Desta Ethiopian Restaurant

I got my Ethiopian food fix today thanks to my awesome hubby! We found this place years ago and every once in a while, I just get such a craving for their vegetarian platter. He tried a new beef dish today and said that he really liked it as well. If you are in the area, I highly suggest you go try their food. Not only is the staff super friendly and very informative but the place is super clean too. Which makes it even more enjoyable to be there.

My favorite place to eat authentic Habesha food. Authentic dishes. A great place to dine with family and/or friends. Learn the culture and enjoy some great food. Love this place. Sam was the best.

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 l've been recommending anyone who is interested or looking for Ethiopian food to check this place out!

I was driving new to this area and searched up unique restaurants to try out. Desta popped up immediately and I’m so glad it did!! Upon entering, you can see how rich in culture the decor was. The menu was very diverse ranging from meat dish to veggies to half and half. My serivce was outstanding and the suggestion my waitress gave me was spot on amazing! All in all, I def will return back here with my wife!

Delicious but I found one of the meats a little chewy. Unsure if that is how it's supposed to be however but I enjoyed it

The best Ethiopian restaurant I've visited yet! As a group, we ordered the beef and lamb tibs, bozena shiro and gomen be siga. The bozena shiro was SO GOOD! Also ordered a mango smoothie on the side, which was okay. Great service from all staff! Very warm and welcoming environment as soon as you walked in. Even loved passing by a little boy playing the piano as we entered. Felt very homely. Wonderful seeing people of all backgrounds come to enjoy a meal here. Highly recommend!

This is hands down the best Ethiopian food in Dallas! The restaurant has a bright, inviting atmosphere, perfect for enjoying a meal. The macchiato is rich, aromatic, and absolutely delicious. The owner and staff are incredibly friendly, making you feel right at home. The food is authentically prepared, with the injera being a standout—fresh, flavorful, and perfect for every dish.

Went here for the first time with family. The food was delicious, the staff are friendly, and the prices are reasonable. What more can you ask for?? My family and I had a great time and will definitely be back. Oh, and the beef tibs were SO GOOD.

Great Ethiopian restaurant. Can't go wrong with the lamb tibs. I recommend stopping by if you wanna give Ethiopian cuisine a try.

Looking for delicious Ethiopian food? Desta is always a hit!! I don't get a chance to visit as often as I'd like but their juicy beef tibs is a favorite for a pick up order when in the area. They offer all kinds of menu items and gluten free options. Bring a friend who's visiting from out of town here, they'll love it.

Ordered the tibs combo in awaze which from the photo includes all the sides and only received a side of lamb and injera.

Desta has always been a favorite Ethiopian spot of mine. I was greeted right away and the host took my to go order. I was not as enthused this last visit because there were a few veggies not apart of the usual dish. I specifically asked for beets and they were not in my to go order. I still enjoy their food and will likely be back, but will try some other spots in the future first.

Easily, easily the best Ethiopian food I have had to date. I live in Houston and while the Ethiopian food is good, it is nothing like this place. The kitfo and the sizzlin tibs were out of this world. The service was incredible as well. Some of the sweetest people I have ever met. I cannot wait to come back. Highly recommend.

The food was yummy and delicious if you love authentic spices. We went we group of six and would god back. Although we went with friends who are Habesha and they ordered for the group everything i tried was great. They service was nice and the waiters were friendly and attentive. I love the ginger tea and it is very ginger.

Most people don't ever hear about Ethiopian food. It was only my 2nd time ever trying this place. It's so unique and delicious! I got the beef tibs and my friend got the one with raw beef, which we were both a little skeptical on but it turned out to be fine! Injera has the sourness of sourdough bread but is also soft and sponge like, which was so good. The beef tibs were great, but didn't realize I could get the meat and veggie combo. Next time I come I'll be sure to try that! The ambiance of the place was really cool! When we pulled up into the parking lot, I wasn't exactly sure if we were in the right place, but once we entered the restaurant it was great! There was an elegant yet chill, modern feel to the place.

