Cafe Desta

This is one of my favorite restaurants of all time! The vegan food and drinks are always so good and the staff are so friendly. I travel to Tucson once a year and I stop here 3-4 times during my stay because I can't get enough. If you only have a few hours in Tucson, I highly recommend making Cafe Desta a priority!

First time ever tried Ethiopian thanks to local friends. I liked it. Nice cozy place and friendly waitress. They have a few vegetarian options that suited my taste

We had a fabulous meal at Cafe Desta. Friendly, efficient service in a small space. We went a bit early on a Saturday and we were glad we did because they don't take reservations for small groups and the place was completely full by the time we left. The food was wonderful. Really interesting flavors, varied dishes, plenty to choose from. The injira was wonderful! And we were surprised by how low the tab was at the end of the meal. Just a great experience! Highly recommend

We really enjoyed sharing the vegetarian platter. It was just enough for 2, and the flavors were popping. I thought it was cool they had a rotating dessert too. The interior itself was really cute, and the server was nice and attentive. I would recommend stopping in for sure.

We came in an hour before closing and they were so accommodating and friendly. Our food arrived quickly, and everything was delicious. We ordered the vegan platter, which came with a variety of flavorful dishes, a fresh salad, and a side of injera. Each dish had its own unique taste and texture. Highly recommend!

What an absolute pleasure it was trying a traditional taste of vegan Ethiopian food. I had their vegan sampler, which is enough for 4 people, and almost finished it (I eat a lot). Friendly staff, that had authentic food to provide. No utensils, but served with a type of flat bread to scoop the food up is as authentic as it gets! 10/10

The food at Cafe Desta was absolutely amazing. There were two of us and we ordered the combination for two with 3 meat dishes and 2 vegetable dishes. The injera was perfect and the spices were incredible. The staff were so pleasant and nice, and we received our food very fast. Two notes on the venue, it is small so going outside of the busy times is good if you don't want to wait, and it is bring your own wine/beer. Highly recommend Cafe Desta!

Don’t read any other reviews- this one is all you need! We’ve just experienced one of the tastiest meals we’ve had in a while. My cousin and I split the vegan platter, family style. Everything that was on that platter was a 10/10; Incredibly, amazingly, astoundingly delicious. They even have gluten free Teff for those needing a gluten free injera substitute! Cafe Desta also has a full service espresso bar. We ordered the Ethio-Latte, a special latte sweetened with brown sugar and it was delightful. The restaurant has plenty of natural light with a clean, industrial feel to it. The energy from the servers and the love put into the food brings the well rounded warmth the restaurant needs to make it a 10/10. Come hungry and leave happily engorged.

Good is an understatement. Food was excellent, service was quick and friendly. Always come back when in Tucson. Cold lentils, spicy beef and lamb are top choices.

I ate here Friday and was pleased and super full by the end. There was only 1 other table upon my friend and I getting there. We were told to pick a table and then we were brought menus. We both got lunch specials which allowed you to get 3 choices along with rice or injera. I chose rice. All 3 meat choices were good and I'm happy to say that spicy lamb one did have a bit of spice, but was not too much. The restaurant is on the corner of the 5 points area right by the 5 points restaurant. I missed driving and parking . All in all I would return.

Food was delicious and really reasonably priced. We got "the works" which includes all the vegan and meat dishes along with salad and injera. It was more than enough for the four of us (we couldn't finish it all). Service was friendly and quick. We arrived rather early around 5pm and the restaurant was fairly quiet but it picked up and got busier as time went on. Definitely recommend :)

It's been 10 years since I've been back and it was just as tasty! Definitely hit the spot. Quiet restaurant and fast service. Ordered 2 lunch specials and it was plenty of food. Would definitely return.

A poetic introduction to Ethiopian cuisine for me. My lack of experience was evident with the the questions I had to ask, but the waitress kindly answered them all and made great recommendations. I had the individual combination plate with fish, chicken, and beef selections. And you have to eat it with their Injera, a spongy fermented flatbread that pairs well with the meats. A small dining room provided all the intimacy and charm you'd hope to find in a place like this. The food was unique and something I would love to come back for!

