Desta Market

What is Desta Market? Occupying a straightforward storefront at 843 Danforth Avenue in the Blake-Jones strip just west of Donlands station, Desta Market has operated as a family-run Ethiopian grocer, butcher, and takeout counter since 2003. The bright, unfussy interior is grocery-first, filled with shelves of imported spices, green coffee beans, teff flour, and refrigerated cases of freshly made injera. There is no sit-down dining room or bar, making the space an essential fast-casual takeaway counter and specialty pantry for east-end locals.

Desta Market Menu & What to Order The kitchen prepares deeply spiced, homestyle Ethiopian staples that come ladled over pliable injera, including pure teff gluten-free rounds. The Veggie Combo is a reliable order, offering a balanced spread of split-pea stew, braised cabbage, stewed collard greens (gomen), and lentils. For meat eaters, the sizzling Lamb Tibs cooked with spiced butter, onions, and berbere delivers bold depth, while the Dullet and Kitfo satisfy purists seeking rich, traditional flavours.

Know Before You Go This is strictly a walk-in operation for takeout and grocery shopping, so no reservations are needed or accepted. Paid street parking lines Danforth Avenue, but taking Line 2 to Donlands station is the simplest commute, leaving you less than a two-minute walk from the front door. The market runs seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., making it easy to grab lunch, dinner, or bulk Ethiopian pantry staples.