4. Restaurants

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

3086 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30329
  • (404) 929-0011
  • Store is closed

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen Menu

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  • Kyra M.

    If you know me then you would understand that I don't like the idea of eating with your hands in a group setting. It screams, "GERM CITY!" However, I put that fear aside and decided to try Ethiopian food for the first time. I am so glad that I did too. I brought my sister with me on this epic journey on a rainy Thursday night. Needless to say, it was quite the turnout. They seated us upstairs and I think I actually liked it more because the bar is close and it seems more open than below. Tatiana is a wonderful server and very attentive to all requests. The injera is the most common Ethiopian bread. It's made from teff flour and is used to scoop the food up. Ours was quite cold, and I prefer a less spongey warm bread. We opted for the pita bread. Sister and I shared the meat platter. It was so delectable too. The fish tibs were my favorite. The lamb tibs are good as well. I was no longer worried about the germ issue as I licked my fingertips and tried not to cross contaminate my sister. The gomen (collards on crack) were a great side choice. The miser soup was delish. I finished with an espresso and was very satisfied to say the least.

    (4)

  • Alexander M.

    I had lunch with my daughter here today. I was sceptical because i like eating at home. But this was so well done, it was like eating a home cooked meal. My wife would kill me if she new I wrote this. I had the steak option. Well done but juicy how i like it. and the split pea side

    (5)

  • Christine U.

    I can't believe I've never written a review for this place. This is probably my favorite ethiopian restaurant (and I've been to a lot...it's easy when they're always in a cluster.) Compared to other places it feels a little more American-y because of the look and options on the menu. And it feels less like someone's kitchen/home than a lot of the other places. As far as bringing groups for a dinner out, it's definitely a better option because it's always bumpin on weekend nights. Those things are neither positive nor negative for me when it's just two people, but what is important is that their awaze is the bomb. Their food in general is awesome. My boyfriend and I normally split the kitfo (raw, it's the only way really.), awaze lamb tibs and the veggie platter (yes, we eat a lot.) I'm getting hungry just thinking about how good it is. But everything's good really. Just go. It's nice. It's delicious. Get the tej (can't go wrong with fermented honey right?) Love it so much I had my birthday dinner here! Ate everything. so good.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    Maybe the best meal I have had in a long, long time! We got the meat lovers dinner and sweet Ethiopian white wine. The wine was delicious and our dinner was out of this world. We got the filet, lamb, and tilapia. Everything was perfectly seasoned and well prepared. We also got the side of lentil which was fantastic. Love this place, can't wait to go back!!

    (5)

  • Danny L.

    To start off, this is my 3rd time at Desta and the service and food have been consistently awesome! Also, they've remodeled the inside seating about two months ago to modernize the look. I will say as a "heads up" that if you go during a busy time(i.e. weekend nights), you could be sitting almost shoulder to shoulder to other parties, so hope you're not claustrophobic. The space inside is pretty small; and during winter weather like tonight, you probably wouldn't want to sit on their outdoor patio area. Parking is easy and free. They have their own private lot, so no worries there. For the food, we got the Meat Lovers(feeds 2), which consisted of 3 meats of your choosing(we got lamb, rib eye, and fish) and two sides. The sides are Gomen (collard greens finely chopped and served with chili and spices) and Ater(seasoned cabbage and carrots). You also get a choice of a carb. I usually get the Injera(an Ethiopian sourdough bread which has a very sponge-like texture. So if you don't like a sourdough/sponge mix, you may want to choose another option like rice or pita bread). Unfortunately, we came 1 1/2 hours before closing and they informed us that they were out of Injera for the night, so we got rice instead(bummer). The food is great! The spices/seasonings in the meats are powerful, aromatic, and will definitely have your palette doing cartwheels. I definitely recommend the fish, which is my current favorite there. They also throw in jalapenos which adds a nice kick. The vegetables are well seasoned, also. I've heard from others who've claimed that Desta isn't the most authentic Ethiopian food, but I say that great food is great food, and Desta definitely delivers on that. The reason why a 5/5 rating immediately came to mind is because the staff is AMAZING and have been incredibly nice and attentive during all 3 of my visits.

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    My first Ethiopian restaurant experience and I was very impressed. Large group of us came in on a Sunday morning and were immediately seated in the large upstairs area. Service was prompt and very accommodating to answering all our many questions. I was immediately very impressed with how elegantly it was decorated compared to its very casual exterior. Good enough for a nice date night. The menu was initially overwhelming there are English translations in the corners. For drinks, I tried both of the honey wines and found them as sweet as a Moscato. For food, our table decided to share multiple plates of the veggie and meat platters. The meat platters came with 3 choices of meat, collard greens , and steamed cabbage. Our side of the table decided on fish, lamb and steak for our meats. It was DELICIOUS. I could not pick a favorite. Loved it all. Wished I had more of the veggie sides. The collard greens and cabbage were on point. We got the injera (Ethiopian sour bread) for our carb with the meal. I've had it before and I'm just not a fan. I found the texture to remind me of soggy sourdough bread. You can always ask for rice or pita bread instead. Overall, we had a great experience and left full. We ended up splitting the Meat Lover's platter between 3 people so it was definitely affordable.

    (4)

  • Thu M.

    Needed protein, so came here. Had the Ethiopian injiera tortilla thing, which soaked up the flavor of the meat well. Wasn't so hungry, but looks like the food could really fill you up, especially with the gray tortillas! Need to try more Ethiopian foods after this experience! Fun crowd here, everyone was enjoying their finger foods.

    (4)

  • Nicki K.

    One of my friends favorite cuisine is Ethiopian, so I've been wanting to try it for the longest time. I finally got a chance the other night meeting up with Christina K. for dinner since we've both wanted to try it. Briarcliff is the mecca for Ethiopian cuisine. There are many to choose from. The reason why I chose Desta is because of the great reviews here and a friend says it's her favorite Ethiopian restaurant. The restaurant is smaller than I expected judging from the outside. We wanted to try a variety of food so we chose the veggie and meat platter (3 meats). The waitress warned us it would be a lot of food but that'll be okay. We could take left overs home. For appetizers, we got the sambura lentils. It's the Ethiopian versions of eggrolls. It was so good. It's the perfect blend of yumminess, crispiness, and flavor. OMG, that sauce is off the chain. It's so spicy and good. I want more. I'm a chicken girl. I don't do beef or lamb. Okay, maybe lamb sometimes, depending on how it's cooked. Most of the time, I don't like it cause it taste like beef or too gamey. My choices for the meat platter were chicken, fish, and lamb. I wanted to see how the lamb would taste. Tortilla looking rolls came out. Later I found out, it's called injera. It had a spongey feeling. I figured it's to eat with our yummy meat and veggie platter. Our huuuuuuuuuge plateful of meat & veggie platter was brought out. It took over our whole table. We were quite impress with the presentation. I can tell you that I tried everything on there. I cannot tell you the names of the dishes. All I can say is that the lamb is good. The chicken, of course, is my favorite. The fish is yummy. The meats are just so tender and juicy, cooked to perfection. I'm so glad I got to experience Ethiopian food. So happy I came and cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Gilman W.

    Amazing food with very friendly informative staff that explained everything to us. We got two vegetarian plates and wow what a perfect meal for three people. It was nice to have something that had a little of everything. Every single dish on the plate was amazing, really hard for me to pick out a favorite. I also got the fish sandwich even though I felt full and I'm glad I did. Best fish sandwich I've ever had. Tasted amazing and didn't have any kind of fish odor. I think we got there right before the rush so we got to sit right away. When we left it was starting to get packed so maybe calling ahead would be a god idea.

    (5)

  • Alvin W.

    I love this place. They have great food and good customer service and the have a great atmosphere. This place has a good location as well. A very nice place to go during lunch just call your order on ahead as the cook your order when you give it. Price wise is a little high but worth it.

    (5)

  • Priti J.

    After my review the management of desta actually contacted me and apologized for the bad experience we had. They also refunded our money. It's really nice of them. I appreciate the fact that they take criticism very well and try to improve. I am adding one more star because of them contacting me. I will definitely give desta another try.

    (4)

  • Jinsoon Y.

    Large venue and great for groups Go for the lamb and fish also the veggie plate Plenty of parking Price is decent. There are cheaper places but they compensate with atmosphere. Some friends of mine have complained about the service but my experience was good.

    (4)

  • Kaung S.

    I've been here 3 times now and I've had a good all around experience every time. All those times have been for dinner, and I usually get there after their initial dinner rush. It's nice they have longer hours so you can show up at 10:00pm and still not feel rushed. You can sit inside, or take the slightly more open outside patio area in warmer months. I honestly haven't paid too much attention to the decor, but just the look of it feels like a log cabin for some reason. But very open and airy. It does have a hip vibe, and always seems to have a decent gathering of customers. Food wise, I've gotten the meat tibs + 2 side tems most of the time. You can pick from a wide variety of meat dishes, served with various sides. Most meats are cooked with onions and peppers, and well seasoned with some spices. Lots of flavor, and the meat is savory and not overcooked. If you don't know what a certain side dish is, their menu has a glossary of terms on the side to help you out. I really like that feature! Some of the side dishes I can vouch for are the miser (stewed lentils), gomen (suateed collard greens), and ater (split peas). If you've never had it before, I would almost liken it to Indian food, except maybe less use of milk or butter. You will also receive their signature injera, which I could only describe as a spongey pancake roll that you use to "cup" your food (if you want to eat the traditional way with your hands... oh, and PLEASE wash your hands first. They have some extra sinks for that). Dessert wise, I've had their baklava. It's a very sweet and flaky pastry, and you can get it hot or cold depending on your mood. It's good, but I would suggest the Napoleon cake first. It too is flaky, but filled with a light cream, perfect amount of sweetness. Everything is just really balanced, and you got a nice sized portion too. And although I haven't had them, there's a few types of cheesecakes available too. If you're lucky enough to sit by the one seat that's right in front of the cake display, you'll get an upclose look before deciding on which one you want. I would also recommend you go with a few friends and try sharing a platter. Most recently got the 3 meat platter. It'll get you in the spirit of communal eating, as everyone takes a little bit of each dish and enjoy a good chat with one another. It's a different experience than most restaurants you'd go to where everyone has an individual order. Service wise, I've never had any complaints and the servers are glad to answer questions or make suggestions. I think pretty much everyone who works there is Ethiopian too, so they have a good idea on this stuff is supposed to be. If you want something a little out of the ordinary, that is full of flavor, definitely check out Desta! I'd like to try some other Ethiopian places in the future for comparisons sake, but the bar has been set for the others to match.

    (5)

  • Pat G.

    I went here for lunch and was pleased by the amount of food that they give you! Everything was so good! Service was great!

    (4)

  • Tuong Vi P.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is entirely worthy of its high rating and I'm just here to add fuel to the fire that's been roaring for 426 reviews before I came along. Great service. I won't get into it, because there is an abundance of reviews here. I have only gotten tibs, since I have visited twice so far. I'm not a seafood or lamb fan (yes, crucify me now, for the millionth time) but I eat mostly everything else, so I have tried the ground beef, filet mignon, ribeye, and chicken tibs. I've had tablemates get the fish and lamb and rave about them too, so it appears that you just can't go wrong. Everything is exquisitely spiced and you can tell just as soon as you enter the premises. The aromas permeate the air and get your appetite going if you weren't too hungry coming in. Injera is interesting and after having it one time before, yesterday, I thorough enjoyed the spongy texture and sour flavor, as they complement the spices of the meats and sides so well. I have tried house salad, gomen (braised collard greens), miser (stewed lentils), rice, and tomato fitfit (ripped pieces of injera in spicy tomato sauce, served cold). I can't wait to try other sides. For now, I am excited to get through the tibs section but once I've had my fill, I will give in to the other areas of the menu that keep beckoning. Oh, on top of delicious food, the portions are not for the faint of heart. I ate quite a bit for lunch and took home the rest. Because I was still pretty satiated from lunch, I only ate a half of that and as I write this review at 9:47 a.m., I am digesting the rest that I had for breakfast. What a way to start the day!

    (5)

  • Ed S.

    Other Yelpers before me got this right. Super place! Had the Kitfo Dare-Devil (raw) and it was phenomenal. Coupled with an Ethiopian Amber beer - and injera of course - it is a place worth seeking out...!

    (5)

  • Mo L.

    Everytime I come to Atlanta, I make Desta a priority. Delicious food, superb atmosphere and a guaranteed amazing experience. If you're going with a group I recommend getting the meat combination platter (enough to feed 2-4) and adding the goden tibs. You never leave disappointed, and that's a Mo L. guarantee!!!

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    Found this place through other elite yelpers. Turns out this place to be next to Himalayan Spices ( another decent restaurant) . We came here with a group of 5 and we decided to share everything. A few of us have never ate Ethopian food and a few have done that. Food: We ordered the meat lover platter and a few sides. Sambusas and the rare beef tortilla style. Overall, it was enough to feed 3 of us and share it across 2 other additional people. We had the chicken, lamb and the steak. The quality of the food was great. Fresh wraps for the food and came out in a rapid manner. 4/5 Service: They sat us down right away, but it took a while for our waiter to get our order. However, the details of the service was great. They refilled the water, brought out napkins, and new plates. 4/5 Atmosphere: it looks this was in a two story house, which seemed to be converted in a restaurant. The place decoration seems to dates back to 1900s. It was very nicely decorated. However, the spacing between tables weren't big enough if you had multiple people getting up to go to the bathroom and you encounter a waitress in between the walking way. Parking lot was kind small because it was shared between 3-4 restaurants. So it was very limited. 3.5/5 Overall - I definetely would come back again to try the vegan options. this place even serves Breakfast!

    (4)

  • Kristin B.

    How have I never had Ethiopian food before?! This corner is an Ethiopian food corner, with at least four other spots within walking distance. However, now that I've tried Desta, it will be incredibly difficult to try any of the others, because it is so good. We were seated on the patio and took advantage of the hand-washing stations before we tour off hunks of injera (a sponge-y sourdough-y flat bread) and dug into our vegetarian platter (a sampling of eight of their veggie sides and salads) and an order of the lamb tibs (lamb bits cooked in a savory/spicy spice blend with big chunks of rosemary and jalapeno). Everything was delicious - flavorful, unique, and fresh. Even better, it was a phenomenal food value, with each meal only costing around $12. Though we took leftovers from our entrees home, we still saved room for dessert. And saving room is a necessity, because even their cheapest dessert, the baklava at just $2 is a huge wedge at least twice the size you might find at your typical Mediterranean bakery. Topped off with a cup of incredibly rich Ethiopian coffee, it was a meal to remember. It might have taken me too long to make it out to Desta, but I won't stay away now that I know what I was missing.

    (5)

  • Christina T.

    I'm new to Ethiopian cuisine, but thoroughly impressed. Most of the time I don't know what to expect when I order a dish, but I don't really care because every dish is infused with so many spices and flavor that it turns out awesome. My boyfriend isn't a fan of injera ( the squishy bread with holes in it), but I love using my hands/ injera to scoop up all that food. I usually use my hands like a barbarian to eat anyways - at Desta I don't need an excuse to. I can tell that the staff here are happy that people are trying (and enjoying) Ethiopian food. The waitresses/waiters patient and helpful in explaining what a dish is. Awesome food!

    (5)

  • Caylie C.

    My favorite place ever! I probably eat here at least once a week. The food is so good, the miser is my all time favorite. I've never left disappointed!

    (5)

  • Joyous S.

    I absolutely love this place! It is the best Ethiopian food Atlanta by far. I always like to get the fish tibs with shiro! You can always get the meat lovers as well and sample the meats of your choice! The lamb and chicken is great too!

    (4)

  • Clara C.

    Ethopian food is my new Indian food. I just love flavorful meat swimming in sauce and satisfying my primal instinct to just dig into delicious food with my bare hands/injera. That being said, probably not the best first date spot. I've had the chicken tibs here which I got spiced up and it was HOT, but so so good. Definitely get injera with the tibs. I also tried the short rib tibs which I did not care for. It was dry (not swimming in sauce like I like), which wasn't what I was expecting at all. The tibs are a pretty generous portion so you could get away with sharing an appetizer and tibs.

    (5)

  • Daniel T.

    We had DESTA to cater for a special occasion and we could not ask for anything better. Thank you Titi for making it so special . For anybody thinking an Ethiopian catering Desta will make your event super special.

    (5)

  • Mellie B.

    Meh. I went here with my mother because we love Ethiopian food and read and heard good things about it. While it certainly wasn't the worst place I've ever eaten, it is probably the worst Ethiopian food I've had. There were some good points. It was clean and the staff is friendly, but sadly that's the best of it. The space is dark and cramped. We ordered a tiny appetizer, one mixed platter to share and a salad. Even after getting rid of the appetizer plate the table was so small I thought something was going to fall off any second. If we had each ordered an entrée I don't think it would have been feasible to eat at the same table. Most of the food was lackluster, but there were a couple items that were actually inedible. The bean paste condiment tasted like some sort of cleaning agent and the cooked greens were gritty, which is a major no no in my book. I live for a good plate of tomato fit-fit, but theirs was just so so. We tried a lot of things, but sadly didn't find anything worth going back for.

    (3)

  • Lawrence C.

    The reviews are accurate. This is a find. Quality food, friendly service, and great prices demand a visit for anyone. If you are unfamiliar with Ethiopian food, as I was, think indian, but perhaps a little coarser. The presentations are colorful, and ample. Extra ordering of food and wines/beer, totaled $60/couple. Excellent value. I thinks it's impossible to get any meat dishes prepared any way other than well-done, which makes the meat tougher. This was tru for the lamb and ribeye that was ordered last night. However, everything was very flavorful, and a few items were hot/spicy. Small dining room, but active patio dining. Good selection of beers, and desserts. Bottom line, I would return.

    (4)

  • Janet B.

    Love Desta! Had read the reviews for some time and it was a definite on my bucket list. I essentially had to drag my boyfriend there (he had a bad experience with Ethiopian food and vowed he hated it). Total score. Ordered lamb, ribeye and fish tibs. I believe it was Meat Lovers Platter..totally the way to go here! Chose to go with the awaze with the lamb, great spice but not over the top.Fantastic. Savory, fantastic spice, and tender. Both he and I loved it. I officially converted him! Very chill atmosphere. We opted for patio, which was quite pleasant. Great midweek dinner night out. Cheap eats, great food. If you want Ethiopian food in Atlanta, this is a go to.

    (4)

  • Ruth J.

    This was our first time here. We were headed to another restaurant, but the crowd at this spot pulled us in..and we will be back. We had the fish tubs along with the veggie combo plate and it was very good. Excellent favors, good portion size, but a tab too spicy. Service was decent. Our meals were $12 each. Good value.

    (4)

  • Whitlee H.

    I been to this place twice and I love the food. It's encouraged to eat with your hands here too. It's clean and nice inside. It's a great place for a date. They have a outside patio for seating as well. The service is fast and they are friendly as well. The menu has translations on the side and things are explained. Parking is easy and free. Reservations are recommended because it can get crowded.

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    Had dinner here a while back it was amazing. There was a bit of a wait and the place was crowded, but we could order a bottle of wine while we waited. Once we sat down service was quick and the recommendations from the server were great. Excellent food and value.

    (5)

  • Ryan F.

    Desta is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the Atlanta area. The food is utterly satisfying. Flavors are subtle but completely pop with each mouthful of tib-laden injera I cram in. The servers are always super-friendly even during their crowded peek hours. Typically we (party of 2) just make an order of fish tibs and ribeye tibs and call it a night. The ribeye has that caramelized fatty, unctuous beef flavor while the fish remains a bit leaner but a crunchy textural delight. Add in a side of the lentils and potato stew and I'm spent. The use of spices couldn't be any more perfect - all food should be seasoned/spiced this well. You get just the slightest creeping heat from the jalapeño and berber, savory notes from garlic and spice, along with tang of tomato and citrus. Top off a piece of slightly sour, yeasty injera and you've got a bite fit for kings. The injera is perfect, the tibs sublime and the atmosphere is celebratory and often crowded without being flat-out annoying. During warm weather they also have a great patio. Lastly, they're open late night (kicking myself for not going there) and a drive through. I've tried the competition and it doesn't come close.

    (5)

  • H R.

    I was not a huge fan of the one other Ethiopian restaurant I tried. Willing to give the cuisine another shot. Desta was much better than the other restaurant I tried. We sat outdoors on the patio. The flavors were good. I had the Godon. It was a little fatty but still tasty. I can't speak to authenticity but it was full of Ethiopian people. Good sign when people of a particular background are eating in that establishment.

    (4)

  • Heather N.

    I've been here about a half dozen times and always sit on the deck, but they don't heat it in winter, so were forced to sit at a fairly awkward table in the dining room. Noticed servers entering a hallway throughout our meal, turns out that they have a swanky lounge *upstairs*! Will try that next time, and hopefully they have different music up there, because the smooth jazz they were featuring downstairs was painful. Cheers~

    (4)

  • David W.

    Desta seems to the the place we end up at for Ethiopian. Tried some other places but this place takes the cake (or pi - given the date today). The staff is always, always helpful and very generous with their time. They will explain every little thing on the menu to you and even talk about their culture and background. The food is so unbelievably tasty, all I can say is you must try it yourself. I always get the veggie plate so I can taste a bit of everything possible. The meat is good too but I like the variety of items on the veggie plate.

    (5)

  • Claudia G.

    WOW, WOW, WOW. This place serves the most flavorful Ethiopian I've ever tasted! Their miser wot is INCREDIBLE and I strongly recommend getting their dishes with the Awaze sauce. Definitely not for the faint of heart when it comes to spicy-hot food, though. The heat was persistent enough to put my boyfriend almost under the table, sweaty eyes, forehead and everything - but the dish was too good not to finish. The menu is a bit...complicated though. It takes time to reference their little glossary. A lot of vegetarian options but not fully sure how vegan the place is as butter may be hidden in some of the dishes. For a group of 4 adults and 1 kid we didn't even come close to breaking $70. Excellent pricing for excellent food.

    (5)

  • S R.

    Last night we visited this place we couple of friends of mine. When we reached their place was pretty packed, we got table upstairs. Recently they have renovated this place. Ambiance was good. Though people are loud over there. If you want your dinner place to be quite, surly you will not like this place. Top to bottom everything is authentic about this place, be in beer, be in wine, be it food. And that is the sole reason why you will find loads of ethnic people in this restaurant. Now coming to the food, we ordered the meat platter (comes with 3 types of meat of your choice) and vegetable platter. We ordered 2 portions of Lamb and 1 portion of chicken. These dishes come with unlimited serving of Ethiopian bread which is known as Injera. Both these dishes are of sharing type, so you order a plate and share with your friends. The vegetable platter consists of 7-8 types of vegetable dishes like cabbage, spinach, lentil etc. Portions are pretty big. We found that the curry for the Lamb and chicken tasted the same, but meats were cooked to perfection. Food was very very good, and chefs can cook it as par your spice tolerance (we requested spicy). Surly I am going back to this place soon.

    (4)

  • Rusty W.

    This is our third time at Desta and it does not disappoint! Having lived in Ethiopia for a couple of years, we often miss authentic injera ba wat. This is as good as it gets. The service is outstanding.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    Absolutely my go-to. I moved to the area having never tried Ethiopian food before, and went out on a limb. First visit, the servers were very friendly in explaining the different food, and Ive liked everything Ive tried since then. This is now the restaurant that I take friend to, get a to go order, and hangout at late night. Great patio during good weather too

    (5)

  • Christine R.

    Four of us ventured to Desta on a Saturday evening recently, and were bowled over by the wonderful food! Two of us are vegetarian, and had the veggie platter: a sampler platter of four warm and four cold dishes plus a jalapeño laden romaine salad. Everything was delicious, some spicier than others. Lots of jalapeños used here, so if you aren't into to a bit of heat speak up so they can tone it down for you. I wanted to try the veggie firfir, because it looked delicious and will do so next time. The carnivores at the table enjoyed the tilapia tibs and a lamb something (can't remember the name).all was happily eaten without complaint. Everything at Desta is amazing and worth the wait, and we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Tom N.

    The food here is quite tasty. Let me rewind a little bit though. The first time we tried the place, we got sick to our stomach. We ordered some Tibs with chicken and the KiTFO. Do not eat the KITFO. It will make you sick to your stomach if you're not used to eating it. My fiancee didn't want to go back because of it, but I wanted to give Desta one more try because our waiter gaves us great service. I came back and was served by the same waiter again. I ordered the ribs this time around, and I also let him know about my first experience and why my fiancee didn't come back. He got approval from the manager, and I ended up getting my meal on the house along with some dessert. Because of the kind gesture, I have been back twice, and I plan on coming back many more times.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    This was my first foray into Ethiopian cuisine. My SO and I had been wanting to try it and finally got the chance recently. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. The food, service, and atmosphere were all great. Inside, the restaurant is small and dimly lit, lending an intimate and cozy feel. They do have outdoor seating, but we came in late December. The patio looks nice, though. The foooood. YUM. We both got the ribeye tibs with gomen (collard greens) and injera bread, which is also your eating utensil for this meal (you tear off a piece and use it to scoop up food). Okay, the bread. It's flat, spongy, and feels cold and clammy. Not gonna lie, it weirded me out, but I sucked it up and carried on. It tastes okay on its own, but really complements the meat and greens. Just be advised that it's something different. If you're absolutely not feeling it, you can substitute French bread. The meat was SO good. Very well-seasoned and not spicy except by request. My SO ordered his spicy and I did sample it. Definitely has a kick to it. I don't remember which beers we had, but they were pretty good. We split a cream puff for dessert and had coffee. Neither was out of this world, but I enjoyed them. I'd skip them next time, though. Our server was very pleasant. When our food came out, he did ask if we wanted utensils, which was a nice offer. I'd definitely recommend this place. Ethiopian food is different from what I'm used to, and I found that that is a good thing!

    (4)

  • Kelsey S.

    This was my first experience eating Ethiopian and I was not disappointed. Though busy, they were quick to seat and very attentive. I got the lamb tibs on shori with injera and a red lentil stew. The food came out fast and it was fragrant, savory, and delicious. I couldn't stop eating even after I felt full. I also ordered Ethiopian beer (for novelty), and mango juice. The juice was very fresh and I imagined it would be a perfect refreshing beverage for a hot summer day.

    (5)

  • Min Y.

    Deliciousness. I love Ethiopian food and this does not disappoint. Prices are not exorbitant... but portions aren't as big. That was a pretty big disappointment. The waitresses are very helpful, and helped us avoid picking the raw beef dish by accident. She warned, "It's not for first time eaters". Food was not really spicy at all, even though I enjoy that in Ethiopian food. Crowd was very mixed between college students and people on dates as well as older couples. Place was crowded on a friday night, but not ass-to-elbows. I heard there was a Scoutmob for this place. That would have made this a steal. Right now, the price and smaller quantity prevent me from giving this place 4 stars.

    (3)

  • Saba E.

    Oh how I have missed you, genuine Ethiopian cuisine! Thank you for coming back to me! I have not enjoyed Ethiopian food since my then boyfriend and now husband (he was promoted) lived in New York. We thought our days of having such happiness in teff bread and vegetarian platters were over, but today we met Desta! We truly enjoyed the warm welcome, the service, the vegetarian platter, the fish and the heart warming cinnamon and clove black tea. Thank you, Desta, you have made a visit to the parents more than enjoyable :). Please relocate to Houston.

    (5)

  • Pradeep T.

    My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the US. The injera is delightful! The food isn't greasy and the service is friendly. There is a large Ethiopian population in Decatur that this restaurant caters to and that means that Desta should serve authentic food.

    (5)

  • Za S.

    Brought my boo here for his birthday, because he told me that people always ask if he's from Ethiopia and interestingly enough when we walked in I felt like I was at his family reunion. Anywho, it's a small, but cute spot with reggae music playing in the background. The server asked if it was our first time and made a few helpful suggestions after asking what we were in the mood for. I kept peeping at other peoples food, because it all smelled SO GOOD! I ordered the fish tibs and he ordered beef tibs and rice, we shared the injera. The serving size was more than enough, because I was able to take home a mini meal. I told the server that I brought my bf here for his birthday and she surprised him with the most delicious piece of cheesecake on the house! All in all, delicious/flavorful food, beautiful/nice people, and a relaxed atmosphere. My bf has a picky palate and he loved it! Would highly recommend it if you're looking to try something new. Oh ,and if you go on the weekend set a reservation...I did and was seated immediately. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Haynus S.

    pretty good Ethiopian food. I say "pretty good," because I've had the best Ethiopian on the East Coast, which is in Adams Morgan in Washington, DC. Regardless, the food was good, portions were nicely sized, prices were quite reasonable, and service was prompt and friendly! On a Monday night, the place was hopping, so I suspect on the weekends it's very busy! You'll probably want to make a reservation if you come on the weekend. I would've given four stars, but I deducted one, because they give you a fork. _Not_ authentic!

    (3)

  • Asma A.

    This was the first Ethiopian place I have been to, and I think it was fairly unique. I guess, its not my kind of cuisine, or maybe after eating here, it did not make me a fan of Ethiopian food, but it was a nice and simple restaurant. You get to eat with your hands, which i love doing... so that was fine with me! Overall, the food was not that great that I would want to come back again. Service was good, the restaurant was a bit small and the tables were very close together.

    (3)

  • Yours T.

    Love the fish Tibs and red lentils! Deelish! You can not go wrong... Very friendly environment. Believe the rants and Ravs as the food is really good! Best spot for Ethiopian foods. Cozy, local atmosphere where jeans are ok! The start are very friendly and will make you feel at home.

    (5)

  • rohit s.

    The best Ethopian food I have eaten period. Have tried quite a few in NYC, TX , WA and I can tell you this is the absolute best. Go savor the taste..you will so relish the food and glad you discovered this restaurant..

    (5)

  • Brianna L.

    Yummy and filling without leaving a heaviness in your tummy. My suggestions: Lamb tibs + potatoes (with injera) Miser (not pronounced "my-sir", lol. more like me-sar) Side salad (comes with) Fish That's about enough for two moderate appetites, with a lunch-sized portion left over. You eat the meal with your hands, using pieces of injera. Total was 32, tip included.

    (5)

  • Ezza D.

    I came to Destaa with a relatively large group of various ages. The service was so accommodating and friendly, our server, Tee, answered all of our questions and served our food quickly. Then when one dish was too spicy for one of the younger of our group, they remade it without spices and brought out a mango juice for her on the house. To top it all off, the food was flavorful, delicious and beautifully prepared. It was a fantastic dining experience. As a vegan, I'm always looking for tasty options in Atlanta, and this definitely fits the bill. Plus the meat dishes are to die for, so it works well as a date night destination for people with different dietary preferences. The ambience is great, and there is a generous amount of outside seating prefect for warm summer evenings. I highly recommend you eat here!

    (5)

  • Hannah S.

    The only reason I'm giving this 4/5 stars is because I don't really know much about Ethiopian cuisine. I've been here several times and the service and quality have been consistently fantastic. On busier nights you might get a chance to sit upstairs, it is definitely more intimate. I usually stick to tibs, but I tried the vegetarian platter the other night and loved it. Two thumbs up!

    (4)

  • J R.

    This was my 3rd visit to Desta. I went to the restaurant twice last year, and last week was my first visit since then. While the food was still tasty at Desta, it was not nearly as good as when I was there last year. Also, it was a bit strange to see silverware being provided at an Ethiopian restaurant, as traditionally Ethiopian food is eaten by hand. I'm not exactly sure what changed, but it would be nice if Desta could go back to how they were last year.

    (4)

  • LeRue C.

    Probably the best Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. I ordered the Lamb Tibs with Awaze.. (extra spice never hurt anyone) with cabbage. It was perfect! The lamb was juicy and tender and the cabbage was perfectly spiced. There was a very large portion for only $12.00 so I have enough for lunch tomorrow. I wanted to try my friend Senait's Tilapia Tibs but she didn't save me any! lol It must have been really good! lol Will be back soon! There are several other Ethiopian restaurants in the shopping center that I want to try but its going to be so hard after eating here.

    (4)

  • Rae S.

    We have had lots of vegetarian Ethiopian food, and this is not food we would return to. We miss The Cottage, which had amazing Ethiopian vegetarian food. Lots of the dishes were bland and some tasted musty and old. Nice wait staff.....not great food.

    (2)

  • Devy E.

    The vegetarian platter really does pack well for the next day. And the place is still amazing!

    (4)

  • Haroon Q.

    Excellent option for take out & they have a drive through window to pick up your order. Don't be sheepish, definitely go for the Lamb Tibs!

    (5)

  • A J.

    I went here for a sunday lunch after Meskerem (sp?) in the same plaza wasn't open at the time to use the scoutmob, it was a good experience. It was our first time having Ethipopian food, I had the veggie platter, she had the lamb tibs, it was very tasty. The decor is nice and the service was good as well.

    (4)

  • Amrita R.

    Delicious meats. The lamb tibs and the ribeye tibs were the best. Mostly the lamb. We also ordered the tilapia which was really great, a tad bit on the spicy side; and the Kitfo dish that no one at my table liked. It's definitely an acquired taste and the fact that you can order ground beef medium rare takes a bit getting used to... the lady was nice enough to take the food back and cook it more but it still wasn't something anyone at our table wanted to eat.. The injera (bread) was also tasty. The bread has been too sour for me in other Ethiopian restaurants but this was delightul in comparison. We also ordered a veg combo just so that it would appear we were trying to be somewhat healthy and they were hit or miss.. 6 different mini spreads, but good filler in between the meats! The place is excellent for the price. It came to about $8 each for 7 of us (we ordered 6 dishes). And excellent baklava! More nutty and less flaky than the Middle Eastern type. I can't say it's the best place for Ethiopian since I haven't been to the others in ATL but definitely tasty and totally worth going for the lamb.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    Excellent food and awesome service! The people who work here are happy and gregarious without ever being over the top. They genuinely like to serve.

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    Desta is a great ambassador for Ethiopian food here in Atlanta. Out of all of the Ethiopian restaurants at the intersection of Briarcliff and Clairmont, I've found that the food here is delicious and consistent. Atmosphere is warm and genuinely Ethiopian. The kitfo is a favorite, as is their lamb tibs. The veggie platter is something I get every time I'm there. They've got a decent beer selection and lovely tej. The meat lovers is great (a lot of food) and their breakfast is definitely an unusual treat. The only downfall to Desta is the service. Inconsistent is a good word for it. Most nights, you'll find that the service is quick, attentive and friendly - but other nights, downright slow, disingenuous and borderline rude.

    (4)

  • Dio S.

    Good Ethiopian food in a friendly, fun, clean environment. The seasoning on the tibs is more tomatoey and garlicky than I've had elsewhere--something mildly Italian about it--and delicious. The very popular tilapia tibs can be faulted for being a little dry sometimes, but is overall a well executed and unique dish. My favorites are the lamb and beef tibs though, in that order. The meat flavor really come through in these. The kitfos and fit-fits are fine (very fresh tasting), but I always find them too mild when you can order tibs instead. The vegetable sides are mostly excellent and the menu is helpful in describing each of them. An all vegetarian combo platter is a very good option and will not leave you feeling too heavy, and it's an excellent option to pair with a meat/fish tibs if you are sharing with other people. Which brings me to the portion size: most tibs are really big and cost $10~12 and I generally feel like I eat too much. Basically 3 tibs dishes would be enough for 4 people. Maybe the option to get smaller portions will work well. Service is very friendly and I just love the feel of Desta. Some Ethiopian restaurants can be drab, but Desta is lively and has a great patio, people are always having a good time. Lastly, because it is open until 12, 1 am, Desta is a great late-night option.

    (4)

  • Cherry L.

    OMG, ETHIOPIAN FOOD, IM SUCH A FAN FAN FAN OF YOU!!! This was my first ethiopian food experience and it was MIGHTY TASTYYYY--thank you scoutmob for making me try new things at 1/2 off! 3 of us ordered an app and 2 combos: -Kitfo-Wrap: "tortilla" (i think its a tortilla??) filled with Kitfo (which is a minced meat that can be served in any temp that you want), if you top it with cheese and spice, there is a 75c charge or something (i don't know, it was weird) -vege combo ($10.50): lentils, collards, cabbage, potato cooked in spices, allllll so flavorful -meat combo ($24): u can pick 3 meats--we got the fish, lamb, and beef tibs (which is referring to how the meat is prepared). the fish was lightly fried and had great flavor and texture--flaky, a bit acidic from tomatoes and onions. the lamb--GREAT flavor, the onions and peppers were super derricious, but a TAD dry. beef--my fave, it was moist and had super flavor! the meal came with rolls of injera, a sourdough flat bread. so, usually i super dislike this bread, bc its SO sour/tart...but the bread here was SO AMAZZZZZING. not overly sour. soooooo goood! some other points: -try a traditional ethiopian tea--it tastes a little like the DragonballZ (or w/e) tea you can get at Teavana at the mall--cinnamony? -i say skip the desserts, im sure they are delish, but they dont have any traditional ones i dont think--cheesecake, tiramisu, baklava, chocolate cake. -ask for the HOT SAUCE! there are 3 ethiopian sauces--one thats like a mustard, one darker red sauce, and one spice (similar to an Indian masala of sorts) + your sambal chili sauce -next time, i want to try ethiopian wine! can't wait to go back/try other ethiopian restaurants! (there are like 80 of them in a 2 mile radius of this place!)

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    I think that Desta has converted me to like Ethiopian food. I've been here twice now. Both times were phenomenal! Most recent visit, we ordered: Fish Tibs with Shiro- I love how they fry up the pieces of tilapia. Flavored just slightly with salt (but just right), sitting in shiro (seasoned chick pea paste with onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes). The shiro was a tad bit tart (maybe too much tomato?), but it was good with the injera bread. Lamb Tibs- The hubs LOVED this dish. Not being a lamb lover myself, I have to say they did a good job of making the meat not gamey tasting. The texture of the meat was just right (and it's not fried like the fish tibs). It came with a side, and we picked the collards. The collards were cooked perfectly- not sour (like the usual Southern way), but just with garlic & salt. Not too soft, nor too crunchy. Yum! Meat Sambusa- these were essentially small meat samosas. the wrap reminded me of Chinese spring rolls (the lighter version, not egg rolls), and were fried similarly. tasty, but they're small and disappeared in less than a minute. :) The food came out really fast, and the service was friendly. It was great we could use a Scoutmob coupon (and we have another one plus a restaurant.com coupon sitting at home). I also like their new outside deck addition. It had windows that opened out so you could get fresh air and enjoy the "view" of the street/parking lot as you ate. We'll be back here again!

    (4)

  • Kait T.

    I must say, this place is awesome! Just thinking about the place makes my mouth water. We walked into a lively environment, and were seated immediately upstairs in their shiro lounge. The lounge was nice, sheek, with low lowlighting and candles on each table. (A great spo5 for a date.) We ordered their meat lovers Tibs special, and it was great! It was flavorful, spicey but not too spicey, moist and delicious. They offer the option of 3 different meats, cooked in Tibs sauce. The portions were a decent size, and the meal was perfect for 2 people.The food was laid out in an appealing presentation, and they offered the option to use silverware. its a great place to take a friend or family member who has not yet experienced the wonders of Ethiopian cuisine. And to top it all off, the service was outstanding! I will definately be coming back when in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    I eat a lot. Not meaning a lot of food, but at a lot of places. Nice places. Famous chef places. "Oh, my god this is so good" places. And I have to tell you the Lamb Tibs with the spicy stuff is what I crave more than anything else. The baby food vegetarian stuff, not so much. And I actually passed judgement on Ethiopian food based on a vegetarian meal and vowed never again. Then I was set along the right path, told what to order, and now I'm a convert. The service is fine, the space is pretty cool, blah, blah, blah. Desta Tibs. Done.

    (5)

  • Joy K.

    I had a birthday dinner here for about 15 ppl on a Sunday. It was crowded. I got the filet Tibs. it was delicious! However, i felt like I could make it at home or get something similar at another restaurant. The sponge bread was a little weird for me. I ordered the Banana rum cake and Tiramisu. The Banana rum cake was delish. i was surprised at how good it was. I don't like really sweet/sugary foods and the banana rum was a definite hit to my tastebuds. I would come again to try another dish.

    (4)

  • Emily G.

    First Scoutmob ever used. Best Scoutmob ever used. I've been very fortunate to have tasted amaaazing Ethiopian cuisine (mostly in Sacramento and San Diego), but this one is definitely the best in Atlanta.. which is why I had to drive 15mins out for it. Small price to pay for delicious food on a hot Saturday evening. Extra brownie points for taking 3 Ethiopian-food-virgins, so I got massive props for bringing them there. lol We ordered the lamb and chicken tibs, the veggie combo and the hummus with ground beef. We originally ordered the fir fir but the waiter told us not to because it would be too spicy for us. We like heat, and did not find any of our dishes spicy in the least amount, so maybe he thought we were whiter than we actually are. Needles to say, the food was excellent and even though we ordered 4 dishes (For 4 people), we struggled to finish everything, as the portions were definitely bigger than anticipated. Enter scoutmob for a total of $29.90 for 4 people. Yeah, $7.50 per person (plus tip). Could not get any better. As the giant ass that I am, I took 1 star off because I love when Ethiopian restaurants place all their dishes in one giant plate covered with injerta.. Its the leftover injerta(that has sucked all the different juices from the food) that is my absolute favorite. They didn't do that here, and I missed it terribly. That + the spicy issue gives it a total of 4 stars... still pretty high on my list. Yeah. Desta is still the Besta.

    (4)

  • Alysia D.

    Hands down amazingly delicious and consistent!!! Desta's part of my weekly diet plan. Great food, cozy atmosphere, great for a romantic dinner w/ your sweetie, fun for the family and girls night out!! I'm partial to the chicken tibs w/ shiro. Great dining experience!!!

    (5)

  • theron t.

    I'll start off by saying, I don't give out 5 stars very often. The staff is great and very friendly, especially if you don't know much about Ethiopian food. For those unfamiliar with Ethiopian food (as I was before I went here), it's customary to eat with your hands, more specifically, your right hand. Bread is also a big part of the meal, and I really like the injeera. The food can be spicy, as is customary, although you can ask them to kick it down a couple of notches is you don't like spicy foods. Wonderful flavor and a great experience. It's a little tight in the downstairs dining room, so it can get a little loud from time to time. The tibs are great and veggie plate should not be missed!

    (5)

  • Ain H D.

    Dear Desta Staff, Thank you for filling my temple with delectable Ethiopian cuisine. The things you do with lentils should be hailed as nothing less than a miracle. An attempt to describe your masterful use of spices would be vain. Even I cannot gather the appropriate combination of words to communicate how incredible your food is. However, please improve your service to complement everything you do for my taste buds. My patience is in fierce competition. Thank you again, Ain

    (4)

  • Moosa D.

    First time trying Ethiopian food so I cant talk about how authentic it is but it seemed to be pretty authentic to me. The staff was very knowledgeable about the food and helpful in explaining things as well as suggesting things to try. i tried the beef tibs and injera, both were to die for. seemed to be a bit too salty but overall the flavors were wonderful. from the outside it looks a but run down but the atmosphere inside is definitely cozy

    (4)

  • Mark F.

    I can't claim to be an expert on Ethiopian cuisine but Desta has got to be the best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever tried. Desta for me ranks as one of the top restaurants in Atlanta. I have never had a bad experience here and the food is always perfectly fresh, beautifully seasoned and lovingly served. Even if you're a carnivore you'll be perfectly happy with the veggie platter. Mounds of delisciousness served on beautiful sourdough injera. I highly recommend the fish tibs, wonderful citrus flavour with a nice crunch. Try the Ethiopean beer, it goes perfectly with everything. The servers are always gracious and quite beautiful too!

    (5)

  • Cindy H.

    When a friend of mine suggested Ethiopian, I grimaced. See, my first experience eating Ethiopian food was raw meat on some injera bread and I wasn't interested in that adventure again. However, this place is freaking delicious! The food is tasty, the service is great and I am now a fan. The only thing I can say is sometimes the cook is heavy handed on the salt. I usually get the ribeye tibs mixed with the greens. I have eaten here four times in two months and each time it can be either too salty or just right.

    (4)

  • Megan O.

    Love everything about Desta. Hands down the best Ethiopian in Atlanta, and one of my favorite restaurants period. The veggie platter is a ton of food for the price, more than enough for 2 people - add in some tibs or kitfo and you have a feast for a king. Absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • Nicci R.

    This was my 3rd time trying Ethiopian and my favorite so far. We started with an appetizer of fried lamb rolls that were tasty and not gamy at all. I'm not normally a lamb fan and really enjoyed them. Our entree was the meat lovers combo with fish, chicken and ribeye and the veggie entree. The fish was really nice, if you like tilapia, and the meats had good flavor. They were all sautéed with spices, onions and tossed with fresh tomato...kind of reminds me of a fajitas, but better. The veg platter was a combo of lentils, chickpeas, potato stew, cabbage, collard greens, beets and cold salads. Our sides were injera bread and a lovely fragrant basmati rice. I liked the red lentil the best. The spicy pastes served with the meal were delicious and added extra complexity to the dishes. We had plenty of leftovers.

    (4)

  • Robyn C.

    The absolute best! Try it!

    (5)

  • Haley C.

    In the beginning I was skeptical, because I have never had Ethiopian food, but accompanied with my food muse, Leigh C, I was down to try a new place. Walking up, it looked really cool. They have an outer patio with a tree in the middle of it, like an atrium or dining tree-house.. I don't know really what it is, but I got a little excited... But then after being sat at a wobble two-top in the middle of a cramped dining area and basically sitting on top of a family of five, and across from screaming babies, my original skepticism about this place was only being confirmed. After taking a fair amount of time to peruse the menu, we decided on the Fish Tibs and Vegetarian Combo Platter. The first to come out was the Fish and it looked and smelled wonderful, shortly after came the combo platter full of all sorts of treats, and of course the bread. It all looked and smelled unreal, so hungry and eager, we dove in. Only one word can describe it: phenomenal. The food was full of flavor and spices. We couldn't get enough. We finished off the first set of bread with two thirds of both entrees to go. After the longest 5 minutes of my life, we made eye contact with our server and asked her for more bread and water. After another round of bread we scraped each plate clean, and ended the meal with some delicious hot tea and yummy baklava. Probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my entire life. We got our bill and it was only $31... after promptly using our Scout Mob, that made it $16; we made out like bandits!! (And the food was so good, I still tipped our waitress $10). So, sure... the seating wasn't exactly ideal and our server didn't pay us much attention, but with food like that... I don't really care. I will definitely be back and I can't wait to try other stuff on the menu. Highly recommend!!

    (4)

  • Jackie H.

    Good grief! Yet another place that I'm gonna have to add to my ever growing lists of places I must eat at two or three times a month. This was my first go at Ethiopian food and I am hooked. I practically licked my plate. Shame! As my fellow Yelpers suggested, I ordered a tibs entree. I got the Ribeye tibbs with pita bread and a side of cabbage. My gosh it was excellent. My mouth was overjoyed. I tried the injera and I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. I went with the pita bread. The ribeye chunks were seasoned so well and juicy and I'll tell you right now that plate was in danger of being licked. I loved the onions, peppers, and tomato. I was able to taste the lamb tibs also and I thought it was great too. Really, one is supposed to eat with their hands, and as I glanced around, that is the norm here. I opted for the fork that was brought with our food without our request. I guess the waitress knew that my companion and I were newbies. Anyway, the next time I will be getting the short rib tibs which are brought out in a sizzling iron skillet and dumped onto your plate. I want it. Bad. Service was good, but the food really was something special. Like I said, I'm hooked and I can't wait until I can get back to this place.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Very cool experience. I am no Ethiopian cuisine expert (actually I am 100% beginner) so this was great. Desta has a very authentic and upbeat vibe. I had the Fish Tips w/ Rice, Misera, and we split a side of Injera. Injera was delicious dunked in the misera (red sauce side item) and I honestly formed fish tacos out of it because why not. I probably wouldn't eat the Injera in non-fish-taco-form because it's a tad sour. Good stuff! We will be back :)

    (4)

  • Mirella S.

    Great food, Great service! First time having Ethiopian food and I was thoroughly impressed!! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Hector A.

    Amazing food. Great patio. Great music, great vibe. The Menu is so well design and easy to understand. Great place for a quick sandwich as well as for a formal dinner with friends.

    (5)

  • Rachel K.

    Update: Ever since moving away from Atlanta, I've been craving/missing Desta's! Randomly in Vegas, I noticed our blackjack dealer's nametag indicated that she was from Ethiopia. Almost immediately after striking up a conversation about my time in Georgia (I was traveling with a bunch of native Georgians and she happened to stay there at some part in her life as well), Desta naturally came up. She agreed with me that it was a great place for Ethiopian food! I begged her to tell me where a good place to go for Ethiopian food in L.A. and she said Merkato. If it's comparable to Destas, I'll be a very happy camper

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    This is a very, very late review as my original dinner was back in December in 2014. I was treated a wonderful, delicious birthday dinner by fellow yelper Nicki and we both decided on something we haven't tried before - Ethiopian food @ Desta. This being our first time and I had no idea what to expect other coincidentally catching an episode of the Simpsons where Marge tries Ethopian food. Desta is kinda hard to get to because of the traffic on Clairmont, but its so worth it. Parking is a bit hard because there are little to no lights in the parking lot so rely on your GPS! The restaurant is small and just about every inch of usable space is taken up. We found out later that the restaurant is actually 2 story, but we were seated and squished into a small corner. At every table there is a bottle of hand sanitizer, which is recommended since Ethopian food is usually eaten with your hands. The menu is extensive, and there are descriptions but I had to keep flipping the menu over to find out what each sauce was. It would have been easier to navigate the menu if the common spices/sauces were listed in alphabetical order. We decided on the meat and veggie plate, with the meat consisting of lamb, fish and chicken with an order of the lentil sambusa, I thought these would be more like the triangle shaped ones, but they look like eggrolls and were so tasty. They definitely set my palate on the right path! The vegetable and meat platter was served on one huge rectangle plate. It literally took up the entire table and was more than enough food for 2 people. I think 3-4 people could eat this. The lamb was cooked so well and was yet tender without any gaminess. Along with the meal, you are given a plate of rolled up spongey bread called injera. Tear off pieces and use that to grab some sauce and meat, but be careful because they will fill you up quickly. if you are new to Ethopian food, I would recommend doing a platter opposed to ordering a plate since you will get more variety and figure out what you like, even though some caught my eye. The atmosphere was pretty good in that it was pretty dim and noisy, but you could still have your own private conversation. We had plenty of left overs, and I managed to bring them back to SO who chowed down it. Even though it was cold and not very well packed/presented, he liked it enough to suggest that we go back and get a hot meal soon.

    (5)

  • Chamberlaine B.

    Whether you are an injera expert or totally new to Ethiopian food, Desta is a fantastic place to get your fix! I was a novice to the Ethiopian experience, expecting silverware and pita-like bread (oh, what a silly Westerner), but our adorable waitress happily walked me through the menu, gave recommendations and then even explained how to eat the food. As a table we enjoyed: -Steak "Tips"- steak pieces cooked in tomato, onion, and spices. Rich, flavorful, and a large portion. - Lamb "Tips"- See above... but with lamb. - The Vegetarian Platter- I won't even pretend to know what all of the colorful mounds of food were on this dish, but needless to say, it could've fed an army. - Injera bread- a spongy, porous, almost crepe-like bread that comes rolled up in bundles (DO NOT MISTAKE THESE AS TOWELS TO WIPE YOUR HANDS- not that I tried that or anything, psh)- I did not enjoy this very much, but it is part of the experience. -Miser- a spicy chickpea stew. Absolutely delicious! My favorite part of the meal. - Gomen- traditional cooked greens. - Mango Juice- compliments the food here, splendidly. -Hot Spiced Tea- Water steeped over night with spices and served with classic black tea. And, after sitting in the restaurant a while, I got a peek at other dishes as the waitress brought them out, and I certainly cannot wait to return to further explore the menu.

    (4)

  • Juliana P.

    Went to Desta last night for dinner. I was a little confused at first where to go to be seated since no one was manning the hostess stand. I was seated outside--they have a great patio seating area! Weather permitting, I definitely suggest it. I ordered the honey wine and the lamb entree. Unfortunately, my food came out 5 minutes before my drink. I appreciate the quick and attentive service, but I had to explain to two waitresses that I was waiting on my drink when they saw me just sittin there. The honey wine was reallllllly sweet, so just be prepared. The lamb was really flavorful, but with all the rosemary, it reminded me more of Easter dinner than other Ethiopian places I've been. Injera was as expected. The lamb had some gristly pieces in it which was not a welcome surprise. I had the side salad with it that brought some nice acidity. Kudos to the manager who I saw walking around and checking in with patrons. Price is right and parking was ample!

    (4)

  • Dave M.

    The food was interesting. It wasn't too different from a typical fish dish you would get at an Asian or Mexican or even American place. It was their fermented bread (forgot the name) that was unique. It was soft and spongy and went well with the sauce from the food. Some of the other dishes from the surrounding tables looked better. The service was kind of lacking. I can't blame them. It's a different culture in the restaurant so I don't think they were unintentional about not greeting or looking angry at times. They were still helpful. Overall, I would recommend a try. Personally I don't think I'll run to it but it was interesting.

    (4)

  • Cassandra M.

    A fellow Yelper, whom I have never met, wrote me and recommended this place. That was a few months ago and I am just getting around to trying it. I wish I would have taken his advice sooner. I loved my lunch here. I visited with a coworker who also had never tried Ethiopian cuisine. We had the meat lovers trio; chicken, lamb, and filet mignon. It came with gomen (collard greens), and cabbage. We also got the injera and the rice. I would have given this place 5 stars but the injera was straight out of a refrigerator. Who wants cold bread with a hot meal? But the service was excellent, the food was delicious and we both had a wonderful time. If you like your food spicy, ask for the sauces to put on your food. Also, if you get the rice, see if they can give you an extra bowl. You'll want it.

    (4)

  • Sey D.

    A great spot for brunch. The coffee is great, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and strong and you can't go wrong with the choices. Some of the dishes are rather large, if it is your first time, pick one of the Tibs (seasoned meat, Gomen, pita or injera. The staff are responsive although the place can get busy on some Sundays. Worth a try, once or more.

    (4)

  • Tara H.

    Get the Lamb Tibs over shiro with injera, maser as your side and thank me later SO GOOD

    (5)

  • Jess P.

    First time trying Ethiopian food and I have to say that I'm glad I did it here...however, it is not on my list of favorite cuisines. It was just ok. I am NOT a fan of the bread; the texture kind of freaks me out and it has a bran-like taste. I wonder how it's actually made? We ordered the lamb and the fish and some sides and they brought it out on a huge epic platter. The fish was very tasty, the lamb decent and I liked the jalapeno accompaniment. I liked the potato side; it reminded me of Indian spicy potatoes, but the lentil side was a bit...sweet and mushy. The collard green-like scoop was good. All in all, too expensive for what you get and not really worth it. I probably wouldn't eat it again, as I didn't love it. Also, the service kinda sucked. :/ I didn't get my beer I ordered until asking for it 35 min later and they rarely refilled our water.

    (2)

  • Lola O.

    Desta never disappoints. I shared a meat lover and veggie platter with my friends and it was amazing. Hands down it is the best Ethiopian restaurant in town.

    (5)

  • Carolina M.

    When most people talk about Ethiopian food here, 9 times out of 10, it's about Desta. I've always felt hesitant about going because people talk about sour bread (injera) and eating with your hands. To be honest, the thoughts of sour bread turned me off. I finally gave this a try because someone, who's taste I trust, said this was one of her favorite restaurants. Everything was surprisingly good. I think I actually felt there were more parallels to Chinese food than I thought. We ordered sambusas with meat. I'd liken these to eggrolls but with more flavor and a spicy sauce. Not bad. For my main, I ordered the ribeye tibs with pita bread. My friend doesn't even get the injera, so I was still too hesitant to give the sour bread a try. The pita was normal, but it went well with the entree. I can't think of any other way to describe it but like mongolian beef but with more flavor. There seem to be a lot of spices going on, so it definitely keeps you eating more. Service was super-friendly. They're happy to help you pick out something if you've never been before. I'm still not entirely sure about this place. Maybe, just maybe, Ethiopian food isn't my thing. I really wanted to like this place more, but to me, it was kinda meh.

    (3)

  • Gregory B.

    Love Destaaaa! We had the chicken with shiro, lamb with awaze, and gomen, ater, and miser as sides. Also had the sambusa as an appetizer which was awesome by the way. We come here about once every 2 weeks and we live in Alpharetta.

    (5)

  • Sharon P.

    From the food to the service it was all amazing. We had the Meat lovers and the Vegetarian plates. For appetizers we had the samosas and the meat tartar. Again, everything was amazing. Ambiance was perfect and the manager made us feel like we were regular customers.

    (5)

  • Zach T.

    Mmm. Great food and a great value. Came here on a Thursday with my gf and two friends - luckily we had a reservation. I previously said Leon's was my best vegetarian meal in Atlanta, but Desta at least ties it. To drink, I ordered the Sheba Tej (honey wine) and a Meta beer. For food, my gf and I shared the Vegetarian Platter and an order of the potato stew. For dessert, we shared the baklava and tiramisu. We were super full. Drinks: The honey wine was interesting - I've never had anything like it. It was a little sweet, as you'd expect, but it mellowed out nicely. The beer was also very good. Both drinks were very drinkable! Food: I can't speak intelligently about the different items on the vegetarian platter, so let me just say they were all delicious. Sure, I liked some of them a bit less than others, but everything was at least pretty good and some of the items were great. Everything was kind of spicy, but not too spicy for me (and I don't think I have a very high tolerance for spice). The only negative thing I can say is that our side order of the potato stew seemed a bit oily, but it was delicious. Dessert: The tiramisu was nice, light and flavorful. The baklava was only okay - you get plenty for $2, but I just wasn't crazy about it. For me, I would've like a higher nut to filo ratio, and especially more honey. The service was great. Finally, let me just mention that I really like the setting. Inside, the restaurant is intimate buy also lively. The plates are gorgeous. I can't believe how inexpensive everything is for the quality.

    (5)

  • Hanan A.

    Once again Desta proves to be the most consistent Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. Time and time again they deliver the great taste and unmatched service that I've come to expect from them. This time around my group of friends and I ordered the fish tibs over shiro sauce, kitfo and aibe, and finally a veggie combo. The fish tibs are peices of tilapia that I believe is pre-marinated and sauteed with onions peppers and spices and comes out perfect and delicious, it has no fishy flavor and my pickiest of friends who doesn't like fish, eats this and enjoys it. Second, we had kitfo that was leb-leb which means cooked medium-rare its pretty much steak tartare massaged with pungent Ethiopian spices and pepper spice mix and finished with Ethiopian butter called kibbe, it's served along side aibe which is an Ethiopian yogurt like cheese mixed with spices again... That is the theme to Ethiopian food, Spice, if you haven't figured out by now. Desta's version is not the best I've had but it was good. Finally the veggie combo consisted of different vegetarian dishes that are a staple of Ethiopian eating especially during the fasting seasons for Orthodox Christians in the country. It consisted of misir-lentils cooked in a red pepper spice sauce, salad, shiro (chick peas in a red pepper sauce), siljo(puréed white beans with horseradish/mustard seeds) the siljo is very delicious, dinich wot (potato stew again in a red pepper sauce), beets, lentil salad, split peas and some other dishes that I can't remember. This dish or assortment was good too. I highly recommend Desta. For anyone wondering the ground beef and the chicken are Halal at Desta per the information that our waitress provided us. But always make sure before you order.

    (5)

  • Liza W.

    I can't believe I hadn't reviewed Desta yet! This is in my top 3 Atlanta restaurants. Great service. Great food. Clean space with a cool patio in nice weather. I usually stick to tibs: fish or filet. Add a little awaze if I want a kick. Sides of miser and gomen. Sometimes ater or shiro. Stick it on some injera and I'm set! I like that the staff is always very helpful and kind- great service. Also I've always found it to be a very clean place...in Atlanta that is sometimes not easy to find in restaurants. Not everyone may be into the flavors...I like to describe it as soul food meets Thai, but even that doesn't properly give the flavors their true nature. Note: They have a drive thru. And a discount on chicken all day on Mondays. Just sayin'.

    (5)

  • Troy U.

    Loved it! Generous portions, vibrant flavors, very different than most foods that Americans are accustomed to. I highly recommend this place for a date night, Ethiopian food is made to share.

    (5)

  • Breall s.

    Awesome. Great flavor!! The Gomen was unbelievable, as was the Miser and Ater. I'd recommend the vegetarian platter to try a bit of everything. Plus the servers are very sweet and happy, probably because they play great Reggae-Music

    (5)

  • Seth R.

    Absolutely Excellent! I never in my life thought I would try Ethiopian food but it has turned out to be one of my all time favorite cuisines due to all the amazing food I have had at Desta. My wife loves the vegetable platter, but I gotta have meat to call it a meal so I went with the ribeye tibs the first time around, and my second and third visit the filet mignon tibs. Filet mignon just less fatty and more tender, but both were excellent! The wait staff are attentive and friendly and it makes for a great evening. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Laila P.

    So I purposely waited to write a review until I had eaten at this establishment several times. Let's just say that I think I'm a junkie now. I have had the please to sit upstairs, downstairs and on the balcony. I have even ordered food for pick up several times. Now that I've set the stage here is my review. The atmosphere is great. I love that it feels like a large community of people who truly just love to eat and enjoy their time. It can get crowded on popular dining evenings. Parking is plentiful for their crowd. There are signs that say there is a drive in but I have yet to seen how that could work. There is a full bar. The food is great. My favorites are the Sambuca (I like the lentil and meat versions equally very tasty) those are like egg rolls in case you are wondering, the Chicken Salad is very tasty, any of the tibs, but I think the filet tibs are my fav and when it comes to sides I'm a fan of the gomen. I love those greens they are so good. Try it you'll love it. They don't serve any pork for those who want to know. :)

    (4)

  • danielle F.

    My hunny and I love this place. He's a serious meat eater. Your meat and potatoes kinda guy. But we both found something here we both can enjoy. He typically get the meat lovers. Which is three options of meaty goodness (they have 5ti choose from. His favorites are chicken, ribeye, salmon). He gets rice, collard greens (usually extra so he can have for leftovers) and he a salad instead of the injera. It is a lot of food. I repeat a LOT OF FOOD. On the other hand I get the tasty vegetarian platter just enough for me no leftovers. I have them heat my injera cause it's what I'm use to in DC. The service is always fast. Staff is friendly, polite and attentive. When the weather is nice I highly recommend patio seating. They have a DJ/live music at night. Great ambience!

    (5)

  • Thi T.

    I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I tried here. My favorite is the fir fir. Also try the vegetable platter for an assorted variety. Caution to pace yourself. The injera seems to continue expanding in the stomach even after the meal. The place is very clean. The servers are very friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable about the menu. Parking is plentiful.

    (5)

  • Vasu M.

    Loved our experience at Desta Ethopian Kitchen yesterday to celebrate my husband's birthday! I've only had Ethopian food once before and I am already looking forward to our next time here! Our server was awesome! We got there a little early and were waiting for the rest of the party to arrive and he was so attentive and polite the whole time. While we were waiting, we ordered the sambusa appetizer which reminded me of an egg roll filled with ground meat, it came with a sweet & spicy dipping sauce! This was the perfect appetizer for our large meal. For our meal, we ordered the meat lovers platter with lamb, ground beef, and fish as well as the vegetable lovers. This was plenty of food for 4 people to share! The food all came out on one huge platter with the injera on the side. The injera is a spongy bread that is perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors and spices. I am a huge fan of it because it acts as my utensil and allowed us to eat with our hands! We loved the meats - the tilapia, ground beef, and lamb were all seasoned perfectly and cooked well! I would definitely order the meat platter again. The vegetable platter was okay but wasn't as delicious! A lot of the lentils, curries, etc. in the vegetable platter tasted very similar! Our server knew it was my husband's birthday so he came out with the staff to sing him Happy Birthday and gave us a slice of cheesecake on the house. If you have never had Ethiopian food, I highly recommend that you try this place out! You will love it!

    (4)

  • Anna S.

    Went there on Saturday, and had to wait a while for a table. After we were seated, though, the experience was great. The service was by far some of the friendliest service I've experienced here in ATL. Everyone was welcoming and very hospitable. The food came out incredibly fast, in fact we were all a little surprised. Not expecting it to show up so soon! I had the vegetarian platter, and as always with Ethiopian food, it was amazing. Very filling and delicious. Sad that they didn't have the gluten-free injera for my gluten-intolerant friend, but we were all satisfied just the same!

    (4)

  • Sophia T.

    I can't believe I haven't rated this place before. This has to be my second favorite restaurant in all of Georgia. It's hands-down, the BEST Ethiopian food I've ever had in my life. Everything about this place is on point- the food, the ambiance, the friendly staff. I really can't praise this'd place enough. I can't comment on its authenticity bc I've never had a lot of home-cooked Ethiopian food, but sweet baby Jesus is this place amazing. Some days the meat is halal, some days it's not. It's always good to confirm, but know that there are options. The vegetable platter is very filling and flavored well, as are the fish tibs. I NEVER eat fish, but I do eat theirs so that should be a revelation in itself. Eat here & thank me later.

    (5)

  • Icey K.

    Amazing food, great customer service. Its a MUST place to eat at if you visit the ATL area. I literally ate here 3-4x/week within the first 6 months of moving here. As an African native, seeing the diverse cultures such as Indians, Asians, African Americans, etc is a positive sign that Desta is truly one of a kind. All my friends that come to visit loves the food here as well. P.S: I always get the goden tibs & injera. Please be adventurous & try authentic Ethiopian food. Also their Ethiopian sweet honey wine is delish.

    (5)

  • Daniel N.

    This was my first real experience with Ethiopian food, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome this cuisine is! I came with a group of 20 for a friend's birthday, so immediately one would think that this would be a huge headache given the amount of orders and people to deal with. I decided to go traditional and split with 3 others. We got the meat lovers platter and vegetarian platter, which are sharable. It came with tons of injira the pick up with. Everything was so delicious! I was able to pick out a huge sprig of rosemary, which made appreciate that they used fresh ingredients. The lamb, chicken, and filet mignon were very tender and spiced well. The servers paid very good attention to us, serving us water and asking if everything was good or we needed anything else. I will definitely be taking others here and exploring all the other food options. The reviews don't lie, come here!!

    (5)

  • Dee B.

    My first time eating Ethiopian food. I was so excited. I don't live far from Clairmont/Briarcliff Rd area, so I see a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in the area. First off, the waitress Vivian ( I hope that was her name ) was AWESOME. She explained everything on the menu to me and my friend so we didn't feel overwhelmed. I ordered the lamb tibs (chopped in squares), gomen (collard greens) and wat ( thick stew). Its traditional that you eat with injera, which is a soft, spongy bread that is slightly sour. Man listen, I loved ALL OF IT. Even the injera by itself. lol You use the injera like your utensil to pick up the other food on your plate. ugh, so good its plenty of parking and this place even has a drive through!!! Ethiopian to go!! Im a super fan now!

    (5)

  • Lynn M.

    Such a pleasant experience! We recently gave Desta Ethiopian Kitchen a try; and we are so very glad that we did. We have driven by this area on Clairmont Road countless times and had no idea such a bustling restaurant was right around the corner. Desta has a busy, youthful energy about it that we got caught up in as soon as we walked by the busy patio area. It had been many years since we tried Ethiopian cuisine; and our friendly server patiently explained the menu items to us. After consuming a delicious Sambusa appetizer; we tackled the large plates of tibs - lamb for my dinner mate and chicken for me . The tangy, spongy Injera was a perfect addition to the spicy fare. The servings were quite generous, and a to go box lasted for several more meals. Our service was perfect with frequent staff checks and quick water refills. The experience was very pleasant; and it is one we will certainly repeat. It's amazing that we never knew about such a great restaurant so close to our home.

    (5)

  • Todd W.

    First time eating ethiopian food and it was excellent. Great service & great food will def be back soon!

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    Ordered pick-up from here and have also eaten in the restaurant. Service and food quality is always impeccable. I definitely plan to become a regular.

    (5)

  • Suhana A.

    Excellent food. Went for lunch with a colleague. Good portion. I think it is pricey for lunch though. But still great food.

    (4)

  • Rita D.

    My first time trying Ethiopian food and won't be my last. I was with a group and we started with the seared beef appetizer - I can't remember what it was called but it had something to do with 'daredevil' ... something of that nature. It was good. I also had the filet mignon tibs with tomato fitfit - it was wonderful. I ate every bite and wish I had room for more. It took me a little while to get used to eating with my hands - but it was a fun experience!

    (5)

  • AM P.

    The staff here is wonderful. Our waitress was Desti, who was charming, patient, and helpful. The food was great and I would definitely return. We also had the Ethiopian wine and beer, it was really good.

    (4)

  • Brian J.

    I finally had my first experience eating Ethiopian cuisine. A coworker had eaten at Desta a few times and told me that he had enjoyed the food. So I decided to try it for lunch this weekend. I ordered the Lamb and Tibs Signature Dish and selected Miser as my side dish. Since I wasn't sure if I would like the spongy bread (Injera), I ordered Pita instead. The cubes of lamb were slightly overcooked and could have used some seasoning. However, I enjoyed the Miser side dish the best. It was lentils in a rich berbere sauce, onions, garlic and ginger. It sort of reminded me of a thick salsa in its appearance. It was spicy and went well with the Pita. Pros: Good service; fresh ingredients; decent menu selection Cons: Lamb slightly overcooked; pricey; small entree portion

    (3)

  • Zaina G.

    Great food! I got fish and it was perfectly cooked and delicious! The service could've been a bit better but our waitress was really kind and patient.

    (4)

  • Ashley M.

    Here goes.. The hubs and I are very cultured people... No really, we are! I an even elated that we decided to move to the "A" from Detroit :) (well.. Kind of). We love all types of food, especially authentic cultural foods, So when we saw the massive amount of reviews, the quality of reviews, and awesome pictures of the food here, I definitely thought this could become our go to Ethiopian place. Not that it doesn't have the chance to be, but I just wasn't impressed for this first visit... For starters, the set up of the restaurant is weird; small and super cramped... It needs major updating as well... It is a pet peeve of mine to see chipped paint and chairs or booths in desperate need of upholstery or repair, just saying... Then, the menu is super weird and funky... I didn't and still don't understand it; I guess because I am accustomed to platters of Ethiopian goodness served on top of Injera with many veggies and lean cuts of meat.. Not separate entrees... I thought eating Ethiopian was about a sharing experience... Eating with hands symbolizes harmony and togetherness... Forks and knives?? Hmm... Plates??? Weird! I also felt rushed the entire time, especially with ordering... Maybe it was a language barrier... I definitely wanted more vegetables than what we received... I was not full from our "order". Finally, the bill... Not at all impressed with $40 and all we ordered were two waters, an entree that we spilt, and one glass of honey wine.... For those who follow my reviews, I do not penny pinch on good eats!! I will try the Ethiopian restaurant across the street next time... I hope I am not let down.

    (2)

  • Kenneth G.

    My friends and I eat here often. Usually my son and I will go here on Friday afternoons before the dinner rush. I like to get the vegetarian platter. And my son will get the chicken dinner or chicken sandwich. The ladies will ask if you want peppers with that and the answer is yes. I like that the food is spicier than average American fare. The variety and different choices at Desta make a wonderful departure from fried chicken or steak options at most other places. The staff are excellent and take very good care of you. There is a small size bar and wine and beer selections. The desserts are remarkable and you could almost just go here for the desserts and drinks. But I always have dinner first because of the excellent food.

    (5)

  • Anh B.

    I check this place today and I wasn't so happy or please with my food. I heard great review of this place and give it a try. I ordered the Fish Tibs with the salad. I am not a big fan of fish with lemon. I know some people like the lemon tasted to the dish but I feel like it was to sour for my taste. I don't mind a little of the flavor but every bites was sour. There wasn't enough salt to the dish so I had to recook the dish and to add more salt and get the lemon taste out. The Bead was different but it wasn't for me. It tasted like sourdough bread and again I am not a big fan of sourdough bread. My salad has sand in it which that make me really mad. I guess they didn't clean the salad that well this time. Ya that wasn't fun biting into sands. I might or might not come back here again. This place wasn't for me.

    (2)

  • Laura B.

    Fresh Ethiopian food, always perfectly prepared. They do stay busy, so be prepared to wait a bit, but the food is so worth it! The hardest part is making up my mind what to get. I wish it were closer to my house, I found that I often craved their food after having been there just once!

    (5)

  • Rochelle J.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! Lets start with the ambiance, you have three places to choose from to sit. -the main resturant inside that is small and intimate. -upstairs where you can on any given night hear some live jazz etc. ( and it's not to loud ) -or when it's warm on the deck which i like best! ( did I mention it's a bar downstairs and upstairs) Now the food - I always order lamb tibs w/ rice or injera with salad ( injera is like eating a spongy sourdough bread that usually compensates as a fork) YES AMERICAN ETHIOPIANS EAT EITH THEIR HANDS/INJERA but if you want they will give you a fork and have hand sanitizer on the table ( for you germaphobes ) They have some foods you won't know the meaning of but rest assure cause they have a dictionary on the side of menu that not only explain what it is but teaches you how to pronounce it also!!!! Now let's talk service!!!! -the service her is great!!! Weather your taking you food home or dining in.. The food is not too long of a wait and the wait staff always checks on you.. Most of the waitress are from Ethiopia and can explain anything that you might not understand. My favorite waitress is not ethiopian though, she is from KENYA... She is always so pleasant and kind. My other favorite I just found out is THE OWNER!!! She is the one that explained to me injera and had me try it for the first time.. She is always friendly and you can catch her there any day if the week WORKING! One last thing - THEY HAVE A DRIVE THRU THAT MOST DONT USE BUT IS JUST AS GOOD AS COMING IN AND GETTING TAKE OUT ( for those who don't want to get out the car )... To sum it all up, you MUST TRY! And even with all the other ethiopian spots around DESTA reign SUPREME

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    I love this place. I always get the Vegetarian Platter and it never disappoints me. The flavors are great and each dish is distinct.

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    Desta is perhaps the best reviewed restaurant in Atlanta on Yelp. I can see why. The meat lovers dish will easily feed 3 unless all three are voraciously hungry. We got it with a tibs appetizer (served rare, the only way to get tibs). All three meats were very tasty; the ribeye and the lamb stood out. The accompanying veggie dishes were also good. Their dessert tiramisu was also impressive.

    (5)

  • Meredith S.

    I'm on a roll trying to catch up with yelp reviews, and even though it's been a while since I've gone, this one deserves some words. This place is awesome. The food is excellent. Please get over any fear of eating exotic food and go! Every time I go I get the grilled fish with miser and injera. I have no idea what they are but everyone I've brought there (17 different individuals to be exact), has agreed that the food was way better than expected. The menu is fun because it explains how to pronounce everything without sounding completely ignorant. I've had two birthdays here and the staff was very accommodating to the crowd. There's a patio, indoor seating, and an upstairs. Sometimes they even have live music outside (God I love this place), so it's great for parties, weekends, or just low-key lunches.

    (5)

  • Christine L.

