot! Thank you again Yohannes! Exceptional customer service! 🤌🏾🔥

Steve Stuglin

Google
15 minute wait on a Saturday night. Staff was really nice and quick moving - good out 10-15 after ordering. We got several plates to eat family style, and can't say what everything was, but it was filling and flavorful. $20 each for variety of food. Lamb with onions was especially good. Kitfeh med with the added spice was memorably hot and good.

Nathanel J.

Yelp
I've gone to this location in Decatur twice and neither times have i been disappointed! I had never had Ethiopian food and this place is a great introduction to their cuisine! My friends and i enjoy sharing plates so on two different occasions we ordered the Tibs (ground beef, potato stew, Gomes, and bits bread), kitfo salmon, Sambusa (w/ Lentil), & baklava for desert. To drink we got the Mead an the Sheba Tej. I will say, I don't think Mead is for me... but everyone has different tastes. They have ample seating for both outdoor and indoor. The serves and fast, responsive, and knowledgeable of the menu. Great place for an intimate meal. So far I've been recommending anyone who is interested or looking for Ethiopian food to check this place out!

Michelle H.

Yelp
Desta is a great restaurant for Ethiopian food! I had heard great things about this place and since I never had Ethiopian food before, I was looking forward to trying it out. There is seating inside and outside, but the seating inside is a bit small. The waiter was fairly attentive, but it also was not super packed at the time. I ordered the Chicken Tibs with Injera and Potato Stew, per the recommendation of the server. My friend and I split the Kitfo Slice. I felt okay about the Kitfo Slice--we got it with beef, jalapeño, and cheese. I am not a big beef person, so that was probably why I felt alright about it. But I also could not really taste the jalapeño or cheese in the dish; it just tasted very meaty. I liked the Chicken Tibs and Potato Stew. They were both seasoned very well and there was also a spicy kick, which I enjoyed. I thought the Injera--which is a spongy sourdough flatbread--was a bit too sour for me. Because the flavor was very packed in the Chicken Tibs and Potato Stew, I think eating a more bland starch, such as rice or pita bread, would have balanced to meal better for me. My friend ordered the Lamb Tibs and I really liked the taste of the lamb when I tried it! Overall, I think Desta is a must try for foodies in the Metro Atlanta area.

Tri T.

Yelp
10/10 amazing food. With one night in Atlanta, I had to get some Ethiopian and this is the spot. Service was fantastic, food came out quick, and we were stuffing our faces full of all the flavors of Ethiopia. If you've never been, they will walk you through all the options but ensure you taste all the vegetables and dipping sauces. Injera for the win. That short rib was also fantastic.

Janos J.

Yelp
I brought my entire family to Desta Ethiopian Kitchen after hearing about it from another Ethiopian restaurant closer to me. Wow, Desta is truly amazing. The staff here is extremely friendly. I honestly wasn't sure if my children would like the food, because, you know, kids can be picky. But my kids loved the Sambusa--we ended up getting three orders, both the beef and lentil versions. For my dinner, I had the Vegan Platter because I wanted to try something different. The presentation was gorgeous, with vibrant colors. At first, I thought I could eat the whole thing, but it turned out to be extremely filling. If you love wine, they have a great selection. My wife is a big fan of their Carroll's Mead, a honey white Ethiopian wine. Once again, fantastic service and amazing food. I would 100% come here again. If you want something truly unique, this is the place. This would be a great place to take someone on a first-time date or just a couples' night out. [Review #718] (16th Review of 2024)

Maddie M.

Yelp
My friend and I had suuuuch a fun, yummy, and flavorful (not to mention colorful) meal at Desta! We opted to sit on the patio and while it was HOT outside, the ceiling fans helped. I was glad we sat on the patio bc it's a whole vibe - it's really large, covered, and has fun lights. The service was great - attentive and kind. Our drinks were always filled and the food came out quickly! We couldn't finish the food, we took home so many leftovers. We shared an entree, 2 appetizers, and each got a soft drink and I think we paid like $22 each - super inexpensive especially for the quality!

Helen H.

Yelp
Absolutely fabulous food and service that is spectacular. We absolutely LOVE this place and have been going for at least 15 years but it's gotten so popular that it's difficult to get in on weekend evenings so we went at lunch on Saturday and it was PERFECT. We love the outdoor deck and the weather was perfect (early October). Our server was SUPER sweet and the food was fantastic! I cannot wait to go back again!

Rebecca H.

