Desta Ethiopian Kitchen was suchhhh an incredible find! The food was absolutely delicious, with authentic flavors and a great variety of options to choose from. The portions were also incredibly generous, so there was plenty to enjoy and share between my boyfriend and I. Our servers were so helpful with it being our first time. I felt like we got to try a little bit of everything! One of my favorite parts was getting to try honey wine for the first time--it was such a delicious and unexpected find! If you're looking to try something different and experience Ethiopian cuisine, Desta is definitely worth checking out! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

First time trying the new location and I like it it's where Newk's use to be so there's ample free parking available. The quality of food is still good. I always get the veggie platter and it's filling. Staff were kind and courteous and I'd def be back. Place was clean, including the bathrooms which was nice. Food came out quick too. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I was randomly in the area and stopped by CamiCakes & this place. I've wanted to try this place for months. When I entered there wasn't a host to assist. I waited 5-7 minutes before flagging down someone. There was lots of seating but you're supposed to wait to be seated. It was a little dewy inside yet for the most part, clean. Server Mary was nice. I took her suggestion and ordered lamb tibs with injera & gomera... oh and a spicy sauce. I also tried samosas which were tasty. Total was under $30 Happy I tried it. read more

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Whether you're an Ethiopian food frequenter or this is your first time, Desta is a great middle ground where everyone can find something they'll like. It's also a large space so great for groups. I love the salmon tibs with Shiro. The salmon tastes fresh and the dish has great flavor. I also enjoy the collard greens side. It comes with enough injera where I don't need to order more. Parking: shared private lot. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Menu- June 2026 - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Amazing food fresh and healthy, the ambiance was 10/10. We loved our server, great playlist as well.

It was a clean place with great customer service. My waiter, Able was amazing. He kept checking on me and made sure I enjoyed the food. I had the spaghetti with a salad, and the pita bread was great. There was plenty of parking, and the food was not too spicy. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Wonderful food, service and ambiance! This was our first time trying Ethiopian food and we let our server know on the front end that this was a new experience for us. We had so much fun. She suggested going with the Meat Lovers where we chose Lamb, Ribeye, and Grouper and told her to surprise us on the sides to which I'm pretty sure (based on the vegetarian section of the menu) we got Ater (yellow split pea stew), Miser (spicy red split pea stew), and Mushroom Stew. We also got Injera and Pita bread to go with it along with flavored rice. Everything was spectacular and we had such a fun time! This was for two people so we definitely had leftovers. Can't wait to go back! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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It's fantastic to have Desta in the area-- there isn't a lot of Ethiopian restaurants around, and this is a favorite for many. That said, I didn't really love the food. The injera texture was very thin and it was hard to use it as a vessel for the food since it tore really easily. The salmon was VERY fishy, and the greens were super salty. Liked the mushrooms and the goat meat. We were there toward the end of the night, so we might have got the end of the stews, which became more concentrated. Not sure, but I probably won't go there again and order a shared platter. The service was fine, and the Ethiopian beer made it worth the visit. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Meat lovers - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Been here twice. Food is great and the atmosphere is fantastic & clean. The service needs improvement. Servers seem confused and all over the place, a bit unorganized and slow. read more

I took my parents here earlier this year, and they loved it so much they've been back at least five times since. In fact, my mom even requested it for Mother's Day. That's usually a pretty good sign. I've only had Ethiopian food at two other restaurants around the Metro Atlanta area, and honestly, neither one was particularly memorable. This place is a completely different story. Every time we visit, the experience is consistent, no matter how busy they are. The decor is inviting, the service is always friendly and attentive, and the restaurant is consistently clean and well-maintained. My wife and I usually share the Tibs Platter with ribeye, lamb, and filet. The meat is always incredibly tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. We also order the Miser (spicy lentils), Atir (split peas), and plenty of injera. The combination of flavors and textures is amazing, and every bite complements the next. One of the things I appreciate most is how approachable they make Ethiopian cuisine for first-time visitors. If you've never had Ethiopian food before, this is a great place to start. The staff is helpful, the food is flavorful without being overwhelming, and the experience is unlike anything you'll find at a typical restaurant. If you're ever in the Atlanta area and want to try Ethiopian food, this place will not disappoint. Even if you're a little hesitant about eating with your hands, don't let that stop you. After a few bites, you'll understand why so many people keep coming back. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *Tibs. - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Food and Service is always outstanding!! I literally never had a disappointment with this Restaurant. Great value for authentic Euretrian food! I hope never change and always stay thriving with business! read more

