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Service is top notch! Our waitress is so knowledgeable and very helpful. Food is good but our fave is the lobster tail. Gunpowder dosa is a must try too here. Ambience really nice!
Semma first landed on my radar sometime last year when I read that they made the #1 spot in New York Times' Top 100 Restaurants in NYC. I'm a fan of Indian cuisine, and since this was viewed as being some of the best in the city, I wanted to try it for myself. After some procrastination and failed attempts at securing a table, I was able to book a reservation for the other night - so one of my friends and I headed over for an early dinner. It's not impossible to make a reservation at Semma, but I recommended going for one as soon as they drop at 9am. Even then, you'll likely only get one right at opening or late night - typical of trendy spots in the city. They hold the bar seats for walk-ins, but you need to be there early as there's typically a line that forms prior to opening. Walking in, the space was somewhat narrow as is typical with Manhattan restaurants, but was still roomy - we didn't feel cramped at all and the restaurant actually opened up to a larger space as you walked more inward. I really liked the decor- it was bright with pops of color and lots of bamboo accents; the woven ceilings added a tasteful touch. The menu contains Southern Indian cuisine, which is a contrast to the more commonly seen Northern cuisine. You won't find any naan or tikka masala here - to be honest I wasn't familiar with the majority of the items on the menu. I found that to be a plus, and appreciated how un-Americanized the dishes seemed to be. The menu was separated into bites, app-sized dishes, and larger format mains - with a few sides as well. Our server explained that dishes were meant to be shared, and recommended an appropriate size based on our party size. We decided to start with one of their bites and two apps: the paniyaram, gunpowder dosa, and mattu iraichi sukka (short rib). The paniyaram was a dumpling stuffed with lentil and paired with a sauce (sauces will be a common theme in this review). The dumplings were good, but not the most flavorful and slightly tough. The gunpowder dosa and short rib were excellent; the latter was tender wit great flavor, and the dosa was one of the best things I've had in a long time. The combination of the pastry with the potato filling and flavorful sauces it came with made for a truly special dish - I can understand why this is one of their signature items. For our mains we ordered the ghee roast lamb chops and the valiya chemmeen moilee (lobster tail) - both of these were great. I'm not the biggest fan of lamb, but the chops were cooked well and the sauce they doused them in was delicious and complex - the rice the dish came with was a good complement, as was the extra sauce they provided mmmm. The lobster tail was delicious - super tender and, again, such a flavorful sauce. Like the lamb, lobster isn't one of my go-tos but this was some of the best lobster I've had. We also ordered a side of parotta which was perfect to dip in all the different sauces. We opted for dessert and went for the passion fruit pudding. I wasn't impressed with this - it seemed too stuffy in comparison to the very honest food we just had; I would opt for a different dessert next time. Service was great - despite the heavy crowds, they controlled traffic well and our server was super friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, I had a great experience at Semma. Is it a little overhyped? I think so - but the food is still excellent with complex flavors and a menu filled with items unfamiliar to the typical American palate. I would definitely return for another meal.
We were lucky to snag a same day reservation for 2 at 5 pm and it was so incredibly worth the hype. Semma is the only Michelin star indian restaurant in NYC and serves southern Indian cuisine. Their gunpowder dosa is viral for a reason and I think it's a must try for your first time here. Other standouts are the lentil dumpling and goat biriyani. If there's one thing you must order, it has to be the passionfruit custard dessert. Genuinely one of my favorite restaurant desserts I have ever had. The service was great as well!!
Didn't have a reservation so showed up at 4:45pm and somehow was second in line so snagged a seat at the bar! There was a cancellation so the couple ahead of me in line got offered a table. Very lucky since last time I showed up to stand in line at 4:30pm and there was at least 20 people already in line. Anyway, onto the food. - Standouts were the dosa and the Dungeness crab for two (need to preorder but they let me snag the last one). - The lobster tail and the prawns were also quite good. - The rice in the goat Briyani was very good. Some pieces of the goat were very tender and some not. - The dumplings (paniyaram) were also quite nice. - Was stuffed but tried the coconut dessert and all enjoyed that. Everything on the menu is basically at least a little spicy and they don't adjust, but there were enough mild options that I was fine. I now understand the hype!
This was my second visit to Semma, the first was about 3 years ago, and I feel like they've perfected a lot. I was able to get a reservation for 5, and they were very understanding when one person dropped out. Inside, the place is warm and not stuffy at all. I tried the filter coffee cocktail, which was a nice take on an espresso martini. I also had a sip of the rasam cocktail which was extremely savory. The gin hibiscus drink was easy to drink and refreshing. For food, we ordered the Paniyarum (rice and lentil dumplings), Eral Thokku (tiger prawn), gunpowder dosa, Mattu (beef short ribs), Valiya (lobster curry), and Ghee roast lamb chops. With parotta and rice on the side. Standouts for me were the Paniyarum, tiger prawns, lobster curry, and gunpowder dosa. Honestly though, I didn't have a bad bite here. They are pricier than other Indian restaurants, but more affordable than a lot of Michelin Star spots, and with their unique take I would say it's worth it. Overall, loved it. Would go again.
