D'yar - Berkeley

The restaurant has a sign on the wall stating that paying with cash provides a discount, so I opted to pay cash. While they initially offered a 3.5% cash discount, they then added a 4% credit card surcharge at the end, despite the fact that I didn't use a credit card. I pointed out that this practice misleads customers regarding the discount, making it seem like we’re getting a better deal than the final total reflects. The staff claimed that this is how their system is set up. If that’s the case, why not offer a larger discount—like 5% or more—so that after applying the surcharge on a cash payment, customers would still enjoy a real discount instead of an unexpected extra charge? Honestly, the money itself wasn't a huge deal; if they had offered to refund me, I would have just added it to the tip I had already left in their tip jar. Instead, they didn’t offer any compensation, and the whole practice feels dishonest. The chef and the girl at the register both reviewed the receipt multiple times but didn't make an effort to rectify the surcharge. The girl mentioned she would ask her manager, but there was no manager around. Most people don’t check their receipts closely, so I felt it was important to share this with anyone considering dining here. Overall, it felt like a dishonest experience. Additionally, when I placed my order, they informed me they were out of salad ingredients before noon and advised me to order a plate instead. However, when I went to pick up my order, I saw that they had prepared the very same salad for another customer who had a later order number. I was denied the salad option before I paid, so it was clearly unrelated to the payment issue, but witnessing the salad being served to someone else was certainly disappointing. The chicken shawarma was salty and oily, but it could have been enjoyable atop a salad if I had been given that option!

I stopped by one evening to grab takeout. The service was fast, and I really enjoyed my lamb rice bowl. Next time, I'll have to try their gyro plate. Since I arrived after the dinner rush, I was fortunate to find a parking spot right on the street nearby.

The smaller portion sizes affected my rating... it must be due to inflation.

Quick Summary: Flavorful and juicy chicken Filling portions, one plate is enough for one person Today, the family was walking around the northern side of Berkley and eating foods here and there. Our stomachs were not full yet, so we were still able to eat a good large dinner plate of food, so my relative suggested eating at D'yar. It is their favorite place to eat and often go there for lunch. After we agreed, they went and ordered the chicken shawarma plate, and we took it outside to eat at a benches in the gourmet seating area. The tray contains three dividers, and the largest had the chicken and the rice. The other two contained salad and hummus. On top was a small container filled with yogurt, and three slices of pita bread. I have tried a couple of Mediterranean dishes in the city, and I can confidently say that this chicken was the best one I have ever tasted. There is a toasty good grill flavor in each chicken piece. The meat is also juicy and soft too, so there was no dryness. The skin portion crispy like chips.

Dyar is a hidden gem in the north side of Berkeley. This place serves high quality food at an incredibly fast past. The food is delicious and the staff is super friendly. I had the lamb kebab with French fries. The meat was so tender and the hummus was one of the most authentic I've tasted in the bay. Overall, Highly recommend if your just trying to grab a quick lunch in Berkeley or simply taste the authentic flavors of the Middle East.