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    Dama Pastry and Restaurant

    4.4 (409 reviews)
    ModerateEthiopian
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Dama Pastry and Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

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    DAMA PASTRY AND RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Awaze Tibs
    Dennis C.

    What a spectacular restaurant set in the Arlington-Fort Myer, and Pentagon footprint! I was incredibly fortunate to have stumbled upon Dama Pastry and Restaurant while I was in town for work and want to share my experience here with other inquisitive diners wishing to experience something novel. From the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel, Dama Pastry and Restaurant was no more than a stone-throw a way which made it an ideal dining choice for me. After arriving to town that day and settling in at the lodging accommodation, I soon found myself rather famished. Not the one to simply settle for the dining options and venues at the hotel, I wanted to explore the local cuisine. Almost immediately, Dama grabbed my attention when I did a quick search using Google maps. The restaurant sits off of Columbia Pike (Rte 244) at the corner of South Oak Street. The parking situation at the establishment is limited, with 4 spots in the front of the restaurant, while the side of the restaurant has several spots (definitely consider this if you're coming here with a large party). Dama Bakery and Restaurant has 3 distinct sections. There is the bakery (left; make sure you don't walk into the extreme left of the building as it is a salon), the market (in the middle), and the restaurant (right); you can also walk freely from one section to another as they are all connected on the inside. I happened to enter through the bakery from which the staff happily guided me to the restaurant section. Here, I was met with a welcoming host. The setting and ambiance were fairly modest with some portrait hangings that shed light on the history and culture of the establishment and cuisine. This along with the plain-straight forward menu was a refreshing change to the colorful, extravagant decor and menu pamphlets that can sometimes be overstimulating. Although not my first time having Ethiopian food, I still required some assistance and recommendations from the host. Again, the menu descriptions were straight forward and to the point however it contained culturally named items that I was not familiar with. The host was more than gracious and patient to explain these items and make her recommendations based on my preferences. After relatively quick deliberation, I submitted my choices and eagerly awaited the entree. The dish I ended up ordering was the Awaze Tibs. As I waited, I reflected and attempted to recall my previous experience with Ethiopian cuisine. Whilst I remembered the occasion and venue, I did not specifically have any take aways from the meal other than the fact that I simply enjoyed it. When the meal was delivered, my eyes were the first to feast on the platter. While simple in plating and presentation, the notion that the meal was infused with flavor was immediately apparent from the colorful notes that coated the beef cubes and slides while chopped green jalapenos added another splash of color. On the side was a freshly prepared house salad. All of this sat over the injera that met with the circumference of the aluminum plate like a perfectly sized placemat. The meal was paired with more injera that was carefully folded like a crepe ready to be unfurled for enjoyment. Followed by my taste buds, I could have not asked for anything more exhilarating to kick off my work-visit. The spice and aroma paired perfectly to provide a beautiful symphony that played out in my mouth. Eating with just my hands (this is the way), I enjoyed every bite of the beef as it paired with the delightfully sour-y injera. Having some bites with the fresh jalapeno, and some with the house salad, I ate until my belly could no longer - and even then I craved more. I continued to eat the injera that soaked up the juices and stew of the Awaze. Finally, after I was physically and spiritually satisfied, I surveyed the completed platter in a victorious gaze. What a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend to anyone staying at the Sheraton to give this place a try - there is no reason not to - as well as anyone in the Arlington area. It is a 100% must!

    Doro Wot
    Caleb J.

    Came to this family owned spot while getting my tires changed next door. I ordered the doro wot (chicken) and coffee. The doro wot was amazing, but the coffee wasn't as tasty as the coffee I've had at other Ethiopian restaurants in the area. The server was super nice and the food came out quickly. The decor was reminiscent of a local mom and pop spot and there were several families eating there when I visited. I'll definitely come back for the food!

    Vegan Tibs Vegetarian Combo
    Adithi M.

    I would highly recommend Dama! We shared the vegetarian combo and vegan tibs. Being vegetarian, I hadn't had Tibs before so I was so excited that Dama had vegan Tibs! The Vegan Tibs definitely lived up to my expectations. The flavors were delicious and the veggie combo was also excellent. The ambiance was great and the service was pretty fast! The restaurant wasn't too busy on a Friday night so not sure if you need a reservation. Overall I really enjoyed trying out the food at Dama! I also didn't get a chance to try them, but they have so many vegan alternatives of the typical meat dishes at other Ethiopian restaurants so I definitely want to come back to try out more.

    all the people there are so sweet and kind they treat you like family their cake is so moist and delicious I recommend the mango chocolate cake the most

    Jessica R.

