Been coming here for 20 years. Best Persian restaurant in town. Amazing food, reasonably priced, easy parking and fantastic service. Nouri and others are always helpful with a smile. read more

Came here for the second time this week with my dad. The first time was Wednesday after my colonoscopy, and the second time was tonight, when we were joined by my sister and brother-in-law. Nouri was phenomenal. We all had slightly similar orders and there were no mistakes. We inevitably saw two tables my dad knew because of course we did. But it was also bustling enough that I'm pretty sure my cousin didn't notice us as she was picking up her order. Pro tip: Get the beef soltani but switch out the beef koobideh for the chicken koobideh. Can't wait to eat my leftovers! I mean, I can because I'm stuffed right now. But you know. read more

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I had a very disappointing experience with Darya. When I called to place my order, the employee who answered the phone (told me his name is Mike) was argumentative, rude, and came across as unnecessarily confrontational. It made what should have been a simple order frustrating. To make matters worse, I specifically asked for my food not to be packaged family style. When I arrived to pick it up, it was packed family style anyway, exactly the opposite of what I requested. Whether it was carelessness or a complete disregard for my request, it was frustrating after the phone conversation. The food may be good, but customer service matters just as much. Based on this experience, I don't plan on ordering from here again. read more

When you go to Darya restaurant, you have to be careful about the prices because they write one amount on the menu, but the bill says another. My friend and I went to the Darya restaurant in Santa Monica at 4:30 and ordered two servings of Shish Kabob, which was $22.99 on the menu, and we gave our card at the time of payment. Unfortunately, we didn't pay attention, and when we got home, we realized that instead of two servings, they had charged us three servings. After calling , they said that the amount was for lunch, but from 5:00 , the price for dinner is changed ! First, we were at the restaurant before 5:00, and second, there was no explanation on the menu about the price of dinner and lunch, second the waiter didn't give us any explanation. In my opinion, as a customer, it was very unethical and distrustful. read more

I had no idea that Darya had multiple locations as I had only been to the location in Orange County. Food: - Beef Koobideh: 2 strips, rice, and roasted tomato, overall good flavor; in comparison to my memory of the OC location, this koobideh was drier and had smaller portion sizes - Lamb rack: good flavor and texture, also smaller portion sizes than OC location, specifically the amount of rice, but this could be the cost of living in LA Service and Ambiance: - waiters were friendly and helpful - decor was themed and there were plenty of tables inside and outside read more

Darya Restaurant - Rack of Lamb - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

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We went to Darya because we were craving Persian food. It had been recommended to us by some Persian coworkers and friends, and I have had it bookmarked on my list for a long time. We decided to make a little trip out of it and drove out to West LA just for dinner. There was no wait and no line at 8 PM on a Saturday, so we were seated right away. The servers were very attentive from the start and made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. We ordered panir sabzi, ash reshteh, chicken soltani with chicken koobideh and chicken barg for me, and the rack of lamb for my husband. I really wanted tadig with ghormeh sabzi, but unfortunately we got there a little too late and it was sold out for the day. I have heard great things about their tadig, so that just means we will have to come back. The food came out a little slower than expected, but it was worth the wait. The panir sabzi arrived first. The goat cheese was very good. The walnuts were a little cold and slightly stale, but overall I did not have strong expectations for this dish, and it was still enjoyable as a starter. The ash was excellent. I did not grow up with a Persian presence in my childhood or early adulthood, but this soup felt very homemade. It was warm and comforting. The lentils, noodles, and herbs created so much texture and depth. The koobideh was incredibly buttery and melted in my mouth. The barg was just as soft and tender. I genuinely have no complaints about the meats. This was better than other Persian restaurants in the area that are much more popular. We mixed the rice with butter, tomato, and sumac, and it was simple but very flavorful. My husband loved the rack of lamb. He said it was one of the better ones he has tried. He liked the grilled smokiness and how juicy it was throughout. I highly recommend Darya if you have the chance. We are already talking about trying their sister restaurant, Sadaf, nearby. This experience definitely pushed us to explore more Persian spots in the area. read more

