Diyarbakir Sofrasi — Restaurant in London

I visited this place for the first time today with a friend. I just want to start off by saying the food was very nice. The portion size is really good and price is very reasonable. The seating is also very nice, enough space at the back.

Now, why did I give it one star? The customer service I recieved from this restaurant was egregious! Let’s start from the beginning.

When we walked in, no one welcomed us in, asked as any questions or sat us down. We walked in and just sat in one of the tables at the front, waiting for someone to come to us. We sat there for about 5 mins and nobody came to us. We then asked a waitress is there more seating at the back to which she replied yes. So we got up and went to the back and realised it’s a really nice place, with a lot of seating. We picked a table and sat down.

About 5 minutes later one of the waitresses came and asked us what we would like. We asked her what’s the difference between Iskender Kebap and Yogurtlu Kuzu Sis, (please see the picture attached) the lady responded by saying I’m vegetarian so I haven’t tried any of this. We couldn’t believe what we just heard as a response to our question. Thats like me working in a cafe and saying to a customer I don’t know the difference between cappuccino and late because I only drink tea!! What the hell!! It’s unbelievable. We didn’t ask her how does the food taste or which one tastes nicer, so her response made no sense!! Anyways, we placed an order for the food and asked for an Ayran and tap water as drinks.

Five minutes later they bought salad and sauces. We sat there waiting for the food. We saw them bring bread to other tables but they didn’t bring us anyway. Few mins later another waitress came and asked what we ordered in terms of food so we told her. Food arrived after a total of about 15 minutes of waiting. However there was no Ayran or tap water.

We started eating and about five minutes later we asked someone - can we get some bread please and tap water, by then we didn’t even bother asking about where the Ayran is. About five minutes later we said to someone again that we asked for bread and it’s not here yet. Few minutes later, bread arrived and then some tap water. We didn’t receive the Ayran at all and didn’t bother asking about it.

We had our food and Kunafe and Turkish tea, everything was really nice. It was now time to pay. The bill was £33.80 so I gave £35.80 in cash (as they only accept CASH) so it’s easier to give the change as I didn’t want too many loose pennies. The first waitress that took our order came and took the money. Once we paid I was waiting but no one was coming with my £2 change and I was thinking what the hell is going on. After waiting for 5 minutes I said to another waiter, I paid for my food but haven’t received my £2 change. Few minutes later he gave me my change and said sorry. So basically, I think they thought I gave them £2 tips which is absolutely crazy. Tips is left after customers are given their change back! So how did they assume that I gave them tips?! Because I did not say to the lady when giving the money, keep the change. I just couldn’t believe it.

Anyways, this is my first negative review in my life, I’m not a review person because I can’t be asked. But I felt compelled to sit and write this essay as I couldn’t believe the service we experienced today. I don’t know if I will visit the place again, because the food was nice, but the customer service really put me off!! If I could I would give -1 for...

Would’ve given 5 stars…only for the food, which was lovely. Let down majorly by the awful service from the female waitress, which was unwelcoming and horrendous. We were there for lunch, except for 2 other diners restaurant was empty. 4 waitresses grouped together chitchatting, took 15minutes before 1 came and took our order, starters came same time as the main meal, plates and cutlery were given seconds before the main meal, items we ordered were missing, so had to wait longer for those to be served. Usually in other restaurants used dishes are taken away by efficient waiting staff before next course served, however here, everything was left on the table, we asked for these to be removed, the waitress took a couple of dishes, didn’t bother returning for the rest so we had to pile dishes ourselves to one side of the very cramped table to have our tea, whilst these waitresses go back to each other and continue with their gossiping. Would’ve ordered desserts but couldn’t wait to get out of there so we left, headed straight to Snowflake for our desserts (received brilliant service there). These waitresses seriously need training in customer care, even cracking a smile wouldn’t hurt, as it let down the whole experience of what could have been an enjoyable lunch break, as the food was pleasant…compliments...

The food was good but the service was absolutely awful.We went yesterday at 10:45pm they were cleaning tables. when we asked them if they closed they told us to come in but the waitress weren't happy we come in. The one wearing hijab she came to take our order, i think she is from (Algeria) We ordered mix Grill lamb with rice and Burghli for five person. When we finish our food she came to take the empty plates, we asked her to bring us tea she wasn't happy we will stay and drink tea. After few minutes she came with the tea. When we are drinking the tea she went to the other side and turned off the lights we didn't say anything because our table was in the middle she came to other side turned off the lights we were still sitting and drinking the tea, the place get dark we couldn't see each other. We shocked , whats happening here? The other waiterees was laughing at the back , we asked them to turn on the lights we were still sitting it's disrespecting, they turned on the lights. We asked her why she turned off the lights this is how you treat your customer its disrespectful, she couldn't answer, still right now I can't believe what happened it's shame to do this with customers. I wish she will not do such a bad thing for other customers I will never come back...