I had been going to a local barber for basically all of my college years just for a trim on the sides and a little cut off the top, but my cousin suggested this place because he and I both loved his new haircut, so I tried this place out. My hair and beard were super long, as I hadn't gotten a trim in 3 months. I went to try something new and nice, and the barber was unbelievably nice and willing to talk with me to help me figure out what I wanted. The beard trim was nothing I had ever gotten before, my haircut was short and crisp, and there was an immaculate attention to detail. That haircut lasted for 2 months, and it looked great throughout! The jazz music in the background perfected the ambiance. I left with the best haircut I've ever had, and just like my cousin, I travel from SF to this barbershop just because of how great my experience was. I highly recommend coming here for a great haircut. read more

One of the freshest cuts I've got to date. Luis is a hella chill barber and took his time. Shit is $60 btw so don't come if ur a brokie. read more

The Finest Styles Barbershop - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

Barber pushed my hairline back. Then after making a review requested Yelp to take it off. I have receipts and record of him emailing me for services. Don't go to this barber, he cuts your hair high then pushes your hairline back. Then he doesn't even take accountability. read more

Had an excellent experience here. Really great service and he did an excellent job on my beard. I will definitely be coming back.

I've been coming here for the last several months since my previous barber retired. Riyad is an incredible barber who pays attention to the small details that really make a haircut. He has good instincts and I have always been pleasantly surprised with how many compliments I get each time he cuts my hair. I wholeheartedly recommend this barber shop. read more

Tried calling on different days a few times to schedule an appointment either rings until voicemail or goes straight to voicemail. Look elsewhere. Update: some people have questions and don't blindly book an appointment so as to not waste my time or yours. Why have a phone number you intend on not answering? Congratulations you just played yourself. read more

Do you know that feeling when you leave the barbershop, see yourself in a car window, and go "damn... I look fly AF"? I hadn't had that feeling in a number of years. I've been in DC for the past 10 years and been going to an average barber for the past two years because he's a generally cool dude. However, I spent this summer in the Bay and was in desperate need of a cut. So I did what you're doing - checked yelp. I came across Riyad's barbershop and was HELLA confused. "Only appointments?" "He's the only barber?" "But damn, dude has FIVE STARS... do you know how hard it is to get 5 stars??" So I call and book an appointment. I show up and have problems finding the spot (it's on the side of some key shop. Takes a detailed eye and a couple minutes to find it down the alley). He's cutting some dudes hair. I'm next. The dude before me gets a standard cut, but I'm tryna get a fade so doesn't really reassure me. He gets to cutting, we get to talking, and I realize something "he is taking his time with this... that's a good sign that this should at least be decent." Fast forward to the end of the cut, I grab that mirror and BOOM! There's that old feeling. That Usher "don't leave your girl round me" feeling. That T-Pain "Imma flirt" feeling (since I don't mess with the Piper anymore). That Anderson .Paak "smooth as a MFer, suede on the inside" feeling. That feeling I had almost completely forgot. I immediately made plans to do something because I was on a high lol I kid you not. My man can CUT. So maybe you're in town visiting, maybe you got a hot date, maybe you're just in dire need of a haircut and your usual barber is MIA. Regardless, I HIGHLY recommend this dude. He's beast. I leave town to head back to D.C. on Sunday and you can BET I went to see him yesterday to get one last haircut because damn... the man can cut. #StillFeelingFreshAF read more

The Finest Styles Barbershop - Evidence - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Please note, the barber, Riyad, is a very nice gentleman and this review reflects only my thoughts on the haircut part. I made an appointment and the barber was not available until 40+ minutes later. In terms of the haircut, it was an okay and not the best I had, with unevenness at the top (I have a timed photo but will elect not to post it). In addition, the prices are on the higher side, with an extra $5 just for scissor work. The barber is a very nice person however. read more

Needed a haircut and beard trim, and Riyad took great care of me. He did a great job, took his time, and my hair an beard look great. Plus, he's a nice guy, which is important. read more