    329 Reviews with an average of four and a half stars, there's not much that I can say here that isn't already said. I had planned to go here several times but finally was able to find a suitable time for me and my friend to come here. When you pull into the parking lot you can smell the food and it knocked me off my socks (also, I was hungry). My friend and I were promptly seated and handed a menu that may well have been written in Ethiopian (or maybe it actually was, I think it actually was). The menu is about as hard to navigate as 85/75 at 5:30 on a Friday afternoon during a Braves games. They sorted it according to different types of dishes and then different types of meats with those dishes. Y'know I'm still not quite sure... just do what I did and say "Help" when the waiter/waitress comes by. Our waitress was helpful but a bit dismissive and occasionally absentminded but she was the one that recommended my appetizer and entree, which I cannot for the life of me recall what the appetizer was... some sort of tartar. After hastily sifting through the hundreds of reviews of this place and then quickly putting away my phone (I know I'm a foodie heathen), I decided to get the Fish Tibs with extra spicey spice and cooked in a certain fashion (also recommended by our waitress). I was not disappointed, nor was I even satisfied, I was ecstatic. I have a particular love of food that is very strong in flavor; spices and heat in particular are my weakness and this... was perfect. I was initially skeptical about fish in a "curry-like" dish (though I'm sure Ethiopians would disagree this is "curry-like" at all) but it was very well prepared and tender fish. All in all it was a marvelous new experience with very decently priced but very delicious food. I apologize for what seems like "Mad Lib" review but I actually don't exactly know what I ordered but I took whatever was recommended by our waitress. I recommend that if you're lost... try and do the same.

    (5)

  • Kedra M.

    The food is so good I've been multiple times the waitresses are always so pleasant and nice

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    Place is legit. With over 300 hundred reviews I don't think I can say anything useful other than give my nod. We went on a Friday night with over 10 people and the staff was very nice and accommodating. Food was on point.

    (4)

  • Isabel H.

    This place is amazing. The food is consistently spectacular, no matter what you get. I went there on my birthday and the staff was great, we even got a birthday cheesecake slice which was also excellent. Love it!!

    (5)

  • Tai B.

    I don't like Ethiopian food (had a bad experience in Washington, D.C.) but I love desta! Now granted I've only been twice and have the same thing each time but it was great and I'm looking forward to going again! My fav is the chicken tibs with rice and gomen (collared greens). The chicken is season well and the collared greens have an interesting taste to them. Sit on the patio if you can, good breeze out there!

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    I used to live very close to Desta so I would go at least once a month. I have told every friend about this restaurant. Every time I go, I am reminded of how good they are. Their flavors have never disappointed me. I've been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner before. For breakfast, I've tried the Foul and their Scrambled Eggs with Prime Ribeye Steak. I really like the Foul. They also come with fresh baked bread and I like to put the crushed beans and diced onions, tomatoes and pepper inside the bread. Delicious. The scrambled eggs with steak was okay. For appetizer, I've tried the Kitfo Wrap and the Kitfo Slice. I LOVE these two. I order at least one of these every time. I always order it rare. I used to order the wrap all the time. If you're by yourself, it can be considered a light meal like any wrap with meat inside. Recently, I've been more into the slice. If you don't mind the oil, it's truly a delicious bite. I love the jalapeno peppers because it leaves a perfect kick in your mouth in combination with the meat. This appetizer isn't for everybody though. I love the meat rare. Kitfo is steak tartare so to me, it's best when served rare. I've had friends who loved it too, but my aunt and sister tried it before and weren't fans because the meat was rare. Let the waitress/waiter know how you want it served. This doesn't disappoint. Great start to your meal at Desta. For entree, I've had their Lamb Tibs, Ribeye Tibs, Filet Mignon Tibs, Chicken Tibs, and Fish Tibs before. I love their lamb and ribeye. They're my favorite. The flavors are amazing. These two are my go-to. If you're with a friend and are true carnivores, then order the meat lovers entree. It won't disappoint. Everything at Desta is so flavorful. For their side, they have this beets and potato dish that I just love. It's a little sour and I love it. I have also tried the Shiro and Miser before. Once again, so so so flavorful. If you look at the stuff hanging on the wall, you will see that they are well known for their Vegetarian Platter. I tried it once before moving away and I have been craving for it ever since. I have also tried their Ground Beef Fir Fir. This was very delicious as well. All in all, this restaurant is packed full of flavors and spices that will leave your belly very happy and leave you wanting to go back.

    (5)

  • Esther C.

    I was a bit nervous when I first came to try this place out. However, I am SO glad I came. The service is good (sometimes they forget to provide utensils). The friendly staff comes around often, which is good. I would rather have someone come around often than someone not come around at all. This is my go-to Ethiopian restaurant and all friends I have introduced to this gem have never been disappointed. I always get the prime rib tibs (extra spicy) with rice and a potato stew as the side (my friends told me you cant go wrong with ordering tibs, esp if it's your first time). Ive tried the Injera, and it just doesnt fit my taste. I actually try it every time I go there, in case I start to think 'ok its not that bad'. I just dont like sour things. Hell, I dont even like sourdough bread. Next time I go, I definitely want to try the veggie platter.

    (5)

  • Lee B.

    My goto place for some of the best food in Atlanta by far. I've been going to Desta since it was a few tables and chairs and now it's a full blown cool chic restaurant. Desta is like fine wine, it definitely gets better with time. I look forward to the continued success and growth of this place and the veggie combo and fish tips :). Leland

    (5)

  • Vj D.

    I went to Desta based on recommendations from friends. I've been intrigued by Ethiopian food and finally got my chance to try. My companion and I opted for the shared plate and it was a nice and intimate experience of sharing food. Our server was very helpful, recognizing that we weren't familiar with the food, he gave us the information we needed to place our orders. I always appreciate service like this especially when trying a new place. So if you don't know what to get, don't hesitate to ask the servers, they are very knowledgeable and helpful. Great place to experience Ethiopian cuisine, I'd definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Rainblow S.

    Love Ethiopian food, love Desta. If you've never tried it you are missing out! We've eaten inside and also gotten takeout. Never a disappointment. They're often open later than their hours indicate. I really like that you can come here late on a week night and the place is so lively and buzzing with activity. That's not something you find around Atlanta as the city largely sleeps at night. It is my favorite of the Ethiopian spots in that area.

    (4)

  • Tiffani T.

    I had been craving some ethnic spicy fares and an acquaintaince recommended this spot. Cant believe it was my first time there. By the way that sponge like bread looks like something that could double as a skin graft, needless to say I didnt try it. Went on a late saturday afternoon, atmosphere was lively and staff was attentive. My mother and I sat outside eventhough It had rained on and off all day but we enjoyed the cooler temps on the patio. I am a sucker for lamb so I ordered the Lamb and tibs entree. The lamb had a flavor from the grill that tasted almost propane like. Not really sure how to describe it. But the lamb was very tender. The portions were very generous and I'd definitely go again. Service was quick and friendly and the presentation of the food was very good as well.

    (4)

  • Azie S.

    First time trying Ethiopian food and I can happily say I loved it! . My fav was red lentils and injera bread. When someone checks on your table hows everything? (who's not your waiter)..now that's good customer service!

    (5)

  • Kitrina D.

    We ordered take-out from Desta, and overall, it was a good experience. The food was ready within ten minutes of ordering, and the food kept well on the way home. We ordered the sambusa appetizer and the lamb tibs. I really liked the sambusa, and the lamb tibs were good but not my favorite. I definitely think that I will return, but I will probably try a different entrée.

    (4)

  • Ashish G.

    I had a very good experience, host and the server were very professional. I took lamb and my wife veg platter. Lamb was fantastic, veg platter was mostly good. Ethiopian beer was very nice, a different kind of taste. There was live music for outdoor seating, overall a good experience.

    (5)

  • Tiya B.

    This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the entire United States, and I've tried multiple restaurants in multiple cities including NYC, DC (yes, even DC does not compare), and SF. Everything from the presentation to the flavor is just a step above all other habesha restaurants. The doro tibs, asa tibs, and veggie combo are my favorite. These other restaurants need to come to Atlanta and take notes on Desta. My Atlanta visits are never complete until I eat here.

    (5)

  • Matt K.

    One of those rare - won't find another restaurant like it - more than eating Journey First Ethiopian experience & it did not disappoint! Great laid back atmosphere - out door patio - upstairs bar area. Unique Spice combinations creating flavor that is unmatched. Lamb was on point. Service is genuine. Patrons from all backgrounds seemed to be enjoying themselves. Couple Familys with kids along for this spicy journey I do my homework before selecting "exotic" food locations in Atlanta. This is a great change of pace - mix it up - if you get a wild hair! Highly recommend to everyone

    (5)

  • Emily Z.

    My first time here has been great! I followed recommendations here for the Fish Tibs (with Awaze seasoning), and had Injera bread with the Tomato FitFit. All was very tasty and rather healthy! I got full very quickly, and everyone (including the patrons) was very laid back and friendly! My server, Mesti, was very kind and helpful. And even though this is just a side observation, she was incredibly beautiful and should really be a fashion model! Great staff, plus I was amazed at just how big their restaurant was, and it was *still* almost full! Definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Ben H.

    Color me impressed! I was next door at Benchwarmers to see my Seahawks win homefield advantage in the 2014 playoffs and stumbled upon this place. Yum! We had the Lamb Tibs with Injera and Goman and the Vegetarian Platter. Together they were plenty for three hungry but not starving Seahawks fans. The Sambusa's were not bad but fairly ordinary (suggest a higher filling to wrap ratio). As a sometimes hardcore foodie this gets a five star "gem" rating. Not fine dining but great food, a fun experience, and excellent service.

    (5)

  • Katlyn S.

    I've been here 3 or more times and every time I leave with a full belly! All great food, high quality meats and veggies! Served family style, great Ethiopian beers and honey wines! The service is always great too, we usually just tell the server to bring us a little of everything and we are always highly satisfied! Also always gotta start with a kitfo wrap rare :)) mmmm also the manager (or owner?) makes his own pastries and they are to die for!!

    (5)

  • Mary N.

    Love this place!!! The one restaurant I will not go without visiting whenever I'm in ATL! :) Ingredients are always fresh, taste and service with a smile never changes! Thank you Desta! So yummy! So yummy! There's a party in my tummy!

    (5)

  • Jamila M.

    Desta is one of our favorite places; it makes us feel good. The food is great, the service is consistent, kind, and welcoming. We go so often that we have a favorite server - Megan. She knows what, fit-fit we want omitted and what we like to replace it with. She sees us, smiles and greets us with a warm welcoming smile that feels like family. We absolutely love Megan, but all of the servers at Desta are great and the owner is sweet and personable. The restaurant has grown, the wait is longer as more people are introduced to this great eatery. For me, and so many others, there is nothing better than a great meal, great environment, good energy, and excellent service coupled with the surround sound of people equally enjoying themselves - Laughing, talking, sharing stores, toasting with a sweet glass of tej. It is absolutely the best experience and always a welcomed treat. However, last night, my very euphoric dining experience was rudely interrupted by a very disrespectful patron. Yup, this is a shaming moment and I don't typically call people to the carpet, but this time I am. Last night, Desta was packed! there were lots of parties and people waiting to enjoy good food and the company of their dining partners. It was beautiful; the energy was buzzing, we had placed our order and we had a great server. All was in order until the woman who poorly responded to the owner's request that she and her solo dining partner relocate to the bar upstairs so that a party could use her two top. The rude and obnoxious woman threatening to upset the peaceable order of all of our dining experiences responded in a loud, embarrassing and unnecessarily hostile manner even after being offered a complimentary birthday drink at the bar. Happy birthday to the Grinch who tried to steal our Desta cheer!, but this is another example of why I love this restaurant. The owner could have joined this miserable woman and responded in an equally abrasive manner, but she did not. She maintained the highest level of professionalism and honored the code that the customer is always right - although that sour woman was all wrong - did I mention she and her dining partner were finished with their meal? Yup, they were done, check paid, leftovers packed and merely sitting and chatting. So, the offer to relocate and receive a birthday beverage was in their favor. Desta isn't just a dining experience, it is a portal into a cultural experience wherein the diners can come and enjoy good food, great energy and spectacular East African hospitality. If you have not had the occasion to dine here, please go and take a friend or three it is worth it! Thanks for reading my novel or a review! Cheers, JBM .

    (5)

  • Ebony B.

    Over the years they've expanded their space, changed the front door and undergone a massive overhaul. At least I can say that the food has not changed. This is a blessing as some places struggle to maintain the quality food that got them to popularity, after they expand and grow. Namely, a place I visited recently. Desta has great managers, and they've somehow expedited their experience. I chock it up to wonderful leadership. When the baby is asleep, they have to go drive thru options. Every restaurant needs a drive thru for moms with babies in car seats. Genius. I have filled in love with this place over time and even taken friends and mentors that have never tried Ethiopian before. They've all become fans. Their food does not disappoint.

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    You start smelling spices the moment you get out of your car and walk towards the front door. I took a friend who had never had Ethiopian food and we were thankful for the side of the menu that explained the traditional dishes. The prices are great for the amount of food you get. I have a good friend from Ethiopia and Desta's tibs tasted just like what she and her mom have made for me. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Amelia J.

    My first Ethiopian food experience, and surely not my last. Absolutley loved it. I had no idea what I was doing, but the menu was very accessible to a rookie and the staff was happy to offer recommendations. I recommend the tibs (I had chicken, but it all looked great), with shiro (a sauce they pour over it) and injera.

    (5)

  • Gabriela A.

    Such an amazing place! The food is tasty. We had the vegetarian platter, lamb tibs and fish tibs rice; we also had two veggie sambusas. Everything was delicious!

    (5)

  • John G.

    This place was quite an experience. My first time trying Ethiopian but surely not the last. We came on a Wednesday and it was not very crowded there were a few tables of happy folks eating with their hands and having a good time. I looked around at some of the dishes others were having since I had no idea what to get I went ahead and orded the lamb tibs with injera and miser. The flavors were fantastic and the eating without a fork was fun ( they provide bottles of purel on the tables ) The servers are very friendly and helpful for first timers. I will be back for sure

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    I'm not sure what authentic Ethiopian food is like, but the service here is good. We had to prompt our server for a missing injera bread. She proceeds to give us 2+ plates full. Needless to say, we got sick of injera. I got the Chicken Tibs with a side of miser and injera. It was super tasty, but I'm gonna admit that everything tastes similar after a while. Overall good experience, would go again.

    (4)

  • Naomi T.

    The food was sooo good. Busy on the day we went so about a 35 min wait but worth it. We ordered the $30 meal that came with three meats (lamb, fish, ribeye). So good. Also the beer and little rolls like egg rolls (lentil) were good.

    (5)

  • Karen S.

    Really Great Food Super service - they're always great. Food is spicy - and I have to watch that but they always prepare it milder when asked. Love the Injera bread. I have had several different things here and they were all excellent. Love the sirloin tibs. Suprisingly they also have the best Tiramisu!

    (5)

  • Jeunesse S.

    This place is for people who have NEVER had Ethiopian food before. I have had Ethiopian at least 20 times in California and previous meals were much better than Desta. The menu is a one pager that explains what everything is nicely. This place is very accessible for people who've never tried Ethiopian food; however it is NOT for someone who likes Ethiopian food and is familiar with the presentation and unique flavors and spices of Ethiopian food. This place is a knock-off of how the food should be presented and flavored. It's Ethio-American fusion! The two good things about this place are that it had a buzz and good atmosphere and the service was decent. The down side is the lack of authenticity and the sides are extremely small. I had lamb and green (Goman) with Injera (Bread); when it arrived it looked like a Mexican fajita dish with a small scope of Gomen and a lack luster piece of Injera. The waiter realized that the Injera provided wasn't going to be enough and proactively brought me a few pieces. The additional pieces he brought were really good, but the dish was just WRONG... hunks of lamb with onions, peppers and garlic which weren't really processed (finely copped). When I walked in, I should have looked at peoples dishes and realized this wasn't the place for me, but I didn't and I was completely underwhelmed. For those who love this place, PLEASE go and try another Ethiopian place, probably even the one in lot shared by Desta will give a better prospective of how the cuisine should taste. If you don't like it than you just don't like Ethiopian food, but at least you can say you actually tried Ethiopian food.

    (3)

  • Anhar A.

    Friendly staff from the moment we arrived, the patio is wonderful with great music. The food is out of this world. I've never had Ethiopian food taste so good. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Sela T.

    My first time trying ethiopian food. Completely out of my comfort zone, but ,thank goodness, i had some friends to help me order. I ordered the lamb, Injera and Misera combo. Lamb was good. It wasn't tough and was well seasoned. The injera is a carb i've never had before. Its a soft rolled up bread that has a sour after-taste. You'd rip it apart and use it to as a utensil to grab the meat and Misera. It went really well with the lamb and sides. Speaking of the side, I really really liked the Misera. However, be ever so sparing with it. It's fire-y hot. a dab will do you. Overall, i'd come back and try some more items on the menu.

    (3)

  • Jaclyn L.

    AMAZING!!! We went here for the first time last night and got the chicken tibs/side salad and the filet tibs/ater with the injera bread and the Napoleon cake for dessert that we were told they make in-house. The waitress was very friendly. The chicken and filet were cooked perfectly and everything was asolutely delicious! I've been to other Ethiopian restaurants but this is hands down the best! We will definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    We came here jonesing for something like what we had in a restaurant in New York. It didn't quite match up, but we certainly didn't mind. The restaurant has a fair bit of parking available and a lovely looking dining patio. There was live music on it today, which come be a pro or a con depending on your preferences. We are allergy sufferers in addition to part of our party disliking live music, so we chose to eat inside. The inside of the restaurant is somewhat small, and seemed a little dark. The music inside was somewhat loud, which was troublesome to my parents, but helped cover the squeals of the children at the table behind us. The waitstaff was attentive and very pleasant. Our waitress explained a few menu vagaries to my folks and we got down to ordering. We got lentil sambusas because they had run out of beef, I got ground beef tibs, my husband got lamb tibs, and my parents got chicken tibs and chicken pasta. All the food was delicious, although there were a few surprise jalapeno slices in everyone's dishes. The injera was tangy and springy and delicious. I was a little surprised by the lack of sauce on the dishes, because all the other Ethiopian food I've had has been very sauce laden, but everything was perfectly tasty. There are at least three other Ethiopian eateries nearby, so maybe one of those will fill my sauce itch. At the end of the meal we got the napoleon cake and a slice of berry cheesecake. The napoleon cake was a flaky pastry confection with two layers of thick cream between the pastry, topped with powdered sugar. It would be worth stopping at Desta just for this dessert! Despite not living up to a different restaurant, Desta stands on its own as a delicious option. We will definitely be back to try out some of the other dishes on the menu.

    (4)

  • Li J.

    Good and affordable Ethiopian food. I was feeling hungry and ordered the veggie platter along with the chicken tibs. Needless to say, it was too much food... Veggie platter was very good. All of the veggies and stews were flavorful. I really could have stopped there, but wanted some meat. I agree with other reviews that the tibs are certainly tasty, but not like any tibs I've ever had before. I've eater quite a bit of Ethiopian food and the flavor is different and a bit more intense than what they serve at still. Still very tasty, but I will stick with the veggie platter only in the future. I will likely return.

    (4)

  • Michael E.

    Wow. Yelp has been raving about Desta, and every bit of praise is well deserved. As a first-timer with Ethiopian food, I was blown away by the food and service here. I got the chicken tibs with tomato fitfit. I was expecting the latter to be hot, but it was a cold mixture of tomatoes and injera. It wasn't bad, per se--just not to my taste. Nonetheless, when our server saw that I'd taken a grand total of two bites, she offered to bring something else. After I vociferously protested, I found that the drink on my bill was free...! Incredibly gracious and friendly service. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    It was Rush Hour during lunch. My boy Jackie and I were hungry. We only found this place through Yelp. And I'm glad we did. The waitress explained the menu items. The food came out very promptly. We had the Lamb Tibs which were amazing. Also we ordered the pasta with meat sauce which ended up being so-so, not great, but not bad. But the Lamb Tibs was off the chain. Both dishes came with sides, salad, and a spongy bread. When the dishes came out, I yelled to them, "all the Triad and ugly dishes on this side, and all the fine dishes on this side, right now!" That's how I organized the plethora of dishes we ordered. After the meal, I was looking for desserts, but the waitress said it was G14 Classified. I should have inquired more about it. But against my better judgment , we just left. We were impressed overall. You must try this place out. You will not regret it.

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Just ate here for the first time. Don't get to the part of town much. But, it was worth the effort. Great table outside. Service was prompt and friendly. I had the Tibs with chicken and injera, which seems to be as much as you can eat, also with potato stew. Everything was spiced just right...hot enough to get a kick, but not spicy for the sake of spicy. Definitely will come back.

    (5)

  • Spring I.

    Simply great food! If you like curry type dishes, you will not be disappointed with this place. Would suggest to try Injera bread (spongy texture like) with various types of tibs in the menu. We tried Vegetarian platter, Chicken & Fish tibs with injera bread and every item was very tasteful. Will definitely visit this place again if we are happen to be in Atlanta. Highly recommend this place!!!

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    Good food and very helpful service. Will definitely eat here again

    (5)

  • Kamil B.

    I've been here about 5 times and loved it each time. If you are looking for the best Ethiopian food in the ATL, look no further then Desta. You can't go wrong with this restaurant; food is delicious, and staff are very friendly and accommodating. I like coming here with a group and ordering all the different meats and vegetables to go along with the injera. The lamb and fillet mignon are especially tasty. Also, very good Ethiopian coffee.

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Fun, inexpensive, friendly service. Good to order a few dishes and share. Will be back!!

    (4)

  • Kelly D M.

    I have zero.0 things to say about Desta - best Ethiopian I've ever had. Two of my friends and I split three entrees between us when we went last night - lamb tibs, fish tibs, vegetable platter, a bunch of injera bread. Impossible to say which element was best. IMPOSSIBLE, i tell you!!! We got them take out, and I think they were possibly even better as cold leftovers the next day? I mean they were at least AS good. I could eat nothing but this stuff every meal for the rest of my life and would have zero.0 problems. I would just want more. Fourth and fifth and sixth meals. Me want (Ethiopian) FOOD (from Desta).

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I love this place. This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and it was a fantastic experience. I went with two other friends. They originally sat us outside on the patio and we had this umbrella pole in the middle of the table. We wanted to share dishes so we asked to be re-seated and they happily complied with us. We got the Meat Lovers Entree. That's where you choose three meats. I think we chose the ribeye, fish, and lamb. The fish was very tender and not dry at all. One of my friends didn't enjoy the fish all that much but it was pretty good in my opinion. The ribeye and lamb were definitely very, very delicious. This was a delicious meal. I am definitely going to come back for more. The staff is also very friendly.

    (5)

  • Wayne R.

    I love this place again and again. We usually get the vegetarian dish and fish dish and are never disappointed.

    (5)

  • Julie S.

    I had Desta on my list to try for a long time. My first visit was with my book club a few months ago. I tried lamb tibs with the beet potato salad and injera. It was delicious, well seasoned, (but not spicy) meat. Get injera for your bread and you can rip off a piece to pick up your meat- no need for forks! Great service- they even recognized me from my previous visit when I came back with my family. Dishes are a good bargain as you get a large serving for about $12. Vegetarian options are available.

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    There's not much I can add except for saying how awesome it is. Before I visited Desta, I had tried Ethiopian a whopping one other time and I couldn't tell you what I had. So, from a newbie-Ethiopian-connoisseur, I give Desta 2 thumbs way up! I enjoyed how each person received their own dish and they give you silverware. The ingredients seemed very fresh. The servers are great for recommendations and the menu has a dictionary on the side for those of us who don't know what things are. I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Helen P.

    I always tell myself to try other Ethiopian restaurants in this area but then find myself at Desta once again. Their food is delicious, I did not see any reason for trying another restaurant. I would recommend the vegetables platter. The food is easy to share. I have not had a dish here that I did not like. The only minor complaint is the limited seating and the table space. This restaurant is tiny and is always packed.

    (4)

  • Annisha F.

    I went there on Valentine's Day in 2014. This was my first time eating Ethiopian food so I didn't know what to expect (Picky eater). It was good! And they give you plenty to eat. I got the Lamb and Tibs. The atmosphere killed my dinner though. I noticed I was getting a lot of stares from customers which made me a little uncomfortable. Once I finished my food, I just gathered my stuff so I can leave and I ended up talking to one of the tables that gave me uncomfortable stares. Come to find out there was A ROACH behind my head!! And some other customers chimed in calmly saying "yeah I saw them too". THEM?!?! WTF?! Nobody cared to tell me before I pretty much demolished my plate?!?! That made me so sad. I want to go back, but my pride won't let me.

    (3)

  • Scarlett W.

    After trying 99% of all the Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta (Meskerem, Ledet, Queen of Sheba...etc) I think that Desta is definitely the best overall. We got the Meat Lovers platter with steak, fish and lamb. Honestly, I can't pick a favorite because they were all so delectable in their own way. The steak was a bit tough for me (but the boyfriend didn't seem to mind) but otherwise everything was perfect. We also mixed the potatoes with the lamb and that was stellar - I would recommend you do that same as it adds deliciousness for a nominal fee. Service was fine. No complaints here. Verdict: For the low low price of $30 (minus tax and tip) you can get enough food for dinner and most likely lunch the next day. Plus its awesomely delicious. Yum yum.

    (5)

  • Hagar E.

    Very very very friendly staff with great customer service, every single one of the employees made us feel welcome. Food is GREAT, and huge portions so enough for yummy left overs to take home.

    (5)

  • Lindsey D.

    This has become a go-to restaurant....which is a very rare thing for myself and my fiance who is a chef (and verrrrrry picky!!)...We probably eat there once a week. The food is consistently delicious, portions are large, and prices are very affordable, especially for the quality of what you get! I've never had anything on the menu that wasn't absolutely fabulous. Honestly! Chicken Tibs, Ribeye Tibs, Vegetarian Platter, Fit-Fit, Kitfo...the Injera is awesome, and I always get the Awaze added to all my dishes as I like my food spicy, and Berbere as well. And thats just what I can remember the names of off the top of my head...! After going there twice and having the same server (not sure of her name!) each and every time we go there now she stops by our table and says hello and chats for a bit even when we're not in her seating section. She's wonderful! The service is really fantastic...very friendly and knowledgeable which makes it comfortable for someone who has never had this type of cuisine before. Can't recommend this place enough! I'll be heading back in a few days for dinner!

    (5)

  • Charlé W.

    If I played the word association game with Desta, Chipotle would come to mind. That's not a good thing. I agree with Ashley M.'s assessment of the menu. In their attempt to simplify it for non-Ethiopians it seemed more convoluted and stripped of the fun that dining off the (b)eaten path can provide. I expect some great platter options when I visit. The food itself was just okay. Didn't match the hype.

    (3)

  • Saba R.

    Absolutely delicious!!! And I'm super stuffed. What more could you ask for. If the weather allows it, enjoy the patio.

    (5)

  • Nick V.

    While the interior isn't traditional, the food certainly is! We ordered the vegetarian platter for $12 and there was plenty of food for the two of us. Our waitress was kind and informative about the food in the culture

    (5)

  • Swati K.

    The flavors and spices were just right! Extra votes go to lamb tibs, tasted perfect with injera..

    (4)

  • Brenda T.

    SATISFYING AND UNCOMPLICATED! 75 degrees and sunny at last in Atlanta. I joined friends here for dinner. It was nice to feel the breeze as we sat outside on the patio and tried these dishes: a. Vegetarian Platter b. Fish Tibs - fish cubes sauteed in spices, onions, tomatoes and peppers c. Honey Wine - too sweet for my taste. They have a 'Sweet Honey Wine' as well. d. Banana Rum Cake - LOVED this. Head inside to browse dessert options. e. Fresh injera (spongy, pancake like bread) served on the side and cut into rolls. Tear off into small pieces and use to grab bite sized portions of the food. f. Sambusa - crispy spring rolls filled with minced beef or lentils. Cold water never tasted so good after you try the spicy but delicious dipping sauce. I liked the ritual of breaking 'injera' and sharing food from one plate with friends. Meat and vegetables simmered in a medley of spices transported me to another place in time - no passport required.

    (4)

  • Therealladyof L.

    It's really good but I gave 4 stars because I wanted to be able to try the authentic Ethiopian food at Clarkston before I give this a 5 star rating. I had the fish tibs with Shirro & Cabbage. Recommend to try that.

    (4)

  • Jill W.

    Desta was my 2nd Ethiopian cuisine experience and it knocked my first one out of the park! We came here for brunch with a party of 6 and Bersa was our server. She was wonderful and always smiling, patiently making sure we had everything we needed as we ate. The food was fresh and incredibly delicious. If you are here for breakfast/brunch, the Fetira is super yummy. It's like a flaky, pastry with (we had egg) between. Topped with powered sugar and you can drizzle some honey as well! And of course, the coffee! You must try it. We couldn't get enough of the coffee. However, if you're more of a tea person, they have a blend of spices they add to your hot water before you steep your tea. I didn't try it but the aroma was pleasant and soothing. We also ordered the meat kitfo, medium rare and it was the perfect amount of flavor and spice. And I'd definitely recommend the Fish Tibs Entree and the Vegetarian Platter! Desta's injera is light and spongy and the perfect compliment for all their dishes. If you are in Atlanta, I would definitely stop at Desta! No one should miss an experience like this.

    (5)

  • Zain K.

    I never feel great after eating Ethiopian food, and presume that it's because the food is prepared with a ton of oil and butter... Desta is no exception, unfortunately, but since that's just a feature of the cuisine I can't really fault them for it. That said, this may be the best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. One thing I really like is that you can order a tibs meal (from $10 to $14 depending on meat), and then add any number of veggie sides (one is included free) for only $1.50 each. I ended up getting the much-praised fish tibs with sides of chick pea puree, cabbage, red lentil stew, and split peas (each of these has an Ethiopian name I can never remember), and everything was delicious. If I had to find fault, it would be that the fish was a little on salty side. Also, The restaurant was comfortable and warm (on a cold night), and service was great.

    (5)

  • Y P.

    Been coming here for several years and their food is always on point. I've tried other Ethiopian restaurants in and outside of Atlanta, but none come close to Desta. It gets pretty crowded during the dinner rush, especially on Fridays and Saturdays- wait can be up to an hour. So make reservations in advance. Or just wait. Definitely worth it.

    (5)

  • Nina W.

    If heaven was on earth ..it would be a little restaurant tucked away in decatur. YES. Desta is that absolutastically good (new word Ive created deriving from absolutely and fantastic hehehe). I mean where do I start? seriously though where do I start? I have been going to this restaurant for about 4 years now and I cannot rave enough about the food, service, authenticity of this place. I seriously recommend it to every one who is feeling adventurous and wants to dine on some Ethiopian food. It is by far the best Ethiopian food not only I've eaten in Atlanta but also surpasses others I've visited in DC, LA, and Miami by light speeds. My experience everytime I visit Desta is like the rest.. greeted by wonderful staff and then seated to a cozy booth where my tongue yearns for a delicious bite of injera, fish tibs, awaze tibs and every other decadent treat on the menu. Literally I think to myself if this is what heaven tastes like I don't want to be on earth. Think the episode of the Simpsons where they stumble upon an Ethiopian restaurant and their taste buds start to dance to the tunes of Ethiopian music. The aroma upon entering the parking lot is enough to drive me insane. For starters I usually start my meal with sambusa for appetizer. Try it for yourself and then thank me later. For my meal I typically get the fish tibs.. OH MY GOD! I cannot say enough, its priced at $14.00 or so and if it was priced even a $100 more I would stop at nothing to order it. Its seasoned right swimming in a sea of veggies and lemon juice. The fried talapia is encrusted until golden.. mouth savoring yes, slap your momma good, yes. I always top it with Tsome firfir which is injera torn into pieces and cooked with vegetables and spices. Can we say TDF!!!! (to die for). The service is always exceptional and its usually packed so plan in advance to call and make reservations on the weekends or it can be a 30-40 minute wait sometimes. I've heard they expanded since I have last been so thats always a plus.. more room and less waiting times! I always leave Desta satisfied, full to the rim of the cup and thinking.. "wow, I just went to heaven and came back" ..and yes I am completely sober in writing this. In case you were wondering my enthusiasm stems from Desta being one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. MUST TRY.. like now.

    (5)

  • Chaz C.

    Desta makes my favorite meal ...period - Fish Tibs! I come here more often than any other restaurant even though it's out of the way for me. You can't go wrong with any of the tibs, though I would suggest you try the the fish tibs (even if you don't like fish much) and goden tibs (Prime Rib). It's also pretty nice that they have an outdoor patio for nicer days though looking at the old strip mall isn't that great. If you get a chance they also make really good coffee here.

    (5)

  • Arerell J.

    My cousin took me here while visiting and I must say the food was decent but the service was terrible the waiter barely checked on is and it took forever for our food to be served. Also outside it smelled like urine. I am giving 3 starts because the Lamb was very good and injera my fav!!!

    (3)

  • Cindy W.

    Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Came here on a Friday, since I'm Catholic and it's Lent I had the Fish Tibs. The food was excellent! Looking for an appetizer? Do yourself a favor and have the Sambusa with lentils. Oh and the spicy pepper sauce to go with your Sambusa is a must try but keep water near. If you decide to dine her you are definitely in for a real treat.

    (4)

  • Angela H.

    Last night, I had my first taste of Ethiopian food at Desta. I was with a group of 8, and we were seated upstairs. Since I was about 15 minutes late (sorry, guys!), I don't know if my group had to wait long to be seated or whatnot. I had no idea what to order, but one of my friends who had been here before recommended the tibs. I decided to order the Beef Ribeye Tibs with rice and potato stew. I had no clue what "tibs" were, but here is a description off Desta's website: "Ribeye Tibs (Beef) Tender cubed prime ribeye sauted in a special blend of house spices, onion, tomato, pepper, and Ethiopian butter." Damn. I missed the "onion" part of the description (oops - I hate onions), so when my tibs came, I picked out all of the onions - and there were a lot of them! =P And I guess looks are deceiving, but when I received my food (see attached pic), I thought it wouldn't be enough to fill me up. Boy was I wrong... I thought the potato stew looked more like two spoonfuls of mashed up red beans (eek!), but it tasted alright. The ribeye was flavored nicely with the spices, and it was good with the rice but even better with the warm pita bread, which I stole from a friend. =) I also tried a tiny piece of the injera - a spongy bread which tasted sour and a bit sweet, but served cold. I did not like neither the texture nor taste of the injera and would never even want to sample it again. The server hardly came around our table - and I had to stop her on the way to another table to ask for a refill of water, but it was a Friday night and very busy. They tack on a 18% service charge for large groups (I'm guessing for parties of 6+). Overall, Desta gets 3 stars - for good food and decent service. At $12.50, my first experience with Ethiopian food was good but not great. I'm not sure if I would return - unless it was for a birthday or other special occasion.

    (3)

  • Holly M.

    This is a family favorite but the first time they have taken me. Honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. Everything was fresh and the service was amazing. They gave us a great wine recommendation and were more than willing to answer any questions. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Mir S.

    Loved this restaurant! We ordered the lamb tibs with red lentils and the vegetarian platter. Both were delicious. The staff is very friendly and were helpful with deciding what we should order. I will be back to try more dishes!!

    (5)

  • Matt G.

    Really good. There's a reason this place is crowded...people go once and then keep coming back. I had the fish Tibs and it was perfect, delicious and perfectly prepared. The staff is wonderful and I'm going back as soon as I can.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn T.

    The food is amazing. Yesterday was my 1st time having Ethiopian food, I got the lamb tips and cabbage. LOVED it, the place is so trendy and fun... Makes you feel comfortable about the unknown.

    (4)

  • Melissa T.

    If you've never eaten Ethiopian food, as I never had before my experience here, you should come here first. Basically, we admitted we'd never had this cuisine before to the waitress and she happily explained everything from the way you use the bread to eat with your hands to the way the dishes are served (family style or individual). Soooo cool! We enjoyed everything thanks to the direction of the lady. A little note on the history of the area: the reason there are so many Ethiopian, Somalian, and other African residents in the area is because in the 1990's, the govt decided that Clarkston was an exemplar place for fugitives from Africa to immigrate to. It was at the end of a public transportation line and the apartments were cheap. :)

    (5)

  • Rob G.

    Best food. Beat service. Beat atmosphere. Come here for good food and drinks with friends. Always a good time!

    (5)

  • Blair C.

    My New friend Michael and i went here and OMG... the food and culture were amazing.. the Lamb dish was very tasty..,the fish specialty was off the Chain...the service was great and i would highly recommend this place and will be back very soon...

    (5)

  • April W.

    I've eaten Ethiopian food before, but this was the first time at Desta. I ordered the vegetable platter. It was so tasty! (Meat eaters, vegetarians & vegans would ALL EQUALLY LOVE this selection.) The cabbage & collards taste like they were marinated in spices for hours (yum). All the vegetables in the platter taste like they were cooked a long time & were absolutely delicious! I highly recommend trying this dish if you're new to Ethiopian food & you like spicy vittles. Needless to say, I devoured my lunch from Desta today!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Love it. Love it. Love it. We ate here for my boyfriend's birthday with a party of 7 and they actually held our table for us until we arrived. The staff here is so friendly! So, I'd never heard of kitfo before my visit to Desta and now I wake up thinking about it. I even went back to eat at Desta again three days after my first visit because I couldn't stop thinking about the kitfo! We got it medium-rare (which is pretty much rare except it is warm) and it is mixed with jalapenos and cheese and you can get it rolled in the injera, which I highly recommend. I tried the fish tibs, the filet tibs, the lamb tibs and the short rib (I didn't order all of them myself, don't worry) and I really liked everything! I think the fish and filet tibs were my favorite, though. We ordered the miser for a side and it is absolutely delicious. Spicy with a hint of sweetness and such deep, rich flavors. Definitely give this place a try! It is a new favorite of mine.

    (5)

  • Jane C.

    I've been here several times. The food is amazing. I almost always get the lamb tibs with the injera, gomen, ayib, and shiro. I've also tried the fish tibs, which is also good. They are open very late (12am on weekdays). There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and parking. I highly recommend Desta. It's great just for takeout or for dinner with friends. Lastly, the food is affordable and plentiful.

    (5)

  • Bee F.

    To keep it short and brief... THIS IS THE BEST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT IN ATLANTA. Got it? Ok good..Lol. Well I am full Ethiopian and I'm veeeery picky when it comes to Ethiopian food. This is the closest thing I've found to my moms cooking! I eat here at LEAST 3-4 times a month sometimes even twice in one day! I will say I've seen a shift in some of the staff and there are not as many Ethiopians working here anymore which I personally find a little disappointing bc I feel like it takes away from the experience when you have a server that can not properly explain the menu, culture etc. Although the food is AMAZING, the plating and details are very modernized which doesn't give you an "Authentic" Ethiopian dining experience. If you've never been...go RIGHT NOW

    (5)

  • Lani J.

    Fantasmagorical!!! You won't find better Ethiopian food ANYWHERE... You'll be hard pressed to fond better FOOD anywhere!!!

    (5)

  • Nina B.

    It doesn't get much better than this. Desta is definitely on my list of top 10 favorite restaurants ever. The fish tibs are wonderful. I get them with the injera and beets/potato side every single time I visit. I have been here many times, and I have never been let down. This is one of the few restaurants I will happily drive outside of the city for. The service is always great, the atmosphere is nice and cozy, and there is outdoor seating if you want some fresh air. Get a bottle of one of their delicious honey wines, fish tibs, and sit out on the patio for a relaxing evening with great food. I will be back for my fix very, very soon.

    (5)

  • Philip M.

    For 3 years I have been dining here and meaning to complete a review. I finally have 15 minutes of free time so here ya go .... My partner and I live off Briarcliff so we dine at Desta at least once a month. This is truly one of our "go to" places when cooking at home is not an option. I am vegetarian however my partner is a carnivore. We have vegan friends. Everyone can find something to enjoy on this menu. The vegetarian platter on the back of the menu is my standby. My partner loves the ribeye tibs. The value and quality for these prices is a great deal. Service varies from good to excellent. The patio is pleasant for outdoor dining. The inside is quite nice too. Not fancy but consistently clean and orderly. Literally everyone I introduce to this place becomes a regular customer. This is a real neighborhood gem. We used to eat at the adjacent Ethiopian places but for the same prices, Desta has better food and service.

    (5)

  • Sol A.

    It just can't get better than these. I was craving some Ethiopian food and decided to invite two friends who ended up being 8 people! I called to make a reservation and they were not sure so many people could be in one table. We still gave it a try and as soon as we hit the door they move the tables upstairs so we were all in one table without even a flinch! I tried one of their Ethiopian beers which tested good and went for the whole vegetarian platter myself as I was starving and it was delicious. It had yellow peas, red lentils, potatoes in curry sauce, collard greens and my favorite kind of sweet cabbage with carrots as well as salad and beet. They all tasted good and I almost finished it myself. Too bad I didn't have enough space for dessert, but their tiramisu is to kill for.

    (5)

  • Torryn J.

    I came here with a friend after it being highly recommended and that the good was just amazing. Honestly after such reviews, I may have been a bit disappointed at the amount they had hyped it up, but it was good and definitely somewhere I would return to. We went on a random afternoon so it wasn't very busy at all, but the inside is nice and clean. I ordered the fish tibs and my friend ordered the lamb tibs, and honestly they were both great! We both got the injera and I got the Miser(sp?). The injera was soft, spongy, and just the right amount of sour to me and worked really well to put anything since we didn't have any silverware. The fish tibs were delicious, it was seasoned well and honestly it was delicious. I took some home and ate it the next day! Overall the experience was good and I think I'm going back tonight acutally, and while it wasn't amazing it's definitely somewhere I enjoy and will return to. Though I will be honest, I am unsure of how americanized it has been. :)

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    I'm going to preface this review by acknowledging that Ethiopian is among my least favorite ethnic cuisines. Aside from the fact that communal plate sharing and the serving of raw meat is absolutely horrifying to me on multiple levels, I simply do not care for the flavor profiles of most Ethiopian dishes and absolutely despise the sour taste and ShamWow-like texture of injera. Nonetheless, I can appreciate well-executed food when it crosses my plate. That being said, Desta is arguably the most authentic Ethiopian dining experience that you're going to find in Atlanta. Food: The menu at Desta features an impressive assortment of traditional Ethiopian offerings, including kitfo, dulet, shiro, and various tibs. During my recent visit, our party opted for the vegetarian and meat lover combos. The vegetarian combo included an assortment of approximately eight different items such as fir-fir, fit-fit, shiro, and various wats. The meat combo included our choice of three different meats (beef, lamb, and chicken). Both dishes were served with an unlimited supply of injera. Although I wasn't particularly impressed with the flavor of the food, it was generously portioned and expertly prepared. Service: Both takeout and dine-in service are available. The staff are generally friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. During my visit, the waiter, as well as I woman I presume was the manager, checked-up on our table throughout the meal at appropriate intervals. Atmosphere: Casual and clean. The interior dining room is somewhat cramped, so I would recommend sitting on the outdoor patio if the weather is cooperative. Inexperienced diners should also note that the restaurant does not furnish silverware; however, hand sanitizer is located at each table for your convenience and continued survival. Cost: Inexpensive. Appetizers are $3-$6, sandwiches are $7-$9, salads are $5-$7, and entrees are $8-$13. Wines are $6-$8 per glass and $20-$25 per bottle. Other: Desta is located in the Williamsburg Shopping Center at the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont. Free parking is available in the plaza lot. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12AM, and Friday-Sunday, 9AM-1AM.

    (3)

  • guido s.

    Best Ethiopian restaurant ever. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Food is perfectly spiced, portions are large, price is low, etc.. Very cozy inside and great outdoor funky patio space for nice evenings. The teff flour bread (injera) is gluten free for you hipsters. Service is usually great, but can be a bit slow if it's slammed busy. Seriously, this is one of the greatest little gems in Atlanta. There's also like 4-5 other Ethiopian restaurants within a 50 yard radius from Desta, but never found the chance to go to them. Desta's food nails my cravings.

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    Even for someone like myself that is gastronomically deficient (I prefer non-spicy foods) I found the food fantastic. I played it safe and had the chicken tibs with Ater (blinded up lentils) and pita bread and loved every bit of it. The mango juice tasted, well, like mango juice. I tried several of the other dishes that others at the table had and everything was very interesting. Some was more spicy than I like but everyone else loved what they ate. We will definitely be going back. Oh, and the address on the site is wrong. It's actually across the street from Mo's Pizza and near Bench Warmers, Popeye's Chicken.

    (5)

  • Heather S.

    The food here was amazing. We had kifto (steak tartare) as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had the ribeye tibs over shiro and both were full of flavor and absolutely fantastic. I had ater on the side and it was great. Our server was awesome. She was really informative, very attentive, and made excellent recommendations. Prices were reasonable. My entree was $12 and it was a lot of food so I had leftovers the next day. I am so glad that I finally went to Desta and that I live nearby!

    (5)

  • KJ S.

    my gentleman suitor and I dined here for lunch on Saturday 6/22/13. There are 3-5 Ethiopian restaurants in a 1 mile radius and we are both from out of town so we chose based on word of mouth from a friend who said her Ethiopian friends love Desta! was a great choice! oh and We also chose based on the really lovely outdoor seating. The service was good and the food was awesome. we had sambusa stuffed with lentils, they were quite spicy in a good way. we also both had the lamb tibs entrée with injera, the collards, cabbage and I had the lentil side it was like a soup and so very flavorful. they have a full bar and some delicious Ethiopian wine on the menu. I also love that they have a sink on the deck to wash your hands since most of the foods can be eaten with your hands.

    (4)

  • Victoria R.

    FABULOUS! So tasty and they have something for everyone. I took some hesitant and unadventurous eaters here, but by the end of the meals, they were complete converts. Vegan options available but the lamb tibs were also fabulous. I definitely suggest you try the injera bread - it tastes like sourdough! Silverware is available but go authentic and eat with your hands and wash it down with a traditional Ethiopian beer. I wouldn't take a huge party here just because they are typically pretty busy. They will accommodate your big group; it may just take a while. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Pamela M.

    Desta is not your typical Ethiopian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. This restaurant was impressionable from the start. The aroma of spices in the restaurant made my taste buds dance. The Ethiopian servers are beautiful, friendly, and helpful. The atmosphere was lively and casual. It included indoor and outdoor seating and was filled with a variety of people from all over town. The sunroom has a 'tree of life' in the middle of the room that adds to the ambiance of the restaurant. Most importantly, the food was DELICIOUS! We ordered the sambusa (pastries stuffed with meat) for an appetizer, which was reasonably priced $3.00 for two rolls. They were well seasoned and tasted good, but were not the most authentic--I prefer the triangular flaky pastry over the fried egg roll wrappers. We ordered the vegetarian platter and pick three tibs platter (lamb, ribeye, and tilapia) for four people. I would highly recommend ordering the aforementioned to have the opportunity to try a variety of foods. The presentation was nice--the vegetarian dishes surrounded the meats and fish in the center all on a bed of injera (see attached photo). The meat was deliciously seasoned and grilled. The fish was the best tilapia I have ever had at an Ethiopian restaurant! My friend loved the gomen (Ethiopian collard greens) and we loved the tomato fit fit (tomato with pieces of injera mixed in)--I could eat a whole bowl of this delicious goodness! The injera was very fresh and yummy! Our server was attentive and made sure she refilled our injera regularily while we devoured the dishes. I debated trying the kitfo (raw ground beef) for the first time, but as adventurous as I am, I have only had 'carpaccios' and 'tartares' at high end places--I had a flight in the afternoon and was afraid to fly and have possible gastrointestinal issues. However, I was very satisfied with my culinary experience at this restaurant that I may try it next time! Don't let the online menu discourage you from trying this fabulous restaurant! The menu online is missing quite a few items, but the menu at the restaurant has a lot of items to choose from along with definitions on the side for those who are unfamiliar with Ethiopian cuisine. The only thing this restaurant is missing is mouthwatering wat (stew, curry) dishes. I would probably give this restaurant five stars if they added wat dishes. We were happily stuffed and our bill was around $50.00 for four people.

    (4)

  • Claire L.

    This place has amazing and consistent food. The atmosphere is wonderful too. Great service, too! I highly recommend the hot tea and the lamb tibs. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Kimberly M.

    We ordered some sort of vegetarian platter and a platter of meats. Everything was absolutely delicious and between three people we had a ton of food left over. The Enjira was never ending and service was excellent. Desta was definitely the nicest, most modern Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. They have a hip atmosphere and the food presentation was well done. If I lived in Atlanta I would be a regular.

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    So clean and the food is amazing and fresh! So much flavor. Great beer and wine selection too. Love this place.

    (5)

  • David B.

    Definitely order the fish tibs...they come bathed in a slightly (and pleasantly) acidic sauce. The ribeye tibs are my second favorite (better than the tenderloin tibs...which I thought was weird). For a side dish I would recommend chickpeas or the lentils. The greens are ok but they are sort of bland. Ambiance: very cool. They have a large covered patio which is a great place to eat on a nice day. When it's too cold to eat outside comfortably they drop down the side walls of the patio so you can eat on the patio no matter the weather! Service: very good. The waitresses are nice Ethiopian women (with accents). Not that it really matters but it kind of makes eating at an Ethiopian restaurant better when your waiter isn't an American hipster. I tried mifto for the first time ever out of curiosity. You can order it rare, medium-rare, medium-well, or well. I ordered it medium-well. It looks like a quesadilla and is filled with a mixture of ground beef and cheese. It is interesting but kind of greasy and doesn't taste much different than normal ground beef. I wouldn't recommend it...stick with the tibs!!! Definitely a great Ethiopian restaurant. I love the food and the atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Nadia T.

    Flavourful, delicious food. The Kitfo and fish tibs are a must try. Prompt and friendly service. Desserts need a lot of work. Have tried dessert here three times and each time has been a disappointment--waxy tasting chocolate cake, dry baklava. Desta, please work on your desserts then you'll be spot on!

    (4)

  • Felicia L.

    We were virgins until we pulled into this spot. This was our first time here. My partner and I were headed to another restaurant, but the packed crowd at this spot pulled us in...and we will be back. We had the fish tubs along with the veggie combo plate and it was very good. Excellent favors, good portion size, but a tab too spicy. Service was decent. Our meals were $12 each. Good value

    (4)

  • Melissa H.

    My husband hates Ethiopian food, so I came here with my brother. It was my first experience with the cuisine. I'm a bit prissy and I don't really enjoy eating with my hands. I'll do it, but it's not my "thing" if you know what I mean. From my husband's description, I walked in expecting a saucy mess. I was pleasantly surprised! I definitely need practice, as injera isn't as newbie friendly as some other breads. I wasn't able to eat very efficiently. But it was quite tasty. I liked the interesting sour taste of the bread, like a mild sourdough. It went well with the food, which was flavorful and well-prepared. My brother had beef and I had lamb. We both had a side of lentils, which were also good. Nothing blew me out of the water, but it was an enjoyable experience overall. Service was adequate. We did have to flag our waitress down a few times for water refills.

    (3)

  • Anita C.

    We ordered the signature tips. Chicken with the injera and salad. The chicken was very very well seasoned. Probably the best Ethiopian food that I can remember having. I don't recommend the salad. I haven't tried the other sides, but I would imagine it being better than the salad. I still give this place a 4 because they did really really well with the meat. I will definitely be coming back to try other meats and sides.

    (4)

  • Peto F.

    A happy place for sure. I love unique foods from other cultures. It has never made sense to me to go to a chain restaurant like Chilis when you have places like this. I love the fact that you can eat with your hands here. What better way to experience the culture ? I love the chicken tibs and the vegetarian platter. The ethiopian bread is a different texture. Kind of like a tortilla. I have been there a good five times, and it never gets old.

    (5)

  • Bryan W.

    So, after moving to the cultural food mecca that is Atlanta, and being reunited with my older sister, we embarked on a new tradition: Every 2 weeks, after pay day, we would go try a food from a different ethnicity. This trip was to Desta. Now, if you have never had Ethiopian, I don't have a very good way to describe it. Anyway you describe the methodology to eating, it sounds odd. Basically, you have a spongy, bread type thing that you use to "peench" small morsels of delectable goodness and place them in your digestive apparatus. While it doesn't look amazing, it is! The flavors come zinging throughout your mouth, and you will just keep going back for more. This is a very cool place to eat, quite an experience, and nice surroundings. There is a variety of spice/heat, so be careful in what you add to your food. I would highly recommend Desta, and for everyone to try Ethiopian.

    (4)

  • Marko M.

    Phenomenal! Sets the standard for Ethiopian food in ATL.We got there on Mother's Day, so place was busy. Still, it did not affect the quality of food nor service. Excellent all around. Next, I will try their Ethiopian breakfast.

    (5)

  • Rohit S.

    Great food and good ambiance. In our two trips, service has not been the highlight, but the food sure has been. I haven't tried other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta, but Desta has not disappointed. Not too fond that it's a 20 minute drive from Midtown, but the food makes it worthwhile.

    (4)

  • Valerie N.

    As a professed Ethiopian food hater, the fact I walked in the door here was a miracle. However, it was a beautiful day and sitting on their lovely deck really made for a yummy lunch. Fish tibs, filet mignon tibs, lamb tibs - you just won't go wrong with any of these! Super garlicky, grilled, flavorful morsels with grilled onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes? Yes, yes, yes! Add some collard greens, yellow lentils, and some of that crazy spongy bread and you've got one happy lady. We did have some mis-steps with service. Our waitresses were SUPER nice, but when it came to ordering, some of my table mates didn't get what they wanted. We also had trouble splitting the bill, but they were so nice about it, I really didn't mind... I'd definitely recommend this as an exploration into Ethiopian food! Yum!

    (4)

  • Duncan M.

    As good as the previous reviews state. Had lamb tibs with awaze. Awesome!

    (4)

  • Pauline H.

    This is one of the best Ethiopian place i have ever ate! I ordered the 3 meat lover which you can pick any type like: filet mignon, lamb, chicken, fish, or rib eye for $30! And I ordered a $15 restaurant.com gift certificate for like $2! I got $15 off my tab and I paid $16+tip. It was so worth it! The meat lover can feed up to 3 people. My bf and I couldn't finish it so we had to put some to go! It was so delicious! I recommend everyone to go!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    I give this a place a 5 for food, 4.5 for ambience, and 3 for service. I got a recommendation from one of our customers a few months ago and finally had a chance to check it out. Wifey, son, and me. A family dinner for a party of 3 Koreans at an Ethiopian restaurant.. nice. Like most of the other reviews here, I give the Fish Tibs and Lamb Tibs a friendly high 5. We were the only asians in the restaurant and the server didn't make us feel all that welcome. Felt more forced than anything.. a lil more about that later. I let the waiter know we were happy to be there and in my enthusiastic way I let her know that we were excited to try whatever they recommended. She suggested the fish tibs which we ordered and of course me loving lamb as i do, we ordered the lamb tibs which were also fantastic. Our orders included spongy bread aka Injera which you tear off pieces off, get some of your meat, and mix in with some sweetly seasoned lettuce (tastes like Italian dressing). Would have been nice if the server taught us newbies a bit better how to do it like the Ethiopians did it, but she just kind of expected us to know how to do it. We didn't have too much problem figuring our own way of doing it. Location was a bit tricky to find, as after my navigation said "You have reached your destination" we saw another Ethiopian restaurant with kind of a similar name. We made a right turn only to find another ethiopian restaurant on the right (opposite) side and I nearly got into an accident trying to figure out where Desta was. Readers, please note there are THREE Ethiopian restaurants on the same corner 1/8th mile radius. Parking wasn't bad, but space was pretty tight. We had a hard time finding a spot comfortable for our baby, but we were able to make do. We didn't stay for dessert, but overall we were happy with our meal (food anyways). Service is what prevented me giving this place a 5 star. I dunno why, but if service isn't good for me, it kind of ruins the experience regardless of how good the food is. Overall, I recommend it, and we will most likely return. 3. stars rounded up to 4.

    (4)

  • Yasiin H.

    Great food i enjoyed my visit the food was well prepared.The problem that takes a toll on the restaurant is that it is too small and cramped.you are real close to strangers sitting next to you.other than that they have a variety of Ethiopian dishes you can choose from

    (3)

  • Alyssa M.

    AMAZING!!! two words: fish tibs. Are you kidding me? Everything we ordered was fantastic but the fish was the winner. My first time having Ethiopian food and I want more! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Linda J.

    We were going to order something in addition to the meat lover's platter (we ordered the lamb, chicken, and rib eye) which comes with three meats and two veggie sides and the waitress politely advised against this. Boy am I glad we listened to her! Granted I wasn't super hungry but there was a TON of food left over. Probably half, if not more. It's a tad spicy but not too bad. This my first time eating Ethiopian food in Atlanta and it was pretty good. They didn't have all the veggies I'm used to sampling but at least the injera wasn't sour (I hate that). Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. Service was very good and I would definitely go back. It's a bit cramped inside but it's manageable. I did not try their desserts so I can't comment on that. Oh, I liked how they had definitions of certain terms on the side of the menu. That and you can learn their language (also on the menu) while you wait for your friends to show up. Not a HUGE deal but I find it a nice touch when the server opens and pours your beverage (if it comes in a can) into your glass. They didn't do that here and that's fine; it's just something I notice. To each their own! Still pretty good food and I'll probably go back.

    (3)

  • Wolfgirl E.

    We end up at Desta once a week now. I'll admit I'm hooked, and I have no problem with it. The food here is always perfectly seasoned, cooked, and plated. The service is fabulous and the servers are always so friendly; the food comes out quickly, and good gods above I don't know if it's possible to get better kitfo somewhere. I mean, I wake up craving it sometimes; that and the veggie platter amount to a perfect meal. I've taken my partner here, my best friends, and even my mother, who is by all accounts not a very adventurous eater. It's just a go-to for consistently excellent, affordable food.

    (5)

  • Atiyah T.

    Gosh I just love Ethiopian cuisine. My favorite is the Miser, it's a form of red lentils. The best hands down, I would suggest pairing it with rice, lamb and (Injera) which is a form of sponge bread. What I like most is the freshness of the food and the friendly waiters. If you are a food explorer and don't mind getting your hands dirty you can eat with your hands. As they would do in the Ethiopian culture. Desta has a sink in the eating area where you can washed your hands afterwards.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    First time going down Ethiopian lane brought us to Desta. I had heard pretty great reviews and my girlfriend had been talking about it for a while as well. It's a little out the way from my home in East Atlanta, but well worth the drive. The dining room is small and a feels a bit crowded and it smells heavenly when you enter. We tried a little bit of everything sharing the lamb and rib eye tibs, a vegetarian platter and the kitfo (very brave) with the other couple we came with. No forks needed here... The injera works as a both a fork, a glove, and a little rolled up sour accompaniment to your meal. The price wasn't too harsh on the wallet and there was plenty of food leftover. It's only been a few days since our Ethiopian adventure and we've already talked a few times about going back. The kitfo was my favorite. It's essentially Steak Tartare served at different levels of raw and tossed in berbere, a spice mixture, that just must have crack inside. I couldn't stop eating the kitfo. Sooooooo goood.....

    (5)

  • Saira K.

    Exceptional food and great service. The fish tibs comes with lots of sliced jalapenos, and lemon and is delicious with the split peas and gomen. Their version of injera is the best I've had. The Napoleon with the unique traditional tea (see my earlier review) was a nice treat. It's interesting that they have the same menu and prices for lunch and for dinner. Portions are less than expected for the price.

    (4)

  • They Call Me L.

    Who knew that Ethiopian food could be so trendy? We were here on a Friday night - 4 adults and two kids at an outside table. I really dig the setup of the outdoor seating, plus Germ-X bottles at each table along with the sink, to make sure you keep your hands clean. All the dishes were great - tibs, veggie platter, shiro with cubed meat. And the injera - this is the good stuff, with just the right amount of sourness in a yummy spongy rolled-up bready treat.

    (4)

  • Nita U.

    The food was pretty good but comparable to other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta. The waitress was pretty rude though. Two out of four of us arrived a little early and wanted to sit at a table. The waitress rudely told us to wait to the hallway. My friend motioned that I am close to 9 months pregnant and would really appreciate sitting down at a table and the waitress refused. After being seated, I asked her about desserts and she told me to go look at the dessert tray instead of telling me about the desserts. She had no concern for how pregnant I was and how it would be better for her to describe the desserts instead of pointing a customer to something and hoping that we figure out what the desserts are on our own.

    (2)

  • Mary Beth L.

    My fiance and I tried this place after a long drive from MS. We've been to most of the other Ethiopian restaurants in the shopping center. This one is far and away the best (and I really like the others to begin with). I found the flavors at Desta to be fresher and brighter. Service was phenomenal and I liked the covered patio seating area. The lamb tibs was phenomenal!

    (5)

  • Suzanne D.

    Amazing food and great service. This restaurant was my introduction to Ethiopian food and it was a great first impression. I live in DC now and tried a highly rated Ethiopian restaurant, but it had NOTHING on Desta. 10 stars!

    (5)

  • Bri C.

    This is my first experience with Ethiopian food, so I don't have much to compare it with. but it is tasty and fun! We've been here twice and I've loved everything we've ordered. I think the variety on the vegetarian plate is awesome! The spicy lentils are really good..... Fish Tibs and Ribeye Tibs and it was excellent. If you have kids, make sure you ask what is spicy or not. We sat outside the first time, and it was really nice weather so it worked out well. But we sat inside the second time. Inside is loud and cramped. I would recommend sitting outside.

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Had Desta in my sights since all these 4-5 star ratings have been filling the review panel....finally got to go tonight. Plenty glad that I did. Here's what we ordered: 1)Fish tibs with shiro- !!!! This dish was borderline PHENOMENAL. It was NOT a soupy watery tomato soup- it actually had just the right texture- not so thick as to be a paste, but enough to be able to scoop with the spongy bread. The garlic flavor was strong- just how I like it. The tilapia had a thin fried breading that encrusted it- and it was thick enough to keep the fish slightly crispy despite being soaked in the thick sauce. All kinds of awesome! (4.5) 2)Kitfo Dulet- This dish was a bit different, but nevertheless tasty. (description from the restaurant: Tender lean freshly minced extra lean beef, sauted in a special blend of house spices, onion, pepper, and Ethiopian butter) I had them cook it medium...but it looked pretty red to me when it came out. Not everyday that I get a good sized bowl of lean minced beef to eat (not that I don't love my wife's predominantly veggie cooking.....heh...heh) (4) 3)Lamb Tibs- (again, restaurant's description: Tender cubed fine lamb leg sauteed in a special blend of house spices, onion, tomato, pepper, and Ethiopian spiced butter) This dish was served with some sauteed cabbage, which was surprisingly good as a side- I'm used to stewed cabbage from southern cafeterias.....so this was pleasant surprise. The lamb was not too gamey, and lived up to the restaurants description. Good good stuff. (4) Almost forgot, we ordered vegetarian Sambusas, which are basically like mini fried Samosas stuffed with Lentil, onion and diced jalapeno peppers. This was definitely had a nuttier taste than Samosas (which are typically stuffed with potatoes)- not bad at all. (3.5) We also had a glass of the honey wine...which is like a white-wine looking, port tasting wine. Okay, nothing special. (3) I haven't read all the reviews, but apparently the word "Desta" means "Happy" in Ethiopian, as per our waitress. I anticipate that this will be a frequent "Desta"nation for my wife and I in the months to come. Cheers! btw. these guys open late!

    (4)

  • Katie F.

    I am happy to make this the first review I've ever written for yelp. While in Atlanta recently, my fiance and I were directed here by the positive yelp reviews, and it didn't disappoint! While we had many amazing meals in Atlanta, this one was by far our favorite. We actually found ourselves at one point giggling uncontrollably, because the food was making us that happy. There was nothing wrong about this meal- our server, Ezana, was genuinely helpful and engaged in our dining experience, and the food was all cooked to perfection. A perfect meal!

    (5)

  • sat s.

    Best Ethiopian food in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Matt T.

    I'm new to Ethiopian food so I don't have much to compare this to, but I will say that it was one of the most amazing dishes i've had in a long time. The spices and flavors were awesome! I had the beef sambosas which are like spring rolls with a spicy dipping sauce. I also had the lamb tibs with rice, injera and miser. I'm excited to get back and try another dish!

    (5)

  • Dedra F.

    Have you ever had a tough week at work and when Friday end of day arrives, you just want some good food and a glass of wine? Well, that was me yesterday. Since I am of Caribbean descent, I was on my way to a Jamaican restaurant but I didn't feel like passing my home to get to the restaurant. Since Desta is on my way home, I decided to come here and I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets. I decided to get a dinner to go so I can go home and enjoy my wine! I explained to the hostess this was my first time here. She was extremely helpful! I decided to get the lamb with injera rice and I can't remember the Ethiopian name but the translation is spicy lentil soup. This food is by far the best I've had in a long time and I will definitely add it to my rotation but I have to be careful because it's only a couple of miles from me.

    (5)

  • Holden B.

    I've never actually had anything bad at Desta. I don't even think I've had anything mediocre. When I'm in town, Desta is the one restaurant I consistently try to hit. That's not to say it's the best restaurant in Atlanta, but... The lamb tibs are, as everyone says, great. The vegetarian platters are great. The servers are super nice. The miser? Great. I guess, you know, the parking lot is pretty average. And the uh, the air conditioner is only fine. So... if you're looking for a really exceptional parking lot experience, you might have to go somewhere else.

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    Maybe because our Memphis Ethiopian restaurant is not so great, or maybe it is the beautiful day and awesome patio... But I love this ffod! Very fresh, beautifully presented. Try the honey wine and the tea! Fitfit was the best!

    (5)

  • Veda R.

    The good: The patio is very nice when the weather is cooperating. The service is top-notch. The staff is very helpful when it comes to answering any questions you may have about the menu. We have even had a goodbye party for one of my co-workers there! They can handle large crowds, and do so efficiently (aka 25 people want split checks and paying with credit cards. You get my drift). The food: I've had better Ethiopian food in the Atlanta area. The fusion-type-thing with the salad that comes with some plates is not my thing. I've had the chicken tibs and bonzena shiro. The shiro is good. Just good. Chicken was dry and not marinated well. My least favorite dish was gored gored which is advertised as coarsely chopped extra lean beef...it ended up just being bland ground beef. The lentil "stew" was basically a cup of oil and some shiro mixed in together -- that was the last straw with Desta for me.

    (2)

  • Vince R.

    Wow!! This place is a must visit!! The vegetarian platter was just outstanding! I got here around 7PM on a Saturday and it is crowded but well worth the wait. For anyone that is looking for a very easy and delicious meal that does not contain animal products, you've gotta try this place. I'm sure you will be impressed!

    (5)

  • Robby S.

    In Atlanta for a few days, I Yelp'd for a local restaurant and couldn't believe it when an Ethiopian restaurant came up as one of the best around! Living in L.A., I love going to Little Ethiopia on Fairfax and enjoying many of the restaurants there (with Nyala being my fave). So I thought I'd give Desta a chance. It's a beautiful little restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. There were more people sitting outside, but since it was around 94 degrees outside, I decided to eat my dinner inside. This was a very different-looking menu compared to other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. I settled on the filet mignon tibs, injera, Shiro (chickpeas), Gomen (collard greens), Tikel Gomen (cabbage), Miser (spicy red lentil stew), and a Harar Beer. Everything was delicious, but it was much less spicy than I was used to. Great service as well! Full bar too! Everybody inside and out was enjoying big plates of food and this is a great place to check out if you love Ethiopian food or are just curious about it.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    Delicious food, fun atmosphere, beautiful desserts. If you like Ethiopian food or want to try it, go here. :)

    (5)

  • Mori J.

    I really look forward to the Golden Tibs whenever I am in town. I would to have more veggiie options on the menu. Highly recommend is eatery for all.

    (4)

  • Mark F.

    I can't claim to be an expert in Ethiopian cuisine but Desta is consistently one of the top restaurants in Atlanta. I do love Ethiopian food and this is by far the best of the best. The ingredients are always perfectly fresh and I've never had a bad dining experience here. Even for carnivores the veggie platter is awesome. The nuances of the spice and textures of the injera and the mounds of delisciousness add up to a pleasure bomb. Highly recommend the fish tibs with just the right mix of citrus and crunch. Try the Ethiopian beer which perfectly compliments anything you order. The staff members are always gracious and also quite beautiful!

    (5)

  • Kris K.

    I had the Ater (split pea stew) It was TO DIE FOR. Service was great, customers were friendly too, food came out fast. Get the stew!!!!! Tibs are great as well of course. Oh and the rice is amazingggggg Definitely coming back. :)

    (5)

  • Charles H.

    If you're looking for something fun and a little out of the ordinary with great service and great food at a very reasonable price, then you have found the right place. If you are adventurous I recommend using the Ethiopian injera bread as your utensils. If the idea of not using a fork offends you then get rice and a fork, but you are missing something if you don't use the injera. I have had several of the tibs dinners, fish, ribeye, and lamb. They were all excellent, but I recommend the lamb tibs with miser, a very spicy, red lentil dish, yummy. Don't miss the Ethiopian Honey Wine and Stout beers. Great with the excellent food.

    (5)

  • Jeannine D.

    WARNING - The beautiful fall weather yesterday, patio seating, and wonderful honey wine may contribute unfairly to this review. ;) I visited Bahel restaurant several months ago for my first Ethiopian cuisine experience. It was good, Desta was great. Aesthetics & ambiance matter to me and Desta was just a comparatively nicer restaurant in all regards. The food was WONDERFUL. MUST TRY's: fish & lamb tibs, collard greens, potato stew. The lamb tibs were a little spicy for my tastebuds, but I pushed the jalapenos off to the side and kept going til I couldn't eat anymore. I'd go back today if it wasn't out of the way from where I have to be...Yay, Desta! You've got a new fan.

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    I just had Ethiopian food for the first time in my life...what the hell took me so long! We had the lamb tibs and vegetable plate with injera. The lamb was among the best I've ever had, tender and not gamey at all. All of the vegetables were great, no idea what they were but I liked them all. The injera was good, not sure how something with texture like that tastes good, but it was. Excited to go back and try some other dishes.

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    Look very simple on the outside, and gets much nicer when you come inside. Good music, very good serivce, great food and always very helpful and cheerful servers. The food is always tasty, the injera (the big pancake) is more tasty than at some other Ethiopian places and they cut it and roll it for you. I am always pleased every time I go! I would think anyone who truly is open to eating new foods would love it If you have not been dont hesitate for a moment to give it a try!

    (4)

  • Es E.

    Been about three more times since my initial review. It's starting to taste like mama's...not exactly, but great. Still sad they don't serve doro wot, but I DO find myself craving The spot often.

    (5)

  • Meikaela Z.

    this is my favorite low-key restaurant in atlanta. it is always delicious, always comfortable, and the staff members always have smiles on their face and are always great. i know i've used a few too many "always" here, but that's how consistently great this restaurant is. if you like good ethiopian food, this is your spot. kitfo, fish tibs, filet mignon tibs, the vegetable plate, the goden tibs. just naming a few. they're all good. i'm always happy when i leave. and when the weather is nice, the patio can't be beat.

    (5)

  • Jack S.

    Best Ethiopian I've ever had, and I've had it alot! Totally stumbled across this out-of-the-way place during a work trip to the ATL, and I came back as many times as I could. YUM!

    (5)

  • Elanor S.

    I like Desta a lot, especially when I get to eat on their porch. I have to echo previous reviewers and recommend the lamb tibs (I like them spicy!), but pretty much everything I've tried has been good. I mean, even the salad was good. I like going with others so I can share a bottle of honey wine.

    (4)

  • Tanya F.

    So pleased was I with Desta Ethiopian Kitchen that my lips curved into a smile reliving the evening's fare through the spicy burps hours later. The food: Assertive flavors with fresh ingredients. We shared the fish and the beef tenderloin tibs. Ah the tibs. Sautéed spiced meat tossed with garden vegetables, softened red onions and chopped garlic. They serve ample pillows of injera-the rolls of spongy sourdough flatbread that accompany most dishes-just enough to have some left over to sop up the flavorful juices after finishing the tibs. The feel: Bustling on a Saturday evening with a mishmash of bright bold art crowding the walls and little bouquets of nylon wildflowers on each table. Cozy and dim, yet vibrant with sprinkles of glowing tea candles throughout the dining room. The findings: Layout and table sizes make it ideal for couples and small groups. Desta's a craveable dinner alternative that successfully helped me climb out of the ethnic food rut I'd tumbled into. Go, your tastebuds will thank you.

    (4)

  • Kerry M.

    The food here was amazing! This is the first time I have had Ethiopian food, so my expectations were basically equivalent to what I could find out on Yelp. The lamb tibs were amazing, and the portion was big enough that I could only finish half, when I hit the point that I was completely stuffed and couldn't eat more at the risk of getting sick. I probably should have eaten less... The leftovers tasted almost as good as it did fresh out of the kitchen! I will definitely go back once I find a friend to eat with.

    (5)

  • Mahsa G.

    DELICIOUS! I've been here twice and both times it was great. I've had fish tibs, chicken and the veggie plate. The food here is SO good! I will say that it can be a little salty, but that's just my taste preference. The service is pretty good. Most of the servers I've had were women, who are really pretty :) When it's warm you should sit outside. There's a huge tree in the middle - I have no idea why but it's kinda cool. A great experience for unique flavors and great food. Ethiopian food is so different from other cuisines and I highly recommend everyone try it!

    (5)

  • Tennille C.

    yummy in my tummy...I get the Veggie plate and the taste is very good and flavorful. My mom had the lamb, it was very good also. I'll go there again and again.

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Having eaten at Cottage, Meskerem, and Moya already, I can safely say Desta ranks among the best. Their menu is a little more extensive, and the dishes are quite reasonably priced. I'd tried Kitfo and Tibs before, so this time I decided to try the Fish Dulet (minced tilapia with tomato, garlic, onion, and spices). It was good, but a little dry. I also thought it would be grilled fish, but it was actually fried before being minced. Oh well. My friend had the Chicken Tibs, which was very tasty. They offer you watermelon and hand cleansing cloths after the meal, which was a nice touch. Definitely a good place to go, but probably not for a date (unless you and your amour like garlic breath).

    (5)

  • Laura N.

    Ah, Desta, my first and only Ethiopian food experience in Atlanta. First because....well...this is where my friends insisted we go one night, and bless them for it! 'Only" because the food is so amazing here that it has been hard to pull me away from the place to try somewhere else. This is a great place to get introduced if you've never had Ethiopian food before. They have updated their menu a bit from the last time I was there, but I find it to be a little more user friendly, with a little dictionary off to the side that explains what the different food items are. Genius. The fish tibs are always a favourite of mine, with the shiro and lentils (the name for this one escapes me). The service is very solid here, with the staff more than willing to walk you through or make suggestions if you need addition help in going as safe or adventurous as you will.

    (4)

  • Phillip C.

    TIBS! Love'm gotta have'm. Ingira (sp?) so good. They make one of the best cappuccinos in town. Yes you eat with your hands here. Get over it. The food is amazing. The Kitfo slice is great but not for the faint of heart (tis spicy). If you've been on the fence about trying Ethiopian food you won't be disappointed if you go to Desta.

    (5)

  • David S.

    THE. BEST. ETHIOPIAN. FOOD. EVER!!!! Seriously. Veg plate great recc, but ALL expertly spiced, fresh, amazing! GREAT Service staff, coffee, decor, and LARGE menu, Pasta, since italien colony, makes OK choice w picky kids. Soooo good! Ber Ber red lentils WOW. Fish feu out of this world. None toooo spicy for tolerating, all tasty as heck.

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    The best Ethiopian food I've ever had! Friends and I attended a late night concert and we wanted some good food at around 11pm. And boy did we choose a good spot! The menu is easy to read and understand, unlike other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. And there is a dictionary on the side of the menu. (How cool is that!) I ordered the lamb, injera and gomen (spinach). Tasty and very very filling. It was a nice breezy night so my friends and I ate outside on the restaurant's patio. Nice, laid, back vibe but could also be suitable for a romantic date. The food is cheap too. My meal came to only $13!