What a treat. Nice lunch menu. Beautiful flavor in the lamb. The spinach was delicious. The split yellow pea was a little undercooked. That was disappointing. I would return. Everyone enjoyed. Many drink options. (Nonalcoholic). Coffees etc. Had a mango fizz. Very refreshing.

I love this place! The food is always so fresh and consistent. Their injera is amazing and they also offer the teff injera if you need a gluten free option. Not a fan of injera? No worries, they can serve your plate with rice instead. I love the Kaya Doro - it was my first introduction to the Berbere spices and I can't get enough of it. It has spice, but not too much heat, which is perfect for me. The Tikil-Gomen is always perfectly cooked. This place also introduced me to fresh mango juice and I immediately became hooked. I can't not order it every time I'm there. The staff and owner are so friendly and do a great job of explaining menu items if you've never eaten Ethiopian food. The restaurant is small and cozy and beautiful decorated (my favorite!). A true Tucson gem!

My wife and I originally planned to have a late lunch at the restaurant next door, but the kitchen was closing soon. Ethiopian food sounded good and it was open. Street parking only. Plenty of seating inside with a lot of neat stuff to look at. The food was great! I ordered the combination lunch special with kosta, lamb, and beef. I "licked" the plate clean with the injera. The service was...lacking. The server took our order, then took our money. No "how's everything tasting?" or water refills. It wasn't busy, we were the only diners. We had to flag her down for the check. I recommend ordering for pickup instead of dining in.

I was soooooo happy to find an Ethiopian restaurant near our hotel!!! I LOVE Ehtiopian food and live in town that does not have even one Ehtiopian restaurant. My boyfriend had never tried Ethiopian and agreed to try it "just this once" because I was so excited. We ordered the combo for two so we could try a little bit of everything- tikil-gomen, kosta, alicha doro, ayeb, and one other item. Everything was delicious!!!!!! I was so excited that nothing was crazy spicy (I'm a big wimp) so I could have some of everything. I loved every bite, and my wonderfully supportive boyfriend also enjoyed the meal, so much so that he wants to get Ethiopian again!! We also really loved seeing how the entire staff seemed to be a family. They all were working together really smoothly and supporting each other the entire time we were there. We were very impressed. Highly recommend this restaurant!!

First time trying Ethiopian food and it was a great experience! The food was very flavorful and the combo for 2 was great because you can choose 5 different entree items to try more. I had the lamb, chicken, and beef. The staff was very friendly and the cafe is very nice. They also have espresso options and other drinks available.

First time having Ethiopian food and I was really surprised at how delicious the food was! I went with a group and for 4 people, the works was enough for us! Injera is the bread you use to scoop up the different type of food and it was delicious. The bread reminds me of a crepe and had a slight sour taste to it but was pillowy and soft. I honestly can't tell you all the different type of vegetable and meat dishes were called but the beef dish and the lentil one was my favorite!

It was nice to find a place in Tucson with decent Ethiopian food. We ordered The Works and the beef Tibs which was presented colorfully on a platter. We asked for it to be served traditional style which is how it's typically served in Ethiopia. The vegetarian dishes were my favorite- flavored and savory! Seating was limited but with good flow. Food takes a while to come out which is a good thing because it comes out freshly prepared. Servers were very polite.

Excellent food. Now Yelp is forcing me to add characters, so I guess that's what I'll do here.

Wonderful service and food! This was my first time trying Ethiopian food and what a great experience!! I got a chicken dish and would recommend anyone to try something new on the menu and to try this place out!

Simply put. Great Ethiopian restaurant. Their service is great too. Pictured is the family platter with 100% teff injeera (a big plus they have it). Everything was good, the shiro could be improved but overall between everything it deserves 5 stars. The staff are very friendly as well

Very tasty! My favorite is always the tikil gomen, which seems like it should be pretty simple (cabbage, potatoes, carrots) but is absolutely incredible.

It's packed at night but during the day it's pretty slow. The service has always been quick. It's a small establishment but very cozy. The food is very tasty. I enjoy eating the spicy chicken and lamp the most. I have also tried the greens and they were flavorful. The lunch time specials are about 2 dollars off the entre with the same amount of food. It's a very great place to eat.