Semma is the most hyped Indian restaurant in NYC for a reason, but I don't know if ot's worth it given the many options in NYC. My friend and I lined up at 4:30 PM on a weekday and were able to get in with no issue (we also saw around 6 00, there were open spots at the bar). In terms of the food, the gunpowder dosa was amazing (best dosa I've had) and the lamb chops were really great as well (super flavorful). However, the oxtail and prawns were a little low in quantity, and also didn't have flavors that were as distinct. And that's the main reason I wouldn't return as often; given the price and the michelin star, I would've expected some more variety in flavor from the dishes, but didn't find that as much here. I would still recommend this place, as the food and drinks are good, as is the service, but at the price and diffocilty of getting a spot to eat, I may more consistently check out the other great Indian options in the city.
The only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in NYC--and even rarer to find outside of India--it specializes in Southern Indian cuisine. After all the effort it took to get a spot, my final verdict: not worth the wait. I'm not entirely sure how it earned a Michelin . The food was quite heavy and rich for my East Asian palate --so creamy overall that I actually felt a bit sick afterward. Most of the meat dishes were underwhelming, though their iconic gunpowder dosa and the parotta (their bread) were standout highlights. Very crispy and flaky, very good. Now onto the meat dishes: 1. Oxtail: texture is great , very tender and flavorful, but hard to eat due to the bones. Felt barbaric having to really dig in with my hands, wouldn't recommend if going on the first few dates 2. Lamb chops: very flavorful, but a bit overcooked? Lamb chops felt kinda dry and chewy , different from the lamb chops I've had for other cuisine, but not bad. Rice lacks texture since I prefer my rice on the harder side 3. Beef short ribs: lean and chewy, spicy , but also a bit too salty
The hype is REAL Probably the best meal I've had in a long time. They should get another Michelin it's that fantastic. New drink menu is chefs kiss - Konkan / Alappuzha / Madurai Food There was only two dishes that was good but not omg YES- Paniyaram and short rib the biggest problem was ranking our favorite dish just because they were all outstanding. It was a tossup between the crab (I dream about that masala) with the Parotta vs biryani (the best we've had outside of India) vs lamb chop Right up there was the lobster / tiger prawns / shrimp Chef Vijay also came to each table and he was gracious and kind I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. I would go with a large group and order everything and share. Wear stretchy pants. I was blown away and cannot wait to go back.
Absolutely thrilled about this spot! Sat at the bar and had a delicious meal paired with a saison. The staff was super friendly and the menu had a ton of variety and everything was full of flavor!
My friends and I had Semma on our list of places to try for a while, and we finally secured a dinner reservation. I've never had southern Indian cuisine before and I was thoroughly impressed with the whole experience. We arrived on a Tuesday night and it was packed and lively as ever. The decor mixed modern and traditions Southern Indian elements. The space overall is a bit tight, but they still have larger tables for groups and you can still carry on conversations. We started off with some cocktails, which were tasty but note they are on the sweeter side. The plates are made to share. We had dosa (a must-try), sprouted mung beans, Tiger prawns, eggplant, Biryani, lobster tail, and parotta. All of the dishes were flavorful and high quality. They definitely bring the heat/spiciness as well. My favorites were the dosa, Tiger prawns, and the lobster tail! The accompanying sauces were also amazing, so make sure to get several spoonfuls! Overall my friends and I had a wonderful time at Semma. Definitely worth it! The vibes were flowing, the Southern Indian music was bumping, and the chef even made an appearance at the end of the night. He was so gracious and welcoming. You could tell he put his whole heart and soul into the dishes served.
Overall pretty good experience! As a South Indian it was super comforting seeing dishes I grew up eating served in a fun and more modern way. The servers were super knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations. This is a nicer establishment to go for an occasion, but the price point to me isn't worth a second trip.
Super difficult to get a reservation - we happened to benefit from someone canceling last minute and getting in that day. The Southern Indian food here is incredibly flavorful, a mix of great spicing and spicy peppers - it can get overwhelming, though. The gunpowder dosa is what they're known for - great giant triangle, crisp outside (a little thick) and good potato masala and spices inside. That was probably big enough to make a good meal by itself... Prawns were just ok (sauce good, prawns cooked fine, but didn't really mix much), and the beef short rib was spicy, but lacked the burst of intense flavor or seasoning. The lamb chops were superb, while the lobster tail was just ok (beautiful plating, but small so grab at least one per person if that's the only one you getting for the main). Elaneer payasam - coconut four ways, I think - delicious and light. Passion fruit pudding was sour and not for me. Overall, mix of good and great items, and service was pretty efficient. Table was definitely too small for the two of us in a corner dining, plates were interesting and well-designed plating, but a lot of dishes tasted very similar or just a lot of heat overwhelming the spices.