Highly recommend this place! Riyad is my my go-to barber. Very easy to book online. He is friendly, skilled, professional, and always checks in to confirm what I'm looking for in my haircut. Excellent attention to detail. Plays amazing music in the shop! I always leave happy and loving the way my hair looks. Definitely head there when you need a cut or another service. read more

If I could give this place 0 stars, I would. I asked him to give me a tiny trim and even showed him a picture of MYSELF and said that this is what I want. He goes on to basically cut all my hair off despite me checking in throughout it and saying don't cut it too short. Actually one of the worst haircut experiences of my life. He also shampooed my hair after the fact and got water all over me and spilled it everywhere. He had no customer service skills and it was awful. If you can avoid this place or even if you can't, you should choose somewhere else. For your own good. read more

Easily the best barber I've ever been too. Location: Not too hard to find. It is down this small ally but there is the typical barber sign out from. The store: Small space with the chair and a couch to wait. Best music playlist I have heard at any barbershop I have gone. Riyad is appointment only and while making the appointment you'll need to choose between clippers only or clipper and scissor. Cuts also come with beard lining and trim, which is always great. After trying multiple other barbershops in the area, I have to say this is the best I have ever been to. Riyad was super detail oriented and was even able to give me advice on what to get (which is great for someone as indecisive as I am). Hands down will only be coming here again for now on! read more

The Finest Styles Barbershop is a joke. I scheduled an appointment and tried to reschedule it 6 hours in advance, but the barber didn't even bother to respond until after my appointment time had passed. And when I tried to cancel and get my money back, he straight up said no. The customer service is terrible and he doesn't care about his clients. Don't waste your time or money here. I'd give it zero stars if I could. read more

Riyad is the epitome of professionalism! His work is impeccable , he's patient and he's on time. All very important things to anyone especially a woman who decided to do the big chop a year ago. Ironically enough I found him on yelp after having quite a few disappointing run ins with my previous barber but from day one Riyad has treated me with respect and kindness oh and did I mention his work is impeccable?!! Added bonus he works by appointment only and he's in the shop alone so great music and no just "hanging out" people. If you need a barber Riyad is your person read more

I needed a barber that took appointments as a few in the area are "first come first serve" which makes things difficult. I wanted a goo hair cut by someone who paid close attention to detail, that is exactly what I've gotten every time I've gone here. Solid haircuts and I always get compliments. read more

Pushed hairline back tremendously after a lineup. Usually my hairline doesn't get pushed back at all. Response: Riyad, I went to you for over a year since I moved to Berkeley. Usually I talk to my barbers and get to know them, but you don't chat much. I'm not surprised you don't remember me. read more

Jon christened my first full beard with its first trim and line-up, for a veritable bargain at $25. He was deliberate and precise in his efforts, taking his time for sure, while providing good conversation to boot. The guy knows his craft, no doubt there! Jon gave me a free water too, which was nice an unexpected at this price point. Don't be put off by this little unpretentious shop -- it's definitely a diamond in the rough. Parking is challenging in the area, but well worth the time. And don't be put off by Jon's unusual schedule -- he has a second shot. It's all worth it! Jon also gave me a coupon subject to a review. I appreciate the coupon, but am only returning for the top-shelf work from this artist of barber! read more

I have been to this barbershop three times already and every time, Riyad did a perfect job. I especially like how he pays attention to detail. It's also easy to set up an appointment on the barbershop's website. Definitely recommended, especially if you are looking for a barber in the east bay, who will learn your style and to whom you want to return. read more

All three of my kids get cut at Finest Styles. My daughter is 22 and rocks with a short style, and my sons are 13 and 16. The cuts are consistently precise and clean and we're happy with them every time. Riyad, the barber, clearly takes his craft with seriousness. He's also a chill, cool dude and tends to have some really smooth beats on while he works the clippers. He's a go-to. read more