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Tried this place for the first time as takeout at their new location by the new Children's Hospital. I really hate reviewing places for takeout because it's not catching their food as it's meant to be, which is fresh and eaten in house, but heres my review... I ordered the chicken Tibs and added rice and mushroom. Absolutely delicious but it was spicy, I realized they cook it with jalapeños so next time I'll just ask for those to be omitted, no biggie. I got a side of potato stew which was very good! The injera was excellent and they give you a lot even with takeout so kudos to them. It was a lot of food for takeout (we all know restaurants skimp on takeout)!! I love trying new cuisines and I'll definitely be back cause the ambiance/Vibes were on point. Very nice restaurant decor and the bar (I'm usually a single diner) is very inviting. There are Several TVs for sports, always a plus. Service was limited cause it was take out but I did order in person cause I had questions so the limited interaction I had was great! Food - 5 stars Ambiance - 5 stars Service - 5 stars Overall - 5 stars Highly Recommend!! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Menu I - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Great for introducing people or getting introduced to Ethiopian food. The restaurant is spacious, bathrooms are clean, plenty of free parking spots in the plaza, and prices are reasonable for the portions. Only improvement I could think of is improving overall customer service. read more

Always wanted to try Ethiopian food. My friend was familiar with this restaurant. Amazing selection of good things. I loved it. Portions were generous. Loved those different vegetable dishes, but creamed mustard greens were awesome. I liked the cabbage and everything else on the plate. The Injera bread was interesting, and it reminded me of a thin dishwashing sponge, and tasted sauer. It was ok, but pita bread was my choice. However, I'm glad I tried it. Very healthy according to researchers, and also gluten free. My lamb bites were soft and tasty. I was told that, they don't serve pork. So I didn't have to worry about collard greens floating in a bacon grease. You didn't have to use bread to eat your food. Utensils were available. We saw a bottle of handsanita zer on every table Atmosphere was comfortable, clean, open, simple and friendly. Saturday dinner time was busy, but we were not rushed. Nice thing also was the fact that there were groups of women wearing a Hijab and not accompanied by men. They did serve alcohol and did have actual bar. Prices were average and the meal was definitely worth the drive. Culturally, and taste wise, this was one of the best restaurant visits I had recently. I will go back. Maybe next time I will leave room for dessert. read more