Wow wow wow! We LOVED this meal! Come ready to spend money because everything is great but expensive. We got the rice and lentil dumpling, eggplant dish, the tiger prawns, the gunpowder dosa, the lobster, and the passionfruit and mango dessert. Everything was great but standouts were the dosa, the lobster (!!!), and the eggplant. All of the sauces/curries were incredible but I could seriously drink the peanut sauce and the curry from the lobster dish. Don't skip on the parotta, it's a great dipping vessel. Both desserts were creative and beautifully plated, and tasted as good as they looked. Our waitress was very helpful and kind, but they could've been better about water refills. Crowded even on Monday at 5pm!
Really great south Indian restaurant! Got a walk in table for 3 on a Saturday evening and every bite was great. Liked the paniyaram (rice and lentil balls) to start - fluffy, well seasoned, and a nice savory bite. Loved the gunpowder dosa and the gutti vanyaka (eggplant) which were so tender and in a rich, smooth, nutty sauce. The curd rice (yogurt rice) was also such a nice addition to cut through the rich sauces. Sambar with the dosa was a bit too thick but I loved everything else. Prices were also super reasonable for an upscale dining experience. Service was great - attentive and our server was knowledgable of the menu and provided great recommendations. Have to come back to try some of the non-veg entrees! read more
{Overall: 4.5; Food: 4.5} Ambiance: 4; Service: 4.5 Really enjoyed Semma. The food is very flavorful, and the spice levels vary across dishes. Our goal was to avoid anything too spicy, and we were able to do that while still getting a lot of flavor. *Eral Thokku (Tiger prawns): Recommended by several people at the restaurant. The prawns were cooked well, and the sauce was rich with a bit of texture and some spice. *Gunpowder Dosa: The most fun dish of the evening. A big portion, crispy on the outside with a very soft, curry flavored potato filling. Comes with a variety of sauces that makes it easy to keep eating. *Roadside Kalan (Mushrooms): Another strong dish. Fried battered mushrooms on top with a spicy mushroom stew underneath. *Annasi Pazham Scallop: Good, but one of the less memorable dishes of the evening. *Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (Lobster Tail): Very rich and flavorful, similar to a curry sauce. We were quite full by the time this came, so it was a bit hard to fully enjoy it. Service was very friendly and helpful. They walked us through the menu in detail, which was especially useful since we were not familiar with many of the dishes. We also had to wait a bit longer for our table, and they brought us glasses of champagne, which was a very nice gesture. The ambiance is fun, lively, and comfortable. read more
We did a small group tasting menu and everything was phenomenal with excellent service. We tried a few cocktails and our favorites were the Konkan and Panruti. For the food, there were so many Kerala dishes I had never tried before and each dish was unique. We loved each course. The highlights for me were the gunpowder dosa and the banana leaf seabass. read more
8 days ago
Service is top notch! Our waitress is so knowledgeable and very helpful. Food is good but our fave is the lobster tail. Gunpowder dosa is a must try too here. Ambience really nice! read more
Semma first landed on my radar sometime last year when I read that they made the #1 spot in New York Times' Top 100 Restaurants in NYC. I'm a fan of Indian cuisine, and since this was viewed as being some of the best in the city, I wanted to try it for myself. After some procrastination and failed attempts at securing a table, I was able to book a reservation for the other night - so one of my friends and I headed over for an early dinner. It's not impossible to make a reservation at Semma, but I recommended going for one as soon as they drop at 9am. Even then, you'll likely only get one right at opening or late night - typical of trendy spots in the city. They hold the bar seats for walk-ins, but you need to be there early as there's typically a line that forms prior to opening. Walking in, the space was somewhat narrow as is typical with Manhattan restaurants, but was still roomy - we didn't feel cramped at all and the restaurant actually opened up to a larger space as you walked more inward. I really liked the decor- it was bright with pops of color and lots of bamboo accents; the woven ceilings added a tasteful touch. The menu contains Southern Indian cuisine, which is a contrast to the more commonly seen Northern cuisine. You won't find any naan or tikka masala here - to be honest I wasn't familiar with the majority of the items on the menu. I found that to be a plus, and appreciated how un-Americanized the dishes seemed to be. The menu was separated into bites, app-sized dishes, and larger format mains - with a few sides as well. Our server explained that dishes were meant to be shared, and recommended an appropriate size based on our party size. We decided to start with one of their bites and two apps: the paniyaram, gunpowder dosa, and mattu iraichi sukka (short rib). The paniyaram was a dumpling stuffed with lentil and paired with a sauce (sauces will be a common theme in this review). The dumplings were good, but not the most flavorful and slightly tough. The gunpowder dosa and short rib were excellent; the latter was tender wit great flavor, and the dosa was one of the best things I've had in a long time. The combination of the pastry with the potato filling and flavorful sauces it came with made for a truly special dish - I can understand why this is one of their signature items. For our mains we ordered the ghee roast lamb chops and the valiya chemmeen moilee (lobster tail) - both of these were great. I'm not the biggest fan of lamb, but the chops were cooked well and the sauce they