Everything about Desta Ethiopian is amazing! The environment felt very authentic, and the hosts and servers were all welcoming. We had a lot of questions about the menu, and our server was extremely patient and offered great explanations and advice on what to order. We got the Kintot, which was wayyy more than enough for 2 people. The meats can be switched out, so our server recommended we try it with kitfa (rare beef), dry beef tibs, and the spicy/non-spicy lamb tibs. Each one had a very unique flavor, but I really liked the dry beef tibs and the kitfa. The injera also had the perfect texture to go with all the meats on our plate. The dish was great, but I would recommend getting veggies to mix things up a little. I really enjoyed my experience here, and if it's your first time trying Ethiopian food, definitely come in with an open mind and don't be afraid to ask questions!

It was so good so we decided to come again after 4 days. It's still great. This time I got beef instead of lamb. The lamb is softer and less dry than the beef. Both are still good though.

So exciting is this Ethiopian restaurant. Wonderful service. Spacious and comfortable dining room, bar, and patio. Along with Desta's refreshing Fresh Mango Drink, my stables are their flavorful Wet Lambs Tibs and Doro Wat poured over a sheet of Injera. Choosing to use my fingers instead of utensils with each bite. I really also enjoyed their Fish Gulash on my most recent visit. Will definitely be back for the newly recommended Dry Tibs; Ribs; & Veggie in the near future! CHEERS!

Amazing food and fantastic Service! Hiwa always takes good care of me and my family. We are treated like family when we come in and I value that so much!

We were craving some Ethiopian food and found Desta, which YELP recommended! The restaurant is in a strip mall and has indoor and outdoor seating with designated parking right in the front of the restaurant. The ambiance was pleasant, and many tables were filled. Thankfully, there wasn't any wait time, and we were seated immediately. Coming to food - For appetizers, we ordered the Sambusa (lentil filling), which arrived piping hot and served with a spicy red chili sauce. It was yummy, and the sauce was very spicy, so less is more here. For the main course, we ordered two Veggie combos. We could have ordered one, which would have been perfect for our appetite, but we were suggested to order two and had a lot of leftovers. All the items with the veggie plater were very flavorful, and the Injera was perfectly spongy. Their Mango margarita was a nice touch with the exact sweetness. The service was excellent, and we had a fantastic experience!

Desta is nice authentic Ethiopian restaurant with nice ambiance. Good service and even better food. The Veggie platter did not disappoint!

We absolutely love Desta. We visit literally almost once a month. Our favorite dishes are the Veggie Combo and the Lamb Tibs. So yummy!! Highly recommend.

You know it's an authentic place when you walk in and the waiters and customers are all speaking another language that's not English. Was recommended to check out Desta from a Nigerian friend and came with another friend who wanted to try Ethiopian food for the first time. I'm no expert but we had a good time. The menu was a little difficult to navigate and our waitress wasn't fluent in English, but she knew enough to help recommend some dishes to us. We got the veggie combo with injera (kinda like a thin sour fermented pancake) and lamb tibs (non-spicy, not dry). It was a great experience. Everything came out on the injera and you would pull and rip some out to wrap the veggies or lamb (they put the lamb right in the center). There were also extra rolls of injera. No utensils and hand sanitizers gave us the heads up it would probably be a hands-on meal. There were different veggies some a little spicy for me, but we enjoyed ourselves and it was more than enough for 2 people. Prices are reasonable too. About $42 after tax and tip in total. I heard they are also known for their drinks (unsure if referring to alcoholic or not). I don't drink but saw a picture of a mango drink that looked pretty good. Restaurant is spacious with a bar section. Many small tables and TVs that were playing soccer matches. Overall a great introduction to Ethiopian cuisine and I'd be excited to come again

Caio! It's in the details. This is a late night dinner place and one we will return. Space inventive and well loved. The kitchen presents well. Spices just right. Music is authentic and upbeat. Everything was cool and just right. High energy. You are welcomed well. Group or couples can easily find a place to sit. Don't overlook the experience of this place being in a strip mall. You leave that behind when you enter. I'm so glad we found this locale on Yelp. And celebrate Dallas now has over 15 Ethiopian restaurants in the area. Wonderful.

