Simba’s Grill

Tasty but pricey East African (Indian) place on Canada Way at Boundary.

Parking is available in front of the restaurant (S side), as well as on Canada Way.

The building is quite new and modern, and so is this place. Some nice decorations such as figurines and tapestries on the wall.

Staff were very friendly and helpful. No complaints. There was an older gentleman who chatted with us a bit and answered our questions. Pretty sure he was the head chef/owner.

Buddy and I were unsure what to have, so the waiter recommended the chef's platter (Mchaguzi wa Chef). This platter includes samaki bites (fried tilapia), kuku choma (BBQ marinated chicken), kebabs (minced lamb), and mishkaki (skewers of beef). Served with a pile of rice underneath and a pile of salad. There was also some naan and a bowl of spinach machica (mashed spinach cooked in curry sauce). There was also a plate with small containers of yogurt, tamarind sauce, and shredded coconut. Rather interesting combo. Everything was very tasty, though my buddy was convinced the deep fried tilapia was the frozen supermarket variety. No idea if this is true.

The other thing that was special here is they sold Tusker beer which is from Kenya. Never seen it anywhere before, so it was definitely interesting to try. The bottles are 500mL too.

Food was definitely on the pricer side, but my buddy and I did leave satisfied. Not sure if I'd eat here regularly, but I wouldn't mind coming back. The food was delicious.

We decided to give Simba's Grill a try. They're a family run restaurant specializing in East African fusion cuisine. Slightly in an odd location but next door to a Starbucks.

We dropped in on a Friday evening (at 8:00pm). The inside is spacious and the tables are well spread out. Our waiter was one of the chef/owners, who is one of those individuals that goes out and chats/sits down with customers.

The menu consists of appetizers, chef's specials (no daily special available when we inquired), entrees (meat, rice, vegetarian, curry) and desserts. Entrees range from $15.00 to $30.00.

- Chutneys - yogurt, coconut, tamarind, hot sauce and mango. We were originally given a second hot sauce but the owner came by our table, told us it was "too spicy" and took it away. Strange. We didn't get to taste that one but the mango chutney was fantastic (a punch in the face, with a slightly mango note at the end).
- Rice ($5.00) - good enough to compliment our two other entrees.
- Naan ($3.00) - plain and a touch dense.
- Kuku choma ($20.00) - decent char on the chicken, but slightly overcooked and dry. Needed the sauces and chutneys to give it some flavour.
- Paka ($18.00) - tilapia was overcooked. Curry was very light in flavour. Wouldn't get this again.
- Machicha masala ($18.00) - best dish of the night. 5 good sized prawns that were cooked perfectly. Spinach was a touch bland but liked that it was hearty and chunky.

Not many African places in town. An okay first meal at SG.

I last went to Simbas a long 12 years ago when it was located on Denman St in the West End.

Relocated 2 years ago to this location, it's a bit of a trek to get out here but definitely worth it!

You are only coming out here to eat & go as the only other shop next door is a Starbucks.

There's other restaurants nearby but after that - nothing.

Try & avoid coming here during rush hour, as it gets real nutso with traffic on Boundary Rd.

Simbas is a beautiful spacious restaurant.

The food is out of Africa via Kenya with a Swahili influence.

On the table was - Ugali, Masala Liver (chicken) & Machicha.

Tasty & oh sooooooooooo yummy!

Don't hesitate to use the hot sauces & chutneys provided if you need more heat.

This is food I ate in Africa when I lived there in the 80s ... each bite took me back to Southern Africa!

Simbas thank you for taking me home (born in Vancouver grew up in Africa) LOL.

One of the top if not the very best African restaurant in Metro Vancouver!

One of the most slept on restaurants in Burnaby if you ask me.

I've been to Simba Grill twice now, once when I first moved here, and I swore I'd be back. Unfortunately, I forgot about it until we stumbled across it again after the sushi place nearby was too full for us and boy am I glad that happened.

The food here is so delicious. If you dont know what to try and are REALLY hungry, I recommend sharing the chefs special platter which gives you a little bit of everything.

There are also a ton of vegetatian options to choose from as well. I tried the Kiyoga (coconut curry mushroom) and it was to die for. The sauce went really well with the side of ugali we ordered which reminded my partner of a dish her grandma used to make in her childhood.

The decor is beautiful as well and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The owner was walking around making sure people were happy, suggesting dishes to us and which sauces to pair with what.

If you havent been here yet, you're missing out. I can't wait to come back

I am very surprise with the cleanliness and the interior design of this restaurant, contemporary and yet there is this touch that showcased their cultures. Huge TV monitor and a fireplace, Very suitable to celebrate medium size events.

Family owned business, pretty new in this location, I believed they were at Burnaby area before. Free limited parking in here maybe 10 small vehicles and shared by other businesses in this block.

For my appez, I ordered samosa, I am not that hungry but just for the sake of photo and trying it for my review, sold by 5 pieces per order, I told the guy there if i can just order 2 pieces instead and told him my reason, I assumed his the owner because he said.."i throw 2 pieces for you for free", at first i am hesitant but i gave in sooner than expected....
It was served hot and crispy with 3 kinds of sauces, no doubt it was good specially with those sauces. I loved it....I love samosas....

For my main entree i got the chicken muchuzi and safron rice, Muchuzi is an African chicken dish cooked in special house blend of spices, meat are so tender and the sauce is very rich,more of a curry kind of a dish with a bite of chilli..The safron rice is always good elsewhere but take note a cup will cost you $4 plus tax....This dish is very good as well...

They are serving alcoholic beverages here and thats a plus sign on anyone's review.

Noise level is average to a bit noisy because when i came theres a group of 6 people accross my table and i gez they are celebrating a birth day...

Excellent service, very warm, homey and friendly. They always have this "special of the day" when i came in it was fish dish and i do not want to eat fish for my dinner i want something heavy and filling.

Pricing is just okay...affordable and worth...sometimes we are also paying for the good ambience...
I feel that this place will go a long long way...
I recommend this place to my co Yelper and all Vancouverites to try....
Ariba African cuisines....Kudos....
I will be back and bring some friends who loves spicy foods and idolizes Simba the lion king.....

Popping in your mouth flavor.

Everything I ordered at this place is an absolute banger.
The service is the only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars, but to be honest they got the food out and listened to us whenever there was miscommunication.
Will be back!

Was a bit intimidated to try Simbas because I can't handle very spicy foods.
I ordered the mchaguzi wa chef (chef special for 2), which is a sample of several things.
All of the food was flavorful, and not spicy. Instead, the order came with 5 different sauces, of which 2 could make me cry. So grateful to have these served on the side!
Definitely a great addition to this neighborhood.

I don't know how this places stays in business except that the desire for authentic African cuisine must be so great and the selection in the city so sparse that people are willing to put up with this place. From the food service and handling, service time and food quality, unfortunately this restaurant failed on all counts. Food was dry, over cooked, gratuitously spicy and lacked depth of flavor that I know African cuisine has.

Delicious curries and hot, authentic chai. We are East African, and my grandmother said the food was "like a home-cooked meal". I got the Chicken Surwa and enjoyed it with rice. Overall great experience.
They do ask for proof of vaccination, so be sure to bring it with you if you're dining in.

We are regulars there because the food is top notch. I always order the chai tea and lamb chops which is perfectly cooked with saffron rice. Hubby orders salmon and saffron rice. You won't be disappointed. There is nothing too unusual here. The restaurant is clean and gets busy on weekends. You will find nice African decor and the ice cream is unbelievably delicious. The owner is usually there and is available to chat about the cuisine or even Africa!