Vegan
Take-out
African
Ethiopian
Small Ethiopian cafe and shop est. 2015. Offers a combo meal served with gluten-free injera. Sells spices, lentils, coffee, and dried goods. Contactless pre-orders taken online. Black owned. NOTE: Please verify if still fully vegan. NOTE: Maybe closed May 2024 - please send updates to HappyCow. Open Mon-Sun 10:00am-7:00pm.
18 Reviews
First Review by Gopala108
JakeFuller
Points +1502
Extremely Good - Edit
Some of the best Ethiopian food I’ve ever had. Very friendly, family-owned restaurant. Unfortunately, no indoor seating, so you’re stuck outside with the crazy tweakers walking by. But whatever, it’s Oakland. What else do expect in a communist distopia? Anyways, great food!
Read moreveganguy111
Communist dystopia? Lol it's the opposite
Read moreGuest
SoyCoffeeFTW
Points +741
Delicious and filling - Edit
The veggie combo is on gluten-free injera by default (no extra charge!). Everything tastes fresh and flavorful. And best of all, it’s one of the most affordable Ethiopian places.
Read morePros: All vegan, Gluten-free!, Affordable
Guest
MizzB
Points +3833
Authentic Ethiopian, 100% vegan - Edit
Deliciously tasty authentic Ethiopian food, spiced just right, served on gluten-free Injera. Collard greens well done without being overlooked, lentils and split peas also well seasoned, cooked to perfection, finely textured injera, no after taste found in some breads, perfect for scooping up the meal. Moderately priced veggie platter available in two sizes, depending on how hungry you are. The larger size might even serve two with small appetites; those who delight in and enjoy good Ethiopian dining as much as I do will want the larger platter all to themselves. Lentil samosas, available on the side, were excellent; very well seasoned. Fair trade coffee available by the cup, or by the bag to take home. Drink case with various juices, waters, sodas to choose from. Very compact space, with variety of Ethiopian & middle eastern grocery items for sale, plus stacks of injera. Food is take out since no place to eat inside. 3 small tables with chairs on sidewalk outside store/restaurant. Right on Telegraph Ave, which tends to be busy street so can be noisy. On street parking.
Read moreReopen post pandemic lockdown for pickup. Online ordering, with timed pickup slots. Usual veggie platter, with some desserts available, bottled drinks. Sidewalk tables. Service slower due to reduced staffing.
Caution on business hours. Website and the hours posted on the door of the business show open 9am. Stopped by on March 15, 2023, 11am, restaurant was not open. Tried calling, no answer, no return call. Waited half hour, restaurant was still dark with door/gate locked.
Updated from previous review on 2021-07-25
Pros: Authentic, well seasoned, tasty Ethiopian food, 100% vegan, Affordable, ample portions
Cons: Very small space, Take-out only, no place to eat inside
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreeomski22
FYI - this link doesn't work. Tried messaging the restaurant and calling multiple times. No answer.
Read moreMizzB
The link has not worked for a while. The message providing it was from the restaurant.
Read moreGuest
villain
Points +8360
Nice lunch spot - Edit
Conveniently located on Telegraph and owned by friendly people. A nice place for grabbing lunch. There isn't any indoor seating, and the outdoor tables are quite small so it's definitely a place to dine solo or with one other person.
Read moreFull plate was a decent size, half order would've been too small in my opinion. The food here isn't as expensive as other Oakland Ethiopian spots and it's pretty good. Cheesecake wasn't the best though, it was reminiscent of daiya cheesecake and I'm just not into that flavor.
I love that they sell various other goodies here like bulk ingredients, spices, grains, teacups, pans, etc.
Updated from previous review on 2022-12-08
Pros: Gluten free
Guest
Geeokonkwo
Points +516
All Vegan Ethiopian - Edit
Love fully vegan spots! Owner is nice. Patio outside for ppl watching. Delicious. Plz note prices have raised, forgot to get picture of board but I believe it's $17 now for the full plate.
Read moreGuest
RayeRaye
Points +380
Half order - Edit
Perfect for lunch, injera was very soft!
Read moreGuest
ledruide
Points +70
Wish It Were a Sit-Down Restaurant - Edit
I have never had better Ethiopian food anywhere. The only problem is there's virtually no seating -- none at all if the minimal outdoor seating is occupied or weather makes it unusable. I will definitely be back, but only when I'm looking for something to take home and eat.
Read morePros: Five-star Ethiopian food.
Cons: One-star seating -- not a dinner destination.
shaynaryan136yandex
We had read many good reviews about and the restaurant was very close to our hotel.