Service: I came in the afternoon of 12/26/2023. Unfortunately the service was below average. There were by my count, 3 servers for all the table seating. I think they may need a couple of more servers. I had to flag down my server to get a water refill and a fork. It took a good while to get my food as well(about 25 to 30 minutes). If you visit, please keep in mind that you will probably have a bit of a wait for your food. I will not recommend coming here for a quick bite to eat. I would have taken of 2 stars instead of one but it looked like my server was trying to keep up. Food: I ordered the Chicken Tibs(Spicy option). This dish consists of pieces of chicken sautéed with onions, tomatoes, jalapeños in the Ethiopian Berbere sauce served on the ubiquitous Injera bread with 3 rolls of Injera bread on the side. It was delicious! The portion was huge! I could only finish the dish because I was very hungry. No complaints at all. Ambiance: There is bar seating as well as table seating in the interior and patio seating outside. I sat inside and it was loud. This will be a great place for groups. I wouldn't necessarily call this a date night place based on the ambiance. Value: The Chicken Tibs cost me $15.99 before tax. Given the taste and the portion, I will say it is very good value. I will definitely come back here for a leisurely meal.

Desta is honestly the best place to get quanta firfir!! And their Derek tibs is out of this world

I had an incredible dining experience at Desta Ethiopian Restaurant. Upon entering, I was greeted warmly, and the tantalizing aroma of the food set the tone for an unforgettable meal. The customer service was exceptional, adding to the overall enjoyment. Now, about the food - it's beyond words. The flavors, the spices, and the presentation were all top-notch, leaving me in awe. And to quench my thirst, Fred's pineapple juice was the perfect, refreshing companion to the meal. A truly unforgettable culinary adventure!

Always have great experience here, food is great, service is good, great atmosphere overall. Our all time favorite is the raw beef dish, loads with flavors. This is the best Ethiopian food I had so far, including the ones I tried in LA, Seattle and Las Vegas. Highly recommended.

I wanted to give this place a 5 because I love Ethiopian food but very minor things could use improvement. No lack in flavor. I almost ate a finger, the food was so delicious. Service was slow which would be ok if the food was hot. Food was Luke warm. Lentils and split peas were slightly undercooked. Atmosphere was nice.

I love Ethiopian food because you get a variety of meats and veggies that you get to eat with the most delicious bread. It's great for large groups and for sharing. The meat dishes are all cooked with the meat chunks perfectly tender in delicious sauces. The veggies maintain their integrity and stay crisp. The injera as a slight sour taste that is subtle and does not over power the side dishes you dip it in. Good service and great food. I wish it was close to home.

Very tasty. My wife especially liked the fish whereas I was preferred the lamb. Service was very sweet. Very upscale vibe with a touch of a traditional atmosphere. We missed having the beets served at other locations, but it doesn't hurt the satisfaction.

Sorry, no picture, I was starving. The smell of the food tells you that it's gonna be delicious, I ordered lamb tibits with vegetables. I had so much food that it was enough for the next day. Please try.

Amazing food, THE BEST Ethiopian in the area, in my opinion. Friendly and welcoming staff.

I have been coming to this spot for years!!! And Desta never disappoints! Whether I want ful for breakfast, a veggie combo for lunch, or tibs for dinner Desta will hold you down! Always expect a futons/soccer game to be on the screens. Always expect the spot to be busy with large groups of happy families/friends, always expect a diverse crowd of patrons, always expect amazing service, reasonable pricing, and a ton of flavor!!! That's the short version! The long version is that, the last time I was here, I got cornered in the bathroom by an American woman (yt) who was just coming in for her first time, with her husband, whom she explained, was vegan. Being vegan is no problem here because they have a veggie combo that will knock your socks off, which I explained to her. She asked me for a rundown of the menu. No problem, or so I would think , but then she wanted me to explain the WHOLE ENTIRE menu to her, and again, once we left the bathroom, to her husband, who was waiting for her at the table! This would all be fine and dandy except I don't work at this damn restaurant lol! I'm a person who loves to share my favorite dishes and explain in great detail, so this was really no problem, just kinda funny, except that when the final interaction was over, this lady decided it was a appropriate to pat me on the booty! As"thanks", I guess ‍ this was astounding, and took me completely off guard, but not enough to make me avoid my favorite Ethiopian spot in the whole city lol! Desta for the win!!!!!! Booty pats included, I guess‍‍‍‍‍

The food was excellent. The server was efficient. We both got the meat and veggie combo, we chose chicken as our protein. I got mine spicy and the flavor was phenomenal. There is plenty of parking. We will definitely be back to try some different dishes.