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    Tried Desta for the first time last night- so happy to say that we loved it and live right down the street so will be frequenting often. The service was wonderful- everyone was so nice and helpful with our first Ethiopian experience. The injera was really yummy to soak up all the juices from our main dishes- kind of like a spongy sourdough crepe. I had the fish tibs with ater and it was delicious. The baklava was also very good. Can't wait to go back and try some different things!

    (5)

  • Luan M.

    Desta made me a fan of Ethiopian food. Love the spices, the meat, even the injera. i like Desta better than Queen of Sheba (food and atmosphere). The ribs are a definite must-try. The place is cozy, staff was very friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    This is the best Ethiopian food I've ever eaten. One of the best restaurants in Atlanta - and they serve vegetables without bacon. It's the place we bring our friends, parents, etc.

    (5)

  • Bailey B.

    Oh, yum yum yum. We love Ethiopian food. I saw the Scoutmob a few days ago and started thinking about it. Today, picking my wife up from work after a long day at my own job, I suggested we dig out that coupon and try the Ethiopian place. Optimistically, I declared, "I think it's near Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge!" Well, it's not. It's actually at the corner of Clairemont and Briarcliff. Not even in Buckhead! But, oh, so worth the geographical adventure. We've eaten Ethiopian food before - we are not total noobs at this. We've had it often in a very authentic place with wicker basket table things that serve the honey wine from a gourd. We also tried the DC Ethiopian food scene, which is robust and delicious. Desta is a nicer setting than any of the other places we have tried. It is comfortable, somewhat intimate, and versatile. They have a sun room kind of thing and a darker, cooler sort area full of dark wood. While it is probably not a faithful recreation of a traditional Ethiopian setting, we really enjoyed the space. A scan of the menu revealed low prices. Cool. The people were great. Our server was memorably sweet and took excellent care of us. I couldn't remember the names of my favorite things but she made suggestions and pegged everything perfectly. Which gets us to the food. Wow. This is how Ethiopian food should be. The yummy flat spongy bread stuff, called injera, was moist and perfect. My beef dish was spicy and rich and just wonderful. My wife's dish, made with ground beef, was also much appreciated. The honey wine (it's, like, mandatory to drink the honey wine with Ethiopian food, right?) was just like the stuff we've had in other places, and just as good. Espresso at the end came with two orange slices to clean our palates. Nice! So, our experience showed Desta to be delicious, inexpensive, and run by thoughtful people who took care of all the details and gave us a really nice experience. If I had to chose just one national food for the rest of my life, it would be Korean. But, I would grieve for Ethiopian food, and Desta shows why.

    (4)

  • Joshua L.

    I remember my fear as kid when my Dad took me to The Blue Nile, an Ethiopian restaurant that was in lil 5. I relunctantly ripped the injira bread and dipped it in something that looked like baby food. The tangy, spicy bolt of flavor hit the spot and at age 12, i was hooked. It has been awhile since I've been to a tasty Ethiopian restaurant in the Atl until my dinner at Desta this week. The friendliness of the staff was warm and genuinely interested in making the dining experience a good one. The menu was enticing making it hard to decide. My adventurous friend ordered a tartar daredevil style, which made our waiter smile. Seeing my dilemma in choosing he guided me to the vegetarian platter. Plentiful and flavorful are a winning combo anytime. My meal was delicious and far too much for one sitting. My friend enjoyed hers thoroughly, too. It was so good, all of it, that I will be back soon.

    (4)

  • Amrita J.

    I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed by Desta overall as a whole. I have heard so many people ranting and raving about this place, and so maybe it was just my high expectations that failed me, but yeah it was just alright to me. The place itself, is nothing much to talk about I don't think, actually looks a bit run down in the middle of the parking lot over there off Clairmont. I ordered the Lamb Tibs, and it was good, can't complain there, but again nothing extra-ordinary as such! So needless to say, this place is neither here nor there with me, didn't wow me, but wasn't horrible either.

    (3)

  • Alex C.

    This food was GREAT!!!! the customer service was very nice, and knowledgeable. I ordered the vegetarian platter, it had my favorite items like the yellow split peas and the lentil stew (it had a few items I had never had before) the food and the presentation were excellent! My friend had the Lamb Tibs with Chickpeas and it was also tasty. We had plenty of enjira, and were happy with the meal.I had some left over from lunch and decided to go through the drive though an add a few sides to have enough for dinner....I mean who does that!?!? I did and it was GREAT!!!! I will definitely be going back soon!

    (5)

  • Zewditu D.

    Updated review- original posted 1/10/2011. I still love the food at Desta. But after a few more visits, I have some additional insight. Please keep in mind that this place can get VERY busy...especially on Fridays. A friend and I went for a celebratory lunch. The place was so packed we had to sit at the bar. NEVER sit at the bar. Our service was LOUSY and it took forever to get our food. Since we were "out of the way" the wait staff just pretty much ignored us...even our own waiter most of the time. When we received our food, my dish came with shiro. I hate shiro. When I told the waiter that it wasn't what I wanted and could I just have salad instead he said no problem. Ok it does not take that long to make salad. I ate slow so that I would be able to eat the salad along with my food, but the salad didn't arrive until after I had already completed my meal. It was a large salad at least, but it had so much dressing on it that I didn't even want to eat it. Perhaps this waiter was just terrible, because I have never had such bad service at Desta. We were there for about 2 hours. *I recommend that if you go to Desta for lunch and see that it is super busy, just walk over the Ledet. The food there is also good and it is never too crowded. To share another recent experience, my family and I had a hard time using a restaurant.com gift certificate here. The certificate states that you can not apply alcoholic beverages to the amount needed. Totally fine with that. But the waitress proceeded to tell me that no beverages at all could be counted (including soda) so we didn't meet the needed amount. I read to her what certificate said word-for-word trying to get her to understand. She kept calling me "sweetie" and saying that she understood. Obviously, she didn't. If my family wasn't with me, I would have made a bigger stink and talked to the manager. I was just tired of trying to explain myself. So we had to order a piece of cake...which wasn't that good anyway.

    (4)

  • Zaphea Z.

    My friends and I were here a couple of weeks ago. We all ordered different types of Tibs (meat choices) with a mix of Injera and rice. It was all surprisingly delicious that none of us spoke to each other while we were eating! The staff was very friendly and there's something deeply satisfying about eating with your hands! ;) You won't be disappointed everything on the menu is good!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    On our brief adventure in ATL we were lucky enough to come to Desta. After reading all the rave reviews about this place I had to break my gf's E-card (Ethiopian Card!) here! We asked to sit outside in the patio area, and were lucky enough to snag a table. The place was alive with business, and the beautiful weather had the patio filled to capacity. I had the ZilZil Tibs and the gf had the ribeye tibs. The Injera was tasty and constantly being refilled as I dabbed it in the Shiro and the spices that were on the side of my dish. The entire experience was a novel one, and being my second time eating Ethiopian food I would say it was delicious! Believe the hype!

    (5)

  • Blaine C.

    Desta serves great Ethiopian food with a modern twist. Unlike most other Ethiopian spots, the food is not served on the traditional, large circular pan that I came to love during my early introductions to the cuisine in Berkeley, CA. They serve the food on individual dishes, which took away nothing from the incredible flavors. The fish tibs and the veggie combo were excellent. I'd highly recommend Desta.

    (4)

  • Cynthia W.

    I'm a huge fan of Desta, I will warn you that it is in the cut and it seems to be surrounded by Little Ethiopia (not saying there is anything wrong with that, just being honest), so you might miss it the first time you go to see it. TRUST ME, once you taste it you won't ever forget it after that. Let me put it this way, I will eat at this place without having to use a Scoutmob or discount coupon of any kind, the food is that tasty. I typically order the vegetarian combo (since I'm a veggie lover and all) and it is all quite tasty. There is nothing that I'm afraid of eating, outside of the jalapeno pepper but I still scarf that down; I just make sure to drink a lot of water after. If you like to imbibe and these days, who doesn't? There is a sweet, S. African red that is really good but being that you have to pay $6 a pop, they don't fill it up enough to make it worth the price or maybe I'm just a lush - who is to say? They also have a nice, lite beer called St. George, it's $5.00 and it is pretty tasty in its own right - if you like lighter beers. Will be going back fo' sho, fo' sho, fo' sho!!!

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    I was a little nervous bringing a large group of women but the service and food was outstanding! Like Dee Dee said ,I tried the honey wine which is very strong but tasty and I sipped some Mango juice that was yummy as well! I felted so tradition eating with bread that looks kinda like a sponge. I tried the chicken tibs with cabbage...yummo yummo

    (4)

  • Erika E.

    I've been here a handful of times and the food never disappoints. Sometimes the service is mehhh but maybe it's because they get quite busy, so whatever. If you are gluten intolerant, you can request all-teff injera, which is pretty fantastic. I always get the veg platter- it's a lot of food, and each dish is really good.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    First time eating Ethiopian food was here. The waiter grew up in Ethiopia and was very patient -- happy to explain all the dishes, and helped us to make informed decisions for our food selections. We ordered the kitfo wrap for an appetizer and the veggie sampler with the short ribs (i forget the name). Everything was PHENOMENAL. We went back with friend about a week later and got a different waiter. Not so patient, didn't want to explain the food, and the food itself wasn't as great as the first time. However, went back again several weeks after that and it was absolutely excellent. Word to the owners of this restaurant: Reward the staff that cater to the customers. Reward the chefs who cook the food the best. Hire more like them, and fire the rest.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    The food here is pretty good. I've actually had better tasting Ethiopian food in other states, however, but it wasn't disappointing. On the other hand, the service is pretty slow and forgetful, but they are very polite. You just have to ask for things a couple of times (or more). Big portions, tasty food overall. I had the chicken tibs, my friend had the beef tibs. Both needed a little salt to bring out the flavors, though. It was a packed patio with lots of locals eating there, so you know it's good. Great atmosphere with reggae playing outside. Prices are pretty reasonable. I'd go back.

    (4)

  • George H.

    Desta quickly became somewhere I wanted to visit weekly. Thanks to Scoutmob for introducing me to this wonderful Ethiopian restaurant. I usually get tired of eating with my hands and vow to never return, Desta changed my mind. Everything we ordered was great. The meat and vegetable sambusas are good, and best when you get to try one of of each. Kitfo Wrap was something I hadn't tried before but tasty and reminiscent of a tartar. It was rare but served warm. Fish Tibs are light and flavorful. Something you must try and they come out in nice portions. The Ribeye with Collard Greens is my new favorite. The Ribeye is just so flavorful and something that I could not stop eating. I wish I was back there now!

    (4)

  • Liz H.

    meh. Maybe I got the wrong thing - Fish Tibs with Shiro, right? People raved about it, but I found the fish to be dry and lacking flavor. My favorite part was the sauce - was that the shiro? It had a nice spicy kick in it. The injera filled me up quickly, and I used it to sponge up the sauce, as well as wrap up small portions of the dish. Service. There was a tree in the middle of the porch that may have hidden my table from their view, so perhaps being forgotten was not their fault. But I like it when I get my lemons before my food come out. zzz Friend got the Lamb Tibs and added shiro. Lamb was chewy and had little flavor. Maybe it wasn't fresh or had been overcooked. I'm surprised - why would you ruin delish lamb?! The area was quiet and I liked the orange glow of the sun setting on the porch. I'm glad we sat outside - inside was all dark and looked crowded. Across the street is an Ethiopian restaurant, and in the same lot, about 200 feet away is a 3rd one. Desta is the one with the pretty porch and fancy letters. I can't think of anything positive besides sitting out on the porch =/ But I've never been to an Ethiopian restaurant before. So maybe this place is pretty good compared to others. At least Scoutmob saved me almost 10 bucks!

    (3)

  • David T.

    My second trip to Desta and it definitely moved me to change my rating to 5 stars. Service was excellent and our dinner was amazing. I really enjoyed it, but my date was raving about the entire experience. We had the veggie combo and the fish tibs over shiro (ground chickpeas in a special sauce.) I asked for it family style. The food arrived with the fish tibs in the center of the large plate surrounded by 6 or 7 different veggie concoctions that were very tasty. It was a fantastic presentation. As other reviews mention they give you a healthy dose of injera bread to help you scoop up the goodies. Eventually I asked for a fork since I haven't quite pulled myself to do it fully Ethiopian, that is to just scoop it up with my bare fingers (minus the bread.) I asked our waitress, Mesti, to help me out with selecting an Ethiopian beer. She described one to be very similar to Corona, so I selected that one, but it was much better than Corona!! On Tuesday and Friday nights they have music on the patio from 8-midnight....I highly suggest checking it out. On a side note....it you have any injera bread left over, take it home with you, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds the next morning and put some real maple syrup on it.....awesome!! Just sayin'...

    (5)

  • Nik R.

    Amazing food and a wonderful staff!!!

    (5)

  • ANKUR M.

    Awesome Ethiopian food. One of the best.

    (5)

  • Iffat B.

    I love this place. This was the first and only Ethiopian restaurant that I have ever tried and it's wonderful. My favorite dish is the Lamb Tibs Fir Fir. The waitstaff is super nice and they are open late!

    (5)

  • Ray L.

    So after mistakingly eating at Bahel, thinking it was Desta, I finally got to try the real thing - and it is worlds better than what you get across the street. I got the chicken tibs with awaze. I don't know what real authentic Ethiopian food is supposed to taste like, but this tasted pretty damn good to me. Even with a cold and a slight current lack of tasting ability, the flavors and spices came through nicely. I would definitely come back. Great atmosphere - and who doesn't like eating with their hands?

    (5)

  • Tramaine W.

    It was alright.The sambusa i had sucked really bad, like really bad.The lamb tibs were delicious nicely seasoned and the injera was good too.Overall my experience was just ok.

    (3)

  • AB T.

    I will keep this short and sweet (well...you decide that part). Desta is my favorite Ethiopian place. I have taken bunches of friends from out of town to eat there and they've almost always loved it. Their service is awesome. Attentive and the waitresses are always cheerful. When the weather is nice you can sit in their patio and really makes a wonderful lunch spot. They also have a drive-through! I usually get the chicken tibs with shiro on the side or the fish tibs. The injera always reminds me of the south indian dosa for it's feel and taste and brings back fond memories of days past. They also have a veggie platter that is a delight both to the eyes and the tastebuds. All these aforementioned items on their menu are delicious and filling. Definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Kris L.

    Love this place! My favorite Ethiopian restaurant to go to when I'm craving Tibs. Their fish Tibs are absolutely delicious, it came with the Gomen and that was tasty as well. For dessert I had their Napoleon, it wasn't as impressive but still good. Great customer service as well. I can't wait till the next time I go again, yum!

    (4)

  • Michelle W.

    I was introduced to Desta by a co-worker. This was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant and I really enjoyed it and would definitely return! The food was great, the servers were extremely attentive and friendly. Highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • David C.

    Not that I should make judging by appearance a habit, I did in this case, when deciding which Ethiopian restaurant to try out in the vicinity. Desta had this cool, corner cafe feel with yellow trim, reminding me of past wanderings through Brussels and Paris, passing popular bistros, bakeries or quiche restaurants. Desta was on an odd lot, adding all the more to it's charm, and the food did not disappoint. An impulse decision, like this, which I often make, always works out to my favor. I'll tell you why. I have this curse: 90+ % of planned outings (by me) to restaurants, sometimes to the dismay of my party, turn out to be a bad experience, or no experience at all - due the restaurant's folding, or being unaware of it's day off, it's changed location, or it's changed hours. This was a first in trying Ethiopian food, so I can only imagine how good it would be in it's native setting. I ordered the Kitfo Dulet with Shiro. The lean beef I more or less pictured to be crispy like the Fish Dulet my friend had, but the texture was OK (seemed to be braised or cooked/simmered right in the sauce), but the rich chickpea coulis it came in was very flavorful. Honestly, I liked Fish Dulet more and could eat that on any sunny day (I'll go with Fish Tibs with Shiro on chilly days). The meat, the seasoning, the spices, all blended together for what is now one of my favorite meals in ATL. Tilapia, I will never look at you the same, or less than salmon, tuna, or hamachi. Pardon, but I have to make an ode to one of the ingredients I know was used: Oh butter, humble, yet sublime, you take me away from the daily grind. Magic ingredient, for the everyday, or extraordinary, I thank you for being in these dishes, verily. I so wrote this at 4am.

    (4)

  • Hilary D.

    This is the best place to get Ethiopian food in Atlanta. The vegi is good the meat especially any of the tibs are great. Wanna be stuffed just eat with the injerna and enjoy. Make sure to try the meat sambusa too.

    (5)

  • LaVida B.

    I love this place. I have never eaten I inside but the outside is always jam-packed. The food is AMAZING! I love the cinnamon, cardamom and spiciness of the rice and chicken tibs. This restaurant is definitely in my top 5 for Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Valerie B.

    Love. This. Place! I also love that I can dine in or order take out at at drive thru window! Seating is quite close in the restaurant which made a first date even more awkward but otherwise the food is delicious and the staff is very pleasant! One of my all time favorite Ethiopian restaurants.

    (5)

  • Lou G.

    I have had Desta bookmarked for a while and finally got to go! I like Ethiopian food, although I do consider it "India Light" when it comes to spice and heat. I do appreciate the unique dishes and flavors of Ethiopian cuisine, and Desta has a large variety of dishes to choose from. Desta has a great vibe and ambiance, cozy and a bit eclectic. There are a lot of little touches that show that someone paid attention to smaller details, such as an attractive, easy to read menu, stylish plates, a good selection of Ethiopian beers and wine, hand sanitizer at each table. The menu card does a great job of describing the food, and our server went above and beyond to help us become familiar with the options. We ordered the Lentil Sambusas as an appetizer, they were a-ok as a good start. My friend had the goat tibs, I had the veggie platter. Food was great and spiced well. I tried a couple of the beers, Harah and St George, preferred the latter. The injera bread is always my favorite part of an Ethiopian meal, and the only negative of the meal is that they were slow to refill it. The problem with not having bread available is that you don't have eating utensils, so the bread is essential to finishing your meal! I might have considered a five star on this one if we didn't have to wait around for more bread, and this is one detail that may have been overlooked. The servers were really busy, and it would have made sense just to have one person assigned to bring out more bread as well as refill water glasses. Overall Desta is a great choice for Ethiopian food in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Holly S.

    My boyfriend and I haven't had a ton of Ethiopian, but we love Desta for its consistently great food and great ambiance. Most nights you can sit on the porch, with a large tree growing through the middle of it. The service can be a little poor sometimes, but last time we went we had an awesome waiter who was super helpful with picking out great food. I absolutely love the Shiro. I eat so much that I end up feeling sick afterwards ;) My boyfriend gets the Golden Tibs. This was a special recommendation from our waiter and it was phenomenal. I would recommend Desta to anyone.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    I have never had Ethiopian food before so my wife and I tried it when we were in the area. The patio was busy and very nice and relaxing. The food was really good. I had the filet TIB The bread was good, the steak was amazing flavor, the services was great as well.

    (4)

  • Britt C.

    Amazing Ethiopian food - reminds me of a restaurant I ate at in Toronto. Had the vegetarian combo and the ribeye tibs with shiro. Bright, bold flavors. The veggie combo had so many different items, I took forever to get to all of them. We will DEFINITELY be heading back.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Desta is one of my favorite places to meet with friends. I have been there 5 or 6 times in the past year. They have extremely friendly service, a wonderful porch, and a large, delicious vegetarian platter (that can feed me for up to three days). I also hear that the fish tibs are excellent. They provide a more modern interpretation of Ethiopian food than the multitide of Ethiopian restaurants in the surrounding area. If someone asks me which Ethiopian restaurant they should try, I always tell them to try Desta.

    (5)

  • Rilindo F.

    Before coming to Atlanta, the only time I had Ethiopian food was a restaurant somewhere in West LA. Since then, I did try a couple of places, but they were mostly hall-in-the-walls. This one is definitely not the case - at least in comparison with the others. I am making this point because in that block, there are actually several Ethiopian restaurants (including one hole-in-the-wall I mentioned earlier). Eating in that place, I understood why it managed to hold its own - the presentation of the food as well as the interior was quite nice. I had the Kifto-wrap (its like steak tartare wrapped in Injera) which look deceptively light - until the heat start kicking in after you swallow them whole (Thanks goodness for the refreshments). The main course was the rib eye tibs w/collard greens - so good that I didn't need any more spices to add to it. Afterwards, just for cooling down the heat, I had the Tiramisu (Which is alright). That threw me off a bit, until I remember that Ethiopia was an Italian colony for a while (I don't think it'll be a good idea to mention that, though) Definitely will come back to the place. Yay.

    (4)

  • Yaril M.

    Despite the 20 minute wait to get a table and the so so service by the waiter the food was outstanding! We were brought here by a couple that have been here before and the food was so good we loved everything! Will definitely stop by again sometime soon to try something else :)

    (5)

  • Sarah E.

    A friend of mine gave me the "newbie's tour" of Desta last night. Technically, I have eaten Ethiopian food once in Washington, DC, but it was about 17 years ago and I was a teenager at the time. I think my parents chose what we ordered (or maybe the server recommended something) and all I really remember is the part where you use the bread as your utensil. I've killed a lot of brain cells since then. My friend recommended the Beef (Tenderloin) Tibs with Shiro and the Vegetarian Combo. She also explained to me that while a lot of Ethiopian food is very heavy on the sauce, Desta uses a lighter amount of sauce. They say that the reason for that is that they're proud of their ingredients. I can see why, because everything was very good. If you ask to share your food between the members of your party, all the food will come out on one huge plate together. This allows you to eat "family style" - and also entertainingly reach across the table pretty far, although fortunately, the tables are small so the reach isn't so bad. The restaurant thoughtfully provides hand sanitizer at each table, which is probably a good idea when you're eating with your hands and sharing food. The Beef Tibs with Shiro was delicious. I'm a big fan of beef, and this tasted like high-quality meat. It was seasoned perfectly (for being tasty - I have no way to know what "perfect" Ethiopian seasoning is yet) and accompanied by onions, tomatoes and I believe fresh jalapeno pieces. And the shiro was yummy, too - I love hummus so it's unlikely that I'd ever complain about a flavorful chickpea paste. The Vegetarian Platter was great, too. I wasn't sure of exactly what items I was eating, so I came home and looked at the menu. After I looked at the menu, I'm still not sure of all the items I ate because I feel like there were things we ate that aren't listed on the menu and vice versa. (Not that I mind not knowing what I'm eating, because I eat Korean food pretty often now that I live out in BFE and I usually only know what about 30% of the banchan items are.) Anyway, everything on the veggie plate was good (except that my friend and I did not try the halved fresh jalapeno with tomatoes because neither of us wanted that much fresh jalapeno). Some items I remember trying were the collard green stew, the split pea stew, more shiro, a beet and potato salad, and a yellow-tinted cabbage dish. There was also a salad of lettuce and tomatoes and a red paste which I loved and think it might have been vegetarian fir fir. Oh, and there was also a dish that was made out of pieces of injera (the flat sourdough-tasting bread that you use to scoop up your food) and something that tasted like olive oil and maybe vinegar. From looking at the menu now, I think that may have been a fit fit of some kind. My favorite veggie items were definitely the shiro, the red paste, and the collards. But there was nothing on that plate that I didn't like. All of the items were served over more injera. I guess I should have read the review earlier that mentioned that you are supposed to eat that injera too because it's yummy and has soaked up all the flavors. Oops. (Yeah, in retrospect that seems like common sense. But my friend was minimizing her bread consumption and my week at work has been rough. I don't think my brain is functioning at full capacity anymore.) With all the food we ordered, our total check only came to around 24 bucks. Not too bad for the opportunity to try a million and one items (well, maybe more like 10 items). I let satiated but not stuffed, and looking forward to trying some more things the next time I eat at an Ethiopian restaurant. My experience at Desta was definitely enjoyable. The food was great and our service completely on point. The main reason I'm not giving a full five stars is that I don't feel really qualified to judge Ethiopian food since I have so little experience with it. Give me time to build a basis for comparison, and this may become 5 stars for me. Oh, and on our way out of the restaurant, we noticed that Desta has a drive thru. Drive-thru Ethiopian cuisine? Win.

    (4)

  • Ruksana H.

    After visiting this place multiple times, last night was a bummer. They seemed to crowded and just did not have enough staff to cater to all. The young waitress that served us seemed pretty slow and kept doing the disappearing act often. She mixed up one of our dishes and when we tasted it and realized it was the wrong dish, she took away the plate from the table! We had already eaten from it, what was she gonna do, throw it?? The ideal scenario would have been to say it was a mistake , that you are serving them this dish on the house and the right one will be on it ways soon! Somebody forgot to train them for sure! The food was great no doubt but the service left much to be desired.

    (3)

  • Keisha M.

    Let me start off saying this was my FIRST but not last experience with Ethiopian food. Thanks to Scout Mob me and my guy decided to meet here after work and we are sure glad we did. Overall the food was delish. I ordered the vegetarian combo and my guy ordered the chicken tibs. Luckily there was enough food for us to share and we even had some extra food left over. I am happy that I consulted with Yelp prior to going because I knew to ask the waitress to put the food on a family style plate...which made it easier for us to share. As far as service, the service was actually okay...nothing to rant and rave about. While the food was great, I am not sure if I will be back anytime soon because my guy; who is an Ethiopian food lover, says that the food was okay but wasn't the best. But for me, the food was great! All in all on a scale of 1 to 10, I will give Desta a 7.

    (4)

  • S E.

    This was my first experience with Ethiopian food, but being an overall good judge of a restaurant, I just had to give it all the stars I could. First, MAJOR points for food. Yum-o. Lamb tibs were subtly spicy but so flavorful. Veggie combo was delish, very varied. Fish tibs were spectacular and devoured in seconds by our table. Second, they really scored in service for me. We brought our ten month old and our server couldn't have been nicer. She offered to bring her a bowl of rice and someone had a highchair at the table moments after we arrived (usually at other restaurants you have to ask, and someone takes their sweet time hauling it from the back). Water glasses and drinks were constantly refilled, atmosphere was lovely and clean. MOST DEFINITELY going back!

    (5)

  • Makeda M.

    I went to desta on sunday evening to celebrate my mom's birthday. she wanted to try some place new and since I had been before, i knew she'd like it. We made reservations for 6:30 and were running late so the hostess called us to confirm and I thought that was nice. Our whole party wasn't there yet but they sat us anyway, which we appreciated. We ordered the meat sambusa and the tomato fit fit as appetizers. The sambusas were good, the fit fit was just injera and tomatoes. I liked it, but it wasn't a hit with my mom or sibllings. For the main course, My mom had the fish tibs, my sister had the chicken tibs and I had the lamb tibs. My other sister had the steak sandwich since she is not a fan of eating outside the box. And my brother had the beef kitfo, which he didn't like since its just spicy ground beef with no sauce or veggies. The rest of us enjoyed our meal, although I would have liked the injera to have been warmer. Overall, we had a good experience and for the price, the evening was well worth it. And we had leftovers for the next day. I would definitely go back to desta.

    (4)

  • Barbara S.

    BEST Ethiopian food in Atlanta, hands down! Sorry Queen of Sheeba, my former favorite:-( I always opt for the veg combo. Each item included is always filled with flavor and is extremely fresh. The green salad that accompanies the meal is so refreshing and crisp. The injera bread is always moist, never dry. If you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, try this place before any other!

    (5)

  • Joel N.

    This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant a good friend of mine recommended several years ago. Since then, I can't get enough of their food. I take Their lamb, tenderloin and fish Tibs are amazing. If you are brave to try raw meat their Kitfo is delicious. If you are a vegetarian their vegetarian platter is also really good. They have a type of wrap unique to this cuisine called injera. You tear off pieces of it and grab the food with it. The experience is a lot of fun! The staff is great and they have done a lot of really nice upgrades and renovations. The have become very popular over the years starting out as just a take-out restaurant. If they continue delivering outstanding food

    (5)

  • Bindi N.

    I liked the ambiance, and the service was fine. Not great but fine. My mostly, I gave it three stars instead of 4 because I thought the food was tasty as heck...but a little disappointing compared to Ethiopian I've had in DC and Toronto. Not bad though, maybe just a little too modernized for me. I like real Ethiopian, served on one huge piece of injera for the table to share and dig in with their fingers, with all of the little tasty sides and relishes that just come with it. This was served very American style, with each dish served separately, as if it was not necessarily meant to be shared. Although I would say, this would be the perfect place for someone who wants to try Ethiopian for the first time, or has tried it before and it was "too much." The flavors here are milder and the serving style make it easier to get used to.

    (3)

  • Danny B.

    Great food! If you're in the area its definitely a must try. Even if you're not in the area, it's worth the drive for authentic ethiopian food (well it seems authentic, but what do I really know about ethiopian cooking, lol) The service is good, the women are beautiful, and the food is great. What more could you ask for. Go check it out!

    (4)

  • M S.

    I loved the food here and although I was only there a few hours ago, I am planning to go back asap. Totally affordable and so delicious. My friend and I split a vegetable plate with injera and got a dish of beef tibs. it was all so good. and you don't need a plate or a fork, if you don't want them. i understand that you can make the food spicier if you want to, so i will try that next time. hope it's soon.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    Just came home from my first visit to Desta, and I am pleased to report that it was good. Not the best Ethiopian I've ever had, but solid food in a pleasant, cozy little restaurant that was completely packed on a Saturday night. We called on our way over to reserve a table, and therefore we were seated right away. Others had to wait a bit, but the food is worth the wait. My husband and I (married less than 3 weeks!) ordered lamb tibs with collard greens and the vegetarian combo. It was a LOT of food, but our bill was just $25. The lamb was a little chewy for my taste, but it was served in a flavorful sauce, and the collards were great. The vegetarian combo was also interesting -- our favorite was the lentil stew, which we decided tasted like savory gingerbread. We fed each other bites in an attempt to be romantic. Really it was just messy. The injera was on the bland side, but that's okay when you're basically just using it as a utensil. The fit fit dishes that use injera as a main ingredient were not as good as the other things that we tried. We enjoyed sampling all the dishes and also got in some solid people-watching. It was a really diverse crowd and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Next time I'll try some Ethiopian beer, and maybe save room for one of the delicious looking items in their dessert case!

    (4)

  • Sanjay S.

    I went here with some friends on a Saturday night on a whim. I'd never been to Desta, but my friends had been raving about it for a while and I finally was able to join them. Desta is in a strip mall, but doesn't have the typical strip mall formulaic decor. It has a nice patio and even has an upstairs lounge area. When we got there, there was no outdoor seating left so we got a table inside. The inside seating area and even the patio is not that big and the tables are fairly close together, but we didn't mind. Once we got seated, the waitress came by fairly quickly to take our orders. She even remembered my friends from before so that was nice. They had several cocktails and a decent beer and wine selection. I ended up ordering an Ethiopian beer, Harar, which was not too bad. I was glad to see that there were lots of vegetarian options on the menu and since it was my first time there, I ordered the veggie platter, which was a sampler of several veggie appetizers. My friends ordered the tibs, chicken and lamb, and they seemed to enjoy them. We also ordered an appetizer, the name of which I don't remember, but it was like an egg roll, but stuffed with cooked lentils. I enjoyed the veggie platter a lot and the appetizer as well, but I was stuffed by the end and could not finish the platter. All the items were flavorful, the injera bread was plentiful, and service was friendly and attentive without hovering. I'd definitely go back and try some of the other veggie items that I saw on the menu.

    (4)

  • Madhuri S.

    I've tried a lot of Ethiopian but once I tried Desta it was all over. They are the BEST!!!!! I swear I'm addicted to their food. I eat there sometimes three times a week! Try the fish tibs...plain, or with aware, or mixed with gomen (collard greens), or my favorite , with a side of shiro. The veggie combo is great for vegans! Complete protein meal! The honey wine is to die for! And the hot spice tea is amazing as well.

    (5)

  • E H.

    The patio was packed when we got there, but there was plenty of room inside. We got a very, very wobbly table by the bathroom even though there were other tables open, but they may have been saving those for larger groups. Still, we were concerned about the safety of our drinks because the table was so wobbly. Had two good Ethiopian beers, and I would recommend the St. George. Service was decent, pretty fast and very polite. We had beef and chicken tibs. They were very good, both of them. I've liked beef better at other Ethiopian places, but here I definitely preferred the chicken. I loved the red lentils, I would order a plate of those alone. Definitely get the Injera if you don't mind eating with your hands, they have sanitizer on the table and give you wipes after. Which is always something that I look for at Ethiopian. I want to go back and try the other dishes, but it will be hard not to order tibs again!

    (4)

  • Helen K.

    One word: YUM! Ethiopian is not on the top of my cuisine list, but it's something I used to eat a few times a year before moving to Atlanta. Through a 50% discount at a half price restaurant website, my hubby and I decided to finally venture to Decatur to try Desta Restaurant, a cute little Ethiopian place behind the Popeye's Fried Chicken at Briarcliff and Clairmont. The food was terrific. We started with their meat sambusas, which are the basic equivalent of Indian samosas -- spicy meat-filled triangular pastries, satisfying. Best dish and huge thumbs up for the Fish Dulet, a minced mixture of tilapia with spices, onion, pepper and oil. Pulling morsels up with injera (thin, porous ethiopian bread which is used to eat vs. a fork) was a fun change and honestly, it slowed down our ability to stuff our faces and got us fuller faster, not a bad thing given my New Year's Resolution. We also tried their vegetarian collard greens -- lots of garlic and good -- plus their lamb tibs (marinated lamb cubes) over a delicious, red chick pea mash. Prices are good and the decor is nice with warm red walls, graphic wall art and smooth jazz (okay, not the biggest fan of the music selection but it lent to the darkly lit romantic atmosphere).

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    I pretty much eat here once a week. If I have a bad day, this is my go-to place because anything I order here makes me happy. I have many things off of the menu here but you really cannot go wrong. My current go-to dish is the filet mignon over shiro with ater. This dish is transcendent for me. Service is always phenomenal here. I tell all my friends that this place has one intangible: this place, more so than any other place in Atlanta, feels like home to me. I don't know why. But it does. I'm not Ethiopian and I didn't grow up on Ethiopian food. This is my comfort place in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    This time I'm glad I listened to the Yelpers! Albeit I'm not Ethiopian, but this is the best Ethiopian I've had in Atlanta and elsewhere. We went on a Thursday night and got seated right away. It fortunately wasn't busy. We started with 2 tenderloin beef tibs, 1 lamb tips and the veggie sampler. There were 4 of us and we finished all of that, so ordered another lamb because it was so good. The meat seemed to be much higher quality than other places I've been to and the seasoning was excellent. You had to watch out for the jalapenos in the salad and the meat, but I didn't have any unwelcome surprises. The food had a smoldering kick to it, but wasn't overpowering. We were too stuffed to try the desserts, but maybe next time. Service was friendly and attentive. We also used a coupon from Restaurant.com , so that made it even better. We'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • D L.

    Went for lunch. Ordered: - tenderloin tibs with house salad - tilapia tibs with house salad - toasted white bread - can't go wrong with a hot loaf of bread - the spongy bread you wrap all the food in before you cram it satisfyingly into your mouth The place was PACKED- don't bring your puffy jackets in here, no room!- but we had pretty good service. Water cup was always filled before I started to die from thirst. Server checked in with us several times asking if we were enjoying the food. Nice.

    (3)

  • Julie C.

    quick question: when are we going to get a 0.5 star option? how/why is it that the corner of briarcliff and clairmont is like a ethiopian restaurant free for all? is ethiopian food usually spicy or did i just imagine that? sorry for all that extra. but if someone knows any of those things, please...let me know. okay. on to my review. so desta was tasty...food comes out quick and hot, looks very much like the pics below. the veggie combo was a great deal. it was quite delicious and had lots of variety (6 things). for me, the best thing was the cabbage (thank goodness this was finger food...otherwise some serious fork stabbing would have been going on). the lentils were a little bit meh (totally edible don't get me wrong) and i really liked the collard greens as well. they were coarsely chopped and not cooked down to baby food, which i liked, but i could tell my friend was less than impressed. only miss for me was this mashed potato item. maybe it wasn't potato, but that's what i thought the server said before she darted away. either way, whatever it was was cold (on purpose cold) and that was the only thing left on our veggie platter. (pretty good for a crew of dedicated meat lovers). on to the meat- we had lamb tibs with awaze (not sure where that disappeared to...) that were good...but nothing to make me want to come back for more tomorrow. the portion was ample, seasoning was subtle and the meat wasn't too "lamb-y", which i guess is the difference between lamb and mutton, but it was a wee bit greasy... it was however, very tender...and a little tenderness, well...it goes a long way. no spicy heat to anything, hence my question at the top. maybe only certain things are supposed to be spicy....i can't remember. this place feels tiny...but it is a cozy atmosphere, and the service was decent. attentive, not chatty, but friendly enough....and they kept the injera basket filled. love that. nothing like getting down with your ethiopian food and having to stop shoveling your food in cuz you are out of bread. i haven't had ethiopian in a while, so i'm looking forward to trying some more spots and who knows...this might be the best of the best. i have definitely had worse at a bigger spot located off of north druid hills...vowed to never return there based on my dry flavorless tibs, so desta was a welcome fix. psst...gotta love that you can place your order and pick it up without ever getting out of your car. yep. desta has a drive thru! that appeals to the lazy lazy beast in me. oh. one more thing...they serve breakfast too (never had ethiopian breakfast) but i am very curious as it sounds delicious.

    (3)

  • Laura R.

    This is definitely a great Ethiopian restaurant for n00bs. You'll find all the authentic items on the menu and a few fusion items too - like a tibs sandwich. Doing a little research about Ethiopian food on the front end will take you a long way over the course of dinner. Everything we tried was great! The interior is cute and polished and the staff are all friendly and happy to answer questions. There was hand sanitizer at the table which was a nice plus when dining as a group. I'm looking fwd to going back to try the brunch!

    (4)

  • Bronwyn C.

    Amazing food, charming service. Get a meat dish and don't miss the lentils. Absolutely love this place.

    (5)

  • Daniel B.

    Came here for a UYE and my first ever time trying Ethiopian food (except for a small sample I had at last year's Taste of Atlanta). I ordered the fish tibs with gomen (Ethiopian collard greens) and also tried the Meta beer and baklava dessert. The fish is tilapia and served with onions and tomatoes among other things. A little salty, this dish was OK. The gomen was great, though. As with most Ethiopian dishes, the entree was served with injera, the soft/sour/spongy bread, which I am not a very big fan of, but it tastes OK when eaten with the entree. You can request French bread in white or wheat if you don't like the injera. Meta beer was sweet and you should definitely give it a try if you like trying out different kinds of beers. The baklava was pretty good as well. The restaurant is a little small and at night, very dimly lit inside. Service was excellent. All of the servers were very friendly.

    (3)

  • JEWELe M.

    WoW! All I can really say is that Ethiopian cuisine is EXCELLENT! Ordering fish tibs, chicken tibs, and beef tibs for the first time..... I was not sure what to expect! The flavor in the tibs was absolutely delicious! Also, the salad and vegetarian sauces and pastes were vibrantly tasty! Even though at times I was caught off guard when I bit into a freshly cut jalapeno piece (good thing I can handle that hotness)! And that injera bread....what was that? So spongy, delicious, and quite filling! I think I enjoyed eating with my hands that night! Although receiving an extra serving of the red chili-like sauce and beef tibs (compliments of the house), next time I plan to try their desserts! I mean, if their main course is delicious, I am sure their desserts are amazing as well! Amazing food and awesome service! Overall, my first dining experience at an Ethiopian Cuisine venue was EXCELLENT!

    (5)

  • Robert P.

    My first (though not last) foray into Ethiopian food - and it was great! The staff was nice, the food was fantastic and the injera was tasty. I have since eaten at a few other locations, a little closer to home, and they are just not as good. Not to mention they are often more expensive! Even if you are new to the cuisine, I would check this place out. They are friendly and you will not feel out of place. Other posters have said they did not receive help, we did. So, if there is anything you are unsure of, just ask!

    (4)

  • Wayne B.

    We really like Ethiopean food and try to have it regularly. If you are looking for a place to try Ethi or shopping for a regular spot, look no further. This place is the joint. The food is excellent and well prepared (by that I mean the meat cuts are lean and they do not go overboard on the oil). Particularly recommend the Chickpea Fit Fit, The Fish Tibs with Shiro and the Awaze Tibs (I am a beef man myself but the lamb is tasty as well.) This place rocks.

    (5)

  • P S C.

    The food here is pretty tasty. It can get a little spicy, so check with the wait staff. If there is a lot of crowd, the service can be a little slow. The wait staff is warm and friendly. The coffee was very good. The mango drink was very refreshing. Would definitely recommend.

    (4)

  • Belle S.

    I had been craving Ethiopian food since my return from Kenya this past summer, but had a hard time finding friends willing to enjoy this cuisine with me. All of the stars here are based on the environment, location, and convenience of being able to get decent Ethiopian food. The food quality itself did not impress me. Desta is a great option for those not familiar with Ethiopian food. It has a cute and trendy environment, especially to sit on the outside porch when it's nice outside. However, the food itself was ok for Ethiopian food, but not great. I would say quite pricy for what you actually get. To accommodate unfamiliar customers with the cuisine, this place does individual entrees... which is so odd to me. Honestly because I'm used to sampling many types of dishes at once because Ethiopian food is almost always served with family portions, I ordered the Veggie Platter to get a little bit of everything. However, it was disappointing because it was just a tiny drop of each selection---and brought out cold when I got it. I felt like this was almost an appetizer... and I was left unsatisfied. I filled up on injera, of course. The injera itself was really good. If I were to get multiple entrees here, it would probably be too complicated, expensive, and not worth it because of the individually-accommodated portions here. Service was incredibly slow, so make sure you are patient and have plenty of time. Nonetheless, it's an ok option with a better atmosphere than most places. Convenient because it's not as intimidating for those not familiar with the cuisine. I definitely would come back, but I'd probably stick to another dish that is served piping hot off the grill.

    (3)

  • Debra R.

    This is hands down the best Ethiopian food and restaurant in Atlanta. I ordered the Vegetarian Combo. The greens were full of flavor and weren't pureed into mush. Spiced Chai tea was just the right amount of spice. The light fluffy injera was plentiful. All I can say is go hungry and go often.

    (5)

  • Roshanda P.

    Wasn't really sure what to expect when I decided to try Ethiopian food, but I think this was a nice way to start out...... Because of the atmosphere alone I think this is really a cool place to check out. Kinda gave off the feel of a jazz club with the dim lighting and the smooth music playing in the background. I had the rib eye tibs with collards greens, it didn't take long for the food to arrive and it came out hot and sizzling on the plate like some fajitas. The beef was soo tender, and the staff was ok... I think they could have been a lil more attentive to the action going on at our table... but all and all it was a good experience.

    (4)

  • Krista M.

    I never write reviews but this place was awesome. Good service, good food. I loved the vegetarian plate, there was a taste of everything. Food was tasty and the spices you can add really take it to the next level if you're into spicy. Portions big and it's pretty affordable.

    (5)

  • Cristina K.

    I had a $25 gift certificate (which I bought for $2...woohoo!) so my friend and I came for our first visit. I noticed as I sat down that there were Target brand hand sanitizers at every table. They looked odd next to a lit candle on the nicely set table, but then I realized it was a clever touch, especially if you're eating Ethiopian food with bare hands. I was recovering from a bad cold and wanted hot, meaty soup so I ordered the Lamb Soup. They were generous with chunks of lamb-- not pure bone as I was expecting. And the meat was lean, which made the broth clear and light. They serve this with cut up pieces of injera (a tangy, spongy pancake) that you can put in your bowl to soak up the nice broth. We also had the Fish Tibs w/Shiro which had a nice tanginess from the tomato and lime juice. The tilapia itself though was a little on the dry side. Thicker pieces of fish would've prevented this. Last, we had the Dulet which we had to "check with server for availability". The flavors in this dish were definitely strong, mostly from the liver and tripe, which are minced and mixed with the ground beef. I would probably not order this again, mostly because a little oily and we're avoiding ground beef. Plus, I think tripe is to be enjoyed in larger pieces, not minced to the point where they it is confused with the not-so-tasty beef gristle. While we're mostly interested in the quality of the food, the place is a good date spot with its nice decorations and dim lighting. If you're craving Ethiopian food, this is probably one of the better restaurants in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Dan K.

    fabulous !! ok,, I used to not like Ethiopian food,, not sure why -- anyhow - I went to desta and now I LOVE Ethiopian food -- this place is really wonderful -- first of all, they have hand sanitizer on the tables -- what an awesome idea - especially for Ethiopian since you eat with your fingers -- anyhow, I got the vegetarian platter - it was so YUMMY -- I also ordered some of the dry Ethiopian wine - I didn't like it much but the WONDERFUL waitress took it back and gave me some other wine that was very tasty -- the food here is really good - wonderful flavor - I highly recommend it if you want Ethiopian - it is the best in town --

    (4)

  • Jenn K.

    Desta is a Great Ethiopian restaurant! I usually go through the drive-through, but decided to go there for breakfast today. We just finished breakfast there and it was delicious! They have a nice selection and the injera (bread) is absolutely the best! We stayed and had some coffee and love the outdoor seating! Excellent!

    (4)

  • Jennifer L.

    So I have only eaten Ethiopian only once a long time ago so that was my only point of reference (and what I was expecting but it wasn't). The food was pretty tasty - I got the the lamb tibs. Love lamb. It would have been nice to have a glossary with the menu since we had no idea what most of the food was. The one thing that would have been nice would have to been sitting on pillows around a communal feast (going back to the only other time I had gone). However I would try again (though there are a bunch of other Ethiopian restaurants in the same vicinity), Also my friend got the baklava for dessert - it was warmed up which was different but yummy.

    (3)

  • Denny C.

    I should preface by saying that I am in no way an Ethiopian cuisine expert. I wouldn't even say I have too much experience with it...a few meals here and there. It's always proven to be an interesting and somewhat fun (roll up your sleeves and get into it) kind of a dining experience. So I came to Desta with some friends after seeing some rave reviews on yelp. There were very few customers when we came one Sunday afternoon for lunch. Desta, located in a little Ethiopian shopping corner, seemed like a quaint and charming ma and pa kind of restaurant - bonus points already! We sat outside, and it was a beautiful day. Service was attentive and pleasant. I ordered the fish tibbs and was quite impressed with the intensity of flavor the fish had. It was jam-packed! The prices were pretty good, too, considering it was seafood, and I would say Desta served us average portions. My friends got chicken tibbs and they looked pretty delish too. The best part, of course, was the injera bread. That stuff will fill you up like nothing else! One thing I thought was strange was that most Ethiopian places let you do some sort of family style meal where the toppings come out on the injera and you share as a table, but it doesn't seem like Desta has this option. If my time weren't limited in ATL, I would definitely come back and sample more of the menu. Other things: - The appetizer we ordered - sambusas - were kind of a rip even though they were tasty. They were bite-size at best and only came with 4-5 pieces. - I think it's definitely worth noting that ATL has a sizable Ethiopian community. Nothing better than to support locally owned immigrant communities! - Desta even gives you little wet wipes at the end (cuz Ethiopian can be kinda intense when you get your hands into it). Very considerate.

    (4)

  • Eric P.

    While visiting my brother and his wife in Georgia over the weekend, we decided on giving Desta a try. Since they had never had Ethiopian before, it was more like me guiding them through the menu, since my limited experience was still greater than their none (Detroit's two main Ethiopian restaurants being the extent of my experience). Overall, I was quite impressed by this place. The service was relatively quick, and very helpful when we had questions. The most important part of any restaurant trip, the food, was very good - I daresay better than what I've had here at home. It was just more...flavorful? I'm not really sure exactly what it was - maybe the ambiance, the Ethiopian families all around us, who knows - but no matter what, the food was pretty darn good. We split a veggie combo and some sort of chicken tibs, all of which was very good. My only beef (ha ha) was that I'm not sure the injera was made with teff, which is kind of a helpful thing to know. Nutritionally, teff flour is far and away better than any wheat (rice, etc) flour; it is high in dietary fiber, iron, protein, calcium, and actually does not serve simply to expand and fill you up, as might the wheat-based injera served at some other restaurants (which shall remain nameless). Then again, they may have made it with teff but with a different method, so my entire complain would be unfounded. Either way, Desta is definitely somewhere I would stronly suggest.

    (4)

  • Reva L.

    Coming from Oakland, California, I've been a fan of Ethiopian food for many years. After eating at Desta, nothing else compares. The vegetarian combination is awesome, generous, and full of variety, unlike traditional Ethiopian combinations which have a few dishes as compared to many. I love it so much I haven't even tried the other menu items, which do look fantastic. There is great outdoor seating, friendly and attentive waitstaff, and great smoothies and coffees. Desta is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant of all times.

    (5)

  • Howard C.

    This was my first time to Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. I have been to a few Ethiopian restaurants over the years and this place I'd consider quite excellent. I had the Fish Tib Tibs, and the Vegetable Combo. The Veggie combo was probably enough for my wife and I. The dishes were excellent. The Injera was plentiful (you can ask for more). I would prefer it if it was a bit more sour though. But, my wife liked it just like this. I'd definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Guybrush T.

    Favorite restaurant in town. Not for everyone. A friend of mine compares the wrap bread (injira ?) to sweaty dish towels, whereas I ask for extras to take home :-) Romantic lighting, sometimes a bit crowded. Fantastic food, though.

    (5)

  • Shyam S.

    I am thrilled that I used previous Yelp reviews before deciding on Desta for my 30th birthday dinner because my guests and I had a phenomenal time. The food was outstanding - best Ethiopian in the city and I dare someone to find a better vegetarian combo. I would also suggest the Tomato Fit Fit for a unique appetizer. Have gone twice in the last two weeks and more visits are on the horizon.

    (5)

  • Randy D.

    Great meal at Desta on Friday - the place was busy but we got there just as several tables were getting up. It's a great little space on Briarcliff. Haven't had Ethiopian food in a while so we ordered the veggie combo and the meat combo so we could try a little bit of everything. Loved the lentils and collard greens and the chicken tibs the best. Will definitely be back to try the tilapia and some of the appetizers. Service was friendly and fast - we never had to ask for anything - waters (a few spicy dishes on the table!) and injera were refilled as needed.

    (4)

  • Lizzy G.

    +I went with my very senior mother. They were more than happy to provide plate and utencils for her! Location: They are surrounded by other ethopian restraunts, and we weren't sure what the front door was. Enter at the freezer plastic looking door entranc

    (3)

  • Dee Dee C.

    The Tej, honey wine, and service was good. Otherwise, the food was not memorable at all.

    (1)

  • C M.

    Not impressed. Taste is ok ( I had lamb tibs), and price is kind of high ($12), and the waitress got several of our bills wrong (all over-charged).

    (2)

  • M L.

    Hands down this is the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I have tried various Ethiopian places in Atlanta and Florida, but Desta takes the cake. If you have never had Ethiopian before this is a great place to start. Recommendations: Fish Tibs Chicken Tibs Shiro Vege Combo Salad Injera (bread) Kifto Wrap (raw beef)-personal favorite, filled with jalapenos and cheese Also try a Meta beer. Extra tip, the creative loafing gift card area has $20 gift cards for 10 bucks!

    (5)

  • Josiah R.

    Fantastic. Good service, great food, good atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Joe C.

    If you haven't eaten Ethiopian before and think it might be 'too out-there', think again. I went there with a group of people, and every single one had something good to say about it. And if you have had Ethiopian, well, this is a great one. I usually get the Veggie Combo and Shiro and both were excellent. At Desta though, I sampled a variety of food here and it was extremely good; all of it. For drinks, the Honey wine is always good (sweet, but not like sweet wine), and had some Ethiopian beer which was also very tasty. Try both for the authenticity. Try this place, and when you are done - try some other ones. All the Ethiopian restaurant are within a 3 mile radius of each other.

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    What a lovely little restaurant. We decided to eat on the "patio" which was like a tree house. The room has a large tree moving up through the center, windows on three side and fresh air on the other side. It was really cozy and intimate. This was our first experience with Ethiopian food and it was a good one. We ordered the lamb tibs layered with Shiro and spiced with awaze; and the rib eye tibs cooked with Goman. Both dishes were wonderful and, as this was our first experience with injera, it was an interesting surprise. Injera is kind of a spongey pancake - or a skinney crumpet dough. You tear off a piece and use it to pick up some of your dinner. Indeed, this is the real-deal of finger food! Eating with my fingers was a unique experience. I've watched this technique on tv but I gotta tell you, there is more to this than meets the eye. Fortunately, each table comes with its own bottle of purell so I was certain that my fingers were santized. To complete the meal a "wash paper" comes with the bill so you can clean your fingers and your face (in case you missed) before departing for other places. We will definately be going back .

    (4)

  • Akizogn N.

    Food was good. BUT I did not like the fact I was not helped with picking my order. I explained I was new to Ethiopian food (kind of) and they still let me pick something I had not too much knowledge of. RAW MEAT. I went home and cooked it. Will return after I google Ethiopian meals.

    (3)

  • Mitchell R.

    I've only been once, but it was great. Three of us shared a vegetarian combo platter, chicken tibs, and an appetizer (it looked like creamed corn, but I don't remember what it was). Everything was very tasty. The service was great. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Karen F.

    So after what I suppose was my less than ecstatic first review, I was contacted by Ashenafi, the owner of Desta, with an invitation to return for another try, on the house. I, never one to turn down a free meal (but no, seriously, I do appreciate when restaurants care enough to listen to their customers), decided sure, why not. This time, without billing issues clouding my reaction, I can actually give a review of the food! Between the six of us, we got The "Works" Fir Fir, Fish Tibs, Lamb Tibs, Beef Tibs, and the Veggie Combo. I know, we're fatties. My favorite, by far, was the FISH TIBS. It was seasoned with just the right proportion of spices to salt to garlic (flavor: check!), and the tender tilapia flesh was seared just right (texture: check!). The Works was good too, but dauntingly copious (...I suppose it IS called, "The WORKS"). I think the FirFir overwhelmed the Kitfo though--I like to be able to really taste my raw meat--so I would recommend going with the straight up Kitfo or Kitfo w/ Collard Greens instead. The Vegetarian Combo is worth getting as well because there are so many different things on it; you can't go wrong with good-tasting variety. My two criticisms of the night: 1) One of my friends, AR, is allergic to gluten. According to many reviews, including some on the restaurant website, Desta's injera is made with 100% teff flour (i.e. gluten-free), but apparently this is no longer the case... = Unhappy AR. 2) A minor one: I don't know what's more authentic, but I prefer my injera warmer than room temp. The service this time was impeccable (probably because they were paying us special attention, but still, everyone was genuinely nice). They gave us the option of a communal plate (...unfortunately, it was still difficult to share across the narrow rectangular space; the plate-area to table-area ratio is just too great), and they let us taste generous portions of the two different Tejs before making our choice (mild is better if you don't have a painfully sweet tooth!). In the end, I'm still not convinced that I prefer the modern, first date-y feel of the place, but I appreciate the restaurant's efforts. I understand the concept they're promoting, and I can see how it might be amenable to some. It's just not my style...or maybe the patio-seating would a better choice for me ;P. +1 star for the Fish Tibs (recommended by the house, Thank you!) +1 star for caring. Thanks again!

    (4)

  • Anisha H.

    Desta I have to say had some amazing food!!! I went with my Ethopian friend to make sure I get the true taste of Ethopian food!! Well trust me Desta did not disappoint!! We got the fish Tidbit and the lamb tidbit...omg I have to say the Fish was reallyy good!! It just melts in ur mouth and is soo yummy that it leaves you wanting more! The injera was something totaly new to me...and to get the total Ethopian experience, I had to eat it all with my hands, something about eating food with ur hands...just makes the food taste even better!!! I was soo impressed. To finish it off we got some Ethopian ginge tea....add a tiny bit of sugar, and trust me...the tea was just perfect!!! The only reason I gave this place a 4 and not a 5 star rating is the decor...def they tried to do it up but it was not up to par, but its a place you def go for the food and not the ambience!!! Def going back again :)

    (4)

  • Anna G.

    About a month ago, I wanted to try something new so I stopped by Desta. I always passed by and was curious about Ethiopian food. I got the chicken tibs and loved every bite. It was a little spicy but still good(took out the peppers). The injera took some getting used to, but it's pretty good after it soaks up the juices from the meat. I usually go to the drive-thru and the service is pretty quick. The servers and decor are really nice. I have been back several times and the experience is always good.

    (4)

  • Laura W.

    This place is tiny! But the servers are friendly and the food is tasty, so don't get hung up on feeling out of place. A colleague recommended Desta to me as one of the more authentic places to try his national cuisine. We got one order of lamb tibs and one order of kitfo (the Boy was feeling full on, raw meat-consuming carnivore), and enjoyed both, although I'm less of a tartare fan myself. Also, I'm completely fascinated by the breakfast menu here. Props to Desta for keeping things authentic (well, at least according to my co-worker... it's not like I can tell) but accessible.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    I enjoyed Desta. The food was very good...but not the best I've had. It was enjoyable but I didn't get excited about it. Maybe I've been spoiled by west coast Ethiopian food. I would definitely go back to Desta but would probably try another Ethiopian place recommended on Yelp to see if I garnered a 5 star review first. We shared the Vegetarian combo which included samples of 6 of the dishes, but they couldn't tell us which 6...or how many there would be beforehand. We also shared the Split Pea Stew which was enjoyable but not overly flavorful. The service was excellent and friendly and the prices were very reasonable

    (4)

  • Utpal D.

    Really good food. Portions were perfect. Service was great and Ethiopian beer hit the spot

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    I recently tried Desta Ethiopian restaurant with Daniel B. at a UYE. I ordered the prime rib eye steak, with a side salad. The food was stellar. It was perfectly seasoned, wonderfully cooked, and a good portion size. The prices were great, as my meal only cost 12 dollars. And our service was great. Our waitress was exemplary, and was wonderful in offering her recommendations and descriptions of the dishes. The dessert was also pretty a-ok as well! The only thing that I have to complain about is that I'm just not sure I'm down with the whole eating everything with your fingers method...including the salad. You could eat the baclava with a fork though. That was good.

    (4)

  • Liam M.

    Fantastic! The best of all the Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Rakesh R.

    Overall: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 We had originally planned to visit our favorite Pizza restaurant - Varasanos Pizzeria - but they were not able to accommodate our group at the time we needed. Choosing Desta Ethiopian Kitchen was the quickly scrambled Plan B. We had never been to an Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant before. We have had a sample of Ethiopian cooking at a friend's place, but that wasn't much to go on to make any level of judgement. There was some doubts as to what the restaurant would have to offer. This restaurant was decided on based on a 'word of mouth' recommendation from an acquaintance of Ethiopian origin. As you drive up to the restaurant (Free Off-street parking lot), for 1st timers like us, it did not provide a welcoming feeling. It is very much like a shack. It turned out very much UNLIKE the website. As you enter and wait to be seated, if you take one more step, you'll probably walk out the back! It has a bar, if you can call it that. Just enough bar stool seating for 4, provided there's no one sitting at the tables just behind. Desta has a very Cafe' like. The small size of the restaurant lends itself to being cosy and comfortable. Perfect environment to enjoy a drink and a meal with friends. Perfect for groups. That said, you will need to allow them time to set up tables if you're in group of 4 or more. The decor is very basic. Lit on the darker side. Simple square tables joined up as required. Being a totally new cuisine for us, the Menu has some very interesting items. Not unusual but interesting. We ordered the Foul (pronounced Fool), the Sambuza as appetizers and they went down very well. Fresh and very tasty. Most of us went for the Tibs for entree's. Fish Tibs, Chicken Tibs & Lamb Tibs, on the Non-Vegetarian side and Vegetable Combo and Split-Pea Stew on the Vegetarian side. All orders are served with Injera (spongy flatbread made with Teff flour). I, personally, didn't care much for the Injera. Too soft and spongy for my liking. Others in our group liked it very much. Desta has a decent selection of Beers, Red & White Wines. Ethiopian wine is also offered. Dry or Sweet. Nice wines with a tad unusual taste. Ethiopian Beer was also available which is has a very British name - St George's Beer! The service was excellent. Food was brought out within reasonable time. The staff were very helpful and ready to help with any questions we had on the menu. The music played was easy rock / 80s, 90s / top 40 songs. But we hardly noticed the music over the chit-chat and fun we were having. The quality, the food, the atmosphere are well worth the approx $25 per head for a dinner meal at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. Best judge of the overall quality of the restaurant is the answer to: "Would you come back here". A unanimous answer: "Absolutely" A wonderful evening in excellent company of good friends at a very nice restaurant.

    (4)

  • Jesse W.

    It's been about 10 years since the last time I had Ethiopian. Let me just say, Desta was an awesome place for a reintroduction. I remember really enjoying eating ethiopian -- a very visceral experience -- and I'm back in a city where I won't have to wait 10 more years for my next Ethiopian mean. Desta was really terrific. Service was terrific, the staff was very welcoming, and the food was delicious I'm certainly open to trying some of the other Ethiopian joints here in town, but if I ever need a sure-thing, this is it. Folks, if you haven't, you need to get out there and try some Ethiopian, I think you'll be really pleased. Desta is a terrific place to start.

    (4)

  • Sonya S.

    I had not eaten Ethiopian food until I came to Atlanta. And, happily, my first foray into this new food world was all homemade by the true blue's. However, since everyone is so busy these days, it's nice to find a great restaurant that makes the food just like home. We had the Vegetarian Combo and the Tibs FirFir. These were on a community plate for our table. The injera was regularly replenished. We were able to taste two types of wine. One was a little dry and the other was a little sweet. We shared a bottle of the sweeter wine. Then, I had the Green Tea with Ginger and Honey. The service was very attentive and pleasant. The Tibs FirFir had some meat in it as well as injera cooked along with it. The Veggie Combo had 6 different varieties of yummy goodness. I loved the Shiro. It's like the Ethiopian version of 'refried beans', sort of. It was so delicious! The injera was mild on the 'sour' note. I tend to like a tiny bit of the sour note. But, it didn't matter. The seating inside is limited with some booths and small tables. There is some patio seating as well. The ladies bathroom was nice and clean. To truly enjoy your experience, you must not be in a rush. Enjoy the meal with your friends and have tea afterward. I saw a lot of yummy plates come out of the kitchen. The varieties are endless since I learned that you can customize what you want on your plate! I look forward to returning to Desta very soon!

    (4)

  • nick l.

    Who knew that fish at an Ethiopian Restaurant would be the bomb! It is. Nearly everything here is good. The Lamb and Chicken Tibs are awesome. The raw meat isn't for me. I started going to Desta about a year ago and probably average eating there about 2-3x a month and it's not very close to where i live. It's food you'll crave later.

    (5)

  • Paul Y.

    I love Ethiopian food! This is the best in town! From the ambiance, the service and most definately the food. This place is great!

    (4)

  • April R.

    Friendly service. Clean, interesting atmosphere. And of course the food was delicious. The vegetarian combo is big enough to share with two people and features about 10 or 12 different dishes.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    First Impression: I have to admit I truly love good Ethiopian food. Desta has a good location, plenty of parking, and nice atmosphere. There's plenty of seating, indoors or on their patio. Simply put, it's friendly and inviting. Service: Easy going friendly service. Always very helpful in making recommendations from the menu. Food: {Remember I said I love good Ethiopian food} Eating Ethiopian food is a communal experience, best shared with close family and friends and with whom you are comfortable sharing some personal space (the dinner plate). You eat with your hands using a form of bread (injera) to pick up the various meats and vegetables. For me, good Ethiopian is not only adventurous but sensuously exotic. (I said I like this food.) It's wonderfully seasoned and comes in so many different varieties of colors, textures and flavors. My personal favorites are - Appetizer: Vegetarian Sambusa, Entrees: Zilzil Tibs (beef) and Vegetarian Combo, Drink: Saint George beer Conclusion: If you have never had this kind of food, be brave and try it. If you are a fan of Ethiopian, this place is awesome.

    (4)

  • Michelle M.

    Desta is a wonderful little Ethiopian restaurant on the corner of Clairmont & Briarcliff (across the street from Mo's Pizza) which seems to be THE corner for Ethiopian cuisine with at least 3 other restaurants in the same shopping plaza. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but walk in and you'll find the owners have made a nice attempt to make this place a little more charming and modern than most Ethiopian restaurants. The restaurant seems clean, the servers friendly and helpful and the food wonderful. Of course they offer plenty of tasty options for vegetarians with the Vegetarian Combo being the fave. For those who enjoy meat- their Tilipia is awesome! It's lightly blackened with lemon and pepper and wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I've had other dishes as well, but the Tilipia is just so good that I can't remember the others. There always seems to be a few friends hanging out here enjoying a dinner or drinking wine or coffee. Desta is a nice casual place to eat dinner with a few friends or a give them a call and order takeout. It's a great takeout option vs Chinese! p.s. Desta receives 4 stars in comparison with all the other yummy places to eat in Atlanta, but among Ethiopian restaurants it's one of the best- 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    The food is good, the waitstaff are friendly. They serve ethiopian beer, which is awesome. I knew better than to order a plate for myself though, so I went ahead and ordered one plate that we split. Injera is very filling by itself. Split between two people, the split plate fed both of us plus there were leftovers to take home! And we were both stuffed.

    (4)

  • Molly C.

    Desta is my top Ethiopian restaurant in town - I love it. Desta isn't like your traditional Ethiopian restaurant. It is a modern take where dishes are served per individual and not in one communal plate. Since Desta started out as a takeout restaurant and they have always had to prep their food, the food comes out much faster than a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. (Generally, Ethiopian restaurants don't prep before service and the meals take a long time to be served.) Here is a tip for any gluten-free guys and gals out there - Desta serves 100% teff injera. (Other restaurants serve a mix of flour and teff.) Just call ahead to make sure that they have made the 100% teff bread that day.

    (4)

  • S Y.

    The conversation between my colleague and I went something this... Me: Atlanta must have a large Ethopian population because there is a lot of Ethopian restaurants. Colleague: So, do you want to try Ethopian? Me: Ok. We drive, and pull into a strip mall. We find two different places. So, I drove towards this one. We sat down...ordered food and waited. The food came out, and it was delicious. Both of us were very happy with our choices. The flavors exploded on our pallet! I'm glad that this place with my first experience with Ethopian food. Now, I just want to try a local place so I can get it all the time! YUM YUM!

    (5)

  • Wendy P.

    This place is amazing. The food is absolutely the most surprisingly delicious meal I have had in the past six months. Didn't know a thing about Ethiopian food and still don't really but I know what I like and this is it.

    (5)

  • Michaela G.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. My bf and I went here for dinner last night and we simply loved it. We are vegan and when we told the waiter he made sure our food was cooked with olive oil and not butter without us having to ask! We had the veggie combo and the vegetable fir fir. We ended up taking a to-go box and then ate everything later that evening. We HIGHLY recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Lyndsay M.

    The service is slightly above average, nothing to write home about. BUT the owner is really accomodating! The food is top-notch - best Ethiopian I've ever eaten.

    (4)

  • jessica d.

    I love Ethiopian food, but I don't get to eat it too often since all the good places are far from where I live. I was super excited to get to eat here when I was in ATL and I was not disappointed! This restaurant has a modern, upscale ambiance and the waitstaff were very nice. We were the only non-Ethiopians there, and we got the typical, "This is very spicy..." warning we always get when we go to this type of resto. We assured them we could handle a little spice and had in fact eaten Ethiopian many times before. I think that they were impressed that we wanted everything on one plate and could handle eating with our hands! The food was great. We got the lamb tibs and the veggie sampler. The injera was very tangy and stretchy. The only complaint I would have is that I would have liked more collard greens - that is the dish I love to eat when I have Ethiopian! One thing - Google maps says this place is in a totally different place from where it really is. It is on the corner with a fast food resto - turn in there and it is near another Ethiopian restaurant.

    (4)

  • Cheff W.

    Just visited last week based on Yelpers' over 250 reviews. After I've gave a good thought, now I'm begin to question the other reviewers' opinions. Either they never had experienced Ethiopian food before or got drunk with generic wine list they've offered. 1) way too salty, even for simple collard green, a very simple and common side dish. 2) main dish, chicken tibs was literally speaking, a ok 3) servers were Americanized Ethiopians, they've already lost their native hosting, pleasant, and sincerity. (yes, I do count in all these when I visit ethnic restaurants, otherwise, a simple McD or BK will do just the same insults to my umami buds.) So guys, what's the point of sending extra money to another disappointment? However, solutions are: if anyone is visiting NYC or in NYC, do try Meske Ethiopian Restaurant in midtown Manhattan or Etete and Habesha market in Washington DC, or Nile Restaurant in Orlando, FL. Enough said?

    (3)

  • Chris P.

    Great food, service, server, atmosphere! Maybe not the taste for some but all around great Ethiopian. Serves more western then I've had before that didn't take away from anything.

    (5)

  • Joseph L.

    The food and the service here were excellent. We had the veggie combo and the wilderness ribeye which was little pieces of steak flavorfully grilled with onions and a few jalapenos. Both were really good. It's a little crowded and we had a tiny table for two requiring us to put the hot sauces (also delicious) on the seat beside us. That was my only complaint though. I definitely recommend Desta!

    (4)

  • Lena H.

    This was my very first Ethiopian Food dining experience. Not only that, it was my first time meeting someone there and was very experienced with this type of food. So I had all kinds of random thoughts going through my mind. ..But I digress. Can I tell you this food was amazing??? I had fish and collard greens and it was S-P-I-C-Y! Off da chain!! Oh, and you are supposed to eat with your hands instead of utensils. I was trying to be cute when I was eating so she (the server) gave me a fork since I really didn't know what I was doing. I was totally being modest and asked for a carryout box. But, when I got home...I lost my mind and my manners. In addition, I even contemplated on going back again...like later that evening...or try to make the dish myself by remembering the ingredients that I tasted. ( That was so not going to work.) I am so happy that my friend suggested this place because it is awesome! That is all.

    (5)

  • Broderick S.

    I headed to Desta to meet up w/ a couple of foodie friends and had a great meal. Saying you're going to the Ethiopian spot on Clairmont & Druid Hills doesn't help as there are at least 3 on this same corner! After finding the place we had an enjoyable meal at a great price. The food was wonderfully seasoned and they had a small selection of wine. They started as a takeout business which is still a bulk of their business, as well as a small market where you can pick up some injera bread & other products to take home with you.

    (4)

  • Michelle B.

    Been dying to come here, but can't seem to get anyone to join me, and afterall, one must sample many dishes to truly enjoy this cuisine. Finally got a taste at the Yelp Masquerade and was impressed. If the food is this good for a "free event", I'm sure it will rock at the restaurant. Who wants to go for lunch next week?! The menu is omnivore and veg friendly and everything was yum!

    (4)

  • Mary S.

    Now I have eaten there three times--wow! So very good! Going to be a regular. So close I could walk to it--food delectable. The vegetarian sampler is a little piece of heaven (except for the 1/2 pepper thing, inedibly hot to my palate). Then, after a going dinnerless for a talk by Salman Rushdie, I stopped on the way home for the tilapia sandwich. How did they make that texture and flavor so perfect? And the bread so fresh and excellent? I thought it would be rolled up in tej but it is a European style wheat roll, reminded me of challah a little. And the servers are all so warm and cute--that special Ethiopian beauty.

    (5)

  • Robyn B.

    I have eatan here two times in the past couple of months. The staff is always nice. I really enjoy the fish.

    (4)

  • Poinciana T.

    I love the injera bread and the fish tibs. The sambusa was good but I wish they gave me a giant one instead of two small ones. I've had better sambusa with bolder spices. I tried the raw meat too and it was okay... not my kind of dish. Service was okay but we did get neglected for awhile on a day that doesn't seem like it's super busy. We had to wave a waitress down to resupply us with the injera.

    (3)

  • Genevieve F.

    Wow this place was great! I haven't eaten ethiopian too much before so I don't have a lot to compare it to but what we got was deicious. For an appetizer we got the beef sambusa...excellent! Nice and crispy with a wonderful spicy salsa. Then we ordered the vegetarian special and the rib tibbs. Both were excellent. It was more than enough food for just two people. I wouldn't say it is cheap since I love to frequent buford highway for cheap and delicious ethnic finds, but it was definitely a good value for the quality of food. Our total bill including tip was around $40. I'm pretty excited to have found this place, it will definitely be a new addition to my 'favorites' list!

    (5)

  • Mandy P.

    I don't know what everyone else is talking about bad service... maybe we were here on a good day but the were very nice and attentive. since we hadnt ever eaten ethiopian before, we asked for some recommendations and chose chicken and fish tibs to share... both were full of jalapenos but very flavorful and yummy. you can get a fork if you ask but it's not automatic! and their porch is perfect on a breezy day. and don't forget dessert!

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    Had veggie combo, so good!!

    (5)

  • sam l.

    I love this place. I always have a consistent amazing meal. I love the patio and severs are very nice. I just wish it was closer to my house....It's the best ethiopian in town.

    (5)

  • Blaik P.

    Desta is solid Ethiopian food. If I'm trying to convince one of my friends to try Ethiopian, I bring them to Desta. The waitstaff is very helpful and accepting of neophytes. I typically get lamb tibs, kitfo dulet, or doro wot. I have never been disappointed with a dish and I always have plenty left over for the next day. Desta now offers an all-day breakfast menu featuring ful and other staples that I'd love to try. Definitely worth the visit.

    (4)

  • Erin O.

    This was my first experience with Ethipian food. Not only was the food delicious, the service was excellent.

    (4)

  • Kristy d.

    Fantastic. I've eaten here with friends on many occasions and the food is consistently wonderful. Highly recommend! Enjoy the cozy interior or sit outside with great music playing. Don't be surprised if this little gem becomes a favorite.

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    my first time eating ethiopian food and it was good...different from what i'm used to...but good nonetheless. got a meat lovers & veggie platter & shared with a few friends. it was really good...the presentation, portion size, atmosphere, price, and service was great. they deliver, have an outdoor patio/seating area, and it's close to my apartment.

    (4)

  • S B.

    Been coming here for a couple of years. Really tasty food, and usually good jazz if you sit inside. Our one test of the patio wasn't great: Briarcliff can be loud and the advertised jazz musician was authentic, but not quite up to his backing track. The staff is very friendly and helpful with explaining the menu. If you have trouble with spicy food, make sure you talk about the options with your server. Some dishes are not spicy, and others will fry your tongue. So glad this place is around! {Update: they have upgraded the patio, but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet.}

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    On second thought, this place gets 5 stars. Ive had a lot of the dishes and this place is hella consistent. Everything is so good! Also i love the atmosphere in here.

    (5)

  • Gina S.

    I have never been this smitten with a restaurant! This is my first experience with Ethiopian cuisine, so I can't speak to the authenticity other than to say my boyfriend and I were the only non-Ethiopians in the place. I had the Fish Tibs which were to die for with injera which was very good as well. I didn't get that you're supposed to eat with your hands, which I'm not really down for, but they didn't make me feel like an idiot either. We asked questions and she patiently explained. Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. Service was excellent, food was excellent, prices were excellent. No negatives here! I will go back to this place again and again.

    (5)

  • Stephie Z.

