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We had just returned from a nine time zone journey to Marrakesh. Our stomachs were recovering from the culinary assault that we levied on them and we found ourselves hungry for something filling but gentle. Enter Cafe Desta. Thanks to the accolades and guidance of fellow Yelpers we settled on the Combination for Two ($38). While that entree is listed on the front of the two-page menu, the (five) selections for the combo must come from the 14 choices listed on the back... fortunately, lots of good ones! We opted for the beef/turmeric and lamb/berbere along with the chopped collards, yellow split-pea, and red lentils. On this 7p Thur evening, the quaint venue on the near southside (across the street from Forbes) was 1/4 full (3 other tables occupied) with a steady stream of Doordashers wandering in about every 8-10 minutes. Our giant combo tray arrived surprisingly quick, less than 10 minutes later. We had seen photos, yet, the physical delivery of the entree was still breathtaking. Our server giddily added that we had ordered nearly every one of her favorites (I forgot which one we "missed"!) She had initially given us the option of "bread" (a large, folded greyish crepe called Injera) or white rice, all of which are included. We opted for half/half and in hindsight should have gone with all rice and here's why. The beef, red lentil, and lamb dishes are saucy and a bit salty, so they paired especially well with rice, to the point we ran out. The other reason is that, quite beautifully and unbeknownst to us, the entire 20+ inch platter is "lined" by a single piece of the Injera crepe (which you can tear up and use). Parking is the only challenge but we found a nearby curbside space about 50 feet away. Ambiance is a little bright with basic but thematic seating and the venue's high ceilings make for a quieter "average" loudness. We came away super enthused about returning in the not distant future!
Came back to celebrate my veganniversary! Got the vegan platter- obvs. Soooo flavorful and fresh. Lovely staff and bright big windows. This will forever be a Tucson staple for us.
Incredible people, menu had great explanations with definitions of various words and lotsss of vegan options! We got the vegan platter to go and it was so worth it! We got like 4 meals out of it. So tastey, even second day! Variety of seating and warm ambiance. Will absolutely be back!
I absolutely love this place, first tried it a few years back and started regularly going again earlier this year. It's my boyfriend and I's go to spot for sure! The food is incredibly flavorful and filling, and the restaurant itself is so beautiful and has a few art pieces to look at. Every time we visit we're met with amazing service with super friendly staff! Finally, if you go before 2:30 you can get the lunch special which is a generous amount of food for a very low price (compared to most restaurants downtown prices), just one of the many reasons I love and adore this spot with my whole heart!
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.
Place is close to my work. Etheopian cuisine. Pretty much street parking only. Was there on Tuesday night, slow but steady stream of customers. Ambiance/Cleanliness-A bit rough, but warm. Floor was pretty tore up. Native baskets and some photos are decoration. Cool lighting. Table and silverwear were clean. 4 stars Service-The hostess/server was a total smokeshow with a sense of humor. She seemed pretty bored, but took care of getting my food to the table..no complaints. 4 stars Food- and that food..Lamb Tibs-Cubes of lamb pan-seared in Kibe, Awaze onion, jalapeños, and fresh rosemary. Served with salad and Fosolia(seasoned green beans). Awesome. GREAT portion of food, seasoned to perfection. Plenty of injera bread to eat with. Will go back!! 5 stars.
Absolutely love Cafe Desta. It's one of my favorite places in town, I visit this place often! It honestly taps into childhood memories of sitting around the table with my family and using tortilla bread to eat our food instead of utensils. What a beautiful experience! Here at Desta, even though cutlery is available, the Injera that they serve with the food is meant to be something that you used to pick the food up and enjoy it. Every single item has a unique flavor and is incredibly delicious. The textures, spice levels and experience are so varied that you can't get a single thing that feels repetitive. More often than not this is something that I enjoy doing with friends and others because I enjoy getting the larger platters and sharing that with them highly recommend a visit. Maybe I'll see you there!