Read moreCafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
agreid
Points +46
Perfect - Edit
Right price, quick service, and incredible, filling food that made us feel warm and happy all day. The full plate is plenty to share between two people. :)
Read moreCafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
aner1kind17
Points +1289
Best Ethiopian I have had in the bay! - Edit
I’ve been searching for good Ethiopian and was amazed by the food at this little takeout place. A total hole in the wall - blink and miss. They have a few tables outside if you can’t do takeout and it’s super tasty. The full combo is perfect for 2 people and great price for $12. Home cooked feel and highly recommend!
Read morePros: Set menu , Great price
Cons: No indoor seating
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
LiviRoseSky
Points +48
love this place - Edit
Such good Ethiopian food I love that they put all your food on top!!
Read moreledruide
Here's a shorter version of the same link
Read morehttps://bit.ly/2CJUGxU
Guest
MichelleSF
Points +48
yummy! - Edit
There's only one thing on the menu and it's delicious! I was actually happy that I didn't have to choose from a menu. I waited only 10 minutes for the food. I'm definitely coming back again soon! Thanks happy cow 😃
Read morePros: very flavorful!, fast and friendly service!, easy freeway access near bay bridge
Cons: no public restroom, only 3 small tables outside
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
alexandra_vegan
Points +1549
Delicious food, but wasteful packaging - Edit
The food here is 100% vegan, made on the spot and delicious.
Read moreThis place serves food and also sells Ethiopian pantry items like spices, beans, drinks etc...
Food is served in a to go container. I wish they were a bit less wasteful with packaging and serve food reusable plates.
They have 3 tables with a couple of chairs just outside the shop if you want to eat here.
Look for parking on the smaller streets nearby, as on the main street parking is hard to find.
Pros: Delicious food, 100% vegan
Cons: Parking hard to find, Wasteful plastic packaging
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
eansty
Points +32
The best Ethiopian Food - Edit
Best Ethiopian food around. Made with love
Read morePros: The food!
Cons: You must get there before 3:00. They sell out fast
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
Ventura9612
Points +70
Amazingly Wonderful! - Edit
Took my Ethiopian food virginity and was one of the best meals I've had!!
Read moreCafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
Dialvegan
Points +16
Tasty & Healthy - Edit
Dareye is a revelation - the best Ethiopian in the city for sure. This tiny, Oakland cafe packs on good food and simplicity. I STRONGLY suggest the veggie combo platter for those who are unfamiliar and vegan, because there is nothing like getting a whole bowl of vegan tasty goodness. signed HAPPY CUSTOMER!!!!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-11-03
Pros: gluten-free, Tasty, Healthy
Cons: none, none, none
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
veganmozsquad
Points +21
Lovely people & delicious vegan food! - Edit
I called ahead to make an order to pick up. When I got there 10 minutes later there was a large amount of healthy & yummy food waiting for me, $12. Enough for me to last 2 meals. The people working were very kind, smiles all around. Thank you! If you need quick take away, this is the place to stop!
Read moreCafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
SassyGreenVegan
Points +23
Love It - Edit
The staff was extremely helpful and patient with me. The lady at the counter seemed very motherly and welcoming and the food was delish. I will definitely go back to this place to bad hugs aren't on the menu. (I loved the energy of the mom) BEAUTIFUL VIBES
Read morePros: Vegan options, Worth The Cost
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
Gopala108
Points +3263
wonderful experience here - Edit
I went here recently & this place is a real find. The food comes piping hot, fresh, & feels home cooked. The staff are super friendly. I went for the full veggie combo for $9.99 as I have a hearty appetite & barely finished it. It came with a salad with dressing & a giant raw stuffed jalapeño filled with something like salsa. It came with all the standards you are used to at Ethiopian restaurants such as collards, curried lentils, curried, split peas & plenty of Injera.
Read moreIf you don't have a hearty appetite you can always split it with your friend or beloved. It comes in a container where you can take home leftovers or even better for some is the half veggie combo for $5.99. Vegans, vegetarians, Rastas who love Ital cuisine, plant based food lovers, & those who love Ethiopian food should definitely swing by here.
The only caveat with Cafe Dareye is there is limited seating as it serves as a market inside so the only seating is outdoors with two tables & four chairs at each table. You will most likely share a table with someone or a few folks which isn't a bad thing as talking to strangers is a good & you might find the stranger more interesting than a celebrity even.
It's popular here at lunch time so get here early or be prepared to wait yet folks are friendly so you should be able to grab a seat without too much trouble!
Pros: home cooked style meals, all vegan meals, option for half portion
Cons: limited seating
CafeD
Valued customer, we are now taking online preorders for post-covid reopening here: https://cafedareyeoakland.com/
Read moreGuest
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