Dama Restaurant and Pastry
About This Spot
Stepping into Dama Restaurant and Pastry on Columbia Pike feels like discovering a welcoming neighborhood gem that effortlessly blends the richness of Ethiopian and Latin American flavors. The space hums with a gentle warmth — a mix of quiet conversation and the inviting aroma of fresh-baked goods and spiced dishes slowly filling the air. It’s the kind of spot where the pace slows just enough for you to settle in without feeling rushed, yet carries a steady rhythm that hints at the lively stories unfolding around each table.
Behind the scenes, the kitchen crafts an intimate journey through distinctive culinary traditions. Whether you’re savoring the soft, tangy embrace of injera or pausing to enjoy a carefully layered slice of tiramisu, each bite seems to carry a thoughtful balance of heritage and homegrown comfort. The menu’s thoughtful nods to vegan and vegetarian choices sit comfortably alongside hearty, spiced lamb and robust stews, creating a palette of flavors that invites both curiosity and contentment.
What makes Dama feel especially genuine is its seamless flow between the flavors of a well-loved Ethiopian gathering and the sweet treasures from the bakery counter. The pastries, cakes, and breads are not merely afterthoughts but carry their own stories — perfect for stealing away a quiet moment with a cappuccino, or packing up to share with friends after the meal winds down. It’s clear that care extends beyond the plate here, into the thoughtful pace of service, and the warm connections that naturally emerge, no matter if you’re new to the cuisine or returning for one of the standout dishes that locals come back for again and again.
At its heart, Dama offers more than a meal — it offers a slice of place and tradition wrapped in a relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere that quietly encourages you to explore, enjoy, and perhaps bring a little taste of something new home with you.
What’s Available Here
-
Delivery - In-store pick-up
- In-store shopping
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Coffee
- Breakfast
- Toilet
- Quick visit
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
- Free parking lot
Location & Hours
| Monday | 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM | |
| Friday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM |
Guest Reviews
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Lead sKeptron 08 Jan 2026
Amazing food! This was my first time trying Ethiopian cuisine. The service was great—our waitress was very attentive and helped us choose dishes based on our preferences. We ended up sharing a meat and vegetable combo, as you can see here. The bread, paired with the hearty meat and vegetables, was very satisfying. We were only able to finish about half of it between the two of us! This is a great restaurant, and I’d most certainly come again.
Ephrem G 01 Jan 2026
Mulushewa Grill and Bar in downtown Silver Spring offers a lively atmosphere, convenient location, delicious Ethiopian cuisine, great service, and good music. Highly recommended! The service was great thank you.
Yande 22 Dec 2025
The food was good. The service was even better. Lots of delicious African treats that this bakery makes and my favorite is their marble bread.
Jonathan C 14 Dec 2025
This was near my hotel, so I walked over. I was greeted by a delightful woman. She explained some of the menu items. I decided to try the vegetarian buffet. It was very good. In retrospect, I'd probably try one of the meat entrées, but the buffet was good! I also had the tiramisu and hot tea. The tiramisu was really good!
Ksquared 16 Nov 2025
I've been to Dama a few times and honestly it's the best Ethiopian food in the DMV. The service is always quick and the food is so delicious. Pro tip since you won't have room for dessert: make sure to visit the bakery side before dinner to grab some pastries to take home. You'll thank yourself later.
Dennis C 05 Oct 2025
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!
Leslie Bellas 25 Sep 2025
After living in Abu Dhabi, with excellent Ethiopian food, we struggled to find a comparable meal. Dama was excellent in food quality and portions. Betty, our server, could not have been more hospitable, and we loved being the only non-Ethiopian patrons! We will be back-often!
Hao Weinmann 22 Sep 2025
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!