Cafe Desta

Traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in Tucson

Cafe Desta is a restaurant specializing in traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine that has been operating since 2010 south of downtown Tucson, Arizona. Its culinary offering combines inherited recipes with characteristic ingredients of the region, and maintains a menu that includes both vegan options and meat-based dishes.

Vegan options and meat dishes

The restaurant's menu features traditional vegan alternatives alongside preparations with chicken, lamb, and fish. All dishes are served with injera, a spongy bread made from teff, sorghum, and wheat flour that is used like a tortilla to scoop food up with your hands, as is Ethiopian custom.

Ingredients and seasonings of Ethiopian cuisine

Cafe Desta's cuisine relies on staple preparations of Ethiopian gastronomy. Berbere, a spice blend combining chili powder, fenugreek, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, and other spices, forms the flavor base of numerous dishes. Awaze is the paste version of berbere, made by mixing the dry seasoning with oil—often olive oil—and a little Ethiopian wine or whiskey, and it pairs especially well with meat dishes. Injera, for its part, is made by grinding teff grain into flour, which is turned into a batter, lightly fermented, and fried in a heavy skillet to form a large circular bread with a soft, spongy texture and a slightly sour flavor.

Pickup and delivery orders

The restaurant handles pickup and delivery orders through the DoorDash, Uber Eats, and Postmates platforms. It also accepts orders by text message at (520) 405-8152 or by calling (520) 370-7000, and offers curbside pickup.

Hours and location

Cafe Desta is open every day of the week, Monday through Sunday, from 11:00 am to 9:00 pm. The establishment is located at 758 South Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701, United States. A note published on the site indicated that, as of March 3, 2022, opening hours shifted to 2:00 pm and extended until 9:00 pm, including Sunday.

Location and contact

758 S Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 · Phone: (520) 370-7000 · Email: huruyg@gmail.com · Hours: Monday to Sunday: 11:00 am - 9:00 pm