Michelin-starred South Indian gem, celebrated for authentic, bold Tamil flavors & creative regional dishes. Reservations are tough but worth it!
Discover the rural cuisine of Southern India at Semma in the West Village, a Michelin-awarded restaurant where chef Vijay Kumar's James Beard Award highlights his acclaimed approach to Indian flavors.
Semma, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the West Village, offers an authentic taste of Southern Indian cuisine with a focus on bold, regional flavors from Tamil Nadu. Helmed by James Beard Award-winning Chef Vijay Kumar, the restaurant has earned acclaim for its creative modernization of traditional dishes, including the highly praised Gunpowder Dosa and tender lamb in Attu Kari Sukka. Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, reflecting its status as a top dining destination.
Semma specializes in authentic South Indian cuisine, with a particular emphasis on the flavors of Tamil Nadu. Highly recommended dishes include the Gunpowder Dosa, praised for its texture and flavor, and the melt-in-your-mouth lamb (Attu Kari Sukka). Other standouts mentioned are the Kanyakumari Nandu Masala (Dungeness crab) and various seafood dishes. Some diners find the restaurant overhyped or note that certain dishes, like the biryani, can be bland or too spicy for some palates.
"The Gunpowder Dosa is frequently highlighted as a must-try, along with dishes like the Kanyakumari Nandu Masala (Dungeness crab), Lobster, Short Rib, and Lamb Chops."
Customer feedback is mixed, with many praising the authentic and bold flavors, particularly the Gunpowder Dosa and lamb dishes. However, some find the restaurant overhyped, overpriced, or mention issues with rushed service and a 'B' health rating.
Important Note
Reservations are extremely difficult to obtain, often requiring booking weeks in advance. Some diners have reported rushed service, with strict time limits on tables. The restaurant also received a 'B' health rating.
"A comment notes that Monday is a day Semma is closed."
Negative"Getting into Semma is definitely possible if you arrive early. The dosa is particularly noteworthy and lives up to its reputation."
Positive"To get a walk-in seat at Semma's bar, arrive an hour before opening. The bar has 12 seats and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early ensures a seat, though be mindful of couples potentially holding spots."
Positive"Regarding securing a walk-in seat at Semma, it might be possible to get seated immediately if you arrive when the restaurant opens."
Positive"Semma is recommended as a doable option if you arrive early enough."
Positive"Semma is briefly mentioned as a possible recommendation."
Positive"It is confirmed that Semma is accessible via walk-in if you get there early."
Positive"Semma is a very doable walk-in option, suggesting it's relatively easy to get a seat."
Positive"Planning for a party of 7 at Semma may require a private dining reservation, which would exceed the $100 per person budget."
Negative"While recommending Bungalow, the author notes that Semma is worth visiting at least once if the partner is excited about it."
Neutral"Semma, an Indian fine dining establishment, is noted as not being the most vegetarian-friendly option in the area, with a preference given to fast-casual Indian places."
Negative"Semma is listed as a very solid choice by the reviewer."
Positive"This user noted that Semma recently received a 'B' health rating."
Negative"Semma was recommended as a restaurant to visit."
Positive"This user arrived at 4:30 PM on a Friday and was able to request bar seats for a later time, eventually getting a table around 9:30 PM."
Positive"This user got into Semma by lining up around 5 PM and was seated at the bar within minutes, receiving their food by 5:30 PM."
Positive"This user confirmed with another user that they did not have to wait for a bar seat."
Neutral"This user stated that walking into Semma should be fine and that the place is great."
Positive"This user regularly walks into Semma and has only had to wait a maximum of 20 minutes for a seat."
Positive"This user offered to help find a cancellation for Semma for the next day via DM."
Neutral