I went here today having never tried Ethiopian food. I didn't know quite what to expect having only gone off pictures. I have to say the food was excellent, very flavorful and aromatic, similar to Indian food in many ways. I ordered a meal for two where we could choose five different meats/vegan options. Instead of using silverware you use a special bread that works very well for soaking up and wrapping up the food. I recommend the chicken and beef options, wish I could remember the specific dish names. The coffees and teas were also very good. Atmosphere and service was nice. I'll be back for sure now that know how delicious Ethiopian food is.

Desta is besta! If you read nothing else then that's all you need to know. But if you feel so compelled, carry on... The menu features vegetarian and meat dishes, each expertly spiced and flavored to perfection. The standout dishes for me were the Fosolia, Gomen, and Shiro. The Fosolia, made with green beans and carrots, was a delightful side dish with a bright and bold flavor profile. The Gomen, a savory collard greens dish, was tender and packed with flavor. And the Shiro, a vegetarian stew made with chickpeas, was hearty and comforting, offering a rich and satisfying taste. The injera bread was the perfect complement to the dishes.

The food and the ambiance are amazing. I think both of them make for my favorite restaurant in tucson. The owner is here everyday and will great you with a wonderfully big smile. The food itself is made with love and pride. My favorite foods are the Kaya doro and Kaya beg, Kaya meaning spicy but the lamb and chicken are wonderful together. The first who works up front is always friendly and handles the whole room with grace and genuine care. All in all I love this place.

We are from out of town and asked locals for a suggestion for vegan options. One of them is this Ethiopian restaurant. We tried the Vegan Signature plate which feeds 2-4 people. There were 3 of us. It turned out the plate was about 20 inches in diameter and topped with all 8 vegan dishes on the menu plus salads. Each of us had 1 basket of injera. It was the best vegan Ethiopian I have ever tasted! There are a few Ethiopian restaurants in LA area but it is not as good as this one. I was totally impressed! My group was also impressed by the quality and quantity of the food. The service was also friendly. After dinner I was full but I didn't feel bleh like I ate oily and unhealthy food. The food here is healthy and delicious! We will be back when we return in town again!

I really love this place! The food is always consistently good and staff are always friendly. It has a nice neighborhood restaurant vibe. I go often and will continue to do so!

Went for dinner last night and loved it! My friend is Ethiopian and ordered for our table. We had the beef tibs which was seasoned perfectly and so flavorful. The sides we got were cabbage, lentils, and something like collard greens. There was nothing I didn't like. I didn't want to fill up in the special bread so I asked for a fork and they were happy to bring one. It's a very casual restaurant and the service was great. I would definitely go back!

Made it to this restaurant yesterday and the food was amazing. Ordered the Lamb Tibs, Black Eye coffee and a side of Ambasha (Bread). It's a nice small restaurant with relaxing music. Service was good and would definitely come back.

Delightful. Healthy! Ordered Ubereats today and got the platter vegan for 2 people and it was just the right amount of food and you can pick 5 items to add to your plate. Spiced so nicely. I've been there to dine in before and that was a lovely experience.

The food had a so much flavor. There are some their dishes I can't wait to go back and try. I didn't care for the sourdough bread that is offered as part of some of the meals although it gave the dish a great contrast when you scoop the food up with the bread. Service was good, one waitress and she handled the place fairly well. Could probably use another person to speed up the service. The sever was on her phone via ear piece the entire time we were there. I would go back.

I've been fortunate to live in places with really good Ethiopian food like DC and the San Francisco, Bay Area as well as Addis. Cafe desta is right up there and by far the best ethiopian food in Tucson. the lunch special is also a great deal for $11.50.

Always an exceptional treat for the taste buds eating here. This is a family-run restaurant that offers true Ethiopian food at its finest. Look at the gorgeous colors in the photo! Heaven on injera!

My boyfriend had never had Ethiopian food before so I had to bring him here. Service is really good, we got to talk to a couple people who work here and they were so lovely. I got the works so the bf could try a bit of everything. Everything was delicious. I really enjoyed the mild beef and the lamb, and he really enjoyed the spicy beef and the chicken. I've been to a lot of coffee shops, but nothing beats the coffee here; It's incredible. We got the almond raspberry tart with our coffee for dessert. Perfect combination. If you enjoy food with flavor, this is the spot.