Yelp
The food was amazing balls. The ambiance was laid back and fun. The service was....ummm lackluster at the most. Our waitress treated us like she was too busy to listen and check on use. We were there for an hour and she never refilled our drinks and even forgot we order one. Again the food was amazing but the service not so much. We will give it another try one day.

Shimere B.

Yelp
I love Desta! I've been a fan for many years and they never disappoint. I've tried a few of the Ethiopian places in Atlanta and Desta is the best. Even people from out of town know about Desta! I love the fish tibs and the ribeye tibs! My fabric side is the red lentils.

Nola G.

Yelp
First time trying Ethiopian food and it was amazing! I'm not one to try different cultural foods but this was definitely a hit! Would definitely come back! The food was seasoned so well!

Wade C.

Yelp
My wife put me on to Desta for the first time and feel in love with it,the food is amazing don't forget the margaritas

Imran S.

Yelp
we were in the mood for ethiopian and had heard good things about Desta so went to try it out. we ordered the beef sambusa and the vegan platter. the sambusa was good and the sauce accompanying was really spicy. the vegan platter was plentiful and had a variety of options including lentils, beets, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes and others along with injera bread. the food was plentiful and the flavors good. overall good food, big portions and good service

Aditi R.

Yelp
3.5! Desta came super super recommended so I was glad to try it out. I did have fair expectations when I went in, and I guess that's the reason why I feel disappointed maybe? We actually reached an hour before closing time (maybe this was one reason behind my disappointment). My friend got the Red lentil stew with Injera and I got the Vegan platter. Each came with a big plate and portion, with plenty of Injeras. First looks? Amazing! I like Ethiopian food and something about it is warm and simple and homely. Taste-wise? Meh. Firstly, everything was cold cold. Nothing felt fresh-ish or even remotely warm. And some things in the platter lacked spice and flavor. Maybe it was an off day. I guess their meat options are better. The spaces inside are limited - so be prepared to wait during busy times.

Beau T.

Yelp
First time eating Ethiopian food.. I tried the fish pasta . Didn't know you can make pasta with fish .it was pretty tasty

Carolyn V.

Yelp
I hadn't tried Ethiopian cuisine in Atlanta before coming here, but this is probably the best Ethiopian food I've ever had!! There are two locations - Decatur and West Midtown. We visited the one in Decatur which is off of Briarcliff and easy to find. There's plenty of parking all around the restaurant. We were seated in side which was a little smaller and intimate, but not overcrowded. The server was kind and knowledgable and helped us make decisions much quicker. We started off with Ethopian Wine Carroll's Mead (sweet honey wine) and Sheba Tej (honey wine). If you like Mead or sweeter wines I highly recommend trying the Carroll's Mead. For appetizers, we shared the Sambusa with lentils (comes with 2) and the Kitfo Wrap (beef or salmon - we chose salmon/medium rare) with Injera. Sambusa had a nice crunch and reminded me of an eggroll but with lentils. It also comes with a chili spicy dipping sauce but I didn't get the name of it (delicious by the way). The Kitfo Wrap was the most interesting! The filling is called Kitfo which is made of minced meat that was marinated in mitmita (chili powder-based spice blend) and niter kibbeh (seasoned butter). It's wrapped in Injera which is Ethiopian flatbread and has an interesting spongy, soft, sticky texture. I loved the textures and tastes blended together in this dish. For entree, we decided on TIBS - for this you may choose a meat, starch, and side each with plenty of options to choose from. We chose ground beef, pita bread, gomen (collard greens), and added on a side of potato stew. Each item was full of flavor and delicious. My favorite was the potato stew and I am definitely getting that the next time I'm back. We finished with warm baklavas (2 pieces) and were happily full. Pricing is reasonable and menu accommodates to meat lovers as well as vegetarians/vegans. *They also have a drive-through window to pick up orders if you call ahead of time around the back of the restaurant.

Carol G.

Yelp
As always Desta is NEVER disappointing! I forgot to add pictures of the Sambusa (lentils & beef crispy dough treats) because they are sooo good they are eaten quickly lol. Amazing ambience, experiencing the culture of DELICIOUS,AMAZING and TANTALIZING FLAVORS of food in your mouth,with STELLAR customer service. It's ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS an absolute pleasure each and every time we go to Desta!! I implore you to get there ASAP!!

Kevin W.