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I've been to this Darya Resturant many times. I upfront like to say that the food has always been consistent and always good! so I liked everything we had yesterday when we took some non-Iranians there. Our server Carlos was the best I've had at that restaurant . Even though he's not Iranian he was very thorough, very helpful , attentive and made excellent recommendations. Most of the Persian servers I've had there not as thorough and attentive like him. The only reason I gave it a three star is because of the restaurant atmosphere . This restaurant has been like this for many years even though they've done minor touchups but still the atmosphere is still very unpleasant and specially the bathrooms really need remodeling( smelly ,old and not clean)!!! I hope that the managers /owners take note of that! It's really time for a serious remodeling of the whole place! read more

This place is so great. They have the best salmon. My phone is acting up so I did not get a photo of it, but trust me, it is the best. It is a nice portion and it is cooked to perfection. This Darya is in Santa Monica, but I consider it the West Side. It matters not. The food is amazing. We love Persian food and often forget to go, but we have been to a few in the past month and are hooked again. Darya is just lovely. It is very comfortable and the lighting is perfect. It is clean inside and out. It has an adorable awing outside so you won't miss the place. The service is very nice. It takes a minute to get your food, but when you do it is cooked to perfection and ever so good. There is nothing we don't like on the menu. They carry a yogurt type soda and that is just weird, but everything else is great. I love their salmon and all of their chicken dishes. Their Zereshk Polo has steamed white rice mixed with barberries and is served with the best seasoned slow-boiled chicken. We also love their lentil soup, which is something I never order elsewhere. It is just so comforting. All of their salads are great, our favorite being the Darya Salad which is a combination of Romaine lettuce, mixed greens tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, lentils, raisins, dates, imported feta cheese, walnuts, and great olives. You just can't go wrong here. The prices are fair for what you get and you will want to nap when done. read more

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First time ever!!!! It was a long wait but worth the wait. Celebrated my son's 17th birthday. He loved the food. I was very pleased. We will return again for the great Service and fantastic food. Very savory and it was a dinner to remember. Thank you to our waiter that brought dessert for my son. read more

Darya Restaurant - Beautiful ambiance that is elegant yet casual. - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

It was my first time trying Darya LA and overall it wasn't a very pleasant experience. The positive: our server was fantastic and extremely polite and friendly. He's not Persian but speaks Persian better than many people I know. The only good dish we had was the Barg (filet) kabob when served at the restaurant. The to go order was extremely overcooked. The Negative: overall all of our dishes were extremely salty! The koobideh, the white rice, the ghormeh sabzi stew and tahdig, the loobia polo... I was chugging down water the entire day/evening after our lunch. The worse dish was the loobia polo, it was a cinnamon bomb and I had the hardest time eating it due to the very heavy cinnamon flavor. The gheymeh stew was also heavy on cinnamon. The last negative is the atmosphere, for the expensive cost of the dishes you expect much better atmosphere. We paid $300 for 6 entrees, one appetizer, one beer, and one coke! Definitely do not recommend! read more

Darya Restaurant - Tahdig with three stews - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

I generally get the salmon or white fish kabob, albaloo polo, shirazi salad, garden salad and most-o-mosir, and I've never had a bad meal here. The food tastes like a good homemade meal that doesn't make you feel gross or guilty afterwards. I've had a lot of grilled and kabobbed fish in my life, and Darya consistently provides the juciest ones - just how I like it & never dry. The portions are big and filling, and there's always leftovers for the next day. read more

This was my second time. Prices are pretty high for what you get, and the service wasn't great. The chicken kabob was way too salty, and our server never checked on us or even brought water for one us. Also, no fresh bread, just regular lavash you can buy at the store. Overall, pretty disappointing. I wouldn't go back and would not recommend. read more

Good Persian food served in a surprising fancy environment. I am usually a skeptic of ordering chicken but they do serve it insanely well there. Overall was quite good but not my favorite Persian food place, would have liked slightly larger portions. read more

This is where I took my brother for his birthday since he's visiting from Canada and wanted some authentic Persian food. This place never disappoints. Been coming here for many decades. read more

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Overall experience was very good. This was my first visit after many years! The decor was updated since my last visit. It's still a relatively tight space. The workers are fine. But provide the basic services well. Our waiter, Amir, was experienced and got better and better as our part of 4 indulged a full set across the menu! Appetizers, main dinner size dishes around lunch time, drinks, sweets, and several rounds of it! We tried Naderi Soltani and jojeh kabobs with either a rice and salad split or adas-polo upgrade. Food quality and quantity were excellent. Kashko-badmjune was tasty but the portion could have been more given the price. The shallots yogurt was average, not creamy enough. Koobideh kabob was a bit dry. But the chenjeh portion was delicious and succulent. A decent 4-star is well deserved. Thanks Darya Restaurant. read more

