Simy’s food was like finding an Indian oasis in Belgrade. Despite the long historical relationship between India and the former Yugoslavia through the Non-Aligned Movement, there’s no real authentic Indian food in Serbia today. Except at Simy’s place!

I had the pleasure of attending a couple of Simy`s pop-up events. The concept is unique to Belgrade`s cuisine culture. I was accompanied by my friends, all of whom were impressed by the delicious food and exquisite presentation. Simy uses fresh and high-quality produce that Serbia has to offer combines it with her spices from India and creates a symphony of signature dishes that are unprecedented in Belgrade’s restaurants.

I have had the pleasure of attending Simy’s pop-up dinners, and as part of the Indian diaspora, I have often missed the unique and vibrant flavours of home. Simy’s gastronomical events have not only filled that void, they’ve brought together a community of food lovers and introduced a new audience to the delicious diversity of Indian cuisine in Belgrade! Before Simy’s supper club came into my life, I was forced to eat a lifetime of cevapi and food with zero spice.

Witty, sexy, and an excellent cook, Simy is Belgrade's answer to Nigella Lawson. For this British ex-pat, Simy’s curry nights are the closest one can get to the joys of London's Drummond St restaurants.

​It’s a great pleasure to work with Simy. Not only is she a professional but has an amazing personality which both the public and camera love. Her love for the food she makes, you can taste in every bite. I have worked with some of the world's best chefs & cooks over the last 20+ years, Simy would definitely be on that list.

Since moving to Serbia, I have been blessed to meet Simy and to taste her home-cooked Indian food. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say that Simy made Belgrade’s food scene a bit more exciting with her spicy, aromatic and finger-licking dishes. Whether she is doing a pop-up or guest-cooking at a local restaurant, people - Serbians and internationals like myself - gather to get a taste of her food. I have tried Indian food in many countries and Simy’s food has been above average. In fact, I have grown even fonder of Indian cuisine because of her. Her cooking skills, knowledge, and undying passion shows through every bite. I have tasted and learned about the variety of Indian cooking through her pop-up lesson, and I am hoping to continue the studying and the tasting with her. She is a treasure for Belgrade’s hungry people!

I have tasted Simy’s Indian food and it is really fantastic. As my father is from Indonesia, I am familiar with spicy food and I believe I can recognize when the food is made with a full heart and knowledge and not like the commercial stuff around. Bravo Simy!

Simy’s Indian cuisine is a welcome addition to the food scene in Belgrade. One of her talents is using local, seasonal ingredients in age-old recipes. As someone who grew up on Indian food, Simy’s cooking tastes authentic yet has a local twist - and I wouldn’t have it any other way! It’s been a real pleasure to attend her events - and a good reminder of how well delicious food can bring people together. 

Simy is a true and great cook with a sophisticated palette. I have tasted her great Indian food on several occasions and every time I was in food heaven whether it was in a restaurant or in her food classes.

One of the shocks of moving to Serbia was that there were NO good, authentic sources for Indian food. And then Simy came to town ... WOW. It's amazing how she has managed to combine traditional Indian dishes with local ingredients (Serbian beetroot has never been served like THIS before!). Above all else, though, it's the attention to detail - cooking rice so perfectly, preparing such light, delicious rotis dripping with ghee - that makes dining at one of Simy's supper clubs, or ordering from the menu she has created in a local restaurant, such a satisfying experience.

Simy is a wonderful host and an amazing chef. She brings the delights of Indian cooking to Belgrade with evenings full of flavour. She knows her spices and seeks out seasonal local ingredients to serve up delicious, fresh three-course menus. Simy’s warmth and generosity make you feel part of the family as she dishes up home-style favourites in abundance. There is nowhere else in Belgrade that prepares Indian food with such passion! As a Brit who loves curry, I’m so thankful she is sharing her love for great food here in Belgrade.

I never tasted food like this in my life, just the essence of what clean, healthy, nourishing food is supposed to be like is only one part of the experience in Belgrade. Simy makes you feel so welcomed, firstly by explaining to you her menu in detail and telling you its background (no it’s not boring either) she gives you a sense that her passion is not only great tasting food but impeccable service and unique customer service. When the food arrives, your senses go into overdrive because the presentation, colour and smell are so tantalizing it’s hard not to drool (I did the first time). But the biggest bonus by far of the evening is Simy herself. What a wonderful human being.

Growing up in Australia and New Zealand, I have been fortunate to have been exposed to such a wonderful variety of different cuisines. However, it wasn't until I came to Serbia and was exposed to Simy's wonderful curries 'made from the heart' that I was able to experience real Indian home cooking. Wow! What a treat for the taste buds. I think for me, the biggest eye-opener was the fusion of different tastes, while still staying true to simple and made 'just like home'. And to top it all off, Simy's presentation skills are second to none.

I've enjoyed Simy Matthew's Indian Supper Club in Belgrade and was reminded of Indian food at its best. While I've dined in Indian restaurants in Mumbai, London and Durban, Indian establishments and ingredients are scarce in Serbia. Simy is able to blend subtle flavours as well as offer heat and spice to the delight of Serbians and expatriates that have attended her pop-up events.

When I first moved to Belgrade, I was alarmed that there was seemingly only one Indian restaurant here. I thought I would have to brace myself for only one option and accept whatever quality that it offered. I am from Jackson Heights, a multicultural New York neighborhood with legendary Indian places. So, I was very excited when I heard about the “Curry nights" hosted by Simy for the Belgrade expat community. I was prepared for good food, but I did not expect the creativity and personal flair that Simy lovingly puts into her meals. To my excitement, she combines ingredients, mixing local produce with difficult to find imported ingredients, for an incredibly unique take on traditional dishes. Her meals are a real treat, which made the transition to Belgrade a bit easier.

I have been enjoying Simy’s Indian dishes many times in Belgrade. She is a creative Chef, very good at using local produce and ingredients where proper Indian ones are lacking. I have lived in many countries in Europe and South East Asia and have always tried finding the best Indian restaurants wherever I lived. In Serbia there is only one option for good Indian food and that is Simy’s!

Eternal thanks to Simy for introducing me to Indian food. The explosion of flavors and textures and the variety of dishes that I have had the good fortune to taste are incomparable. Belgrade is lucky to have Simy and her curry nights to complete the gastronomic scene.