    I have never eaten Ethiopian but Desta has made me a fan. The food is so good that even the stray tom cat outside waited patiently for some scraps. The way he was staring through the window in the door made me think of Lady and the Tramp only the mangy cat version. He was nice enough to move while people were coming in and out but he was not leaving until he got some fish tibs and raw meat out of the owners. I know a lot of you would make disparging commments of this but i like that the restaurant gives back to the poor and hungry:) The fish tibs on Shiro kicked ass. Fish tibs are tilapia sauteed in a spicy onion/tomato/garlic suace and the shiro was a spicy ground chickpea mixture. The food was delicious and I liked the injera. Which is a spongy bread. I have noticed that the injera is what seems to turn people off but it reminds me of a spongy sourdough and I dug it. The texture while holding the wrapped up bread was offputting, I am not going to say why, but the food was great and unbelievably filling. My friend got a beer there, can't remember the name, and it tasted like honey beer- nice and soothing. The interior of the restaurant was homey and they have a cute little porch.. only one problem there- you are surrounded by parking lots so you might get a bit heady by the fumes, but still I loved this place. I would recommend it.

    (5)

  • Madelene P.

    I ate here for the first time months ago. I've never had Ethiopian food before; in fact, I never knew where Ethiopia was located at on the world map...but that's not the point. We ordered this sample platter (I guess that's what you would call it) of different varieties of meat, fish, and vegetables and you would eat it with rolls of the Ethiopian bread that came along with it. They called it bread but to me, it seemed more like thin soggy crepes. It tasted sour---definitely not the kind of flavor I'd look for when it comes to eating "bread." They gave you a whole platter of this "bread," though I must say, they do give you more bread than filling to eat with the bread. Some of vegetables on the platter was pretty good. The Salmon was my ultimate favorite though but just like the "bread," everything tasted sour. I don't know if "sour" is a main component within Ethiopian cusines but it definitely was here at the Desta Resturant. We also ordered this Ethiopian soup that reminded me of Chili. It looked a lot like chili but definitely did no taste anything like it. The spices was too much for my taste buds to handle and just like everything else that we ate, it was sour as welll. Regardless of everything, you do eat with your hands here which makes the experience more fun and authentic. Where as for the enviroment, it was VERY cramped. Tables were MUCH too close to each other and you feel like if you were to slide your chair back an inch, you would hit the other person behind you. Not to mention, the tables were also too small. There were 3 of us and the waitress sat us next in a small (what looks to be) coffee table. And, what made it worse was there was this akward giant mirror flashing in our face as we were sitting there.

    (2)

  • Talib K.

    a brother got lost and turned out like that whispers' song. or better yet, desta made me feel like singin' ll cool j's "big ole butt" to my former fave, queen of sheba. i heard this place was the bomb....but i had no idea. i missed it the first time i drove by because the signage on the street is nonexistent, but i knew i was in the right place because there are about 5 or 6 ethiopian businesses right next to each other; it's like little ethiopia over there. the restaurant is fairly small and sparsely decorated; but none of that matters, because the food is absolutely delicious! i like it hot and flavorful; desta did not disappoint. i had the tilapia tibs with a chick pea gravy....damn, damn, damn! the serving sizes are generous and they carry a number of ethiopian beers. the servers are gracious and like most foreign owned places, you can sit and chat and chill....no rush. sorry queen of sheba, but desta got a big ole butt, so i'm leavin' you.

    (5)

  • Melonie T.

    Ethiopian is not for everyone (especially my bro-in-law who called it "eating with a wet towel"). That being said, I LOVE Ethiopian. Desta is great, the atmosphere has been improving over the last year (now remodeled) and the food has stayed consistent. I enjoy that they use very modern presentation which sets them apart from the 5 other Ethio places in a one mile radius! Nice atmosphere, good food.

    (4)

  • Crystal R.

    This has become one of my "go to" spots. It's also great for vegetarians.

    (5)

  • Ronak D.

    Ah, as my time in Atlanta draws to an end, I have to keep using my many restaurant.com gift certificates. Tonight was spent at Desta, a small Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta, above Midtown. The outside has two small patio tables, which aren't really large enough to hold more than a couple of beer bottles, which is pretty much what they're used for. Inside, there are a few two-person tables and one larger round table on the right side, and the left side with more two-person tables. All in all, a bit crowded and noisy, yet still intimate. Decorative items from Ethiopia and elsewhere adorn the walls, along with their awards and recognitions...And for good reason. You absolutely cannot beat the bang for your buck at Desta. The food is delicious, satisfying, kind of sexy, and damn cheap. I started off with the shiro fit fit (crushed chickpea, tomato, bell pepper, in a tomato and oil based sauce with pieces of injera, the Ethiopian flat, soft, bubbly, bread...uber addicting) and the sambusa (like Indian samosa but filled with lentil, jalapeno, and onion). The shiro is served cold and you have a decent sized helping despite being a $6 appetizer. Full of fresh flavor from the raw tomato and pepper, the injera still has that bubbly mouthfeel, but has soaked up a fair amount of the sauce, each chew bursts with tomato-y goodness. The samusas are 2 for $2.50, and are served crispy with a tomato chili sauce. It's a tad drier compared to a samosa, because the stuffing is lentil instead of potato, but it's a nice nutty quality and interesting combination of soft and crispy textures. Going along with this was a bottle of Ethiopian beer, St. Georges...pretty standard fare lager, good to try, but I'd try the other 2-3 choices they have from Ethiopia next time. Moving onto the main course, I went with the chicken tibs...Food was prompt in service, despite the large gaggle of twenty-something year old girls celebrating a birthday. The plate of chicken tibs was a very narrow but long shallow dish, with small chunks of chicken, slivers of red onion, tomatoes, all cooked up with spices, tomato, onion, and spicy Ethiopian butter, which has just the most appetizing rich aroma, warmed by the piping hot chicken. Next to it is some house salad, which surprisingly has a nice dressing on it, not loaded on, not something creamy and fatty, just simple, coating the lettuce a little, and pairs well with the richness of the chicken dish...Also came with the chicken, more injera. Except this time there were 4 rolls of injera, all innocent looking...how wrong I was. Ethiopian food is similarly eaten as Indian food with the best utensils in the world...your hands. Food always seems to taste better when it comes off your fingers, or someone elses...hence my remark about this food being sexy...Taking a special someone here, especially if it's their first time, and giving feeding each other? You tell me that's not stirring up some bow-chicka-wow-wow. Chicken tibs are just bursting with flavor with each juicy morsel. Not one piece is dry or tough, but tender and rich and creamy from the butter and tomato. One dish of chicken tibs and 2 injeras later, I was feeling the button imprint forming on my stomach, satisfied and loving the flavor. At this point, I've only spent 21 bucks, not including tip...Now we got a problem...I have to make it to 50...So, after packing up 2 extra chicken tibs, 1 vegetarian fit fit, a crapload of injera, and something else that I lost track of after the itis began to set in, I walked out with a full stomach, a big smile on my face, and enough food for a week. For the price and the amount AND quality of food you get, you can't go wrong. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a nap...

    (5)

  • Lainy P.

    this is my favorite ethiopian place to eat in atlanta...but i'm really writing because they are having this RIDICULOUS "teff shortage" which has thrown a wrench not only in plans to ever eat there until this stupid shortage finishes, but also from experimenting at home with some ethiopian recipes. way bummed. any updates would be appreciated.

    (4)

  • Herman N.

    Although it's a little out of the way from my usual neck of the woods, Desta was a wonderful surprise (thanks to Yelp, incidentally) and more than worth the trip. We went around 7pm on a Saturday night and had no trouble getting a table. The service was impeccable, always at the ready, often offering to get things we didn't even realize we needed. I had the lamb, which was pretty solid, but my lady had the vegetarian plate, which was both delicious and ample. If you're into Ethiopian or looking for something new to shake up your bland dining experiences of late, give Desta a shot.

    (4)

  • Erin R.

    Finally, truly spot-on Ethiopian food in Atlanta! I'd tried a couple of other places and been satisfied, but unimpressed. After consulting Yelp, we gave Desta a try and were thrilled. The vegetarian sampler is definitely the way to go - it comes with six different delightful dishes and plenty of perfectly-tangy injera. Great for both newcomers to and longtime fans of Ethiopian cuisine, Desta's won me over.

    (4)

  • V K.

    This is one of my favorite places, Ethiopian or otherwise, in Atlanta. The food is awesome (especially the tibs and the platters) with endless injeras to wipe it all up, the service is excellent, and the ambience always wonderful and cozy. Have been here numerous times and the place delights me on every visit. The place has that homely feel to it that others strive hard to achieve. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Try O.

    My first time trying ethiopian food and I really liked it. I tried researching all the ethiopian restaurants in the area and this one had the best reviews. I would have never gone in just based on the area and where it is located, but I was quite surprised. I will definetly go back !! Worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Fasil H.

    Desta is a laid back and cozy restaurant. It is relatively small which adds to the intimacy of the restaurant. I have been frequenting this place for almost two years now and I am pleasantly surprised at how far they have improved on the food, service and décor. Quality of the food is awesome and the service in second to none. I typically get the rib eye tibs or fish tibs with shero. If I have out of town friends, I typically rally them to Desta which always gets glowing reviews.

    (5)

  • M R.

    Great food, great space.

    (4)

  • Tracy L.

    This was my 1st time trying Ethiopian food. From reading the reviews this place is supposed to be one of the better ones so we decided to give it a try but I just wasn't too impressed.... ATMOSPHERE: Very casual. Clean. Low lighting. Not crowded at all (around 6:30pm on a weekday). FOOD: From reading the reviews this place is supposed to be one of the better ones so we decided to give it a try but I just wasn't too impressed.... 1. Veggie Sambusa - 2 small triangles which looked deep fried and filled with a lentil mixture. It came with hot sauce which was tangy and hot. I really liked the dish. 2. Veggie platter - sampling of each of the veggie dishes. My favorite was the cabbage and collard greens but both these tasted like something I've had before in American dishes. I'm a fan of ethnic and unique foods but the corn mixture, the 2 red dishes were just not appealing. The white mashed potato looking dish was good. 3. Inera - I actually like this bread and could eat it at home as a tortilla substitute with some veggies and beans or something like that. Nice and light. SERVICE: Very good, but we were also only 1 of 3 tables that night. Waitress was super nice. PRICES: Reasonable, but it was even better with a certificate from Creative Loafing - Bites ($30 gift certificate for $15). PARKING: Plenty free parking in the lot. CONCLUSION: I think I tried everything on the vegetarian menu since I had the veggie platter.... I'll give Ethiopian food another chance but maybe at a different place...

    (3)

  • Jane M.

    Flat out the best Ethiopian I have ever had. When you go to a place that serves something besides American food, it's always a good sign when the majority of the dinners are speaking the language of the country represented by the menu. I had this red lentil stew thing that was out of this world, and the steak tibs were fantastic. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly, and the prices were good too. All in all an excellent experience.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Situated in north Atlanta right next to a rival Ethiopian restaurant, customers reap the benefits of competition. Desta has competitive prices and good food. Appetizers are around $5 and main courses are around $11. The place does not have many tables inside the restaurant, but there is a large outdoor patio for outdoor seating. Inside, the restaurant is dimly lit for a jazzy atmosphere. The wall is painted with earthly colors and decorated with many foodie awards. Keeping its theme, the tables and chairs are of dark amber wood with a fine finishing. I was impressed with the fact that they were playing their music through KRK studio monitors giving diners crisp clean music to listen to. I ordered the sambusa & the kitfo (steak tartar). The sambusa was a bit too salty in my opinion. The meat had a smoky flavor to it which I enjoyed. It was also not too greasy which is always a plus with fried appetizers. The kitfo, which I got medium rare, was delightful. The meat melts in your mouth. The green onions complement the flavor of the meat nicely. The juice (not really a sauce) had a salty and tangy flavor. It was very light so its taste was subtle. The injera was not too sour which was my complaint at the last Ethiopian restaurant I dined at. The waiter was very attentive. He offered advice on dishes and was informative on portion sizes. Overall, a very fine restaurant.

    (5)

  • Maulik V.

    Although some may consider the seating space to be inadequate, the quality of food more than makes up for its flaws. The moment we stepped in, we were greeted by loud chatter emnating from a completely booked restaurant; instantly we knew, that this place would be quite a dining experience. Being a bunch of first-timer Ethopian food tasters, this place was definitely not a disappointment. Albeit, our server was unable to explain the ingredients that would go into making veggie sambusas and the veggie sampler, we did manage to ensure that our food conform to vegetarian standards. The bottle of almost full-bodied argentinian malbec turned out to be pair very well w/ the tangy and spicy food. The highlight of the cuisine, for us, were the injera. As a fellow yelper pointed out, wet towlette seems quite a befitting phrase to describe injera. Only after savouring it did we 'google' it up to find what injera comprises of ;) (which is quite an achievement because we normally google first, then eat) ;) Desta = Friendly wait staff, prompt service, and A-grade food And fellow yelpers, once again, come through for us ;)

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    So glad Scoutmob brought me here! Great food (we got the lamb tibs and veggie combo, which was a good amount for two -- also the injera was the best I've had and plentiful). Would definitely recommend this place and bring guests here. I'd like to go in cooler weather when sitting outside would be comfortable, as the patio area seems really nice. Also, our service was great. The waiter was kind and helpful and offered speedy service.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    I have been to two other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta and had decided that I just didn't like this type of food. However, we had a groupon for this restaurant and gave it a try. What a difference! They had a nice deck, the service was very good, the menu helpful, and the food was wonderful. We had rib-eye with potatoes and lamb with greens--they were both delicious--. I will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Audrey M.

    This place was fantastic. I am veg and my friend is vegan, so we didn't try any meat or fish dishes, but everything we had was fantastic. My favorite was the collard greens, and really, who gets excited about collard greens?!? Also, the server was really sweet and let me try some home made house wine. Really great! Nothing like other wines I have tried. We will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    Desta was my first Ethiopian experience, and I am forever a lover of this food! Our server was extremely helpful in explaining everything to us. My very favorite thing on their menu is the Vegetarian Platter. I love every little morsel on the plate. It includes lentils, potatoes, collards (favorite) and many more little salads. I love the spongy bread that you eat it all with as well. I would highly recommend Desta to Ethiopian beginners and connoisseurs alike. Make sure and try the vegetarian platter, either for an app (for a group) or entree, or at least get an order of the yummy garlic collard greens!

    (4)

  • Helen P.

    Based on other Yelpers' reviews, I gave this place a try. As a serious fan of Ethiopian food, I am pleasantly surprised by the number of Ethiopian restaurants in Atlana popping up. I hope this trend continues. The ambiance is coolly laid-back and elegant and the food, namely the kitfo with collards, is excellent. My mouth waters just thinking of that dish. My waitress was pleasantly surprised when I requested it raw and very pleased when she discovered that I ate the whole thing. The dish had the right amount of spice, which paired nicely with the smooth, rich honey wine. It is definitely worth the trip and a definite step up from this horrid Ethiopian restuarant in Buford Highway that I went years ago and whose name I can't remember because it was that bad.

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    went back again a week later and tried the lamb tibs. sooooo good, meaty and savory with just the slightest hint of gaminess. my friend is pregnant with twins and we've designated Desta as our post-prenatal appointment stop. she can't get enough of the fresh jalapanos scattered around the plate and the iron rich teff flour is super good for the babies. unfortunately, i don't have babies to blame my cravings on so i'll just blame it on being a fatass. yummmmmmmmmmm

    (4)

  • Sandra J.

    best ethiopian restaurant in georgia!!!

    (5)

  • mary F.

    3.5! Not QUITE as good as queen of sheeba, but not far behind. i had their veggie sampler and loved all but the two red seemingly tomato based sauces (they do not tell you what is included, which is a bummer). the potato and lentil portions were good, but the cabbage was easily the best (the chickpeas was a close second). my companion had a beef tibs...sandwhich? and it came on italian-like bread. it was too spicy for my taste but was enjoyed by him. i would go back, but my first choice is queen of sheeba.

    (3)

  • Sumier P.

    I went to this place after hearing a lot about it. I've been to the now defunct Meskerem which was average and had come to accept that the only decent Ethiopian food in Atl was going to be at Queen of Sheba, which is also pretty mediocre. Desta is hidden in a strip mall at Briarcliff and Clairmont, where there seem to be tons of Ethiopian places. Its a small little restaurant, but with pleasing interiors. I went with a group so I got to share and try a bunch of different items. What a great surprise this restaurant was! If you're accustomed to Ethiopian restaurants where you eat in the traditional family style with entrees served on a big piece of injera, then you will be disappointed. Desta is a bit more "modern" in the sense that everyone gets their own entree with unlimited Injera to share. I got the Chicken tibs which was delicious. I went with a bunch of vegetarians who absolutely loved their vegetarian platter, and I have to say, I couldn't get enough of their Shiro. The standout for me though, was the Fish tibs my friend ordered. It was yummy pieces of tilapia marinated in spices and sauteed with onion, garlic, tomatoes and pepper. The fish was fresh and tasty, but also had a bit of crispiness from the sauteeing. Absolutely delicious with the injera. Our server was very nice and friendly as well. This place easily replaces Queen of Sheba as my new fave Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • hailu r.

    Desta is amazing dinning place,the food is fresh and delicious,servers are very profesional and friendly.Just wait 10 minutes to get a sit then you start enjoing the cosy Ethiopian food and pleasant atmospher,hey just give them a call if you do not want sit there they have drive through window for busy profesionals it is really quick.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    This was our first taste of Ethiopian food...and we loved it! We weren't sure what everything was but our waiter, Sayid, was fantastic. He answered all of our questions and gave us wonderful suggestions to introduce out pallets to the seasonings. He offered silverware but we decided to try the whole experience as intended and passed. He was great! As per Sayid's suggestion, we tried an order of Sambusa. It's like a fried eggroll filled with either a lentil paste or seasoned ground beef. The order comes with 2 so we got one of each to sample both fillings. It comes with a tomato/chili dipping sauce that was so deliciously flavorful and a bit spicy. Both fillings were good but my favorite was the ground beef. We ordered Tibs from their signature entree section. You pick a protein, starch, and side. I ordered the ribeye tibs. It's cubed and sauteed with a blend of seasonings, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and olive oil. It's AMAZING. I chose Injera which is a sort of spongy, pliable, flat bread that comes rolled up. It's got a mild sour taste but compliments the meal perfectly. It is also used as a utensil. Tear a piece, and scoop up the food with it. I am used to this as I am Mexican/American. We eat these kinds of sautes with tortillas quiet regularly. Next time I will try the pita. I chose the potato stew as my side. It was delicious and flavorful but didn't recognize the seasonings. I think it was a tomato based sauce but I couldn't pinpoint the seasoning. It was good. My husband ordered the chicken tibs with potato. It's the same kind of sautee with tomato, onion, peppers, and blended seasonings. it was really good too. He also chose the Injera as his starch and gomen as his side. Gomen are steamed collard greens with seasonings. He ate his plate clean! We really enjoyed everything about our experience. The service, the price, and of course, the food. Definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Britney D.

    I had been dying to try Desta for the longest. I was very familiar with the location and had seen in the past how crowded it always was but never had time to stop in while in the area. I finally had the opportunity to stop in and have dinner. It was everything that I thought it would be. When we arrived we were told it would be a 45 minute wait before being seated. We were called for our table in 15 minutes. It was very crowded and I see why. I hadn't eaten ethiopian food in years so I wasn't sure on how the flavor would be. I ordered lamb tibs, greens (can't remember what its called), potatoe stew, and rice. I really enjoyed everything except for the potatoe stew. I was not a fan of the flavor nor was my boyfriend. He ordered the salmon tibs and cabbage. He really enjoyed the salmon tibs but he said the cabbage was just okay. Even though I was not a fan of a couple of things I was stilled wowed with everything else which is why I am giving them 5 stars. Our server was awesome and helped with suggestions. Our food came out so fast it was crazy. I honestly think it came out in less than 5 minutes. We went on a friday night so parking was not the best, but we eventually found a spot. I am so happy that I finally went and I will definitely be going again.

    (5)

  • Venkata M.

    Came here with 5 friends, most of whom I was visiting after a long time. I was really looking forward to the food here as everything looked delicious on Yelp. We were seated quickly in one of the outdoor seating tables. The place was filled on a Sunday evening. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. Here's a few things to consider: - The Ethiopian beer (as with any other nationally branded beer) is absolutely mediocre. Nothing to taste here, try something else. - One entree can be easily shared between two/three people. I guess you already know that. - I tried a little bit of tilapia tibs and it was good. Vegetarian platter was good too. This is a decent place to satisfy your Ethiopian food cravings. Just make sure to have a reservation if you are coming over the weekend.

    (4)

  • Sallie L.

    This was a great place for my first time trying Ethiopian food. It's located in a strip mall type area so there's a lot with plenty of parking. There's a choice of sitting either outside or inside, and I opted for an indoor seat which had a wait time of about 15 minutes during dinner time on a Tuesday night. The waitress was very friendly with helpful suggestions and patiently explained what the various Ethiopian items on the menu were. I ended up getting the tibs signature entree in which you pick a meat, bread, and side. I tried the lamb, pita bread, injera (think sourdough spongey bread that comes rolled up), miser (lentils), and potato stew. All of the food was very good (and I don't even really like lamb that much) and pretty easy on your wallet. However, the food was also heavier imo, and it had a very distinct smell to it that lingered unpleasantly after dinner. Overall, Desta is really great for trying Ethiopian food but I would most likely not seek this place out again bc Ethiopian isn't really my cup of tea. I'm glad I tried it though!

    (4)

  • Karen T.

    Aside from a food truck in DC, this is one of the first times that we've had Ethiopian food. We tried the lamb tibs with injera and miser ($12.50) This was a great combination. I'm not normally a fan of lamb but this fish was tender and soft and didn't taste or smell like lamb. The miser is a spicy lentil dish and has a kick to it. We also tried the fish tibs with rice and gomen (collard greens) ($13). This was good too but we liked the lamb tibs better. The fish had a citrus flavor and the collard greens had a tangy taste to it. The injera bread is more unique and fun to eat compared to the rice. The restaurant has a fun, casual environment and the service is great. This is a good place for groups. If you share food, your entree comes in giant platters. The individual plates are pretty big - a bit much for one person but not enough for two people. We would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Sara L.

    I've only had Ethiopian food once in D.C. and I was NOT a fan of injera (sour spongy bread). In fact, the experience completely turned me off of Ethiopian food...until now!! Desta gets 5 stars for changing my mind. My friend and I shared the meat lover's (we got chicken, fish, and ribeye) paired with injera naturally and it was DELICIOUS!!! The chicken was slightly dry but the fish was super flavourful and the ribeye was on point. It's really too bad I'm moving away from Atlanta soon. Wish I tried out this place earlier!

    (5)

  • Qiaoyi X.

    I've heard so many good things about Desta. Yesterday, I finally went there. First off, I like their menu. On the left side of the menu, there's a column for dictionary. No more Googling about weird words, and you get to learn some Ethiopian! The place is quite small and comfy, only fits 50 people to my estimate. No wonder there's a line sometimes even in a workday night. This is my first time for Ethiopian food, so I played it safe by ordering Tibs with ribeyes and injera, which is a customized entree. Ribeyes was tender and juicy, while injera was fluffy and sour(of course). The veggie I got was more of a pickled cabbage. It was too sour to my taste, but maybe others might like it. The service was attentive and prompt. Because this is my first time trying, and I don't have any other restaurant to compare, I have to put it four-star instead of five. Might change it later.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Desta was my first time trying Ethiopian food and it was phenomenal!!! It reminded me a lot of Indian food, in terms of the spices that were used, and even how you eat it with your hands. I was in a group of eight people and I think we spent around 100 bucks total, so definitely a great value. We ordered a few different meat trays and some trays of sides. Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Claudia A.

    This place is awesome. The decor is a bit shabby but who cares. The Restroom is falling apart but I didn't come here for the potty either. Make sure you come early or get a reservation if you have a large party, they fill up quick. Also, don't be in a rush, they are on Ethiopian time and that takes a while (ordering and getting the tab). All meals come with the Injera (sour dough bread rolled like a tortilla and very spongy). If you've never had it, it's a treat. We got the Tibs. We got the meat lovers Tibs. Oh it was perfect. You have enough food to feed 3-4, no lie. All of them are amazing, well seasoned, moist meat and savory. We got the fish Tibs which was better than I ever thought. A nice crispy white fish, well seasoned, moist and very flavor full. We got the Lamb Tibs. Oh the lamb was perfect too. Not gamy, very moist, very good. I got the veggie platter. I always go back to it. It has all the lentil and cabbage sides that I love. Prices are reasonable $8-20 and portions are plentiful. You will be back because you will crave it for weeks on end if you don't return.

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    I've only had Ethiopian 3 times, twice here and Meskerem next door. I definitely prefer Desta. The atmosphere is awesome, we sat outside yesterday. It was covered and "beachy" it started raining and you could hear it tinkling on the roof and we were next to a big tree growing in the middle of the patio. Service was EXTREMELY slow, however the food was amazing. Brought two of my friends who had never tried Ethiopian and they are now hooked! We decided we can't come for lunch because of slow service but we could make it a dinner spot.

    (4)

  • Andrea A.

    What a unique breakfast experience! My first dining experience with Ethiopian food in Atlanta was a bad one. It wasn't Desta's fault but it was the reason I hesitated to try the cuisine again. My guy suggested that breakfast might be the perfect reintroduction and he was right. I accidentally ordered a lunch/dinner appetizer (Sambusa) and a breakfast dish (Fetira) due to my inexperience with the cuisine. I was really just randomly picking things based on their description. They were both excellent though. The Sambusa (two fried pastries stuffed with minced beef) reminded me of the samosas I've had before at Indian restaurants...crispy with a spicy kick. I loooove samosas so, needless to say, I polished off these babies in record time. The Fetira (flat bread and eggs, served with honey) was unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. The round flatbread was cut into triangles and stuffed with scrambled egg. It was as if they turned the flakiest part of a croissant into a pancake, sandwiched eggs between two pancakes and sweetly brushed them with honey. My guy ordered the Scrambled Eggs with Prime Ribeye Steak (with sautéed with onions, tomatoes, peppers and Ethiopian butter) and a side of injera. The dish looked like a southwest scramble without the cubed potatoes and it was tasty too. It was such a generous serving that he couldn't eat all of it. Throughout our meal, we had Julie mostly to ourselves since most of the other customers were having their meals outside on the patio. Our food came out of the kitchen quickly and she checked in on us to make sure we were enjoying everything. I didn't expect to have such a fantastic breakfast at Desta's and now I'm excited to return and try other dishes on their menu!

    (5)

  • Michelle T.

    I have had Ethiopian food before and I actually didn't want it again. But then I thought to myself, that wasn't exactly true. I just didn't want the injera. Injera is their bread, which is sponge like and is used to eat everything. But I came to Desta with an open mind since I have heard so many great things about it. Needless to say, I had an awesome dish that had no injera!!! I was able to order Lamb tips with rice and potato stew. Can. You. Say. Yummy!!!!! The lamb was juicy and seasoned! I love well cooked lamb! The potatoes and rice were the perfect compliment and the dish was awesome without the injera! And it wasn't a special request. The waiter was like, "No you don't have to order injera." *Enter fist bump with waiter here* I was very happy with my selection. Friends ordered the meat platter and it came with three options and the portions were huge to share between two people and still have plenty left over! The menu was easy to follow and even includes some definitions on the side so you know what you getting. There is a full bar so they make some specialty drinks, but I stuck with a classic Crown and Ginger and it was fine. Overall very good customer service and great food. There is plenty of parking and even a take out window in the back. So if you park in the back for your first visit, don't be nervous that is not the main way into Ethiopian food delight!

    (4)

  • Ha A.

    The meat lover was yummy yummyyy super yummyyy. I think thats all i wanna say. Oh and if the weather is nice, ask to sit outside at the patio :)

    (5)

  • Dawn L.

    So I'm writing this while I'm cradling my Ethiopian baby... That is to say, I am stuffed and chocked full of Desta's delicious food from lunch just now! I'd been ultra weary of trying Ethiopian, but my friend finally convinced me to come meet her here, and wow I was NOT expecting it to be so fresh and full of flavor! I ordered the Fish Tibs with Gomen (Collards) and Injera. The injera might look like tripe (so offputting that tripe :shudders:) but once you get past that, you have fresh made flatbread that resembles sourdough in flavor, it was simple and darned good. The fish by itself had some of the best flavors I'd ever had, it was seasoned and cooked to perfection! The fresh salsa it is served in really makes it pop! The collards were okay, they weren't bad, but not the best I'd had either. I will definitely be returning. (I even got a ribeye tib meal to go, shhhh)

    (5)

  • Asaf B.

    The Best Ethiopian cruising in ATL! there is no way I'm not stopping at Desta when I'm in Atlanta.. MUST Check it out!

    (5)

  • Chandana K.

    We have been to Desta yesterday with a group of friends. This is not my first visit to this place and it never disappoints me. We made a reservation at 7:30pm and later changed it to 8pm on a very short notice and they were happy to accommodate us. We requested to be seated in their 2nd floor dining area and they said its closed,so we settled down for a booth in the patio. The patio is nice and fun, but I would have preferred some spacing between the booths(the booths have common benches,we kept bumping into the people next to us). Their drinks menu is limited to few beers and regular spirits. I tried their sweet honey wine and there is nothing exceptional about it, except that it tastes more like honey water. We ordered lamb and fish tibs with Gomen(Sauteed collards), Injera(sour crepe) and Miser(red lentil stew). Gomen was perfectly seasoned and sauteed to the right level and the Miser has a good blend of berbere to bring the extra flavor to the lentils. The lamb tibs were delicious, juicy, succulent and cooked right between medium rare and medium.The fish tibs are usually their best tibs,but they were just okay this time. It didn't have the right crisp and lacked flavor. One thing I noticed is that their portion size went down from before. And I would expect a bit more food for the $$ we are spending per person. Overall it is a good experience, the service is good and the food was acceptable.

    (3)

  • Eddie R.

    So, first time ever eating Ethiopian food. The waitress was quite informative. She recommended the Tibs. I tried the chicken. She explained how it is typically eaten (with your hands and use bread to pick up the food) which I had to try. The bread is not your typical bread that you would see in the store. If I tell you to imagine soggy bread that is not wet, spongy look and texture, real floppy, doesn't really taste like anything)and looks like rubber, Could you imagine it? Well they serve the food on a hugh plate and you eat with you friends. My co worker requested no heat. Much to his surprise, his first bite of the salad was loaded with hot peppers. Ok for me, not so much for him. The whole experience was good. I recommend this place to everybody. Atmosphere, people, food and entertainment (music) was nice. I'll come back.

    (5)

  • Erika B.

    wow, just wow. I will preface by saying I have never had Ethiopian food before. but this was absolutely delicious!

    (5)

  • Beverly S.

    Perfect amount of spice that helped make the fish and pasta sooo palatable!!!!

    (5)

  • Vivekananda C.

    Great good and wonderful service. One of the best restaurant in Atlanta. Tried chicken fir fir and chicken tibbs; both are exceptionally good. I am not wine lover but tried Tej (honey wine) here and it was phenomenal. Give it a try and you wouldnt regret.

    (5)

  • Micah H.

    The parking lot is a little sketchy, but the restaurant is very nice. The food was delicious! I had lamb tibbs, and it was the tenderest meat that I have eaten in my entire life! The servers were polite and fast.

    (5)

  • Mango G.

    Beautiful! My favorite getaway.....the food is spiced perfectly and the service is divine! What a blessed find.

    (5)

  • Shanno W.

    I had never had Ehtiopian food before, but my co-workers suggested we go here for lunch. I ordered the Chicken Tibs, with the awaze (spicy sauce) mixed in with my rice, and pita bread and cabbage on the side. It was really tasty! I cleaned my entire plate, and the cabbage was on point! My coworker ordered a piece of chocolate cake afterwards. AMAZING! I'm not a fan of chocolate cake, but this cake was more chocolate, less cake. Really rich, but tasty. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Nedra W.

    I tried the Lamb Tibs cooked with rice and a salad came with it. The food was tasty! I will visit again. I'm glad my coworker made the suggestion that I try them out. I enjoy trying different cultural foods. I sampled good from the other plates at our table as well and everything I tried I enjoyed.

    (4)

  • Jayda T.

    Delicious & perfect. Injera always fresh & hot, meats always juicy & flavorful-no complaints. You HAVE to try their BREAKFAST! I don't even know what it's called-but one plate has eggs, sausage, & some kind of buttery , doughy, stuffed pancake thing.. Never had anything like it! Perfect! Love this place. Coffee is amazing too

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    This place is very tasty! I have no knowledge of Ethiopian cuisine, so I am simply rating it based upon general deliciousness. The staff was very friendly and eager to give suggestions on what to order - and how to eat with your hands! This would be a great option for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. We got the veggie platter and the lamb tibs, and it was all very delicious. I am eager to go back.

    (4)

  • John D.

    The menu isn't huge compared to other Atlanta Ethiopian restaurants, and the menu design and explanations are definitely tuned towards gastro-tourists, but the food kicks butt!!

    (4)

  • Alan H.

    Very good sit down Ethiopian restaurant. If you aren't interested in the communal Ethiopian eating experience this is a good compromise. Mixing great Ethiopian cuisine with European-style table dining. The tibs are fantastic as is the firfir. I would recommend Desta.

    (4)

  • David D.

    Service was a bit of a disaster operationally, but the food and ambiance are top notch (for Ethiopian). I had made a reservation, but it apparently disappeared and I had to wait with all the plebes. I was seated relatively quickly after, and servers were pleasant. I went with the Veggie platter and a salad. Adding the salad was a mistake. They brought the salad first, which ended up delaying the main veggie platter especially long. They even brought the check in between! I probably had about 50 calories to start, so was a little annoyed. The veggie platter itself was very good, and different from your usual Ethiopian fare. I found it a little spicier than usual, which was a plus. They have some additional cold dishes including beets, which were a strong point. Their injera is very pleasing to the Ethiopian neophyte, since it is soft and spongey and cut with wheat, so with less teff = less sourness. That said, the gluten content goes up. Overall, I enjoyed the ambiance, which was large, hipster, and fun. They're very busy with good reason, the food is delicious an affordably priced. I pigged out and still my check was maybe $20. I get the impression the meat dishes are the stronger suit here. A lot of people were oohing and awing over the beef tips.

    (4)

  • Sand R.

    I have eaten Ethiopian food many times, and love it. The dish here was just not what I look for. Don't think it is very authentic. I ordered beef, n my friend ordered salmon. They were okay, like grilled, but not like Ethiopian with lots of spice. Service was good.

    (3)

  • Leah H.

    How is it possible that I haven't written a review on this place as yet? I frequent here quite often. The food is consistently good. I typically order the tibs (Awaze) or miser with injera (I'm a creature of habit). I wish the menu were a bit more flexible but other than that five stars. (When I say flexible I am referring to substituting sides or opting to remove sides all together. If I opt not to include the sides the price unfortunately remains the same)

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    I had the fish tips which were pretty good. I ordered tilapia but somehow ended up with salmon instead. it was a good experience but I don't know if it's the type if food I would crave. The bread wrap thing was odd. It tasted really sour and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Overall I would say this is a good place to come for first time Ethiopian food triers. The food isn't super authentic but enough to get the Ethiopian experience. I would recommend the fish tips. My friends ordered the ribeye and it was pretty dry. Go early bc it gets packed on the weekends.

    (3)

  • Wendy D.

    Everything I had was too spicy, but good. I ordered the meat lovers with injera and cabbage. I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the cabbage. I did enjoy the ribeye, filet Mignon, and kitfo (ground beef with spice & butter) but it was seriously too hot!! I ordered mild...

    (3)

  • Brenna S.

    I cannot get enough of Desta, which is terrible because I drive 30+ minutes out of my way to get here. If you are thinking of making it your first time here, you might want to prepare yourself to add Desta to your list of rotating favorites, too. I can't remember exactly how or when I found this Atlantan gem, but I'm so glad I did. It's changed the way I look at food, because I never really know what I'm eating when I go there, but I kind of like that about it. I've been getting the vegetarian platter ever since my first trip here, and I never stray. Any friends I've brought here have pretty much converted to this dish as well. It's a sampling of like 10 different things, and every single one of them is good. No, I can't tell you the names of any of it or what it's necessarily made of, but it doesn't matter because that's not the point. Whatever you end up putting in your mouth here is going to do your body good. That goes for their Ethiopian beer and wine offerings, as well. What else? Service is always great, and parking is a breeze in the parking lot out front. They have a small interior with seating, but where you really want to be is on that glorious patio, so try to come on a beautiful day if you can.

    (5)

  • Sam T.

    Best Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta; you can choose your spice level if you are farenge. Order the fir fir & tibs; the vegetarian platter is incredible!!!! Battam konjo!

    (5)

  • Sonal H.

    Best Ethiopian food in Atl!! Fish tibs are to die for!! Great service, lovely little place to keep going back to!!

    (5)

  • Jay B.

    One of the best meals I've eaten in the last six months. Don't be afraid of Ethiopian food! Their spices may be a little hotter than some are used to, but the flavor is excellent. I will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Belynda H.

    Food was great I had the chicken, lamb and fish. My favorite was the lamb it has a little spice to it and is full of flavor. The fish was also great full of flavor I would not recommend the chicken it wasn't as good kind of bland. I tried the sponge breAd I did not like it I would suggest the rice but my boyfriend seemed to enjoy it. Over the good was great I would love to go back.

    (4)

  • Tessa S.

    Best ethiopian food I've ever had! Their food is so good that as I was driving home from Wisconsin to Georgia (yeah thats right, driving home) I stopped to get food at Desta at 11 at night when I still had another 3 hours till I'd be home. Just simply good food. The combinations of meat and spices are so drool worthy that I'd make trips up to Atlanta every couple of months just to eat here. If you've never tried Ethiopian food before I really recommend checking this place out. I'm not sure if it is the most 'authentic' place or not because it seems a lot more 'classy' food wise than the other Ethiopian places I've been too, but God is it amazing.

    (5)

  • T Ann C.

    Cool spot. Quick service. Ate here with my friend during a visit. There are lots of great restaurants in Birmingham but no Ethiopian. I have had awesome Ethiopian cuisine in New Brunswick, NJ, Los Angeles,CA's Little Ethiopia, and Washington, DC. All of it awesome and standard setting. Desta is attractive, fast and friendly, and fresh. The food is tasty and the first bites are ambrosia...then a semi-blandness sets in. I had the vegetable platter and short rib tibs. My friend had chicken tibs with potatoes and rice. Her chicken was good. My short ribs were well-flavored, hot, but very bony and a bit chewy. I wound up getting them to go but threw them away before I traveled back home. This is probably an excellent place to "cut your teeth" on Ethiopian cuisine but the flavors may be tamed a bit for the experienced palette. I might come back but I would try other establishments first.

    (3)

  • Pat R.

    I landed at ATL and called Uber for my ride home. When I learned that my driver, Eskias, was from Ethiopia, I immediately started craving tibs and injera. Luckily Desta is open late on Sunday night (until 1 AM!), so I was able to satisfy my craving. The place was crowded, even at 9:30 on a Sunday, but the hostess was very accommodating and found a table for me right away. The lamb tibs were perfectly prepared, the beer was nice and cold, and I got extra injera without even asking for it. I had asked my driver if there was another Ethiopian restaurant he'd recommend, and in no uncertain terms he told me Desta was the best. Based on my experiences here, I have to agree. The food is excellent, but it's the great service that puts this place over the top.

    (5)

  • Kevin D.

    Decided to hit this local restaurant because it is not far from the house. My friend and I visited decided to try something different for lunch one day just to play catch up with one another. When we arrived we greeted by a hostess and seated in the corner. They have a upstairs area and pseudo patio seating as well, but the weather was not going to allow for outside seating on this day. We ordered a few appetizers and some drinks. I warn you though about the one of the appetizers that appears to look like a spring roll the SAMBUSA. This spring roll is way too hot and I mean spicy. I am a person that can handle spice but I was not prepared for this and there was no indication the menu of the spiciness of the appetizer. We also order the Salmon Starter Salad which comes at a medium-well temp, if that is not the way you like your salmon cooked, I would advise them of that beforehand. Our Meals were prepared quickly and responsibly with respects to time. I had a fish dish which consisted of tilapia and my friend had the Chicken Tibs. Our entrees worked out as well as we both enjoyed our choices. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if your in the mood for a different cuisine. For some advice I would also ask the waiter about the spiciness of the meal you choose beforehand as well, just a warning.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    This was our first time eating here and I must say, it will not be our last. The food was really good and the service was very nice. I am glad that we went.

    (4)

  • Marisa F.

    Best fish tibs I've ever had!

    (4)

  • Andrew P.

    Great service and food was brought out relatively quickly, especially for our large party of ~15. I originally was going to order the breakfast combo, but was told that the description was no longer accurate and did not include one of the stated items (tibs). However, it was "Chicken Monday," so there was a $7.99 deal on various chicken plates. The special is for chicken tibs, chicken tibs with shiro, chicken rice potato, or chicken firfir, and includes a small salad and canned soda. I ordered the chicken tibs, which had a great flavor and a quite generous portion too. If you're new to Ethiopian food and desire to sample a range of food, they also have a very good platter that feeds four.

    (4)

  • Gleni J.

    I've been to this place many many times. Only had an awkward experience once. I think the server was new and wasn't too confident or sure of what she was doing. Besides that, always had a good experience. The food is so flavorful, reminds me of my mother's cooking. I want to grow some balls and try their raw dishes. Maybe one day, as I can imagine that it tastes great. I love the Sheba wine, I always order it every time. You really can't go wrong with this place if it's your first time. They definitely explain everything to the tee. Except if you have a server that's new. She didn't make anything right either. But any who, love the food.

    (4)

  • Sam K.

    This is Ethiopian cuisine? I have never tried Ethiopian food before so this was my first time and maybe my last. I was not impressed at all. There was nothing special about the food, the lamb dish I ordered literally looked like something out of a Chinese takeout restaurant, it was very oily and although it was seasoned, the flavors did not wow me. The dish I ordered came out in less than 5 minutes lol, either the chef is psychic and knew I was coming and knew what I was going to order and timed the preparation or everything in the kitchen has been pre-prepared like a buffet. Along with the lamb dish, I ordered two sides, one side dish was a cabbage dish, which was soggy and overcooked and the other side dish was a collard green dish which also was overcooked and very soggy, it honestly looked and tasted like they were canned veggies (still suspicious). They brought out my lamb dish but didn't bring out the injera bread so my plate sat there getting cold for a few minutes before I flagged someone down to alert them of this situation. I will say that when I arrived to the restaurant there was a lot of people so maybe they are doing something right, maybe I just ordered the wrong dish, I will also say that they sat me at a table immediately, so good on that and the server was for the most part attentive but seemed like she would only come around when we obviously didn't need anything and didn't when we obviously did, weird. If you decide to go here try their Ethiopian beers, they were pretty good. I think I'm just not a big fan of Ethiopian cuisine maybe one day I will come across a restaurant that will convince me otherwise.

    (2)

  • Tiff H.

    This was my first time eating Ethiopian and this was definitely a good way to ease into it. I order the lamb tibs with miser and jasmine rice instead of the pita or the injera. I did try the injera though and it was definitely a little too sour for me. I really like the lamb though, super flavorful and tender. The miser was a little out there for me too, but went really well with the rice and the injera. We thankfully didn't have to wait long on the rainy day, but i will definitely be back to try the other menu options!

    (3)

  • Santhosh K.

    Hospitality, Service, Taste, selection, ambience - I would rate Desta in that order. We were there to celebrate a friend's birthday and the girl who waited on us was very patient in taking our orders. It's always tricky serving a big group of people and she seemed to do more than well. Lot of us in the group were new to the Ethiopian cuisine and had a lot of questions, but all of us were helped selecting the right choice. I recommend Tibs with ground beef. Ethiopian Beers are a nice change if you are in a mood for trying something new. I like everything about this place and I am definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Lateef E.

    My first time eating Ethiopian. Wonderful experience. Service was superior, food was excellent, even got some to go !!

    (5)

  • Sonya A.

    I've been meaning to write a review for this place for years. I've been coming to this restaurant for almost 5 years now and I've seen how much they have grown. I've never had a bad experience as their service has been always friendly. My favorite thing to order is the fish tibs with beets salad and cabbage and drink the St. George beer.

    (5)

  • Jordan P.

    Couldn't have been more satisfied with my experience here. The service was incredibly fast, the food was delicious, and the staff helped explain any questions we had about the menu. I got the sambusa and tibs with lamb, potatoes, rice, and the beet potato salad, and I'll absolutely be going back

    (5)

  • Errol H.

    Came here last night with friends and this place was really tasty. I used to live in Seattle and the Ethiopian restaurant in town was amazing. Happy I now have a substitute!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Wow! The service is amazing, and food is amazing! I recommend getting the Ribeye Tibs, and making it spicy (if you like spicy!). Then we got it with injera (sour spongy bread). I also recommend the lentils. The Chicken Tibs was not the best. The meat was not marinated long enough, in my opinion. And also, the collard greens were just okay, nothing special.

    (5)

  • Lillie H.

    Definitely the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I've been here a few times and all my visits have been positive. I highly recommend their Tibs dishes. My favorite is the lamb tibs, very flavorful. The service is great too. The only thing is that I am not a huge fan of the ambiance of the restaurant but the food definitely makes up for it.

    (5)

  • Pamela S.

    Fantastic flavor in their chicken tibs and injera, anticipatory service, and still easy on the budget - they even have Monday specials for their chicken dishes. If I lived in Atlanta, this would be a regular stop.

    (5)

  • Cynthia P.

    "Desta" means "Happiness" in Ethiopian...and it has now become my word for that euphoric "Happiness" that comes after an amazing dining experience. I frequent ATL several times per year for business and pleasure and drove by this place last summer. I was intrigued by the colorful and inviting lights illuminating the airy patio and made a mental note to check it out on a future visit. A year later, after taking in a Braves/Cards game (Go Cardinals!) I decided to be adventurous and try it out for dinner. It was a Saturday evening and we arrived around 8:30 without reservations. Understandably the hostess informed us there would be an hour wait. We were starving and debated on going elsewhere when a server passed by us with a sizzling platter of aromatic food. This solidified our decision to stay and we were lucky enough to grab a seat at the small bar. We wanted to try an Ethiopian beverage, so my boyfriend had a St. George lager and I had the Meta. Both were very refreshing and had a great taste. We are adventurous and wanted the full experience so while at the bar we ordered a couple of appetizers to try...the sambusa and tomato fit-fit. The sambusa, thin dough shells stuffed with minced meat or vegetables, was a bit dry but we liked the flavor. The tomato fit-fit had a great flavor and my boyfriend liked it but I couldn't get past the texture. The place continued to be busy with a wide variety of clientele, but the servers and even the patrons were patient and answered questions about the exotic dishes. The menu is complete with food definitions and pronunciations. We were having such a great experience at the bar we chose to remain where we were and ordered our meal. Narrowing down food selections, we decided on sharing the Lamb Tibs with injera and a side of miser...and proceed to enjoy one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The lamb was cooked to perfection...the seasonings were fresh and fragrant and the smell was almost as good as the taste. We were glad that we split the dish because of the enormous amount of food...and because we probably would not have had the willpower to stop eating if there had been more! Our total tab was just over $40 and we were very well-satisfied. Amazing price for such great food. Hands down one of the best meals I have ever experienced.

    (5)

  • Lamar P.

    The gored gored is great. The filet mignon tibs and miser were also really good. Wish they had doro wot. The staff is all super friendly. I've been to a few Ethiopian places before so I didn't have many questions, but I overhead them with other patrons answering loads of questions and being super patient about things like helping kids find something on the menu that they would like.

    (4)

  • Nestor R.

    Tasty, inventive food and a very helpful staff. Have been here three times and will return any time I want a culinary adventure.

    (4)

  • Rahul K.

    Surrounded by a couple of other Ethiopian restaurants, it's easy to miss but that would be a bad choice because they have the best Ethiopian fare in town. The ambience and service are good but it's all about the food. Definitely try this place if you like Ethiopian food!

    (4)

  • Sheree M.

    I very rarely dole out 5 stars, but this place is worth it! It's no wonder that this is one of the highest rated restaurants on Yelp. The food here is delicious! And what really puts it in the 5-star category is that it's CONSISTENTLY delicious! My favorite dish is the fish tibs entree with cabbage and rice as sides. The fish is always fresh and seasoned just right. I am in love with the fish tIbs but have had the lamb tIbs and they also very tasty. As far as atmosphere, there's the whole laid-back African vibe: outside patio, that has great lighting at night.; perfect for the sultry summer nights here in GA. The inside is somewhat small and a bit tight. The bathroom is always clean and obviously attended to frequently. And, there's a drive-thru window! This place is awesome! I do drive-thru almost every Friday and sit on the deck when I bring guests. If you're craving great Ethiopian food, look no further.

    (5)

  • Addy C.

    Upgrading to 5 stars to set it apart from the other Ethiopian restaurants -- their food excels everyone else and my favorite is their Fish Tibs. Service is very friendly too, and they have a nice outdoor deck. FISH TIBS - $12.50 The dish also comes with a choice of carb and side. No brainer to get the injera for my carb, and I decided on the Miser (spicy lentils) for my side. Everything esp. the fish was so yummy - I practiced portion control and had enough leftovers for a 2nd meal :) I came with a couple co-workers for lunch -- they don't have lunch specials though. Their lunch menu is same as dinner. I will definitely remember to keep Desta top-of-mind for lunch options :)

    (5)

  • Jeremy A.

    Desta continues to be one of our favorite restaurants in Atlanta and serves up some absolutely incredible food. It has to be great Ethiopian because ive been to other places in the area and Desta shines above them all. Go for the beef sambusa to start your meal then get after a meat lovers platter that HAS to have fish tibs on it which are my favorite meat to order here. if youre a vegetarian they have an incredible full platter here so be sure to check it out. Service is great and its reasonably priced. More Injera please!

    (5)

  • Seefa R.

    Love love love love this place. Every item on the menu is delicious, service is wonderful, and all the waitresses are beautiful! :)

    (5)

  • Anthony G.

    The place has it all: great delicious food, great service and professionalism from every member of the staff, very friendly atmosphere, and fantastic value as well! If I lived in Atlanta, I would be coming here regularly.

    (5)

  • Natán Q.

    The location, decor, presentation, and service were all great here. Every one had a smile and I felt welcomed. The food on the other hand wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. It was decent at best. They had some Ethiopian beer which is always a plus.

    (4)

  • Ana Maria L.

    Service impeccably attentive. Very friendly warm & makes you feel like you are at home visiting. Blew our palate with the powerful flavors. Everything was just right. We had never had Ethiopian and we went on the recommendation of one of my Ethiopian students. Been looking forward to it since she told me and brought the food as a presentation/taste assignment. We can't believe we waited this long to go. Now our mission will be to return and induct others into these worldly flavors. We had the Tartare- raw beef and chick peas served with their fluffy crepe like bread ingera. Wow. Also, the ribeye tibs and lentils. So many flavors but yet it was all about highlighting the meat. Didn't hide it , total focus was the meat. Our friends had the meat lovers chicken, lamb, ribeye (the tibs but the extra crispy). The plate was gorgeously plated but the each meat perfectly done. You'd think the ribeye was overcooked at crispy but it was crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Best of all $60 for two of us and that was food and 2 bottles of wine (not including tip)!

    (5)

  • S K.

    The large pieces of jalepinos made the vegetarian dish way too hot. Otherwise trendy and tasty. A twenty minute wait in a Friday night at 7pm.

    (4)

  • Dani O.

    Love the ambiance and food. Heard about it and tried it for lunch . The Goden tibs are really good and the red Ethiopian wine was sweet and different. Will try it again for dinner.

    (5)

  • Rachel D.

    Always a wonderful experience at Desta. I order pretty much the same thing every time I come and it always hits the spot! Fish Tibs and a vegetarian platter. It has eggplant, lentils, potatoes, salad with jalapeños and red onions, cabbage and greens. The fish is sautéed to perfection and is served with jalapeños onions and other veggies. Heathy and delicious. The patio is large and comfortable and the espressos are strong. Try it!

    (5)

  • Ashley W.

    I visited this place this past Saturday. It wasn't overly crowded and food came out very fast. The food was great and the customer service was pretty good as well. I ordered the chicken and rice with injera and collards. It was tasty. This is not my first time having Ethiopian food, so some of things I was familiar with. But I was grateful for the descriptions on the side of the menu. I also tried the berry cheesecake and the caramel cheesecake. Both were pretty good. I would go back again and enjoy a meal there.

    (5)

  • Kate G.

    I walked in randomly while running errands, and was blown away by the flavors and spices in the authentic Ethiopian dishes served here! It's also expected that you eat with your hands! Loved it and would recommend this place to others!

    (5)

  • Tamar Z.

    Good veggie platter. Waitress was very attentive, refilling my water probably 10 times throughout the meal, and brought extra injera when I was running low

    (4)

  • Jumi Y.

    Ok, I've decided that Desta is my favorite Ethiopian in the Williamsburg Square (Ledet and Mesekerem are also here). I still need to try Behel, but I'm perfectly happy going to Desta. First of all, there are so many options on the menu! I started off with the lentils eggroll as recommended by our server, and it was delicious. The lentils were mashed and seasoned perfectly, and then there was a nice slow burn on the tongue. Nice. My friends and I got the meat lovers tibs- we selected filet mignon, chicken, and fish- and the vegetable platter. We should have gotten one or the other, but our eyes were bigger than our stomachs this day. Tibs: My favorite was the fish. It was crispy out the outside, moist on the inside, and had a nice garlicky thing going on. Add some lemon, and voila! Magic. The chicken and the filet mignon were also delicious, but the fish that night was extra special. Veggie dish: Pretty much every vegetable offering is on that place. The miser is so good. I think this is a great option for a vegetarian and would leave you more than happy. Service: Excellent. I was a little surprised that our server was so attentive given my previous experiences at other Ethiopian places, and the owner came by to ask how our meal was as well. I'm sold. Plus this place is cheaper than the other places in this area, and they have $7.99 Chicken Mondays (tibs, firfir, rice potato). I think my Monday plans might involve a short stop by this place from now on.

    (4)

  • Joy B.

    Amazing food! Amazing waitstaff! ...did I say amazing food! Also they have a live band on the patio on Saturday nights. I had never had Ethiopian food before going here and I think now I'm a regular at least once a month. The staff seemed to really appreciate us being there, how refreshing is that. They answered our questions, brought out samples and were just all around wonderful! The place gets crowded and we had about a 30-35 min wait, but it was well worth it! Yummmmmy!

    (5)

  • Grant M.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is amazing. I highly recommend getting the fish tibs. They are so dang good. The fish tibs come with several sauces and ineja (Ethiopian bread, similar to sourdough). The service here is really awesome as well. Our waiter, Megan was super sweet. In my opinion, this is the best Ethiopian in Atlanta and some of the best I've had.

    (5)

  • Bilal A.

    Great food. It's nice cozy place with great ambiance. Given I have never been to Ethiopia I don't know what the actual food tastes but it's definitely great.

    (5)

  • kimi m.

    Loved this place! One of my friend's mother is from Eritrea and I was craving some of her food, but didn't want to up and call her out the blue begging to be fed. So I decided to do the second most convenient thing-yelp and Ethiopian restaurant. Desta came up as one of the best in Atlanta-and it definitely was. Had a little bit of everything. Loved it all. I will definitely be going back sooner than later.

    (4)

  • L E.

    Good food and fast, friendly service. I had a chicken dish with injera and salad. The waitress was very nice and showed me how people normally eat with their hands or with the bread. I got the special so it was a good price too.

    (4)

  • Tran N.

    I never ever would have ethiopian as a option to dine if it were up to me. However, this was before I tried Desta. My boyfriend wanted to give this place a try since we like to try out new places instead of sticking with the regulars. I was expecting weird flavors that I was not going to be adjusted to, and I was scared I wasn't going to like it at all. It turns out after trying the tibs entrees, they were pretty good. My first visit here I ended up getting the fish tibs, the flavors were just right and I got it with the injera bread. Now the injera bread is interesting as I saw other people picking their food up with it, this is how it should be eaten. I had a couple bites of the bread with the tibs and I was not to big of a fan of the bread. I rather would just stick to pita bread. The injera bread ruins the flavors of the tibs just a bit, it reminds me of sourdough except more sour. My second visit here I tried the chicken tibs, I forgot what the sides I chose were but one of them included the tomato salad I believe. I think I prefer the fish tibs better just because there are more flavors to that. Totally give this place a try if you're looking for a new experience of dining, the restaurant is usually dim and dark at night, seems a bit tight spaced, but they do have a second level I believe. Tibs entrees are recommended for first timers, and don't worry, if you don't know what the meaning of some of the terms they use for the dishes, there is a quick glossary on the side of the menu before you end up asking a waitress!

    (4)

  • Peter A.

    Phenomenal Ethiopian place in an upscale restaurant. Delicious food. Great Service. Classy atmosphere. What else is there to like in a restaurant? This place is one of the few places I am aware of with a 4.5/5 star Yelp rating....and it deserves the full five. When my Ethiopian friend suggested this place to me a year ago, I said "sure, I'll try it". I thought was going to be like most other Ethiopian places I had been to (decent food but in a hole in the wall joint) so it took another recommendation for me to try it out. Boy, I should listened the first time. This place is delicious and authentic while being hosted in a classy upscale restaurant with a great atmosphere. On top of that the service is very attentive and the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of the food and the atmosphere. Really though it comes down to the food and the food here is fantastic. The whole experience here is tops. It gets 5 stars in every category. Seriously, give this place a try. Food: 5/5 Service 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Sanitation 5/5 Value 5/5

    (5)

  • Christine E.

    My mouth began watering the moment I started contemplating what I was going to describe in this review. The food here is to die for, and extremely reasonably priced to boot. Definitely some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever had (my samplings include some of the top-rated places in Durham, DC, Philly and NYC). I pretty much always get the vegetarian platter for the sake of variety, although I have a particularly strong affection for some of the individual dishes included in it, which you can also choose to get in larger portions. Supposedly the platter is for two people, but that is obviously a joke, because the hell am I ever going to share it with anyone. And no, I never take home any leftovers. My meat-eating parents love the beef tips, and the dessert is good, although not nearly as amazing as the rest of the food. There is a lovely outdoor seating area (they built the roof around a tree!) that often hosts a live music performance. Basically what I'm telling you is that Desta is perfect and you should go now.

    (5)

  • Ray M.

    The food is consistent but has a strong American influence and is watered down for Westerners. The servers are friendly but can be a tad slow especially if it's busy. They stay busy... The decor is modern & the music relaxing. Smaller portion sizes with flavorful dishes. My favorite dish is shiro with fish tibs on top. They have tasty veggie dishes. It's worth your time and they welcome all cultures.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    The grilled tilapia salad and grilled tilapia entree are amazing. I love this place. The food is delicious except for that weird bread they serve. It's an Ethiopian specialty I guess. This spot is great for lunch.

    (5)

  • Jennie Y.

    I've never had Ethiopian before until a few months ago when one of my closest friends wanted Ethiopian and named this place for her bachelorette dinner. I was feeling iffy because I don't know what to expect, but i figured, if she loves it so much, it can't be that bad, right? omg... if i only knew how addicted i would be.... This is pretty much what I order now whenever we go.. whether it's for dinner or late night cravings (and they do stay open pretty late!). We order kafta wrap (tortilla wrap with rare to medium-rare beef) for appetizer. It is spicy and soft and chewy and just pure heaven. We can eat a whole plate of this. I usually order the lamb tibs and the hubby will go for the ribeye tibs, both with miser (spicy lentil) and injera (steamed sour spongey dough of some sort that rolls. it basically acts as your scoop and soaks up all the seasoning and juices from your plate) You can get jasmine rice instead, but then it's not very authentic. I've also ordered their goden tibs before... but it doesn't come with a side dish as the plate itself is seemingly big with bone-in beef strips. I'm a big meat eater so I'd never dream of getting this, but I've had friends to order their vegetarian plate and it's a huge plate (maybe even enough for 2) with lots of colorful vegetable, so I'd definitely recommend that if a couple or 2 friends would like to share. For meat eaters, they do have the meat loves entree where you can choose 3 meats. My hubby and I are completely satisfied with getting only 2 meats, so we've never tried this option. I don't know if other ethiopian places are better since desta is the only one i've ever been to, but it's so good that i'm willing to not try... unless one of you yelpers can convince me otherwise!

    (5)

  • Patrick H.

    Nice place. Great food. Great place to eat. Had the fish tibs.

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    Sat outside on the deck. There are 4 or 5 other Ethiopian places within a couple of hundred yards of Desta. We walked into two of them and they smelled funny and had a real weird vibe. Desta on the other hand was up beat, lively and smelled good. Other than seeing people eat with their hands you never would guess you were in an Ethiopian place. Lets be honest Ethiopian food does not conjure up thoughts of heavenly good eats nor makes your mouth salivated upon mentioning its cuisine like lets say Grandma's meatballs. However, this place was great. Everything was freshly made, served with a smile and tasted great. I would definitely go back and experiment on the menu a little more. We all had the house specialty tibs and all was were very pleased.

    (3)

  • Powell S.

    Really enjoyed the fish tibs. I think it was the best of the meal. However, everything was good including the lamb tibs, miser, gomen, tomato fitfit and the Tiramisu. I had a cup of Ethiopian espresso with dessert and it was delicious too.

    (5)

  • Steve P.

    Great place for a couple of first timers. Tee was awesome with meal selections. The lentils were spice just right. Lamb tibs! Will be back!

    (5)

  • Ludy V.

    Definitely like this place that is known as the "best" Ethiopian in Atlanta... Well, I would say that it depends on what you're looking for. Their raw beef was absolutely delicious as were the lamb tibs, but the rest of the food was just good. There is a great outdoor seating area and there is plenty of waitstaff. That said, I think the taste of the food at Ghion Cultural Hall on Cheshire Bridge is better- spicier and more homey tasting to me... but I'm not Ethiopian so who knows... Also, service at Ghion is always friendly but usually a bit sparse...

    (4)

  • Sean R.

    The food was excellent. You know it must be authentic when you walk in and find most of the patrons are probably originally from the region. Fantastic pricing. I'll be back when I'm back in town.

    (5)

  • Dana M.

    I would give Desta 31/2 stars. I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for the longest so when this opportunity came up i jumped on it! it's a nice restaurant with plenty of outdoor space and they also have an upstairs dining area which is where we sat. The service was good and the server helped us with our choices. I have to say that the food was really fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the fish and the side of lentils. My little one enjoyed the pasta with meat sauce...it was actually very good. Different than a regular tomato sauce. For a first timer I was impressed. I will come back again when visiting the ATL.

    (3)

  • Rashmi A.

    I've never tried Ethiopian food before, and in my new obsession of trying out different cuisines I went to this place a few days back. We had the Chicken Tibs and the Veggie platter with a Tomato Fitfit appetizer. The entrees were great and every item on the veggie platter was exceptional! Their injera is soft, super tasty and goes really well with all of the items (don't remember the names exactly) on the platter. The chicken entree came with rice (you have a choice of rice/injera) and was cooked amazingly well. Both the entree dishes were a generous quantity and worth the price. Great food, ambience and quick service. Worth a try.

    (5)

  • D P.

    First time eating Ethiopian food and it was very good! I think the tons of great reviews speak for it's self! Prices are very good and food is plentiful. I had the ribeye tibs and my husband had the chicken tibs. Just a note the chicken is spicy and that was just ordering as is (they have an additional spice you can add). I like spicy so I ended up swapping with my husband but he did enjoy the chicken he just would prefer not spicy. Otherwise no complaints and your food arrives fast waited about 5 mins.

    (5)

  • Paige N.

    I finally made it to Desta last night! Finally! I've been trying to find someone adventurous enough to accompany me for a while now into the unknown that is Ethiopian food, but no one was biting - literally. Last night, however, the moon must have come into retrograde (or something like that) and I found myself seated in a booth at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, a cup of honey wine in front of me. And let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. I did my homework on the Ethiopian places in Atlanta and this one won hands down because of all the positive reviews. They were totally true. We began our dinner with meat sambusas that came with a yummy, spicy chipotle-type sauce on the side, then moved on with two main courses of lamb tibs with the extra awaze spice and red lentils and fish tibs with gomen (collard greens) and lots of injera to scoop it all up, naturally. It was delicious! Everything was hot and fresh and spicy (but not too much that it burned in a bad way). And when our supply of injera started to get low, a waitress came around with a fresh platter of perfectly rolled replacements. The service was also excellent - an attentive waiter who recommended Ethiopian beers and gave me a taster of the wine before I ordered a full glass to see if I liked the honey overtones of it. He checked on us several times throughout the meal to make sure everything had come out and was to our liking and brought the check promptly when we were finished, yet he never rushed us either. And the ambiance of the place is very cute. I'd definitely like to come back in the spring / summer when the warm weather will allow me to sit on the patio that has a tree (yes, I wrote that correctly) - a tree growing through the patio deck. But the inside is nice too - tables are close together and it can get a bit noisy with a crowd, but it has more of a 'cozy' feel than an 'I'm-sitting-in-the-person-next-to-me's-lap' feel. Wonderful experience, excellent food and a place I will absolutely suggest again. I can't wait to try more of their dishes!

    (4)

  • Elaine L.

    This is my first time trying Ethiopian food, it was definitely interesting to say the least. My friends and I got the meat lover platter. We got the lamb, ribeye and fish tibs. I thought the taste was definitely there and good! I think I have to keep on eating to know for sure how I feel about Ethiopian food but it definitely was good! I love the taste! I thought the injera (the sponge bread that's a bit sour) was interesting, I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm not quite used to the taste but it was definitely interesting to have. A lot of the other people got it so we got that too, I'm thinking that's authentic to Ethiopian food. I like the texture and the taste. I definitely recommend this place, overall the food was good. I wouldn't say exceptional because it's not quite used to what I have before and I don't have anything to compare this to. The food was a tad bit sour or more citrus flavored, which was a bit weird to me. But, definitely try it! Maybe once I go back again, I might like it more (and I will readjust my review!).

    (4)

  • Monica G.

    It was my first time to try Ethiopian food and didn't really have any expectations. We ordered the meat lovers with lamb, filet mignon and rib eye and had injera. The food really hit the spot. We also ordered dessert and I think it's called Napoleon. It was also really good. Not too sweet. Just the perfect amount of sweetness. I'm def coming back to this place.

    (5)

  • Happy Eater B.

    Yum. Terrific food at a great price. Wonderful Ethiopian food. The injera bread was fantastic, a real highlight. Our server was terrific. The ambience is really nice - casual and comfortable, very welcoming and hospitable. The 'tibs' meal I selected was a bit one dimensional - the same great flavor throughout, but, not a lot of variety or interest to it after a while. My wife selected a vegetable sampler that was much more interesting.

    (4)

  • Maria Eduarda M.

    I've been hearing about Ethiopian food lately so I had to try. Well, it's really good. Desta gave us a pleasant experience . Nice servers, good environment and the food was delicious. We had the vegetarian combo and the fish dulete. We definitely will be back!

    (5)

  • Michelle K.

    This is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've ever eaten at. The service is great and their food is quite flavorful. It's even friendly for first timers! I had a great time eating here on two occasions. One of the neat things about Ethiopian dining is they encourage you to use your hands instead of utensils. I rarely follow this etiquette but they do make it pretty easy to eat with your hands. I found it interesting that each table had a bottle of hand sanitizer for those who are too lazy to wash their hands in their bathrooms. Definitely try their vegetarian platter with the grilled fish or their filet mignon tib entree. Hands down, this is one of our most favorite Ethiopian restaurants in town.

    (4)

  • Stephen B.

    It's probably pointless to try and add to the other reviews, so I'll just echo them. The atmosphere was pleasant (we sat on the shaded patio,) the service was exceptional (friendly, competent,) the food was delicious, portion size just right, and the prices quite reasonable. We'll definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Laura O.

    This place is amazing! Love the food and service ! I got the filet mignon and the chicken and I love it! My bf got the fish and it was super good too.:)

    (5)

  • Cory G.

    This is one of my favorite places in Atlanta to eat. I love sitting our on the patio and ordering a little bit of everything. The food is delicious, the staff is so kind, the atmosphere is perfect and the restaurant is clean. I couldn't ask for more!

    (5)

  • Brianna C.

    The best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. Fish tibs are amazing, also try them over shiro. The honey wine is yummy too. I no longer live in Atlanta but make it a point to visit at least once whenever I visit!

    (5)

  • Alicia J.

    I've never had Ethiopian food until today, and it was absolutely amazing! I had the fish tibs, and my boyfriend had the lamb and ribeye tibs. Everything was so well-seasoned! We had injera bread, greens and cabbage with it, and after the first bite, we both immediately said "we're definitely coming back!" Service is great too!

    (5)

  • Donnell S.

    If you like Ethopian food or are adventurous, you will love this place. Beware if you're bringing people who aren't adventurous, they seem to hate it (sorry no chicken tenders on the menu). The menu doesn't have the widest selection you've ever seen, but you can customize each thing to create endless possibilities. It works well. Everything I've had was pretty spicy by default, and the time I ordered extra spice, it was a bit much for me, so be careful. I wish they had soda from the fountain instead of by the can, but thats ok...I'll be back!

    (5)

  • S H.

    I'm not typically a fan of trying new things when it comes to food. My fiance literally begged me to try Ethiopian cuisine with him. After goggling "best Ethiopian food in Atlanta" we came across Desta. I was in love after the first bite. I am so glad that I was willing to try new things that day!

    (5)

  • Cynthia N.

    Mine eyes have seen the glory of good Ethiopian food....and Desta, I thank you. I was first introduced to Desta by Yelp through an event. Their food was so yummy at the event, that I knew I had to go by and have a full meal. And now that I work in the area, Desta is very convenient for lunch. What isn't convenient is that Desta isn't very big and it seems to always have a full house whenever I stop by. But the sun does shine on my face every once in a while so I've had my chances to eat at Desta. I've had the tibs with chicken, rice, gomen (collards), miser (lentil stew), and injera (bread). The rice is very spicy, which I love, love, love; the injera is cold and soft, and not a good match for the dishes I've had. The chicken has a great flavor and is balanced nicely with the spicy rice, and you can have your meat choice cooked in their signature spice - awaze, which is definitely spicy but doable for a person who eats spice all the time, not so much for a newbie. The collards are stewed but still firm and delicious, and the miser puts lentils on a whole new level. Vegetarians should love this place. They have a dessert case with lovely cakes and tarts and all the yummy things my mouth loves and my butt hates. I've had the cream puff - which has a creamy custard in the center with a flaky shortbread pastry type of crust. The combination of the cream and pastry textures is so wonderful in the mouth. *sigh* I've also had several versions of cream and puff pastry cakes which are not overly sweet and very pleasing to eat. They also have liquor here and abundant free parking, so I'm pretty much in love. My only issue with this place (and why it isn't 5 stars) is the service. Gawd, these ladies are as slow as sea turtles. And this can be very frustrating when you have to go back to work. They check on you in the beginning but once you get your food, you can forget it. You'll have to chase them down for everything - more water, your check, dessert, everything that comes after your meal arrives. But the food is so friggin' good you just have to put up with it (or order takeout.) Desta always having a crowd is completely understandable now that I've experienced it for myself, so be warned. And Fridays are especially packed at lunch time - it seems like everybody and their mama wants some tibs! Yelp 52 #42

    (4)

  • Rachel A.

    I just took my parents this past weekend and they loved it! I was surprised since my parents don't like any cuisine other than our own! The service is excellent with constant attention to our table - glasses were constantly being filled, we were asked whether we needed anything and if the food was to our liking more than once! I'll be back! With my parents!

    (5)

  • Karthik R.

    Amazing food for great a great price. Get the Meat plate. you can mix and match your favorite meats and vegetables.

    (4)

  • Jeremy H.

    This is the only Ethiopian food I've ever had, but it's really good! I was here for a party and there was a buffet with several types of tibs (chicken and lamb) The injera (sour spongy bread) was very tasty and I loved the tibs wrapped in injera. I will definitely be back for a regular meal!

    (4)

  • Matthew J.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen serves quite simply the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I have been 3 times now, and each time I leave wholly satisfied (and wishing I didn't have to leave). Honestly, it makes my shortlist for best restaurant in Atlanta. The service is excellent, the menu is amazingly varied, and the food... oh, the food is epic. I know that word gets bandied about a lot on the internet these days, but every time I ate the food there, the flavors absolutely came alive on my palate! All the meats are cooked to perfection, the spices and sauces are intense but filled with subtle flavors, and the dishes are always nicely presented. Plus, there is always plenty of injera (a traditional Ethiopian-style bread) on the side to allow for traditional Ethiopian-style dining. Yes, they will give you a fork and knife if you ask, but when was the last time you ate with your hands and really got to enjoy it? Injera's soft, spongy texture can be daunting for those who have never tried it before, but it's easy to get used to and soon you're eating with your hands like a pro! The restaurant itself is not a big place, but it has enough room inside and outside on its covered patio for a decent number of people. The servers are incredibly helpful, and the staff is willing to go beyond the confines of the menu if you ask respectfully. Last time I was there, I had the Kitfo done "super-brave" style (medium rare), although next time I will probably try it straight up "daredevil" style (rare all the way). I also had the fish, beef, and chicken tibs, each one filled with unique tastes and incorporating different vegetables to accent the dish. Everything was delicious, and unlike some food that does not keep well as leftovers, this stuff was still extremely tasty several days later. I would rate this higher than 5 stars if I could! If you want to try something new, or are looking for an Ethiopian cuisine fix, stop reading and go to Desta now!

    (5)

  • Mia T.

    Every experience have been great. My favorite thing on the menu is the lamb tibs with rice and cabbage. Delicious!!!

    (5)

  • Keila B.

    Amazingly bold flavors!! Great introduction to Ethiopian food! Loved the fish and chicken dibs! Veggies are great too!

    (5)

  • Sharon P.

    From the food to the service it was all amazing. We had the Meat lovers and the Vegetarian plates. For appetizers we had the samosas and the meat tartar. Again, everything was amazing. Ambiance was perfect and the manager made us feel like we were regular customers.

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    Wow! The service is amazing, and food is amazing! I recommend getting the Ribeye Tibs, and making it spicy (if you like spicy!). Then we got it with injera (sour spongy bread). I also recommend the lentils. The Chicken Tibs was not the best. The meat was not marinated long enough, in my opinion. And also, the collard greens were just okay, nothing special.

    (5)

  • Lillie H.

    Definitely the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I've been here a few times and all my visits have been positive. I highly recommend their Tibs dishes. My favorite is the lamb tibs, very flavorful. The service is great too. The only thing is that I am not a huge fan of the ambiance of the restaurant but the food definitely makes up for it.

    (5)

  • Ludy V.

    Definitely like this place that is known as the "best" Ethiopian in Atlanta... Well, I would say that it depends on what you're looking for. Their raw beef was absolutely delicious as were the lamb tibs, but the rest of the food was just good. There is a great outdoor seating area and there is plenty of waitstaff. That said, I think the taste of the food at Ghion Cultural Hall on Cheshire Bridge is better- spicier and more homey tasting to me... but I'm not Ethiopian so who knows... Also, service at Ghion is always friendly but usually a bit sparse...

    (4)

  • Sean R.

    The food was excellent. You know it must be authentic when you walk in and find most of the patrons are probably originally from the region. Fantastic pricing. I'll be back when I'm back in town.

    (5)

  • Azie S.

    First time trying Ethiopian food and I can happily say I loved it! . My fav was red lentils and injera bread. When someone checks on your table hows everything? (who's not your waiter)..now that's good customer service!

    (5)

  • Kitrina D.

    We ordered take-out from Desta, and overall, it was a good experience. The food was ready within ten minutes of ordering, and the food kept well on the way home. We ordered the sambusa appetizer and the lamb tibs. I really liked the sambusa, and the lamb tibs were good but not my favorite. I definitely think that I will return, but I will probably try a different entrée.