Darya Restaurant - Naderi Soltani - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

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I live near the city of Long Beach, and I am part of a facebook group "Real Men Brunch." I need to get out there, I thought, so I went to their first dinner event that was going to be hosted in this restauran: Darya. When I first got to the parking lot that held the restaurant, I was frustrated. I did not find a lot of parking spots. I circled and was deterred by signs that signaled that this place is for Smart and Final shoppers only. I am not sure if there was a Smart and Final there, I am just using that store to indicate that parking spots were reserved for shoppers of certain stores. The parking garage had a fenced area. So it was a lot within a lot. I got in there the hard way. There was an opening, small, and I felt anxious, but still made my way into it. I got lucky, that I did not hit the fence. I have been known to hit posts and walls as a park. I wish this was a lie but it is true. But it also happened in the past, so I became a better driver since then, more proof that practice makes perfect. I then got mad at myself, cause there was a regular entrance, from the street into the gated parking lot within the bigger parking lot. I was running a bit late, and I dash to the front door. Except that it was not the front door, it was the door to a wash room where the dishes and pots are cleaned. It was like I opened a door that allowed me to view a different form of my life. One where I toiled for pennies. One where I toiled cleaning pots and pans, amidst other people, in a small room. It smelled like ammonia, it was cramp, it was sad, it lacked color or life. It was just a room where people worked without hope for a workshop or a meeting that felt like a break. I closed the door. And one of the workers came out and told me that the door to the restaurant was the next one. I opened the new door, and that is where I belonged. I entered and was immediately happy that I had entered a fancy place with training wheels. For instance, they had white walls, and pillars. It felt like I was in a Greek Isle, except within a room. The chandelier spoke of elegance, and form. But I knew that the chandelier was dressed for the prom, not for the Met. I still appreciated the attempt to communicate glamour and sophistication. Perhaps my eyesight was tainted because I entered a parking lot with stores and similar stuff and thus knew that this place was never meant to be marvel-rock fancy, but still I was super happy that I entered a place that surprised me with styrofoam founded fancy. It was lovely! Truly, I just have been lucky enough to have tea at a Beverly Hills Hotel so I know what fancy is when it is done with fancy material. What did truly wowed me was the food! I never had Persian food. And I was surprised that they gave butter packets for bread, and in the same plate, they offered radishes. One of my dining mates, out some salt on the radish and enjoyed it! Did the same, and it was good! Now I know that radish can be the pre-appetizer, you know what the French call an amous-bouch. I spelled that wrong, I know, but, it is suppose to amuse the mouth so it is ready and willing to receive the rest of the meal. I got the salmon, a green salad with rice pilaf. I did not picture what resulted but I left my plate completely clean. I enjoyed every single bite, and the plate with remnants was proof. I also ordered a grilled onion, and it was also great! It was all flavors that I knew and loved, and all of these came packaged as Persian food. As a result, I now can say I love Persian food. If you look at the pic. the plate was composed and pretty which means that you enoy your food visually before your palette does which is usually what you are suppose to do first. Like I said, I ate with about 20 other men that I had never discovered. It was such a joy to be in a table where we discussed culture, like the Hollywood Bowl, upcoming pool parties in mansions, and in general, the quiet glitz of life! I could relate to some things that they were saying but not others. I guess I was able to see through another door to another version of my life. When the bill came, the server dived each check into 4 or 5 people. I have been in situations where check discussions become volatile. And I always hated it. But here, someone took charge, and said add what you ordered and then add a 25 percent up charge for tip and tax. I was glad to be directed to my total. It seemed reasonable. I was just happy that we nickled and dimed each other out respect, instead out of vigilance and overwrought frugality. I added this here to add some color to my experience and perhaps a life lesson on adulthood that is marked by maturity. I highly recommend this place, and I wonder what else I will enjoy when I explore the menu more broadly, and trust me I want to ! read more