Went last weekend with a friend and we split the vegan plate. I always forget to take pics and remembered to take after we decimated it! It was like having a mini buffet of Ethiopian dishes all on one plate and we were given plenty of injera to eat it with. Flavorful, some spicy with just enough heat. I loved them all - the lentils with jalapeño, the tumeric cabbage with carrots and potatoes, the spinach, the yellow split peas were creamy, which i liked, (have has that at other places where the yellow lentils had more of a bite but I prefer the creamy texture - easier to scoop with the injera). It was so good, we had plenty of leftovers and I ate mine for lunch the next day.
I had my birthday party of 10 there last night. Although they don't tale reservations, everyone working there went above and beyond to fit us all in! We had a blast and the food was so delicious!! 4 of us ordered the Veggie platter plus some extra so we were sure to get extra of what we all liked. Others ordered the meat platter and some other menu items that looked amazing, and everyone left feeling very full and satisfied! I would highly recommend this place for sure.
My favorite Ethiopian spot in Tucson! Their food is flavorful and well spiced and they give good portions of entree and injera. My favorite would be the tibs and misir wat. They also have berbere for those wanting some extra kick. Service was great and servers were friendly. Interior is simple but clean and welcoming.
My husband and I loved Cafe Desta. it's a hidden gem and an absolute must try if you're into Ethiopian food (or even if you're new to it and curious!). The restaurant is small, cozy, and full of charm. It does get busy, so plan ahead because seating is limited but totally worth the wait. The food? So flavorful and clearly made with love. We shared a combo plate and left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. The dishes marked as "spicy" werent really all that spicy in my opinion, but I'm use to spicy food. I actually could've added some hot sauce to a few meals just for an added kick but they were still packed with flavor. We were a little nervous about finding good Ethiopian food in Arizona, but Cafe Desta definitely exceeded expectations. On top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend!
Must-try spot--you won't be disappointed! My husband and I are new to Tucson, and I randomly started craving Ethiopian food. I've been eating it since I was really young, so it's something I truly enjoy. I found a few places and decided to go with Café Desta--and I'm so glad we did! We absolutely loved all the flavors. We got the combo for two with spicy lamb, chicken, cabbage with carrots and potatoes, cheese, and spicy lentils. We also added extra lamb on the side. Everything was so delicious, and the injera was made perfectly--soft, tangy, and just right. For dessert, we got the raspberry almond cake to-go. We were super full but still wanted a sweet treat for later--and it was totally worth it. The ambiance felt authentic but with a nice modern vibe. Service was excellent! Parking: Street parking only, but honestly, the dining experience makes it more than worth it. We'll definitely be back!
15 days ago
7 months ago
Came with a friend and had a nice time. I've never had Ethiopian food so I was happy to try it finally. My friend has been before and so he ordered the sampler plate that allowed us to choose 5 items from both vegetarian and meat menus. We tried lamb, fish, chicken with rice and injera. There is a homemade cheese on the middle that is very mild and helps to ease the spices on your palate. The injera was extremely sour. I heard that is how it's supposed to be since it's made from a in-house fermentation process. Overall service was good. I'm glad I got to try it! read more
This is the type of food that leaves you wishing you had another plate and a second stomach. No frills, just great seasoning, cooking, and portioning. Really kind waitstaff and fast service. I genuinely can't wait to come back and try the rest! Oh, and don't forget to snag a coffee to round out your meal at the end. Rich and delicious (and not at all acidic!!) read more
We had just returned from a nine time zone journey to Marrakesh. Our stomachs were recovering from the culinary assault that we levied on them and we found ourselves hungry for something filling but gentle. Enter Cafe Desta. Thanks to the accolades and guidance of fellow Yelpers we settled on the Combination for Two ($38). While that entree is listed on the front of the two-page menu, the (five) selections for the combo must come from the 14 choices listed on the back... fortunately, lots of good ones! We opted for the beef/turmeric and lamb/berbere along with the chopped collards, yellow split-pea, and red lentils. On this 7p Thur evening, the quaint venue on the near southside (across the street from Forbes) was 1/4 full (3 other tables occupied) with a steady stream of Doordashers wandering in about every 8-10 minutes. Our giant combo tray arrived surprisingly quick, less than 10 minutes later. We had seen photos, yet, the physical delivery of the entree