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We were visiting the Atlanta area and started looking for Ethiopian food. Desta came up as the #1 spot to eat and we happened to be close by. There were three people in our party and all were very satisfied with our food. We were a bit sceptical walking in as the outside is a bit worn. Don't let that keep you from dinning here. Their server was quick and polite. Our food came out quickly. Plenty of parking. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Ethiopian food is truly my digestive system's largest formidable foe... other fiber-sensitive individuals, beware. But my partner is obsessed with this cuisine, so I have to put my big girl pants on every once in a while and brave the ensuing aftermath in hopes that it's worth it. Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is worth it. I'm always looking for a way to save the coin, and they just happened to be offering a BOGO on Tibs through UberEats. Bet. We ordered the special with ground beef and cabbage and an extra veggie plate for pickup. Oh, and extra injera (DUH). Usually when I see BOGOs I expect the restaurant to supply less food for the offer. But naw, Desta gave us the whole FEAST. The bag was HEAVY heavy! I was excited and also scared given my... situation. We spent about $40 and it was more than enough for two hearty meals (so 4 meals in all). God be with me. An old friend told me Desta is more "Americanized". They definitely were not playing the typical music I've heard in other Ethiopian restaurants, and the ambience definitely catered to a more diverse crowd. But if Desta is indeed more "Americanized" in appearance, the flavor was not compromised at all. They used the traditional spices in ways that I hadn't experienced yet, and the veggie platter was FIREEEEEE. Hands-down, the most varied and extensive veggie platter I've had at an Ethiopian spot. It was all packaged amazingly, and the injera didn't get all soggy on the way home. Lifeless, soggy injera is just criminal. Pick-up was quick and easy, although the plaza was turnt and parking was difficult on the Friday evening we ordered. Now this food did exactly what I thought it was going to do me digestively. But honestly, I'd go through the pain all over again to eat here. The cherry on top was the offering of cute sugar-free mints packaged with the food and available at the counter, of which I grabbed many with no protest. Desta... y'all did that! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *Vegan Platter and one of *GF Ground Beef Combos and Injera - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Having never had Ethiopian food before, this blew out all my expectations and was an amazing meal full of so much flavor. We had the lentil sambusas to start which had a crisp outer shell and soft lentils on the inside. Great start to the meal. I had the "Original Meat Lovers" plate which features three meat dishes. The kifto was just lightly cooked minced meat that to me had the perfect texture and flavor. It's like a steak tartare but with so much more flavor. Probably the most unique item that I ended up liking the most. The gored gored was similar with having deep rich flavors that has adds a nice bit of spice to it. Flavor wise it is great but it is a little bit chewy. The biret mitad tibs are great as well. The flavor comes from the smokiness and the nice char on the meat. The addition of the onion and peppers add a lot to the flavor. Texture on the tibs are crisp and sharp which is a great change of pace from the other items on the platter. While I had never had injera before it was nice to try it. It has a light sour flavor to it and I quite enjoyed using it to eat my dishes. I think I don't quite like the sponge like texture to it but there are plenty of options to order if it isn't your thing. The music choices were great and our server was attentive. With how much food was on the meat lovers platter I was stuffed and almost disappointed I couldn't eat more. The food is fantastic and I would love to go back. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *The "Original Meat Lovers" - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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We met up with a few friends one afternoon for lunch here. It had been years since my husband and I had Desta at another location, but we remembered enjoying it. So, we were excited to check it out again after our friends said this was one of their go-to places. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. We were seated quickly, which was nice. Our server came quickly and gave us a bit of time to review the menu. Once our food came, we remembered the portions being a bit larger even for lunch, but we understand how restaurants have been impacted by this economy so we gave them a pass on that. But the chicken didn't have nearly as much flavor as we remembered, and the gomen was prepared completely different than the way it used to be prepared. It used to be sautéed with berbere and other seasonings. It was so delicious! Now there's no berbere and it was stewed or something, had way too much liquid and lacked in overall flavor. Not only that, but we definitely felt rushed to leave. We hadn't been there very long, but the server kept lingering and watching us after we'd paid and one friend was finishing up her dessert. There wasn't anyone waiting to be seated and there were other empty tables, but it was clear that she wanted us to leave. So, we got up and finished our convo outside. Needless to say, as for me and my husband, it's not as up to par as it used be. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *Chicken Tibs and *Plain Gomen with pita bread - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

So delicious every time! Love the design of the new location. Quick service and friendly staff, expansive menu with lots of options for all diets read more

They were very patient and accommodating with our table's dietary and allergy restrictions. Thank you Abel! The jalapenos are fresh (raw) and pack a punch if you aren't into spicy! Incredible spice blends in each bite! The food was fresh and the portions were huge! We had a vegan platter and a vegan entree with extra gluten-free injera. The booth was large and cozy for our family and the space is decorated with cultural and modern influences. Lots of natural light and tall ceilings. read more

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Desta makes me wish I lived closer to the area, it is THAT good. I had only had vegetarian Ethiopian food before, and wanted to try their meats--the flavors delivered! The restaurant itself is beautiful and well-lit, with plenty of seating and natural light. Loved the authentic decor and how the menu explained all of the dishes in detail. I loved the sampler and the ability to choose the types of injera we could enjoy. The meats were all divine--well-seasoned, balanced by the flavors and spices of all the sides. The beets were a standout to me, they added sweetness to the spiciness of the remainder of our sides. The hostess was so kind and hospitable and even let me charge my laptop (as I was on a work lunch). So glad we tried Desta and will definitely stop by again when I'm in the area! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *The Original Meat Lovers" - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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Habesha food is my fave. How wonderful to see a fast casual Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta! I have always been disappointed with Ethiopian food in Atlanta andy first visit was nice, but I'm blown away on how good they did with a delivery to my hotel room, so Desta is now my favorite Ethiopian in ATL. I'm still on the search for authentic Doro Wat though! Was bummed that there wasn't Doro Wat available on the menu, but the short rib tibs and lamb tibs we ordered hit the spot. I got an extra Tomato Fitfit, extra injera, extra Ayib, and ordered miser and gomen as sides. Absolutely delectable. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