I was visiting the Bay Area and needed a haircut for my daughters 21st birthday party. Finest Styles had great reviews, the website gave the impression that the shop looked classy & clean, so I booked a haircut. In my case I had to pay $40 upfront for a $50 haircut, which is unusual to me. I didn't look deep into any details on appointment scheduling, I just needed a haircut. I turned up 10 mins early. The pics on the website of the fancy barbershop and chair are fake. The shop is a small, cluttered, depressing looking room tucked away down a dingy side street. Inside it looks like a cheap pet grooming salon! "Riyad the Barber", clad in an old t-shirt and workout shorts, was cutting a customer when I walked in and asked me if I'd received his message informing me he was running 15 mins late. I hadn't, but only because I'd been driving and hadn't checked messages. I was on a tight schedule that day so told him that wouldn't work for me. He told me no problem, that he would send me a refund. I thought that was decent of him, accepted and left the shop. Twenty minutes later I got a call from Riyad telling me there was a 15 minute window for appointments and that if I would come back to the shop he would cut my hair, that he couldn't really talk to me earlier as he was cutting a customer. By that time I was 10 miles away heading towards Walnut Creek and couldn't return. He told me he would not refund my money even though he'd agreed to the refund earlier, which I reminded him of, but he put the phone down. I called back but he wouldn't pick up nor did he call back. My advice to you is this. Don't waste your time at The Finest Styles Barbershop. I can't vouch for his barber skills but "Riyad the Barber" is extremely unprofessional. With me he tried to create the impression of a decent, flexible service when talking to me in front of a customer, but that was all fake. Images used on his website give the impression of a classy sophisticated barbershop but that too is fake. Riyad, like his barbershop, is a fake and lacks class!! read more

Riyad has been giving me the tightest fade for 6 or 7 months now. I'm always satisfied with his work and price. Riyad takes his time and puts care into his job. I'm always telling others about this place! If you intend to go, always make an appointment with him first. read more

This place is great! I found out about this place from Yelp, and after getting my haircut twice now, I wanted to reiterate what other reviewers have said. Riyad is very laid back and has a great attention to detail. Most importantly, I've been really happy with his work. Also, I wanted to mention two things: (i) Riyad's attention to detail means that my haircut takes about an hour, even though I have short hair. (ii) I had trouble finding his studio at first, b/c it's not right on the street (rather, the entrance is in the back of the building). I highly recommend this place! read more

I moved to the farthest part out west in SF. So naturally, I was looking for a suitable replacement barber since it's not as convenient these days for me to come back to Berkeley for a haircut. There wasn't any. Honestly this guy is at the top of the game. 10 stars. I can only dream of being as talented and skilled in my dreams and aspirations as he is at cutting hair. read more

If you're anywhere in Berkeley and you don't go to this guy, you're making a mistake. I've lived in New York, Los Angeles, and all over the Bay Area, but Riyad is thus far the best barber I've been to. He's a master at what he does, gives you the exact cut that you want (making sure to stop throughout to check in with you), and at a price that beats all of the overly expensive barbers on the other side of the bridge in SF (and does a better job than they do too). I'm headed back to LA at the end of the summer, but as long as I'm in the Bay, I won't be going to anyone else. Best way to get into contact with him is by text, and he appreciates it if you can let him know three days ahead of time. 100% worth it. The jazz music that he plays as he works is also kickass. A little Miles Davis never hurt nobody. His shop is small, but it's tucked away between two buildings in sort of an alleyway. Keep your eyes peeled for the universal red and blue barber shop pillar and you'll find it. read more

Excellent barber! Will definitely come back when I'm in town! I really appreciate him shaving my facial hair and making it look clean! read more

This guy's attention to detail is ridiculous. Every time I get my hair cut by him I get mad compliments. Without a doubt the cleanest cuts I've ever gotten in my life, and it makes me a little upset to say I've paid almost double his rates for cuts that really don't compare. The most recent time he gave me a cut he cleaned up my beard as well and oh my goodness I look fly. Although I pretty much always do, I usually kind of regret tipping barbers because I always end up finding things that they messed up when I get a closer look at home. Absolutely not the case with this dude. Appointment only obviously but I dig that system anyways, means little to no waiting once you show up. 10/10 best barber I've had the pleasure of doing business with. read more