    (4)

  • Emily Z.

    My first time here has been great! I followed recommendations here for the Fish Tibs (with Awaze seasoning), and had Injera bread with the Tomato FitFit. All was very tasty and rather healthy! I got full very quickly, and everyone (including the patrons) was very laid back and friendly! My server, Mesti, was very kind and helpful. And even though this is just a side observation, she was incredibly beautiful and should really be a fashion model! Great staff, plus I was amazed at just how big their restaurant was, and it was *still* almost full! Definitely coming back!

    (5)

  • Ben H.

    Color me impressed! I was next door at Benchwarmers to see my Seahawks win homefield advantage in the 2014 playoffs and stumbled upon this place. Yum! We had the Lamb Tibs with Injera and Goman and the Vegetarian Platter. Together they were plenty for three hungry but not starving Seahawks fans. The Sambusa's were not bad but fairly ordinary (suggest a higher filling to wrap ratio). As a sometimes hardcore foodie this gets a five star "gem" rating. Not fine dining but great food, a fun experience, and excellent service.

    (5)

  • John G.

    This place was quite an experience. My first time trying Ethiopian but surely not the last. We came on a Wednesday and it was not very crowded there were a few tables of happy folks eating with their hands and having a good time. I looked around at some of the dishes others were having since I had no idea what to get I went ahead and orded the lamb tibs with injera and miser. The flavors were fantastic and the eating without a fork was fun ( they provide bottles of purel on the tables ) The servers are very friendly and helpful for first timers. I will be back for sure

    (5)

  • Jessica L.

    I'm not sure what authentic Ethiopian food is like, but the service here is good. We had to prompt our server for a missing injera bread. She proceeds to give us 2+ plates full. Needless to say, we got sick of injera. I got the Chicken Tibs with a side of miser and injera. It was super tasty, but I'm gonna admit that everything tastes similar after a while. Overall good experience, would go again.

    (4)

  • Naomi T.

    The food was sooo good. Busy on the day we went so about a 35 min wait but worth it. We ordered the $30 meal that came with three meats (lamb, fish, ribeye). So good. Also the beer and little rolls like egg rolls (lentil) were good.

    (5)

  • D P.

    First time eating Ethiopian food and it was very good! I think the tons of great reviews speak for it's self! Prices are very good and food is plentiful. I had the ribeye tibs and my husband had the chicken tibs. Just a note the chicken is spicy and that was just ordering as is (they have an additional spice you can add). I like spicy so I ended up swapping with my husband but he did enjoy the chicken he just would prefer not spicy. Otherwise no complaints and your food arrives fast waited about 5 mins.

    (5)

  • Melissa T.

    If you've never eaten Ethiopian food, as I never had before my experience here, you should come here first. Basically, we admitted we'd never had this cuisine before to the waitress and she happily explained everything from the way you use the bread to eat with your hands to the way the dishes are served (family style or individual). Soooo cool! We enjoyed everything thanks to the direction of the lady. A little note on the history of the area: the reason there are so many Ethiopian, Somalian, and other African residents in the area is because in the 1990's, the govt decided that Clarkston was an exemplar place for fugitives from Africa to immigrate to. It was at the end of a public transportation line and the apartments were cheap. :)

    (5)

  • Rob G.

    Best food. Beat service. Beat atmosphere. Come here for good food and drinks with friends. Always a good time!

    (5)

  • Blair C.

    My New friend Michael and i went here and OMG... the food and culture were amazing.. the Lamb dish was very tasty..,the fish specialty was off the Chain...the service was great and i would highly recommend this place and will be back very soon...

    (5)

  • April W.

    I've eaten Ethiopian food before, but this was the first time at Desta. I ordered the vegetable platter. It was so tasty! (Meat eaters, vegetarians & vegans would ALL EQUALLY LOVE this selection.) The cabbage & collards taste like they were marinated in spices for hours (yum). All the vegetables in the platter taste like they were cooked a long time & were absolutely delicious! I highly recommend trying this dish if you're new to Ethiopian food & you like spicy vittles. Needless to say, I devoured my lunch from Desta today!

    (5)

  • Laura G.

    Love it. Love it. Love it. We ate here for my boyfriend's birthday with a party of 7 and they actually held our table for us until we arrived. The staff here is so friendly! So, I'd never heard of kitfo before my visit to Desta and now I wake up thinking about it. I even went back to eat at Desta again three days after my first visit because I couldn't stop thinking about the kitfo! We got it medium-rare (which is pretty much rare except it is warm) and it is mixed with jalapenos and cheese and you can get it rolled in the injera, which I highly recommend. I tried the fish tibs, the filet tibs, the lamb tibs and the short rib (I didn't order all of them myself, don't worry) and I really liked everything! I think the fish and filet tibs were my favorite, though. We ordered the miser for a side and it is absolutely delicious. Spicy with a hint of sweetness and such deep, rich flavors. Definitely give this place a try! It is a new favorite of mine.

    (5)

  • Jane C.

    I've been here several times. The food is amazing. I almost always get the lamb tibs with the injera, gomen, ayib, and shiro. I've also tried the fish tibs, which is also good. They are open very late (12am on weekdays). There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and parking. I highly recommend Desta. It's great just for takeout or for dinner with friends. Lastly, the food is affordable and plentiful.

    (5)

  • Bee F.

    To keep it short and brief... THIS IS THE BEST ETHIOPIAN RESTAURANT IN ATLANTA. Got it? Ok good..Lol. Well I am full Ethiopian and I'm veeeery picky when it comes to Ethiopian food. This is the closest thing I've found to my moms cooking! I eat here at LEAST 3-4 times a month sometimes even twice in one day! I will say I've seen a shift in some of the staff and there are not as many Ethiopians working here anymore which I personally find a little disappointing bc I feel like it takes away from the experience when you have a server that can not properly explain the menu, culture etc. Although the food is AMAZING, the plating and details are very modernized which doesn't give you an "Authentic" Ethiopian dining experience. If you've never been...go RIGHT NOW

    (5)

  • Lani J.

    Fantasmagorical!!! You won't find better Ethiopian food ANYWHERE... You'll be hard pressed to fond better FOOD anywhere!!!

    (5)

  • Nina B.

    It doesn't get much better than this. Desta is definitely on my list of top 10 favorite restaurants ever. The fish tibs are wonderful. I get them with the injera and beets/potato side every single time I visit. I have been here many times, and I have never been let down. This is one of the few restaurants I will happily drive outside of the city for. The service is always great, the atmosphere is nice and cozy, and there is outdoor seating if you want some fresh air. Get a bottle of one of their delicious honey wines, fish tibs, and sit out on the patio for a relaxing evening with great food. I will be back for my fix very, very soon.

    (5)

  • Philip M.

    For 3 years I have been dining here and meaning to complete a review. I finally have 15 minutes of free time so here ya go .... My partner and I live off Briarcliff so we dine at Desta at least once a month. This is truly one of our "go to" places when cooking at home is not an option. I am vegetarian however my partner is a carnivore. We have vegan friends. Everyone can find something to enjoy on this menu. The vegetarian platter on the back of the menu is my standby. My partner loves the ribeye tibs. The value and quality for these prices is a great deal. Service varies from good to excellent. The patio is pleasant for outdoor dining. The inside is quite nice too. Not fancy but consistently clean and orderly. Literally everyone I introduce to this place becomes a regular customer. This is a real neighborhood gem. We used to eat at the adjacent Ethiopian places but for the same prices, Desta has better food and service.

    (5)

  • Sol A.

    It just can't get better than these. I was craving some Ethiopian food and decided to invite two friends who ended up being 8 people! I called to make a reservation and they were not sure so many people could be in one table. We still gave it a try and as soon as we hit the door they move the tables upstairs so we were all in one table without even a flinch! I tried one of their Ethiopian beers which tested good and went for the whole vegetarian platter myself as I was starving and it was delicious. It had yellow peas, red lentils, potatoes in curry sauce, collard greens and my favorite kind of sweet cabbage with carrots as well as salad and beet. They all tasted good and I almost finished it myself. Too bad I didn't have enough space for dessert, but their tiramisu is to kill for.

    (5)

  • Torryn J.

    I came here with a friend after it being highly recommended and that the good was just amazing. Honestly after such reviews, I may have been a bit disappointed at the amount they had hyped it up, but it was good and definitely somewhere I would return to. We went on a random afternoon so it wasn't very busy at all, but the inside is nice and clean. I ordered the fish tibs and my friend ordered the lamb tibs, and honestly they were both great! We both got the injera and I got the Miser(sp?). The injera was soft, spongy, and just the right amount of sour to me and worked really well to put anything since we didn't have any silverware. The fish tibs were delicious, it was seasoned well and honestly it was delicious. I took some home and ate it the next day! Overall the experience was good and I think I'm going back tonight acutally, and while it wasn't amazing it's definitely somewhere I enjoy and will return to. Though I will be honest, I am unsure of how americanized it has been. :)

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    I'm going to preface this review by acknowledging that Ethiopian is among my least favorite ethnic cuisines. Aside from the fact that communal plate sharing and the serving of raw meat is absolutely horrifying to me on multiple levels, I simply do not care for the flavor profiles of most Ethiopian dishes and absolutely despise the sour taste and ShamWow-like texture of injera. Nonetheless, I can appreciate well-executed food when it crosses my plate. That being said, Desta is arguably the most authentic Ethiopian dining experience that you're going to find in Atlanta. Food: The menu at Desta features an impressive assortment of traditional Ethiopian offerings, including kitfo, dulet, shiro, and various tibs. During my recent visit, our party opted for the vegetarian and meat lover combos. The vegetarian combo included an assortment of approximately eight different items such as fir-fir, fit-fit, shiro, and various wats. The meat combo included our choice of three different meats (beef, lamb, and chicken). Both dishes were served with an unlimited supply of injera. Although I wasn't particularly impressed with the flavor of the food, it was generously portioned and expertly prepared. Service: Both takeout and dine-in service are available. The staff are generally friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. During my visit, the waiter, as well as I woman I presume was the manager, checked-up on our table throughout the meal at appropriate intervals. Atmosphere: Casual and clean. The interior dining room is somewhat cramped, so I would recommend sitting on the outdoor patio if the weather is cooperative. Inexperienced diners should also note that the restaurant does not furnish silverware; however, hand sanitizer is located at each table for your convenience and continued survival. Cost: Inexpensive. Appetizers are $3-$6, sandwiches are $7-$9, salads are $5-$7, and entrees are $8-$13. Wines are $6-$8 per glass and $20-$25 per bottle. Other: Desta is located in the Williamsburg Shopping Center at the corner of Briarcliff and Clairmont. Free parking is available in the plaza lot. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12AM, and Friday-Sunday, 9AM-1AM.

    (3)

  • KJ S.

    my gentleman suitor and I dined here for lunch on Saturday 6/22/13. There are 3-5 Ethiopian restaurants in a 1 mile radius and we are both from out of town so we chose based on word of mouth from a friend who said her Ethiopian friends love Desta! was a great choice! oh and We also chose based on the really lovely outdoor seating. The service was good and the food was awesome. we had sambusa stuffed with lentils, they were quite spicy in a good way. we also both had the lamb tibs entrée with injera, the collards, cabbage and I had the lentil side it was like a soup and so very flavorful. they have a full bar and some delicious Ethiopian wine on the menu. I also love that they have a sink on the deck to wash your hands since most of the foods can be eaten with your hands.

    (4)

  • Pamela M.

    Desta is not your typical Ethiopian hole-in-the-wall restaurant. This restaurant was impressionable from the start. The aroma of spices in the restaurant made my taste buds dance. The Ethiopian servers are beautiful, friendly, and helpful. The atmosphere was lively and casual. It included indoor and outdoor seating and was filled with a variety of people from all over town. The sunroom has a 'tree of life' in the middle of the room that adds to the ambiance of the restaurant. Most importantly, the food was DELICIOUS! We ordered the sambusa (pastries stuffed with meat) for an appetizer, which was reasonably priced $3.00 for two rolls. They were well seasoned and tasted good, but were not the most authentic--I prefer the triangular flaky pastry over the fried egg roll wrappers. We ordered the vegetarian platter and pick three tibs platter (lamb, ribeye, and tilapia) for four people. I would highly recommend ordering the aforementioned to have the opportunity to try a variety of foods. The presentation was nice--the vegetarian dishes surrounded the meats and fish in the center all on a bed of injera (see attached photo). The meat was deliciously seasoned and grilled. The fish was the best tilapia I have ever had at an Ethiopian restaurant! My friend loved the gomen (Ethiopian collard greens) and we loved the tomato fit fit (tomato with pieces of injera mixed in)--I could eat a whole bowl of this delicious goodness! The injera was very fresh and yummy! Our server was attentive and made sure she refilled our injera regularily while we devoured the dishes. I debated trying the kitfo (raw ground beef) for the first time, but as adventurous as I am, I have only had 'carpaccios' and 'tartares' at high end places--I had a flight in the afternoon and was afraid to fly and have possible gastrointestinal issues. However, I was very satisfied with my culinary experience at this restaurant that I may try it next time! Don't let the online menu discourage you from trying this fabulous restaurant! The menu online is missing quite a few items, but the menu at the restaurant has a lot of items to choose from along with definitions on the side for those who are unfamiliar with Ethiopian cuisine. The only thing this restaurant is missing is mouthwatering wat (stew, curry) dishes. I would probably give this restaurant five stars if they added wat dishes. We were happily stuffed and our bill was around $50.00 for four people.

    (4)

  • Claire L.

    This place has amazing and consistent food. The atmosphere is wonderful too. Great service, too! I highly recommend the hot tea and the lamb tibs. Delicious!

    (5)

  • David B.

    Definitely order the fish tibs...they come bathed in a slightly (and pleasantly) acidic sauce. The ribeye tibs are my second favorite (better than the tenderloin tibs...which I thought was weird). For a side dish I would recommend chickpeas or the lentils. The greens are ok but they are sort of bland. Ambiance: very cool. They have a large covered patio which is a great place to eat on a nice day. When it's too cold to eat outside comfortably they drop down the side walls of the patio so you can eat on the patio no matter the weather! Service: very good. The waitresses are nice Ethiopian women (with accents). Not that it really matters but it kind of makes eating at an Ethiopian restaurant better when your waiter isn't an American hipster. I tried mifto for the first time ever out of curiosity. You can order it rare, medium-rare, medium-well, or well. I ordered it medium-well. It looks like a quesadilla and is filled with a mixture of ground beef and cheese. It is interesting but kind of greasy and doesn't taste much different than normal ground beef. I wouldn't recommend it...stick with the tibs!!! Definitely a great Ethiopian restaurant. I love the food and the atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Nadia T.

    Flavourful, delicious food. The Kitfo and fish tibs are a must try. Prompt and friendly service. Desserts need a lot of work. Have tried dessert here three times and each time has been a disappointment--waxy tasting chocolate cake, dry baklava. Desta, please work on your desserts then you'll be spot on!

    (4)

  • Felicia L.

    We were virgins until we pulled into this spot. This was our first time here. My partner and I were headed to another restaurant, but the packed crowd at this spot pulled us in...and we will be back. We had the fish tubs along with the veggie combo plate and it was very good. Excellent favors, good portion size, but a tab too spicy. Service was decent. Our meals were $12 each. Good value

    (4)

  • Melissa H.

    My husband hates Ethiopian food, so I came here with my brother. It was my first experience with the cuisine. I'm a bit prissy and I don't really enjoy eating with my hands. I'll do it, but it's not my "thing" if you know what I mean. From my husband's description, I walked in expecting a saucy mess. I was pleasantly surprised! I definitely need practice, as injera isn't as newbie friendly as some other breads. I wasn't able to eat very efficiently. But it was quite tasty. I liked the interesting sour taste of the bread, like a mild sourdough. It went well with the food, which was flavorful and well-prepared. My brother had beef and I had lamb. We both had a side of lentils, which were also good. Nothing blew me out of the water, but it was an enjoyable experience overall. Service was adequate. We did have to flag our waitress down a few times for water refills.

    (3)

  • Anita C.

    We ordered the signature tips. Chicken with the injera and salad. The chicken was very very well seasoned. Probably the best Ethiopian food that I can remember having. I don't recommend the salad. I haven't tried the other sides, but I would imagine it being better than the salad. I still give this place a 4 because they did really really well with the meat. I will definitely be coming back to try other meats and sides.

    (4)

  • Bryan W.

    So, after moving to the cultural food mecca that is Atlanta, and being reunited with my older sister, we embarked on a new tradition: Every 2 weeks, after pay day, we would go try a food from a different ethnicity. This trip was to Desta. Now, if you have never had Ethiopian, I don't have a very good way to describe it. Anyway you describe the methodology to eating, it sounds odd. Basically, you have a spongy, bread type thing that you use to "peench" small morsels of delectable goodness and place them in your digestive apparatus. While it doesn't look amazing, it is! The flavors come zinging throughout your mouth, and you will just keep going back for more. This is a very cool place to eat, quite an experience, and nice surroundings. There is a variety of spice/heat, so be careful in what you add to your food. I would highly recommend Desta, and for everyone to try Ethiopian.

    (4)

  • Marko M.

    Phenomenal! Sets the standard for Ethiopian food in ATL.We got there on Mother's Day, so place was busy. Still, it did not affect the quality of food nor service. Excellent all around. Next, I will try their Ethiopian breakfast.

    (5)

  • Rohit S.

    Great food and good ambiance. In our two trips, service has not been the highlight, but the food sure has been. I haven't tried other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta, but Desta has not disappointed. Not too fond that it's a 20 minute drive from Midtown, but the food makes it worthwhile.

    (4)

  • Valerie N.

    As a professed Ethiopian food hater, the fact I walked in the door here was a miracle. However, it was a beautiful day and sitting on their lovely deck really made for a yummy lunch. Fish tibs, filet mignon tibs, lamb tibs - you just won't go wrong with any of these! Super garlicky, grilled, flavorful morsels with grilled onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes? Yes, yes, yes! Add some collard greens, yellow lentils, and some of that crazy spongy bread and you've got one happy lady. We did have some mis-steps with service. Our waitresses were SUPER nice, but when it came to ordering, some of my table mates didn't get what they wanted. We also had trouble splitting the bill, but they were so nice about it, I really didn't mind... I'd definitely recommend this as an exploration into Ethiopian food! Yum!

    (4)

  • Duncan M.

    As good as the previous reviews state. Had lamb tibs with awaze. Awesome!

    (4)

  • Pauline H.

    This is one of the best Ethiopian place i have ever ate! I ordered the 3 meat lover which you can pick any type like: filet mignon, lamb, chicken, fish, or rib eye for $30! And I ordered a $15 restaurant.com gift certificate for like $2! I got $15 off my tab and I paid $16+tip. It was so worth it! The meat lover can feed up to 3 people. My bf and I couldn't finish it so we had to put some to go! It was so delicious! I recommend everyone to go!

    (5)

  • Brian H.

    I give this a place a 5 for food, 4.5 for ambience, and 3 for service. I got a recommendation from one of our customers a few months ago and finally had a chance to check it out. Wifey, son, and me. A family dinner for a party of 3 Koreans at an Ethiopian restaurant.. nice. Like most of the other reviews here, I give the Fish Tibs and Lamb Tibs a friendly high 5. We were the only asians in the restaurant and the server didn't make us feel all that welcome. Felt more forced than anything.. a lil more about that later. I let the waiter know we were happy to be there and in my enthusiastic way I let her know that we were excited to try whatever they recommended. She suggested the fish tibs which we ordered and of course me loving lamb as i do, we ordered the lamb tibs which were also fantastic. Our orders included spongy bread aka Injera which you tear off pieces off, get some of your meat, and mix in with some sweetly seasoned lettuce (tastes like Italian dressing). Would have been nice if the server taught us newbies a bit better how to do it like the Ethiopians did it, but she just kind of expected us to know how to do it. We didn't have too much problem figuring our own way of doing it. Location was a bit tricky to find, as after my navigation said "You have reached your destination" we saw another Ethiopian restaurant with kind of a similar name. We made a right turn only to find another ethiopian restaurant on the right (opposite) side and I nearly got into an accident trying to figure out where Desta was. Readers, please note there are THREE Ethiopian restaurants on the same corner 1/8th mile radius. Parking wasn't bad, but space was pretty tight. We had a hard time finding a spot comfortable for our baby, but we were able to make do. We didn't stay for dessert, but overall we were happy with our meal (food anyways). Service is what prevented me giving this place a 5 star. I dunno why, but if service isn't good for me, it kind of ruins the experience regardless of how good the food is. Overall, I recommend it, and we will most likely return. 3. stars rounded up to 4.

    (4)

  • Yasiin H.

    Great food i enjoyed my visit the food was well prepared.The problem that takes a toll on the restaurant is that it is too small and cramped.you are real close to strangers sitting next to you.other than that they have a variety of Ethiopian dishes you can choose from

    (3)

  • Alyssa M.

    AMAZING!!! two words: fish tibs. Are you kidding me? Everything we ordered was fantastic but the fish was the winner. My first time having Ethiopian food and I want more! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Katie F.

    I am happy to make this the first review I've ever written for yelp. While in Atlanta recently, my fiance and I were directed here by the positive yelp reviews, and it didn't disappoint! While we had many amazing meals in Atlanta, this one was by far our favorite. We actually found ourselves at one point giggling uncontrollably, because the food was making us that happy. There was nothing wrong about this meal- our server, Ezana, was genuinely helpful and engaged in our dining experience, and the food was all cooked to perfection. A perfect meal!

    (5)

  • sat s.

    Best Ethiopian food in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Linda J.

    We were going to order something in addition to the meat lover's platter (we ordered the lamb, chicken, and rib eye) which comes with three meats and two veggie sides and the waitress politely advised against this. Boy am I glad we listened to her! Granted I wasn't super hungry but there was a TON of food left over. Probably half, if not more. It's a tad spicy but not too bad. This my first time eating Ethiopian food in Atlanta and it was pretty good. They didn't have all the veggies I'm used to sampling but at least the injera wasn't sour (I hate that). Everyone was really friendly and welcoming. Service was very good and I would definitely go back. It's a bit cramped inside but it's manageable. I did not try their desserts so I can't comment on that. Oh, I liked how they had definitions of certain terms on the side of the menu. That and you can learn their language (also on the menu) while you wait for your friends to show up. Not a HUGE deal but I find it a nice touch when the server opens and pours your beverage (if it comes in a can) into your glass. They didn't do that here and that's fine; it's just something I notice. To each their own! Still pretty good food and I'll probably go back.

    (3)

  • Wolfgirl E.

    We end up at Desta once a week now. I'll admit I'm hooked, and I have no problem with it. The food here is always perfectly seasoned, cooked, and plated. The service is fabulous and the servers are always so friendly; the food comes out quickly, and good gods above I don't know if it's possible to get better kitfo somewhere. I mean, I wake up craving it sometimes; that and the veggie platter amount to a perfect meal. I've taken my partner here, my best friends, and even my mother, who is by all accounts not a very adventurous eater. It's just a go-to for consistently excellent, affordable food.

    (5)

  • Atiyah T.

    Gosh I just love Ethiopian cuisine. My favorite is the Miser, it's a form of red lentils. The best hands down, I would suggest pairing it with rice, lamb and (Injera) which is a form of sponge bread. What I like most is the freshness of the food and the friendly waiters. If you are a food explorer and don't mind getting your hands dirty you can eat with your hands. As they would do in the Ethiopian culture. Desta has a sink in the eating area where you can washed your hands afterwards.

    (5)

  • Paul S.

    First time going down Ethiopian lane brought us to Desta. I had heard pretty great reviews and my girlfriend had been talking about it for a while as well. It's a little out the way from my home in East Atlanta, but well worth the drive. The dining room is small and a feels a bit crowded and it smells heavenly when you enter. We tried a little bit of everything sharing the lamb and rib eye tibs, a vegetarian platter and the kitfo (very brave) with the other couple we came with. No forks needed here... The injera works as a both a fork, a glove, and a little rolled up sour accompaniment to your meal. The price wasn't too harsh on the wallet and there was plenty of food leftover. It's only been a few days since our Ethiopian adventure and we've already talked a few times about going back. The kitfo was my favorite. It's essentially Steak Tartare served at different levels of raw and tossed in berbere, a spice mixture, that just must have crack inside. I couldn't stop eating the kitfo. Sooooooo goood.....

    (5)

  • Nita U.

    The food was pretty good but comparable to other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta. The waitress was pretty rude though. Two out of four of us arrived a little early and wanted to sit at a table. The waitress rudely told us to wait to the hallway. My friend motioned that I am close to 9 months pregnant and would really appreciate sitting down at a table and the waitress refused. After being seated, I asked her about desserts and she told me to go look at the dessert tray instead of telling me about the desserts. She had no concern for how pregnant I was and how it would be better for her to describe the desserts instead of pointing a customer to something and hoping that we figure out what the desserts are on our own.

    (2)

  • Mary Beth L.

    My fiance and I tried this place after a long drive from MS. We've been to most of the other Ethiopian restaurants in the shopping center. This one is far and away the best (and I really like the others to begin with). I found the flavors at Desta to be fresher and brighter. Service was phenomenal and I liked the covered patio seating area. The lamb tibs was phenomenal!

    (5)

  • Michael L.

    Had Desta in my sights since all these 4-5 star ratings have been filling the review panel....finally got to go tonight. Plenty glad that I did. Here's what we ordered: 1)Fish tibs with shiro- !!!! This dish was borderline PHENOMENAL. It was NOT a soupy watery tomato soup- it actually had just the right texture- not so thick as to be a paste, but enough to be able to scoop with the spongy bread. The garlic flavor was strong- just how I like it. The tilapia had a thin fried breading that encrusted it- and it was thick enough to keep the fish slightly crispy despite being soaked in the thick sauce. All kinds of awesome! (4.5) 2)Kitfo Dulet- This dish was a bit different, but nevertheless tasty. (description from the restaurant: Tender lean freshly minced extra lean beef, sauted in a special blend of house spices, onion, pepper, and Ethiopian butter) I had them cook it medium...but it looked pretty red to me when it came out. Not everyday that I get a good sized bowl of lean minced beef to eat (not that I don't love my wife's predominantly veggie cooking.....heh...heh) (4) 3)Lamb Tibs- (again, restaurant's description: Tender cubed fine lamb leg sauteed in a special blend of house spices, onion, tomato, pepper, and Ethiopian spiced butter) This dish was served with some sauteed cabbage, which was surprisingly good as a side- I'm used to stewed cabbage from southern cafeterias.....so this was pleasant surprise. The lamb was not too gamey, and lived up to the restaurants description. Good good stuff. (4) Almost forgot, we ordered vegetarian Sambusas, which are basically like mini fried Samosas stuffed with Lentil, onion and diced jalapeno peppers. This was definitely had a nuttier taste than Samosas (which are typically stuffed with potatoes)- not bad at all. (3.5) We also had a glass of the honey wine...which is like a white-wine looking, port tasting wine. Okay, nothing special. (3) I haven't read all the reviews, but apparently the word "Desta" means "Happy" in Ethiopian, as per our waitress. I anticipate that this will be a frequent "Desta"nation for my wife and I in the months to come. Cheers! btw. these guys open late!

    (4)

  • Dedra F.

    Have you ever had a tough week at work and when Friday end of day arrives, you just want some good food and a glass of wine? Well, that was me yesterday. Since I am of Caribbean descent, I was on my way to a Jamaican restaurant but I didn't feel like passing my home to get to the restaurant. Since Desta is on my way home, I decided to come here and I have ABSOLUTELY no regrets. I decided to get a dinner to go so I can go home and enjoy my wine! I explained to the hostess this was my first time here. She was extremely helpful! I decided to get the lamb with injera rice and I can't remember the Ethiopian name but the translation is spicy lentil soup. This food is by far the best I've had in a long time and I will definitely add it to my rotation but I have to be careful because it's only a couple of miles from me.

    (5)

  • Holden B.

    I've never actually had anything bad at Desta. I don't even think I've had anything mediocre. When I'm in town, Desta is the one restaurant I consistently try to hit. That's not to say it's the best restaurant in Atlanta, but... The lamb tibs are, as everyone says, great. The vegetarian platters are great. The servers are super nice. The miser? Great. I guess, you know, the parking lot is pretty average. And the uh, the air conditioner is only fine. So... if you're looking for a really exceptional parking lot experience, you might have to go somewhere else.

    (5)

  • Mary B.

    Maybe because our Memphis Ethiopian restaurant is not so great, or maybe it is the beautiful day and awesome patio... But I love this ffod! Very fresh, beautifully presented. Try the honey wine and the tea! Fitfit was the best!

    (5)

  • Veda R.

    The good: The patio is very nice when the weather is cooperating. The service is top-notch. The staff is very helpful when it comes to answering any questions you may have about the menu. We have even had a goodbye party for one of my co-workers there! They can handle large crowds, and do so efficiently (aka 25 people want split checks and paying with credit cards. You get my drift). The food: I've had better Ethiopian food in the Atlanta area. The fusion-type-thing with the salad that comes with some plates is not my thing. I've had the chicken tibs and bonzena shiro. The shiro is good. Just good. Chicken was dry and not marinated well. My least favorite dish was gored gored which is advertised as coarsely chopped extra lean beef...it ended up just being bland ground beef. The lentil "stew" was basically a cup of oil and some shiro mixed in together -- that was the last straw with Desta for me.

    (2)

  • Vince R.

    Wow!! This place is a must visit!! The vegetarian platter was just outstanding! I got here around 7PM on a Saturday and it is crowded but well worth the wait. For anyone that is looking for a very easy and delicious meal that does not contain animal products, you've gotta try this place. I'm sure you will be impressed!

    (5)

  • Robby S.

    In Atlanta for a few days, I Yelp'd for a local restaurant and couldn't believe it when an Ethiopian restaurant came up as one of the best around! Living in L.A., I love going to Little Ethiopia on Fairfax and enjoying many of the restaurants there (with Nyala being my fave). So I thought I'd give Desta a chance. It's a beautiful little restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining. There were more people sitting outside, but since it was around 94 degrees outside, I decided to eat my dinner inside. This was a very different-looking menu compared to other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. I settled on the filet mignon tibs, injera, Shiro (chickpeas), Gomen (collard greens), Tikel Gomen (cabbage), Miser (spicy red lentil stew), and a Harar Beer. Everything was delicious, but it was much less spicy than I was used to. Great service as well! Full bar too! Everybody inside and out was enjoying big plates of food and this is a great place to check out if you love Ethiopian food or are just curious about it.

    (4)

  • Kate B.

    Delicious food, fun atmosphere, beautiful desserts. If you like Ethiopian food or want to try it, go here. :)

    (5)

  • Mori J.

    I really look forward to the Golden Tibs whenever I am in town. I would to have more veggiie options on the menu. Highly recommend is eatery for all.

    (4)

  • Mark F.

    I can't claim to be an expert in Ethiopian cuisine but Desta is consistently one of the top restaurants in Atlanta. I do love Ethiopian food and this is by far the best of the best. The ingredients are always perfectly fresh and I've never had a bad dining experience here. Even for carnivores the veggie platter is awesome. The nuances of the spice and textures of the injera and the mounds of delisciousness add up to a pleasure bomb. Highly recommend the fish tibs with just the right mix of citrus and crunch. Try the Ethiopian beer which perfectly compliments anything you order. The staff members are always gracious and also quite beautiful!

    (5)

  • Kris K.

    I had the Ater (split pea stew) It was TO DIE FOR. Service was great, customers were friendly too, food came out fast. Get the stew!!!!! Tibs are great as well of course. Oh and the rice is amazingggggg Definitely coming back. :)

    (5)

  • Charles H.

    If you're looking for something fun and a little out of the ordinary with great service and great food at a very reasonable price, then you have found the right place. If you are adventurous I recommend using the Ethiopian injera bread as your utensils. If the idea of not using a fork offends you then get rice and a fork, but you are missing something if you don't use the injera. I have had several of the tibs dinners, fish, ribeye, and lamb. They were all excellent, but I recommend the lamb tibs with miser, a very spicy, red lentil dish, yummy. Don't miss the Ethiopian Honey Wine and Stout beers. Great with the excellent food.

    (5)

  • Jeannine D.

    WARNING - The beautiful fall weather yesterday, patio seating, and wonderful honey wine may contribute unfairly to this review. ;) I visited Bahel restaurant several months ago for my first Ethiopian cuisine experience. It was good, Desta was great. Aesthetics & ambiance matter to me and Desta was just a comparatively nicer restaurant in all regards. The food was WONDERFUL. MUST TRY's: fish & lamb tibs, collard greens, potato stew. The lamb tibs were a little spicy for my tastebuds, but I pushed the jalapenos off to the side and kept going til I couldn't eat anymore. I'd go back today if it wasn't out of the way from where I have to be...Yay, Desta! You've got a new fan.

    (4)

  • Rob P.

    I just had Ethiopian food for the first time in my life...what the hell took me so long! We had the lamb tibs and vegetable plate with injera. The lamb was among the best I've ever had, tender and not gamey at all. All of the vegetables were great, no idea what they were but I liked them all. The injera was good, not sure how something with texture like that tastes good, but it was. Excited to go back and try some other dishes.

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    Look very simple on the outside, and gets much nicer when you come inside. Good music, very good serivce, great food and always very helpful and cheerful servers. The food is always tasty, the injera (the big pancake) is more tasty than at some other Ethiopian places and they cut it and roll it for you. I am always pleased every time I go! I would think anyone who truly is open to eating new foods would love it If you have not been dont hesitate for a moment to give it a try!

    (4)

  • Es E.

    Been about three more times since my initial review. It's starting to taste like mama's...not exactly, but great. Still sad they don't serve doro wot, but I DO find myself craving The spot often.

    (5)

  • Meikaela Z.

    this is my favorite low-key restaurant in atlanta. it is always delicious, always comfortable, and the staff members always have smiles on their face and are always great. i know i've used a few too many "always" here, but that's how consistently great this restaurant is. if you like good ethiopian food, this is your spot. kitfo, fish tibs, filet mignon tibs, the vegetable plate, the goden tibs. just naming a few. they're all good. i'm always happy when i leave. and when the weather is nice, the patio can't be beat.

    (5)

  • Jack S.

    Best Ethiopian I've ever had, and I've had it alot! Totally stumbled across this out-of-the-way place during a work trip to the ATL, and I came back as many times as I could. YUM!

    (5)

  • Elanor S.

    I like Desta a lot, especially when I get to eat on their porch. I have to echo previous reviewers and recommend the lamb tibs (I like them spicy!), but pretty much everything I've tried has been good. I mean, even the salad was good. I like going with others so I can share a bottle of honey wine.

    (4)

  • Tanya F.

    So pleased was I with Desta Ethiopian Kitchen that my lips curved into a smile reliving the evening's fare through the spicy burps hours later. The food: Assertive flavors with fresh ingredients. We shared the fish and the beef tenderloin tibs. Ah the tibs. Sautéed spiced meat tossed with garden vegetables, softened red onions and chopped garlic. They serve ample pillows of injera-the rolls of spongy sourdough flatbread that accompany most dishes-just enough to have some left over to sop up the flavorful juices after finishing the tibs. The feel: Bustling on a Saturday evening with a mishmash of bright bold art crowding the walls and little bouquets of nylon wildflowers on each table. Cozy and dim, yet vibrant with sprinkles of glowing tea candles throughout the dining room. The findings: Layout and table sizes make it ideal for couples and small groups. Desta's a craveable dinner alternative that successfully helped me climb out of the ethnic food rut I'd tumbled into. Go, your tastebuds will thank you.

    (4)

  • Kerry M.

    The food here was amazing! This is the first time I have had Ethiopian food, so my expectations were basically equivalent to what I could find out on Yelp. The lamb tibs were amazing, and the portion was big enough that I could only finish half, when I hit the point that I was completely stuffed and couldn't eat more at the risk of getting sick. I probably should have eaten less... The leftovers tasted almost as good as it did fresh out of the kitchen! I will definitely go back once I find a friend to eat with.

    (5)

  • Mahsa G.

    DELICIOUS! I've been here twice and both times it was great. I've had fish tibs, chicken and the veggie plate. The food here is SO good! I will say that it can be a little salty, but that's just my taste preference. The service is pretty good. Most of the servers I've had were women, who are really pretty :) When it's warm you should sit outside. There's a huge tree in the middle - I have no idea why but it's kinda cool. A great experience for unique flavors and great food. Ethiopian food is so different from other cuisines and I highly recommend everyone try it!

    (5)

  • Tennille C.

    yummy in my tummy...I get the Veggie plate and the taste is very good and flavorful. My mom had the lamb, it was very good also. I'll go there again and again.

    (5)

  • David Z.

    Having eaten at Cottage, Meskerem, and Moya already, I can safely say Desta ranks among the best. Their menu is a little more extensive, and the dishes are quite reasonably priced. I'd tried Kitfo and Tibs before, so this time I decided to try the Fish Dulet (minced tilapia with tomato, garlic, onion, and spices). It was good, but a little dry. I also thought it would be grilled fish, but it was actually fried before being minced. Oh well. My friend had the Chicken Tibs, which was very tasty. They offer you watermelon and hand cleansing cloths after the meal, which was a nice touch. Definitely a good place to go, but probably not for a date (unless you and your amour like garlic breath).

    (5)

  • Helen K.

    One word: YUM! Ethiopian is not on the top of my cuisine list, but it's something I used to eat a few times a year before moving to Atlanta. Through a 50% discount at a half price restaurant website, my hubby and I decided to finally venture to Decatur to try Desta Restaurant, a cute little Ethiopian place behind the Popeye's Fried Chicken at Briarcliff and Clairmont. The food was terrific. We started with their meat sambusas, which are the basic equivalent of Indian samosas -- spicy meat-filled triangular pastries, satisfying. Best dish and huge thumbs up for the Fish Dulet, a minced mixture of tilapia with spices, onion, pepper and oil. Pulling morsels up with injera (thin, porous ethiopian bread which is used to eat vs. a fork) was a fun change and honestly, it slowed down our ability to stuff our faces and got us fuller faster, not a bad thing given my New Year's Resolution. We also tried their vegetarian collard greens -- lots of garlic and good -- plus their lamb tibs (marinated lamb cubes) over a delicious, red chick pea mash. Prices are good and the decor is nice with warm red walls, graphic wall art and smooth jazz (okay, not the biggest fan of the music selection but it lent to the darkly lit romantic atmosphere).

    (4)

  • Jeff M.

    I pretty much eat here once a week. If I have a bad day, this is my go-to place because anything I order here makes me happy. I have many things off of the menu here but you really cannot go wrong. My current go-to dish is the filet mignon over shiro with ater. This dish is transcendent for me. Service is always phenomenal here. I tell all my friends that this place has one intangible: this place, more so than any other place in Atlanta, feels like home to me. I don't know why. But it does. I'm not Ethiopian and I didn't grow up on Ethiopian food. This is my comfort place in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    This time I'm glad I listened to the Yelpers! Albeit I'm not Ethiopian, but this is the best Ethiopian I've had in Atlanta and elsewhere. We went on a Thursday night and got seated right away. It fortunately wasn't busy. We started with 2 tenderloin beef tibs, 1 lamb tips and the veggie sampler. There were 4 of us and we finished all of that, so ordered another lamb because it was so good. The meat seemed to be much higher quality than other places I've been to and the seasoning was excellent. You had to watch out for the jalapenos in the salad and the meat, but I didn't have any unwelcome surprises. The food had a smoldering kick to it, but wasn't overpowering. We were too stuffed to try the desserts, but maybe next time. Service was friendly and attentive. We also used a coupon from Restaurant.com , so that made it even better. We'll definitely be back.

    (5)

  • D L.

    Went for lunch. Ordered: - tenderloin tibs with house salad - tilapia tibs with house salad - toasted white bread - can't go wrong with a hot loaf of bread - the spongy bread you wrap all the food in before you cram it satisfyingly into your mouth The place was PACKED- don't bring your puffy jackets in here, no room!- but we had pretty good service. Water cup was always filled before I started to die from thirst. Server checked in with us several times asking if we were enjoying the food. Nice.

    (3)

  • Julie C.

    quick question: when are we going to get a 0.5 star option? how/why is it that the corner of briarcliff and clairmont is like a ethiopian restaurant free for all? is ethiopian food usually spicy or did i just imagine that? sorry for all that extra. but if someone knows any of those things, please...let me know. okay. on to my review. so desta was tasty...food comes out quick and hot, looks very much like the pics below. the veggie combo was a great deal. it was quite delicious and had lots of variety (6 things). for me, the best thing was the cabbage (thank goodness this was finger food...otherwise some serious fork stabbing would have been going on). the lentils were a little bit meh (totally edible don't get me wrong) and i really liked the collard greens as well. they were coarsely chopped and not cooked down to baby food, which i liked, but i could tell my friend was less than impressed. only miss for me was this mashed potato item. maybe it wasn't potato, but that's what i thought the server said before she darted away. either way, whatever it was was cold (on purpose cold) and that was the only thing left on our veggie platter. (pretty good for a crew of dedicated meat lovers). on to the meat- we had lamb tibs with awaze (not sure where that disappeared to...) that were good...but nothing to make me want to come back for more tomorrow. the portion was ample, seasoning was subtle and the meat wasn't too "lamb-y", which i guess is the difference between lamb and mutton, but it was a wee bit greasy... it was however, very tender...and a little tenderness, well...it goes a long way. no spicy heat to anything, hence my question at the top. maybe only certain things are supposed to be spicy....i can't remember. this place feels tiny...but it is a cozy atmosphere, and the service was decent. attentive, not chatty, but friendly enough....and they kept the injera basket filled. love that. nothing like getting down with your ethiopian food and having to stop shoveling your food in cuz you are out of bread. i haven't had ethiopian in a while, so i'm looking forward to trying some more spots and who knows...this might be the best of the best. i have definitely had worse at a bigger spot located off of north druid hills...vowed to never return there based on my dry flavorless tibs, so desta was a welcome fix. psst...gotta love that you can place your order and pick it up without ever getting out of your car. yep. desta has a drive thru! that appeals to the lazy lazy beast in me. oh. one more thing...they serve breakfast too (never had ethiopian breakfast) but i am very curious as it sounds delicious.

    (3)

  • Laura R.

    This is definitely a great Ethiopian restaurant for n00bs. You'll find all the authentic items on the menu and a few fusion items too - like a tibs sandwich. Doing a little research about Ethiopian food on the front end will take you a long way over the course of dinner. Everything we tried was great! The interior is cute and polished and the staff are all friendly and happy to answer questions. There was hand sanitizer at the table which was a nice plus when dining as a group. I'm looking fwd to going back to try the brunch!

    (4)

  • Bronwyn C.

    Amazing food, charming service. Get a meat dish and don't miss the lentils. Absolutely love this place.

    (5)

  • Daniel B.

    Came here for a UYE and my first ever time trying Ethiopian food (except for a small sample I had at last year's Taste of Atlanta). I ordered the fish tibs with gomen (Ethiopian collard greens) and also tried the Meta beer and baklava dessert. The fish is tilapia and served with onions and tomatoes among other things. A little salty, this dish was OK. The gomen was great, though. As with most Ethiopian dishes, the entree was served with injera, the soft/sour/spongy bread, which I am not a very big fan of, but it tastes OK when eaten with the entree. You can request French bread in white or wheat if you don't like the injera. Meta beer was sweet and you should definitely give it a try if you like trying out different kinds of beers. The baklava was pretty good as well. The restaurant is a little small and at night, very dimly lit inside. Service was excellent. All of the servers were very friendly.

    (3)

  • JEWELe M.

    WoW! All I can really say is that Ethiopian cuisine is EXCELLENT! Ordering fish tibs, chicken tibs, and beef tibs for the first time..... I was not sure what to expect! The flavor in the tibs was absolutely delicious! Also, the salad and vegetarian sauces and pastes were vibrantly tasty! Even though at times I was caught off guard when I bit into a freshly cut jalapeno piece (good thing I can handle that hotness)! And that injera bread....what was that? So spongy, delicious, and quite filling! I think I enjoyed eating with my hands that night! Although receiving an extra serving of the red chili-like sauce and beef tibs (compliments of the house), next time I plan to try their desserts! I mean, if their main course is delicious, I am sure their desserts are amazing as well! Amazing food and awesome service! Overall, my first dining experience at an Ethiopian Cuisine venue was EXCELLENT!

    (5)

  • Robert P.

    My first (though not last) foray into Ethiopian food - and it was great! The staff was nice, the food was fantastic and the injera was tasty. I have since eaten at a few other locations, a little closer to home, and they are just not as good. Not to mention they are often more expensive! Even if you are new to the cuisine, I would check this place out. They are friendly and you will not feel out of place. Other posters have said they did not receive help, we did. So, if there is anything you are unsure of, just ask!

    (4)

  • P S C.

    The food here is pretty tasty. It can get a little spicy, so check with the wait staff. If there is a lot of crowd, the service can be a little slow. The wait staff is warm and friendly. The coffee was very good. The mango drink was very refreshing. Would definitely recommend.

    (4)

  • Reva L.

    Coming from Oakland, California, I've been a fan of Ethiopian food for many years. After eating at Desta, nothing else compares. The vegetarian combination is awesome, generous, and full of variety, unlike traditional Ethiopian combinations which have a few dishes as compared to many. I love it so much I haven't even tried the other menu items, which do look fantastic. There is great outdoor seating, friendly and attentive waitstaff, and great smoothies and coffees. Desta is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant of all times.

    (5)

  • Belle S.

    I had been craving Ethiopian food since my return from Kenya this past summer, but had a hard time finding friends willing to enjoy this cuisine with me. All of the stars here are based on the environment, location, and convenience of being able to get decent Ethiopian food. The food quality itself did not impress me. Desta is a great option for those not familiar with Ethiopian food. It has a cute and trendy environment, especially to sit on the outside porch when it's nice outside. However, the food itself was ok for Ethiopian food, but not great. I would say quite pricy for what you actually get. To accommodate unfamiliar customers with the cuisine, this place does individual entrees... which is so odd to me. Honestly because I'm used to sampling many types of dishes at once because Ethiopian food is almost always served with family portions, I ordered the Veggie Platter to get a little bit of everything. However, it was disappointing because it was just a tiny drop of each selection---and brought out cold when I got it. I felt like this was almost an appetizer... and I was left unsatisfied. I filled up on injera, of course. The injera itself was really good. If I were to get multiple entrees here, it would probably be too complicated, expensive, and not worth it because of the individually-accommodated portions here. Service was incredibly slow, so make sure you are patient and have plenty of time. Nonetheless, it's an ok option with a better atmosphere than most places. Convenient because it's not as intimidating for those not familiar with the cuisine. I definitely would come back, but I'd probably stick to another dish that is served piping hot off the grill.

    (3)

  • Debra R.

    This is hands down the best Ethiopian food and restaurant in Atlanta. I ordered the Vegetarian Combo. The greens were full of flavor and weren't pureed into mush. Spiced Chai tea was just the right amount of spice. The light fluffy injera was plentiful. All I can say is go hungry and go often.

    (5)

  • Roshanda P.

    Wasn't really sure what to expect when I decided to try Ethiopian food, but I think this was a nice way to start out...... Because of the atmosphere alone I think this is really a cool place to check out. Kinda gave off the feel of a jazz club with the dim lighting and the smooth music playing in the background. I had the rib eye tibs with collards greens, it didn't take long for the food to arrive and it came out hot and sizzling on the plate like some fajitas. The beef was soo tender, and the staff was ok... I think they could have been a lil more attentive to the action going on at our table... but all and all it was a good experience.

    (4)

  • Krista M.

    I never write reviews but this place was awesome. Good service, good food. I loved the vegetarian plate, there was a taste of everything. Food was tasty and the spices you can add really take it to the next level if you're into spicy. Portions big and it's pretty affordable.

    (5)

  • Cristina K.

    I had a $25 gift certificate (which I bought for $2...woohoo!) so my friend and I came for our first visit. I noticed as I sat down that there were Target brand hand sanitizers at every table. They looked odd next to a lit candle on the nicely set table, but then I realized it was a clever touch, especially if you're eating Ethiopian food with bare hands. I was recovering from a bad cold and wanted hot, meaty soup so I ordered the Lamb Soup. They were generous with chunks of lamb-- not pure bone as I was expecting. And the meat was lean, which made the broth clear and light. They serve this with cut up pieces of injera (a tangy, spongy pancake) that you can put in your bowl to soak up the nice broth. We also had the Fish Tibs w/Shiro which had a nice tanginess from the tomato and lime juice. The tilapia itself though was a little on the dry side. Thicker pieces of fish would've prevented this. Last, we had the Dulet which we had to "check with server for availability". The flavors in this dish were definitely strong, mostly from the liver and tripe, which are minced and mixed with the ground beef. I would probably not order this again, mostly because a little oily and we're avoiding ground beef. Plus, I think tripe is to be enjoyed in larger pieces, not minced to the point where they it is confused with the not-so-tasty beef gristle. While we're mostly interested in the quality of the food, the place is a good date spot with its nice decorations and dim lighting. If you're craving Ethiopian food, this is probably one of the better restaurants in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Dan K.

    fabulous !! ok,, I used to not like Ethiopian food,, not sure why -- anyhow - I went to desta and now I LOVE Ethiopian food -- this place is really wonderful -- first of all, they have hand sanitizer on the tables -- what an awesome idea - especially for Ethiopian since you eat with your fingers -- anyhow, I got the vegetarian platter - it was so YUMMY -- I also ordered some of the dry Ethiopian wine - I didn't like it much but the WONDERFUL waitress took it back and gave me some other wine that was very tasty -- the food here is really good - wonderful flavor - I highly recommend it if you want Ethiopian - it is the best in town --

    (4)

  • Jenn K.

    Desta is a Great Ethiopian restaurant! I usually go through the drive-through, but decided to go there for breakfast today. We just finished breakfast there and it was delicious! They have a nice selection and the injera (bread) is absolutely the best! We stayed and had some coffee and love the outdoor seating! Excellent!

    (4)

  • Randy D.

    Great meal at Desta on Friday - the place was busy but we got there just as several tables were getting up. It's a great little space on Briarcliff. Haven't had Ethiopian food in a while so we ordered the veggie combo and the meat combo so we could try a little bit of everything. Loved the lentils and collard greens and the chicken tibs the best. Will definitely be back to try the tilapia and some of the appetizers. Service was friendly and fast - we never had to ask for anything - waters (a few spicy dishes on the table!) and injera were refilled as needed.

    (4)

  • Lizzy G.

    +I went with my very senior mother. They were more than happy to provide plate and utencils for her! Location: They are surrounded by other ethopian restraunts, and we weren't sure what the front door was. Enter at the freezer plastic looking door entranc

    (3)

  • Denny C.

    I should preface by saying that I am in no way an Ethiopian cuisine expert. I wouldn't even say I have too much experience with it...a few meals here and there. It's always proven to be an interesting and somewhat fun (roll up your sleeves and get into it) kind of a dining experience. So I came to Desta with some friends after seeing some rave reviews on yelp. There were very few customers when we came one Sunday afternoon for lunch. Desta, located in a little Ethiopian shopping corner, seemed like a quaint and charming ma and pa kind of restaurant - bonus points already! We sat outside, and it was a beautiful day. Service was attentive and pleasant. I ordered the fish tibbs and was quite impressed with the intensity of flavor the fish had. It was jam-packed! The prices were pretty good, too, considering it was seafood, and I would say Desta served us average portions. My friends got chicken tibbs and they looked pretty delish too. The best part, of course, was the injera bread. That stuff will fill you up like nothing else! One thing I thought was strange was that most Ethiopian places let you do some sort of family style meal where the toppings come out on the injera and you share as a table, but it doesn't seem like Desta has this option. If my time weren't limited in ATL, I would definitely come back and sample more of the menu. Other things: - The appetizer we ordered - sambusas - were kind of a rip even though they were tasty. They were bite-size at best and only came with 4-5 pieces. - I think it's definitely worth noting that ATL has a sizable Ethiopian community. Nothing better than to support locally owned immigrant communities! - Desta even gives you little wet wipes at the end (cuz Ethiopian can be kinda intense when you get your hands into it). Very considerate.

    (4)

  • Eric P.

    While visiting my brother and his wife in Georgia over the weekend, we decided on giving Desta a try. Since they had never had Ethiopian before, it was more like me guiding them through the menu, since my limited experience was still greater than their none (Detroit's two main Ethiopian restaurants being the extent of my experience). Overall, I was quite impressed by this place. The service was relatively quick, and very helpful when we had questions. The most important part of any restaurant trip, the food, was very good - I daresay better than what I've had here at home. It was just more...flavorful? I'm not really sure exactly what it was - maybe the ambiance, the Ethiopian families all around us, who knows - but no matter what, the food was pretty darn good. We split a veggie combo and some sort of chicken tibs, all of which was very good. My only beef (ha ha) was that I'm not sure the injera was made with teff, which is kind of a helpful thing to know. Nutritionally, teff flour is far and away better than any wheat (rice, etc) flour; it is high in dietary fiber, iron, protein, calcium, and actually does not serve simply to expand and fill you up, as might the wheat-based injera served at some other restaurants (which shall remain nameless). Then again, they may have made it with teff but with a different method, so my entire complain would be unfounded. Either way, Desta is definitely somewhere I would stronly suggest.

    (4)

  • Joe C.

    If you haven't eaten Ethiopian before and think it might be 'too out-there', think again. I went there with a group of people, and every single one had something good to say about it. And if you have had Ethiopian, well, this is a great one. I usually get the Veggie Combo and Shiro and both were excellent. At Desta though, I sampled a variety of food here and it was extremely good; all of it. For drinks, the Honey wine is always good (sweet, but not like sweet wine), and had some Ethiopian beer which was also very tasty. Try both for the authenticity. Try this place, and when you are done - try some other ones. All the Ethiopian restaurant are within a 3 mile radius of each other.

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    What a lovely little restaurant. We decided to eat on the "patio" which was like a tree house. The room has a large tree moving up through the center, windows on three side and fresh air on the other side. It was really cozy and intimate. This was our first experience with Ethiopian food and it was a good one. We ordered the lamb tibs layered with Shiro and spiced with awaze; and the rib eye tibs cooked with Goman. Both dishes were wonderful and, as this was our first experience with injera, it was an interesting surprise. Injera is kind of a spongey pancake - or a skinney crumpet dough. You tear off a piece and use it to pick up some of your dinner. Indeed, this is the real-deal of finger food! Eating with my fingers was a unique experience. I've watched this technique on tv but I gotta tell you, there is more to this than meets the eye. Fortunately, each table comes with its own bottle of purell so I was certain that my fingers were santized. To complete the meal a "wash paper" comes with the bill so you can clean your fingers and your face (in case you missed) before departing for other places. We will definately be going back .

    (4)

  • Akizogn N.

    Food was good. BUT I did not like the fact I was not helped with picking my order. I explained I was new to Ethiopian food (kind of) and they still let me pick something I had not too much knowledge of. RAW MEAT. I went home and cooked it. Will return after I google Ethiopian meals.

    (3)

  • Mitchell R.

    I've only been once, but it was great. Three of us shared a vegetarian combo platter, chicken tibs, and an appetizer (it looked like creamed corn, but I don't remember what it was). Everything was very tasty. The service was great. I will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Anna G.

    About a month ago, I wanted to try something new so I stopped by Desta. I always passed by and was curious about Ethiopian food. I got the chicken tibs and loved every bite. It was a little spicy but still good(took out the peppers). The injera took some getting used to, but it's pretty good after it soaks up the juices from the meat. I usually go to the drive-thru and the service is pretty quick. The servers and decor are really nice. I have been back several times and the experience is always good.

    (4)

  • Karen F.

    So after what I suppose was my less than ecstatic first review, I was contacted by Ashenafi, the owner of Desta, with an invitation to return for another try, on the house. I, never one to turn down a free meal (but no, seriously, I do appreciate when restaurants care enough to listen to their customers), decided sure, why not. This time, without billing issues clouding my reaction, I can actually give a review of the food! Between the six of us, we got The "Works" Fir Fir, Fish Tibs, Lamb Tibs, Beef Tibs, and the Veggie Combo. I know, we're fatties. My favorite, by far, was the FISH TIBS. It was seasoned with just the right proportion of spices to salt to garlic (flavor: check!), and the tender tilapia flesh was seared just right (texture: check!). The Works was good too, but dauntingly copious (...I suppose it IS called, "The WORKS"). I think the FirFir overwhelmed the Kitfo though--I like to be able to really taste my raw meat--so I would recommend going with the straight up Kitfo or Kitfo w/ Collard Greens instead. The Vegetarian Combo is worth getting as well because there are so many different things on it; you can't go wrong with good-tasting variety. My two criticisms of the night: 1) One of my friends, AR, is allergic to gluten. According to many reviews, including some on the restaurant website, Desta's injera is made with 100% teff flour (i.e. gluten-free), but apparently this is no longer the case... = Unhappy AR. 2) A minor one: I don't know what's more authentic, but I prefer my injera warmer than room temp. The service this time was impeccable (probably because they were paying us special attention, but still, everyone was genuinely nice). They gave us the option of a communal plate (...unfortunately, it was still difficult to share across the narrow rectangular space; the plate-area to table-area ratio is just too great), and they let us taste generous portions of the two different Tejs before making our choice (mild is better if you don't have a painfully sweet tooth!). In the end, I'm still not convinced that I prefer the modern, first date-y feel of the place, but I appreciate the restaurant's efforts. I understand the concept they're promoting, and I can see how it might be amenable to some. It's just not my style...or maybe the patio-seating would a better choice for me ;P. +1 star for the Fish Tibs (recommended by the house, Thank you!) +1 star for caring. Thanks again!

    (4)

  • Anisha H.

    Desta I have to say had some amazing food!!! I went with my Ethopian friend to make sure I get the true taste of Ethopian food!! Well trust me Desta did not disappoint!! We got the fish Tidbit and the lamb tidbit...omg I have to say the Fish was reallyy good!! It just melts in ur mouth and is soo yummy that it leaves you wanting more! The injera was something totaly new to me...and to get the total Ethopian experience, I had to eat it all with my hands, something about eating food with ur hands...just makes the food taste even better!!! I was soo impressed. To finish it off we got some Ethopian ginge tea....add a tiny bit of sugar, and trust me...the tea was just perfect!!! The only reason I gave this place a 4 and not a 5 star rating is the decor...def they tried to do it up but it was not up to par, but its a place you def go for the food and not the ambience!!! Def going back again :)

    (4)

  • Rakesh R.

    Overall: 4/5 Food: 4/5 Value: 4/5 Service: 4/5 Atmosphere: 4/5 We had originally planned to visit our favorite Pizza restaurant - Varasanos Pizzeria - but they were not able to accommodate our group at the time we needed. Choosing Desta Ethiopian Kitchen was the quickly scrambled Plan B. We had never been to an Ethiopian Cuisine restaurant before. We have had a sample of Ethiopian cooking at a friend's place, but that wasn't much to go on to make any level of judgement. There was some doubts as to what the restaurant would have to offer. This restaurant was decided on based on a 'word of mouth' recommendation from an acquaintance of Ethiopian origin. As you drive up to the restaurant (Free Off-street parking lot), for 1st timers like us, it did not provide a welcoming feeling. It is very much like a shack. It turned out very much UNLIKE the website. As you enter and wait to be seated, if you take one more step, you'll probably walk out the back! It has a bar, if you can call it that. Just enough bar stool seating for 4, provided there's no one sitting at the tables just behind. Desta has a very Cafe' like. The small size of the restaurant lends itself to being cosy and comfortable. Perfect environment to enjoy a drink and a meal with friends. Perfect for groups. That said, you will need to allow them time to set up tables if you're in group of 4 or more. The decor is very basic. Lit on the darker side. Simple square tables joined up as required. Being a totally new cuisine for us, the Menu has some very interesting items. Not unusual but interesting. We ordered the Foul (pronounced Fool), the Sambuza as appetizers and they went down very well. Fresh and very tasty. Most of us went for the Tibs for entree's. Fish Tibs, Chicken Tibs & Lamb Tibs, on the Non-Vegetarian side and Vegetable Combo and Split-Pea Stew on the Vegetarian side. All orders are served with Injera (spongy flatbread made with Teff flour). I, personally, didn't care much for the Injera. Too soft and spongy for my liking. Others in our group liked it very much. Desta has a decent selection of Beers, Red & White Wines. Ethiopian wine is also offered. Dry or Sweet. Nice wines with a tad unusual taste. Ethiopian Beer was also available which is has a very British name - St George's Beer! The service was excellent. Food was brought out within reasonable time. The staff were very helpful and ready to help with any questions we had on the menu. The music played was easy rock / 80s, 90s / top 40 songs. But we hardly noticed the music over the chit-chat and fun we were having. The quality, the food, the atmosphere are well worth the approx $25 per head for a dinner meal at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. Best judge of the overall quality of the restaurant is the answer to: "Would you come back here". A unanimous answer: "Absolutely" A wonderful evening in excellent company of good friends at a very nice restaurant.

    (4)

  • Jesse W.

    It's been about 10 years since the last time I had Ethiopian. Let me just say, Desta was an awesome place for a reintroduction. I remember really enjoying eating ethiopian -- a very visceral experience -- and I'm back in a city where I won't have to wait 10 more years for my next Ethiopian mean. Desta was really terrific. Service was terrific, the staff was very welcoming, and the food was delicious I'm certainly open to trying some of the other Ethiopian joints here in town, but if I ever need a sure-thing, this is it. Folks, if you haven't, you need to get out there and try some Ethiopian, I think you'll be really pleased. Desta is a terrific place to start.

    (4)

  • Sonya S.

    I had not eaten Ethiopian food until I came to Atlanta. And, happily, my first foray into this new food world was all homemade by the true blue's. However, since everyone is so busy these days, it's nice to find a great restaurant that makes the food just like home. We had the Vegetarian Combo and the Tibs FirFir. These were on a community plate for our table. The injera was regularly replenished. We were able to taste two types of wine. One was a little dry and the other was a little sweet. We shared a bottle of the sweeter wine. Then, I had the Green Tea with Ginger and Honey. The service was very attentive and pleasant. The Tibs FirFir had some meat in it as well as injera cooked along with it. The Veggie Combo had 6 different varieties of yummy goodness. I loved the Shiro. It's like the Ethiopian version of 'refried beans', sort of. It was so delicious! The injera was mild on the 'sour' note. I tend to like a tiny bit of the sour note. But, it didn't matter. The seating inside is limited with some booths and small tables. There is some patio seating as well. The ladies bathroom was nice and clean. To truly enjoy your experience, you must not be in a rush. Enjoy the meal with your friends and have tea afterward. I saw a lot of yummy plates come out of the kitchen. The varieties are endless since I learned that you can customize what you want on your plate! I look forward to returning to Desta very soon!

    (4)

  • nick l.

    Who knew that fish at an Ethiopian Restaurant would be the bomb! It is. Nearly everything here is good. The Lamb and Chicken Tibs are awesome. The raw meat isn't for me. I started going to Desta about a year ago and probably average eating there about 2-3x a month and it's not very close to where i live. It's food you'll crave later.

    (5)

  • Paul Y.

    I love Ethiopian food! This is the best in town! From the ambiance, the service and most definately the food. This place is great!

    (4)

  • April R.

    Friendly service. Clean, interesting atmosphere. And of course the food was delicious. The vegetarian combo is big enough to share with two people and features about 10 or 12 different dishes.

    (4)

  • Mike D.

    First Impression: I have to admit I truly love good Ethiopian food. Desta has a good location, plenty of parking, and nice atmosphere. There's plenty of seating, indoors or on their patio. Simply put, it's friendly and inviting. Service: Easy going friendly service. Always very helpful in making recommendations from the menu. Food: {Remember I said I love good Ethiopian food} Eating Ethiopian food is a communal experience, best shared with close family and friends and with whom you are comfortable sharing some personal space (the dinner plate). You eat with your hands using a form of bread (injera) to pick up the various meats and vegetables. For me, good Ethiopian is not only adventurous but sensuously exotic. (I said I like this food.) It's wonderfully seasoned and comes in so many different varieties of colors, textures and flavors. My personal favorites are - Appetizer: Vegetarian Sambusa, Entrees: Zilzil Tibs (beef) and Vegetarian Combo, Drink: Saint George beer Conclusion: If you have never had this kind of food, be brave and try it. If you are a fan of Ethiopian, this place is awesome.

    (4)

  • Michelle M.

    Desta is a wonderful little Ethiopian restaurant on the corner of Clairmont & Briarcliff (across the street from Mo's Pizza) which seems to be THE corner for Ethiopian cuisine with at least 3 other restaurants in the same shopping plaza. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but walk in and you'll find the owners have made a nice attempt to make this place a little more charming and modern than most Ethiopian restaurants. The restaurant seems clean, the servers friendly and helpful and the food wonderful. Of course they offer plenty of tasty options for vegetarians with the Vegetarian Combo being the fave. For those who enjoy meat- their Tilipia is awesome! It's lightly blackened with lemon and pepper and wonderfully crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I've had other dishes as well, but the Tilipia is just so good that I can't remember the others. There always seems to be a few friends hanging out here enjoying a dinner or drinking wine or coffee. Desta is a nice casual place to eat dinner with a few friends or a give them a call and order takeout. It's a great takeout option vs Chinese! p.s. Desta receives 4 stars in comparison with all the other yummy places to eat in Atlanta, but among Ethiopian restaurants it's one of the best- 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Mark C.

    The food is good, the waitstaff are friendly. They serve ethiopian beer, which is awesome. I knew better than to order a plate for myself though, so I went ahead and ordered one plate that we split. Injera is very filling by itself. Split between two people, the split plate fed both of us plus there were leftovers to take home! And we were both stuffed.

    (4)

  • Molly C.

    Desta is my top Ethiopian restaurant in town - I love it. Desta isn't like your traditional Ethiopian restaurant. It is a modern take where dishes are served per individual and not in one communal plate. Since Desta started out as a takeout restaurant and they have always had to prep their food, the food comes out much faster than a traditional Ethiopian restaurant. (Generally, Ethiopian restaurants don't prep before service and the meals take a long time to be served.) Here is a tip for any gluten-free guys and gals out there - Desta serves 100% teff injera. (Other restaurants serve a mix of flour and teff.) Just call ahead to make sure that they have made the 100% teff bread that day.

    (4)

  • S Y.

    The conversation between my colleague and I went something this... Me: Atlanta must have a large Ethopian population because there is a lot of Ethopian restaurants. Colleague: So, do you want to try Ethopian? Me: Ok. We drive, and pull into a strip mall. We find two different places. So, I drove towards this one. We sat down...ordered food and waited. The food came out, and it was delicious. Both of us were very happy with our choices. The flavors exploded on our pallet! I'm glad that this place with my first experience with Ethopian food. Now, I just want to try a local place so I can get it all the time! YUM YUM!

    (5)

  • Wendy P.

    This place is amazing. The food is absolutely the most surprisingly delicious meal I have had in the past six months. Didn't know a thing about Ethiopian food and still don't really but I know what I like and this is it.

    (5)

  • jessica d.

    I love Ethiopian food, but I don't get to eat it too often since all the good places are far from where I live. I was super excited to get to eat here when I was in ATL and I was not disappointed! This restaurant has a modern, upscale ambiance and the waitstaff were very nice. We were the only non-Ethiopians there, and we got the typical, "This is very spicy..." warning we always get when we go to this type of resto. We assured them we could handle a little spice and had in fact eaten Ethiopian many times before. I think that they were impressed that we wanted everything on one plate and could handle eating with our hands! The food was great. We got the lamb tibs and the veggie sampler. The injera was very tangy and stretchy. The only complaint I would have is that I would have liked more collard greens - that is the dish I love to eat when I have Ethiopian! One thing - Google maps says this place is in a totally different place from where it really is. It is on the corner with a fast food resto - turn in there and it is near another Ethiopian restaurant.

    (4)

  • Cheff W.

    Just visited last week based on Yelpers' over 250 reviews. After I've gave a good thought, now I'm begin to question the other reviewers' opinions. Either they never had experienced Ethiopian food before or got drunk with generic wine list they've offered. 1) way too salty, even for simple collard green, a very simple and common side dish. 2) main dish, chicken tibs was literally speaking, a ok 3) servers were Americanized Ethiopians, they've already lost their native hosting, pleasant, and sincerity. (yes, I do count in all these when I visit ethnic restaurants, otherwise, a simple McD or BK will do just the same insults to my umami buds.) So guys, what's the point of sending extra money to another disappointment? However, solutions are: if anyone is visiting NYC or in NYC, do try Meske Ethiopian Restaurant in midtown Manhattan or Etete and Habesha market in Washington DC, or Nile Restaurant in Orlando, FL. Enough said?

    (3)

  • Lena H.

    This was my very first Ethiopian Food dining experience. Not only that, it was my first time meeting someone there and was very experienced with this type of food. So I had all kinds of random thoughts going through my mind. ..But I digress. Can I tell you this food was amazing??? I had fish and collard greens and it was S-P-I-C-Y! Off da chain!! Oh, and you are supposed to eat with your hands instead of utensils. I was trying to be cute when I was eating so she (the server) gave me a fork since I really didn't know what I was doing. I was totally being modest and asked for a carryout box. But, when I got home...I lost my mind and my manners. In addition, I even contemplated on going back again...like later that evening...or try to make the dish myself by remembering the ingredients that I tasted. ( That was so not going to work.) I am so happy that my friend suggested this place because it is awesome! That is all.

    (5)

  • Broderick S.

    I headed to Desta to meet up w/ a couple of foodie friends and had a great meal. Saying you're going to the Ethiopian spot on Clairmont & Druid Hills doesn't help as there are at least 3 on this same corner! After finding the place we had an enjoyable meal at a great price. The food was wonderfully seasoned and they had a small selection of wine. They started as a takeout business which is still a bulk of their business, as well as a small market where you can pick up some injera bread & other products to take home with you.

    (4)

  • Genevieve F.

    Wow this place was great! I haven't eaten ethiopian too much before so I don't have a lot to compare it to but what we got was deicious. For an appetizer we got the beef sambusa...excellent! Nice and crispy with a wonderful spicy salsa. Then we ordered the vegetarian special and the rib tibbs. Both were excellent. It was more than enough food for just two people. I wouldn't say it is cheap since I love to frequent buford highway for cheap and delicious ethnic finds, but it was definitely a good value for the quality of food. Our total bill including tip was around $40. I'm pretty excited to have found this place, it will definitely be a new addition to my 'favorites' list!

    (5)

  • Mandy P.

    I don't know what everyone else is talking about bad service... maybe we were here on a good day but the were very nice and attentive. since we hadnt ever eaten ethiopian before, we asked for some recommendations and chose chicken and fish tibs to share... both were full of jalapenos but very flavorful and yummy. you can get a fork if you ask but it's not automatic! and their porch is perfect on a breezy day. and don't forget dessert!

    (5)

  • Michelle M.

    Had veggie combo, so good!!

    (5)

  • sam l.

    I love this place. I always have a consistent amazing meal. I love the patio and severs are very nice. I just wish it was closer to my house....It's the best ethiopian in town.

    (5)

  • Blaik P.

    Desta is solid Ethiopian food. If I'm trying to convince one of my friends to try Ethiopian, I bring them to Desta. The waitstaff is very helpful and accepting of neophytes. I typically get lamb tibs, kitfo dulet, or doro wot. I have never been disappointed with a dish and I always have plenty left over for the next day. Desta now offers an all-day breakfast menu featuring ful and other staples that I'd love to try. Definitely worth the visit.

    (4)

  • Erin O.

    This was my first experience with Ethipian food. Not only was the food delicious, the service was excellent.

    (4)

  • Kristy d.

    Fantastic. I've eaten here with friends on many occasions and the food is consistently wonderful. Highly recommend! Enjoy the cozy interior or sit outside with great music playing. Don't be surprised if this little gem becomes a favorite.

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    my first time eating ethiopian food and it was good...different from what i'm used to...but good nonetheless. got a meat lovers & veggie platter & shared with a few friends. it was really good...the presentation, portion size, atmosphere, price, and service was great. they deliver, have an outdoor patio/seating area, and it's close to my apartment.

    (4)

  • Stephie Z.

    I have never eaten Ethiopian but Desta has made me a fan. The food is so good that even the stray tom cat outside waited patiently for some scraps. The way he was staring through the window in the door made me think of Lady and the Tramp only the mangy cat version. He was nice enough to move while people were coming in and out but he was not leaving until he got some fish tibs and raw meat out of the owners. I know a lot of you would make disparging commments of this but i like that the restaurant gives back to the poor and hungry:) The fish tibs on Shiro kicked ass. Fish tibs are tilapia sauteed in a spicy onion/tomato/garlic suace and the shiro was a spicy ground chickpea mixture. The food was delicious and I liked the injera. Which is a spongy bread. I have noticed that the injera is what seems to turn people off but it reminds me of a spongy sourdough and I dug it. The texture while holding the wrapped up bread was offputting, I am not going to say why, but the food was great and unbelievably filling. My friend got a beer there, can't remember the name, and it tasted like honey beer- nice and soothing. The interior of the restaurant was homey and they have a cute little porch.. only one problem there- you are surrounded by parking lots so you might get a bit heady by the fumes, but still I loved this place. I would recommend it.

    (5)

  • Madelene P.

    I ate here for the first time months ago. I've never had Ethiopian food before; in fact, I never knew where Ethiopia was located at on the world map...but that's not the point. We ordered this sample platter (I guess that's what you would call it) of different varieties of meat, fish, and vegetables and you would eat it with rolls of the Ethiopian bread that came along with it. They called it bread but to me, it seemed more like thin soggy crepes. It tasted sour---definitely not the kind of flavor I'd look for when it comes to eating "bread." They gave you a whole platter of this "bread," though I must say, they do give you more bread than filling to eat with the bread. Some of vegetables on the platter was pretty good. The Salmon was my ultimate favorite though but just like the "bread," everything tasted sour. I don't know if "sour" is a main component within Ethiopian cusines but it definitely was here at the Desta Resturant. We also ordered this Ethiopian soup that reminded me of Chili. It looked a lot like chili but definitely did no taste anything like it. The spices was too much for my taste buds to handle and just like everything else that we ate, it was sour as welll. Regardless of everything, you do eat with your hands here which makes the experience more fun and authentic. Where as for the enviroment, it was VERY cramped. Tables were MUCH too close to each other and you feel like if you were to slide your chair back an inch, you would hit the other person behind you. Not to mention, the tables were also too small. There were 3 of us and the waitress sat us next in a small (what looks to be) coffee table. And, what made it worse was there was this akward giant mirror flashing in our face as we were sitting there.

    (2)

  • Ronak D.