was still breathtaking. Our server giddily added that we had ordered nearly every one of her favorites (I forgot which one we "missed"!) She had initially given us the option of "bread" (a large, folded greyish crepe called Injera) or white rice, all of which are included. We opted for half/half and in hindsight should have gone with all rice and here's why. The beef, red lentil, and lamb dishes are saucy and a bit salty, so they paired especially well with rice, to the point we ran out. The other reason is that, quite beautifully and unbeknownst to us, the entire 20+ inch platter is "lined" by a single piece of the Injera crepe (which you can tear up and use). Parking is the only challenge but we found a nearby curbside space about 50 feet away. Ambiance is a little bright with basic but thematic seating and the venue's high ceilings make for a quieter "average" loudness. We came away super enthused about returning in the not distant future! read more
3 days ago
Incredible people, menu had great explanations with definitions of various words and lotsss of vegan options! We got the vegan platter to go and it was so worth it! We got like 4 meals out of it. So tastey, even second day! Variety of seating and warm ambiance. Will absolutely be back! read more
1 month ago
I absolutely love this place, first tried it a few years back and started regularly going again earlier this year. It's my boyfriend and I's go to spot for sure! The food is incredibly flavorful and filling, and the restaurant itself is so beautiful and has a few art pieces to look at. Every time we visit we're met with amazing service with super friendly staff! Finally, if you go before 2:30 you can get the lunch special which is a generous amount of food for a very low price (compared to most restaurants downtown prices), just one of the many reasons I love and adore this spot with my whole heart! read more
11 months ago
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. read more
Place is close to my work. Etheopian cuisine. Pretty much street parking only. Was there on Tuesday night, slow but steady stream of customers. Ambiance/Cleanliness-A bit rough, but warm. Floor was pretty tore up. Native baskets and some photos are decoration. Cool lighting. Table and silverwear were clean. 4 stars Service-The hostess/server was a total smokeshow with a sense of humor. She seemed pretty bored, but took care of getting my food to the table..no complaints. 4 stars Food- and that food..Lamb Tibs-Cubes of lamb pan-seared in Kibe, Awaze onion, jalapeños, and fresh rosemary. Served with salad and Fosolia(seasoned green beans). Awesome. GREAT portion of food, seasoned to perfection. Plenty of injera bread to eat with. Will go back!! 5 stars. read more
29 days ago
27 days ago
Absolutely love Cafe Desta. It's one of my favorite places in town, I visit this place often! It honestly taps into childhood memories of sitting around the table with my family and using tortilla bread to eat our food instead of utensils. What a beautiful experience! Here at Desta, even though cutlery is available, the Injera that they serve with the food is meant to be something that you used to pick the food up and enjoy it. Every single item has a unique flavor and is incredibly delicious. The textures, spice levels and experience are so varied that you can't get a single thing that feels repetitive. More often than not this is something that I enjoy doing with friends and others because I enjoy getting the larger platters and sharing that with them highly recommend a visit. Maybe I'll see you there! read more
3 months ago
3 months ago
Went last weekend with a friend and we split the vegan plate. I always forget to take pics and remembered to take after we decimated it! It was like having a mini buffet of Ethiopian dishes all on one plate and we were given plenty of injera to eat it with. Flavorful, some spicy with just enough heat. I loved them all - the lentils with jalapeño, the tumeric cabbage with carrots and potatoes, the spinach, the yellow split peas were creamy, which i liked, (have has that at other places where the yellow lentils had more of a bite but I prefer the creamy texture - easier to scoop with the injera). It was so good, we had plenty of leftovers and I ate mine for lunch the next day. read more
9 months ago
I had my birthday party of 10 there last night. Although they don't tale reservations, everyone working there went above and beyond to fit us all in! We had a blast and the food was so delicious!! 4 of us ordered the Veggie platter plus some extra so we were sure to get extra of what we all liked. Others ordered the meat platter and some other menu items that looked amazing, and everyone left feeling very full and satisfied! I would highly recommend this place for sure. read more
1 year ago
My favorite Ethiopian spot in Tucson! Their food is flavorful and well spiced and they give good portions of entree and injera. My favorite would be the tibs and misir wat. They also have berbere for those wanting some extra kick. Service was great and servers were friendly. Interior is simple but clean and welcoming. read more
