"I have to admit, my experience here started with a bit of confusion, but it ended up being one of the most rewarding dining experiences I've had in a long time. If you decide to come here—and you absolutely should—do not let the entrance fool you. It is genuinely difficult to find if you don't know the "secret" beforehand. I spent a good five minutes walking around the building, pulling on handles that were locked tight, and genuinely wondering if the place was even open or if I was at the wrong address. ​Here is the trick: you actually have to enter through the bakery. It feels a bit like a speakeasy or a secret club, which honestly adds to the charm once you figure it out. Because once you step through into the actual restaurant, the transition is instant. The space is absolutely beautiful. The decor is thoughtful, elegant, and atmospheric, creating a warm, inviting vibe that completely contrasts with the confusion of getting in. It feels like a hidden oasis. ​The service matched the atmosphere perfectly. Our waitress was incredibly friendly, patient, and attentive, making us feel right at home immediately. As for the food? It was outstanding. Everything tasted fresh, authentic, and rich with flavor. The spices were perfectly balanced, and it was easily some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve tasted in the area. ​Do not let the locked doors scare you away. This place is a hidden treasure that is well worth the scavenger hunt to get inside. I will definitely be returning!"

"Amazing experience. The food was clean, warm, incredibly delicious, and perfectly seasoned—everything was cooked just right. Hands down the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. The service was outstanding: professional, kind, generous, and extremely attentive. I didn’t have to ask for anything—they anticipated every need. They truly went above and beyond and even gave me more food than I ordered. Highly recommend!"

"Great pastry and catering. Amazing service. Restaurant, cafe and store one stop shop. Parking could be tricky."

"We had the meat combo with lentils, yellow peas, and cabbage as our veggie options, and it was perfect for sharing between two people. The food is delicious and authentically Ethiopian, and the service was great! Our waitress was attentive and happy to help, especially if you're new to Ethiopian cuisine. The restaurant has a casual vibe, making it a great spot to enjoy a relaxed meal. We were missing Ethiopian food, and Dama definitely hit the spot. After our meal, we stopped by the bakery for a slice of double chocolate cake, but I would pass on it next time. The cake was a bit dry, and the chocolate flavor didn’t quite hit the mark for me. Overall, I highly recommend Dama Restaurant for anyone craving authentic Ethiopian food!"

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