    Ah, as my time in Atlanta draws to an end, I have to keep using my many restaurant.com gift certificates. Tonight was spent at Desta, a small Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta, above Midtown. The outside has two small patio tables, which aren't really large enough to hold more than a couple of beer bottles, which is pretty much what they're used for. Inside, there are a few two-person tables and one larger round table on the right side, and the left side with more two-person tables. All in all, a bit crowded and noisy, yet still intimate. Decorative items from Ethiopia and elsewhere adorn the walls, along with their awards and recognitions...And for good reason. You absolutely cannot beat the bang for your buck at Desta. The food is delicious, satisfying, kind of sexy, and damn cheap. I started off with the shiro fit fit (crushed chickpea, tomato, bell pepper, in a tomato and oil based sauce with pieces of injera, the Ethiopian flat, soft, bubbly, bread...uber addicting) and the sambusa (like Indian samosa but filled with lentil, jalapeno, and onion). The shiro is served cold and you have a decent sized helping despite being a $6 appetizer. Full of fresh flavor from the raw tomato and pepper, the injera still has that bubbly mouthfeel, but has soaked up a fair amount of the sauce, each chew bursts with tomato-y goodness. The samusas are 2 for $2.50, and are served crispy with a tomato chili sauce. It's a tad drier compared to a samosa, because the stuffing is lentil instead of potato, but it's a nice nutty quality and interesting combination of soft and crispy textures. Going along with this was a bottle of Ethiopian beer, St. Georges...pretty standard fare lager, good to try, but I'd try the other 2-3 choices they have from Ethiopia next time. Moving onto the main course, I went with the chicken tibs...Food was prompt in service, despite the large gaggle of twenty-something year old girls celebrating a birthday. The plate of chicken tibs was a very narrow but long shallow dish, with small chunks of chicken, slivers of red onion, tomatoes, all cooked up with spices, tomato, onion, and spicy Ethiopian butter, which has just the most appetizing rich aroma, warmed by the piping hot chicken. Next to it is some house salad, which surprisingly has a nice dressing on it, not loaded on, not something creamy and fatty, just simple, coating the lettuce a little, and pairs well with the richness of the chicken dish...Also came with the chicken, more injera. Except this time there were 4 rolls of injera, all innocent looking...how wrong I was. Ethiopian food is similarly eaten as Indian food with the best utensils in the world...your hands. Food always seems to taste better when it comes off your fingers, or someone elses...hence my remark about this food being sexy...Taking a special someone here, especially if it's their first time, and giving feeding each other? You tell me that's not stirring up some bow-chicka-wow-wow. Chicken tibs are just bursting with flavor with each juicy morsel. Not one piece is dry or tough, but tender and rich and creamy from the butter and tomato. One dish of chicken tibs and 2 injeras later, I was feeling the button imprint forming on my stomach, satisfied and loving the flavor. At this point, I've only spent 21 bucks, not including tip...Now we got a problem...I have to make it to 50...So, after packing up 2 extra chicken tibs, 1 vegetarian fit fit, a crapload of injera, and something else that I lost track of after the itis began to set in, I walked out with a full stomach, a big smile on my face, and enough food for a week. For the price and the amount AND quality of food you get, you can't go wrong. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to take a nap...

    (5)

  • Talib K.

    a brother got lost and turned out like that whispers' song. or better yet, desta made me feel like singin' ll cool j's "big ole butt" to my former fave, queen of sheba. i heard this place was the bomb....but i had no idea. i missed it the first time i drove by because the signage on the street is nonexistent, but i knew i was in the right place because there are about 5 or 6 ethiopian businesses right next to each other; it's like little ethiopia over there. the restaurant is fairly small and sparsely decorated; but none of that matters, because the food is absolutely delicious! i like it hot and flavorful; desta did not disappoint. i had the tilapia tibs with a chick pea gravy....damn, damn, damn! the serving sizes are generous and they carry a number of ethiopian beers. the servers are gracious and like most foreign owned places, you can sit and chat and chill....no rush. sorry queen of sheba, but desta got a big ole butt, so i'm leavin' you.

    (5)

  • Melonie T.

    Ethiopian is not for everyone (especially my bro-in-law who called it "eating with a wet towel"). That being said, I LOVE Ethiopian. Desta is great, the atmosphere has been improving over the last year (now remodeled) and the food has stayed consistent. I enjoy that they use very modern presentation which sets them apart from the 5 other Ethio places in a one mile radius! Nice atmosphere, good food.

    (4)

  • Crystal R.

    This has become one of my "go to" spots. It's also great for vegetarians.

    (5)

  • Lainy P.

    this is my favorite ethiopian place to eat in atlanta...but i'm really writing because they are having this RIDICULOUS "teff shortage" which has thrown a wrench not only in plans to ever eat there until this stupid shortage finishes, but also from experimenting at home with some ethiopian recipes. way bummed. any updates would be appreciated.

    (4)

  • Herman N.

    Although it's a little out of the way from my usual neck of the woods, Desta was a wonderful surprise (thanks to Yelp, incidentally) and more than worth the trip. We went around 7pm on a Saturday night and had no trouble getting a table. The service was impeccable, always at the ready, often offering to get things we didn't even realize we needed. I had the lamb, which was pretty solid, but my lady had the vegetarian plate, which was both delicious and ample. If you're into Ethiopian or looking for something new to shake up your bland dining experiences of late, give Desta a shot.

    (4)

  • Erin R.

    Finally, truly spot-on Ethiopian food in Atlanta! I'd tried a couple of other places and been satisfied, but unimpressed. After consulting Yelp, we gave Desta a try and were thrilled. The vegetarian sampler is definitely the way to go - it comes with six different delightful dishes and plenty of perfectly-tangy injera. Great for both newcomers to and longtime fans of Ethiopian cuisine, Desta's won me over.

    (4)

  • Tracy L.

    This was my 1st time trying Ethiopian food. From reading the reviews this place is supposed to be one of the better ones so we decided to give it a try but I just wasn't too impressed.... ATMOSPHERE: Very casual. Clean. Low lighting. Not crowded at all (around 6:30pm on a weekday). FOOD: From reading the reviews this place is supposed to be one of the better ones so we decided to give it a try but I just wasn't too impressed.... 1. Veggie Sambusa - 2 small triangles which looked deep fried and filled with a lentil mixture. It came with hot sauce which was tangy and hot. I really liked the dish. 2. Veggie platter - sampling of each of the veggie dishes. My favorite was the cabbage and collard greens but both these tasted like something I've had before in American dishes. I'm a fan of ethnic and unique foods but the corn mixture, the 2 red dishes were just not appealing. The white mashed potato looking dish was good. 3. Inera - I actually like this bread and could eat it at home as a tortilla substitute with some veggies and beans or something like that. Nice and light. SERVICE: Very good, but we were also only 1 of 3 tables that night. Waitress was super nice. PRICES: Reasonable, but it was even better with a certificate from Creative Loafing - Bites ($30 gift certificate for $15). PARKING: Plenty free parking in the lot. CONCLUSION: I think I tried everything on the vegetarian menu since I had the veggie platter.... I'll give Ethiopian food another chance but maybe at a different place...

    (3)

  • Jane M.

    Flat out the best Ethiopian I have ever had. When you go to a place that serves something besides American food, it's always a good sign when the majority of the dinners are speaking the language of the country represented by the menu. I had this red lentil stew thing that was out of this world, and the steak tibs were fantastic. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly, and the prices were good too. All in all an excellent experience.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Situated in north Atlanta right next to a rival Ethiopian restaurant, customers reap the benefits of competition. Desta has competitive prices and good food. Appetizers are around $5 and main courses are around $11. The place does not have many tables inside the restaurant, but there is a large outdoor patio for outdoor seating. Inside, the restaurant is dimly lit for a jazzy atmosphere. The wall is painted with earthly colors and decorated with many foodie awards. Keeping its theme, the tables and chairs are of dark amber wood with a fine finishing. I was impressed with the fact that they were playing their music through KRK studio monitors giving diners crisp clean music to listen to. I ordered the sambusa & the kitfo (steak tartar). The sambusa was a bit too salty in my opinion. The meat had a smoky flavor to it which I enjoyed. It was also not too greasy which is always a plus with fried appetizers. The kitfo, which I got medium rare, was delightful. The meat melts in your mouth. The green onions complement the flavor of the meat nicely. The juice (not really a sauce) had a salty and tangy flavor. It was very light so its taste was subtle. The injera was not too sour which was my complaint at the last Ethiopian restaurant I dined at. The waiter was very attentive. He offered advice on dishes and was informative on portion sizes. Overall, a very fine restaurant.

    (5)

  • Maulik V.

    Although some may consider the seating space to be inadequate, the quality of food more than makes up for its flaws. The moment we stepped in, we were greeted by loud chatter emnating from a completely booked restaurant; instantly we knew, that this place would be quite a dining experience. Being a bunch of first-timer Ethopian food tasters, this place was definitely not a disappointment. Albeit, our server was unable to explain the ingredients that would go into making veggie sambusas and the veggie sampler, we did manage to ensure that our food conform to vegetarian standards. The bottle of almost full-bodied argentinian malbec turned out to be pair very well w/ the tangy and spicy food. The highlight of the cuisine, for us, were the injera. As a fellow yelper pointed out, wet towlette seems quite a befitting phrase to describe injera. Only after savouring it did we 'google' it up to find what injera comprises of ;) (which is quite an achievement because we normally google first, then eat) ;) Desta = Friendly wait staff, prompt service, and A-grade food And fellow yelpers, once again, come through for us ;)

    (4)

  • Megan H.

    So glad Scoutmob brought me here! Great food (we got the lamb tibs and veggie combo, which was a good amount for two -- also the injera was the best I've had and plentiful). Would definitely recommend this place and bring guests here. I'd like to go in cooler weather when sitting outside would be comfortable, as the patio area seems really nice. Also, our service was great. The waiter was kind and helpful and offered speedy service.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    I have been to two other Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta and had decided that I just didn't like this type of food. However, we had a groupon for this restaurant and gave it a try. What a difference! They had a nice deck, the service was very good, the menu helpful, and the food was wonderful. We had rib-eye with potatoes and lamb with greens--they were both delicious--. I will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Audrey M.

    This place was fantastic. I am veg and my friend is vegan, so we didn't try any meat or fish dishes, but everything we had was fantastic. My favorite was the collard greens, and really, who gets excited about collard greens?!? Also, the server was really sweet and let me try some home made house wine. Really great! Nothing like other wines I have tried. We will definitely go back.

    (4)

  • Claire M.

    Desta was my first Ethiopian experience, and I am forever a lover of this food! Our server was extremely helpful in explaining everything to us. My very favorite thing on their menu is the Vegetarian Platter. I love every little morsel on the plate. It includes lentils, potatoes, collards (favorite) and many more little salads. I love the spongy bread that you eat it all with as well. I would highly recommend Desta to Ethiopian beginners and connoisseurs alike. Make sure and try the vegetarian platter, either for an app (for a group) or entree, or at least get an order of the yummy garlic collard greens!

    (4)

  • Helen P.

    Based on other Yelpers' reviews, I gave this place a try. As a serious fan of Ethiopian food, I am pleasantly surprised by the number of Ethiopian restaurants in Atlana popping up. I hope this trend continues. The ambiance is coolly laid-back and elegant and the food, namely the kitfo with collards, is excellent. My mouth waters just thinking of that dish. My waitress was pleasantly surprised when I requested it raw and very pleased when she discovered that I ate the whole thing. The dish had the right amount of spice, which paired nicely with the smooth, rich honey wine. It is definitely worth the trip and a definite step up from this horrid Ethiopian restuarant in Buford Highway that I went years ago and whose name I can't remember because it was that bad.

    (4)

  • Mary M.

    went back again a week later and tried the lamb tibs. sooooo good, meaty and savory with just the slightest hint of gaminess. my friend is pregnant with twins and we've designated Desta as our post-prenatal appointment stop. she can't get enough of the fresh jalapanos scattered around the plate and the iron rich teff flour is super good for the babies. unfortunately, i don't have babies to blame my cravings on so i'll just blame it on being a fatass. yummmmmmmmmmm

    (4)

  • Sandra J.

    best ethiopian restaurant in georgia!!!

    (5)

  • mary F.

    3.5! Not QUITE as good as queen of sheeba, but not far behind. i had their veggie sampler and loved all but the two red seemingly tomato based sauces (they do not tell you what is included, which is a bummer). the potato and lentil portions were good, but the cabbage was easily the best (the chickpeas was a close second). my companion had a beef tibs...sandwhich? and it came on italian-like bread. it was too spicy for my taste but was enjoyed by him. i would go back, but my first choice is queen of sheeba.

    (3)

  • Sumier P.

    I went to this place after hearing a lot about it. I've been to the now defunct Meskerem which was average and had come to accept that the only decent Ethiopian food in Atl was going to be at Queen of Sheba, which is also pretty mediocre. Desta is hidden in a strip mall at Briarcliff and Clairmont, where there seem to be tons of Ethiopian places. Its a small little restaurant, but with pleasing interiors. I went with a group so I got to share and try a bunch of different items. What a great surprise this restaurant was! If you're accustomed to Ethiopian restaurants where you eat in the traditional family style with entrees served on a big piece of injera, then you will be disappointed. Desta is a bit more "modern" in the sense that everyone gets their own entree with unlimited Injera to share. I got the Chicken tibs which was delicious. I went with a bunch of vegetarians who absolutely loved their vegetarian platter, and I have to say, I couldn't get enough of their Shiro. The standout for me though, was the Fish tibs my friend ordered. It was yummy pieces of tilapia marinated in spices and sauteed with onion, garlic, tomatoes and pepper. The fish was fresh and tasty, but also had a bit of crispiness from the sauteeing. Absolutely delicious with the injera. Our server was very nice and friendly as well. This place easily replaces Queen of Sheba as my new fave Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Melissa P.

    This was our first taste of Ethiopian food...and we loved it! We weren't sure what everything was but our waiter, Sayid, was fantastic. He answered all of our questions and gave us wonderful suggestions to introduce out pallets to the seasonings. He offered silverware but we decided to try the whole experience as intended and passed. He was great! As per Sayid's suggestion, we tried an order of Sambusa. It's like a fried eggroll filled with either a lentil paste or seasoned ground beef. The order comes with 2 so we got one of each to sample both fillings. It comes with a tomato/chili dipping sauce that was so deliciously flavorful and a bit spicy. Both fillings were good but my favorite was the ground beef. We ordered Tibs from their signature entree section. You pick a protein, starch, and side. I ordered the ribeye tibs. It's cubed and sauteed with a blend of seasonings, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and olive oil. It's AMAZING. I chose Injera which is a sort of spongy, pliable, flat bread that comes rolled up. It's got a mild sour taste but compliments the meal perfectly. It is also used as a utensil. Tear a piece, and scoop up the food with it. I am used to this as I am Mexican/American. We eat these kinds of sautes with tortillas quiet regularly. Next time I will try the pita. I chose the potato stew as my side. It was delicious and flavorful but didn't recognize the seasonings. I think it was a tomato based sauce but I couldn't pinpoint the seasoning. It was good. My husband ordered the chicken tibs with potato. It's the same kind of sautee with tomato, onion, peppers, and blended seasonings. it was really good too. He also chose the Injera as his starch and gomen as his side. Gomen are steamed collard greens with seasonings. He ate his plate clean! We really enjoyed everything about our experience. The service, the price, and of course, the food. Definitely recommend!

    (5)

  • Britney D.

    I had been dying to try Desta for the longest. I was very familiar with the location and had seen in the past how crowded it always was but never had time to stop in while in the area. I finally had the opportunity to stop in and have dinner. It was everything that I thought it would be. When we arrived we were told it would be a 45 minute wait before being seated. We were called for our table in 15 minutes. It was very crowded and I see why. I hadn't eaten ethiopian food in years so I wasn't sure on how the flavor would be. I ordered lamb tibs, greens (can't remember what its called), potatoe stew, and rice. I really enjoyed everything except for the potatoe stew. I was not a fan of the flavor nor was my boyfriend. He ordered the salmon tibs and cabbage. He really enjoyed the salmon tibs but he said the cabbage was just okay. Even though I was not a fan of a couple of things I was stilled wowed with everything else which is why I am giving them 5 stars. Our server was awesome and helped with suggestions. Our food came out so fast it was crazy. I honestly think it came out in less than 5 minutes. We went on a friday night so parking was not the best, but we eventually found a spot. I am so happy that I finally went and I will definitely be going again.

    (5)

  • Venkata M.

    Came here with 5 friends, most of whom I was visiting after a long time. I was really looking forward to the food here as everything looked delicious on Yelp. We were seated quickly in one of the outdoor seating tables. The place was filled on a Sunday evening. Our waiter was prompt and attentive. Here's a few things to consider: - The Ethiopian beer (as with any other nationally branded beer) is absolutely mediocre. Nothing to taste here, try something else. - One entree can be easily shared between two/three people. I guess you already know that. - I tried a little bit of tilapia tibs and it was good. Vegetarian platter was good too. This is a decent place to satisfy your Ethiopian food cravings. Just make sure to have a reservation if you are coming over the weekend.

    (4)

  • Sallie L.

    This was a great place for my first time trying Ethiopian food. It's located in a strip mall type area so there's a lot with plenty of parking. There's a choice of sitting either outside or inside, and I opted for an indoor seat which had a wait time of about 15 minutes during dinner time on a Tuesday night. The waitress was very friendly with helpful suggestions and patiently explained what the various Ethiopian items on the menu were. I ended up getting the tibs signature entree in which you pick a meat, bread, and side. I tried the lamb, pita bread, injera (think sourdough spongey bread that comes rolled up), miser (lentils), and potato stew. All of the food was very good (and I don't even really like lamb that much) and pretty easy on your wallet. However, the food was also heavier imo, and it had a very distinct smell to it that lingered unpleasantly after dinner. Overall, Desta is really great for trying Ethiopian food but I would most likely not seek this place out again bc Ethiopian isn't really my cup of tea. I'm glad I tried it though!

    (4)

  • Karen T.

    Aside from a food truck in DC, this is one of the first times that we've had Ethiopian food. We tried the lamb tibs with injera and miser ($12.50) This was a great combination. I'm not normally a fan of lamb but this fish was tender and soft and didn't taste or smell like lamb. The miser is a spicy lentil dish and has a kick to it. We also tried the fish tibs with rice and gomen (collard greens) ($13). This was good too but we liked the lamb tibs better. The fish had a citrus flavor and the collard greens had a tangy taste to it. The injera bread is more unique and fun to eat compared to the rice. The restaurant has a fun, casual environment and the service is great. This is a good place for groups. If you share food, your entree comes in giant platters. The individual plates are pretty big - a bit much for one person but not enough for two people. We would definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Sara L.

    I've only had Ethiopian food once in D.C. and I was NOT a fan of injera (sour spongy bread). In fact, the experience completely turned me off of Ethiopian food...until now!! Desta gets 5 stars for changing my mind. My friend and I shared the meat lover's (we got chicken, fish, and ribeye) paired with injera naturally and it was DELICIOUS!!! The chicken was slightly dry but the fish was super flavourful and the ribeye was on point. It's really too bad I'm moving away from Atlanta soon. Wish I tried out this place earlier!

    (5)

  • Qiaoyi X.

    I've heard so many good things about Desta. Yesterday, I finally went there. First off, I like their menu. On the left side of the menu, there's a column for dictionary. No more Googling about weird words, and you get to learn some Ethiopian! The place is quite small and comfy, only fits 50 people to my estimate. No wonder there's a line sometimes even in a workday night. This is my first time for Ethiopian food, so I played it safe by ordering Tibs with ribeyes and injera, which is a customized entree. Ribeyes was tender and juicy, while injera was fluffy and sour(of course). The veggie I got was more of a pickled cabbage. It was too sour to my taste, but maybe others might like it. The service was attentive and prompt. Because this is my first time trying, and I don't have any other restaurant to compare, I have to put it four-star instead of five. Might change it later.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Desta was my first time trying Ethiopian food and it was phenomenal!!! It reminded me a lot of Indian food, in terms of the spices that were used, and even how you eat it with your hands. I was in a group of eight people and I think we spent around 100 bucks total, so definitely a great value. We ordered a few different meat trays and some trays of sides. Will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Claudia A.

    This place is awesome. The decor is a bit shabby but who cares. The Restroom is falling apart but I didn't come here for the potty either. Make sure you come early or get a reservation if you have a large party, they fill up quick. Also, don't be in a rush, they are on Ethiopian time and that takes a while (ordering and getting the tab). All meals come with the Injera (sour dough bread rolled like a tortilla and very spongy). If you've never had it, it's a treat. We got the Tibs. We got the meat lovers Tibs. Oh it was perfect. You have enough food to feed 3-4, no lie. All of them are amazing, well seasoned, moist meat and savory. We got the fish Tibs which was better than I ever thought. A nice crispy white fish, well seasoned, moist and very flavor full. We got the Lamb Tibs. Oh the lamb was perfect too. Not gamy, very moist, very good. I got the veggie platter. I always go back to it. It has all the lentil and cabbage sides that I love. Prices are reasonable $8-20 and portions are plentiful. You will be back because you will crave it for weeks on end if you don't return.

    (5)

  • A J.

    I went here for a sunday lunch after Meskerem (sp?) in the same plaza wasn't open at the time to use the scoutmob, it was a good experience. It was our first time having Ethipopian food, I had the veggie platter, she had the lamb tibs, it was very tasty. The decor is nice and the service was good as well.

    (4)

  • Ain H D.

    Dear Desta Staff, Thank you for filling my temple with delectable Ethiopian cuisine. The things you do with lentils should be hailed as nothing less than a miracle. An attempt to describe your masterful use of spices would be vain. Even I cannot gather the appropriate combination of words to communicate how incredible your food is. However, please improve your service to complement everything you do for my taste buds. My patience is in fierce competition. Thank you again, Ain

    (4)

  • Andrea A.

    What a unique breakfast experience! My first dining experience with Ethiopian food in Atlanta was a bad one. It wasn't Desta's fault but it was the reason I hesitated to try the cuisine again. My guy suggested that breakfast might be the perfect reintroduction and he was right. I accidentally ordered a lunch/dinner appetizer (Sambusa) and a breakfast dish (Fetira) due to my inexperience with the cuisine. I was really just randomly picking things based on their description. They were both excellent though. The Sambusa (two fried pastries stuffed with minced beef) reminded me of the samosas I've had before at Indian restaurants...crispy with a spicy kick. I loooove samosas so, needless to say, I polished off these babies in record time. The Fetira (flat bread and eggs, served with honey) was unfamiliar and familiar at the same time. The round flatbread was cut into triangles and stuffed with scrambled egg. It was as if they turned the flakiest part of a croissant into a pancake, sandwiched eggs between two pancakes and sweetly brushed them with honey. My guy ordered the Scrambled Eggs with Prime Ribeye Steak (with sautéed with onions, tomatoes, peppers and Ethiopian butter) and a side of injera. The dish looked like a southwest scramble without the cubed potatoes and it was tasty too. It was such a generous serving that he couldn't eat all of it. Throughout our meal, we had Julie mostly to ourselves since most of the other customers were having their meals outside on the patio. Our food came out of the kitchen quickly and she checked in on us to make sure we were enjoying everything. I didn't expect to have such a fantastic breakfast at Desta's and now I'm excited to return and try other dishes on their menu!

    (5)

  • Michelle T.

    I have had Ethiopian food before and I actually didn't want it again. But then I thought to myself, that wasn't exactly true. I just didn't want the injera. Injera is their bread, which is sponge like and is used to eat everything. But I came to Desta with an open mind since I have heard so many great things about it. Needless to say, I had an awesome dish that had no injera!!! I was able to order Lamb tips with rice and potato stew. Can. You. Say. Yummy!!!!! The lamb was juicy and seasoned! I love well cooked lamb! The potatoes and rice were the perfect compliment and the dish was awesome without the injera! And it wasn't a special request. The waiter was like, "No you don't have to order injera." *Enter fist bump with waiter here* I was very happy with my selection. Friends ordered the meat platter and it came with three options and the portions were huge to share between two people and still have plenty left over! The menu was easy to follow and even includes some definitions on the side so you know what you getting. There is a full bar so they make some specialty drinks, but I stuck with a classic Crown and Ginger and it was fine. Overall very good customer service and great food. There is plenty of parking and even a take out window in the back. So if you park in the back for your first visit, don't be nervous that is not the main way into Ethiopian food delight!

    (4)

  • Ha A.

    The meat lover was yummy yummyyy super yummyyy. I think thats all i wanna say. Oh and if the weather is nice, ask to sit outside at the patio :)

    (5)

  • Dawn L.

    So I'm writing this while I'm cradling my Ethiopian baby... That is to say, I am stuffed and chocked full of Desta's delicious food from lunch just now! I'd been ultra weary of trying Ethiopian, but my friend finally convinced me to come meet her here, and wow I was NOT expecting it to be so fresh and full of flavor! I ordered the Fish Tibs with Gomen (Collards) and Injera. The injera might look like tripe (so offputting that tripe :shudders:) but once you get past that, you have fresh made flatbread that resembles sourdough in flavor, it was simple and darned good. The fish by itself had some of the best flavors I'd ever had, it was seasoned and cooked to perfection! The fresh salsa it is served in really makes it pop! The collards were okay, they weren't bad, but not the best I'd had either. I will definitely be returning. (I even got a ribeye tib meal to go, shhhh)

    (5)

  • Asaf B.

    The Best Ethiopian cruising in ATL! there is no way I'm not stopping at Desta when I'm in Atlanta.. MUST Check it out!

    (5)

  • Chandana K.

    We have been to Desta yesterday with a group of friends. This is not my first visit to this place and it never disappoints me. We made a reservation at 7:30pm and later changed it to 8pm on a very short notice and they were happy to accommodate us. We requested to be seated in their 2nd floor dining area and they said its closed,so we settled down for a booth in the patio. The patio is nice and fun, but I would have preferred some spacing between the booths(the booths have common benches,we kept bumping into the people next to us). Their drinks menu is limited to few beers and regular spirits. I tried their sweet honey wine and there is nothing exceptional about it, except that it tastes more like honey water. We ordered lamb and fish tibs with Gomen(Sauteed collards), Injera(sour crepe) and Miser(red lentil stew). Gomen was perfectly seasoned and sauteed to the right level and the Miser has a good blend of berbere to bring the extra flavor to the lentils. The lamb tibs were delicious, juicy, succulent and cooked right between medium rare and medium.The fish tibs are usually their best tibs,but they were just okay this time. It didn't have the right crisp and lacked flavor. One thing I noticed is that their portion size went down from before. And I would expect a bit more food for the $$ we are spending per person. Overall it is a good experience, the service is good and the food was acceptable.

    (3)

  • Eddie R.

    So, first time ever eating Ethiopian food. The waitress was quite informative. She recommended the Tibs. I tried the chicken. She explained how it is typically eaten (with your hands and use bread to pick up the food) which I had to try. The bread is not your typical bread that you would see in the store. If I tell you to imagine soggy bread that is not wet, spongy look and texture, real floppy, doesn't really taste like anything)and looks like rubber, Could you imagine it? Well they serve the food on a hugh plate and you eat with you friends. My co worker requested no heat. Much to his surprise, his first bite of the salad was loaded with hot peppers. Ok for me, not so much for him. The whole experience was good. I recommend this place to everybody. Atmosphere, people, food and entertainment (music) was nice. I'll come back.

    (5)

  • Erika B.

    wow, just wow. I will preface by saying I have never had Ethiopian food before. but this was absolutely delicious!

    (5)

  • Kyra M.

    If you know me then you would understand that I don't like the idea of eating with your hands in a group setting. It screams, "GERM CITY!" However, I put that fear aside and decided to try Ethiopian food for the first time. I am so glad that I did too. I brought my sister with me on this epic journey on a rainy Thursday night. Needless to say, it was quite the turnout. They seated us upstairs and I think I actually liked it more because the bar is close and it seems more open than below. Tatiana is a wonderful server and very attentive to all requests. The injera is the most common Ethiopian bread. It's made from teff flour and is used to scoop the food up. Ours was quite cold, and I prefer a less spongey warm bread. We opted for the pita bread. Sister and I shared the meat platter. It was so delectable too. The fish tibs were my favorite. The lamb tibs are good as well. I was no longer worried about the germ issue as I licked my fingertips and tried not to cross contaminate my sister. The gomen (collards on crack) were a great side choice. The miser soup was delish. I finished with an espresso and was very satisfied to say the least.

    (4)

  • Alexander M.

    I had lunch with my daughter here today. I was sceptical because i like eating at home. But this was so well done, it was like eating a home cooked meal. My wife would kill me if she new I wrote this. I had the steak option. Well done but juicy how i like it. and the split pea side

    (5)

  • Christine U.

    I can't believe I've never written a review for this place. This is probably my favorite ethiopian restaurant (and I've been to a lot...it's easy when they're always in a cluster.) Compared to other places it feels a little more American-y because of the look and options on the menu. And it feels less like someone's kitchen/home than a lot of the other places. As far as bringing groups for a dinner out, it's definitely a better option because it's always bumpin on weekend nights. Those things are neither positive nor negative for me when it's just two people, but what is important is that their awaze is the bomb. Their food in general is awesome. My boyfriend and I normally split the kitfo (raw, it's the only way really.), awaze lamb tibs and the veggie platter (yes, we eat a lot.) I'm getting hungry just thinking about how good it is. But everything's good really. Just go. It's nice. It's delicious. Get the tej (can't go wrong with fermented honey right?) Love it so much I had my birthday dinner here! Ate everything. so good.

    (5)

  • Adam S.

    Maybe the best meal I have had in a long, long time! We got the meat lovers dinner and sweet Ethiopian white wine. The wine was delicious and our dinner was out of this world. We got the filet, lamb, and tilapia. Everything was perfectly seasoned and well prepared. We also got the side of lentil which was fantastic. Love this place, can't wait to go back!!

    (5)

  • Danny L.

    To start off, this is my 3rd time at Desta and the service and food have been consistently awesome! Also, they've remodeled the inside seating about two months ago to modernize the look. I will say as a "heads up" that if you go during a busy time(i.e. weekend nights), you could be sitting almost shoulder to shoulder to other parties, so hope you're not claustrophobic. The space inside is pretty small; and during winter weather like tonight, you probably wouldn't want to sit on their outdoor patio area. Parking is easy and free. They have their own private lot, so no worries there. For the food, we got the Meat Lovers(feeds 2), which consisted of 3 meats of your choosing(we got lamb, rib eye, and fish) and two sides. The sides are Gomen (collard greens finely chopped and served with chili and spices) and Ater(seasoned cabbage and carrots). You also get a choice of a carb. I usually get the Injera(an Ethiopian sourdough bread which has a very sponge-like texture. So if you don't like a sourdough/sponge mix, you may want to choose another option like rice or pita bread). Unfortunately, we came 1 1/2 hours before closing and they informed us that they were out of Injera for the night, so we got rice instead(bummer). The food is great! The spices/seasonings in the meats are powerful, aromatic, and will definitely have your palette doing cartwheels. I definitely recommend the fish, which is my current favorite there. They also throw in jalapenos which adds a nice kick. The vegetables are well seasoned, also. I've heard from others who've claimed that Desta isn't the most authentic Ethiopian food, but I say that great food is great food, and Desta definitely delivers on that. The reason why a 5/5 rating immediately came to mind is because the staff is AMAZING and have been incredibly nice and attentive during all 3 of my visits.

    (5)

  • Cindy T.

    My first Ethiopian restaurant experience and I was very impressed. Large group of us came in on a Sunday morning and were immediately seated in the large upstairs area. Service was prompt and very accommodating to answering all our many questions. I was immediately very impressed with how elegantly it was decorated compared to its very casual exterior. Good enough for a nice date night. The menu was initially overwhelming there are English translations in the corners. For drinks, I tried both of the honey wines and found them as sweet as a Moscato. For food, our table decided to share multiple plates of the veggie and meat platters. The meat platters came with 3 choices of meat, collard greens , and steamed cabbage. Our side of the table decided on fish, lamb and steak for our meats. It was DELICIOUS. I could not pick a favorite. Loved it all. Wished I had more of the veggie sides. The collard greens and cabbage were on point. We got the injera (Ethiopian sour bread) for our carb with the meal. I've had it before and I'm just not a fan. I found the texture to remind me of soggy sourdough bread. You can always ask for rice or pita bread instead. Overall, we had a great experience and left full. We ended up splitting the Meat Lover's platter between 3 people so it was definitely affordable.

    (4)

  • Thu M.

    Needed protein, so came here. Had the Ethiopian injiera tortilla thing, which soaked up the flavor of the meat well. Wasn't so hungry, but looks like the food could really fill you up, especially with the gray tortillas! Need to try more Ethiopian foods after this experience! Fun crowd here, everyone was enjoying their finger foods.

    (4)

  • Nicki K.

    One of my friends favorite cuisine is Ethiopian, so I've been wanting to try it for the longest time. I finally got a chance the other night meeting up with Christina K. for dinner since we've both wanted to try it. Briarcliff is the mecca for Ethiopian cuisine. There are many to choose from. The reason why I chose Desta is because of the great reviews here and a friend says it's her favorite Ethiopian restaurant. The restaurant is smaller than I expected judging from the outside. We wanted to try a variety of food so we chose the veggie and meat platter (3 meats). The waitress warned us it would be a lot of food but that'll be okay. We could take left overs home. For appetizers, we got the sambura lentils. It's the Ethiopian versions of eggrolls. It was so good. It's the perfect blend of yumminess, crispiness, and flavor. OMG, that sauce is off the chain. It's so spicy and good. I want more. I'm a chicken girl. I don't do beef or lamb. Okay, maybe lamb sometimes, depending on how it's cooked. Most of the time, I don't like it cause it taste like beef or too gamey. My choices for the meat platter were chicken, fish, and lamb. I wanted to see how the lamb would taste. Tortilla looking rolls came out. Later I found out, it's called injera. It had a spongey feeling. I figured it's to eat with our yummy meat and veggie platter. Our huuuuuuuuuge plateful of meat & veggie platter was brought out. It took over our whole table. We were quite impress with the presentation. I can tell you that I tried everything on there. I cannot tell you the names of the dishes. All I can say is that the lamb is good. The chicken, of course, is my favorite. The fish is yummy. The meats are just so tender and juicy, cooked to perfection. I'm so glad I got to experience Ethiopian food. So happy I came and cannot wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Gilman W.

    Amazing food with very friendly informative staff that explained everything to us. We got two vegetarian plates and wow what a perfect meal for three people. It was nice to have something that had a little of everything. Every single dish on the plate was amazing, really hard for me to pick out a favorite. I also got the fish sandwich even though I felt full and I'm glad I did. Best fish sandwich I've ever had. Tasted amazing and didn't have any kind of fish odor. I think we got there right before the rush so we got to sit right away. When we left it was starting to get packed so maybe calling ahead would be a god idea.

    (5)

  • Alvin W.

    I love this place. They have great food and good customer service and the have a great atmosphere. This place has a good location as well. A very nice place to go during lunch just call your order on ahead as the cook your order when you give it. Price wise is a little high but worth it.

    (5)

  • Priti J.

    After my review the management of desta actually contacted me and apologized for the bad experience we had. They also refunded our money. It's really nice of them. I appreciate the fact that they take criticism very well and try to improve. I am adding one more star because of them contacting me. I will definitely give desta another try.

    (4)

  • Jinsoon Y.

    Large venue and great for groups Go for the lamb and fish also the veggie plate Plenty of parking Price is decent. There are cheaper places but they compensate with atmosphere. Some friends of mine have complained about the service but my experience was good.

    (4)

  • Kaung S.

    I've been here 3 times now and I've had a good all around experience every time. All those times have been for dinner, and I usually get there after their initial dinner rush. It's nice they have longer hours so you can show up at 10:00pm and still not feel rushed. You can sit inside, or take the slightly more open outside patio area in warmer months. I honestly haven't paid too much attention to the decor, but just the look of it feels like a log cabin for some reason. But very open and airy. It does have a hip vibe, and always seems to have a decent gathering of customers. Food wise, I've gotten the meat tibs + 2 side tems most of the time. You can pick from a wide variety of meat dishes, served with various sides. Most meats are cooked with onions and peppers, and well seasoned with some spices. Lots of flavor, and the meat is savory and not overcooked. If you don't know what a certain side dish is, their menu has a glossary of terms on the side to help you out. I really like that feature! Some of the side dishes I can vouch for are the miser (stewed lentils), gomen (suateed collard greens), and ater (split peas). If you've never had it before, I would almost liken it to Indian food, except maybe less use of milk or butter. You will also receive their signature injera, which I could only describe as a spongey pancake roll that you use to "cup" your food (if you want to eat the traditional way with your hands... oh, and PLEASE wash your hands first. They have some extra sinks for that). Dessert wise, I've had their baklava. It's a very sweet and flaky pastry, and you can get it hot or cold depending on your mood. It's good, but I would suggest the Napoleon cake first. It too is flaky, but filled with a light cream, perfect amount of sweetness. Everything is just really balanced, and you got a nice sized portion too. And although I haven't had them, there's a few types of cheesecakes available too. If you're lucky enough to sit by the one seat that's right in front of the cake display, you'll get an upclose look before deciding on which one you want. I would also recommend you go with a few friends and try sharing a platter. Most recently got the 3 meat platter. It'll get you in the spirit of communal eating, as everyone takes a little bit of each dish and enjoy a good chat with one another. It's a different experience than most restaurants you'd go to where everyone has an individual order. Service wise, I've never had any complaints and the servers are glad to answer questions or make suggestions. I think pretty much everyone who works there is Ethiopian too, so they have a good idea on this stuff is supposed to be. If you want something a little out of the ordinary, that is full of flavor, definitely check out Desta! I'd like to try some other Ethiopian places in the future for comparisons sake, but the bar has been set for the others to match.

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    I've only had Ethiopian 3 times, twice here and Meskerem next door. I definitely prefer Desta. The atmosphere is awesome, we sat outside yesterday. It was covered and "beachy" it started raining and you could hear it tinkling on the roof and we were next to a big tree growing in the middle of the patio. Service was EXTREMELY slow, however the food was amazing. Brought two of my friends who had never tried Ethiopian and they are now hooked! We decided we can't come for lunch because of slow service but we could make it a dinner spot.

    (4)

  • Tuong Vi P.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is entirely worthy of its high rating and I'm just here to add fuel to the fire that's been roaring for 426 reviews before I came along. Great service. I won't get into it, because there is an abundance of reviews here. I have only gotten tibs, since I have visited twice so far. I'm not a seafood or lamb fan (yes, crucify me now, for the millionth time) but I eat mostly everything else, so I have tried the ground beef, filet mignon, ribeye, and chicken tibs. I've had tablemates get the fish and lamb and rave about them too, so it appears that you just can't go wrong. Everything is exquisitely spiced and you can tell just as soon as you enter the premises. The aromas permeate the air and get your appetite going if you weren't too hungry coming in. Injera is interesting and after having it one time before, yesterday, I thorough enjoyed the spongy texture and sour flavor, as they complement the spices of the meats and sides so well. I have tried house salad, gomen (braised collard greens), miser (stewed lentils), rice, and tomato fitfit (ripped pieces of injera in spicy tomato sauce, served cold). I can't wait to try other sides. For now, I am excited to get through the tibs section but once I've had my fill, I will give in to the other areas of the menu that keep beckoning. Oh, on top of delicious food, the portions are not for the faint of heart. I ate quite a bit for lunch and took home the rest. Because I was still pretty satiated from lunch, I only ate a half of that and as I write this review at 9:47 a.m., I am digesting the rest that I had for breakfast. What a way to start the day!

    (5)

  • Ed S.

    Other Yelpers before me got this right. Super place! Had the Kitfo Dare-Devil (raw) and it was phenomenal. Coupled with an Ethiopian Amber beer - and injera of course - it is a place worth seeking out...!

    (5)

  • Mo L.

    Everytime I come to Atlanta, I make Desta a priority. Delicious food, superb atmosphere and a guaranteed amazing experience. If you're going with a group I recommend getting the meat combination platter (enough to feed 2-4) and adding the goden tibs. You never leave disappointed, and that's a Mo L. guarantee!!!

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    Found this place through other elite yelpers. Turns out this place to be next to Himalayan Spices ( another decent restaurant) . We came here with a group of 5 and we decided to share everything. A few of us have never ate Ethopian food and a few have done that. Food: We ordered the meat lover platter and a few sides. Sambusas and the rare beef tortilla style. Overall, it was enough to feed 3 of us and share it across 2 other additional people. We had the chicken, lamb and the steak. The quality of the food was great. Fresh wraps for the food and came out in a rapid manner. 4/5 Service: They sat us down right away, but it took a while for our waiter to get our order. However, the details of the service was great. They refilled the water, brought out napkins, and new plates. 4/5 Atmosphere: it looks this was in a two story house, which seemed to be converted in a restaurant. The place decoration seems to dates back to 1900s. It was very nicely decorated. However, the spacing between tables weren't big enough if you had multiple people getting up to go to the bathroom and you encounter a waitress in between the walking way. Parking lot was kind small because it was shared between 3-4 restaurants. So it was very limited. 3.5/5 Overall - I definetely would come back again to try the vegan options. this place even serves Breakfast!

    (4)

  • Kristin B.

    How have I never had Ethiopian food before?! This corner is an Ethiopian food corner, with at least four other spots within walking distance. However, now that I've tried Desta, it will be incredibly difficult to try any of the others, because it is so good. We were seated on the patio and took advantage of the hand-washing stations before we tour off hunks of injera (a sponge-y sourdough-y flat bread) and dug into our vegetarian platter (a sampling of eight of their veggie sides and salads) and an order of the lamb tibs (lamb bits cooked in a savory/spicy spice blend with big chunks of rosemary and jalapeno). Everything was delicious - flavorful, unique, and fresh. Even better, it was a phenomenal food value, with each meal only costing around $12. Though we took leftovers from our entrees home, we still saved room for dessert. And saving room is a necessity, because even their cheapest dessert, the baklava at just $2 is a huge wedge at least twice the size you might find at your typical Mediterranean bakery. Topped off with a cup of incredibly rich Ethiopian coffee, it was a meal to remember. It might have taken me too long to make it out to Desta, but I won't stay away now that I know what I was missing.

    (5)

  • Christina T.

    I'm new to Ethiopian cuisine, but thoroughly impressed. Most of the time I don't know what to expect when I order a dish, but I don't really care because every dish is infused with so many spices and flavor that it turns out awesome. My boyfriend isn't a fan of injera ( the squishy bread with holes in it), but I love using my hands/ injera to scoop up all that food. I usually use my hands like a barbarian to eat anyways - at Desta I don't need an excuse to. I can tell that the staff here are happy that people are trying (and enjoying) Ethiopian food. The waitresses/waiters patient and helpful in explaining what a dish is. Awesome food!

    (5)

  • Caylie C.

    My favorite place ever! I probably eat here at least once a week. The food is so good, the miser is my all time favorite. I've never left disappointed!

    (5)

  • Joyous S.

    I absolutely love this place! It is the best Ethiopian food Atlanta by far. I always like to get the fish tibs with shiro! You can always get the meat lovers as well and sample the meats of your choice! The lamb and chicken is great too!

    (4)

  • Clara C.

    Ethopian food is my new Indian food. I just love flavorful meat swimming in sauce and satisfying my primal instinct to just dig into delicious food with my bare hands/injera. That being said, probably not the best first date spot. I've had the chicken tibs here which I got spiced up and it was HOT, but so so good. Definitely get injera with the tibs. I also tried the short rib tibs which I did not care for. It was dry (not swimming in sauce like I like), which wasn't what I was expecting at all. The tibs are a pretty generous portion so you could get away with sharing an appetizer and tibs.

    (5)

  • Daniel T.

    We had DESTA to cater for a special occasion and we could not ask for anything better. Thank you Titi for making it so special . For anybody thinking an Ethiopian catering Desta will make your event super special.

    (5)

  • Mellie B.

    Meh. I went here with my mother because we love Ethiopian food and read and heard good things about it. While it certainly wasn't the worst place I've ever eaten, it is probably the worst Ethiopian food I've had. There were some good points. It was clean and the staff is friendly, but sadly that's the best of it. The space is dark and cramped. We ordered a tiny appetizer, one mixed platter to share and a salad. Even after getting rid of the appetizer plate the table was so small I thought something was going to fall off any second. If we had each ordered an entrée I don't think it would have been feasible to eat at the same table. Most of the food was lackluster, but there were a couple items that were actually inedible. The bean paste condiment tasted like some sort of cleaning agent and the cooked greens were gritty, which is a major no no in my book. I live for a good plate of tomato fit-fit, but theirs was just so so. We tried a lot of things, but sadly didn't find anything worth going back for.

    (3)

  • Lawrence C.

    The reviews are accurate. This is a find. Quality food, friendly service, and great prices demand a visit for anyone. If you are unfamiliar with Ethiopian food, as I was, think indian, but perhaps a little coarser. The presentations are colorful, and ample. Extra ordering of food and wines/beer, totaled $60/couple. Excellent value. I thinks it's impossible to get any meat dishes prepared any way other than well-done, which makes the meat tougher. This was tru for the lamb and ribeye that was ordered last night. However, everything was very flavorful, and a few items were hot/spicy. Small dining room, but active patio dining. Good selection of beers, and desserts. Bottom line, I would return.

    (4)

  • Janet B.

    Love Desta! Had read the reviews for some time and it was a definite on my bucket list. I essentially had to drag my boyfriend there (he had a bad experience with Ethiopian food and vowed he hated it). Total score. Ordered lamb, ribeye and fish tibs. I believe it was Meat Lovers Platter..totally the way to go here! Chose to go with the awaze with the lamb, great spice but not over the top.Fantastic. Savory, fantastic spice, and tender. Both he and I loved it. I officially converted him! Very chill atmosphere. We opted for patio, which was quite pleasant. Great midweek dinner night out. Cheap eats, great food. If you want Ethiopian food in Atlanta, this is a go to.

    (4)

  • Ruth J.

    This was our first time here. We were headed to another restaurant, but the crowd at this spot pulled us in..and we will be back. We had the fish tubs along with the veggie combo plate and it was very good. Excellent favors, good portion size, but a tab too spicy. Service was decent. Our meals were $12 each. Good value.

    (4)

  • Whitlee H.

    I been to this place twice and I love the food. It's encouraged to eat with your hands here too. It's clean and nice inside. It's a great place for a date. They have a outside patio for seating as well. The service is fast and they are friendly as well. The menu has translations on the side and things are explained. Parking is easy and free. Reservations are recommended because it can get crowded.

    (4)

  • Ryan F.

    Desta is easily one of my favorite restaurants in the Atlanta area. The food is utterly satisfying. Flavors are subtle but completely pop with each mouthful of tib-laden injera I cram in. The servers are always super-friendly even during their crowded peek hours. Typically we (party of 2) just make an order of fish tibs and ribeye tibs and call it a night. The ribeye has that caramelized fatty, unctuous beef flavor while the fish remains a bit leaner but a crunchy textural delight. Add in a side of the lentils and potato stew and I'm spent. The use of spices couldn't be any more perfect - all food should be seasoned/spiced this well. You get just the slightest creeping heat from the jalapeño and berber, savory notes from garlic and spice, along with tang of tomato and citrus. Top off a piece of slightly sour, yeasty injera and you've got a bite fit for kings. The injera is perfect, the tibs sublime and the atmosphere is celebratory and often crowded without being flat-out annoying. During warm weather they also have a great patio. Lastly, they're open late night (kicking myself for not going there) and a drive through. I've tried the competition and it doesn't come close.

    (5)

  • H R.

    I was not a huge fan of the one other Ethiopian restaurant I tried. Willing to give the cuisine another shot. Desta was much better than the other restaurant I tried. We sat outdoors on the patio. The flavors were good. I had the Godon. It was a little fatty but still tasty. I can't speak to authenticity but it was full of Ethiopian people. Good sign when people of a particular background are eating in that establishment.

    (4)

  • Heather N.

    I've been here about a half dozen times and always sit on the deck, but they don't heat it in winter, so were forced to sit at a fairly awkward table in the dining room. Noticed servers entering a hallway throughout our meal, turns out that they have a swanky lounge *upstairs*! Will try that next time, and hopefully they have different music up there, because the smooth jazz they were featuring downstairs was painful. Cheers~

    (4)

  • David W.

    Desta seems to the the place we end up at for Ethiopian. Tried some other places but this place takes the cake (or pi - given the date today). The staff is always, always helpful and very generous with their time. They will explain every little thing on the menu to you and even talk about their culture and background. The food is so unbelievably tasty, all I can say is you must try it yourself. I always get the veggie plate so I can taste a bit of everything possible. The meat is good too but I like the variety of items on the veggie plate.

    (5)

  • Claudia G.

    WOW, WOW, WOW. This place serves the most flavorful Ethiopian I've ever tasted! Their miser wot is INCREDIBLE and I strongly recommend getting their dishes with the Awaze sauce. Definitely not for the faint of heart when it comes to spicy-hot food, though. The heat was persistent enough to put my boyfriend almost under the table, sweaty eyes, forehead and everything - but the dish was too good not to finish. The menu is a bit...complicated though. It takes time to reference their little glossary. A lot of vegetarian options but not fully sure how vegan the place is as butter may be hidden in some of the dishes. For a group of 4 adults and 1 kid we didn't even come close to breaking $70. Excellent pricing for excellent food.

    (5)

  • S R.

    Last night we visited this place we couple of friends of mine. When we reached their place was pretty packed, we got table upstairs. Recently they have renovated this place. Ambiance was good. Though people are loud over there. If you want your dinner place to be quite, surly you will not like this place. Top to bottom everything is authentic about this place, be in beer, be in wine, be it food. And that is the sole reason why you will find loads of ethnic people in this restaurant. Now coming to the food, we ordered the meat platter (comes with 3 types of meat of your choice) and vegetable platter. We ordered 2 portions of Lamb and 1 portion of chicken. These dishes come with unlimited serving of Ethiopian bread which is known as Injera. Both these dishes are of sharing type, so you order a plate and share with your friends. The vegetable platter consists of 7-8 types of vegetable dishes like cabbage, spinach, lentil etc. Portions are pretty big. We found that the curry for the Lamb and chicken tasted the same, but meats were cooked to perfection. Food was very very good, and chefs can cook it as par your spice tolerance (we requested spicy). Surly I am going back to this place soon.

    (4)

  • Rusty W.

    This is our third time at Desta and it does not disappoint! Having lived in Ethiopia for a couple of years, we often miss authentic injera ba wat. This is as good as it gets. The service is outstanding.

    (5)

  • Jake M.

    Absolutely my go-to. I moved to the area having never tried Ethiopian food before, and went out on a limb. First visit, the servers were very friendly in explaining the different food, and Ive liked everything Ive tried since then. This is now the restaurant that I take friend to, get a to go order, and hangout at late night. Great patio during good weather too

    (5)

  • Christine R.

    Four of us ventured to Desta on a Saturday evening recently, and were bowled over by the wonderful food! Two of us are vegetarian, and had the veggie platter: a sampler platter of four warm and four cold dishes plus a jalapeño laden romaine salad. Everything was delicious, some spicier than others. Lots of jalapeños used here, so if you aren't into to a bit of heat speak up so they can tone it down for you. I wanted to try the veggie firfir, because it looked delicious and will do so next time. The carnivores at the table enjoyed the tilapia tibs and a lamb something (can't remember the name).all was happily eaten without complaint. Everything at Desta is amazing and worth the wait, and we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • Tom N.

    The food here is quite tasty. Let me rewind a little bit though. The first time we tried the place, we got sick to our stomach. We ordered some Tibs with chicken and the KiTFO. Do not eat the KITFO. It will make you sick to your stomach if you're not used to eating it. My fiancee didn't want to go back because of it, but I wanted to give Desta one more try because our waiter gaves us great service. I came back and was served by the same waiter again. I ordered the ribs this time around, and I also let him know about my first experience and why my fiancee didn't come back. He got approval from the manager, and I ended up getting my meal on the house along with some dessert. Because of the kind gesture, I have been back twice, and I plan on coming back many more times.

    (4)

  • Sara M.

    This was my first foray into Ethiopian cuisine. My SO and I had been wanting to try it and finally got the chance recently. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. The food, service, and atmosphere were all great. Inside, the restaurant is small and dimly lit, lending an intimate and cozy feel. They do have outdoor seating, but we came in late December. The patio looks nice, though. The foooood. YUM. We both got the ribeye tibs with gomen (collard greens) and injera bread, which is also your eating utensil for this meal (you tear off a piece and use it to scoop up food). Okay, the bread. It's flat, spongy, and feels cold and clammy. Not gonna lie, it weirded me out, but I sucked it up and carried on. It tastes okay on its own, but really complements the meat and greens. Just be advised that it's something different. If you're absolutely not feeling it, you can substitute French bread. The meat was SO good. Very well-seasoned and not spicy except by request. My SO ordered his spicy and I did sample it. Definitely has a kick to it. I don't remember which beers we had, but they were pretty good. We split a cream puff for dessert and had coffee. Neither was out of this world, but I enjoyed them. I'd skip them next time, though. Our server was very pleasant. When our food came out, he did ask if we wanted utensils, which was a nice offer. I'd definitely recommend this place. Ethiopian food is different from what I'm used to, and I found that that is a good thing!

    (4)

  • Kelsey S.

    This was my first experience eating Ethiopian and I was not disappointed. Though busy, they were quick to seat and very attentive. I got the lamb tibs on shori with injera and a red lentil stew. The food came out fast and it was fragrant, savory, and delicious. I couldn't stop eating even after I felt full. I also ordered Ethiopian beer (for novelty), and mango juice. The juice was very fresh and I imagined it would be a perfect refreshing beverage for a hot summer day.

    (5)

  • Min Y.

    Deliciousness. I love Ethiopian food and this does not disappoint. Prices are not exorbitant... but portions aren't as big. That was a pretty big disappointment. The waitresses are very helpful, and helped us avoid picking the raw beef dish by accident. She warned, "It's not for first time eaters". Food was not really spicy at all, even though I enjoy that in Ethiopian food. Crowd was very mixed between college students and people on dates as well as older couples. Place was crowded on a friday night, but not ass-to-elbows. I heard there was a Scoutmob for this place. That would have made this a steal. Right now, the price and smaller quantity prevent me from giving this place 4 stars.

    (3)

  • Saba E.

    Oh how I have missed you, genuine Ethiopian cuisine! Thank you for coming back to me! I have not enjoyed Ethiopian food since my then boyfriend and now husband (he was promoted) lived in New York. We thought our days of having such happiness in teff bread and vegetarian platters were over, but today we met Desta! We truly enjoyed the warm welcome, the service, the vegetarian platter, the fish and the heart warming cinnamon and clove black tea. Thank you, Desta, you have made a visit to the parents more than enjoyable :). Please relocate to Houston.

    (5)

  • Za S.

    Brought my boo here for his birthday, because he told me that people always ask if he's from Ethiopia and interestingly enough when we walked in I felt like I was at his family reunion. Anywho, it's a small, but cute spot with reggae music playing in the background. The server asked if it was our first time and made a few helpful suggestions after asking what we were in the mood for. I kept peeping at other peoples food, because it all smelled SO GOOD! I ordered the fish tibs and he ordered beef tibs and rice, we shared the injera. The serving size was more than enough, because I was able to take home a mini meal. I told the server that I brought my bf here for his birthday and she surprised him with the most delicious piece of cheesecake on the house! All in all, delicious/flavorful food, beautiful/nice people, and a relaxed atmosphere. My bf has a picky palate and he loved it! Would highly recommend it if you're looking to try something new. Oh ,and if you go on the weekend set a reservation...I did and was seated immediately. We'll be back!

    (5)

  • Haynus S.

    pretty good Ethiopian food. I say "pretty good," because I've had the best Ethiopian on the East Coast, which is in Adams Morgan in Washington, DC. Regardless, the food was good, portions were nicely sized, prices were quite reasonable, and service was prompt and friendly! On a Monday night, the place was hopping, so I suspect on the weekends it's very busy! You'll probably want to make a reservation if you come on the weekend. I would've given four stars, but I deducted one, because they give you a fork. _Not_ authentic!

    (3)

  • Asma A.

    This was the first Ethiopian place I have been to, and I think it was fairly unique. I guess, its not my kind of cuisine, or maybe after eating here, it did not make me a fan of Ethiopian food, but it was a nice and simple restaurant. You get to eat with your hands, which i love doing... so that was fine with me! Overall, the food was not that great that I would want to come back again. Service was good, the restaurant was a bit small and the tables were very close together.

    (3)

  • Yours T.

    Love the fish Tibs and red lentils! Deelish! You can not go wrong... Very friendly environment. Believe the rants and Ravs as the food is really good! Best spot for Ethiopian foods. Cozy, local atmosphere where jeans are ok! The start are very friendly and will make you feel at home.

    (5)

  • rohit s.

    The best Ethopian food I have eaten period. Have tried quite a few in NYC, TX , WA and I can tell you this is the absolute best. Go savor the taste..you will so relish the food and glad you discovered this restaurant..

    (5)

  • Brianna L.

    Yummy and filling without leaving a heaviness in your tummy. My suggestions: Lamb tibs + potatoes (with injera) Miser (not pronounced "my-sir", lol. more like me-sar) Side salad (comes with) Fish That's about enough for two moderate appetites, with a lunch-sized portion left over. You eat the meal with your hands, using pieces of injera. Total was 32, tip included.

    (5)

  • Y P.

    Been coming here for several years and their food is always on point. I've tried other Ethiopian restaurants in and outside of Atlanta, but none come close to Desta. It gets pretty crowded during the dinner rush, especially on Fridays and Saturdays- wait can be up to an hour. So make reservations in advance. Or just wait. Definitely worth it.

    (5)

  • Beverly S.

    Perfect amount of spice that helped make the fish and pasta sooo palatable!!!!

    (5)

  • Vivekananda C.

    Great good and wonderful service. One of the best restaurant in Atlanta. Tried chicken fir fir and chicken tibbs; both are exceptionally good. I am not wine lover but tried Tej (honey wine) here and it was phenomenal. Give it a try and you wouldnt regret.

    (5)

  • Micah H.

    The parking lot is a little sketchy, but the restaurant is very nice. The food was delicious! I had lamb tibbs, and it was the tenderest meat that I have eaten in my entire life! The servers were polite and fast.

    (5)

  • Jackie H.

    Good grief! Yet another place that I'm gonna have to add to my ever growing lists of places I must eat at two or three times a month. This was my first go at Ethiopian food and I am hooked. I practically licked my plate. Shame! As my fellow Yelpers suggested, I ordered a tibs entree. I got the Ribeye tibbs with pita bread and a side of cabbage. My gosh it was excellent. My mouth was overjoyed. I tried the injera and I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either. I went with the pita bread. The ribeye chunks were seasoned so well and juicy and I'll tell you right now that plate was in danger of being licked. I loved the onions, peppers, and tomato. I was able to taste the lamb tibs also and I thought it was great too. Really, one is supposed to eat with their hands, and as I glanced around, that is the norm here. I opted for the fork that was brought with our food without our request. I guess the waitress knew that my companion and I were newbies. Anyway, the next time I will be getting the short rib tibs which are brought out in a sizzling iron skillet and dumped onto your plate. I want it. Bad. Service was good, but the food really was something special. Like I said, I'm hooked and I can't wait until I can get back to this place.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Very cool experience. I am no Ethiopian cuisine expert (actually I am 100% beginner) so this was great. Desta has a very authentic and upbeat vibe. I had the Fish Tips w/ Rice, Misera, and we split a side of Injera. Injera was delicious dunked in the misera (red sauce side item) and I honestly formed fish tacos out of it because why not. I probably wouldn't eat the Injera in non-fish-taco-form because it's a tad sour. Good stuff! We will be back :)

    (4)

  • Mirella S.

    Great food, Great service! First time having Ethiopian food and I was thoroughly impressed!! Yum!!

    (5)

  • Hector A.

    Amazing food. Great patio. Great music, great vibe. The Menu is so well design and easy to understand. Great place for a quick sandwich as well as for a formal dinner with friends.

    (5)

  • Rachel K.

    Update: Ever since moving away from Atlanta, I've been craving/missing Desta's! Randomly in Vegas, I noticed our blackjack dealer's nametag indicated that she was from Ethiopia. Almost immediately after striking up a conversation about my time in Georgia (I was traveling with a bunch of native Georgians and she happened to stay there at some part in her life as well), Desta naturally came up. She agreed with me that it was a great place for Ethiopian food! I begged her to tell me where a good place to go for Ethiopian food in L.A. and she said Merkato. If it's comparable to Destas, I'll be a very happy camper

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    This is a very, very late review as my original dinner was back in December in 2014. I was treated a wonderful, delicious birthday dinner by fellow yelper Nicki and we both decided on something we haven't tried before - Ethiopian food @ Desta. This being our first time and I had no idea what to expect other coincidentally catching an episode of the Simpsons where Marge tries Ethopian food. Desta is kinda hard to get to because of the traffic on Clairmont, but its so worth it. Parking is a bit hard because there are little to no lights in the parking lot so rely on your GPS! The restaurant is small and just about every inch of usable space is taken up. We found out later that the restaurant is actually 2 story, but we were seated and squished into a small corner. At every table there is a bottle of hand sanitizer, which is recommended since Ethopian food is usually eaten with your hands. The menu is extensive, and there are descriptions but I had to keep flipping the menu over to find out what each sauce was. It would have been easier to navigate the menu if the common spices/sauces were listed in alphabetical order. We decided on the meat and veggie plate, with the meat consisting of lamb, fish and chicken with an order of the lentil sambusa, I thought these would be more like the triangle shaped ones, but they look like eggrolls and were so tasty. They definitely set my palate on the right path! The vegetable and meat platter was served on one huge rectangle plate. It literally took up the entire table and was more than enough food for 2 people. I think 3-4 people could eat this. The lamb was cooked so well and was yet tender without any gaminess. Along with the meal, you are given a plate of rolled up spongey bread called injera. Tear off pieces and use that to grab some sauce and meat, but be careful because they will fill you up quickly. if you are new to Ethopian food, I would recommend doing a platter opposed to ordering a plate since you will get more variety and figure out what you like, even though some caught my eye. The atmosphere was pretty good in that it was pretty dim and noisy, but you could still have your own private conversation. We had plenty of left overs, and I managed to bring them back to SO who chowed down it. Even though it was cold and not very well packed/presented, he liked it enough to suggest that we go back and get a hot meal soon.

    (5)

  • Chamberlaine B.

    Whether you are an injera expert or totally new to Ethiopian food, Desta is a fantastic place to get your fix! I was a novice to the Ethiopian experience, expecting silverware and pita-like bread (oh, what a silly Westerner), but our adorable waitress happily walked me through the menu, gave recommendations and then even explained how to eat the food. As a table we enjoyed: -Steak "Tips"- steak pieces cooked in tomato, onion, and spices. Rich, flavorful, and a large portion. - Lamb "Tips"- See above... but with lamb. - The Vegetarian Platter- I won't even pretend to know what all of the colorful mounds of food were on this dish, but needless to say, it could've fed an army. - Injera bread- a spongy, porous, almost crepe-like bread that comes rolled up in bundles (DO NOT MISTAKE THESE AS TOWELS TO WIPE YOUR HANDS- not that I tried that or anything, psh)- I did not enjoy this very much, but it is part of the experience. -Miser- a spicy chickpea stew. Absolutely delicious! My favorite part of the meal. - Gomen- traditional cooked greens. - Mango Juice- compliments the food here, splendidly. -Hot Spiced Tea- Water steeped over night with spices and served with classic black tea. And, after sitting in the restaurant a while, I got a peek at other dishes as the waitress brought them out, and I certainly cannot wait to return to further explore the menu.

    (4)

  • Juliana P.

    Went to Desta last night for dinner. I was a little confused at first where to go to be seated since no one was manning the hostess stand. I was seated outside--they have a great patio seating area! Weather permitting, I definitely suggest it. I ordered the honey wine and the lamb entree. Unfortunately, my food came out 5 minutes before my drink. I appreciate the quick and attentive service, but I had to explain to two waitresses that I was waiting on my drink when they saw me just sittin there. The honey wine was reallllllly sweet, so just be prepared. The lamb was really flavorful, but with all the rosemary, it reminded me more of Easter dinner than other Ethiopian places I've been. Injera was as expected. The lamb had some gristly pieces in it which was not a welcome surprise. I had the side salad with it that brought some nice acidity. Kudos to the manager who I saw walking around and checking in with patrons. Price is right and parking was ample!

    (4)

  • Dave M.

    The food was interesting. It wasn't too different from a typical fish dish you would get at an Asian or Mexican or even American place. It was their fermented bread (forgot the name) that was unique. It was soft and spongy and went well with the sauce from the food. Some of the other dishes from the surrounding tables looked better. The service was kind of lacking. I can't blame them. It's a different culture in the restaurant so I don't think they were unintentional about not greeting or looking angry at times. They were still helpful. Overall, I would recommend a try. Personally I don't think I'll run to it but it was interesting.

    (4)

  • Cassandra M.

    A fellow Yelper, whom I have never met, wrote me and recommended this place. That was a few months ago and I am just getting around to trying it. I wish I would have taken his advice sooner. I loved my lunch here. I visited with a coworker who also had never tried Ethiopian cuisine. We had the meat lovers trio; chicken, lamb, and filet mignon. It came with gomen (collard greens), and cabbage. We also got the injera and the rice. I would have given this place 5 stars but the injera was straight out of a refrigerator. Who wants cold bread with a hot meal? But the service was excellent, the food was delicious and we both had a wonderful time. If you like your food spicy, ask for the sauces to put on your food. Also, if you get the rice, see if they can give you an extra bowl. You'll want it.

    (4)

  • Sey D.

    A great spot for brunch. The coffee is great, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe and strong and you can't go wrong with the choices. Some of the dishes are rather large, if it is your first time, pick one of the Tibs (seasoned meat, Gomen, pita or injera. The staff are responsive although the place can get busy on some Sundays. Worth a try, once or more.

    (4)

  • Tara H.

    Get the Lamb Tibs over shiro with injera, maser as your side and thank me later SO GOOD

    (5)

  • Jess P.

    First time trying Ethiopian food and I have to say that I'm glad I did it here...however, it is not on my list of favorite cuisines. It was just ok. I am NOT a fan of the bread; the texture kind of freaks me out and it has a bran-like taste. I wonder how it's actually made? We ordered the lamb and the fish and some sides and they brought it out on a huge epic platter. The fish was very tasty, the lamb decent and I liked the jalapeno accompaniment. I liked the potato side; it reminded me of Indian spicy potatoes, but the lentil side was a bit...sweet and mushy. The collard green-like scoop was good. All in all, too expensive for what you get and not really worth it. I probably wouldn't eat it again, as I didn't love it. Also, the service kinda sucked. :/ I didn't get my beer I ordered until asking for it 35 min later and they rarely refilled our water.

    (2)

  • Lola O.

    Desta never disappoints. I shared a meat lover and veggie platter with my friends and it was amazing. Hands down it is the best Ethiopian restaurant in town.

    (5)

  • Carolina M.

    When most people talk about Ethiopian food here, 9 times out of 10, it's about Desta. I've always felt hesitant about going because people talk about sour bread (injera) and eating with your hands. To be honest, the thoughts of sour bread turned me off. I finally gave this a try because someone, who's taste I trust, said this was one of her favorite restaurants. Everything was surprisingly good. I think I actually felt there were more parallels to Chinese food than I thought. We ordered sambusas with meat. I'd liken these to eggrolls but with more flavor and a spicy sauce. Not bad. For my main, I ordered the ribeye tibs with pita bread. My friend doesn't even get the injera, so I was still too hesitant to give the sour bread a try. The pita was normal, but it went well with the entree. I can't think of any other way to describe it but like mongolian beef but with more flavor. There seem to be a lot of spices going on, so it definitely keeps you eating more. Service was super-friendly. They're happy to help you pick out something if you've never been before. I'm still not entirely sure about this place. Maybe, just maybe, Ethiopian food isn't my thing. I really wanted to like this place more, but to me, it was kinda meh.

    (3)

  • Gregory B.

    Love Destaaaa! We had the chicken with shiro, lamb with awaze, and gomen, ater, and miser as sides. Also had the sambusa as an appetizer which was awesome by the way. We come here about once every 2 weeks and we live in Alpharetta.

    (5)

  • Jayda T.

    Delicious & perfect. Injera always fresh & hot, meats always juicy & flavorful-no complaints. You HAVE to try their BREAKFAST! I don't even know what it's called-but one plate has eggs, sausage, & some kind of buttery , doughy, stuffed pancake thing.. Never had anything like it! Perfect! Love this place. Coffee is amazing too

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    This place is very tasty! I have no knowledge of Ethiopian cuisine, so I am simply rating it based upon general deliciousness. The staff was very friendly and eager to give suggestions on what to order - and how to eat with your hands! This would be a great option for both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. We got the veggie platter and the lamb tibs, and it was all very delicious. I am eager to go back.

    (4)

  • Zach T.

    Mmm. Great food and a great value. Came here on a Thursday with my gf and two friends - luckily we had a reservation. I previously said Leon's was my best vegetarian meal in Atlanta, but Desta at least ties it. To drink, I ordered the Sheba Tej (honey wine) and a Meta beer. For food, my gf and I shared the Vegetarian Platter and an order of the potato stew. For dessert, we shared the baklava and tiramisu. We were super full. Drinks: The honey wine was interesting - I've never had anything like it. It was a little sweet, as you'd expect, but it mellowed out nicely. The beer was also very good. Both drinks were very drinkable! Food: I can't speak intelligently about the different items on the vegetarian platter, so let me just say they were all delicious. Sure, I liked some of them a bit less than others, but everything was at least pretty good and some of the items were great. Everything was kind of spicy, but not too spicy for me (and I don't think I have a very high tolerance for spice). The only negative thing I can say is that our side order of the potato stew seemed a bit oily, but it was delicious. Dessert: The tiramisu was nice, light and flavorful. The baklava was only okay - you get plenty for $2, but I just wasn't crazy about it. For me, I would've like a higher nut to filo ratio, and especially more honey. The service was great. Finally, let me just mention that I really like the setting. Inside, the restaurant is intimate buy also lively. The plates are gorgeous. I can't believe how inexpensive everything is for the quality.

    (5)

  • Hanan A.

    Once again Desta proves to be the most consistent Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. Time and time again they deliver the great taste and unmatched service that I've come to expect from them. This time around my group of friends and I ordered the fish tibs over shiro sauce, kitfo and aibe, and finally a veggie combo. The fish tibs are peices of tilapia that I believe is pre-marinated and sauteed with onions peppers and spices and comes out perfect and delicious, it has no fishy flavor and my pickiest of friends who doesn't like fish, eats this and enjoys it. Second, we had kitfo that was leb-leb which means cooked medium-rare its pretty much steak tartare massaged with pungent Ethiopian spices and pepper spice mix and finished with Ethiopian butter called kibbe, it's served along side aibe which is an Ethiopian yogurt like cheese mixed with spices again... That is the theme to Ethiopian food, Spice, if you haven't figured out by now. Desta's version is not the best I've had but it was good. Finally the veggie combo consisted of different vegetarian dishes that are a staple of Ethiopian eating especially during the fasting seasons for Orthodox Christians in the country. It consisted of misir-lentils cooked in a red pepper spice sauce, salad, shiro (chick peas in a red pepper sauce), siljo(puréed white beans with horseradish/mustard seeds) the siljo is very delicious, dinich wot (potato stew again in a red pepper sauce), beets, lentil salad, split peas and some other dishes that I can't remember. This dish or assortment was good too. I highly recommend Desta. For anyone wondering the ground beef and the chicken are Halal at Desta per the information that our waitress provided us. But always make sure before you order.

    (5)

  • Liza W.

    I can't believe I hadn't reviewed Desta yet! This is in my top 3 Atlanta restaurants. Great service. Great food. Clean space with a cool patio in nice weather. I usually stick to tibs: fish or filet. Add a little awaze if I want a kick. Sides of miser and gomen. Sometimes ater or shiro. Stick it on some injera and I'm set! I like that the staff is always very helpful and kind- great service. Also I've always found it to be a very clean place...in Atlanta that is sometimes not easy to find in restaurants. Not everyone may be into the flavors...I like to describe it as soul food meets Thai, but even that doesn't properly give the flavors their true nature. Note: They have a drive thru. And a discount on chicken all day on Mondays. Just sayin'.

    (5)

  • Troy U.

    Loved it! Generous portions, vibrant flavors, very different than most foods that Americans are accustomed to. I highly recommend this place for a date night, Ethiopian food is made to share.

    (5)

  • Breall s.

    Awesome. Great flavor!! The Gomen was unbelievable, as was the Miser and Ater. I'd recommend the vegetarian platter to try a bit of everything. Plus the servers are very sweet and happy, probably because they play great Reggae-Music

    (5)

  • Seth R.

    Absolutely Excellent! I never in my life thought I would try Ethiopian food but it has turned out to be one of my all time favorite cuisines due to all the amazing food I have had at Desta. My wife loves the vegetable platter, but I gotta have meat to call it a meal so I went with the ribeye tibs the first time around, and my second and third visit the filet mignon tibs. Filet mignon just less fatty and more tender, but both were excellent! The wait staff are attentive and friendly and it makes for a great evening. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place to anyone!

    (5)

  • Laila P.

    So I purposely waited to write a review until I had eaten at this establishment several times. Let's just say that I think I'm a junkie now. I have had the please to sit upstairs, downstairs and on the balcony. I have even ordered food for pick up several times. Now that I've set the stage here is my review. The atmosphere is great. I love that it feels like a large community of people who truly just love to eat and enjoy their time. It can get crowded on popular dining evenings. Parking is plentiful for their crowd. There are signs that say there is a drive in but I have yet to seen how that could work. There is a full bar. The food is great. My favorites are the Sambuca (I like the lentil and meat versions equally very tasty) those are like egg rolls in case you are wondering, the Chicken Salad is very tasty, any of the tibs, but I think the filet tibs are my fav and when it comes to sides I'm a fan of the gomen. I love those greens they are so good. Try it you'll love it. They don't serve any pork for those who want to know. :)

    (4)

  • danielle F.

    My hunny and I love this place. He's a serious meat eater. Your meat and potatoes kinda guy. But we both found something here we both can enjoy. He typically get the meat lovers. Which is three options of meaty goodness (they have 5ti choose from. His favorites are chicken, ribeye, salmon). He gets rice, collard greens (usually extra so he can have for leftovers) and he a salad instead of the injera. It is a lot of food. I repeat a LOT OF FOOD. On the other hand I get the tasty vegetarian platter just enough for me no leftovers. I have them heat my injera cause it's what I'm use to in DC. The service is always fast. Staff is friendly, polite and attentive. When the weather is nice I highly recommend patio seating. They have a DJ/live music at night. Great ambience!

    (5)

  • Thi T.

    I've thoroughly enjoyed everything I tried here. My favorite is the fir fir. Also try the vegetable platter for an assorted variety. Caution to pace yourself. The injera seems to continue expanding in the stomach even after the meal. The place is very clean. The servers are very friendly, prompt, and knowledgeable about the menu. Parking is plentiful.

    (5)

  • Vasu M.

    Loved our experience at Desta Ethopian Kitchen yesterday to celebrate my husband's birthday! I've only had Ethopian food once before and I am already looking forward to our next time here! Our server was awesome! We got there a little early and were waiting for the rest of the party to arrive and he was so attentive and polite the whole time. While we were waiting, we ordered the sambusa appetizer which reminded me of an egg roll filled with ground meat, it came with a sweet & spicy dipping sauce! This was the perfect appetizer for our large meal. For our meal, we ordered the meat lovers platter with lamb, ground beef, and fish as well as the vegetable lovers. This was plenty of food for 4 people to share! The food all came out on one huge platter with the injera on the side. The injera is a spongy bread that is perfect for soaking up all the delicious flavors and spices. I am a huge fan of it because it acts as my utensil and allowed us to eat with our hands! We loved the meats - the tilapia, ground beef, and lamb were all seasoned perfectly and cooked well! I would definitely order the meat platter again. The vegetable platter was okay but wasn't as delicious! A lot of the lentils, curries, etc. in the vegetable platter tasted very similar! Our server knew it was my husband's birthday so he came out with the staff to sing him Happy Birthday and gave us a slice of cheesecake on the house. If you have never had Ethiopian food, I highly recommend that you try this place out! You will love it!