doused them in was delicious and complex - the rice the dish came with was a good complement, as was the extra sauce they provided mmmm. The lobster tail was delicious - super tender and, again, such a flavorful sauce. Like the lamb, lobster isn't one of my go-tos but this was some of the best lobster I've had. We also ordered a side of parotta which was perfect to dip in all the different sauces. We opted for dessert and went for the passion fruit pudding. I wasn't impressed with this - it seemed too stuffy in comparison to the very honest food we just had; I would opt for a different dessert next time. Service was great - despite the heavy crowds, they controlled traffic well and our server was super friendly and knowledgeable. Overall, I had a great experience at Semma. Is it a little overhyped? I think so - but the food is still excellent with complex flavors and a menu filled with items unfamiliar to the typical American palate. I would definitely return for another meal. read more
3 months ago
We were lucky to snag a same day reservation for 2 at 5 pm and it was so incredibly worth the hype. Semma is the only Michelin star indian restaurant in NYC and serves southern Indian cuisine. Their gunpowder dosa is viral for a reason and I think it's a must try for your first time here. Other standouts are the lentil dumpling and goat biriyani. If there's one thing you must order, it has to be the passionfruit custard dessert. Genuinely one of my favorite restaurant desserts I have ever had. The service was great as well!! read more
5 hours ago
Didn't have a reservation so showed up at 4:45pm and somehow was second in line so snagged a seat at the bar! There was a cancellation so the couple ahead of me in line got offered a table. Very lucky since last time I showed up to stand in line at 4:30pm and there was at least 20 people already in line. Anyway, onto the food. - Standouts were the dosa and the Dungeness crab for two (need to preorder but they let me snag the last one). - The lobster tail and the prawns were also quite good. - The rice in the goat Briyani was very good. Some pieces of the goat were very tender and some not. - The dumplings (paniyaram) were also quite nice. - Was stuffed but tried the coconut dessert and all enjoyed that. Everything on the menu is basically at least a little spicy and they don't adjust, but there were enough mild options that I was fine. I now understand the hype! read more
This was my second visit to Semma, the first was about 3 years ago, and I feel like they've perfected a lot. I was able to get a reservation for 5, and they were very understanding when one person dropped out. Inside, the place is warm and not stuffy at all. I tried the filter coffee cocktail, which was a nice take on an espresso martini. I also had a sip of the rasam cocktail which was extremely savory. The gin hibiscus drink was easy to drink and refreshing. For food, we ordered the Paniyarum (rice and lentil dumplings), Eral Thokku (tiger prawn), gunpowder dosa, Mattu (beef short ribs), Valiya (lobster curry), and Ghee roast lamb chops. With parotta and rice on the side. Standouts for me were the Paniyarum, tiger prawns, lobster curry, and gunpowder dosa. Honestly though, I didn't have a bad bite here. They are pricier than other Indian restaurants, but more affordable than a lot of Michelin Star spots, and with their unique take I would say it's worth it. Overall, loved it. Would go again. read more
Semma is the most hyped Indian restaurant in NYC for a reason, but I don't know if ot's worth it given the many options in NYC. My friend and I lined up at 4:30 PM on a weekday and were able to get in with no issue (we also saw around 6 00, there were open spots at the bar). In terms of the food, the gunpowder dosa was amazing (best dosa I've had) and the lamb chops were really great as well (super flavorful). However, the oxtail and prawns were a little low in quantity, and also didn't have flavors that were as distinct. And that's the main reason I wouldn't return as often; given the price and the michelin star, I would've expected some more variety in flavor from the dishes, but didn't find that as much here. I would still recommend this place, as the food and drinks are good, as is the service, but at the price and diffocilty of getting a spot to eat, I may more consistently check out the other great Indian options in the city. read more
The only Michelin-starred Indian restaurant in NYC--and even rarer to find outside of India--it specializes in Southern Indian cuisine. After all the effort it took to get a spot, my final verdict: not worth the wait. I'm not entirely sure how it earned a Michelin . The food was quite heavy and rich for my East Asian palate --so creamy overall that I actually felt a bit sick afterward. Most of the meat dishes were underwhelming, though their iconic gunpowder dosa and the parotta (their bread) were standout highlights. Very crispy and flaky, very good. Now onto the meat dishes: 1. Oxtail: texture is great , very tender and flavorful, but hard to eat due to the bones. Felt barbaric having to really dig in with my hands, wouldn't recommend if going on the first few dates 2. Lamb chops: very flavorful, but a bit overcooked? Lamb chops felt kinda dry and chewy , different from the lamb chops I've had for other cuisine, but not bad. Rice lacks texture since I prefer my rice on the harder side 3. Beef short ribs: lean and chewy, spicy , but also a bit too salty read more
The hype is REAL Probably the best meal I've had in a long time. They should get another Michelin it's that fantastic. New drink menu is chefs kiss - Konkan / Alappuzha / Madurai Food There was only two dishes that was good but not omg YES- Paniyaram and short rib the biggest problem was ranking our favorite dish just because they were all outstanding. It was a tossup between the crab (I dream about that masala) with the Parotta vs biryani (the best we've had outside of India) vs lamb chop Right up there was the lobster / tiger prawns / shrimp Chef Vijay also came to each table and he was gracious and kind I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. I would go with a large group and order everything and share. Wear stretchy pants. I was blown away and cannot wait to go back. read more
