The family behind a longtime Ethiopian restaurant on Columbia Pike is starting a takeout pizzeria.
Father Dama Pizza is preparing to open at 1499 Columbia Pike, next door to Dama Restaurant and Cafe, co-founder Hailu Dama told ARLnow. The Dama family has led Ethiopian restaurants in the D.C. area since the 1980s.
It’s ‘coming soon’
- A menu published online features customizable pies and typical pizzeria fare, including wings, salads and sandwiches. Dama Restaurant and Pastry’s TikTok page shared a teaser video of its new pizzas last month.
- The pizzeria, which will function mainly as a carryout, is setting up in a kitchen space known as Dama’s Bread, where Dama Diner used to be.
- Exterior signs say the pizzeria is “coming soon.” Dama said an opening date and further details about the shop will be available at a later date.
Dama Restaurant started in 1982
- Yeshi Dama founded the family’s first restaurant on N. Capitol Street in D.C. after immigrating to the city from central Ethiopia.
- The D.C. location later closed in 1986 before Yeshi Dama’s sister, Kelem Dama, opened the Arlington location in 1999. The Columbia Pike mainstay is known for its authentic Ethiopian dishes and homemade pastries.