Had an early Saturday morning appointment and John was there right on time. I loved the attention to detail and conversations that we had throughout the whole cut. My haircut is exactly what I wanted, I totally recommend this place. John has square too if you don't carry cash. read more

Really really excellent cut. Got a lot of compliments from my lady friends at work. First time in a shop this small, I really liked it. Felt like I was his only client in the world, he really took his time and gave me exactly what I wanted. If I lived up here I'd see him all the time. It's inexpensive too. Oh also he's got excellent taste in music. :) read more

The Finest Styles Barbershop - Barbers Near Me - Berkeley, California

He has so many 5 star reviews for a reason. I'd best describe Riyad's skills to that of a surgeon. He's very precise with the clippers and shows great attention to detail. He is particularly exceptional when it comes to fades. He hooked me up with the best shadow fade I've ever had and I routinely receive tons of compliments from co-workers, friends, and even random people I meet at events or while at the grocery store. If you're in the area, give him a shot, and you won't be disappointed. read more

Best barber I've had, hands down. Riyad's attention to detail results in extremely clean cuts. Furthermore, and most impressively, he is consistent. Each haircut is as good, if not better than the last. His shop take a little bit of effort to find - and once you are there it seems unassuming. However, don't let that deter you. Riyad is professional, accommodating, and has the best playlists out. I'm sad to be leaving the Bay Area, but anytime I'm back I will be making an appointment without a doubt. read more

Best Barber I have had the pleasure of getting a hair cut in the East Bay Area. Super professional, super laid back barbershop environment. Appointments only, so there is never any waiting. Riyadh (the barber) is also very community minded. Very highly recommended due to his keen attention to detail. Trust me - his work speaks for itself read more

Riyad gives the best haircuts in the bay, hands down! It's not easy finding a great barber but once you sit in Riyad's chair you'll never want to go anywhere else. He is laser focused and is very attentive to details, he'll have your fade and line up looking crisp every time. read more

Great quality and service all around! Riyad is professional, and always does a fantastic job. Quality of the cut is always amazing, highly recommend! read more

Riyad is the consummate professional. The shop is one-person so you don't have to deal with the stereotypical toxic, sexist barbershop environment. The music is always fire. Riyad is diligent and passionate about leaving clients with a properly lined and styled cut each time. He lets you know on the scheduling site when he will be out of town and he is reliable. Book it. read more

I got a fade and trim from Riyad, and he is good at what he does. His attention to detail and friendliness made the appointment pass in the blink of an eye. Definitely will be returning again for future cuts. read more

Riyad cuts real nice. Cons: Berkeley street parking sucks. Pros: Appt only Quality, thorough hair cut Good price for what you get Relaxing atmosphere with tasteful music Definitely recommend. read more

Excellent barber who loves his craft. Great cut at a great price and I love that you can book online and automatically get a cal invite. Would highly recommend. read more

Great haircut every time ! Riyad always asks for what I'm looking for and carefully delivers exactly that. His music choices are also on point. read more

[update] About the scar - this is communicated before the haircut start. I mentioned that the scar needs to be covered so not to cut the hair too short at the back. But obviously, my instruction was not followed. So it's nothing to do with the unrealistic expectation. It's about to listen to your customer. I don't know why the rating is just so high here. Definitely not worthy the price for sure. First, my appointment was from 1 sharp, but I was there waiting for 20mins. Second, he did not gave me the haircut anywhere near the style that I described and showed him. Totally a worst haircut ever. read more

Extremely happy I found Riyah on Yelp! He worked slowly and meticulously and gave me a great haircut. Got lots of compliments from my students the next day :) As other reviewers have noted, the relaxing jazz tunes are much appreciated, and the attention to detail is top notch. read more