9 months ago
My friends and I had Semma on our list of places to try for a while, and we finally secured a dinner reservation. I've never had southern Indian cuisine before and I was thoroughly impressed with the whole experience. We arrived on a Tuesday night and it was packed and lively as ever. The decor mixed modern and traditions Southern Indian elements. The space overall is a bit tight, but they still have larger tables for groups and you can still carry on conversations. We started off with some cocktails, which were tasty but note they are on the sweeter side. The plates are made to share. We had dosa (a must-try), sprouted mung beans, Tiger prawns, eggplant, Biryani, lobster tail, and parotta. All of the dishes were flavorful and high quality. They definitely bring the heat/spiciness as well. My favorites were the dosa, Tiger prawns, and the lobster tail! The accompanying sauces were also amazing, so make sure to get several spoonfuls! Overall my friends and I had a wonderful time at Semma. Definitely worth it! The vibes were flowing, the Southern Indian music was bumping, and the chef even made an appearance at the end of the night. He was so gracious and welcoming. You could tell he put his whole heart and soul into the dishes served. read more
Overall pretty good experience! As a South Indian it was super comforting seeing dishes I grew up eating served in a fun and more modern way. The servers were super knowledgeable and helpful with recommendations. This is a nicer establishment to go for an occasion, but the price point to me isn't worth a second trip. read more
Super difficult to get a reservation - we happened to benefit from someone canceling last minute and getting in that day. The Southern Indian food here is incredibly flavorful, a mix of great spicing and spicy peppers - it can get overwhelming, though. The gunpowder dosa is what they're known for - great giant triangle, crisp outside (a little thick) and good potato masala and spices inside. That was probably big enough to make a good meal by itself... Prawns were just ok (sauce good, prawns cooked fine, but didn't really mix much), and the beef short rib was spicy, but lacked the burst of intense flavor or seasoning. The lamb chops were superb, while the lobster tail was just ok (beautiful plating, but small so grab at least one per person if that's the only one you getting for the main). Elaneer payasam - coconut four ways, I think - delicious and light. Passion fruit pudding was sour and not for me. Overall, mix of good and great items, and service was pretty efficient. Table was definitely too small for the two of us in a corner dining, plates were interesting and well-designed plating, but a lot of dishes tasted very similar or just a lot of heat overwhelming the spices. read more
Wow wow wow! We LOVED this meal! Come ready to spend money because everything is great but expensive. We got the rice and lentil dumpling, eggplant dish, the tiger prawns, the gunpowder dosa, the lobster, and the passionfruit and mango dessert. Everything was great but standouts were the dosa, the lobster (!!!), and the eggplant. All of the sauces/curries were incredible but I could seriously drink the peanut sauce and the curry from the lobster dish. Don't skip on the parotta, it's a great dipping vessel. Both desserts were creative and beautifully plated, and tasted as good as they looked. Our waitress was very helpful and kind, but they could've been better about water refills. Crowded even on Monday at 5pm! read more
An extremely hard reservation to get but they open up at 9am 15 days in advanced. I was so excited to finally step foot here. Did it live up to the hype? Nearly so. The gunpowder dosa was phenomenal. Our entire group could not stop eating this or complimenting how delicious this was. Easily the best dosa I've ever had. From here we tried a good variety of dishes including: paniyaram, the oxtail, the tiger prawn, and the lobster tail, with 2 orders of parotta, and an order of coconut rice. Overall I think the lobster tail was everyone's close second favorite. The shrimp was a touch chewy and I was a little disappointed in the parotta. I've sadly had better paratha from the frozen section of any south asian grocery store. Despite that each dish is super flavorful and tasty. The paniyaram comes as 4 dumplings and were a great appetizer. The oxtail was super rich and was great with the parotta. Yes it's a pricey dinner but I highly recommend coming here at least once! read more
The food was sadly very average , tasted like most other Indian restaurants I've visited nothing less and nothing more. Which is alright, but at this price point I would've expected better. We had a 5pm reservation and the restaurant was PACKED, so maybe also that made me have higher expectations. The drinks were probably my favorite aspect of the meal, and the service was so thoughtful - the waiter/bartender offered another drink when he thought I didn't like it (I just drink slowly). read more
Had dinner with the family at Semma on December 23rd. Being a Michelin star restaurant, I had very high expectations from the place and it did live up to expectations on food and service. The food was very delicious and the service was simply amazing. Tried Gunpowder dosa, bisibele bhat (off the menu), korma, and daughters had fish and lobster and everything was perfect. The service was simply amazing, paid a lot of attention to our table. However, the place is small and very noisy with some music blasting through. Difficult to carry a conversation in that environment. read more