Delicious Ethiopian cuisine! Stopped in on the recommendation of a coworker and so glad we did. We split the Vegetarian sampler and the Beef Tibs. The vegetables were all super delish, I have to admit I do not know the official name for any of the dishes but the spicy red lentils are a must try. There was another red something that was also great, just get the sampler - you can't go wrong! Beef ribs were very flavorful but seemed a bit chewier than I would have anticipated. Quite edible but not as melt in your mouth as some I have tried. Overall a spot on place for some great food! Restaurant itself was clean and inviting and our server was very friendly. A definite try if you love this style of food.

Food, service, and atmosphere were all great. Felt upscale but still with lots of character. I got the meat (lamb) and veggie combo which was a great selection of very flavorful items. The server helped me choose the dish since I am not as familiar with Ethiopian dishes. Portion was large enough for two and price was reasonable.

I love this place!! I always order the spicy beef tibs with the Ethiopian tea every time and have not been disappointed. Service is great, always accommodating. Great ambiance, every once in awhile someone will be playing the piano which is pretty cool, or will play some sports on the TV for the sports people. Either way, I'll always come back again when I'm craving Ethiopian food!

Brilliant cuisine, I was so grateful to have my introduction to Ethiopian food here. Service was a bit slow but when the food came it didn't matter to me anymore

Loved our experience at Desta, we got the meat and veggie plate, one spicy and one regular, and everything was delicious. DEFINITELY could have shared one because serving sizes are large. The spicy was much less spicy than expected but still very good.

One of my favorite places to eat ...I only get the vegetarian combo ...but it's a great find and pleasant staff ...food taste amazing ....

You don't know what you missing good finger food look what I would do to get Desta I got on my bike got three veggie combos to go

This place has probably the best Ethiopian food in the metroplex! We got the veggie and meat combo which came with several different lentil dishes, cabbage, chickpeas, and chicken. The flavor was so rich and tasty and the injera was cooked perfectly! The restaurant inside echoes quite a bit so it's hard to hear your own conversation but the food makes up for it. I definitely recommend coming here if you've never tried Ethiopian food or are looking for a great meal!

Didn't like not having a fork but it was pleasant. Some guy named Andy was helpful but the waiters don't always pay attention. The food was so good I couldn't hate on the service.

First time trying Ethiopian food, had no idea what to expect! It was a very similar experience as eating south Indian food but less spicy. Really good delicious flavors. Ended up spending $45 on lunch for two (before tax and tip), no drinks so kind of expensive. We looked at their website which has more menu photos but doesn't appear to be accurate. We ordered the half veggie /meat platter which was perfect for us. We picked Lamb as our meat choice and it was absolutely phenomenal! I would get this a 100 times over. The veggies were great, especially the cabbage and whatever curry like sauce they provided. We also ordered the Tibs and wanted it with rice like in their picture. Our waiter asked if we were eating together and we said yes we are sharing both dishes. Well there may have been some miscommunication, because he just put the tibbs on the meat/veggie combo platter and it didn't feel any different than getting just an extra side of meat. See the meat/veggie combo comes with all the veggies and the Injera (looks like a huge Indian Dosa). So I'm not sure what the Tibbs actually came with, because he literally just poured out the meat into the same platter as my combo plate which from pictures is the amount I had already expected. All the food sat on top of a round injera bread. They gave some half rolled up ones to also eat with so be prepared to eat with your hands! All in all to say, if you're looking for more food- I would make sure you ask for them to separate (?!) the plates, I don't know if that makes sense. We walked away feeling like half our food was missing for the price we paid. They did give us as many Injera as we wanted at the end when I paid for the food. When we walked in, we waited at the hostess stand for over 10 minutes. The place was not busy. Eventually a server came over and said something along the lines of, "I know you're tying to be respectful but just walk in no problem!" :D Coming again and ordering that lamb and veggie combo again! With the Tibbs, we got Beef but it just didn't hit like that lamb!

