Nineveh
Entrepreneur returns to Bakhdida to open thriving restaurant after years of displacement
NINEVEH — Raed Nizar Jargis, a young entrepreneur from Bakhdida (also known as Hamdaniya) in Nineveh governorate, has transformed his post-conflict experience into a success story, opening a restaurant in his hometown after years of displacement.
Now in his early 30s, Jargis began rebuilding his life by washing dishes in a restaurant in Ankawa, a Christian-majority district in Erbil that became a refuge for thousands fleeing violence during the Islamic State offensive.
“I started small, with only two employees,” Jargis told 964media. “I worked on developing the project, and now it’s grown.” Today, his restaurant “Heart of the City” employs 17 staff and serves more than 70 dishes from Eastern and Western cuisines, including grape leaves, shawarma, pizza, burgers, and various rice and chicken plates.
The restaurant also caters weddings and memorial events. Jargis said they waive fees for condolence gatherings held in honor of Bakhdida’s martyrs. “We’re proud to support our community in any way we can,” he said.
He also emphasized the importance of transparency in food sourcing, noting that customers are informed whether the meat used is locally produced. The restaurant’s popularity extends beyond Bakhdida, drawing visitors from nearby areas including Bartella and Nimrud.