1 year ago
My husband and I loved Cafe Desta. it's a hidden gem and an absolute must try if you're into Ethiopian food (or even if you're new to it and curious!). The restaurant is small, cozy, and full of charm. It does get busy, so plan ahead because seating is limited but totally worth the wait. The food? So flavorful and clearly made with love. We shared a combo plate and left full, happy, and already planning our next visit. The dishes marked as "spicy" werent really all that spicy in my opinion, but I'm use to spicy food. I actually could've added some hot sauce to a few meals just for an added kick but they were still packed with flavor. We were a little nervous about finding good Ethiopian food in Arizona, but Cafe Desta definitely exceeded expectations. On top of that, the staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming. Highly recommend! read more
1 year ago
Must-try spot--you won't be disappointed! My husband and I are new to Tucson, and I randomly started craving Ethiopian food. I've been eating it since I was really young, so it's something I truly enjoy. I found a few places and decided to go with Café Desta--and I'm so glad we did! We absolutely loved all the flavors. We got the combo for two with spicy lamb, chicken, cabbage with carrots and potatoes, cheese, and spicy lentils. We also added extra lamb on the side. Everything was so delicious, and the injera was made perfectly--soft, tangy, and just right. For dessert, we got the raspberry almond cake to-go. We were super full but still wanted a sweet treat for later--and it was totally worth it. The ambiance felt authentic but with a nice modern vibe. Service was excellent! Parking: Street parking only, but honestly, the dining experience makes it more than worth it. We'll definitely be back! read more
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. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
Everything tasted amazing! Even though they were busy, food was coming out quickly. The manager / owner was out helping the server. Coffee was strong with a little sweet. Every item on my combo plate was amazing. Definitely worth going read more
1 year ago
Food was flavorful and tasty. They had good variety. We had the dinner for 2, with a beef and chicken selection, lentils, garbanzos and collard greens. My favorite was the beef, garbanzos and lentils. The lentil soup was also very good. I enjoyed the mint iced tea as well. Service was personable and the restaurant was clean and comfortable. There is plenty of street parking. read more
2 years ago
Always delicious options here! I went with vegans, and we tried most of the veggie options. Highly recommend the fish and the chicken or beef ribs if you eat meat, too! Service was fairly quick, and meal is affordable! read more
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. read more
2 years ago
Cafe Desta is always a delicious experience. I've come with family and friends and always opt for a combo plate or the works. Each dish is flavorful and hearty. I love them all! The injera is bouncy and fresh. I enjoy mixing several entrees together with a piece of injera to get a bite that combines all the delicious spices and textures. The service is friendly, and the dining room is intimate and bright. I would love to come back to try the coffee soon! read more
2 years ago
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! read more
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. read more
2 years ago
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 :) read more
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!! read more
9 months ago
10 months ago
2 years ago
We finally got to try this little gem of a restaurant located in 5 points Tucson. Parking wasn't too bad, found a spot just down the street. Service was on point, we got a table right away and our server was very friendly and happy to answer our questions. The restaurant was nice and homey feel, music wasn't too loud and even though it got a bit busy we were still served rather quickly. The food! We each decided to get the lunch special which allows you to pick from the many options of meat dishes or vegan. So we picked different ones and got to sample each other's dishes. We loved everything we picked! The bread or rice are great options. The meat was very tasty and tender. We loved the cheese and the different vegan options. Oh and the Ethiopian Latte - was amazing, I can still taste its goodness! This place is a winner! We will be back! For sure! read more
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! read more
5 months ago
2 years ago
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! read more
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More info about Cafe Desta
758 S Stone Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701
Barrio Viejo
Directions
(520) 370-7000
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http://www.destacafe.com
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How much is the lunch special combo & is it available 7 days/week?
$9, available 7 days a week
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