Cafe Desta never disappoints and if you want a deal of the century bring some friends and dig in to their "the works" combo!!! It's a crowd pleaser for sure with a little bit of everything and they really proved they have their stuff together when they gave it to me on this beautiful platter when I ordered to go!! The service was beyond kind and inviting and it was ready in a timely manner. If you want good food and good service, this is the place to be!

This place is great. It offers what I think is good Ethiopian food. I've only had it twice, but it was spicy and flavorful. My dining companions loved the food too. The service was fast and polite. This establishment is BYOB and if you're looking for some to go beverages you can get them at next door or at Roy's a block away. Definitely try this place out if you want Ethiopian. The price/value of this place is great. My dish was $20, but was a good sized portion that could be two meals.

First of all, I commend Cafe Desta for being one of mere handful of restaurants to even be on Restaurants.com and offer $5 discount for $10 min purchase, while all other restaurants require min purchase $45 to save $15, or I have to spend $20 at a burger joint for only me to eat, just to be able to use a $5 off Restaurants.com voucher to save $5. I am in Tucson for the Gem Show, and came to discover Cafe Desta only because owner chose to participate in Restaurants.com, which I got gifted $260 worth of cards from timeshare presentations, cards that I have not used since 2013. I first came for dinner Jan 30, 2022. I like lamb, so ordered Kaye Beg Lamb cooked in berbere (chilis). I was almost shocked the lamb was just 2 tablespoons of tiny bits in the gravy. I showed the manager (owner) cos I thought it was a mistake. But he said "that's the way it is" and that he was busy with othet customers and something about me "complaining". The couple at table next to me ordered the beef and fish or lb and their plate was awfully flat with nothing but gravy, too. So I guess, "that's the way it is" When I was in bed that night, I got to thinking that "this food served with tiny bits if meat" is truly how they make it in Ethiopia, because they are so poor. Meat is such a luxury so you use it only as sparingly in Ethiopia as I was served here. Americans are so rich, they eat meat as a big hunk of steak at one meal all to himself, when that steak for one American person is an Ethiopian family's meat for a week. They make the gravy spicy and tasty with minimal meat, and lots of rice, to stretch their food to make a meal. My deduction is from all those memories of seeing starving Ethiopians on the news over the years I am giving 3 stars not only for the 2 tablespoons of lamb my dinner, but when I came for lunch special the next day, I got more lamb my lunch special portion of same dish. Also dinner sever did not have a clue or even know what Restaurants.com voucher was and how to help me select and redeem for that restaurant, ony phone. So she went to get the manager who did it for me. (I had never used it before.) Also another ding was I called beforehand and to find out if they had wifi for customers to use. Yes they did. So I chose to eat lunch there for that reason, as I am attending the gem show living in an RV with no internet for a week. But when I got there, server did not know how to access, what the name of their wifi was, and even if she did, she did not know their password. She tried to text her boss, but he did not answer, so I got my lunch special to go, since my reason for coming in again to sit (to use their wifi) could not be fulfilled. So three stars for aforementioned experiences. But even without the wifi access, my lunch special only cost me $5 because of the Restaurant.com $5 off $20 minimum purchase. The only employee there at lunch was soooo beautiful, her eyes, and flawless skin, and I told her she was so beautiful. She said she was born in Sudan and came to US 15 years ago. I would rate the food taste 4 stars if it had more meat.

We love Cafe Desta. The food quality. The prices and portions. The friendly and attentive service. The atmosphere. The BYOB policy. It's everything we look for in a casual eatery.

Not being very familiar with Ethiopian cuisine, we thought we'd give this place a try. No reservations accepted, so we had to wait about 20-25 minutes for a table for two to open up. The place is very small with not that many tables. But the short wait was really worth it. You eat with your hands using a "sour bread" to scoop up your food. We ordered the combo for two which has five different choices between meat and veggies. The food comes out on what looks like a large pizza pan. It sits on a very large piece of sour bread. Although each selection of meat and veggie is not large, it is more than adequate. We both were full but not uncomfortably so. When the bill came, we were pleasantly surprised at how inexpensive this dinner turned out to be. In fact, the cheapest of our trip so far. Good value for the price.