10 months ago
Really good food and ambiance. Semma is a top rated Indian restaurant in NYC and there's a reason for that. Note: it's really hard to get a reservation here btw. Make sure you check in 14 days prior to your desired date. Gunpowder Dosa and Paniyaram were my favorites. I'll be back! read more
I got in line at around 3:40pm and there was 1 solo diner ahead of me on a Thursday. Though it got pretty crowded by 4:45 or so o think most people got seated in the first seating and we were even given a table for 2 instead of bar seating. I was super excited for Semma after hearing all about it and had high hopes as well as expecting a steep price, however I did not think it would be quite that steep. The highlight for us was the lobster curry and though the gunpowder dosa was good, we weren't sure how we felt about casual Indian street food being charged at such a hefty price when you can get very solid dosas at neighborhood restaurants. Nice interior but it was pretty tight between the tables which was not the best in terms of enjoying your meal and not having your conversations overheard by your neighbors. Would probably not come back because I feel like a one time experience was great unless they jazz up their menu entirely but it was definitely worth the try read more
I've been fighting tooth and nail for a Semma reservation for the past couple months and was finally able to get one on a Tuesday at 5:15 pm. The inside of the restaurant was beautiful and the restaurant filled up quickly. For drinks, we ordered the roja sour and pushpa punch. I liked the roja sour which wasn't too sweet and the clove and curry leaf infusion made the drink unique. However, the pushpa punch was not good and you could only taste the alcohol in the drink. For food, we got the tiger prawns, short rib, paniyaram, and parotta, and gunpowder dosa. Everything was amazing. As someone with a low spice tolerance, nothing was too spicy although there was a tasteful kick to the dishes. The short rib was so tender and all the dishes were very flavorful. For dessert, we ordered the passionfruit pudding, which was presented beautifully and a refreshing, tart conclusion to the meal. Overall, I would definitely recommend Semma and it is deserving of its michelin star and spot on the NYT's top 100 restaurants. read more
Sorry to say that the NYTimes missed the ball on this one. Food was good and certainly deserving of maybe top 1000 spot but top 1? Definitely not. Alot of folks fave about the gunpowder dosa but I don't get the hype. The short rib was also underwhelming and didn't feel that different than ones you can cook yourself. The best part is probably the banana leaf fish - doused in a super tasty sauce and pipping hot when they bring it out. Overall, I wouldn't come here again. But at least ambiance was super nice and service was good and fast. read more
2 months ago
GRADE "B" from health department. And it's hard to get the reservation really ??? I think they need to work on cleanliness. read more
Chef Vijay Kumar's Michelin Semma was totally worth the wait and the hype! We lined up prior to the restaurant opening and got on the wailist for an 1830 seating. Here is what we ordered: *gunpowder dosa: This was amazingly crispy and tasty! * paniyaram: The rice and lentil dumpling was delicious *valiya chameleon moilee: The lobster tail was tasty and saucy *eral thokku: The tiger prawns in green chili were juicy *mattu iraichi sukka: The beef short rib was tender and tasty *banana leaf wrapped branzino: Huge portion and so meaty *ghee roast lamb chops: Very tender and bursting with flavor *dindigul biryani (goat): Yummy and filling They had a great wine selection so we were able to indulge in an Opus One 2022. Service was great, the restaurant was packed with happy patrons and the food was spectacular. We will return in future NYC visits! read more
FINALLY pro tip -- line up before they open on a Monday around 4:45, put your name down, and wait in the area for the text that your table is ready. We were fully ready to eat at the bar but we got really lucky and got seated at a proper table. From what I understood, they have bar seatings at 6:30 and 8:00 pm so depending on your place in line, you'll get either seating. The food was amazing. I was fully prepared to say they're overrated but they're not. The gunpowder dosa is perfectly cooked and flavored. I'm not an eggplant person at all and even I loved the eggplant curry with peanut stuffing. The payasam was the best thing to end the meal with. read more
5 months ago
Semi difficult res to get, casual vibes, seafood-focused menu. Presentation on the food was nice, and most dishes were cooked well. Personally enjoyed the dosa a lot (as expected), great crisp with a slightly different flavor profile than typical dosa spots. Lobster was also cooked perfect over a curry base (somewhat reminded me of Thai curry). Tiger prawns were also done well (slight spicy kick). Short rib appetizer was very small/expensive for the price, and the biriyani was a little disappointing flavorwise. Would recommend sticking to the seafood dishes (and dosa). read more