    I seek out Ethiopian food wherever I am, since I don't have much opportunity to eat it near home and it's one of my favorite cuisines! This restaurant did not disappoint. My friend and I split the vegetarian combo and added both the vegan tibs and the vegan doro wat. Everything was delicious, and we were particularly impressed by their vegan protein. I also enjoyed my ginger tea and had a slice of the coffee velvet cake for dessert, and my friend enjoyed her coffee. Our server was very attentive and service was great. If you're in the area, I would highly recommend trying this restaurant.

    Flies laid eggs in the cake

    Nasty, disgusting, unsanitary. Got a cake, but it was full of flies. They just kept on coming out from the middle of the cake.

    Meat Combo
    Cassandra S.

    I love coming here for the meat and veggie special. I could eat it every day for a month! The way the parking lot is set up can make it a little difficult to park but if you go during non-peak hours you should have no problem.

    If you're seeking a culinary adventure that will leave you speechless, look no further than Dama. From the moment I stepped through the door, I knew I was in for a treat. The ambiance was warm and inviting with a lovely aroma of incense. Every dish was a masterpiece, a symphony of flavors that danced on my palate. We ordered the awaze tibs and the vegetable combo. I'm not exaggerating when I say that the food at Dama brought tears to my eyes. It was that good. It was the kind of experience that makes you grateful to be alive.

    Awaze tibs to go
    Jade H.

    I did myself a huge disservice by not coming to this restaurant sooner. I had tried to go in the past.. but it was always busy...too busy for me to even get a parking space. I guess that should have been a sign for me to keep trying!! Clearly I was missing out. Anywho, I ordered the Awaze tibs (my fav) and veggie combo to go, and it was some of the best Ethiopian I've had in Arlington! Everything was seasoned well, and the tibs weren't in a pool of oil like you may get at some other restaurants, but they weren't dry either. They were just right! The Veggie combo comes with Gomen (collard greens), Atakilt wot (cabbage, carrots, potato), Misir wot (red lentils), Kik alicha (yellow split peas), Shiro (ground split peas), and a green salad. I highly recommend ordering a meat dish and the veggie combo so that you can get a little taste of everything.. especially if you're a first timer! I didn't try any of their pastries or coffee this time around, but I'll definitely be back!

    The exterior.
    Emma Z.

    Dama is my favorite Ethiopian spot in Arlington. I've never had a bad meal here--in fact, every meal has been great. This is a perfect place for vegans and vegetarians to get a hearty, flavorful meal that isn't just a menu afterthought. You won't miss meat or dairy if you get the vegetable platter. There are also good meat selections if that's what you're looking for. A vegetarian sampler and 1-2 meat dishes will be more than enough for two people. Low contact pickup was very easy. They also have a nice, covered outdoor seating area if that's what you're looking for. The parking lot is small and tight so pickup might be the way to go, though. Tip generously!

    Vegetarian combo and Beef tibs.

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    Absolutely the best Ethiopian! Fresh and flavorful. Friendly service. Very welcoming.

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    2 years ago

    Wow! What a cool spot I'm glad I found. Great latte and had the cookies from the bakery. They are fresh and delicious. Great vibe.

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    3 years ago

    Delicious Ethiopian food. Eat here. I usually get the veggie combo. I've had cake and baklava from the bakery and they were good.

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    Dama Pastry and Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Dama Pastry and Restaurant

    Do you have gluten-free injera?

    Hi Rushie - we most certainly do.

    Are they still open during this time for take out?

    No, unfortunately they closed down in late March.

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    Enjera Restaurant - Guest's Order: Beef Injera Special

    Enjera Restaurant

    4.3(650 reviews)
    1.3 miCrystal City
    $$

    I came to Enjera for dinner and the food was delicious. Everything was seasoned to perfection and…read moreour server was really nice. We ordered the vegetarian sampler mixed with the meat sampler. My favorite parts of the meal were the chicken and lamb. It was a warm day so we sat on the back patio, which had good background music and curated a great vibe. I definitely suggest outside seating if it's a nice day when you try!