We went to Desta to celebrate a friend's birthday and what a time we had! The service was amazing, from the front to our server and even another staff member who offered to take photos of our group. The food was excellent, affordable and filling. The cocktails were really good too. The music playlist was great vibes. Finally, their bathrooms were clean and smelled nice. read more

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TLDR: good ribeye tibs, good lamb, will be back First time at new location, decor is much nicer / more modern than before. Entree: For four people we got lamb tibs and meat lovers platter with ribeye, filet mignon, and goden tibs. Goden tibs were not as good as I remember, a little overcooked and borderline burnt but still pretty tasty. Ribeye and lamb were the best meats, pretty tender and flavorful although the ribeye was also just a bit drier than it has been in the past so could've been an off day. Still very good and I will be back Sides: Gomen, tomato fit fit, miser, and potato stew. Gomen is my favorite but it doesn't taste or look like regular collard greens. Tomato fitfit was also nice and acidic to pair with the meats, and the potato stew is nice and spicy. The miser is good if you like lentils. Excellent service, very attentive. read more

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Food always hits! Never left disappointed. My favorite is the salmon I have been to multiple locations and like this one the best! I reserved a table for my graduation and everyone enjoyed the platters! Service was patient as everyone figured out what to order, very personable! Ambiance is very nice and great for dinner or a celebration! Most importantly you will leave full and satisfied! read more

Why haven't I tried Ethiopian food before...OMG!! Service: EXCELLENT *Our server, Sampson, was funny, friendly and super attentive. Being that we were new to the restaurant and to Ethiopian food all together, he gave us recommendations as well as the cultural history and significance to the dishes. Food: EXCELLENT *Everything and I mean EVERYTHING we ate was absolutely delicious. The flavor profile was so perfect that there's no need for any other seasonings like salt or pepper. The cook on the salmon was perfect as well. My advice is if you've never had Ethiopian food or even if you have but not at Desta, you have to try it. Trust me, even for non-adventurous diners, it's worth it. The atmosphere is so inviting and the food is top notch. read more

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We love coming here! Me and my husband got carry out the other night and our usual order tibs with a side of lentils and rice. The food is always prepared so fast and hot when we get it. We will definitely be back! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Desta is a good Ethiopian restaurant (with 2 locations in ATL). The Briarcliff / North Druid Hills location is the relocated restaurant that was on Clairmont / Briarcliff. Because of that, it feels newer, cleaner, but maybe also a little cramped? Good thing is you don't have to worry about parking - it's plenty and free! Having a reservation helps but they move through tables quickly - so while you might wait a little it's worth it - especially for reasonably priced Ethiopian food. We went there as a group of 7, and were seated pretty quickly (after the entire party was there). Their menu is simple - they have a few apps, their signature entrees, speciality dishes, salads. You can't go wrong! I do wish they had more descriptions of their dishes to make it easier to follow but the staff is helpful and you can ask them to explain the dishes and also ask for recommendations. On the table we got the sambusa - beef filled spring rolls, and they were delicious I got the lamb tibs - cubed lamb pieces with Ethiopian spices and onions, bell peppers. I picked the injera bred and the miser - a lentil stew with more spices. On the table - people got the chicken tibs, chickpea stew (shiro fir fir) and the vegan platter! Everyone was satisfied. I will say the tibs were seasoned well, cooked to perfection and the injera bread was light and fluffy with the slight tanginess, which just worked well with everything. I have been to several Ethiopian restaurants in other cities/states, and Desta is more casual/commercial vs. traditional/authentic but still a great dining option. read more

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Hands down STILL my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the metro Atlanta area. YES, I've tried others. I still go back to Desta. And now that the west side location has been added, I love them even more. The veggie flavors are consistent. The injera is FRESH. Service is always on par. My always and forever fav . read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *Vegan Platter - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

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We went for an early lunch, looking to try something new. Desta did not disappoint! Our waiter Yohannes was very knowledgeable and made great recommendations. We weren't sure what to order for the kids and he suggested some modifications for our picky eaters. I wish I had taken more pictures. My girls enjoyed it, one had spaghetti and the other had the chicken. For an appetizer I had the sambusa which was sooo good. Everything was delicious, the restaurant is very clean and family friendly. We will definitely be back read more