I finally managed to walk in around 4:50PM on a Monday evening. I didn't manage to get in on the first round, but I was told to come back around 6:30pm by the hostess. I got a text that my table was available at 6:00pm and they only had a 10 min grace period, so I suggest you stay near the restaurant, even if it isn't near your "allotted time". I Sat at the bar and the ambiance was very chic with classic Indian music playing in the background. As for the food and drinks, I had extremely high expectations, and they were 10000000% met. Food was simply the BEST INDIAN food I've ever had. Period. I LOOOOVED their sister restaurant Djamaka, but I think Semma takes the crown for best Indian restaurant in New York. Food: - Gunpowder dosa: 100/10 (single handed the best dosa I've ever had. So crispy and so flavorful. The filling is amazing. And the sauces are just chefs kiss) - Lobster: 1000000000/10 (sooo.... I actually didn't order the lobster but the staff got my main menu mixed up and... I ended up getting the lobster for free. And honestly, this was the BEST dish of the meal. Honestly some of the best lobster I've ever had in my life. The curry sauce was simply phenomenal and the lobster was cooked to perfection. If I had a chance to visit Semma again, I'll definitely be ordering the lobster.) - Oxtail: 100/10 (sooooo tender and spicy and good!!! Honestly would've devoured it if I wasn't that full but.. we shall reassess tomorrow when I eat my leftovers.) Cocktails: - Sopanna sundar: 9/10 (great milky smooth cocktail. It's basically like a spiked lassi) - Roja sour: 10/10 (this was my favorite of the two-- as someone who lovesss sours this really hit the jackpot for me. Loved how you can get hints of watermelon) If only the resection process wasn't that hard... I'd be back and back and back again. Crossing fingers until I get to try Semma again! read more
If you haven't gotten a reservation, arrive at semma by 4 pm to get in!!! They have 12 seats at the bar so make sure you're not way back in the queue as you wait outside before it opens. I will fly to NYC from Denver just to dine at Semma!! What a brilliant experience!!! We arrived at around 4:15 PM and saw that there were already about 8 to 10 parties ahead of us. We stood in line and waited for the best outcome. We when the doors open at 5 PM, the host stopped by each party to provide reservations. I am so glad that we were there ahead of time and we got a spot at the bar. We got a table adjacent to the bar, and as we perused through the menu, we weren't sure what all to order - special thanks to Hassan for guiding and walking us through the menu and making some fantastic recommendations. For drinks, I got the Soppana Sundari ( sweet but So good) and my husband got the Roja sour (skip this if you don't like ice in your drinks) very tasty nevertheless. For mains, we got the gun powder Dosa, which was bomb and we got the beef tritip dish, which was the best Indianised beef dish have ever had hands down!! We also got the Prariyal which was an appetiser, and that was very nostalgic and flavourful. We ordered the lobster curry for mains along with side of parrotta , which was an exceptional curry. All the flavours were on point and we couldn't help but finish this dish, even though we were so full. Hassan had asked us if we are here celebrating something and we mentioned that it was our delayed anniversary celebration dinner and for dessert, he kindly give us all three desserts on the menu, even though we just ordered the payasam for desert. Let me tell you all desserts on their menu are mind blowing, my personal favourite was the payasome. I think it was also a vegan options because it was made with coconut cream, coconut milk, and tender coconut. The Shahi tukda was unliked I've had ever before, did not feel fried, not too sweet, just perfect!! The staff is very nice, Very attentive yet not intrusive, very friendly. Everyone has great recommendations. Special shoutout to Hassan!! I have no doubt that all things on the menu are going to be amazing. I will fly to New York just to dine here again, and I highly recommend dining here for South Indian cuisine. read more
6 months ago
This is a Michelin 1 star restaurant, so the prices are to be expected. We got there around 5:15pm without a reservation, and luckily we were able to get two seats at the bar in less than 30 minutes- the hostess told everyone that arrived after us that there's a 1.5 hour wait without a reservation! The place is well decorated and definitely has South Indian vibes as soon as you walk in, which I loved. We ordered the dosa which was phenomenal- the crust was spiced very well which made it unique, along with the rabbit and lamb chops. I've never had rabbit before so I was eager to try it- the dish was aesthetically pleasing, but I don't think I would order it again, as it didn't sit well with my stomach. The lamb chops were ok, nothing special about it. Overall the restaurant is a little overhyped in my opinion, and I probably won't be back. read more
1 year ago
I'm not sure I have a whole lot to add to all the amazing things that have already been said about Semma, but I'll share what I think might be a new perspective I haven't heard/read yet. As someone who does not typically gravitate toward Indian cuisine, I found Semma to be amazing. I typically struggle with spice heat, which makes Indian cuisine difficult for me to enjoy. Honestly, I thought I was going to struggle with this meal, but after hearing and reading about all the hype surrounding Semma, I thought it'd be crazy to not at least give it a try. I am SO glad I did. The flavor of all the dishes were so good that it made me go back for more despite the heat. As embarrassing as I feel it is to call out my spice intolerance at a place like Semma, the waitstaff were so kind and didn't bat an eye when I asked for recommendations for their less spicy options. We tried the mung bean salad, the gunpowder dosa (a must), the lobster curry, and the lamb chops. Everything was delicious! The spiciest dish was the mung bean salad, but even so, it was also very tasty and actually refreshing. My only complaint is not even directed at the restaurant - it's that they're so popular that reservations are impossible to come by! We came an hour before they opened for dinner service in order to get in line for one of their bar seats. We arrived at 3:55pm (they open at 5) and were already 5th/6th in line. Pro tip - there is no shade at all outside of the restaurant, so come prepared with sun protection for the wait! read more
1 year ago
