TLDR
Authentic, bold South Indian flavors in the West Village. Michelin-starred, upscale dining that's hard to book but rewarding.
Instagram Posts References
Semma specializes in traditional South Indian cuisine, with a mission to present the breadth of Indian food beyond common dishes like chicken tikka masala and butter chicken. Executive Chef Vijayakumar customizes the dining experience for guests, selecting a diverse menu. Dishes are presented beautifully, and the restaurant encourages an authentic, hands-on eating experience, reflecting traditional Indian customs.
Semma is an Indian restaurant known for its South Indian cuisine. The image shows a large, crispy dosa served with accompaniments, indicating a focus on authentic and flavorful Indian dishes.
Semma is mentioned as a Michelin-starred restaurant and a key part of the highly successful Unapologetic Foods NYC team, known for its high-quality dining, which also includes Adda.
Semma is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Greenwich Village, praised for its South Indian cuisine that presents bold, regional flavors rarely encountered in fine dining settings. Reservations are booked out weeks in advance, and walk-ins are almost impossible to secure.
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.
Details
A Michelin-awarded destination in the West Village, this restaurant brings the nuanced rural cuisine of Southern India to New York City [1]. Chef Vijay Kumar's culinary expertise has been recognized with a James Beard Award [1], helping to elevate regional Indian flavors to a fine-dining stage. While it is widely sought after for its Gunpowder Dosa and tender lamb dishes, the high demand makes it a famously difficult reservation to secure [2], [3].
Food Overview
The restaurant specializes in regional South Indian cuisine, moving beyond standard curry house fare to offer dishes like Gunpowder Dosa, Goanese oxtail curry, and unique starters like snails [1], [2]. While the Dosa is frequently lauded for its buttery crispness [7], [8], some diners feel the vegetarian variety is limited [9] and occasionally criticize the repetition of sauce profiles across menu items [10].
Highlights / Recommended
"The Gunpowder Dosa is consistently ranked as a must-order dish [1], [7], often accompanied by praise for the lamb chops and lobster moilee [8], [12]."
Mentioned Dishes:
- •gunpowder dosa(75)This dish is frequently praised as exceptional, 'fire,' and a must-order, with s...
- •lobster(24)The lobster dishes are frequently recommended and described as excellent, featur...
- •oxtail(13)Reviews for the oxtail are mixed; some describe it as 'damn good,' a favorite, o...
- •short rib(11)Short rib dishes receive strong praise, with reviewers calling them 'insanely go...
- •biryani(10)Reviews for biryani are divided. Some consider it a top favorite and authentic, ...
- •banana leaf wrapped branzino(9)This dish is consistently recommended and described as delicious and a must-try,...
- •crab(9)Crab dishes are highly recommended, with reviewers calling them 'insane,' worth ...
- •lamb chops(6)Lamb chops are frequently recommended as a must-try, described as juicy, flavorf...
- •snails(5)The snail dishes are noted for their unique, bold flavors, often featuring ginge...
- •goat(4)
- •mung beans(3)
- •mango dessert(3)
- •paniyaram(3)
- •sambar(3)
- •curries and sauces(2)
- •fish(2)
- •kurma(2)
- •eral thokku(2)
- •parotta(2)
- •tiger prawns(2)
- •crab masala(2)
Customer Sentiment
Diners are polarized between those who find the food phenomenal and authentic [4] and others who feel it is overhyped and overpriced relative to the portion sizes [5]. A notable instance of excellent customer service occurred when staff went above and beyond to rectify a negative guest experience, earning significant community praise [6].
Caveats
Securing a reservation is notoriously difficult [2], [3], and the restaurant's cancellation and deposit policies have been a source of frustration for some diners due to poor communication [10]. Additionally, some patrons find the dining pace rushed and the value proposition lacking compared to other Indian alternatives [10], [11].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About SEMMA
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Anyone Wanna Split A Cheese Pie At Ceres Today
"The author, who is Indian and from the Bay Area, found it disappointing compared to fine-dining South Indian food they have had elsewhere."
NeutralFrom post: Whats Your Favorite Shrimp Dish That Youve Had In
"The user highlights the tiger prawns."
PositiveFrom post: Will Michelin Star Restaurants Source Halal Meat
"This restaurant is mentioned as part of the Unapologetic Foods group."
PositiveFrom post: If You Could Have Just One Dish From One
"The commenter recommended the gunpowder dosa at Semma."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"In response to a negative comment about the photography, the author stated they would post regular fries next time, humorously suggesting the critic might be too sensitive to spice."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The author successfully made a reservation for Semma two weeks in advance online for 5:15 PM, noting that spots fill up instantly and suggesting walk-ins as a more reliable option."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The commenter advised that a walk-in on a weekday right when Semma opens is the best approach to secure a seat for one. They were able to get bar seating after a short wait."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"For those looking for a weekday reservation at Semma, the commenter suggested going late on a weekday to try and get a seat at the bar. They also recommended the gunpowder dosa."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The commenter felt that the lobster dish at Semma was not a highlight and that they have had better similar dishes at other Indian restaurants. They also felt the rest of the food was just 'mid'."
NegativeFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The user inquired about making a reservation for one person at Semma, as the online system only allowed for two. They asked if calling the restaurant might be an option."
NeutralFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The commenter expressed excitement about trying the lobster dish at Semma after seeing a picture, stating it looked incredible."
PositiveFrom post: Nyc Long Weekend Narrowed It Down To These Best
"The author enjoyed the lobster moilee at Semma, calling it one of the best lobster dishes they've had, and also found the beef short rib excellent. However, they suggested skipping dessert."
PositiveFrom post: Does Amex Platinum Actually Make It Easier To Get
"In response to a query about desired hard-to-get reservations, this commenter listed Semma as one of the places they would like to visit."
NeutralFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"The commenter's rule is to avoid eating foods they can get or make at home when traveling to NYC, preferring to experience the city's diverse culinary offerings, like avoiding dumplings as a Chinese person."
NeutralFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"The commenter states Semma is 'mid,' regardless of whether one is vegetarian."
NeutralFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"This commenter states 'No,' finding Semma to be overrated, especially considering they only spent a few weeks in India."
NegativeFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"The commenter believes Semma is world-class for Malayali cuisine but is a fine-dining take, differing from home cooking. They suggest that if not from NYC and new to it, exploring non-Indian options like pizza or Korean might be more valuable."
PositiveFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"The commenter suggests Semma is worth it to celebrate one's cuisine, especially given its NYT ranking and Michelin star. They encourage trying it to form one's own opinion, noting it's not overly expensive and that everyone has different tastes."
PositiveFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"Even as a Bengali, the commenter found the flavors familiar and not innovative enough for a repeat visit, agreeing that it's similar to what one's grandmother might make. They recommend Bungalow and Ambassador's Clubhouse as more worthwhile."
NeutralFrom post: Is Semma Worth It If You Are A South Indian And
"This commenter, who is South Indian, considers Semma the best South Indian food they've ever had, even surpassing meals in Chennai. They believe that objectively, family cooking doesn't match the quality of a Michelin-starred chef's execution and ingredients."
Positive