Yelp
Second time eating Ethiopian food at this location. This place is tucked away in a strip mall but there is plenty of parking. They have in door seating and outdoor seating. I came here on a weekday during lunch to try their special. I ordered the chicken tibs with rice and an order of Sambusa. The chicken is really good. I really liked the sauce of the tibs. I may order additional rice next time. It is the right level of spice. The Sambusa is small but packed with meat. I look forward to returning. Service was nice.

Daniel K.

Yelp
I stopped by this restaurant when I went to Dallas for work. The restaurant serves an authentic Ethiopian dishes and really tasty. The service was great but could work on the communication. Some of the dishes take longer to make and communication could've produced better results as I had to wait for my food for over 30 min. The restaurant wasn't really that busy and they have a good customer to server ratio. There were also a lady that was making Ethiopian coffee which made the whole place smell like back home, I am Ethiopian so I loved that. I ordered a kitfo and fish tibs and firfir combo I think and it was great, came to around $80 with tip. Way too much food so I took it back to seattle the next day and ate it, and it was still tasty.

James H.

Yelp
Very flavorful and pleasant experience! Service was excellent. Atmosphere had a very chill vibe. We will be back...

Marissa M.

Yelp
Used to love this place. It's gotten big but the food isn't the same. It's still good but there is a noticeable difference in quality.

Amod G.

Yelp
I've been a regular at this restaurant and have always loved their food and service. However, my recent visit left me a bit disappointed. When I ordered my usual breakfast platter, it came with an additional item, fir fir, which I didn't ask for. I only noticed this after I had already started eating, so I didn't ask for the change in pricing. While the scrambled eggs and warm injera were as delicious as always, the fir fir was mediocre at best. The service, while usually spot on, seemed a bit off this time. The server was polite but forgot to bring water to the table, and there was a shortage of cutlery. To top it off, the coffee was not up to their usual standard. I've always found this place to be a must-visit in Atlanta, especially for its great food and service. However, I hope they can address these issues soon and get back to providing the exceptional experience they're known for.

Lindsay E.

Yelp
Friends of mine threw a baby shower for me at Desta, and it was perfect! Two out of the 7 of us had been to Desta already and enjoyed it and then 2 others of us were really, really excited to visit Desta because we'd heard such great things. The best part is how we all went in family-style and ordered 2 Meat Lovers platters, which included 3 meats, 3 sides, and carbs for everyone to share. This let us all try so many different things! Out of the lamb, chicken, and ground beef, the lamb is my top favorite. We got sambusa for the table, too, which might make you think of a spring roll + a samosa. These were tasty and a welcome little snack before our dinner was ready. Sides we tried: tomato fit fit, dinech wot (potato stew), ater (yellow split pea stew), tikel gomen (cabbage) and mushroom stew. The tomato fit fit was more injira than tomatoes and took my by surprise by the texture and the cool temperature, but the bright tomato flavor came through nicely. I probably won't order this one again. My favorites were the mushroom stew and the tikel gomen (cabbage), with the ater (yellow split pea stew) being a cozy second, reminding me of dahl. We also got the injira (tangy Ethiopian flat bread) and pita. I strongly preferred the injira! It's really tasty with all the full-bodied flavors of the other dishes. Our waiter was friendly, quick, and patient with us as we figured out how we wanted to go about having a family-style meal. LOGISTICS * Free parking in the lot in front of and around the restaurant * Single-stall men's and women's restrooms, on the left of the restaurant * Sinks available in the dining room, on the right, for washing your hands! Because, you'll want to be eating with your hands, scooping up the dishes with your injira. (I didn't notice the sinks until the end!) I'm looking forward to returning!

Carneijar A.

Yelp
I came here with my brother to get lunch, and do not regret it at all. The employees were kind and welcoming, and had great customer service. The environment is welcoming aswell, with enough lighting, and an outside view if one would like to sit outside. The food was delicious, I had Salmon Tibs with rice and potato stew. The stew had a little kick to it, but I don't regret coming here at all!

Nicole E.

Yelp
Seated right by the dessert display case for maximum consumption. There is a partly closed in patio seating. We ordered 1 vegan platter with injera to start, along with two club sodas. We ended up ordering a second vegan platter, since the one platter was not big enough for us to share. $45.34. The food comes out here so quickly, first platter was out maybe less than 5 minutes, second platter as You only get two rolls of injera for each of the vegan platters. Luckily I am not terribly hungry. I wasn't a big fan of the injera and tomato, the one side of the platter wasn't my favorite. The lemon, collard green puréed wasn't very good. The green lentil wasn't so wonderful, neither was the potato or beet and my least favorite was the injera and tomato, too mushy for my liking. The salad wasn't bad, neither was the cabbage, mushrooms or the collard greens. The red lentil, potatoes, split peas (?) and yellow lentils were all good.