    I've been a customer here for a few years, I have mixed thoughts about this place…read more Nestled in the heart of the Aurora Highlands 23rd street restaurant strip, Enjera is a quaint, cutely-decorated eatery, adorned with paintings by Ethiopian artists, the city skyline of Addis Ababa, and framed French/Italian wine adverts. It's eclectic and encapsulates an element of the immigrant experience in how it's decorated. Likewise, despite three stars, I do keep coming back because the food is quite superb. Always flavorful and with a decent variety of traditional dishes on offer. Their veggie combo is among their signatures, and I often also get the Asa Spris (curried fish stew) when I visit. I do, unfortunately, have to dock a star here for some of the cuts they've had to make; a small side salad used to accompany most entrees, but now costs $9. I understand inflation is ever-present, but that's eyebrow-raising. Moreover, the injera they provide seems to be in smaller bundles than previously, usually not enough to complete a meal including the piece it is served on, which means you usually need to ask for more. And this segways to why I have to dock another star for the service quality; it could be much better lately. Typically, I find that I have to seat myself, which isn't a huge deal, but the waiters often disappear from the dining room for up to 15 minutes at a time. I've had to get up to refill my water or grab napkins from the waiter station, which I feel bad doing because it's technically not somewhere clients should be accessing on their own, but I often don't have any choice. Finally, the website hasn't been updated in years; don't look at the menu posted there unless you want to lament how inflation has taken its toll on affordability. Overall, I give Enjera props for having quality fare and a nice little venue, but there are some issues I'd encourage management to address.

    Photos
    Enjera Restaurant - Entrance lobby

    Entrance lobby

    Enjera Restaurant - Veggie Combo For 1

    Veggie Combo For 1

    Enjera Restaurant - Patio sitting area

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    Patio sitting area

    Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Awaze chicken and dereck tibs

    Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant

    4.6(702 reviews)
    4.2 miOld Town Alexandria
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Minority-owned & operated

    There are a lot of hip new Ethiopian places in DC. This Alexandria spot has been around a long…read moretime, and feels like it, for better or for worse. More for better in my opinion. The online ordering system was a bit baffling. There were a million boxes to check when I ordered a veggie combo, but it wasn't clear whether, for example, a drink was included or whether I had any actual choice of vegetables. I left it mostly alone. Their menu is varied. I had three different choices of sambusas, the fried savory pastry, and their mixed vegetable one had potatoes, green beans, and a distinctive sour spice mix. A more conventional spicy lentil creation also fit the bill. Getting a veggie combo to go left me with a bunch of small containers, each with a delightfully distinctive option. You'll get a wonderfully balanced meal this way, with many colors, flavors and textures. I opted to spend extra money to get 100% teff injera (this flatbread is usually made with a mix of Ethiopian grain and regular wheat when you order it at restaurants), which was spongy and a bit too crumbly for my liking. Gluten-free diners, and indeed most people with special dietary needs, will rejoice.

    Words cannot express how much I love this place. My friends and I have been here three times so…read morefar, and every time the food is exceptional, service is kind, warm and welcoming, and the ambiance is very calm and relaxing. Hawwi is such an absolute gem in our neighborhood. Prices are extremely reasonable, and the portions are huge! They are also extremely family friendly. I really appreciated that they had small actual silverware and mini bottles of water for kids. My favorite dishes are so far their lentil sambusas, the vegan sampler and the tilapia. The baklava is also absolutely out of this world. Please if you are in the neighborhood, visit this place. They will make you feel like family! I even used some of my leftovers for my daughters school lunch the next day, and she ate it all!

    Photos
    Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - #17 surrounded by a veggie sampler!  Tasty....

    #17 surrounded by a veggie sampler! Tasty....

    Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Super combo sampler! Sooo delicious

    Super combo sampler! Sooo delicious

    Hawwi Ethiopian Restaurant - Vegan sampler!

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    Vegan sampler!

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart

    4.4(902 reviews)
    3.8 miShaw, Downtown
    $$

    Super tasty food, fast service, friendly staff, very reasonable pricing…read more This has become a regular for my wife and myself. We eat here at least three times a month. We prefer to go on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday when the crowds are thinner. But don't hesitate for a Friday or Saturday night if we feel like eating their great food. The fare and service is always top notch whether it's hopping or sparse. We almost always get the vegan deluxe. If we feel like some meat, we add another dish and they are all good. I also enjoy their Ethiopian beer, Habesha Cold Gold. It is light, crisp, and refreshing with a clean finish. It has a mild malt sweetness up front, very light bitterness, just enough to balance and is smooth and clean with no heavy aftertaste The Vegan Deluxe is a combination plate that includes everything from a wonderful salad with fresh jalapeños and tomatoes to a wonderful assortment of lentils spiced in different way, also cabbage & carrots, and greens. I always feel good after our meals because the food is so fresh and beautifully done. Our pocketbook is grateful, too. My wife and I can leave with a bill of about $30 including food, a beer and tip. Not many places in Bethesda you can do that. The staff always smile and are helpful whether providing standard service or troubleshooting a challenge. The ambience is not upscale, but it's clean, beautiful, and filled with good people, whether it's the customers who are always having a good time, or the manager, who makes the rounds to ensure everything is going well.

