Sima

March 2014
Sima, founder of Jerusalem's Sima restaurant, was ahead of her time. Who would have thought, some 45 years ago, that in the 21st century Machaneh Yehuda would be the trendiest place in Jerusalem for a restaurant, and who talked abut start ups in 1969?

Some 50 + years ago, mother Sima immigrated to Jerusalem from Iraq. Balabusta that she was, Sima's specialty was delicious Iraqi ethnic cooking. In 1969 she formed her own start up - Sima Grill restaurant in Machaneh Yehuda. Without kickstarter and without investors, it was just Sima and her pots. The legendary restaurant has been in the same place for more than 40 years.

Sima started as a workers steakiya restaurant for vendors in the market. Then it caught on, and the restaurant attracted folks from the other Jerusalem neighborhoods. Sima became the in place to go for reasonably priced ethnic home cooking and middle eastern hospitality.

A good few years have gone by, but not a lot has changed. like a lucky charm, the restaurant has passed from mother to sons. The next generation has continued to manage the restaurant using Sima's recipes. Some menu items have been upgraded to suite 21st century tastes, but the steakiya format with the salads and the grilled meats, the home cooking and the home hospitality remain.

About The Sima Restaurant Menu

Sima is a classic steakiya. The menu is based in the nostalgia for Iraqi Jewish food of yester years. The culinary experience at Sima begins with a table full of colorful and delicious salads.
Next, try one of the amazing soups. Be sure to try the Sima signature Kube soup with meat or the beets, stuffed with meat or vegetables.

Iraqis love their meat. And the main course at this steakiya is a choice of meats all sizzling on the grill. At Sima there is also organ meats prepared in the traditional Iraqi style. The meat menu includes serious steaks like Entrecote, Filet Mignon, Goose Liver, Chicken varieties, Veal sweetbreads and Mixed Grill. Also you will find the classical Shawarma, Shish Kebab, etc. Or try a delicious Turshana.

The menu also offers grilled fish options.