Lou E.

Yelp
We finally ventured out of our comfort zone and glad we did. Went with friends and we got oh so very much food. As always, when the four of us get together it is a feast and this exactly what it was. We ordered the Sambusa's(one order beef and one order lentil), a Fretira which is a Traditional Ethiopian breakfast consisting of flatbread layered with eggs and served with honey and last but not least the Mixed Meat TIBS. We selected the lamb, ribeye, and filet mignon. Veggies selected were: Ater, a yellow split pea stew, the Tikel Gomen made of cabbage sautéed with onions, garlic, ginger, carrots and tumeric and ginger, and the Mushroom Stew. Our bread selection consisted of two regular Injera and one Teff Injera. All of the food was excellent. But my favorite was the appetizer was the Beef Sambusa, the TIB was the Ribeye, and veggie was the mushroom stew. Amazing was we all had different favorites and all enjoyed everything...think the Ribeye might have edged the other two meat with a little more taste...the fat always wins. Both Injera were great. Took a bit of getting use to putting warm food in very cold bread...but we managed to do it. Not a drop left on any dish. The hot sauce that was served was nice and spicy. There was one in the group that couldn't handle the heat and it was the only guy! HaHa. The veggie selections all started to taste somewhat the same but that was our fault with our selection. We all agreed the food rated a 5. Service was above average but not a 5, a four...maybe a 3+. We had to ask for ice tea and water to be refilled not once but twice. And we actually had to wait a very long time to get anyone's attention. Then there was the wait to get the check and pay.... Price was very reasonable for the amount of food received. Would order everything again. And would definitely return. Highly recommend.

Danielle S.

Yelp
This was a great experience with a group of 6. We went on a Sunday night (Mother's Day), so it was super crowded, and we had to wait over a half hour for a table. That may be the normal wait time, or maybe it was because of the holiday. Either way, it was worth the wait. We ordered a few items for the table: the Goden Tibs (so flavorful and great), the Meat Lovers platter (we chose chicken, lamb, and tilapia), and the Vegan Platter. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and they gave us plenty of bread to soak up all the great food. I don't have a lot to compare Desta to - I haven't eaten much Ethiopian food in my life, but it was great, and a really good value for the amount of food you get. I definitely recommend going with a larger group, which allows you to try more things as there are lots of family-style options.

Ashley K.

Yelp
I love this place! First of all, there's free parking #winning. Secondly, the almost never disappoints. I actually can't recall a time when the food was sub par here, and I go a lot. Third, Yohannes, our waiter, was AMAZING! ! It was my friends first time there and Yohannes took great care of us! We even enjoy the honey wine, and, they let us customize our entrees. It was my first time trying the salmon kifto but I highly recommend it. I'm pescatarian and usually opt for the vegan platter (which I did again this night) but the salmon kifto (basically tar tar) was a great start to our dining experience. It comes with cheese and jalapeños so has a nice kick to it BM without it being too spicy. I would definitely order it again. Finally, for dessert we tried their newly added tiramisu w/ a shot of liquor drizzled over it. I'm not a tiramisu fan but this was really good and I highly recommend it. "Adultifying" really took it to the next level. Unfortunately Yohannes mainly works at the west side location but I'll def be asking for him moving forward when he's there!

Jim N.

Yelp
What a gem, this restaurant is. I loved the food and friendly service. The upstairs dining room offer a very cozy and warm dining experience. The waiter explained all the food to use from preparation to the spices and ingredients used. Let me tell you, the portions are huge. Great food and great value. What can be better? The breakfast combo was my personal favorite. So much going on here I can not began to describe how flavorful and tasty this is. You just have to get one and try it. The vegetable platter was equally good. The variety of on this platter is crazy, there must have been 11 different items on the platter. It's good option to try all the different foods and flavors Desta has to offer.

Fiona T.

Yelp
Ah Desta, we meet again! It's been YEARS since I've been back and I'm so glad I found my way back home lol. All these years later, the food is just as amazing as I remember. I ordered online for pick-up and as always, they were quite busy (both outside and indoors were packed). Luckily, Desta has a super convenient drive-thru window now and THIS is my favorite thing. I ordered lamb tibs over shiro with rice and a side of cabbage. I've never known this place to disappoint, so it was no surprise that the food was delicious, perfectly spiced and "homey." Desta is an Atlanta staple for a reason. Honestly, no complaints. Just damn good food!