Delicious food!! Wonderful variety and the serve is top tier! Thank you for sharing your wonderful food!

Crowded, but staff was awesome and the food was just about the best dishes we've ever had. We should have taken a picture of the menu but we got the combo for two and picked a spicy lamb, not spicy chicken, the cheese dish, the lentil dish, and the split yellow peas. We also got a beef soup. Everything was incredible.

Nothing like some comforting Ethiopian to finish the day after a hike through Mount Lemmon. I love this spot for almost anytime of the day (after lunch) and the food is filling and worth it. It's got a chill vibe, desserts, some cafe options and other drinks. Very vegan friendly!

Friendly service despite being busy with takeout orders and a large group dining in. We shared the combo for two ($30) and selected five vegan dishes from their menu (hard to decide between because they all sounded so good). While the portions were a little smaller than I'm used to seeing at Ethiopian restaurants, it was definitely more than enough food for the two of us. 4 stars out of 5 because it's quite a bit more expensive than I'm accustomed to for what we got. The peppermint tea was also lovely.

So I never had Ethiopian food before. I have to let you know that the food at this place was delicious. Now I did order to go, so I really don't know about the service but it did have a nice ambience and the staff was nice. I ordered the lunch special with lamb chicken and this Injera bread.

I had never had Ethiopian cuisine before our lunch at Cafe Desta, but I can now say the restaurant will enter our regular rotation! My partner and I each had the lunch special and were stuffed by the end. The portions are decent, especially considering the low price tag. They have tons of options for all taste preferences, spicy foods, meat options, and lots of vegan options. They are also able to boast gluten free options for their items! We also had the recommended tea, one hot and one iced - it was the perfect compliment to the meal. The ambiance is also lovely, there is traditional artwork and nature photos from Africa around the room.

First time ever having Ethiopian food. No complaints! Staff was friendly and informative. We did the combo for 2, you get to choose five dishes to share and it comes w lettuce and Injera. We did a lamb dish, chicken dish, Spicy chicken dish, beef dish and cabbage. It was delicious and flavorful. The cabbage (Tikil Gomen) and spicy chicken (Kaye Doro) was my favorite. I'll definitely go back for that. We also had the mango Juice and mango fizz (mango juice with soda water) and both were delicious

Delicious Ethiopian cuisine and efficient service with a smile. Just what we were looking for! Top rate!

Love going here! Been going here for my birthday the last two years and it does not disappoint. The waitress is great and attentive. The food is consistently amazing - the injera is perfect in texture and taste.

The best Ethiopian food in town! Lovely people. Delicious food. It doesn't get better than this!

We fell in love with Ethiopian food when we lived in San Diego and now we always search for a good Ethiopian place wherever we move to in Cafe Desta, we found that. This place does excellent Ethiopian food, all very flavorful. We chose this place to take my parents to when they were visiting for their first experience of Ethiopian food and we all enjoyed it.

Delicious! The lamb tips were perfect,. Cubes of lamb pan seared in Kibe, Awaze onion, jalapeños and fresh rosemary. Served with salad and Fosolia. I opted out of the Fosolia (green beans) and added the Gomen ( collards), they were different from what I'm used to but still good. The small salad, really small, more like bits of lettuce were good but I needed more. It came wrapped in injera (bread) which wasn't my fav but I enjoyed it. Sidenote: it was empty upon arrival, the was a bell, he said he'd be right with me. The meal was made fresh upon order. He came to the table with a bottle of hand sanitizer and set my bill down, I placed my card on the counter, he took it, brought it back after cleaning it and set it back down for me to pick up. This place is A1, I appreciated the effort.

Great lunch special, vegan options, and coffee! The physical space is adorned with beautiful photography and Amhara basketry. The staff is welcoming to all and proactively attentive to customer needs. The restrooms are clean and the entire space is kept impeccably clean throughout the day. Def a Tucson favorite!

Amazing food and service. So good we had to go 2 days in a row. Bring a loved one to share a plate with and I guarantee you will leave happy and satisfied. Bathrooms are really nice.

What a great surprise how wonderful this place was, the service was wonderful the food was delicious ! Never have I eaten food like this and with some suggestions to start with was greatly appreciated. Will definitely come here again when I'm in town.