    (4)

  • Anna S.

    Went there on Saturday, and had to wait a while for a table. After we were seated, though, the experience was great. The service was by far some of the friendliest service I've experienced here in ATL. Everyone was welcoming and very hospitable. The food came out incredibly fast, in fact we were all a little surprised. Not expecting it to show up so soon! I had the vegetarian platter, and as always with Ethiopian food, it was amazing. Very filling and delicious. Sad that they didn't have the gluten-free injera for my gluten-intolerant friend, but we were all satisfied just the same!

    (4)

  • Sophia T.

    I can't believe I haven't rated this place before. This has to be my second favorite restaurant in all of Georgia. It's hands-down, the BEST Ethiopian food I've ever had in my life. Everything about this place is on point- the food, the ambiance, the friendly staff. I really can't praise this'd place enough. I can't comment on its authenticity bc I've never had a lot of home-cooked Ethiopian food, but sweet baby Jesus is this place amazing. Some days the meat is halal, some days it's not. It's always good to confirm, but know that there are options. The vegetable platter is very filling and flavored well, as are the fish tibs. I NEVER eat fish, but I do eat theirs so that should be a revelation in itself. Eat here & thank me later.

    (5)

  • Icey K.

    Amazing food, great customer service. Its a MUST place to eat at if you visit the ATL area. I literally ate here 3-4x/week within the first 6 months of moving here. As an African native, seeing the diverse cultures such as Indians, Asians, African Americans, etc is a positive sign that Desta is truly one of a kind. All my friends that come to visit loves the food here as well. P.S: I always get the goden tibs & injera. Please be adventurous & try authentic Ethiopian food. Also their Ethiopian sweet honey wine is delish.

    (5)

  • Daniel N.

    This was my first real experience with Ethiopian food, and I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised at how awesome this cuisine is! I came with a group of 20 for a friend's birthday, so immediately one would think that this would be a huge headache given the amount of orders and people to deal with. I decided to go traditional and split with 3 others. We got the meat lovers platter and vegetarian platter, which are sharable. It came with tons of injira the pick up with. Everything was so delicious! I was able to pick out a huge sprig of rosemary, which made appreciate that they used fresh ingredients. The lamb, chicken, and filet mignon were very tender and spiced well. The servers paid very good attention to us, serving us water and asking if everything was good or we needed anything else. I will definitely be taking others here and exploring all the other food options. The reviews don't lie, come here!!

    (5)

  • Dee B.

    My first time eating Ethiopian food. I was so excited. I don't live far from Clairmont/Briarcliff Rd area, so I see a lot of Ethiopian restaurants in the area. First off, the waitress Vivian ( I hope that was her name ) was AWESOME. She explained everything on the menu to me and my friend so we didn't feel overwhelmed. I ordered the lamb tibs (chopped in squares), gomen (collard greens) and wat ( thick stew). Its traditional that you eat with injera, which is a soft, spongy bread that is slightly sour. Man listen, I loved ALL OF IT. Even the injera by itself. lol You use the injera like your utensil to pick up the other food on your plate. ugh, so good its plenty of parking and this place even has a drive through!!! Ethiopian to go!! Im a super fan now!

    (5)

  • Lynn M.

    Such a pleasant experience! We recently gave Desta Ethiopian Kitchen a try; and we are so very glad that we did. We have driven by this area on Clairmont Road countless times and had no idea such a bustling restaurant was right around the corner. Desta has a busy, youthful energy about it that we got caught up in as soon as we walked by the busy patio area. It had been many years since we tried Ethiopian cuisine; and our friendly server patiently explained the menu items to us. After consuming a delicious Sambusa appetizer; we tackled the large plates of tibs - lamb for my dinner mate and chicken for me . The tangy, spongy Injera was a perfect addition to the spicy fare. The servings were quite generous, and a to go box lasted for several more meals. Our service was perfect with frequent staff checks and quick water refills. The experience was very pleasant; and it is one we will certainly repeat. It's amazing that we never knew about such a great restaurant so close to our home.

    (5)

  • Todd W.

    First time eating ethiopian food and it was excellent. Great service & great food will def be back soon!

    (5)

  • Nick C.

    Ordered pick-up from here and have also eaten in the restaurant. Service and food quality is always impeccable. I definitely plan to become a regular.

    (5)

  • Suhana A.

    Excellent food. Went for lunch with a colleague. Good portion. I think it is pricey for lunch though. But still great food.

    (4)

  • Rita D.

    My first time trying Ethiopian food and won't be my last. I was with a group and we started with the seared beef appetizer - I can't remember what it was called but it had something to do with 'daredevil' ... something of that nature. It was good. I also had the filet mignon tibs with tomato fitfit - it was wonderful. I ate every bite and wish I had room for more. It took me a little while to get used to eating with my hands - but it was a fun experience!

    (5)

  • AM P.

    The staff here is wonderful. Our waitress was Desti, who was charming, patient, and helpful. The food was great and I would definitely return. We also had the Ethiopian wine and beer, it was really good.

    (4)

  • Brian J.

    I finally had my first experience eating Ethiopian cuisine. A coworker had eaten at Desta a few times and told me that he had enjoyed the food. So I decided to try it for lunch this weekend. I ordered the Lamb and Tibs Signature Dish and selected Miser as my side dish. Since I wasn't sure if I would like the spongy bread (Injera), I ordered Pita instead. The cubes of lamb were slightly overcooked and could have used some seasoning. However, I enjoyed the Miser side dish the best. It was lentils in a rich berbere sauce, onions, garlic and ginger. It sort of reminded me of a thick salsa in its appearance. It was spicy and went well with the Pita. Pros: Good service; fresh ingredients; decent menu selection Cons: Lamb slightly overcooked; pricey; small entree portion

    (3)

  • Zaina G.

    Great food! I got fish and it was perfectly cooked and delicious! The service could've been a bit better but our waitress was really kind and patient.

    (4)

  • Ashley M.

    Here goes.. The hubs and I are very cultured people... No really, we are! I an even elated that we decided to move to the "A" from Detroit :) (well.. Kind of). We love all types of food, especially authentic cultural foods, So when we saw the massive amount of reviews, the quality of reviews, and awesome pictures of the food here, I definitely thought this could become our go to Ethiopian place. Not that it doesn't have the chance to be, but I just wasn't impressed for this first visit... For starters, the set up of the restaurant is weird; small and super cramped... It needs major updating as well... It is a pet peeve of mine to see chipped paint and chairs or booths in desperate need of upholstery or repair, just saying... Then, the menu is super weird and funky... I didn't and still don't understand it; I guess because I am accustomed to platters of Ethiopian goodness served on top of Injera with many veggies and lean cuts of meat.. Not separate entrees... I thought eating Ethiopian was about a sharing experience... Eating with hands symbolizes harmony and togetherness... Forks and knives?? Hmm... Plates??? Weird! I also felt rushed the entire time, especially with ordering... Maybe it was a language barrier... I definitely wanted more vegetables than what we received... I was not full from our "order". Finally, the bill... Not at all impressed with $40 and all we ordered were two waters, an entree that we spilt, and one glass of honey wine.... For those who follow my reviews, I do not penny pinch on good eats!! I will try the Ethiopian restaurant across the street next time... I hope I am not let down.

    (2)

  • Kenneth G.

    My friends and I eat here often. Usually my son and I will go here on Friday afternoons before the dinner rush. I like to get the vegetarian platter. And my son will get the chicken dinner or chicken sandwich. The ladies will ask if you want peppers with that and the answer is yes. I like that the food is spicier than average American fare. The variety and different choices at Desta make a wonderful departure from fried chicken or steak options at most other places. The staff are excellent and take very good care of you. There is a small size bar and wine and beer selections. The desserts are remarkable and you could almost just go here for the desserts and drinks. But I always have dinner first because of the excellent food.

    (5)

  • Anh B.

    I check this place today and I wasn't so happy or please with my food. I heard great review of this place and give it a try. I ordered the Fish Tibs with the salad. I am not a big fan of fish with lemon. I know some people like the lemon tasted to the dish but I feel like it was to sour for my taste. I don't mind a little of the flavor but every bites was sour. There wasn't enough salt to the dish so I had to recook the dish and to add more salt and get the lemon taste out. The Bead was different but it wasn't for me. It tasted like sourdough bread and again I am not a big fan of sourdough bread. My salad has sand in it which that make me really mad. I guess they didn't clean the salad that well this time. Ya that wasn't fun biting into sands. I might or might not come back here again. This place wasn't for me.

    (2)

  • Laura B.

    Fresh Ethiopian food, always perfectly prepared. They do stay busy, so be prepared to wait a bit, but the food is so worth it! The hardest part is making up my mind what to get. I wish it were closer to my house, I found that I often craved their food after having been there just once!

    (5)

  • Rochelle J.

    I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!! Lets start with the ambiance, you have three places to choose from to sit. -the main resturant inside that is small and intimate. -upstairs where you can on any given night hear some live jazz etc. ( and it's not to loud ) -or when it's warm on the deck which i like best! ( did I mention it's a bar downstairs and upstairs) Now the food - I always order lamb tibs w/ rice or injera with salad ( injera is like eating a spongy sourdough bread that usually compensates as a fork) YES AMERICAN ETHIOPIANS EAT EITH THEIR HANDS/INJERA but if you want they will give you a fork and have hand sanitizer on the table ( for you germaphobes ) They have some foods you won't know the meaning of but rest assure cause they have a dictionary on the side of menu that not only explain what it is but teaches you how to pronounce it also!!!! Now let's talk service!!!! -the service her is great!!! Weather your taking you food home or dining in.. The food is not too long of a wait and the wait staff always checks on you.. Most of the waitress are from Ethiopia and can explain anything that you might not understand. My favorite waitress is not ethiopian though, she is from KENYA... She is always so pleasant and kind. My other favorite I just found out is THE OWNER!!! She is the one that explained to me injera and had me try it for the first time.. She is always friendly and you can catch her there any day if the week WORKING! One last thing - THEY HAVE A DRIVE THRU THAT MOST DONT USE BUT IS JUST AS GOOD AS COMING IN AND GETTING TAKE OUT ( for those who don't want to get out the car )... To sum it all up, you MUST TRY! And even with all the other ethiopian spots around DESTA reign SUPREME

    (5)

  • Sarah K.

    I love this place. I always get the Vegetarian Platter and it never disappoints me. The flavors are great and each dish is distinct.

    (5)

  • Steve K.

    Desta is perhaps the best reviewed restaurant in Atlanta on Yelp. I can see why. The meat lovers dish will easily feed 3 unless all three are voraciously hungry. We got it with a tibs appetizer (served rare, the only way to get tibs). All three meats were very tasty; the ribeye and the lamb stood out. The accompanying veggie dishes were also good. Their dessert tiramisu was also impressive.

    (5)

  • Meredith S.

    I'm on a roll trying to catch up with yelp reviews, and even though it's been a while since I've gone, this one deserves some words. This place is awesome. The food is excellent. Please get over any fear of eating exotic food and go! Every time I go I get the grilled fish with miser and injera. I have no idea what they are but everyone I've brought there (17 different individuals to be exact), has agreed that the food was way better than expected. The menu is fun because it explains how to pronounce everything without sounding completely ignorant. I've had two birthdays here and the staff was very accommodating to the crowd. There's a patio, indoor seating, and an upstairs. Sometimes they even have live music outside (God I love this place), so it's great for parties, weekends, or just low-key lunches.

    (5)

  • Christine L.

    329 Reviews with an average of four and a half stars, there's not much that I can say here that isn't already said. I had planned to go here several times but finally was able to find a suitable time for me and my friend to come here. When you pull into the parking lot you can smell the food and it knocked me off my socks (also, I was hungry). My friend and I were promptly seated and handed a menu that may well have been written in Ethiopian (or maybe it actually was, I think it actually was). The menu is about as hard to navigate as 85/75 at 5:30 on a Friday afternoon during a Braves games. They sorted it according to different types of dishes and then different types of meats with those dishes. Y'know I'm still not quite sure... just do what I did and say "Help" when the waiter/waitress comes by. Our waitress was helpful but a bit dismissive and occasionally absentminded but she was the one that recommended my appetizer and entree, which I cannot for the life of me recall what the appetizer was... some sort of tartar. After hastily sifting through the hundreds of reviews of this place and then quickly putting away my phone (I know I'm a foodie heathen), I decided to get the Fish Tibs with extra spicey spice and cooked in a certain fashion (also recommended by our waitress). I was not disappointed, nor was I even satisfied, I was ecstatic. I have a particular love of food that is very strong in flavor; spices and heat in particular are my weakness and this... was perfect. I was initially skeptical about fish in a "curry-like" dish (though I'm sure Ethiopians would disagree this is "curry-like" at all) but it was very well prepared and tender fish. All in all it was a marvelous new experience with very decently priced but very delicious food. I apologize for what seems like "Mad Lib" review but I actually don't exactly know what I ordered but I took whatever was recommended by our waitress. I recommend that if you're lost... try and do the same.

    (5)

  • Kedra M.

    The food is so good I've been multiple times the waitresses are always so pleasant and nice

    (5)

  • Adam C.

    Place is legit. With over 300 hundred reviews I don't think I can say anything useful other than give my nod. We went on a Friday night with over 10 people and the staff was very nice and accommodating. Food was on point.

    (4)

  • Isabel H.

    This place is amazing. The food is consistently spectacular, no matter what you get. I went there on my birthday and the staff was great, we even got a birthday cheesecake slice which was also excellent. Love it!!

    (5)

  • Tai B.

    I don't like Ethiopian food (had a bad experience in Washington, D.C.) but I love desta! Now granted I've only been twice and have the same thing each time but it was great and I'm looking forward to going again! My fav is the chicken tibs with rice and gomen (collared greens). The chicken is season well and the collared greens have an interesting taste to them. Sit on the patio if you can, good breeze out there!

    (5)

  • Cindy L.

    I used to live very close to Desta so I would go at least once a month. I have told every friend about this restaurant. Every time I go, I am reminded of how good they are. Their flavors have never disappointed me. I've been here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner before. For breakfast, I've tried the Foul and their Scrambled Eggs with Prime Ribeye Steak. I really like the Foul. They also come with fresh baked bread and I like to put the crushed beans and diced onions, tomatoes and pepper inside the bread. Delicious. The scrambled eggs with steak was okay. For appetizer, I've tried the Kitfo Wrap and the Kitfo Slice. I LOVE these two. I order at least one of these every time. I always order it rare. I used to order the wrap all the time. If you're by yourself, it can be considered a light meal like any wrap with meat inside. Recently, I've been more into the slice. If you don't mind the oil, it's truly a delicious bite. I love the jalapeno peppers because it leaves a perfect kick in your mouth in combination with the meat. This appetizer isn't for everybody though. I love the meat rare. Kitfo is steak tartare so to me, it's best when served rare. I've had friends who loved it too, but my aunt and sister tried it before and weren't fans because the meat was rare. Let the waitress/waiter know how you want it served. This doesn't disappoint. Great start to your meal at Desta. For entree, I've had their Lamb Tibs, Ribeye Tibs, Filet Mignon Tibs, Chicken Tibs, and Fish Tibs before. I love their lamb and ribeye. They're my favorite. The flavors are amazing. These two are my go-to. If you're with a friend and are true carnivores, then order the meat lovers entree. It won't disappoint. Everything at Desta is so flavorful. For their side, they have this beets and potato dish that I just love. It's a little sour and I love it. I have also tried the Shiro and Miser before. Once again, so so so flavorful. If you look at the stuff hanging on the wall, you will see that they are well known for their Vegetarian Platter. I tried it once before moving away and I have been craving for it ever since. I have also tried their Ground Beef Fir Fir. This was very delicious as well. All in all, this restaurant is packed full of flavors and spices that will leave your belly very happy and leave you wanting to go back.

    (5)

  • Esther C.

    I was a bit nervous when I first came to try this place out. However, I am SO glad I came. The service is good (sometimes they forget to provide utensils). The friendly staff comes around often, which is good. I would rather have someone come around often than someone not come around at all. This is my go-to Ethiopian restaurant and all friends I have introduced to this gem have never been disappointed. I always get the prime rib tibs (extra spicy) with rice and a potato stew as the side (my friends told me you cant go wrong with ordering tibs, esp if it's your first time). Ive tried the Injera, and it just doesnt fit my taste. I actually try it every time I go there, in case I start to think 'ok its not that bad'. I just dont like sour things. Hell, I dont even like sourdough bread. Next time I go, I definitely want to try the veggie platter.

    (5)

  • Lee B.

    My goto place for some of the best food in Atlanta by far. I've been going to Desta since it was a few tables and chairs and now it's a full blown cool chic restaurant. Desta is like fine wine, it definitely gets better with time. I look forward to the continued success and growth of this place and the veggie combo and fish tips :). Leland

    (5)

  • Jamila M.

    Desta is one of our favorite places; it makes us feel good. The food is great, the service is consistent, kind, and welcoming. We go so often that we have a favorite server - Megan. She knows what, fit-fit we want omitted and what we like to replace it with. She sees us, smiles and greets us with a warm welcoming smile that feels like family. We absolutely love Megan, but all of the servers at Desta are great and the owner is sweet and personable. The restaurant has grown, the wait is longer as more people are introduced to this great eatery. For me, and so many others, there is nothing better than a great meal, great environment, good energy, and excellent service coupled with the surround sound of people equally enjoying themselves - Laughing, talking, sharing stores, toasting with a sweet glass of tej. It is absolutely the best experience and always a welcomed treat. However, last night, my very euphoric dining experience was rudely interrupted by a very disrespectful patron. Yup, this is a shaming moment and I don't typically call people to the carpet, but this time I am. Last night, Desta was packed! there were lots of parties and people waiting to enjoy good food and the company of their dining partners. It was beautiful; the energy was buzzing, we had placed our order and we had a great server. All was in order until the woman who poorly responded to the owner's request that she and her solo dining partner relocate to the bar upstairs so that a party could use her two top. The rude and obnoxious woman threatening to upset the peaceable order of all of our dining experiences responded in a loud, embarrassing and unnecessarily hostile manner even after being offered a complimentary birthday drink at the bar. Happy birthday to the Grinch who tried to steal our Desta cheer!, but this is another example of why I love this restaurant. The owner could have joined this miserable woman and responded in an equally abrasive manner, but she did not. She maintained the highest level of professionalism and honored the code that the customer is always right - although that sour woman was all wrong - did I mention she and her dining partner were finished with their meal? Yup, they were done, check paid, leftovers packed and merely sitting and chatting. So, the offer to relocate and receive a birthday beverage was in their favor. Desta isn't just a dining experience, it is a portal into a cultural experience wherein the diners can come and enjoy good food, great energy and spectacular East African hospitality. If you have not had the occasion to dine here, please go and take a friend or three it is worth it! Thanks for reading my novel or a review! Cheers, JBM .

    (5)

  • Ebony B.

    Over the years they've expanded their space, changed the front door and undergone a massive overhaul. At least I can say that the food has not changed. This is a blessing as some places struggle to maintain the quality food that got them to popularity, after they expand and grow. Namely, a place I visited recently. Desta has great managers, and they've somehow expedited their experience. I chock it up to wonderful leadership. When the baby is asleep, they have to go drive thru options. Every restaurant needs a drive thru for moms with babies in car seats. Genius. I have filled in love with this place over time and even taken friends and mentors that have never tried Ethiopian before. They've all become fans. Their food does not disappoint.

    (5)

  • Jeunesse S.

    This place is for people who have NEVER had Ethiopian food before. I have had Ethiopian at least 20 times in California and previous meals were much better than Desta. The menu is a one pager that explains what everything is nicely. This place is very accessible for people who've never tried Ethiopian food; however it is NOT for someone who likes Ethiopian food and is familiar with the presentation and unique flavors and spices of Ethiopian food. This place is a knock-off of how the food should be presented and flavored. It's Ethio-American fusion! The two good things about this place are that it had a buzz and good atmosphere and the service was decent. The down side is the lack of authenticity and the sides are extremely small. I had lamb and green (Goman) with Injera (Bread); when it arrived it looked like a Mexican fajita dish with a small scope of Gomen and a lack luster piece of Injera. The waiter realized that the Injera provided wasn't going to be enough and proactively brought me a few pieces. The additional pieces he brought were really good, but the dish was just WRONG... hunks of lamb with onions, peppers and garlic which weren't really processed (finely copped). When I walked in, I should have looked at peoples dishes and realized this wasn't the place for me, but I didn't and I was completely underwhelmed. For those who love this place, PLEASE go and try another Ethiopian place, probably even the one in lot shared by Desta will give a better prospective of how the cuisine should taste. If you don't like it than you just don't like Ethiopian food, but at least you can say you actually tried Ethiopian food.

    (3)

  • Anhar A.

    Friendly staff from the moment we arrived, the patio is wonderful with great music. The food is out of this world. I've never had Ethiopian food taste so good. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Sela T.

    My first time trying ethiopian food. Completely out of my comfort zone, but ,thank goodness, i had some friends to help me order. I ordered the lamb, Injera and Misera combo. Lamb was good. It wasn't tough and was well seasoned. The injera is a carb i've never had before. Its a soft rolled up bread that has a sour after-taste. You'd rip it apart and use it to as a utensil to grab the meat and Misera. It went really well with the lamb and sides. Speaking of the side, I really really liked the Misera. However, be ever so sparing with it. It's fire-y hot. a dab will do you. Overall, i'd come back and try some more items on the menu.

    (3)

  • Jaclyn L.

    AMAZING!!! We went here for the first time last night and got the chicken tibs/side salad and the filet tibs/ater with the injera bread and the Napoleon cake for dessert that we were told they make in-house. The waitress was very friendly. The chicken and filet were cooked perfectly and everything was asolutely delicious! I've been to other Ethiopian restaurants but this is hands down the best! We will definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Amy D.

    We came here jonesing for something like what we had in a restaurant in New York. It didn't quite match up, but we certainly didn't mind. The restaurant has a fair bit of parking available and a lovely looking dining patio. There was live music on it today, which come be a pro or a con depending on your preferences. We are allergy sufferers in addition to part of our party disliking live music, so we chose to eat inside. The inside of the restaurant is somewhat small, and seemed a little dark. The music inside was somewhat loud, which was troublesome to my parents, but helped cover the squeals of the children at the table behind us. The waitstaff was attentive and very pleasant. Our waitress explained a few menu vagaries to my folks and we got down to ordering. We got lentil sambusas because they had run out of beef, I got ground beef tibs, my husband got lamb tibs, and my parents got chicken tibs and chicken pasta. All the food was delicious, although there were a few surprise jalapeno slices in everyone's dishes. The injera was tangy and springy and delicious. I was a little surprised by the lack of sauce on the dishes, because all the other Ethiopian food I've had has been very sauce laden, but everything was perfectly tasty. There are at least three other Ethiopian eateries nearby, so maybe one of those will fill my sauce itch. At the end of the meal we got the napoleon cake and a slice of berry cheesecake. The napoleon cake was a flaky pastry confection with two layers of thick cream between the pastry, topped with powdered sugar. It would be worth stopping at Desta just for this dessert! Despite not living up to a different restaurant, Desta stands on its own as a delicious option. We will definitely be back to try out some of the other dishes on the menu.

    (4)

  • Li J.

    Good and affordable Ethiopian food. I was feeling hungry and ordered the veggie platter along with the chicken tibs. Needless to say, it was too much food... Veggie platter was very good. All of the veggies and stews were flavorful. I really could have stopped there, but wanted some meat. I agree with other reviews that the tibs are certainly tasty, but not like any tibs I've ever had before. I've eater quite a bit of Ethiopian food and the flavor is different and a bit more intense than what they serve at still. Still very tasty, but I will stick with the veggie platter only in the future. I will likely return.

    (4)

  • Michael E.

    Wow. Yelp has been raving about Desta, and every bit of praise is well deserved. As a first-timer with Ethiopian food, I was blown away by the food and service here. I got the chicken tibs with tomato fitfit. I was expecting the latter to be hot, but it was a cold mixture of tomatoes and injera. It wasn't bad, per se--just not to my taste. Nonetheless, when our server saw that I'd taken a grand total of two bites, she offered to bring something else. After I vociferously protested, I found that the drink on my bill was free...! Incredibly gracious and friendly service. I will be back!

    (5)

  • Chris T.

    It was Rush Hour during lunch. My boy Jackie and I were hungry. We only found this place through Yelp. And I'm glad we did. The waitress explained the menu items. The food came out very promptly. We had the Lamb Tibs which were amazing. Also we ordered the pasta with meat sauce which ended up being so-so, not great, but not bad. But the Lamb Tibs was off the chain. Both dishes came with sides, salad, and a spongy bread. When the dishes came out, I yelled to them, "all the Triad and ugly dishes on this side, and all the fine dishes on this side, right now!" That's how I organized the plethora of dishes we ordered. After the meal, I was looking for desserts, but the waitress said it was G14 Classified. I should have inquired more about it. But against my better judgment , we just left. We were impressed overall. You must try this place out. You will not regret it.

    (5)

  • Ben R.

    Just ate here for the first time. Don't get to the part of town much. But, it was worth the effort. Great table outside. Service was prompt and friendly. I had the Tibs with chicken and injera, which seems to be as much as you can eat, also with potato stew. Everything was spiced just right...hot enough to get a kick, but not spicy for the sake of spicy. Definitely will come back.

    (5)

  • Spring I.

    Simply great food! If you like curry type dishes, you will not be disappointed with this place. Would suggest to try Injera bread (spongy texture like) with various types of tibs in the menu. We tried Vegetarian platter, Chicken & Fish tibs with injera bread and every item was very tasteful. Will definitely visit this place again if we are happen to be in Atlanta. Highly recommend this place!!!

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    Good food and very helpful service. Will definitely eat here again

    (5)

  • Kamil B.

    I've been here about 5 times and loved it each time. If you are looking for the best Ethiopian food in the ATL, look no further then Desta. You can't go wrong with this restaurant; food is delicious, and staff are very friendly and accommodating. I like coming here with a group and ordering all the different meats and vegetables to go along with the injera. The lamb and fillet mignon are especially tasty. Also, very good Ethiopian coffee.

    (5)

  • Nicole L.

    Fun, inexpensive, friendly service. Good to order a few dishes and share. Will be back!!

    (4)

  • Kelly D M.

    I have zero.0 things to say about Desta - best Ethiopian I've ever had. Two of my friends and I split three entrees between us when we went last night - lamb tibs, fish tibs, vegetable platter, a bunch of injera bread. Impossible to say which element was best. IMPOSSIBLE, i tell you!!! We got them take out, and I think they were possibly even better as cold leftovers the next day? I mean they were at least AS good. I could eat nothing but this stuff every meal for the rest of my life and would have zero.0 problems. I would just want more. Fourth and fifth and sixth meals. Me want (Ethiopian) FOOD (from Desta).

    (5)

  • Jessica C.

    I love this place. This was my first time eating Ethiopian food and it was a fantastic experience. I went with two other friends. They originally sat us outside on the patio and we had this umbrella pole in the middle of the table. We wanted to share dishes so we asked to be re-seated and they happily complied with us. We got the Meat Lovers Entree. That's where you choose three meats. I think we chose the ribeye, fish, and lamb. The fish was very tender and not dry at all. One of my friends didn't enjoy the fish all that much but it was pretty good in my opinion. The ribeye and lamb were definitely very, very delicious. This was a delicious meal. I am definitely going to come back for more. The staff is also very friendly.

    (5)

  • Wayne R.

    I love this place again and again. We usually get the vegetarian dish and fish dish and are never disappointed.

    (5)

  • Julie S.

    I had Desta on my list to try for a long time. My first visit was with my book club a few months ago. I tried lamb tibs with the beet potato salad and injera. It was delicious, well seasoned, (but not spicy) meat. Get injera for your bread and you can rip off a piece to pick up your meat- no need for forks! Great service- they even recognized me from my previous visit when I came back with my family. Dishes are a good bargain as you get a large serving for about $12. Vegetarian options are available.

    (5)

  • Kristen H.

    There's not much I can add except for saying how awesome it is. Before I visited Desta, I had tried Ethiopian a whopping one other time and I couldn't tell you what I had. So, from a newbie-Ethiopian-connoisseur, I give Desta 2 thumbs way up! I enjoyed how each person received their own dish and they give you silverware. The ingredients seemed very fresh. The servers are great for recommendations and the menu has a dictionary on the side for those of us who don't know what things are. I highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Helen P.

    I always tell myself to try other Ethiopian restaurants in this area but then find myself at Desta once again. Their food is delicious, I did not see any reason for trying another restaurant. I would recommend the vegetables platter. The food is easy to share. I have not had a dish here that I did not like. The only minor complaint is the limited seating and the table space. This restaurant is tiny and is always packed.

    (4)

  • Annisha F.

    I went there on Valentine's Day in 2014. This was my first time eating Ethiopian food so I didn't know what to expect (Picky eater). It was good! And they give you plenty to eat. I got the Lamb and Tibs. The atmosphere killed my dinner though. I noticed I was getting a lot of stares from customers which made me a little uncomfortable. Once I finished my food, I just gathered my stuff so I can leave and I ended up talking to one of the tables that gave me uncomfortable stares. Come to find out there was A ROACH behind my head!! And some other customers chimed in calmly saying "yeah I saw them too". THEM?!?! WTF?! Nobody cared to tell me before I pretty much demolished my plate?!?! That made me so sad. I want to go back, but my pride won't let me.

    (3)

  • Scarlett W.

    After trying 99% of all the Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta (Meskerem, Ledet, Queen of Sheba...etc) I think that Desta is definitely the best overall. We got the Meat Lovers platter with steak, fish and lamb. Honestly, I can't pick a favorite because they were all so delectable in their own way. The steak was a bit tough for me (but the boyfriend didn't seem to mind) but otherwise everything was perfect. We also mixed the potatoes with the lamb and that was stellar - I would recommend you do that same as it adds deliciousness for a nominal fee. Service was fine. No complaints here. Verdict: For the low low price of $30 (minus tax and tip) you can get enough food for dinner and most likely lunch the next day. Plus its awesomely delicious. Yum yum.

    (5)

  • Hagar E.

    Very very very friendly staff with great customer service, every single one of the employees made us feel welcome. Food is GREAT, and huge portions so enough for yummy left overs to take home.

    (5)

  • Lindsey D.

    This has become a go-to restaurant....which is a very rare thing for myself and my fiance who is a chef (and verrrrrry picky!!)...We probably eat there once a week. The food is consistently delicious, portions are large, and prices are very affordable, especially for the quality of what you get! I've never had anything on the menu that wasn't absolutely fabulous. Honestly! Chicken Tibs, Ribeye Tibs, Vegetarian Platter, Fit-Fit, Kitfo...the Injera is awesome, and I always get the Awaze added to all my dishes as I like my food spicy, and Berbere as well. And thats just what I can remember the names of off the top of my head...! After going there twice and having the same server (not sure of her name!) each and every time we go there now she stops by our table and says hello and chats for a bit even when we're not in her seating section. She's wonderful! The service is really fantastic...very friendly and knowledgeable which makes it comfortable for someone who has never had this type of cuisine before. Can't recommend this place enough! I'll be heading back in a few days for dinner!

    (5)

  • Charlé W.

    If I played the word association game with Desta, Chipotle would come to mind. That's not a good thing. I agree with Ashley M.'s assessment of the menu. In their attempt to simplify it for non-Ethiopians it seemed more convoluted and stripped of the fun that dining off the (b)eaten path can provide. I expect some great platter options when I visit. The food itself was just okay. Didn't match the hype.

    (3)

  • Saba R.

    Absolutely delicious!!! And I'm super stuffed. What more could you ask for. If the weather allows it, enjoy the patio.

    (5)

  • Nick V.

    While the interior isn't traditional, the food certainly is! We ordered the vegetarian platter for $12 and there was plenty of food for the two of us. Our waitress was kind and informative about the food in the culture

    (5)

  • Swati K.

    The flavors and spices were just right! Extra votes go to lamb tibs, tasted perfect with injera..

    (4)

  • Brenda T.

    SATISFYING AND UNCOMPLICATED! 75 degrees and sunny at last in Atlanta. I joined friends here for dinner. It was nice to feel the breeze as we sat outside on the patio and tried these dishes: a. Vegetarian Platter b. Fish Tibs - fish cubes sauteed in spices, onions, tomatoes and peppers c. Honey Wine - too sweet for my taste. They have a 'Sweet Honey Wine' as well. d. Banana Rum Cake - LOVED this. Head inside to browse dessert options. e. Fresh injera (spongy, pancake like bread) served on the side and cut into rolls. Tear off into small pieces and use to grab bite sized portions of the food. f. Sambusa - crispy spring rolls filled with minced beef or lentils. Cold water never tasted so good after you try the spicy but delicious dipping sauce. I liked the ritual of breaking 'injera' and sharing food from one plate with friends. Meat and vegetables simmered in a medley of spices transported me to another place in time - no passport required.

    (4)

  • Therealladyof L.

    It's really good but I gave 4 stars because I wanted to be able to try the authentic Ethiopian food at Clarkston before I give this a 5 star rating. I had the fish tibs with Shirro & Cabbage. Recommend to try that.

    (4)

  • Jill W.

    Desta was my 2nd Ethiopian cuisine experience and it knocked my first one out of the park! We came here for brunch with a party of 6 and Bersa was our server. She was wonderful and always smiling, patiently making sure we had everything we needed as we ate. The food was fresh and incredibly delicious. If you are here for breakfast/brunch, the Fetira is super yummy. It's like a flaky, pastry with (we had egg) between. Topped with powered sugar and you can drizzle some honey as well! And of course, the coffee! You must try it. We couldn't get enough of the coffee. However, if you're more of a tea person, they have a blend of spices they add to your hot water before you steep your tea. I didn't try it but the aroma was pleasant and soothing. We also ordered the meat kitfo, medium rare and it was the perfect amount of flavor and spice. And I'd definitely recommend the Fish Tibs Entree and the Vegetarian Platter! Desta's injera is light and spongy and the perfect compliment for all their dishes. If you are in Atlanta, I would definitely stop at Desta! No one should miss an experience like this.

    (5)

  • Zain K.

    I never feel great after eating Ethiopian food, and presume that it's because the food is prepared with a ton of oil and butter... Desta is no exception, unfortunately, but since that's just a feature of the cuisine I can't really fault them for it. That said, this may be the best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. One thing I really like is that you can order a tibs meal (from $10 to $14 depending on meat), and then add any number of veggie sides (one is included free) for only $1.50 each. I ended up getting the much-praised fish tibs with sides of chick pea puree, cabbage, red lentil stew, and split peas (each of these has an Ethiopian name I can never remember), and everything was delicious. If I had to find fault, it would be that the fish was a little on salty side. Also, The restaurant was comfortable and warm (on a cold night), and service was great.

    (5)

  • David D.

    Service was a bit of a disaster operationally, but the food and ambiance are top notch (for Ethiopian). I had made a reservation, but it apparently disappeared and I had to wait with all the plebes. I was seated relatively quickly after, and servers were pleasant. I went with the Veggie platter and a salad. Adding the salad was a mistake. They brought the salad first, which ended up delaying the main veggie platter especially long. They even brought the check in between! I probably had about 50 calories to start, so was a little annoyed. The veggie platter itself was very good, and different from your usual Ethiopian fare. I found it a little spicier than usual, which was a plus. They have some additional cold dishes including beets, which were a strong point. Their injera is very pleasing to the Ethiopian neophyte, since it is soft and spongey and cut with wheat, so with less teff = less sourness. That said, the gluten content goes up. Overall, I enjoyed the ambiance, which was large, hipster, and fun. They're very busy with good reason, the food is delicious an affordably priced. I pigged out and still my check was maybe $20. I get the impression the meat dishes are the stronger suit here. A lot of people were oohing and awing over the beef tips.

    (4)

  • Sand R.

    I have eaten Ethiopian food many times, and love it. The dish here was just not what I look for. Don't think it is very authentic. I ordered beef, n my friend ordered salmon. They were okay, like grilled, but not like Ethiopian with lots of spice. Service was good.

    (3)

  • Leah H.

    How is it possible that I haven't written a review on this place as yet? I frequent here quite often. The food is consistently good. I typically order the tibs (Awaze) or miser with injera (I'm a creature of habit). I wish the menu were a bit more flexible but other than that five stars. (When I say flexible I am referring to substituting sides or opting to remove sides all together. If I opt not to include the sides the price unfortunately remains the same)

    (5)

  • Brenna S.

    I cannot get enough of Desta, which is terrible because I drive 30+ minutes out of my way to get here. If you are thinking of making it your first time here, you might want to prepare yourself to add Desta to your list of rotating favorites, too. I can't remember exactly how or when I found this Atlantan gem, but I'm so glad I did. It's changed the way I look at food, because I never really know what I'm eating when I go there, but I kind of like that about it. I've been getting the vegetarian platter ever since my first trip here, and I never stray. Any friends I've brought here have pretty much converted to this dish as well. It's a sampling of like 10 different things, and every single one of them is good. No, I can't tell you the names of any of it or what it's necessarily made of, but it doesn't matter because that's not the point. Whatever you end up putting in your mouth here is going to do your body good. That goes for their Ethiopian beer and wine offerings, as well. What else? Service is always great, and parking is a breeze in the parking lot out front. They have a small interior with seating, but where you really want to be is on that glorious patio, so try to come on a beautiful day if you can.

    (5)

  • T Ann C.

    Cool spot. Quick service. Ate here with my friend during a visit. There are lots of great restaurants in Birmingham but no Ethiopian. I have had awesome Ethiopian cuisine in New Brunswick, NJ, Los Angeles,CA's Little Ethiopia, and Washington, DC. All of it awesome and standard setting. Desta is attractive, fast and friendly, and fresh. The food is tasty and the first bites are ambrosia...then a semi-blandness sets in. I had the vegetable platter and short rib tibs. My friend had chicken tibs with potatoes and rice. Her chicken was good. My short ribs were well-flavored, hot, but very bony and a bit chewy. I wound up getting them to go but threw them away before I traveled back home. This is probably an excellent place to "cut your teeth" on Ethiopian cuisine but the flavors may be tamed a bit for the experienced palette. I might come back but I would try other establishments first.

    (3)

  • Pat R.

    I landed at ATL and called Uber for my ride home. When I learned that my driver, Eskias, was from Ethiopia, I immediately started craving tibs and injera. Luckily Desta is open late on Sunday night (until 1 AM!), so I was able to satisfy my craving. The place was crowded, even at 9:30 on a Sunday, but the hostess was very accommodating and found a table for me right away. The lamb tibs were perfectly prepared, the beer was nice and cold, and I got extra injera without even asking for it. I had asked my driver if there was another Ethiopian restaurant he'd recommend, and in no uncertain terms he told me Desta was the best. Based on my experiences here, I have to agree. The food is excellent, but it's the great service that puts this place over the top.

    (5)

  • Kevin D.

    Decided to hit this local restaurant because it is not far from the house. My friend and I visited decided to try something different for lunch one day just to play catch up with one another. When we arrived we greeted by a hostess and seated in the corner. They have a upstairs area and pseudo patio seating as well, but the weather was not going to allow for outside seating on this day. We ordered a few appetizers and some drinks. I warn you though about the one of the appetizers that appears to look like a spring roll the SAMBUSA. This spring roll is way too hot and I mean spicy. I am a person that can handle spice but I was not prepared for this and there was no indication the menu of the spiciness of the appetizer. We also order the Salmon Starter Salad which comes at a medium-well temp, if that is not the way you like your salmon cooked, I would advise them of that beforehand. Our Meals were prepared quickly and responsibly with respects to time. I had a fish dish which consisted of tilapia and my friend had the Chicken Tibs. Our entrees worked out as well as we both enjoyed our choices. I would definitely recommend this restaurant if your in the mood for a different cuisine. For some advice I would also ask the waiter about the spiciness of the meal you choose beforehand as well, just a warning.

    (4)

  • Eric R.

    This was our first time eating here and I must say, it will not be our last. The food was really good and the service was very nice. I am glad that we went.

    (4)

  • Marisa F.

    Best fish tibs I've ever had!

    (4)

  • Andrew P.

    Great service and food was brought out relatively quickly, especially for our large party of ~15. I originally was going to order the breakfast combo, but was told that the description was no longer accurate and did not include one of the stated items (tibs). However, it was "Chicken Monday," so there was a $7.99 deal on various chicken plates. The special is for chicken tibs, chicken tibs with shiro, chicken rice potato, or chicken firfir, and includes a small salad and canned soda. I ordered the chicken tibs, which had a great flavor and a quite generous portion too. If you're new to Ethiopian food and desire to sample a range of food, they also have a very good platter that feeds four.

    (4)

  • Gleni J.

    I've been to this place many many times. Only had an awkward experience once. I think the server was new and wasn't too confident or sure of what she was doing. Besides that, always had a good experience. The food is so flavorful, reminds me of my mother's cooking. I want to grow some balls and try their raw dishes. Maybe one day, as I can imagine that it tastes great. I love the Sheba wine, I always order it every time. You really can't go wrong with this place if it's your first time. They definitely explain everything to the tee. Except if you have a server that's new. She didn't make anything right either. But any who, love the food.

    (4)

  • Sam K.

    This is Ethiopian cuisine? I have never tried Ethiopian food before so this was my first time and maybe my last. I was not impressed at all. There was nothing special about the food, the lamb dish I ordered literally looked like something out of a Chinese takeout restaurant, it was very oily and although it was seasoned, the flavors did not wow me. The dish I ordered came out in less than 5 minutes lol, either the chef is psychic and knew I was coming and knew what I was going to order and timed the preparation or everything in the kitchen has been pre-prepared like a buffet. Along with the lamb dish, I ordered two sides, one side dish was a cabbage dish, which was soggy and overcooked and the other side dish was a collard green dish which also was overcooked and very soggy, it honestly looked and tasted like they were canned veggies (still suspicious). They brought out my lamb dish but didn't bring out the injera bread so my plate sat there getting cold for a few minutes before I flagged someone down to alert them of this situation. I will say that when I arrived to the restaurant there was a lot of people so maybe they are doing something right, maybe I just ordered the wrong dish, I will also say that they sat me at a table immediately, so good on that and the server was for the most part attentive but seemed like she would only come around when we obviously didn't need anything and didn't when we obviously did, weird. If you decide to go here try their Ethiopian beers, they were pretty good. I think I'm just not a big fan of Ethiopian cuisine maybe one day I will come across a restaurant that will convince me otherwise.

    (2)

  • Cynthia P.

    "Desta" means "Happiness" in Ethiopian...and it has now become my word for that euphoric "Happiness" that comes after an amazing dining experience. I frequent ATL several times per year for business and pleasure and drove by this place last summer. I was intrigued by the colorful and inviting lights illuminating the airy patio and made a mental note to check it out on a future visit. A year later, after taking in a Braves/Cards game (Go Cardinals!) I decided to be adventurous and try it out for dinner. It was a Saturday evening and we arrived around 8:30 without reservations. Understandably the hostess informed us there would be an hour wait. We were starving and debated on going elsewhere when a server passed by us with a sizzling platter of aromatic food. This solidified our decision to stay and we were lucky enough to grab a seat at the small bar. We wanted to try an Ethiopian beverage, so my boyfriend had a St. George lager and I had the Meta. Both were very refreshing and had a great taste. We are adventurous and wanted the full experience so while at the bar we ordered a couple of appetizers to try...the sambusa and tomato fit-fit. The sambusa, thin dough shells stuffed with minced meat or vegetables, was a bit dry but we liked the flavor. The tomato fit-fit had a great flavor and my boyfriend liked it but I couldn't get past the texture. The place continued to be busy with a wide variety of clientele, but the servers and even the patrons were patient and answered questions about the exotic dishes. The menu is complete with food definitions and pronunciations. We were having such a great experience at the bar we chose to remain where we were and ordered our meal. Narrowing down food selections, we decided on sharing the Lamb Tibs with injera and a side of miser...and proceed to enjoy one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The lamb was cooked to perfection...the seasonings were fresh and fragrant and the smell was almost as good as the taste. We were glad that we split the dish because of the enormous amount of food...and because we probably would not have had the willpower to stop eating if there had been more! Our total tab was just over $40 and we were very well-satisfied. Amazing price for such great food. Hands down one of the best meals I have ever experienced.

    (5)

  • Lamar P.

    The gored gored is great. The filet mignon tibs and miser were also really good. Wish they had doro wot. The staff is all super friendly. I've been to a few Ethiopian places before so I didn't have many questions, but I overhead them with other patrons answering loads of questions and being super patient about things like helping kids find something on the menu that they would like.

    (4)

  • Nestor R.

    Tasty, inventive food and a very helpful staff. Have been here three times and will return any time I want a culinary adventure.

    (4)

  • Rahul K.

    Surrounded by a couple of other Ethiopian restaurants, it's easy to miss but that would be a bad choice because they have the best Ethiopian fare in town. The ambience and service are good but it's all about the food. Definitely try this place if you like Ethiopian food!

    (4)

  • Sheree M.

    I very rarely dole out 5 stars, but this place is worth it! It's no wonder that this is one of the highest rated restaurants on Yelp. The food here is delicious! And what really puts it in the 5-star category is that it's CONSISTENTLY delicious! My favorite dish is the fish tibs entree with cabbage and rice as sides. The fish is always fresh and seasoned just right. I am in love with the fish tIbs but have had the lamb tIbs and they also very tasty. As far as atmosphere, there's the whole laid-back African vibe: outside patio, that has great lighting at night.; perfect for the sultry summer nights here in GA. The inside is somewhat small and a bit tight. The bathroom is always clean and obviously attended to frequently. And, there's a drive-thru window! This place is awesome! I do drive-thru almost every Friday and sit on the deck when I bring guests. If you're craving great Ethiopian food, look no further.

    (5)

  • Addy C.

    Upgrading to 5 stars to set it apart from the other Ethiopian restaurants -- their food excels everyone else and my favorite is their Fish Tibs. Service is very friendly too, and they have a nice outdoor deck. FISH TIBS - $12.50 The dish also comes with a choice of carb and side. No brainer to get the injera for my carb, and I decided on the Miser (spicy lentils) for my side. Everything esp. the fish was so yummy - I practiced portion control and had enough leftovers for a 2nd meal :) I came with a couple co-workers for lunch -- they don't have lunch specials though. Their lunch menu is same as dinner. I will definitely remember to keep Desta top-of-mind for lunch options :)

    (5)

  • Jeremy A.

    Desta continues to be one of our favorite restaurants in Atlanta and serves up some absolutely incredible food. It has to be great Ethiopian because ive been to other places in the area and Desta shines above them all. Go for the beef sambusa to start your meal then get after a meat lovers platter that HAS to have fish tibs on it which are my favorite meat to order here. if youre a vegetarian they have an incredible full platter here so be sure to check it out. Service is great and its reasonably priced. More Injera please!

    (5)

  • Seefa R.

    Love love love love this place. Every item on the menu is delicious, service is wonderful, and all the waitresses are beautiful! :)

    (5)

  • Anthony G.

    The place has it all: great delicious food, great service and professionalism from every member of the staff, very friendly atmosphere, and fantastic value as well! If I lived in Atlanta, I would be coming here regularly.

    (5)

  • Natán Q.

    The location, decor, presentation, and service were all great here. Every one had a smile and I felt welcomed. The food on the other hand wasn't all that it was cracked up to be. It was decent at best. They had some Ethiopian beer which is always a plus.

    (4)

  • Ana Maria L.

    Service impeccably attentive. Very friendly warm & makes you feel like you are at home visiting. Blew our palate with the powerful flavors. Everything was just right. We had never had Ethiopian and we went on the recommendation of one of my Ethiopian students. Been looking forward to it since she told me and brought the food as a presentation/taste assignment. We can't believe we waited this long to go. Now our mission will be to return and induct others into these worldly flavors. We had the Tartare- raw beef and chick peas served with their fluffy crepe like bread ingera. Wow. Also, the ribeye tibs and lentils. So many flavors but yet it was all about highlighting the meat. Didn't hide it , total focus was the meat. Our friends had the meat lovers chicken, lamb, ribeye (the tibs but the extra crispy). The plate was gorgeously plated but the each meat perfectly done. You'd think the ribeye was overcooked at crispy but it was crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside. Best of all $60 for two of us and that was food and 2 bottles of wine (not including tip)!

    (5)

  • S K.

    The large pieces of jalepinos made the vegetarian dish way too hot. Otherwise trendy and tasty. A twenty minute wait in a Friday night at 7pm.

    (4)

  • Dani O.

    Love the ambiance and food. Heard about it and tried it for lunch . The Goden tibs are really good and the red Ethiopian wine was sweet and different. Will try it again for dinner.

    (5)

  • Rachel D.

    Always a wonderful experience at Desta. I order pretty much the same thing every time I come and it always hits the spot! Fish Tibs and a vegetarian platter. It has eggplant, lentils, potatoes, salad with jalapeños and red onions, cabbage and greens. The fish is sautéed to perfection and is served with jalapeños onions and other veggies. Heathy and delicious. The patio is large and comfortable and the espressos are strong. Try it!

    (5)

  • Ashley W.

    I visited this place this past Saturday. It wasn't overly crowded and food came out very fast. The food was great and the customer service was pretty good as well. I ordered the chicken and rice with injera and collards. It was tasty. This is not my first time having Ethiopian food, so some of things I was familiar with. But I was grateful for the descriptions on the side of the menu. I also tried the berry cheesecake and the caramel cheesecake. Both were pretty good. I would go back again and enjoy a meal there.

    (5)

  • Kate G.

    I walked in randomly while running errands, and was blown away by the flavors and spices in the authentic Ethiopian dishes served here! It's also expected that you eat with your hands! Loved it and would recommend this place to others!

    (5)

  • Tamar Z.

    Good veggie platter. Waitress was very attentive, refilling my water probably 10 times throughout the meal, and brought extra injera when I was running low

    (4)

  • Jumi Y.

    Ok, I've decided that Desta is my favorite Ethiopian in the Williamsburg Square (Ledet and Mesekerem are also here). I still need to try Behel, but I'm perfectly happy going to Desta. First of all, there are so many options on the menu! I started off with the lentils eggroll as recommended by our server, and it was delicious. The lentils were mashed and seasoned perfectly, and then there was a nice slow burn on the tongue. Nice. My friends and I got the meat lovers tibs- we selected filet mignon, chicken, and fish- and the vegetable platter. We should have gotten one or the other, but our eyes were bigger than our stomachs this day. Tibs: My favorite was the fish. It was crispy out the outside, moist on the inside, and had a nice garlicky thing going on. Add some lemon, and voila! Magic. The chicken and the filet mignon were also delicious, but the fish that night was extra special. Veggie dish: Pretty much every vegetable offering is on that place. The miser is so good. I think this is a great option for a vegetarian and would leave you more than happy. Service: Excellent. I was a little surprised that our server was so attentive given my previous experiences at other Ethiopian places, and the owner came by to ask how our meal was as well. I'm sold. Plus this place is cheaper than the other places in this area, and they have $7.99 Chicken Mondays (tibs, firfir, rice potato). I think my Monday plans might involve a short stop by this place from now on.

    (4)

  • Joy B.

    Amazing food! Amazing waitstaff! ...did I say amazing food! Also they have a live band on the patio on Saturday nights. I had never had Ethiopian food before going here and I think now I'm a regular at least once a month. The staff seemed to really appreciate us being there, how refreshing is that. They answered our questions, brought out samples and were just all around wonderful! The place gets crowded and we had about a 30-35 min wait, but it was well worth it! Yummmmmy!

    (5)

  • Grant M.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen is amazing. I highly recommend getting the fish tibs. They are so dang good. The fish tibs come with several sauces and ineja (Ethiopian bread, similar to sourdough). The service here is really awesome as well. Our waiter, Megan was super sweet. In my opinion, this is the best Ethiopian in Atlanta and some of the best I've had.

    (5)

  • Bilal A.

    Great food. It's nice cozy place with great ambiance. Given I have never been to Ethiopia I don't know what the actual food tastes but it's definitely great.

    (5)

  • kimi m.

    Loved this place! One of my friend's mother is from Eritrea and I was craving some of her food, but didn't want to up and call her out the blue begging to be fed. So I decided to do the second most convenient thing-yelp and Ethiopian restaurant. Desta came up as one of the best in Atlanta-and it definitely was. Had a little bit of everything. Loved it all. I will definitely be going back sooner than later.

    (4)

  • L E.

    Good food and fast, friendly service. I had a chicken dish with injera and salad. The waitress was very nice and showed me how people normally eat with their hands or with the bread. I got the special so it was a good price too.

    (4)

  • Tran N.

    I never ever would have ethiopian as a option to dine if it were up to me. However, this was before I tried Desta. My boyfriend wanted to give this place a try since we like to try out new places instead of sticking with the regulars. I was expecting weird flavors that I was not going to be adjusted to, and I was scared I wasn't going to like it at all. It turns out after trying the tibs entrees, they were pretty good. My first visit here I ended up getting the fish tibs, the flavors were just right and I got it with the injera bread. Now the injera bread is interesting as I saw other people picking their food up with it, this is how it should be eaten. I had a couple bites of the bread with the tibs and I was not to big of a fan of the bread. I rather would just stick to pita bread. The injera bread ruins the flavors of the tibs just a bit, it reminds me of sourdough except more sour. My second visit here I tried the chicken tibs, I forgot what the sides I chose were but one of them included the tomato salad I believe. I think I prefer the fish tibs better just because there are more flavors to that. Totally give this place a try if you're looking for a new experience of dining, the restaurant is usually dim and dark at night, seems a bit tight spaced, but they do have a second level I believe. Tibs entrees are recommended for first timers, and don't worry, if you don't know what the meaning of some of the terms they use for the dishes, there is a quick glossary on the side of the menu before you end up asking a waitress!

    (4)

  • Peter A.

    Phenomenal Ethiopian place in an upscale restaurant. Delicious food. Great Service. Classy atmosphere. What else is there to like in a restaurant? This place is one of the few places I am aware of with a 4.5/5 star Yelp rating....and it deserves the full five. When my Ethiopian friend suggested this place to me a year ago, I said "sure, I'll try it". I thought was going to be like most other Ethiopian places I had been to (decent food but in a hole in the wall joint) so it took another recommendation for me to try it out. Boy, I should listened the first time. This place is delicious and authentic while being hosted in a classy upscale restaurant with a great atmosphere. On top of that the service is very attentive and the prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of the food and the atmosphere. Really though it comes down to the food and the food here is fantastic. The whole experience here is tops. It gets 5 stars in every category. Seriously, give this place a try. Food: 5/5 Service 5/5 Atmosphere 5/5 Sanitation 5/5 Value 5/5

    (5)

  • Christine E.

    My mouth began watering the moment I started contemplating what I was going to describe in this review. The food here is to die for, and extremely reasonably priced to boot. Definitely some of the best Ethiopian food I have ever had (my samplings include some of the top-rated places in Durham, DC, Philly and NYC). I pretty much always get the vegetarian platter for the sake of variety, although I have a particularly strong affection for some of the individual dishes included in it, which you can also choose to get in larger portions. Supposedly the platter is for two people, but that is obviously a joke, because the hell am I ever going to share it with anyone. And no, I never take home any leftovers. My meat-eating parents love the beef tips, and the dessert is good, although not nearly as amazing as the rest of the food. There is a lovely outdoor seating area (they built the roof around a tree!) that often hosts a live music performance. Basically what I'm telling you is that Desta is perfect and you should go now.

    (5)

  • Jennie Y.

    I've never had Ethiopian before until a few months ago when one of my closest friends wanted Ethiopian and named this place for her bachelorette dinner. I was feeling iffy because I don't know what to expect, but i figured, if she loves it so much, it can't be that bad, right? omg... if i only knew how addicted i would be.... This is pretty much what I order now whenever we go.. whether it's for dinner or late night cravings (and they do stay open pretty late!). We order kafta wrap (tortilla wrap with rare to medium-rare beef) for appetizer. It is spicy and soft and chewy and just pure heaven. We can eat a whole plate of this. I usually order the lamb tibs and the hubby will go for the ribeye tibs, both with miser (spicy lentil) and injera (steamed sour spongey dough of some sort that rolls. it basically acts as your scoop and soaks up all the seasoning and juices from your plate) You can get jasmine rice instead, but then it's not very authentic. I've also ordered their goden tibs before... but it doesn't come with a side dish as the plate itself is seemingly big with bone-in beef strips. I'm a big meat eater so I'd never dream of getting this, but I've had friends to order their vegetarian plate and it's a huge plate (maybe even enough for 2) with lots of colorful vegetable, so I'd definitely recommend that if a couple or 2 friends would like to share. For meat eaters, they do have the meat loves entree where you can choose 3 meats. My hubby and I are completely satisfied with getting only 2 meats, so we've never tried this option. I don't know if other ethiopian places are better since desta is the only one i've ever been to, but it's so good that i'm willing to not try... unless one of you yelpers can convince me otherwise!

    (5)

  • Patrick H.

    Nice place. Great food. Great place to eat. Had the fish tibs.

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    Sat outside on the deck. There are 4 or 5 other Ethiopian places within a couple of hundred yards of Desta. We walked into two of them and they smelled funny and had a real weird vibe. Desta on the other hand was up beat, lively and smelled good. Other than seeing people eat with their hands you never would guess you were in an Ethiopian place. Lets be honest Ethiopian food does not conjure up thoughts of heavenly good eats nor makes your mouth salivated upon mentioning its cuisine like lets say Grandma's meatballs. However, this place was great. Everything was freshly made, served with a smile and tasted great. I would definitely go back and experiment on the menu a little more. We all had the house specialty tibs and all was were very pleased.

    (3)

  • Powell S.

    Really enjoyed the fish tibs. I think it was the best of the meal. However, everything was good including the lamb tibs, miser, gomen, tomato fitfit and the Tiramisu. I had a cup of Ethiopian espresso with dessert and it was delicious too.

    (5)

  • Steve P.

    Great place for a couple of first timers. Tee was awesome with meal selections. The lentils were spice just right. Lamb tibs! Will be back!

    (5)

  • Paige N.

    I finally made it to Desta last night! Finally! I've been trying to find someone adventurous enough to accompany me for a while now into the unknown that is Ethiopian food, but no one was biting - literally. Last night, however, the moon must have come into retrograde (or something like that) and I found myself seated in a booth at Desta Ethiopian Kitchen, a cup of honey wine in front of me. And let me tell you, it was well worth the wait. I did my homework on the Ethiopian places in Atlanta and this one won hands down because of all the positive reviews. They were totally true. We began our dinner with meat sambusas that came with a yummy, spicy chipotle-type sauce on the side, then moved on with two main courses of lamb tibs with the extra awaze spice and red lentils and fish tibs with gomen (collard greens) and lots of injera to scoop it all up, naturally. It was delicious! Everything was hot and fresh and spicy (but not too much that it burned in a bad way). And when our supply of injera started to get low, a waitress came around with a fresh platter of perfectly rolled replacements. The service was also excellent - an attentive waiter who recommended Ethiopian beers and gave me a taster of the wine before I ordered a full glass to see if I liked the honey overtones of it. He checked on us several times throughout the meal to make sure everything had come out and was to our liking and brought the check promptly when we were finished, yet he never rushed us either. And the ambiance of the place is very cute. I'd definitely like to come back in the spring / summer when the warm weather will allow me to sit on the patio that has a tree (yes, I wrote that correctly) - a tree growing through the patio deck. But the inside is nice too - tables are close together and it can get a bit noisy with a crowd, but it has more of a 'cozy' feel than an 'I'm-sitting-in-the-person-next-to-me's-lap' feel. Wonderful experience, excellent food and a place I will absolutely suggest again. I can't wait to try more of their dishes!

    (4)

  • Elaine L.

    This is my first time trying Ethiopian food, it was definitely interesting to say the least. My friends and I got the meat lover platter. We got the lamb, ribeye and fish tibs. I thought the taste was definitely there and good! I think I have to keep on eating to know for sure how I feel about Ethiopian food but it definitely was good! I love the taste! I thought the injera (the sponge bread that's a bit sour) was interesting, I'm not sure how I feel about this. I'm not quite used to the taste but it was definitely interesting to have. A lot of the other people got it so we got that too, I'm thinking that's authentic to Ethiopian food. I like the texture and the taste. I definitely recommend this place, overall the food was good. I wouldn't say exceptional because it's not quite used to what I have before and I don't have anything to compare this to. The food was a tad bit sour or more citrus flavored, which was a bit weird to me. But, definitely try it! Maybe once I go back again, I might like it more (and I will readjust my review!).

    (4)

  • Monica G.

    It was my first time to try Ethiopian food and didn't really have any expectations. We ordered the meat lovers with lamb, filet mignon and rib eye and had injera. The food really hit the spot. We also ordered dessert and I think it's called Napoleon. It was also really good. Not too sweet. Just the perfect amount of sweetness. I'm def coming back to this place.

    (5)

  • Michelle K.

    This is one of the best Ethiopian restaurants I've ever eaten at. The service is great and their food is quite flavorful. It's even friendly for first timers! I had a great time eating here on two occasions. One of the neat things about Ethiopian dining is they encourage you to use your hands instead of utensils. I rarely follow this etiquette but they do make it pretty easy to eat with your hands. I found it interesting that each table had a bottle of hand sanitizer for those who are too lazy to wash their hands in their bathrooms. Definitely try their vegetarian platter with the grilled fish or their filet mignon tib entree. Hands down, this is one of our most favorite Ethiopian restaurants in town.

    (4)

  • Stephen B.

    It's probably pointless to try and add to the other reviews, so I'll just echo them. The atmosphere was pleasant (we sat on the shaded patio,) the service was exceptional (friendly, competent,) the food was delicious, portion size just right, and the prices quite reasonable. We'll definitely be coming back.

    (5)

  • Laura O.

    This place is amazing! Love the food and service ! I got the filet mignon and the chicken and I love it! My bf got the fish and it was super good too.:)

    (5)

  • Cory G.

    This is one of my favorite places in Atlanta to eat. I love sitting our on the patio and ordering a little bit of everything. The food is delicious, the staff is so kind, the atmosphere is perfect and the restaurant is clean. I couldn't ask for more!

    (5)

  • Brianna C.

    The best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. Fish tibs are amazing, also try them over shiro. The honey wine is yummy too. I no longer live in Atlanta but make it a point to visit at least once whenever I visit!

    (5)

  • Alicia J.

    I've never had Ethiopian food until today, and it was absolutely amazing! I had the fish tibs, and my boyfriend had the lamb and ribeye tibs. Everything was so well-seasoned! We had injera bread, greens and cabbage with it, and after the first bite, we both immediately said "we're definitely coming back!" Service is great too!

    (5)

  • Donnell S.

    If you like Ethopian food or are adventurous, you will love this place. Beware if you're bringing people who aren't adventurous, they seem to hate it (sorry no chicken tenders on the menu). The menu doesn't have the widest selection you've ever seen, but you can customize each thing to create endless possibilities. It works well. Everything I've had was pretty spicy by default, and the time I ordered extra spice, it was a bit much for me, so be careful. I wish they had soda from the fountain instead of by the can, but thats ok...I'll be back!

    (5)

  • S H.

    I'm not typically a fan of trying new things when it comes to food. My fiance literally begged me to try Ethiopian cuisine with him. After goggling "best Ethiopian food in Atlanta" we came across Desta. I was in love after the first bite. I am so glad that I was willing to try new things that day!

    (5)

  • Cynthia N.

    Mine eyes have seen the glory of good Ethiopian food....and Desta, I thank you. I was first introduced to Desta by Yelp through an event. Their food was so yummy at the event, that I knew I had to go by and have a full meal. And now that I work in the area, Desta is very convenient for lunch. What isn't convenient is that Desta isn't very big and it seems to always have a full house whenever I stop by. But the sun does shine on my face every once in a while so I've had my chances to eat at Desta. I've had the tibs with chicken, rice, gomen (collards), miser (lentil stew), and injera (bread). The rice is very spicy, which I love, love, love; the injera is cold and soft, and not a good match for the dishes I've had. The chicken has a great flavor and is balanced nicely with the spicy rice, and you can have your meat choice cooked in their signature spice - awaze, which is definitely spicy but doable for a person who eats spice all the time, not so much for a newbie. The collards are stewed but still firm and delicious, and the miser puts lentils on a whole new level. Vegetarians should love this place. They have a dessert case with lovely cakes and tarts and all the yummy things my mouth loves and my butt hates. I've had the cream puff - which has a creamy custard in the center with a flaky shortbread pastry type of crust. The combination of the cream and pastry textures is so wonderful in the mouth. *sigh* I've also had several versions of cream and puff pastry cakes which are not overly sweet and very pleasing to eat. They also have liquor here and abundant free parking, so I'm pretty much in love. My only issue with this place (and why it isn't 5 stars) is the service. Gawd, these ladies are as slow as sea turtles. And this can be very frustrating when you have to go back to work. They check on you in the beginning but once you get your food, you can forget it. You'll have to chase them down for everything - more water, your check, dessert, everything that comes after your meal arrives. But the food is so friggin' good you just have to put up with it (or order takeout.) Desta always having a crowd is completely understandable now that I've experienced it for myself, so be warned. And Fridays are especially packed at lunch time - it seems like everybody and their mama wants some tibs! Yelp 52 #42

    (4)

  • Rachel A.

    I just took my parents this past weekend and they loved it! I was surprised since my parents don't like any cuisine other than our own! The service is excellent with constant attention to our table - glasses were constantly being filled, we were asked whether we needed anything and if the food was to our liking more than once! I'll be back! With my parents!

    (5)

  • Karthik R.

    Amazing food for great a great price. Get the Meat plate. you can mix and match your favorite meats and vegetables.

    (4)

  • Jeremy H.

    This is the only Ethiopian food I've ever had, but it's really good! I was here for a party and there was a buffet with several types of tibs (chicken and lamb) The injera (sour spongy bread) was very tasty and I loved the tibs wrapped in injera. I will definitely be back for a regular meal!

    (4)

  • Matthew J.

    Desta Ethiopian Kitchen serves quite simply the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I have been 3 times now, and each time I leave wholly satisfied (and wishing I didn't have to leave). Honestly, it makes my shortlist for best restaurant in Atlanta. The service is excellent, the menu is amazingly varied, and the food... oh, the food is epic. I know that word gets bandied about a lot on the internet these days, but every time I ate the food there, the flavors absolutely came alive on my palate! All the meats are cooked to perfection, the spices and sauces are intense but filled with subtle flavors, and the dishes are always nicely presented. Plus, there is always plenty of injera (a traditional Ethiopian-style bread) on the side to allow for traditional Ethiopian-style dining. Yes, they will give you a fork and knife if you ask, but when was the last time you ate with your hands and really got to enjoy it? Injera's soft, spongy texture can be daunting for those who have never tried it before, but it's easy to get used to and soon you're eating with your hands like a pro! The restaurant itself is not a big place, but it has enough room inside and outside on its covered patio for a decent number of people. The servers are incredibly helpful, and the staff is willing to go beyond the confines of the menu if you ask respectfully. Last time I was there, I had the Kitfo done "super-brave" style (medium rare), although next time I will probably try it straight up "daredevil" style (rare all the way). I also had the fish, beef, and chicken tibs, each one filled with unique tastes and incorporating different vegetables to accent the dish. Everything was delicious, and unlike some food that does not keep well as leftovers, this stuff was still extremely tasty several days later. I would rate this higher than 5 stars if I could! If you want to try something new, or are looking for an Ethiopian cuisine fix, stop reading and go to Desta now!

    (5)

  • Mia T.

    Every experience have been great. My favorite thing on the menu is the lamb tibs with rice and cabbage. Delicious!!!

    (5)

  • Keila B.

    Amazingly bold flavors!! Great introduction to Ethiopian food! Loved the fish and chicken dibs! Veggies are great too!

    (5)

  • Chaz C.

    Desta makes my favorite meal ...period - Fish Tibs! I come here more often than any other restaurant even though it's out of the way for me. You can't go wrong with any of the tibs, though I would suggest you try the the fish tibs (even if you don't like fish much) and goden tibs (Prime Rib). It's also pretty nice that they have an outdoor patio for nicer days though looking at the old strip mall isn't that great. If you get a chance they also make really good coffee here.

    (5)

  • Arerell J.

    My cousin took me here while visiting and I must say the food was decent but the service was terrible the waiter barely checked on is and it took forever for our food to be served. Also outside it smelled like urine. I am giving 3 starts because the Lamb was very good and injera my fav!!!

    (3)

  • Nina W.

    If heaven was on earth ..it would be a little restaurant tucked away in decatur. YES. Desta is that absolutastically good (new word Ive created deriving from absolutely and fantastic hehehe). I mean where do I start? seriously though where do I start? I have been going to this restaurant for about 4 years now and I cannot rave enough about the food, service, authenticity of this place. I seriously recommend it to every one who is feeling adventurous and wants to dine on some Ethiopian food. It is by far the best Ethiopian food not only I've eaten in Atlanta but also surpasses others I've visited in DC, LA, and Miami by light speeds. My experience everytime I visit Desta is like the rest.. greeted by wonderful staff and then seated to a cozy booth where my tongue yearns for a delicious bite of injera, fish tibs, awaze tibs and every other decadent treat on the menu. Literally I think to myself if this is what heaven tastes like I don't want to be on earth. Think the episode of the Simpsons where they stumble upon an Ethiopian restaurant and their taste buds start to dance to the tunes of Ethiopian music. The aroma upon entering the parking lot is enough to drive me insane. For starters I usually start my meal with sambusa for appetizer. Try it for yourself and then thank me later. For my meal I typically get the fish tibs.. OH MY GOD! I cannot say enough, its priced at $14.00 or so and if it was priced even a $100 more I would stop at nothing to order it. Its seasoned right swimming in a sea of veggies and lemon juice. The fried talapia is encrusted until golden.. mouth savoring yes, slap your momma good, yes. I always top it with Tsome firfir which is injera torn into pieces and cooked with vegetables and spices. Can we say TDF!!!! (to die for). The service is always exceptional and its usually packed so plan in advance to call and make reservations on the weekends or it can be a 30-40 minute wait sometimes. I've heard they expanded since I have last been so thats always a plus.. more room and less waiting times! I always leave Desta satisfied, full to the rim of the cup and thinking.. "wow, I just went to heaven and came back" ..and yes I am completely sober in writing this. In case you were wondering my enthusiasm stems from Desta being one of the best restaurants in Atlanta. MUST TRY.. like now.

    (5)

  • Cindy W.

    Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here. Came here on a Friday, since I'm Catholic and it's Lent I had the Fish Tibs. The food was excellent! Looking for an appetizer? Do yourself a favor and have the Sambusa with lentils. Oh and the spicy pepper sauce to go with your Sambusa is a must try but keep water near. If you decide to dine her you are definitely in for a real treat.

    (4)

  • guido s.

    Best Ethiopian restaurant ever. Lots of vegetarian and vegan options. Food is perfectly spiced, portions are large, price is low, etc.. Very cozy inside and great outdoor funky patio space for nice evenings. The teff flour bread (injera) is gluten free for you hipsters. Service is usually great, but can be a bit slow if it's slammed busy. Seriously, this is one of the greatest little gems in Atlanta. There's also like 4-5 other Ethiopian restaurants within a 50 yard radius from Desta, but never found the chance to go to them. Desta's food nails my cravings.

    (5)

  • Angela H.

    Last night, I had my first taste of Ethiopian food at Desta. I was with a group of 8, and we were seated upstairs. Since I was about 15 minutes late (sorry, guys!), I don't know if my group had to wait long to be seated or whatnot. I had no idea what to order, but one of my friends who had been here before recommended the tibs. I decided to order the Beef Ribeye Tibs with rice and potato stew. I had no clue what "tibs" were, but here is a description off Desta's website: "Ribeye Tibs (Beef) Tender cubed prime ribeye sauted in a special blend of house spices, onion, tomato, pepper, and Ethiopian butter." Damn. I missed the "onion" part of the description (oops - I hate onions), so when my tibs came, I picked out all of the onions - and there were a lot of them! =P And I guess looks are deceiving, but when I received my food (see attached pic), I thought it wouldn't be enough to fill me up. Boy was I wrong... I thought the potato stew looked more like two spoonfuls of mashed up red beans (eek!), but it tasted alright. The ribeye was flavored nicely with the spices, and it was good with the rice but even better with the warm pita bread, which I stole from a friend. =) I also tried a tiny piece of the injera - a spongy bread which tasted sour and a bit sweet, but served cold. I did not like neither the texture nor taste of the injera and would never even want to sample it again. The server hardly came around our table - and I had to stop her on the way to another table to ask for a refill of water, but it was a Friday night and very busy. They tack on a 18% service charge for large groups (I'm guessing for parties of 6+). Overall, Desta gets 3 stars - for good food and decent service. At $12.50, my first experience with Ethiopian food was good but not great. I'm not sure if I would return - unless it was for a birthday or other special occasion.

    (3)

  • Holly M.

    This is a family favorite but the first time they have taken me. Honestly one of the best meals I've ever had. Everything was fresh and the service was amazing. They gave us a great wine recommendation and were more than willing to answer any questions. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Mir S.

    Loved this restaurant! We ordered the lamb tibs with red lentils and the vegetarian platter. Both were delicious. The staff is very friendly and were helpful with deciding what we should order. I will be back to try more dishes!!

    (5)

  • Matt G.

    Really good. There's a reason this place is crowded...people go once and then keep coming back. I had the fish Tibs and it was perfect, delicious and perfectly prepared. The staff is wonderful and I'm going back as soon as I can.

    (5)

  • Jocelyn T.

    The food is amazing. Yesterday was my 1st time having Ethiopian food, I got the lamb tips and cabbage. LOVED it, the place is so trendy and fun... Makes you feel comfortable about the unknown.

    (4)

  • Fasil H.

    Desta is a laid back and cozy restaurant. It is relatively small which adds to the intimacy of the restaurant. I have been frequenting this place for almost two years now and I am pleasantly surprised at how far they have improved on the food, service and décor. Quality of the food is awesome and the service in second to none. I typically get the rib eye tibs or fish tibs with shero. If I have out of town friends, I typically rally them to Desta which always gets glowing reviews.

    (5)

  • M R.

    Great food, great space.

    (4)

  • hailu r.

    Desta is amazing dinning place,the food is fresh and delicious,servers are very profesional and friendly.Just wait 10 minutes to get a sit then you start enjoing the cosy Ethiopian food and pleasant atmospher,hey just give them a call if you do not want sit there they have drive through window for busy profesionals it is really quick.

    (5)

  • Shyam S.

    I am thrilled that I used previous Yelp reviews before deciding on Desta for my 30th birthday dinner because my guests and I had a phenomenal time. The food was outstanding - best Ethiopian in the city and I dare someone to find a better vegetarian combo. I would also suggest the Tomato Fit Fit for a unique appetizer. Have gone twice in the last two weeks and more visits are on the horizon.

    (5)

  • Mark F.

    I can't claim to be an expert on Ethiopian cuisine but Desta has got to be the best Ethiopian restaurant I've ever tried. Desta for me ranks as one of the top restaurants in Atlanta. I have never had a bad experience here and the food is always perfectly fresh, beautifully seasoned and lovingly served. Even if you're a carnivore you'll be perfectly happy with the veggie platter. Mounds of delisciousness served on beautiful sourdough injera. I highly recommend the fish tibs, wonderful citrus flavour with a nice crunch. Try the Ethiopean beer, it goes perfectly with everything. The servers are always gracious and quite beautiful too!

    (5)

  • M L.