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Great place for beginners. My family enjoyed the experience overall. I recommend family style if you're with 4 or more people. Ethiopian food is best when shared together. We had the beyond meat, salmon, chicken, and lamb. All were seasoned well but the chicken and salmon were on the dry side. That didn't matter much since you eat multiple veggies with it. I really enjoyed the cabbage and beet side dishes. Overall a nice experience for newbies and the service was helpful by giving us their recommendations. read more

The new location is absolutely stunning!! The waiter was an absolute jewel. We had the trio with 2 meats and 1 vegetarian so that my parents who had never had Ethiopian food could have a full experience. Well done Desta, my parents LOVED IT!! We shall return next time they are in town. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - First time for my folks to try Ethiopian deliciousness!!! - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

Food was absolutely phenomenal, every dish was amazing and flavorful. Our server, Dwayne, was wonderful and attentive as well. read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *The "Original Meat Lovers" - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

This was our first time at this location! It is a new location and has a great atmosphere! The service was above and beyond from our server! We had the meat platter which was a perfect choice for two people to share. My favorites were the chicken, collards and potato stew! read more

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen - *Meat Lovers Tibs - Ethiopian Near Me - Atlanta, Georgia

I visited Desta for the first time with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday and we had a great time. It was about 13 of us, and even thought the area where we sat was kinda tight we were comfortable and our server was amazing and very attentive! My husband and I decided to share a meal and we ordered the Meat Lovers. This is a tray where you can choose any 3 meats, 3 breads and 3 sides. For our meats we chose Lamb, Ribeye and Filet Mignon. For our breads we chose Pita bread and injera. Injera are spongy sourdough flatbread served in rolls, very traditional in Ethiopian food. For our sides we chose the rice, potato stew and mushroom stew. I don't think I was expecting portions to be this HUGE! Needless to say we had a lot of leftovers. The menu states 2 people can share this meal but I'd say 4 people can comfortably share. Now as per flavors, AMAZING! Everything I tasted was so flavorful and well seasoned. I was a little scared about spice but nothing too crazy. We also ordered the dulce de leche cheesecake and it was okay. Other people ordered the tiramisu and said it was pretty good. All in all awesome experience at Desta trying Ethiopian food for the first time. I definitely want to come back and try more things! ESPAÑOL Visité Desta por primera vez con un grupo de amigos para celebrar un cumpleaños y nos lo pasamos genial. Éramos unos 13 y, aunque el espacio donde nos sentamos era un poco reducido, estábamos cómodos y nuestra mesera fue increíble y muy atenta. Mi esposo y yo decidimos compartir y pedimos el Meat Lovers. Se trata de una bandeja en la que puedes elegir 3 carnes, 3 panes y 3 guarniciones. Para nuestras carnes elegimos cordero, ribeye y filete miñón. Para nuestros panes elegimos pan de pita e injera. Las injeras son panes planos esponjosos de masa madre que se sirven en rollos, muy tradicionales en la comida etíope. Para nuestras guarniciones elegimos arroz, guiso de patatas y guiso de champiñones. No me esperaba que las raciones fueran tan ENORMES! No hace falta decir que nos llevamos mucha comida. El menú indica que pueden compartir esta comida 2 personas, pero yo diría que pueden compartir cómodamente 4 personas. En cuanto a los sabores, ¡INCREÍBLE! Todo lo que probé tenía mucho sabor y estaba bien condimentado. Me daba un poco de miedo el picante, pero no estuvo tan mal. También pedimos la tarta de queso con dulce de leche y estaba bien. Otras personas pidieron el tiramisú y dijeron que estaba bastante bueno. En general, fue una experiencia increíble en Desta, probando comida etíope por primera vez. ¡Definitivamente quiero volver y probar más cosas! read more

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Desta came highly recommended, I had to try it on this last trip to the ATL. Traffic out here is crazy, so I did Uber eats. I went with the Short ribs and Lamb dish with a side of lentils and greens and it was out of this world. Oh yeah, and cottage cheese as well, that brought all the flavors together somehow. I love Ethiopian food, and Desta did not disappoint. read more

One of my favorite places to eat in ATL.. Dood is always on point and delicious. Service is great too.

I've eaten here for years and tge food is always fresh & delicious I can't eat here enough. Try it and you will constantly take friends and business associates here for a superb experience! read more

Our waiter was Isaac he was the best waiter there and was very attentive and knowledgeable on the menu and friendly the food was 10/10 consider coming very hungry because they have large portions and there coffee is the best I have had in a long time also the food was good quality and very hot Will return again read more

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

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