Is the hype real? Yes Is the wait long ? Yes Is it worth the wait? Yes Is the chef humble and sweet ? Yes!! I went yesterday and didn't have a reservation. I put my name down around 4:45 for the bar and was wait listed. Ideally if you get there by 4p, you may get seated when they open at 5. I hung out at the bar next door and was seated around 7p. I had the pleasure of chatting with some other diners at the bar and they all loved what they had ordered. Unfortunately, since I was by myself, all I got was the dosa but almost wish I had gotten the short rib instead. Oh well, next time. I also got an Indian single malt cocktail with tamarind and it was great. At the end of my meal, I inquired if the chef was available so I could congratulate him on his recent success and accolades and low and behold, a few min later Chef Vijay came up and said hello. He was super nice and humble and I am glad I got to thank him for elevating South Indian cuisine. read more
I have wanted to try Semma for a while but whenever I've tried to make reservations with friends they've always run out. I was by myself on a Thursday afternoon so I decided to try the walk in line. I was the 10th person in line 30 min before they opened at 5 PM, and about 5 minutes later there were 12 people in line (the bar seats 12). Around 4:45 maybe the host came out and took our names and party numbers down. I asked what time I'd be expected to get in and he said 5, which was very nice. At 5 they let us all in and the first 12 of us were immediately sat at the bar. I was handed a drink menu, asked for my choice of water (I opted for tap). I also got their UN4 beer, which was a $12 mango flavored beer under their unapologetic foods umbrella and it was quite good! The person at the bar serving me was very nice, talking to me about the items and asking how things were. I ended up ordering the scallops and the dosa. The scallops were good, it came with two scallops, and the curry it was in was quite flavorful. I then got my dosa. The sambar was objectively delicious, just like what my family makes. The dosa itself was quite good, probably the best dosa I've had at a restaurant in the US. Had a good flavor, and with the sambar was quite delicious! The chutneys served were fine, not and, not incredible. And as expected, service was amazing, and the restaurant itself is really nice. Bar seating on one side, restaurant tables on the other side. The cocktails are creative, and looked good. Really glad I finally got to try it! read more
6 months ago
After a year of waiting to get a resy , we decided to walk in on a Thursday and so glad we did ! Thankfully we got 2 seats at the bar and honestly im starting to love the bar seats, the interaction with the staff and bartenders is just great, and they give so much info on the menu and what they like and what we may enjoy. Also let me say this place is aesthetically chic and the energy is very inviting. We started off with a appetizer which was the Paniyaram rice & lentil dumpling, asafoetida, & paatti's chutney, so very good and flavorful. For our main dishes we did the Gunpowder Dosa which was rice & lentil crepe, potato masala, & sambar. This reminded me of home and when my mom would make dosa for us, just loved how nostalgic it felt and the dish was just incredible. We also ordered the Mattu Iraichi Sukka beef short rib, black cardamom, tellicherry peppers with a side of Parotta. Chefs kiss , this was so bold and flavorful and the freshness of the ingredients every bite just lets in your mouth. I am so glad we got to try this place out , and cant wait to come back again to try a few more dishes. Thanks to the awesome staff that made our dining experience so enjoyable. read more
7 months ago
I came here for dinner with a couple friends and while overall very good and the service on point, the food was a little too spicy at moments (and I actually generally like spice). I wish they had asked what level of spices we wanted as that would've made the meal much more enjoyable. There are many things on the menu that I'd like to try so I would come back to try different things. If you're sensitive to spice just ask them to see if they can adjust the level down for you. And don't skip dessert they were excellent. read more
We had a reservation and were seated fairly quickly. The reservation itself is capped at 90 minutes. The service was wonderful, with the servers being very kind. The ambiance of the restaurant is beautiful and colorful, which made the experience all the more exciting. In terms of the food, we preferred the small dishes significantly more than the larger entrees. My favorites were definitely the short rib, dosa, and tiger prawns. The short rib had a nice kick to it that wasn't too overwhelming, which I personally loved. However, the lobster and branzino dishes quite frankly weren't as flavorful as I would've wanted. There was definitely something missing. Perhaps more spices? Salt? I also liked my order of parotta, but another order of it supposedly tasted more stale. All in all, I did like the food but not sure if it's the best Indian food in the city, and I am not convinced it's worth the price. read more
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Ask the Community - Semma
Is the restaurant kid friendly? I have a 8 year old.
Kinda depends on the child. It's tight, and the food is sophisticated and spicy. They don't have dishes to accommodate palates seeking less seasoned food so if your child isn't into spicy, probably not a great fit. It's also pricey and people go…
Does Semma do walk-ins? Thanks!
Yes at the bar. They are pretty strict though on the waiting list. Need to be there the whole time and have your whole party in order to be seated.
Does Semma provide takeout?
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Semma - indpak - Updated September 2026
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