Marni M.

Yelp
This was my first time ever having Ethiopian food and I walked out soo happy with my entire experience. We came on a Friday at 6 pm as a party of 10. Unsure of how busy it was going to be, we made reservations just in case, which turned out to be a good idea since it had a high table turnover rate. There's a full cocktail bar including beers. For appetizers we tried Sambusa and Kitfo salmon medium well (as recommended by our waitress). The (2) sambusa were fresh and crispy. The wrap was huge and filling. For entrees I shared the Vegan Platter with lamb tibs. Presentation was beautiful and also matched the variety of tastes, textures and temperatures. Although I could not tell you exactly what each item was, I knew it was good! Portions are huge and comes out fast. Staff were so friendly and really on their A game. Would love love to come again!

Allicia S.

Yelp
Had heard about Desta from several sources over the years, but was loyal to other restaurants that serve similar cuisine. Due to closing of one of them recently I sought my desire for beets salad from Desta. The Briarcliff location offered parking in front and side lots. As it had been a long day, I opted for takeout, and the young lady at the entrance, Eyerus , was more than accommodating. She showed me the QR code to scan for the most up-to-date menu, and provided samples of the beet salad a mushroom stew side, and gomen or collard greens. I opted for the signature lamb tibs with beet salad and mushroom stew as sides - one comes with the entree and starch options. Selected the basmati rice to complete my entree. All were delicious and complimentary to make a satisfying meal. The lamb was what I called gamey or earthy as was told by the Eyerus. I am happy that I still tried it and mixing with the mushroom stew side dish was perfect. Will definitely return and try the 13 item vegan platter (highly recommended by Eyerus) and grouper.

Dorothy B.

Yelp
Food was amazing! Make sure you try the tea. It's very delicious and compliments the meal very well.

Lise U.

Yelp
Great experience! First time here and the food was so delicious, perfectly seasoned, and fresh. Def will be back

Sid B.

Yelp
Wife didn't enjoy . Salmon tibs was a bit too peppery for her. We did ask for non spicy, but that didn't happen. I should have returned it. The lamb tips with Shiro was excellent. I didn't mind the salmon as much, but less pepper would have been better We got Mushroom stew and refreshing beets and potatoes salad. Excellent We got the two tibs this time instead of the meat lovers, because that was way too much for two people. But still had way too much. I believe tibs are bigger portion when separate. Parking lot is a mess. Plenty of spots, but more potholes. 3.5 down from 5 because of the spiciness

Alex C.

Yelp
This was my first time trying Ethiopian food my parents had been wanting to take me to this place for a while and I was excited to try something new. We chose to eat outside which was nice. I could smell the food as soon as we sat down and it smelled delicious. Our waitress was very nice and she did a great job. It didn't take long to get our food and when I seen my plate everything looked delicious. I ordered the chicken tibs,pita bread & potato stew everything tasted great and was very flavorful like nothing I've had before. The chicken was cooked to perfection I will definitely be back next time I'm in town

S B.

Yelp
The food was pretty good. Not good enough for another visit. The service was friendly enough, however they were not super attentive. The ambiance needs work and restaurant could be dusted and deep cleaned. Which makes me about the state of the kitchen when the dining rooms aren't up to par.

Marilys R.

Yelp
Baby listen! My African brothers and sisters did their GOOD cookin' back there in that kitchen! I had no idea (at first) how to sop up the bread with the meal, but I got it right after a while lol! You better believe I'm going back to them as well! Pull up if you're ever in the Atlanta area!

Tony G.

Yelp
Awesome cultural experience, the service staff are amazing and the food was delicious. The ambiance seems to be the only thing, while it isn't terrible it could be better to equally match the experience and menu. If you haven't given them a try, make time to experience the cultural cuisine you won't be disappointed.

Gordon S.

Yelp
Note: I only review places I like, hence why most of my reviews are 4 or 5 stars... This is the Briarcliff location (which I think is the original). They also have one in the Westside Provisions area. Short review: Wonderful Ethiopian food, wonderful service, nice interior (casual but artsey), absolutely will come back again. I got lamb tibs (not dry but not oily, perfect), injera, goman (spicey collared greens, excellent), and a brown rice. I enjoyed everything, but they have so many items, that it will be awhile before I repeat any items on later visits (there will be later visits). Really nice interior (red walls, artistic, but still casual). Music not played too loudly. Lots of patio seating (outside but with roof and mesh nets to keep bugs out. Service: I usually don't comment on service too much since I'm low maintenance and I can order food in public without issues (seems to be declining skill for a lot of people), but I'll comment here because service was not only extremely friendly but helpful (to the other tables as well). With food that is deviation from what people are accustomed to, servers have an extra task to explain items before they are ordered, and then also explain them once they arrive. They servers do an excellent job of making the food "accessible" to the patrons. Great place.