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The food and service here are excellent! I ordered the Darya Salad and bone-in chicken to go, and while I was waiting, they graciously offered me a complimentary cup of delicious Persian tea. Such a thoughtful touch! The chicken was grilled to perfection--every piece was incredibly tender and juicy. The salad was fresh, and the dressing was outstanding. Instead of using sugar, they balanced the sweet and sour flavor with bits of date. Absolutely brilliant--and tasty! This was easily one of the best chicken kebabs I've had in LA. Well done, Darya! read more

Darya Restaurant - Darya Salad - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

Ordered: Shirazi Salad (~$10): chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and parsley Tahdig 3 (~$17): crispy rice from the bottom of the "dig" (rice pot) topped with all three stews - Ghormeh Sabzi, Gheimeh Bademjan, and Fesenjon Chicken Soltani (~$30): one chicken barg and one skewer of chicken koobideh, served with with zereshk polo (+$3) and a grilled tomato Soltani (~$37): one charbroiled filet mignon barg and one skewer of the beef koobideh, served with steamed white rice and a grilled tomato Aya's take: Is it even a trip to LA without Persian food? Darya was incredible!! Upon entering, I saw most tables were filled by Persians. That's a great sign. We started with the Tahdig 3 which was delicious. All 3 stews were exceptional and some of the best I've had. I thought the stews would be served on the side to keep the tahdig crispy, so that would be my only complaint. Flavor-wise, zero complaints! So comforting & bursting with layers of flavor. We also did family-style for the Chicken Soltani & Soltani which gave our party of 4 a taste of the chicken barg, filet mignon barg, chicken koobideh, and beef koobideh. In my opinion, it's the perfect combination if you want a little taste of the top hitters. All the meats were absolutely incredible. They were well-seasoned, unbelievably tender, buttery, and addicting. I could not get enough. In addition to the white rice, we got zereshk polo which is one of my favorites! The barberries are lightly sweet, tangy, and balance out the meatiness of the kabobs. I totally understand why people say Darya is a top 5 Persian spot. Highly recommend! read more

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One of our favorite dinners whether we eat in or take out. Never a bad meal. If you're eating in, make sure your waiter is Amin 2 (there are two of them!). His service was exceptional and he truly goes above and beyond! read more

Incredible restaurant packed with flavor. Nice big portions and the protein options are so tender and flavorful. Staff is fabulous and clearly care for their customers. I highly recommend coming in for their weekday lunch specials. read more

Darya Restaurant - Filet-Mignon Shish Kabob ( LUNCH SPECIAL ) - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

The street view of Darya is unassuming and fits into the generic, 1960s-style Los Angeles building design. There is no hint of what's inside. Walking into the restaurant feels like being transported back to what I imagine was the Western-oriented elegance of pre-revolutionary Iran. An air of the "old days" is palpable. Having never had Persian food, we relied on the recommendations of our formally-attired male waiter. We were not disappointed. The Darya salad, a combination of Romaine lettuce and mixed greens tossed with tomatoes, cucumbers, lentils, raisins, dates, feta, walnuts, and olives, is very refreshing. We like pomegranates, and when the waiter suggested Fesenjon, a stew with chicken drenched in a puree of ground walnuts and pomegranate, served with rice, we couldn't resist. It was delicious. Dessert was an ice cream dish topped with rice and cherries. Half a lemon squeezed over the top added a nice citrus flavor. The wait staff is friendly, very attentive, and knowledgeable. Don't let your unfamiliarity with traditional Persian food keep you from trying this wonderful place. read more

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Absolutely phenomenal! We have been going to Darya for years now, and we always have had nothing shy of an incredible experience here. No matter what other Persian restaurants we try, none even come close to Darya in terms of quality of food and service. Their Kabobs are tasty and moist, their Loobia Polo has a ton of meat and saffron, and their sabzi polo with fish is out of this world. All their appetizers, including tahdig with a variety of stews on top, are extremely tasty. Thankfully, they have a large parking on the back of the restaurant. Go, and enjoy the experience! read more

Absolutely loved my Baghali Polo with Lamb Shank at Darya -- the lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender, the dill and fava bean rice was fragrant and perfectly cooked, and the whole meal felt authentic and comforting. read more

Darya's is my girlfriend's favorite restaurant. Her and her girlfriends from UCLA would come out here for lunch everyday back in the says to eat. We all came here recently for a graduation party and had lots of food. I love the Beef Kobediah. It was tasty and delicious. Not my first time here either. I was here last summer and I enjoyed some of the other foods on the menu as well. Nice owners and crew here. Place is clean with nice looking designs inside. Always a pleasure to visit. read more

