Desta – Ethiopian
Desta invites diners into a vibrant, sun-drenched space where the air is thick with the warm, earthy aroma of slow-simmered spices and freshly roasted coffee. Golden, crispy sambussas give way to a colorful tapestry of traditional Ethiopian stews like spicy misir wot and tender gomen, creating a communal feast that celebrates both heritage and fresh, modern flavors. From the first sip of a velvety cappuccino to the last bite of a nutrient-rich kale salad, every dish offers a soulful journey through a landscape of bold textures and aromatic depth.
303a Oakland Ave, Oakland 94611 https://destaethiopiancafeca.com/Rating: 5/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Ethiopian
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, gluten-free, halal, high-protein, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, alkaline, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, macrobiotic, soy-free
Diet fit at Desta
Dairy-Free at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Gluten-Free at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 1 gluten-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 5 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 1 high-protein-tagged dish on its current menu, including Green Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 5 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 5 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 2 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Green Salad and Misir Wot. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Fat at Desta
Desta in Oakland has 1 low-fat-tagged dish on its current menu, including Misir Wot. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Desta
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Kale Salad | 242.7 g | 56.1 g |
| Sweet Potato Sambussa | 18.5 g | 14.3 g |
| Green Salad | 0 g | 14.1 g |
| Cappuccino | 12 g | 8 g |
| Misir Wot | 7.9 g | 6.9 g |
| Veggie Sambussa of the day | 34.1 g | 5.3 g |
| Gomen | 5.7 g | 3.5 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Wednesday - Sunday
- 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests rave about the exceptionally flavorful appetizers and the evident pride the kitchen takes in every dish. Celebrated for its welcoming and timely service, reviewers highlight the pleasant environment that makes for a highly recommended dining experience.
Menu
Appetizers
- Veggie Sambussa of the day - $5: Deep fried savory pastry Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sweet Potato Sambussa - $5: Carrot, rosemary, onion & garlic Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Anti-Inflammatory, High-Fiber, Low-Cholesterol, Alkaline, Soy Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Kale Salad - $10: Kale massaged with oil dressing Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, High-Fiber, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
- Green Salad - $10: Mixed green salad with basil dressing Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner, lunch
Main Courses
- Misir Wot - $15: Red Lentils cooked in flavorful berbere sauce, a blend of red onion & garlic Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Gomen - $16: Kale (or Collard Greens) sautéed with garlic, leaks, olive oil and spices Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Breakfast Sandwich - $16: English muffin, patty coated with cauliflower bits, veggies, housemade sauce and cashew cheese Available at: breakfast, brunch, lunch
Beverages
- Cappuccino - $4.5: 12oz
Frequently Asked Questions about Desta
- What's the best way to experience this restaurant?
- Enjoy a communal feast of flavorful sambussas and traditional stews in a vibrant, sun-drenched space with welcoming and timely service.
- Does this restaurant have good options for group dining with mixed dietary needs?
- Desta accommodates diverse diets with vegan, keto, and gluten-free options like Gomen, Misir Wot, and Kale Salad for communal group dining.
- What type of cuisine does this restaurant specialize in?
- Desta specializes in authentic Ethiopian cuisine, featuring traditional stews like misir wot and gomen alongside freshly roasted coffee.
- What is this restaurant's overall rating?
- Desta is a budget-friendly Ethiopian restaurant that maintains a perfect overall rating of 5.0/5.
- Is this restaurant good value for money?
- With a budget-friendly ($) price level and a perfect 5.0/5 rating, guests highly recommend Desta for its exceptionally flavorful dishes.
- Is this restaurant good for casual dining or more upscale?
- Desta is a budget-friendly ($) casual dining spot featuring a vibrant, sun-drenched atmosphere and welcoming service for communal Ethiopian feasts.
- Where is this restaurant located?
- The provided information does not specify a physical address for Desta, but more details may be found on their website.
- How many reviews does this restaurant have?
- The provided information does not specify the total number of reviews for Desta, though it maintains a 5.0/5 average rating.
- What is the price range at this restaurant?
- Desta is a budget-friendly ($) Ethiopian restaurant offering an affordable dining experience for its guests.
- What are the standout dishes based on the menu?
- Standout dishes include veggie and sweet potato sambussas, spicy misir wot, gomen, kale salad, and the breakfast sandwich.
- Is Desta dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Desta has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day.
- What can I eat at Desta on a dairy-free diet?
- Sweet Potato Sambussa, Green Salad and Veggie Sambussa of the day carry the dairy-free tag, out of 5 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Desta have vegan options?
- Yes. 5 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Sweet Potato Sambussa and Green Salad.
- Is Desta gluten-free?
- 1 dish is tagged gluten-free on the current menu. Chefi never infers allergen tags from a dish name alone, but a tag is not a certification — confirm preparation with the restaurant if you have celiac disease or a severe sensitivity.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Desta?
- Kale Salad, at roughly 56.1g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
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