I've been here now a few times and I've always been treated so well! The staff is amazing, food is DELICIOUS but the last time I went there was a Friday night for my cousins birthday. We didn't have a great time due to long wait times and confusion with our order. I really recommend you come here with a small group of 4 because staffing is tight. Again the food is amazing I'm still going to keep coming back and maybe order takeout but during the weekends or busy times, not so much.

Amazing service and food! Enjoyed the welcome and the association with all the customers enjoying a soccer game.

I'm rated this establishment a 4 simply because of the service. The wait time was incredibly long, luckily the food was amazingly tasty. Warning - Saturday's are super busy. I recommend ordering ahead for takeout. The food is indeed authentic and the portions are balanced for your buck. The Doro Wat is delicious.

I walk in and all the Clients appear to be Ethiopian.... I'm sold already. Veggie and meat combo with Lamb. That lamb is sliced and cooked so well ! It enhances each veggie and makes me a happy soul. Friendly service and family atmosphere

Wonderful experience! The food was amazing and the service was great. I had the veggie combo which was all vegan and my friend had the beef tips (can't remember the name of the dish). We both loved our meals. We will definitely go back.

Great authentic Ethiopian restaurant. The injera is especially fresh with sour fermented taste. Definitely a better injera I've had in the area. We are most of the combination platter with lamb, the lamb was very flavorful. Also ordered doro wat, it was pretty good as well. Afterwards we also ordered some fish because we wanted to try more dishes from them.

Sooooo delicious. It just smells wonderful when you walk through the door. There's quite a few Ethiopian restaurants in Dallas, not so many on the Fort Worth side of the metro... I'm a big fan of Ethiopian cuisine because the majority of it is typically naturally gluten free. I feel like I can order lots of wonderful things and relax and enjoy. A couple good friends of ours recommended Desta, and we had the best time. Jon and I ordered the "meat/vegetarian combo" which is a gorgeous array of vegetarian dishes with your choice of meat (we chose lamb), served with plenty of delicious injera, of course. The food is all so colorful, flavorful, and perfectly spiced. Not much is better than a traditional Ethiopian meal that makes you feel warm and cozy and happy and full. Desta also has a full bar, including honey wine. Please, please come here and enjoy!

My second time having Ethiopian food and first time trying it in DFW. Decided to give Desta a try due to the good reviews and reviews were pretty on point. The menu had a good selection and easy to read. First page gives you a little description about Ethiopian food and each menu item had some description too, good for newbies not to feel overwhelmed on what to order or how to order. We tried the meat sampler, veggie sampler and lamb tibs. The mustard green on the meat sampler was soo good and I usually don't like green mustard. I enjoy the spices and flavors of Ethiopian food, it's not overpowering. Don't let the store front intimidate you. It's very open and clean inside. Service was good and the sweet owner, Ms. Maddie, stopped by our table to chit chat with us a little.

I asked around where the most authentic Ethiopian restaurant is and this was suggested. Definitely didn't disappoint!

I am a protest carnivore! And this was all too satisfying. Just enough of everything flavor wise for me. Spicy (not hot, but flavorful). Curry, sour, mildly hot jalapeño,Injera made it a little sweet!! And the fish was just so light and at the same time crisp and flakey. Yum

The food at this place is really good! The service is a bit slow and disorganized but the staff is friendly. I definitely recommend giving it a try but just pack your patience.

This was my first time trying ethiopian food and I loved it. Restaurant looks really clean inside and service is solid. We had one of their large platters (i cant remember which one), but some stars to me were their lamb and tartare beef. The large platters was more than enough for 2 people, so we left stuffed and happy. To me, im not the biggest fan of the bread they use to scoop up the food with but this might just be my personal preference. The bread has a bit of a sour taste, similar to sourdough bread, that I am not the biggest fan of. My girlfriend on the other hand loved it. (you are supposed to rip a piece of bread and then dig into the meats/veggies with it - its a fun concept and I liked this).