    Hands down this is the best Ethiopian food in Atlanta. I have tried various Ethiopian places in Atlanta and Florida, but Desta takes the cake. If you have never had Ethiopian before this is a great place to start. Recommendations: Fish Tibs Chicken Tibs Shiro Vege Combo Salad Injera (bread) Kifto Wrap (raw beef)-personal favorite, filled with jalapenos and cheese Also try a Meta beer. Extra tip, the creative loafing gift card area has $20 gift cards for 10 bucks!

    (5)

  • Josiah R.

    Fantastic. Good service, great food, good atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Drew W.

    Had dinner here a while back it was amazing. There was a bit of a wait and the place was crowded, but we could order a bottle of wine while we waited. Once we sat down service was quick and the recommendations from the server were great. Excellent food and value.

    (5)

  • Pradeep T.

    My favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the US. The injera is delightful! The food isn't greasy and the service is friendly. There is a large Ethiopian population in Decatur that this restaurant caters to and that means that Desta should serve authentic food.

    (5)

  • Liam M.

    Fantastic! The best of all the Ethiopian restaurants in Atlanta in my opinion.

    (5)

  • Michaela G.

    LOVE LOVE LOVE this place. My bf and I went here for dinner last night and we simply loved it. We are vegan and when we told the waiter he made sure our food was cooked with olive oil and not butter without us having to ask! We had the veggie combo and the vegetable fir fir. We ended up taking a to-go box and then ate everything later that evening. We HIGHLY recommend this place.

    (5)

  • Lyndsay M.

    The service is slightly above average, nothing to write home about. BUT the owner is really accomodating! The food is top-notch - best Ethiopian I've ever eaten.

    (4)

  • Michelle B.

    Been dying to come here, but can't seem to get anyone to join me, and afterall, one must sample many dishes to truly enjoy this cuisine. Finally got a taste at the Yelp Masquerade and was impressed. If the food is this good for a "free event", I'm sure it will rock at the restaurant. Who wants to go for lunch next week?! The menu is omnivore and veg friendly and everything was yum!

    (4)

  • Ray L.

    So after mistakingly eating at Bahel, thinking it was Desta, I finally got to try the real thing - and it is worlds better than what you get across the street. I got the chicken tibs with awaze. I don't know what real authentic Ethiopian food is supposed to taste like, but this tasted pretty damn good to me. Even with a cold and a slight current lack of tasting ability, the flavors and spices came through nicely. I would definitely come back. Great atmosphere - and who doesn't like eating with their hands?

    (5)

  • Laura W.

    This place is tiny! But the servers are friendly and the food is tasty, so don't get hung up on feeling out of place. A colleague recommended Desta to me as one of the more authentic places to try his national cuisine. We got one order of lamb tibs and one order of kitfo (the Boy was feeling full on, raw meat-consuming carnivore), and enjoyed both, although I'm less of a tartare fan myself. Also, I'm completely fascinated by the breakfast menu here. Props to Desta for keeping things authentic (well, at least according to my co-worker... it's not like I can tell) but accessible.

    (4)

  • Tramaine W.

    It was alright.The sambusa i had sucked really bad, like really bad.The lamb tibs were delicious nicely seasoned and the injera was good too.Overall my experience was just ok.

    (3)

  • AB T.

    I will keep this short and sweet (well...you decide that part). Desta is my favorite Ethiopian place. I have taken bunches of friends from out of town to eat there and they've almost always loved it. Their service is awesome. Attentive and the waitresses are always cheerful. When the weather is nice you can sit in their patio and really makes a wonderful lunch spot. They also have a drive-through! I usually get the chicken tibs with shiro on the side or the fish tibs. The injera always reminds me of the south indian dosa for it's feel and taste and brings back fond memories of days past. They also have a veggie platter that is a delight both to the eyes and the tastebuds. All these aforementioned items on their menu are delicious and filling. Definitely worth a try.

    (4)

  • Holly S.

    My boyfriend and I haven't had a ton of Ethiopian, but we love Desta for its consistently great food and great ambiance. Most nights you can sit on the porch, with a large tree growing through the middle of it. The service can be a little poor sometimes, but last time we went we had an awesome waiter who was super helpful with picking out great food. I absolutely love the Shiro. I eat so much that I end up feeling sick afterwards ;) My boyfriend gets the Golden Tibs. This was a special recommendation from our waiter and it was phenomenal. I would recommend Desta to anyone.

    (5)

  • Scott M.

    I have never had Ethiopian food before so my wife and I tried it when we were in the area. The patio was busy and very nice and relaxing. The food was really good. I had the filet TIB The bread was good, the steak was amazing flavor, the services was great as well.

    (4)

  • LaVida B.

    I love this place. I have never eaten I inside but the outside is always jam-packed. The food is AMAZING! I love the cinnamon, cardamom and spiciness of the rice and chicken tibs. This restaurant is definitely in my top 5 for Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Valerie B.

    Love. This. Place! I also love that I can dine in or order take out at at drive thru window! Seating is quite close in the restaurant which made a first date even more awkward but otherwise the food is delicious and the staff is very pleasant! One of my all time favorite Ethiopian restaurants.

    (5)

  • Happy Eater B.

    Yum. Terrific food at a great price. Wonderful Ethiopian food. The injera bread was fantastic, a real highlight. Our server was terrific. The ambience is really nice - casual and comfortable, very welcoming and hospitable. The 'tibs' meal I selected was a bit one dimensional - the same great flavor throughout, but, not a lot of variety or interest to it after a while. My wife selected a vegetable sampler that was much more interesting.

    (4)

  • Maria Eduarda M.

    I've been hearing about Ethiopian food lately so I had to try. Well, it's really good. Desta gave us a pleasant experience . Nice servers, good environment and the food was delicious. We had the vegetarian combo and the fish dulete. We definitely will be back!

    (5)

  • Mary S.

    Now I have eaten there three times--wow! So very good! Going to be a regular. So close I could walk to it--food delectable. The vegetarian sampler is a little piece of heaven (except for the 1/2 pepper thing, inedibly hot to my palate). Then, after a going dinnerless for a talk by Salman Rushdie, I stopped on the way home for the tilapia sandwich. How did they make that texture and flavor so perfect? And the bread so fresh and excellent? I thought it would be rolled up in tej but it is a European style wheat roll, reminded me of challah a little. And the servers are all so warm and cute--that special Ethiopian beauty.

    (5)

  • Robyn B.

    I have eatan here two times in the past couple of months. The staff is always nice. I really enjoy the fish.

    (4)

  • Heather S.

    The food here was amazing. We had kifto (steak tartare) as an appetizer and it was delicious. I had the ribeye tibs over shiro and both were full of flavor and absolutely fantastic. I had ater on the side and it was great. Our server was awesome. She was really informative, very attentive, and made excellent recommendations. Prices were reasonable. My entree was $12 and it was a lot of food so I had leftovers the next day. I am so glad that I finally went to Desta and that I live nearby!

    (5)

  • Kimberly M.

    We ordered some sort of vegetarian platter and a platter of meats. Everything was absolutely delicious and between three people we had a ton of food left over. The Enjira was never ending and service was excellent. Desta was definitely the nicest, most modern Ethiopian restaurant I've ever been to. They have a hip atmosphere and the food presentation was well done. If I lived in Atlanta I would be a regular.

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    So clean and the food is amazing and fresh! So much flavor. Great beer and wine selection too. Love this place.

    (5)

  • Jennifer L.

    So I have only eaten Ethiopian only once a long time ago so that was my only point of reference (and what I was expecting but it wasn't). The food was pretty tasty - I got the the lamb tibs. Love lamb. It would have been nice to have a glossary with the menu since we had no idea what most of the food was. The one thing that would have been nice would have to been sitting on pillows around a communal feast (going back to the only other time I had gone). However I would try again (though there are a bunch of other Ethiopian restaurants in the same vicinity), Also my friend got the baklava for dessert - it was warmed up which was different but yummy.

    (3)

  • Wayne B.

    We really like Ethiopean food and try to have it regularly. If you are looking for a place to try Ethi or shopping for a regular spot, look no further. This place is the joint. The food is excellent and well prepared (by that I mean the meat cuts are lean and they do not go overboard on the oil). Particularly recommend the Chickpea Fit Fit, The Fish Tibs with Shiro and the Awaze Tibs (I am a beef man myself but the lamb is tasty as well.) This place rocks.

    (5)

  • Victoria R.

    FABULOUS! So tasty and they have something for everyone. I took some hesitant and unadventurous eaters here, but by the end of the meals, they were complete converts. Vegan options available but the lamb tibs were also fabulous. I definitely suggest you try the injera bread - it tastes like sourdough! Silverware is available but go authentic and eat with your hands and wash it down with a traditional Ethiopian beer. I wouldn't take a huge party here just because they are typically pretty busy. They will accommodate your big group; it may just take a while. Overall, one of my favorite spots in Atlanta!

    (5)

  • Saira K.

    Exceptional food and great service. The fish tibs comes with lots of sliced jalapenos, and lemon and is delicious with the split peas and gomen. Their version of injera is the best I've had. The Napoleon with the unique traditional tea (see my earlier review) was a nice treat. It's interesting that they have the same menu and prices for lunch and for dinner. Portions are less than expected for the price.

    (4)

  • They Call Me L.

    Who knew that Ethiopian food could be so trendy? We were here on a Friday night - 4 adults and two kids at an outside table. I really dig the setup of the outdoor seating, plus Germ-X bottles at each table along with the sink, to make sure you keep your hands clean. All the dishes were great - tibs, veggie platter, shiro with cubed meat. And the injera - this is the good stuff, with just the right amount of sourness in a yummy spongy rolled-up bready treat.

    (4)

  • Jordan P.

    Couldn't have been more satisfied with my experience here. The service was incredibly fast, the food was delicious, and the staff helped explain any questions we had about the menu. I got the sambusa and tibs with lamb, potatoes, rice, and the beet potato salad, and I'll absolutely be going back

    (5)

  • Ezza D.

    I came to Destaa with a relatively large group of various ages. The service was so accommodating and friendly, our server, Tee, answered all of our questions and served our food quickly. Then when one dish was too spicy for one of the younger of our group, they remade it without spices and brought out a mango juice for her on the house. To top it all off, the food was flavorful, delicious and beautifully prepared. It was a fantastic dining experience. As a vegan, I'm always looking for tasty options in Atlanta, and this definitely fits the bill. Plus the meat dishes are to die for, so it works well as a date night destination for people with different dietary preferences. The ambience is great, and there is a generous amount of outside seating prefect for warm summer evenings. I highly recommend you eat here!

    (5)

  • Hannah S.

    The only reason I'm giving this 4/5 stars is because I don't really know much about Ethiopian cuisine. I've been here several times and the service and quality have been consistently fantastic. On busier nights you might get a chance to sit upstairs, it is definitely more intimate. I usually stick to tibs, but I tried the vegetarian platter the other night and loved it. Two thumbs up!

    (4)

  • J R.

    This was my 3rd visit to Desta. I went to the restaurant twice last year, and last week was my first visit since then. While the food was still tasty at Desta, it was not nearly as good as when I was there last year. Also, it was a bit strange to see silverware being provided at an Ethiopian restaurant, as traditionally Ethiopian food is eaten by hand. I'm not exactly sure what changed, but it would be nice if Desta could go back to how they were last year.

    (4)

  • LeRue C.

    Probably the best Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. I ordered the Lamb Tibs with Awaze.. (extra spice never hurt anyone) with cabbage. It was perfect! The lamb was juicy and tender and the cabbage was perfectly spiced. There was a very large portion for only $12.00 so I have enough for lunch tomorrow. I wanted to try my friend Senait's Tilapia Tibs but she didn't save me any! lol It must have been really good! lol Will be back soon! There are several other Ethiopian restaurants in the shopping center that I want to try but its going to be so hard after eating here.

    (4)

  • Rae S.

    We have had lots of vegetarian Ethiopian food, and this is not food we would return to. We miss The Cottage, which had amazing Ethiopian vegetarian food. Lots of the dishes were bland and some tasted musty and old. Nice wait staff.....not great food.

    (2)

  • Devy E.

    The vegetarian platter really does pack well for the next day. And the place is still amazing!

    (4)

  • Haroon Q.

    Excellent option for take out & they have a drive through window to pick up your order. Don't be sheepish, definitely go for the Lamb Tibs!

    (5)

  • Amrita R.

    Delicious meats. The lamb tibs and the ribeye tibs were the best. Mostly the lamb. We also ordered the tilapia which was really great, a tad bit on the spicy side; and the Kitfo dish that no one at my table liked. It's definitely an acquired taste and the fact that you can order ground beef medium rare takes a bit getting used to... the lady was nice enough to take the food back and cook it more but it still wasn't something anyone at our table wanted to eat.. The injera (bread) was also tasty. The bread has been too sour for me in other Ethiopian restaurants but this was delightul in comparison. We also ordered a veg combo just so that it would appear we were trying to be somewhat healthy and they were hit or miss.. 6 different mini spreads, but good filler in between the meats! The place is excellent for the price. It came to about $8 each for 7 of us (we ordered 6 dishes). And excellent baklava! More nutty and less flaky than the Middle Eastern type. I can't say it's the best place for Ethiopian since I haven't been to the others in ATL but definitely tasty and totally worth going for the lamb.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    Excellent food and awesome service! The people who work here are happy and gregarious without ever being over the top. They genuinely like to serve.

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    Desta is a great ambassador for Ethiopian food here in Atlanta. Out of all of the Ethiopian restaurants at the intersection of Briarcliff and Clairmont, I've found that the food here is delicious and consistent. Atmosphere is warm and genuinely Ethiopian. The kitfo is a favorite, as is their lamb tibs. The veggie platter is something I get every time I'm there. They've got a decent beer selection and lovely tej. The meat lovers is great (a lot of food) and their breakfast is definitely an unusual treat. The only downfall to Desta is the service. Inconsistent is a good word for it. Most nights, you'll find that the service is quick, attentive and friendly - but other nights, downright slow, disingenuous and borderline rude.

    (4)

  • Dio S.

    Good Ethiopian food in a friendly, fun, clean environment. The seasoning on the tibs is more tomatoey and garlicky than I've had elsewhere--something mildly Italian about it--and delicious. The very popular tilapia tibs can be faulted for being a little dry sometimes, but is overall a well executed and unique dish. My favorites are the lamb and beef tibs though, in that order. The meat flavor really come through in these. The kitfos and fit-fits are fine (very fresh tasting), but I always find them too mild when you can order tibs instead. The vegetable sides are mostly excellent and the menu is helpful in describing each of them. An all vegetarian combo platter is a very good option and will not leave you feeling too heavy, and it's an excellent option to pair with a meat/fish tibs if you are sharing with other people. Which brings me to the portion size: most tibs are really big and cost $10~12 and I generally feel like I eat too much. Basically 3 tibs dishes would be enough for 4 people. Maybe the option to get smaller portions will work well. Service is very friendly and I just love the feel of Desta. Some Ethiopian restaurants can be drab, but Desta is lively and has a great patio, people are always having a good time. Lastly, because it is open until 12, 1 am, Desta is a great late-night option.

    (4)

  • Cherry L.

    OMG, ETHIOPIAN FOOD, IM SUCH A FAN FAN FAN OF YOU!!! This was my first ethiopian food experience and it was MIGHTY TASTYYYY--thank you scoutmob for making me try new things at 1/2 off! 3 of us ordered an app and 2 combos: -Kitfo-Wrap: "tortilla" (i think its a tortilla??) filled with Kitfo (which is a minced meat that can be served in any temp that you want), if you top it with cheese and spice, there is a 75c charge or something (i don't know, it was weird) -vege combo ($10.50): lentils, collards, cabbage, potato cooked in spices, allllll so flavorful -meat combo ($24): u can pick 3 meats--we got the fish, lamb, and beef tibs (which is referring to how the meat is prepared). the fish was lightly fried and had great flavor and texture--flaky, a bit acidic from tomatoes and onions. the lamb--GREAT flavor, the onions and peppers were super derricious, but a TAD dry. beef--my fave, it was moist and had super flavor! the meal came with rolls of injera, a sourdough flat bread. so, usually i super dislike this bread, bc its SO sour/tart...but the bread here was SO AMAZZZZZING. not overly sour. soooooo goood! some other points: -try a traditional ethiopian tea--it tastes a little like the DragonballZ (or w/e) tea you can get at Teavana at the mall--cinnamony? -i say skip the desserts, im sure they are delish, but they dont have any traditional ones i dont think--cheesecake, tiramisu, baklava, chocolate cake. -ask for the HOT SAUCE! there are 3 ethiopian sauces--one thats like a mustard, one darker red sauce, and one spice (similar to an Indian masala of sorts) + your sambal chili sauce -next time, i want to try ethiopian wine! can't wait to go back/try other ethiopian restaurants! (there are like 80 of them in a 2 mile radius of this place!)

    (5)

  • Lee L.

    I think that Desta has converted me to like Ethiopian food. I've been here twice now. Both times were phenomenal! Most recent visit, we ordered: Fish Tibs with Shiro- I love how they fry up the pieces of tilapia. Flavored just slightly with salt (but just right), sitting in shiro (seasoned chick pea paste with onions, jalapenos, and tomatoes). The shiro was a tad bit tart (maybe too much tomato?), but it was good with the injera bread. Lamb Tibs- The hubs LOVED this dish. Not being a lamb lover myself, I have to say they did a good job of making the meat not gamey tasting. The texture of the meat was just right (and it's not fried like the fish tibs). It came with a side, and we picked the collards. The collards were cooked perfectly- not sour (like the usual Southern way), but just with garlic & salt. Not too soft, nor too crunchy. Yum! Meat Sambusa- these were essentially small meat samosas. the wrap reminded me of Chinese spring rolls (the lighter version, not egg rolls), and were fried similarly. tasty, but they're small and disappeared in less than a minute. :) The food came out really fast, and the service was friendly. It was great we could use a Scoutmob coupon (and we have another one plus a restaurant.com coupon sitting at home). I also like their new outside deck addition. It had windows that opened out so you could get fresh air and enjoy the "view" of the street/parking lot as you ate. We'll be back here again!

    (4)

  • Kait T.

    I must say, this place is awesome! Just thinking about the place makes my mouth water. We walked into a lively environment, and were seated immediately upstairs in their shiro lounge. The lounge was nice, sheek, with low lowlighting and candles on each table. (A great spo5 for a date.) We ordered their meat lovers Tibs special, and it was great! It was flavorful, spicey but not too spicey, moist and delicious. They offer the option of 3 different meats, cooked in Tibs sauce. The portions were a decent size, and the meal was perfect for 2 people.The food was laid out in an appealing presentation, and they offered the option to use silverware. its a great place to take a friend or family member who has not yet experienced the wonders of Ethiopian cuisine. And to top it all off, the service was outstanding! I will definately be coming back when in Atlanta.

    (5)

  • Emily G.

    First Scoutmob ever used. Best Scoutmob ever used. I've been very fortunate to have tasted amaaazing Ethiopian cuisine (mostly in Sacramento and San Diego), but this one is definitely the best in Atlanta.. which is why I had to drive 15mins out for it. Small price to pay for delicious food on a hot Saturday evening. Extra brownie points for taking 3 Ethiopian-food-virgins, so I got massive props for bringing them there. lol We ordered the lamb and chicken tibs, the veggie combo and the hummus with ground beef. We originally ordered the fir fir but the waiter told us not to because it would be too spicy for us. We like heat, and did not find any of our dishes spicy in the least amount, so maybe he thought we were whiter than we actually are. Needles to say, the food was excellent and even though we ordered 4 dishes (For 4 people), we struggled to finish everything, as the portions were definitely bigger than anticipated. Enter scoutmob for a total of $29.90 for 4 people. Yeah, $7.50 per person (plus tip). Could not get any better. As the giant ass that I am, I took 1 star off because I love when Ethiopian restaurants place all their dishes in one giant plate covered with injerta.. Its the leftover injerta(that has sucked all the different juices from the food) that is my absolute favorite. They didn't do that here, and I missed it terribly. That + the spicy issue gives it a total of 4 stars... still pretty high on my list. Yeah. Desta is still the Besta.

    (4)

  • Alysia D.

    Hands down amazingly delicious and consistent!!! Desta's part of my weekly diet plan. Great food, cozy atmosphere, great for a romantic dinner w/ your sweetie, fun for the family and girls night out!! I'm partial to the chicken tibs w/ shiro. Great dining experience!!!

    (5)

  • theron t.

    I'll start off by saying, I don't give out 5 stars very often. The staff is great and very friendly, especially if you don't know much about Ethiopian food. For those unfamiliar with Ethiopian food (as I was before I went here), it's customary to eat with your hands, more specifically, your right hand. Bread is also a big part of the meal, and I really like the injeera. The food can be spicy, as is customary, although you can ask them to kick it down a couple of notches is you don't like spicy foods. Wonderful flavor and a great experience. It's a little tight in the downstairs dining room, so it can get a little loud from time to time. The tibs are great and veggie plate should not be missed!

    (5)

  • Nicci R.

    This was my 3rd time trying Ethiopian and my favorite so far. We started with an appetizer of fried lamb rolls that were tasty and not gamy at all. I'm not normally a lamb fan and really enjoyed them. Our entree was the meat lovers combo with fish, chicken and ribeye and the veggie entree. The fish was really nice, if you like tilapia, and the meats had good flavor. They were all sautéed with spices, onions and tossed with fresh tomato...kind of reminds me of a fajitas, but better. The veg platter was a combo of lentils, chickpeas, potato stew, cabbage, collard greens, beets and cold salads. Our sides were injera bread and a lovely fragrant basmati rice. I liked the red lentil the best. The spicy pastes served with the meal were delicious and added extra complexity to the dishes. We had plenty of leftovers.

    (4)

  • Robyn C.

    The absolute best! Try it!

    (5)

  • Haley C.

    In the beginning I was skeptical, because I have never had Ethiopian food, but accompanied with my food muse, Leigh C, I was down to try a new place. Walking up, it looked really cool. They have an outer patio with a tree in the middle of it, like an atrium or dining tree-house.. I don't know really what it is, but I got a little excited... But then after being sat at a wobble two-top in the middle of a cramped dining area and basically sitting on top of a family of five, and across from screaming babies, my original skepticism about this place was only being confirmed. After taking a fair amount of time to peruse the menu, we decided on the Fish Tibs and Vegetarian Combo Platter. The first to come out was the Fish and it looked and smelled wonderful, shortly after came the combo platter full of all sorts of treats, and of course the bread. It all looked and smelled unreal, so hungry and eager, we dove in. Only one word can describe it: phenomenal. The food was full of flavor and spices. We couldn't get enough. We finished off the first set of bread with two thirds of both entrees to go. After the longest 5 minutes of my life, we made eye contact with our server and asked her for more bread and water. After another round of bread we scraped each plate clean, and ended the meal with some delicious hot tea and yummy baklava. Probably one of the best meals I have ever eaten in my entire life. We got our bill and it was only $31... after promptly using our Scout Mob, that made it $16; we made out like bandits!! (And the food was so good, I still tipped our waitress $10). So, sure... the seating wasn't exactly ideal and our server didn't pay us much attention, but with food like that... I don't really care. I will definitely be back and I can't wait to try other stuff on the menu. Highly recommend!!

    (4)

  • Vj D.

    I went to Desta based on recommendations from friends. I've been intrigued by Ethiopian food and finally got my chance to try. My companion and I opted for the shared plate and it was a nice and intimate experience of sharing food. Our server was very helpful, recognizing that we weren't familiar with the food, he gave us the information we needed to place our orders. I always appreciate service like this especially when trying a new place. So if you don't know what to get, don't hesitate to ask the servers, they are very knowledgeable and helpful. Great place to experience Ethiopian cuisine, I'd definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Ashish G.

    I had a very good experience, host and the server were very professional. I took lamb and my wife veg platter. Lamb was fantastic, veg platter was mostly good. Ethiopian beer was very nice, a different kind of taste. There was live music for outdoor seating, overall a good experience.

    (5)

  • Tiya B.

    This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in the entire United States, and I've tried multiple restaurants in multiple cities including NYC, DC (yes, even DC does not compare), and SF. Everything from the presentation to the flavor is just a step above all other habesha restaurants. The doro tibs, asa tibs, and veggie combo are my favorite. These other restaurants need to come to Atlanta and take notes on Desta. My Atlanta visits are never complete until I eat here.

    (5)

  • Katlyn S.

    I've been here 3 or more times and every time I leave with a full belly! All great food, high quality meats and veggies! Served family style, great Ethiopian beers and honey wines! The service is always great too, we usually just tell the server to bring us a little of everything and we are always highly satisfied! Also always gotta start with a kitfo wrap rare :)) mmmm also the manager (or owner?) makes his own pastries and they are to die for!!

    (5)

  • Mary N.

    Love this place!!! The one restaurant I will not go without visiting whenever I'm in ATL! :) Ingredients are always fresh, taste and service with a smile never changes! Thank you Desta! So yummy! So yummy! There's a party in my tummy!

    (5)

  • Katie C.

    You start smelling spices the moment you get out of your car and walk towards the front door. I took a friend who had never had Ethiopian food and we were thankful for the side of the menu that explained the traditional dishes. The prices are great for the amount of food you get. I have a good friend from Ethiopia and Desta's tibs tasted just like what she and her mom have made for me. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Karen S.

    Really Great Food Super service - they're always great. Food is spicy - and I have to watch that but they always prepare it milder when asked. Love the Injera bread. I have had several different things here and they were all excellent. Love the sirloin tibs. Suprisingly they also have the best Tiramisu!

    (5)

  • Mango G.

    Beautiful! My favorite getaway.....the food is spiced perfectly and the service is divine! What a blessed find.

    (5)

  • John D.

    The menu isn't huge compared to other Atlanta Ethiopian restaurants, and the menu design and explanations are definitely tuned towards gastro-tourists, but the food kicks butt!!

    (4)

  • Alan H.

    Very good sit down Ethiopian restaurant. If you aren't interested in the communal Ethiopian eating experience this is a good compromise. Mixing great Ethiopian cuisine with European-style table dining. The tibs are fantastic as is the firfir. I would recommend Desta.

    (4)

  • Tessa S.

    Best ethiopian food I've ever had! Their food is so good that as I was driving home from Wisconsin to Georgia (yeah thats right, driving home) I stopped to get food at Desta at 11 at night when I still had another 3 hours till I'd be home. Just simply good food. The combinations of meat and spices are so drool worthy that I'd make trips up to Atlanta every couple of months just to eat here. If you've never tried Ethiopian food before I really recommend checking this place out. I'm not sure if it is the most 'authentic' place or not because it seems a lot more 'classy' food wise than the other Ethiopian places I've been too, but God is it amazing.

    (5)

  • Santhosh K.

    Hospitality, Service, Taste, selection, ambience - I would rate Desta in that order. We were there to celebrate a friend's birthday and the girl who waited on us was very patient in taking our orders. It's always tricky serving a big group of people and she seemed to do more than well. Lot of us in the group were new to the Ethiopian cuisine and had a lot of questions, but all of us were helped selecting the right choice. I recommend Tibs with ground beef. Ethiopian Beers are a nice change if you are in a mood for trying something new. I like everything about this place and I am definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Laura N.

    Ah, Desta, my first and only Ethiopian food experience in Atlanta. First because....well...this is where my friends insisted we go one night, and bless them for it! 'Only" because the food is so amazing here that it has been hard to pull me away from the place to try somewhere else. This is a great place to get introduced if you've never had Ethiopian food before. They have updated their menu a bit from the last time I was there, but I find it to be a little more user friendly, with a little dictionary off to the side that explains what the different food items are. Genius. The fish tibs are always a favourite of mine, with the shiro and lentils (the name for this one escapes me). The service is very solid here, with the staff more than willing to walk you through or make suggestions if you need addition help in going as safe or adventurous as you will.

    (4)

  • Phillip C.

    TIBS! Love'm gotta have'm. Ingira (sp?) so good. They make one of the best cappuccinos in town. Yes you eat with your hands here. Get over it. The food is amazing. The Kitfo slice is great but not for the faint of heart (tis spicy). If you've been on the fence about trying Ethiopian food you won't be disappointed if you go to Desta.

    (5)

  • David S.

    THE. BEST. ETHIOPIAN. FOOD. EVER!!!! Seriously. Veg plate great recc, but ALL expertly spiced, fresh, amazing! GREAT Service staff, coffee, decor, and LARGE menu, Pasta, since italien colony, makes OK choice w picky kids. Soooo good! Ber Ber red lentils WOW. Fish feu out of this world. None toooo spicy for tolerating, all tasty as heck.

    (5)

  • Jessica A.

    The best Ethiopian food I've ever had! Friends and I attended a late night concert and we wanted some good food at around 11pm. And boy did we choose a good spot! The menu is easy to read and understand, unlike other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to. And there is a dictionary on the side of the menu. (How cool is that!) I ordered the lamb, injera and gomen (spinach). Tasty and very very filling. It was a nice breezy night so my friends and I ate outside on the restaurant's patio. Nice, laid, back vibe but could also be suitable for a romantic date. The food is cheap too. My meal came to only $13!

    (4)

  • Ashley D.

    Tried Desta for the first time last night- so happy to say that we loved it and live right down the street so will be frequenting often. The service was wonderful- everyone was so nice and helpful with our first Ethiopian experience. The injera was really yummy to soak up all the juices from our main dishes- kind of like a spongy sourdough crepe. I had the fish tibs with ater and it was delicious. The baklava was also very good. Can't wait to go back and try some different things!

    (5)

  • Luan M.

    Desta made me a fan of Ethiopian food. Love the spices, the meat, even the injera. i like Desta better than Queen of Sheba (food and atmosphere). The ribs are a definite must-try. The place is cozy, staff was very friendly and helpful.

    (5)

  • Rebecca H.

    This is the best Ethiopian food I've ever eaten. One of the best restaurants in Atlanta - and they serve vegetables without bacon. It's the place we bring our friends, parents, etc.

    (5)

  • Bailey B.

    Oh, yum yum yum. We love Ethiopian food. I saw the Scoutmob a few days ago and started thinking about it. Today, picking my wife up from work after a long day at my own job, I suggested we dig out that coupon and try the Ethiopian place. Optimistically, I declared, "I think it's near Piedmont and Cheshire Bridge!" Well, it's not. It's actually at the corner of Clairemont and Briarcliff. Not even in Buckhead! But, oh, so worth the geographical adventure. We've eaten Ethiopian food before - we are not total noobs at this. We've had it often in a very authentic place with wicker basket table things that serve the honey wine from a gourd. We also tried the DC Ethiopian food scene, which is robust and delicious. Desta is a nicer setting than any of the other places we have tried. It is comfortable, somewhat intimate, and versatile. They have a sun room kind of thing and a darker, cooler sort area full of dark wood. While it is probably not a faithful recreation of a traditional Ethiopian setting, we really enjoyed the space. A scan of the menu revealed low prices. Cool. The people were great. Our server was memorably sweet and took excellent care of us. I couldn't remember the names of my favorite things but she made suggestions and pegged everything perfectly. Which gets us to the food. Wow. This is how Ethiopian food should be. The yummy flat spongy bread stuff, called injera, was moist and perfect. My beef dish was spicy and rich and just wonderful. My wife's dish, made with ground beef, was also much appreciated. The honey wine (it's, like, mandatory to drink the honey wine with Ethiopian food, right?) was just like the stuff we've had in other places, and just as good. Espresso at the end came with two orange slices to clean our palates. Nice! So, our experience showed Desta to be delicious, inexpensive, and run by thoughtful people who took care of all the details and gave us a really nice experience. If I had to chose just one national food for the rest of my life, it would be Korean. But, I would grieve for Ethiopian food, and Desta shows why.

    (4)

  • Joshua L.

    I remember my fear as kid when my Dad took me to The Blue Nile, an Ethiopian restaurant that was in lil 5. I relunctantly ripped the injira bread and dipped it in something that looked like baby food. The tangy, spicy bolt of flavor hit the spot and at age 12, i was hooked. It has been awhile since I've been to a tasty Ethiopian restaurant in the Atl until my dinner at Desta this week. The friendliness of the staff was warm and genuinely interested in making the dining experience a good one. The menu was enticing making it hard to decide. My adventurous friend ordered a tartar daredevil style, which made our waiter smile. Seeing my dilemma in choosing he guided me to the vegetarian platter. Plentiful and flavorful are a winning combo anytime. My meal was delicious and far too much for one sitting. My friend enjoyed hers thoroughly, too. It was so good, all of it, that I will be back soon.

    (4)

  • Amrita J.

    I have to admit, I was pretty disappointed by Desta overall as a whole. I have heard so many people ranting and raving about this place, and so maybe it was just my high expectations that failed me, but yeah it was just alright to me. The place itself, is nothing much to talk about I don't think, actually looks a bit run down in the middle of the parking lot over there off Clairmont. I ordered the Lamb Tibs, and it was good, can't complain there, but again nothing extra-ordinary as such! So needless to say, this place is neither here nor there with me, didn't wow me, but wasn't horrible either.

    (3)

  • Zewditu D.

    Updated review- original posted 1/10/2011. I still love the food at Desta. But after a few more visits, I have some additional insight. Please keep in mind that this place can get VERY busy...especially on Fridays. A friend and I went for a celebratory lunch. The place was so packed we had to sit at the bar. NEVER sit at the bar. Our service was LOUSY and it took forever to get our food. Since we were "out of the way" the wait staff just pretty much ignored us...even our own waiter most of the time. When we received our food, my dish came with shiro. I hate shiro. When I told the waiter that it wasn't what I wanted and could I just have salad instead he said no problem. Ok it does not take that long to make salad. I ate slow so that I would be able to eat the salad along with my food, but the salad didn't arrive until after I had already completed my meal. It was a large salad at least, but it had so much dressing on it that I didn't even want to eat it. Perhaps this waiter was just terrible, because I have never had such bad service at Desta. We were there for about 2 hours. *I recommend that if you go to Desta for lunch and see that it is super busy, just walk over the Ledet. The food there is also good and it is never too crowded. To share another recent experience, my family and I had a hard time using a restaurant.com gift certificate here. The certificate states that you can not apply alcoholic beverages to the amount needed. Totally fine with that. But the waitress proceeded to tell me that no beverages at all could be counted (including soda) so we didn't meet the needed amount. I read to her what certificate said word-for-word trying to get her to understand. She kept calling me "sweetie" and saying that she understood. Obviously, she didn't. If my family wasn't with me, I would have made a bigger stink and talked to the manager. I was just tired of trying to explain myself. So we had to order a piece of cake...which wasn't that good anyway.

    (4)

  • Zaphea Z.

    My friends and I were here a couple of weeks ago. We all ordered different types of Tibs (meat choices) with a mix of Injera and rice. It was all surprisingly delicious that none of us spoke to each other while we were eating! The staff was very friendly and there's something deeply satisfying about eating with your hands! ;) You won't be disappointed everything on the menu is good!

    (5)

  • Mike C.

    On our brief adventure in ATL we were lucky enough to come to Desta. After reading all the rave reviews about this place I had to break my gf's E-card (Ethiopian Card!) here! We asked to sit outside in the patio area, and were lucky enough to snag a table. The place was alive with business, and the beautiful weather had the patio filled to capacity. I had the ZilZil Tibs and the gf had the ribeye tibs. The Injera was tasty and constantly being refilled as I dabbed it in the Shiro and the spices that were on the side of my dish. The entire experience was a novel one, and being my second time eating Ethiopian food I would say it was delicious! Believe the hype!

    (5)

  • Blaine C.

    Desta serves great Ethiopian food with a modern twist. Unlike most other Ethiopian spots, the food is not served on the traditional, large circular pan that I came to love during my early introductions to the cuisine in Berkeley, CA. They serve the food on individual dishes, which took away nothing from the incredible flavors. The fish tibs and the veggie combo were excellent. I'd highly recommend Desta.

    (4)

  • Cynthia W.

    I'm a huge fan of Desta, I will warn you that it is in the cut and it seems to be surrounded by Little Ethiopia (not saying there is anything wrong with that, just being honest), so you might miss it the first time you go to see it. TRUST ME, once you taste it you won't ever forget it after that. Let me put it this way, I will eat at this place without having to use a Scoutmob or discount coupon of any kind, the food is that tasty. I typically order the vegetarian combo (since I'm a veggie lover and all) and it is all quite tasty. There is nothing that I'm afraid of eating, outside of the jalapeno pepper but I still scarf that down; I just make sure to drink a lot of water after. If you like to imbibe and these days, who doesn't? There is a sweet, S. African red that is really good but being that you have to pay $6 a pop, they don't fill it up enough to make it worth the price or maybe I'm just a lush - who is to say? They also have a nice, lite beer called St. George, it's $5.00 and it is pretty tasty in its own right - if you like lighter beers. Will be going back fo' sho, fo' sho, fo' sho!!!

    (4)

  • Alicia M.

    I was a little nervous bringing a large group of women but the service and food was outstanding! Like Dee Dee said ,I tried the honey wine which is very strong but tasty and I sipped some Mango juice that was yummy as well! I felted so tradition eating with bread that looks kinda like a sponge. I tried the chicken tibs with cabbage...yummo yummo

    (4)

  • Erika E.

    I've been here a handful of times and the food never disappoints. Sometimes the service is mehhh but maybe it's because they get quite busy, so whatever. If you are gluten intolerant, you can request all-teff injera, which is pretty fantastic. I always get the veg platter- it's a lot of food, and each dish is really good.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    First time eating Ethiopian food was here. The waiter grew up in Ethiopia and was very patient -- happy to explain all the dishes, and helped us to make informed decisions for our food selections. We ordered the kitfo wrap for an appetizer and the veggie sampler with the short ribs (i forget the name). Everything was PHENOMENAL. We went back with friend about a week later and got a different waiter. Not so patient, didn't want to explain the food, and the food itself wasn't as great as the first time. However, went back again several weeks after that and it was absolutely excellent. Word to the owners of this restaurant: Reward the staff that cater to the customers. Reward the chefs who cook the food the best. Hire more like them, and fire the rest.

    (5)

  • Jennifer S.

    The food here is pretty good. I've actually had better tasting Ethiopian food in other states, however, but it wasn't disappointing. On the other hand, the service is pretty slow and forgetful, but they are very polite. You just have to ask for things a couple of times (or more). Big portions, tasty food overall. I had the chicken tibs, my friend had the beef tibs. Both needed a little salt to bring out the flavors, though. It was a packed patio with lots of locals eating there, so you know it's good. Great atmosphere with reggae playing outside. Prices are pretty reasonable. I'd go back.

    (4)

  • George H.

    Desta quickly became somewhere I wanted to visit weekly. Thanks to Scoutmob for introducing me to this wonderful Ethiopian restaurant. I usually get tired of eating with my hands and vow to never return, Desta changed my mind. Everything we ordered was great. The meat and vegetable sambusas are good, and best when you get to try one of of each. Kitfo Wrap was something I hadn't tried before but tasty and reminiscent of a tartar. It was rare but served warm. Fish Tibs are light and flavorful. Something you must try and they come out in nice portions. The Ribeye with Collard Greens is my new favorite. The Ribeye is just so flavorful and something that I could not stop eating. I wish I was back there now!

    (4)

  • Liz H.

    meh. Maybe I got the wrong thing - Fish Tibs with Shiro, right? People raved about it, but I found the fish to be dry and lacking flavor. My favorite part was the sauce - was that the shiro? It had a nice spicy kick in it. The injera filled me up quickly, and I used it to sponge up the sauce, as well as wrap up small portions of the dish. Service. There was a tree in the middle of the porch that may have hidden my table from their view, so perhaps being forgotten was not their fault. But I like it when I get my lemons before my food come out. zzz Friend got the Lamb Tibs and added shiro. Lamb was chewy and had little flavor. Maybe it wasn't fresh or had been overcooked. I'm surprised - why would you ruin delish lamb?! The area was quiet and I liked the orange glow of the sun setting on the porch. I'm glad we sat outside - inside was all dark and looked crowded. Across the street is an Ethiopian restaurant, and in the same lot, about 200 feet away is a 3rd one. Desta is the one with the pretty porch and fancy letters. I can't think of anything positive besides sitting out on the porch =/ But I've never been to an Ethiopian restaurant before. So maybe this place is pretty good compared to others. At least Scoutmob saved me almost 10 bucks!

    (3)

  • David T.

    My second trip to Desta and it definitely moved me to change my rating to 5 stars. Service was excellent and our dinner was amazing. I really enjoyed it, but my date was raving about the entire experience. We had the veggie combo and the fish tibs over shiro (ground chickpeas in a special sauce.) I asked for it family style. The food arrived with the fish tibs in the center of the large plate surrounded by 6 or 7 different veggie concoctions that were very tasty. It was a fantastic presentation. As other reviews mention they give you a healthy dose of injera bread to help you scoop up the goodies. Eventually I asked for a fork since I haven't quite pulled myself to do it fully Ethiopian, that is to just scoop it up with my bare fingers (minus the bread.) I asked our waitress, Mesti, to help me out with selecting an Ethiopian beer. She described one to be very similar to Corona, so I selected that one, but it was much better than Corona!! On Tuesday and Friday nights they have music on the patio from 8-midnight....I highly suggest checking it out. On a side note....it you have any injera bread left over, take it home with you, pop it in the microwave for a few seconds the next morning and put some real maple syrup on it.....awesome!! Just sayin'...

    (5)

  • Nik R.

    Amazing food and a wonderful staff!!!

    (5)

  • ANKUR M.

    Awesome Ethiopian food. One of the best.

    (5)

  • David C.

    Not that I should make judging by appearance a habit, I did in this case, when deciding which Ethiopian restaurant to try out in the vicinity. Desta had this cool, corner cafe feel with yellow trim, reminding me of past wanderings through Brussels and Paris, passing popular bistros, bakeries or quiche restaurants. Desta was on an odd lot, adding all the more to it's charm, and the food did not disappoint. An impulse decision, like this, which I often make, always works out to my favor. I'll tell you why. I have this curse: 90+ % of planned outings (by me) to restaurants, sometimes to the dismay of my party, turn out to be a bad experience, or no experience at all - due the restaurant's folding, or being unaware of it's day off, it's changed location, or it's changed hours. This was a first in trying Ethiopian food, so I can only imagine how good it would be in it's native setting. I ordered the Kitfo Dulet with Shiro. The lean beef I more or less pictured to be crispy like the Fish Dulet my friend had, but the texture was OK (seemed to be braised or cooked/simmered right in the sauce), but the rich chickpea coulis it came in was very flavorful. Honestly, I liked Fish Dulet more and could eat that on any sunny day (I'll go with Fish Tibs with Shiro on chilly days). The meat, the seasoning, the spices, all blended together for what is now one of my favorite meals in ATL. Tilapia, I will never look at you the same, or less than salmon, tuna, or hamachi. Pardon, but I have to make an ode to one of the ingredients I know was used: Oh butter, humble, yet sublime, you take me away from the daily grind. Magic ingredient, for the everyday, or extraordinary, I thank you for being in these dishes, verily. I so wrote this at 4am.

    (4)

  • Hilary D.

    This is the best place to get Ethiopian food in Atlanta. The vegi is good the meat especially any of the tibs are great. Wanna be stuffed just eat with the injerna and enjoy. Make sure to try the meat sambusa too.

    (5)

  • Lou G.

    I have had Desta bookmarked for a while and finally got to go! I like Ethiopian food, although I do consider it "India Light" when it comes to spice and heat. I do appreciate the unique dishes and flavors of Ethiopian cuisine, and Desta has a large variety of dishes to choose from. Desta has a great vibe and ambiance, cozy and a bit eclectic. There are a lot of little touches that show that someone paid attention to smaller details, such as an attractive, easy to read menu, stylish plates, a good selection of Ethiopian beers and wine, hand sanitizer at each table. The menu card does a great job of describing the food, and our server went above and beyond to help us become familiar with the options. We ordered the Lentil Sambusas as an appetizer, they were a-ok as a good start. My friend had the goat tibs, I had the veggie platter. Food was great and spiced well. I tried a couple of the beers, Harah and St George, preferred the latter. The injera bread is always my favorite part of an Ethiopian meal, and the only negative of the meal is that they were slow to refill it. The problem with not having bread available is that you don't have eating utensils, so the bread is essential to finishing your meal! I might have considered a five star on this one if we didn't have to wait around for more bread, and this is one detail that may have been overlooked. The servers were really busy, and it would have made sense just to have one person assigned to bring out more bread as well as refill water glasses. Overall Desta is a great choice for Ethiopian food in Atlanta.

    (4)

  • Rilindo F.

    Before coming to Atlanta, the only time I had Ethiopian food was a restaurant somewhere in West LA. Since then, I did try a couple of places, but they were mostly hall-in-the-walls. This one is definitely not the case - at least in comparison with the others. I am making this point because in that block, there are actually several Ethiopian restaurants (including one hole-in-the-wall I mentioned earlier). Eating in that place, I understood why it managed to hold its own - the presentation of the food as well as the interior was quite nice. I had the Kifto-wrap (its like steak tartare wrapped in Injera) which look deceptively light - until the heat start kicking in after you swallow them whole (Thanks goodness for the refreshments). The main course was the rib eye tibs w/collard greens - so good that I didn't need any more spices to add to it. Afterwards, just for cooling down the heat, I had the Tiramisu (Which is alright). That threw me off a bit, until I remember that Ethiopia was an Italian colony for a while (I don't think it'll be a good idea to mention that, though) Definitely will come back to the place. Yay.

    (4)

  • Yaril M.

    Despite the 20 minute wait to get a table and the so so service by the waiter the food was outstanding! We were brought here by a couple that have been here before and the food was so good we loved everything! Will definitely stop by again sometime soon to try something else :)

    (5)

  • Sarah E.

    A friend of mine gave me the "newbie's tour" of Desta last night. Technically, I have eaten Ethiopian food once in Washington, DC, but it was about 17 years ago and I was a teenager at the time. I think my parents chose what we ordered (or maybe the server recommended something) and all I really remember is the part where you use the bread as your utensil. I've killed a lot of brain cells since then. My friend recommended the Beef (Tenderloin) Tibs with Shiro and the Vegetarian Combo. She also explained to me that while a lot of Ethiopian food is very heavy on the sauce, Desta uses a lighter amount of sauce. They say that the reason for that is that they're proud of their ingredients. I can see why, because everything was very good. If you ask to share your food between the members of your party, all the food will come out on one huge plate together. This allows you to eat "family style" - and also entertainingly reach across the table pretty far, although fortunately, the tables are small so the reach isn't so bad. The restaurant thoughtfully provides hand sanitizer at each table, which is probably a good idea when you're eating with your hands and sharing food. The Beef Tibs with Shiro was delicious. I'm a big fan of beef, and this tasted like high-quality meat. It was seasoned perfectly (for being tasty - I have no way to know what "perfect" Ethiopian seasoning is yet) and accompanied by onions, tomatoes and I believe fresh jalapeno pieces. And the shiro was yummy, too - I love hummus so it's unlikely that I'd ever complain about a flavorful chickpea paste. The Vegetarian Platter was great, too. I wasn't sure of exactly what items I was eating, so I came home and looked at the menu. After I looked at the menu, I'm still not sure of all the items I ate because I feel like there were things we ate that aren't listed on the menu and vice versa. (Not that I mind not knowing what I'm eating, because I eat Korean food pretty often now that I live out in BFE and I usually only know what about 30% of the banchan items are.) Anyway, everything on the veggie plate was good (except that my friend and I did not try the halved fresh jalapeno with tomatoes because neither of us wanted that much fresh jalapeno). Some items I remember trying were the collard green stew, the split pea stew, more shiro, a beet and potato salad, and a yellow-tinted cabbage dish. There was also a salad of lettuce and tomatoes and a red paste which I loved and think it might have been vegetarian fir fir. Oh, and there was also a dish that was made out of pieces of injera (the flat sourdough-tasting bread that you use to scoop up your food) and something that tasted like olive oil and maybe vinegar. From looking at the menu now, I think that may have been a fit fit of some kind. My favorite veggie items were definitely the shiro, the red paste, and the collards. But there was nothing on that plate that I didn't like. All of the items were served over more injera. I guess I should have read the review earlier that mentioned that you are supposed to eat that injera too because it's yummy and has soaked up all the flavors. Oops. (Yeah, in retrospect that seems like common sense. But my friend was minimizing her bread consumption and my week at work has been rough. I don't think my brain is functioning at full capacity anymore.) With all the food we ordered, our total check only came to around 24 bucks. Not too bad for the opportunity to try a million and one items (well, maybe more like 10 items). I let satiated but not stuffed, and looking forward to trying some more things the next time I eat at an Ethiopian restaurant. My experience at Desta was definitely enjoyable. The food was great and our service completely on point. The main reason I'm not giving a full five stars is that I don't feel really qualified to judge Ethiopian food since I have so little experience with it. Give me time to build a basis for comparison, and this may become 5 stars for me. Oh, and on our way out of the restaurant, we noticed that Desta has a drive thru. Drive-thru Ethiopian cuisine? Win.

    (4)

  • Ruksana H.

    After visiting this place multiple times, last night was a bummer. They seemed to crowded and just did not have enough staff to cater to all. The young waitress that served us seemed pretty slow and kept doing the disappearing act often. She mixed up one of our dishes and when we tasted it and realized it was the wrong dish, she took away the plate from the table! We had already eaten from it, what was she gonna do, throw it?? The ideal scenario would have been to say it was a mistake , that you are serving them this dish on the house and the right one will be on it ways soon! Somebody forgot to train them for sure! The food was great no doubt but the service left much to be desired.

    (3)

  • Keisha M.

    Let me start off saying this was my FIRST but not last experience with Ethiopian food. Thanks to Scout Mob me and my guy decided to meet here after work and we are sure glad we did. Overall the food was delish. I ordered the vegetarian combo and my guy ordered the chicken tibs. Luckily there was enough food for us to share and we even had some extra food left over. I am happy that I consulted with Yelp prior to going because I knew to ask the waitress to put the food on a family style plate...which made it easier for us to share. As far as service, the service was actually okay...nothing to rant and rave about. While the food was great, I am not sure if I will be back anytime soon because my guy; who is an Ethiopian food lover, says that the food was okay but wasn't the best. But for me, the food was great! All in all on a scale of 1 to 10, I will give Desta a 7.

    (4)

  • S E.

    This was my first experience with Ethiopian food, but being an overall good judge of a restaurant, I just had to give it all the stars I could. First, MAJOR points for food. Yum-o. Lamb tibs were subtly spicy but so flavorful. Veggie combo was delish, very varied. Fish tibs were spectacular and devoured in seconds by our table. Second, they really scored in service for me. We brought our ten month old and our server couldn't have been nicer. She offered to bring her a bowl of rice and someone had a highchair at the table moments after we arrived (usually at other restaurants you have to ask, and someone takes their sweet time hauling it from the back). Water glasses and drinks were constantly refilled, atmosphere was lovely and clean. MOST DEFINITELY going back!

    (5)

  • Makeda M.

    I went to desta on sunday evening to celebrate my mom's birthday. she wanted to try some place new and since I had been before, i knew she'd like it. We made reservations for 6:30 and were running late so the hostess called us to confirm and I thought that was nice. Our whole party wasn't there yet but they sat us anyway, which we appreciated. We ordered the meat sambusa and the tomato fit fit as appetizers. The sambusas were good, the fit fit was just injera and tomatoes. I liked it, but it wasn't a hit with my mom or sibllings. For the main course, My mom had the fish tibs, my sister had the chicken tibs and I had the lamb tibs. My other sister had the steak sandwich since she is not a fan of eating outside the box. And my brother had the beef kitfo, which he didn't like since its just spicy ground beef with no sauce or veggies. The rest of us enjoyed our meal, although I would have liked the injera to have been warmer. Overall, we had a good experience and for the price, the evening was well worth it. And we had leftovers for the next day. I would definitely go back to desta.

    (4)

  • Barbara S.

    BEST Ethiopian food in Atlanta, hands down! Sorry Queen of Sheeba, my former favorite:-( I always opt for the veg combo. Each item included is always filled with flavor and is extremely fresh. The green salad that accompanies the meal is so refreshing and crisp. The injera bread is always moist, never dry. If you are new to Ethiopian cuisine, try this place before any other!

    (5)

  • Joel N.

    This is my favorite Ethiopian restaurant a good friend of mine recommended several years ago. Since then, I can't get enough of their food. I take Their lamb, tenderloin and fish Tibs are amazing. If you are brave to try raw meat their Kitfo is delicious. If you are a vegetarian their vegetarian platter is also really good. They have a type of wrap unique to this cuisine called injera. You tear off pieces of it and grab the food with it. The experience is a lot of fun! The staff is great and they have done a lot of really nice upgrades and renovations. The have become very popular over the years starting out as just a take-out restaurant. If they continue delivering outstanding food

    (5)

  • Bindi N.

    I liked the ambiance, and the service was fine. Not great but fine. My mostly, I gave it three stars instead of 4 because I thought the food was tasty as heck...but a little disappointing compared to Ethiopian I've had in DC and Toronto. Not bad though, maybe just a little too modernized for me. I like real Ethiopian, served on one huge piece of injera for the table to share and dig in with their fingers, with all of the little tasty sides and relishes that just come with it. This was served very American style, with each dish served separately, as if it was not necessarily meant to be shared. Although I would say, this would be the perfect place for someone who wants to try Ethiopian for the first time, or has tried it before and it was "too much." The flavors here are milder and the serving style make it easier to get used to.

    (3)

  • Danny B.

    Great food! If you're in the area its definitely a must try. Even if you're not in the area, it's worth the drive for authentic ethiopian food (well it seems authentic, but what do I really know about ethiopian cooking, lol) The service is good, the women are beautiful, and the food is great. What more could you ask for. Go check it out!

    (4)

  • M S.

    I loved the food here and although I was only there a few hours ago, I am planning to go back asap. Totally affordable and so delicious. My friend and I split a vegetable plate with injera and got a dish of beef tibs. it was all so good. and you don't need a plate or a fork, if you don't want them. i understand that you can make the food spicier if you want to, so i will try that next time. hope it's soon.

    (5)

  • Laura M.

    Just came home from my first visit to Desta, and I am pleased to report that it was good. Not the best Ethiopian I've ever had, but solid food in a pleasant, cozy little restaurant that was completely packed on a Saturday night. We called on our way over to reserve a table, and therefore we were seated right away. Others had to wait a bit, but the food is worth the wait. My husband and I (married less than 3 weeks!) ordered lamb tibs with collard greens and the vegetarian combo. It was a LOT of food, but our bill was just $25. The lamb was a little chewy for my taste, but it was served in a flavorful sauce, and the collards were great. The vegetarian combo was also interesting -- our favorite was the lentil stew, which we decided tasted like savory gingerbread. We fed each other bites in an attempt to be romantic. Really it was just messy. The injera was on the bland side, but that's okay when you're basically just using it as a utensil. The fit fit dishes that use injera as a main ingredient were not as good as the other things that we tried. We enjoyed sampling all the dishes and also got in some solid people-watching. It was a really diverse crowd and everyone seemed to be having a good time. Next time I'll try some Ethiopian beer, and maybe save room for one of the delicious looking items in their dessert case!

    (4)

  • Sanjay S.

    I went here with some friends on a Saturday night on a whim. I'd never been to Desta, but my friends had been raving about it for a while and I finally was able to join them. Desta is in a strip mall, but doesn't have the typical strip mall formulaic decor. It has a nice patio and even has an upstairs lounge area. When we got there, there was no outdoor seating left so we got a table inside. The inside seating area and even the patio is not that big and the tables are fairly close together, but we didn't mind. Once we got seated, the waitress came by fairly quickly to take our orders. She even remembered my friends from before so that was nice. They had several cocktails and a decent beer and wine selection. I ended up ordering an Ethiopian beer, Harar, which was not too bad. I was glad to see that there were lots of vegetarian options on the menu and since it was my first time there, I ordered the veggie platter, which was a sampler of several veggie appetizers. My friends ordered the tibs, chicken and lamb, and they seemed to enjoy them. We also ordered an appetizer, the name of which I don't remember, but it was like an egg roll, but stuffed with cooked lentils. I enjoyed the veggie platter a lot and the appetizer as well, but I was stuffed by the end and could not finish the platter. All the items were flavorful, the injera bread was plentiful, and service was friendly and attentive without hovering. I'd definitely go back and try some of the other veggie items that I saw on the menu.

    (4)

  • Madhuri S.

    I've tried a lot of Ethiopian but once I tried Desta it was all over. They are the BEST!!!!! I swear I'm addicted to their food. I eat there sometimes three times a week! Try the fish tibs...plain, or with aware, or mixed with gomen (collard greens), or my favorite , with a side of shiro. The veggie combo is great for vegans! Complete protein meal! The honey wine is to die for! And the hot spice tea is amazing as well.

    (5)

  • E H.

    The patio was packed when we got there, but there was plenty of room inside. We got a very, very wobbly table by the bathroom even though there were other tables open, but they may have been saving those for larger groups. Still, we were concerned about the safety of our drinks because the table was so wobbly. Had two good Ethiopian beers, and I would recommend the St. George. Service was decent, pretty fast and very polite. We had beef and chicken tibs. They were very good, both of them. I've liked beef better at other Ethiopian places, but here I definitely preferred the chicken. I loved the red lentils, I would order a plate of those alone. Definitely get the Injera if you don't mind eating with your hands, they have sanitizer on the table and give you wipes after. Which is always something that I look for at Ethiopian. I want to go back and try the other dishes, but it will be hard not to order tibs again!

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    I eat a lot. Not meaning a lot of food, but at a lot of places. Nice places. Famous chef places. "Oh, my god this is so good" places. And I have to tell you the Lamb Tibs with the spicy stuff is what I crave more than anything else. The baby food vegetarian stuff, not so much. And I actually passed judgement on Ethiopian food based on a vegetarian meal and vowed never again. Then I was set along the right path, told what to order, and now I'm a convert. The service is fine, the space is pretty cool, blah, blah, blah. Desta Tibs. Done.

    (5)

  • Joy K.

    I had a birthday dinner here for about 15 ppl on a Sunday. It was crowded. I got the filet Tibs. it was delicious! However, i felt like I could make it at home or get something similar at another restaurant. The sponge bread was a little weird for me. I ordered the Banana rum cake and Tiramisu. The Banana rum cake was delish. i was surprised at how good it was. I don't like really sweet/sugary foods and the banana rum was a definite hit to my tastebuds. I would come again to try another dish.

    (4)

  • S B.

    Been coming here for a couple of years. Really tasty food, and usually good jazz if you sit inside. Our one test of the patio wasn't great: Briarcliff can be loud and the advertised jazz musician was authentic, but not quite up to his backing track. The staff is very friendly and helpful with explaining the menu. If you have trouble with spicy food, make sure you talk about the options with your server. Some dishes are not spicy, and others will fry your tongue. So glad this place is around! {Update: they have upgraded the patio, but haven't gotten a chance to try it yet.}

    (4)

  • Justin H.

    On second thought, this place gets 5 stars. Ive had a lot of the dishes and this place is hella consistent. Everything is so good! Also i love the atmosphere in here.

    (5)

  • Gina S.

    I have never been this smitten with a restaurant! This is my first experience with Ethiopian cuisine, so I can't speak to the authenticity other than to say my boyfriend and I were the only non-Ethiopians in the place. I had the Fish Tibs which were to die for with injera which was very good as well. I didn't get that you're supposed to eat with your hands, which I'm not really down for, but they didn't make me feel like an idiot either. We asked questions and she patiently explained. Our waitress was very nice and accommodating. Service was excellent, food was excellent, prices were excellent. No negatives here! I will go back to this place again and again.

    (5)

  • Jason A.

    Even for someone like myself that is gastronomically deficient (I prefer non-spicy foods) I found the food fantastic. I played it safe and had the chicken tibs with Ater (blinded up lentils) and pita bread and loved every bit of it. The mango juice tasted, well, like mango juice. I tried several of the other dishes that others at the table had and everything was very interesting. Some was more spicy than I like but everyone else loved what they ate. We will definitely be going back. Oh, and the address on the site is wrong. It's actually across the street from Mo's Pizza and near Bench Warmers, Popeye's Chicken.

    (5)

  • Peto F.

    A happy place for sure. I love unique foods from other cultures. It has never made sense to me to go to a chain restaurant like Chilis when you have places like this. I love the fact that you can eat with your hands here. What better way to experience the culture ? I love the chicken tibs and the vegetarian platter. The ethiopian bread is a different texture. Kind of like a tortilla. I have been there a good five times, and it never gets old.

    (5)

  • Matt T.

    I'm new to Ethiopian food so I don't have much to compare this to, but I will say that it was one of the most amazing dishes i've had in a long time. The spices and flavors were awesome! I had the beef sambosas which are like spring rolls with a spicy dipping sauce. I also had the lamb tibs with rice, injera and miser. I'm excited to get back and try another dish!

    (5)

  • Iffat B.

    I love this place. This was the first and only Ethiopian restaurant that I have ever tried and it's wonderful. My favorite dish is the Lamb Tibs Fir Fir. The waitstaff is super nice and they are open late!

    (5)

  • Kris L.

    Love this place! My favorite Ethiopian restaurant to go to when I'm craving Tibs. Their fish Tibs are absolutely delicious, it came with the Gomen and that was tasty as well. For dessert I had their Napoleon, it wasn't as impressive but still good. Great customer service as well. I can't wait till the next time I go again, yum!

    (4)

  • Michelle W.

    I was introduced to Desta by a co-worker. This was my first experience at an Ethiopian restaurant and I really enjoyed it and would definitely return! The food was great, the servers were extremely attentive and friendly. Highly recommend this place.

    (4)

  • Britt C.

    Amazing Ethiopian food - reminds me of a restaurant I ate at in Toronto. Had the vegetarian combo and the ribeye tibs with shiro. Bright, bold flavors. The veggie combo had so many different items, I took forever to get to all of them. We will DEFINITELY be heading back.

    (4)

  • Laura H.

    Desta is one of my favorite places to meet with friends. I have been there 5 or 6 times in the past year. They have extremely friendly service, a wonderful porch, and a large, delicious vegetarian platter (that can feed me for up to three days). I also hear that the fish tibs are excellent. They provide a more modern interpretation of Ethiopian food than the multitide of Ethiopian restaurants in the surrounding area. If someone asks me which Ethiopian restaurant they should try, I always tell them to try Desta.

    (5)

  • Howard C.

    This was my first time to Desta Ethiopian Kitchen. I have been to a few Ethiopian restaurants over the years and this place I'd consider quite excellent. I had the Fish Tib Tibs, and the Vegetable Combo. The Veggie combo was probably enough for my wife and I. The dishes were excellent. The Injera was plentiful (you can ask for more). I would prefer it if it was a bit more sour though. But, my wife liked it just like this. I'd definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Guybrush T.

    Favorite restaurant in town. Not for everyone. A friend of mine compares the wrap bread (injira ?) to sweaty dish towels, whereas I ask for extras to take home :-) Romantic lighting, sometimes a bit crowded. Fantastic food, though.

    (5)

  • Dee Dee C.

    The Tej, honey wine, and service was good. Otherwise, the food was not memorable at all.

    (1)

  • C M.

    Not impressed. Taste is ok ( I had lamb tibs), and price is kind of high ($12), and the waitress got several of our bills wrong (all over-charged).

    (2)

  • Laura B.

    I enjoyed Desta. The food was very good...but not the best I've had. It was enjoyable but I didn't get excited about it. Maybe I've been spoiled by west coast Ethiopian food. I would definitely go back to Desta but would probably try another Ethiopian place recommended on Yelp to see if I garnered a 5 star review first. We shared the Vegetarian combo which included samples of 6 of the dishes, but they couldn't tell us which 6...or how many there would be beforehand. We also shared the Split Pea Stew which was enjoyable but not overly flavorful. The service was excellent and friendly and the prices were very reasonable

    (4)

  • Utpal D.

    Really good food. Portions were perfect. Service was great and Ethiopian beer hit the spot

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    I recently tried Desta Ethiopian restaurant with Daniel B. at a UYE. I ordered the prime rib eye steak, with a side salad. The food was stellar. It was perfectly seasoned, wonderfully cooked, and a good portion size. The prices were great, as my meal only cost 12 dollars. And our service was great. Our waitress was exemplary, and was wonderful in offering her recommendations and descriptions of the dishes. The dessert was also pretty a-ok as well! The only thing that I have to complain about is that I'm just not sure I'm down with the whole eating everything with your fingers method...including the salad. You could eat the baclava with a fork though. That was good.

    (4)

  • Poinciana T.

    I love the injera bread and the fish tibs. The sambusa was good but I wish they gave me a giant one instead of two small ones. I've had better sambusa with bolder spices. I tried the raw meat too and it was okay... not my kind of dish. Service was okay but we did get neglected for awhile on a day that doesn't seem like it's super busy. We had to wave a waitress down to resupply us with the injera.

    (3)

  • Chris P.

    Great food, service, server, atmosphere! Maybe not the taste for some but all around great Ethiopian. Serves more western then I've had before that didn't take away from anything.

    (5)

  • Joseph L.

    The food and the service here were excellent. We had the veggie combo and the wilderness ribeye which was little pieces of steak flavorfully grilled with onions and a few jalapenos. Both were really good. It's a little crowded and we had a tiny table for two requiring us to put the hot sauces (also delicious) on the seat beside us. That was my only complaint though. I definitely recommend Desta!

    (4)

  • V K.

    This is one of my favorite places, Ethiopian or otherwise, in Atlanta. The food is awesome (especially the tibs and the platters) with endless injeras to wipe it all up, the service is excellent, and the ambience always wonderful and cozy. Have been here numerous times and the place delights me on every visit. The place has that homely feel to it that others strive hard to achieve. Highly recommended!

    (5)

  • Try O.

    My first time trying ethiopian food and I really liked it. I tried researching all the ethiopian restaurants in the area and this one had the best reviews. I would have never gone in just based on the area and where it is located, but I was quite surprised. I will definetly go back !! Worth the trip.

    (4)

  • Pat G.

    I went here for lunch and was pleased by the amount of food that they give you! Everything was so good! Service was great!

    (4)

  • Moosa D.

    First time trying Ethiopian food so I cant talk about how authentic it is but it seemed to be pretty authentic to me. The staff was very knowledgeable about the food and helpful in explaining things as well as suggesting things to try. i tried the beef tibs and injera, both were to die for. seemed to be a bit too salty but overall the flavors were wonderful. from the outside it looks a but run down but the atmosphere inside is definitely cozy

    (4)

  • Cindy H.

    When a friend of mine suggested Ethiopian, I grimaced. See, my first experience eating Ethiopian food was raw meat on some injera bread and I wasn't interested in that adventure again. However, this place is freaking delicious! The food is tasty, the service is great and I am now a fan. The only thing I can say is sometimes the cook is heavy handed on the salt. I usually get the ribeye tibs mixed with the greens. I have eaten here four times in two months and each time it can be either too salty or just right.

    (4)

  • Megan O.

    Love everything about Desta. Hands down the best Ethiopian in Atlanta, and one of my favorite restaurants period. The veggie platter is a ton of food for the price, more than enough for 2 people - add in some tibs or kitfo and you have a feast for a king. Absolutely delicious.

    (5)

  • Errol H.

    Came here last night with friends and this place was really tasty. I used to live in Seattle and the Ethiopian restaurant in town was amazing. Happy I now have a substitute!

    (5)

  • Pamela S.

    Fantastic flavor in their chicken tibs and injera, anticipatory service, and still easy on the budget - they even have Monday specials for their chicken dishes. If I lived in Atlanta, this would be a regular stop.

    (5)

  • Ray M.

    The food is consistent but has a strong American influence and is watered down for Westerners. The servers are friendly but can be a tad slow especially if it's busy. They stay busy... The decor is modern & the music relaxing. Smaller portion sizes with flavorful dishes. My favorite dish is shiro with fish tibs on top. They have tasty veggie dishes. It's worth your time and they welcome all cultures.

    (4)

  • Courtney R.

    The grilled tilapia salad and grilled tilapia entree are amazing. I love this place. The food is delicious except for that weird bread they serve. It's an Ethiopian specialty I guess. This spot is great for lunch.

    (5)

  • Alex C.

    This food was GREAT!!!! the customer service was very nice, and knowledgeable. I ordered the vegetarian platter, it had my favorite items like the yellow split peas and the lentil stew (it had a few items I had never had before) the food and the presentation were excellent! My friend had the Lamb Tibs with Chickpeas and it was also tasty. We had plenty of enjira, and were happy with the meal.I had some left over from lunch and decided to go through the drive though an add a few sides to have enough for dinner....I mean who does that!?!? I did and it was GREAT!!!! I will definitely be going back soon!

    (5)

  • Shanno W.

    I had never had Ehtiopian food before, but my co-workers suggested we go here for lunch. I ordered the Chicken Tibs, with the awaze (spicy sauce) mixed in with my rice, and pita bread and cabbage on the side. It was really tasty! I cleaned my entire plate, and the cabbage was on point! My coworker ordered a piece of chocolate cake afterwards. AMAZING! I'm not a fan of chocolate cake, but this cake was more chocolate, less cake. Really rich, but tasty. I would definitely come back!

    (5)

  • Nedra W.

    I tried the Lamb Tibs cooked with rice and a salad came with it. The food was tasty! I will visit again. I'm glad my coworker made the suggestion that I try them out. I enjoy trying different cultural foods. I sampled good from the other plates at our table as well and everything I tried I enjoyed.

    (4)

  • Dana M.

    I would give Desta 31/2 stars. I've been wanting to try Ethiopian food for the longest so when this opportunity came up i jumped on it! it's a nice restaurant with plenty of outdoor space and they also have an upstairs dining area which is where we sat. The service was good and the server helped us with our choices. I have to say that the food was really fresh and tasty. I enjoyed the fish and the side of lentils. My little one enjoyed the pasta with meat sauce...it was actually very good. Different than a regular tomato sauce. For a first timer I was impressed. I will come back again when visiting the ATL.

    (3)

  • Sam T.

    Best Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta; you can choose your spice level if you are farenge. Order the fir fir & tibs; the vegetarian platter is incredible!!!! Battam konjo!

    (5)

  • Sonal H.

    Best Ethiopian food in Atl!! Fish tibs are to die for!! Great service, lovely little place to keep going back to!!

    (5)

  • Jay B.

    One of the best meals I've eaten in the last six months. Don't be afraid of Ethiopian food! Their spices may be a little hotter than some are used to, but the flavor is excellent. I will definitely come back.

    (5)

  • Belynda H.

    Food was great I had the chicken, lamb and fish. My favorite was the lamb it has a little spice to it and is full of flavor. The fish was also great full of flavor I would not recommend the chicken it wasn't as good kind of bland. I tried the sponge breAd I did not like it I would suggest the rice but my boyfriend seemed to enjoy it. Over the good was great I would love to go back.

    (4)

  • Rashmi A.

    I've never tried Ethiopian food before, and in my new obsession of trying out different cuisines I went to this place a few days back. We had the Chicken Tibs and the Veggie platter with a Tomato Fitfit appetizer. The entrees were great and every item on the veggie platter was exceptional! Their injera is soft, super tasty and goes really well with all of the items (don't remember the names exactly) on the platter. The chicken entree came with rice (you have a choice of rice/injera) and was cooked amazingly well. Both the entree dishes were a generous quantity and worth the price. Great food, ambience and quick service. Worth a try.

    (5)

  • Michelle C.

    I had the fish tips which were pretty good. I ordered tilapia but somehow ended up with salmon instead. it was a good experience but I don't know if it's the type if food I would crave. The bread wrap thing was odd. It tasted really sour and I couldn't decide if I liked it or not. Overall I would say this is a good place to come for first time Ethiopian food triers. The food isn't super authentic but enough to get the Ethiopian experience. I would recommend the fish tips. My friends ordered the ribeye and it was pretty dry. Go early bc it gets packed on the weekends.

    (3)

  • Wendy D.

    Everything I had was too spicy, but good. I ordered the meat lovers with injera and cabbage. I wasn't crazy about the flavor of the cabbage. I did enjoy the ribeye, filet Mignon, and kitfo (ground beef with spice & butter) but it was seriously too hot!! I ordered mild...

    (3)

  • Rainblow S.

    Love Ethiopian food, love Desta. If you've never tried it you are missing out! We've eaten inside and also gotten takeout. Never a disappointment. They're often open later than their hours indicate. I really like that you can come here late on a week night and the place is so lively and buzzing with activity. That's not something you find around Atlanta as the city largely sleeps at night. It is my favorite of the Ethiopian spots in that area.

    (4)

  • Tiffani T.

    I had been craving some ethnic spicy fares and an acquaintaince recommended this spot. Cant believe it was my first time there. By the way that sponge like bread looks like something that could double as a skin graft, needless to say I didnt try it. Went on a late saturday afternoon, atmosphere was lively and staff was attentive. My mother and I sat outside eventhough It had rained on and off all day but we enjoyed the cooler temps on the patio. I am a sucker for lamb so I ordered the Lamb and tibs entree. The lamb had a flavor from the grill that tasted almost propane like. Not really sure how to describe it. But the lamb was very tender. The portions were very generous and I'd definitely go again. Service was quick and friendly and the presentation of the food was very good as well.

    (4)

  • Tiff H.

    This was my first time eating Ethiopian and this was definitely a good way to ease into it. I order the lamb tibs with miser and jasmine rice instead of the pita or the injera. I did try the injera though and it was definitely a little too sour for me. I really like the lamb though, super flavorful and tender. The miser was a little out there for me too, but went really well with the rice and the injera. We thankfully didn't have to wait long on the rainy day, but i will definitely be back to try the other menu options!

    (3)

  • Matt K.

    One of those rare - won't find another restaurant like it - more than eating Journey First Ethiopian experience & it did not disappoint! Great laid back atmosphere - out door patio - upstairs bar area. Unique Spice combinations creating flavor that is unmatched. Lamb was on point. Service is genuine. Patrons from all backgrounds seemed to be enjoying themselves. Couple Familys with kids along for this spicy journey I do my homework before selecting "exotic" food locations in Atlanta. This is a great change of pace - mix it up - if you get a wild hair! Highly recommend to everyone

    (5)

  • Amelia J.

    My first Ethiopian food experience, and surely not my last. Absolutley loved it. I had no idea what I was doing, but the menu was very accessible to a rookie and the staff was happy to offer recommendations. I recommend the tibs (I had chicken, but it all looked great), with shiro (a sauce they pour over it) and injera.

    (5)

  • Gabriela A.

    Such an amazing place! The food is tasty. We had the vegetarian platter, lamb tibs and fish tibs rice; we also had two veggie sambusas. Everything was delicious!

    (5)

  • Lateef E.

    My first time eating Ethiopian. Wonderful experience. Service was superior, food was excellent, even got some to go !!

    (5)

  • Sonya A.

    I've been meaning to write a review for this place for years. I've been coming to this restaurant for almost 5 years now and I've seen how much they have grown. I've never had a bad experience as their service has been always friendly. My favorite thing to order is the fish tibs with beets salad and cabbage and drink the St. George beer.

    (5)

  • Suzanne D.

    Amazing food and great service. This restaurant was my introduction to Ethiopian food and it was a great first impression. I live in DC now and tried a highly rated Ethiopian restaurant, but it had NOTHING on Desta. 10 stars!

    (5)

  • Bri C.

    This is my first experience with Ethiopian food, so I don't have much to compare it with. but it is tasty and fun! We've been here twice and I've loved everything we've ordered. I think the variety on the vegetarian plate is awesome! The spicy lentils are really good..... Fish Tibs and Ribeye Tibs and it was excellent. If you have kids, make sure you ask what is spicy or not. We sat outside the first time, and it was really nice weather so it worked out well. But we sat inside the second time. Inside is loud and cramped. I would recommend sitting outside.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 11

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Desta Ethiopian Kitchen

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