    If I could give 10 stars I would. My boyfriend and I took a quick birthday trip to DC from NYC…read more This was a last minute dinner plan after we weren't sure how the rest of the day would look post bottomless brunch. WOWOWOWOW. small space so it gets packed quick. We didn't wait longer than 10 minutes to be seated. Our servers were so delightful and happy. My most pleasant surprise here has been the service !! They gave us great recommendations and even gave us a taste of all four honey wines they had to offer. We went with the house. YOU SHOULD GET THE HOUSE HONEY WINE !!!!!!! Everything we had was absolutely amazing. My vegan bestie got her veggie platter and my boyfriend and I split the beef tibs and were so so full and satisfied. We have been waiting for the opportunity to go back. This was our last restaurant stop during that trip, and it will be the first stop for our next. They play no games here !!!! Serious food, serious flavor, serious service!!!!!! We highly recommend!!!!!

    Photos
    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart
    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart - Vegan assortment with some kid of beef dish

    Vegan assortment with some kid of beef dish

    Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant & Mart - Same photo

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    Same photo

    Enat Restaurant - Vegetarian platter with ribeye tibs

    Enat Restaurant

    4.2(291 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    One of my favorite Ethiopian restaurants in the area. The food is always really tasty, and the…read morestaff is nice and friendly. I typically get a vegetarian combo and it always tastes delicious. On one visit, the owner stopped by our table and explained how Ethiopian food is typically eaten, which was such a thoughtful touch and really nice to learn. Overall, it's a great spot and one I'm always happy to come back to.

    Promising First Visit, Let Down the Second Time - Wish There is a Negative Rating…read moreDec 2025 * Friends I wish there was negative rating!!! This was my second visit to Enat Kitfo, and unfortunately, it was completely different from my first -- in a very disappointing way. The first time, I happened to be in the neighborhood and searched for an Ethiopian restaurant nearby. I decided to try Enat Kitfo because it was nearby, and I was genuinely impressed. The food was delicious, the service was excellent, and the server was kind and attentive. The owner even came to greet me, checked on my dish while I was eating, and made me feel welcomed. It was such a positive experience that I shared it with others and looked forward to coming back with my family. Because of that great first impression, I drove more than an hour for my second visit, this time with a friend who had just arrived from back home. We came around 6:00 PM, during the Eagles vs. Lions game in the 4th quarter -- it should have been a great evening. Unfortunately, the experience could not have been more different. The waitress was kind but inexperienced and had to ask the owner about everything. When the owner came out, he appeared unwelcoming and dismissive, which was surprising given how well he treated me during my first visit. As an Ethiopian who has lived in the Washington, DC area for a long time, this interaction reminded me of the old Ethiopian restaurant culture of the 1980s and 1990s, when Ethiopian customers were often treated poorly, while customers from other countries were treated as masters -- even though Ethiopia has never been colonized. Thankfully, competition have improved customer service standards over the years, which made this experience especially disappointing. We ordered Cotlet (fish) and Tsom Beyaynetu aka Veggie (Combo). The Cotlet (fish) was delicious, well prepared and enjoyable. However, it arrived without the combo. We waited, assuming the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) would follow, but no one checked on us. I eventually went to the bar to ask about it. The owner's response was simply "" (okay), with no concern or apology. When the combo finally arrived, it was delivered as if nothing had gone wrong. While the fish was very good, the Tsom Beyaynetu (Combo) -- which I had truly enjoyed during my first visit -- lacked flavor this time. There were many items on the plate, but none stood out as good. No one came back to check on us, and even ordering drinks required me to go to the bar myself. Overall, the service was extremely poor, worse than many Ethiopian restaurants from decades ago. With so many good Ethiopian dining options available today, I will not be returning. I truly want Ethiopian-owned businesses to succeed and flourish. However, I am accustomed to the American service standard and vote with my wallet. I do not accept neglect or disrespect as a customer. I hope this feedback is taken constructively so future customers are treated better and the business can improve. I wish Enat Kitfo the best, but without meaningful changes in service and consistency, it will be difficult to succeed in today's competitive environment.

    Photos
    Enat Restaurant - Vegetarian Combination with Whole Fish

    Vegetarian Combination with Whole Fish

    Enat Restaurant - Whole Fish and injera

    Whole Fish and injera

    Enat Restaurant

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    Dama Pastry and Restaurant - ethiopian - Updated May 2026

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