Good was so gamy and the man who works there at night is really shitty with customer service. First and last time. Save yourself the expense.. read more

This is the best restaurant in the United States. Everyone knows you by a first name basis and is so kind. -Max read more

One of my favorite Persian restaurants in LA. Staff is super friendly, and the food is as good as it gets. Highlights: - Tahdig w Gheimeh - Soltani - Masto Musir read more

The best Persian food in town, The juicy chicken and brag kebob are amazing. excellent service. read more

We had a very disappointing experience at Darya Restaurant due to our server, Noori. From the beginning, the service was unprofessional and rude. He didn't take our order properly, and when we politely asked about one of the dishes we had been waiting for, his response was, "If we had it, it would already be in front of you." The tone was dismissive and unnecessary. What made the experience even more frustrating was that I watched the exact same dish being served to several tables around us shortly afterward. Instead of communicating with us respectfully, we were made to feel like we were inconveniencing him for asking a simple question. The restaurant itself may have good food, but service is a huge part of the dining experience. Unfortunately, this interaction left a very negative impression. I would recommend asking not to be seated in Noori's section if you choose to dine here. read more

Juicy Juicy and flavorful! Eggplant dip with carmelized onion! Yogurt! Juicy and flavorful meat kabobs! read more

Their chicken lunch special is unbelievable good They have the best chicken kabab in the town for sure read more

Darya Restaurant - Loubia polo - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

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Place an order at 8:30am to be delivered by 12:30 same day. Got an email that they canceled my order 15 min before it was to be delivered. If you can't handle the tech, don't use it. There are real people on the other side of the screen. read more

Darya Restaurant - Not Ok to cancel 15 min before delivery is due - Middle Eastern Near Me - West Los Angeles, California

We always enjoy going to Darya. The food is generally good. Their juicy chicken is a must. The tables are a bit small. I was there with my brothers and the Table for four was too small for three. Their service is decent as well. If I was to rank the restaurants I go to, Sadaf in Encino is definitely number one. read more

The way that the guy handled the situation was such a turn off. I don't usually post negative reviews because I always support small businesses but whoever you have in the front from the time of 7:30 PM to 8 PM on October 24 was the biggest pain in my ass for the longest time I was going to order from this restaurant, but the way that the order taker was just, so annoyed with doing his basic job it just didn't sit with me. Well newsflash I came into a place of business not at your house on your couch next time treat people with better respect instead of looking annoyed, taking my order and canceling my order because I had enough of your attitude read more

Service at restaurant dine in fine. Last 3 times ordering take away, person got order wrong.. even after repeating order..based on experience..made em repeat order.. not sure if order taker or packager..am thinking order taker as order receipt wrong. read more

Delicious! I tried the lubia polo and the beef koobideh as take out. Both were high quality and I got *so much* for the price. While I understand they don't serve the salad with their takeout, I feel like the quantity of my leftovers more than made up for the lacking salad. Called the order in and it was completed promptly and I got so much lavash and related side dishes with it . All-in-all, this was quite a great take out experience and I look forward to dining in in the future. read more

I've been here many times! But I decided to bring some friends and the food was excellent. Our server Amir #2 was so quick and very friendly. The great service here makes the dining experience! read more

Absolute Best .... Darya Has the Best Food and Service . The kabobs and Grilled Salmon are extremely tasty , And I must Say no other restaurants make Persian Rice like Darya. read more

Great service provided by Amin 2!!!! He's the absolute best!! As frequent costumers, he truly is part of the reason we go so often!

My friend was visiting from Charleston, SC and craving Persian food when she stumbled across this restaurant in Santa Monica. We called in our food orders for pick up. The restaurant is very lovely inside with pretty decor. We got the Fesenjan (vegetarian and the option with chicken) as well as the Eggplant appetizer, Chicken plate and sour cherry rice. Everything was very tasty! The eggplant appetizer was probably my favorite taste of the bunch. Found a couple bones in the chicken Fesenjan which always is unappetizing to me, but the flavors were really good. Overall, I am very happy and satisfied with this restaurant. Staff was very friendly. Also the portions were pretty huge. read more

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