Tiffany P.

Yelp
My bestie co-worker( we all have one) took me here because I had never tried Ethiopian food. I will say if you have never had Ethiopian food before, it would be in your best interest to go with someone who knows what to order. If she had not taken me and chosen the food items, I might not have enjoyed the food as much as I did. We got the Meat Lovers, with salmon, chicken, and beef for our meal. Let me tell you, this is A LOT of food and enough to feed 3-4 people, so come hungry if you order this. The food is very flavorful and seasoned well. The only disappointment was the beef, as it was pretty overcooked and tough. However, the chicken and the salmon made up for it. I thoroughly enjoyed my meal, loved that the food was fresh, and left feeling satisfied. I now understand why people love Ethiopian food and can't wait to go back again!

Michele J.

Yelp
The veggie platter was so good. When we got out of the car you could smell the aroma of tasty food. It did not disappoint.

Skye B.

Yelp
So good! The food was amazing and service was too. We sat outside and they had enough fans going that you didn't feel the July heat. We got the kids the pasta and they loved it! My husband got the Wednesday special which was a lamb dish. HUGE portion for only like $13. So definitely check out the specials. I had the tibs with the filet and it was great! We also got the vegan platter for us and the older kid to share and all 3 of us agreed that each of the dishes were fantastic! 10/10 will be back!

Milton H.

Yelp
Eight of us had dinner at Desta last week. My wife and I shared a platter which consisted of lamb, chicken, and fish. We also had Gomen (collards), mushroom stew, injeera, pita, rice and more. My failing memory prevents a longer list. There was so much extra food that we brought home enough for two (or more) additional persons. My wife chose mild and I chose medium spice level. Both were delicious?

Sierra B.

Yelp
I absolutely love this place. I come here every time I'm in Atlanta. The food is always good and so is the service. There are 2 locations that I know of. I've been to both locations a few times and the service doesn't change, it's great at both places. The consistency is top tier. I wish the Ethiopian restaurants in Detroit served tibs dinner. I'm not sure why.

Devon P.

Yelp
Man let me tell you something.. don't matter if you a meat eater or vegan.. this place for you covered. So many options if food. And it's seasoned soooo perfectly! The staff is the best, no matter what day it is. They handle you with the utmost respect.. I use to go to the one on briacliff a lot.. but now I frequent the Marietta blvd one at least once a week. Overall this is the best place to try food outside of what you normally eat. I can go on for days about this place. Please try it atleast once

Monique M.

Yelp
What can I say... this place never disappoints. I tried the meat platter (salmon, fish, lamb) , greens and rice. The food is so good. The greens were a little salty and garlicky (definitely not normal because I've eaten here a million times) but they were overall good . The service was great!! And I always like the ambiance.

Amber D.

Yelp
On my list of ATL food places to try when I visit and my friend was craving Ethiopian food. Service was quick and friendly. My friend had the TIBS and I had the vegan platter. It was so good! The salad had a few peppers in it so if you can't handle jalapeño peppers, just be on the lookout for a pepper or two. Otherwise everything was really flavorful and delicious. I like that they have both indoor and outdoor seating, with the outside being able to be enclosed for rain. Definitely recommend.

Dewey H.

Yelp
Love this spot! You can't order anything wrong. Always a great meal and friendly service. My favorite is always the meats Tibs are where it's at. It's a great place to bring friends and they are vegetarian friendly too.

Robin K.

Yelp
Wow, finger-licking goodness. Thanks fellow yelpers for helping me find this gem. I LOVE Ethiopian food, i don't have it as often since it's very carb forward. Since i was on vacation, i had to lol. We ordered Goden Tibs and Vegan platter with ingera. So many curries in the vegan platter, loved it all. Goden Tibs were phenomenal, we could've def eaten more of that. Lots of seating available, we sat on their patio, beautifully lit with lights. Def coming back for more

Janette F.

Yelp
Best food I've ever had. I am from CLT and will be coming back here when I am in ATL again