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Walked in around 4:20 and got a 4:45pm bar seat. We didn't get too much food, but everything we did get was amazing! Highly recommend the gunpowder dosa and the beef short rib. The parotta are also very flaky and served warm. Don't miss out on the drinks as well! Hoping to come back and try more.
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!
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.
{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.
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.
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.
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!
4 months ago
1 month ago
8 months ago
BEST MEAL EVER! We had a party of 5 Saturday and we ALL agreed best meal ever! The service, the decor, the cocktails, the wine, the kindness of the chef were all spectacular!! However the food was on another level entirely!! we had so many dishes and all of them were amazing! Bravo!!! read more
1 year ago
We went to Semma a second time and it's still great but had a slightly different menu. The food is quite spicy but I loved it. Here is what we had: - GUNPOWDER DOSA (VO) rice & lentil crepe, potato masala, sambar (awesome) - ROADSIDE KALAN (V) wild mushroom, fennel, coriander (very good and vegan) - MATTU IRAICHI SUKKA beef short rib, black cardamom, tellicherry peppers (excellent) - GUTTI VANKAYA (V, N) baby eggplant, ground peanut, sesame (very good - vegan) - VALIYA CHEMMEEN MOILEE lobster tail, mustard, turmeric, coconut milk (very good) - DINDIGUL BIRYANI goat, seeraga samba rice, garam masala, raita (very good) - PAROTTA (flaky and delicious) - COCONUT RICE (lovely) - Thanga Mangan Coloda (so good!) read more
8 months ago
Absolutely amazing!! Everything was great. The vibe was moody. The service perfect. The chef is walking around and so genuinely nice. The lobster was the best. Skip the eggplant. Have to get the dosa. We will be back. read more
I am in awe at how good and affordable the food at semma is - it truly deserves a mischelin star! i luckily nailed a resy for 7pm on a Wednesday for 2 people so i took a coworker with me. we ordered a bunch of stuff heres the feedback: dosa: this you MUST get. its made to perfection and has the perfect masala potato ratio. the sambar and chutneys were delicious too - all full of flavor. the dosa was slightly on the spicy side but nothing i couldnt handle. prawns: these were so full of flavor and veryyyy delicious - a must get appetizer. the prawns were thick and seasoned with a masala tandoori south indian twist. i could eat this for the rest of my life. biryani: of all the things we ordered id say this could be left out, but it was still so good. the raitha perfectly paired with the biryani and the biryani was full of flavor and even had lots of chunks of lamb last was a little lentil and vada bite - full of flavor with savory chutney on the bottom these were a great start to the meal would recommend the service was interesting. i was expecting better for mischelin but the servers were a bit overbaring and a staff member came around to tell us something and we could barely make out what they were saying. service was fine but not mischelin expected as an indian food lover this spot was bomb and met all expectations- 10/10 recommend and will be back read more
9 months ago
5/5 - Lived up to the hype and then some Semma was absolutely amazing in every way. I booked our reservation on Resy for Christmas Eve, and from start to finish the experience was outstanding. We started with the dosa, which was incredible, and the tiger prawns were easily the best of the small plates. We also tried the rice & lentil dumplings and the short ribs--spicy, bold, and full of flavor. For mains, the oxtail was good (though I've had better elsewhere), but the curry lobster was to die for--hands down one of the best dishes of the night. The rabbit tasted like chicken, very well prepared, and the biriyani was solid and satisfying. What really made the night extra special was that Vijay Kumar came to our table and even took a picture with us. That personal touch meant a lot and speaks volumes about the hospitality here. It's easy to see why this place is ranked #1 in NYC. It truly lived up to the hype. The service was superb, attentive without being overbearing, and everything flowed perfectly throughout the meal. I would definitely come back and highly recommend Semma to anyone looking for an unforgettable dining experience in NYC. read more
We couldn't get a reservation so we got in line at 435 and got seated at the bar. The service was great and the cocktails were delicious. The paniyaram was delicious. The prawn in erral thokku appetizer is huge and plenty. We also got the gunpowder dosa and let me say, it was delicious but not mind blowing. We got the meen entree and it was great. I mean, it's good but is it Semma? Nah. Paying $21 for a masala dosa is not something I want to ever tell my Tamil mother. read more
1 year ago
this year, I have planned for the best Indian restaurant in NYC and today we visited Semma. Semma is owned by the same restaurant group: Unapologetic Foods and they own other elite Indian restaurants (adda, Dhamaka, Masalawala & Sons, etc..) in the city as well. Semma and its sibling eateries are Indian restaurants in NY that have taken the city by storm They seek to recode the notion of heavily spiced food, they also re-inscribe an identification of Indian food with heavily spiced food. they got the Michelin star in 2022 & 2023. The New York Times recently put Semma on its 2023 Restaurant List. It's on a strip of old standby restaurants and bars on Greenwich, so it scores high for location. Semma is known for its no-fear approach to southern Indian cooking. We had a reservation at 915 PM and got the table at the back. it was quiet there, not in the main dining hall, so that worked for me. we ordered below dishes- ** Gunpowder Dosa: well out of 5 items we ordered, I would rate it #1 I guess this is the best dosa I ever had and I rarely use the term "ever". and, sambhar was good as well, I thoroughly enjoyed it and if I did not have to try other dishes, I would have ordered it again. 5/5 ** Eral Thokku [tiger prawn with green chili & curry leaves tiger prawns mixed with dry cooked masala, perfectly spicy, good to go with side Parotta. The flavor of the Eral Thokku with massive tiger prawns was very good indeed 4.5/ ** Attu Kari Sukka [Lamb sukha with black cardamom, tellicherry pepper: I had better Lamb sukha at other small restaurants. it was juicy and easy to expect it to be better/ 3/5 ** Meen Pollichathu: Whole sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with ginger & shallots. The server opened the leaf and spread out coconut milk-based gravy, here they did it wrong, one person was allergic to coconut and could not eat it. Nevertheless, the whole item was superb, mixed with spices and gravy. 5/5 ** Dindigul Goat Biryani: if you are a fan of Hyderabadi biryani, chuck it & don't order. somehow I did not like this biryani, but the salan that came as a side dish- that is again, the best salan I ever had - 2.5/5 in the desserts ** Shahi Tukda: my love for Shahi Tukda never ends, simple yet sumptuous. 5/5 ** Elaneer Payasam: Kheer served in shallow coconut on the ice, fancy style. it was on the house though 4/5 Good service, good food..!! not sure, why tables are placed closely making it hard to have privacy, at the same time, the restaurant is very loud, An amazing addition to the Greenwich Village (or NYC for that matter) dining scene! read more
![Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-22 [Elaneer Payasam- on the house - 4/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/I6z738LV10xfdMAC5NpFgw/348s.jpg "Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-22 [Elaneer Payasam- on the house - 4/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York")
![Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-23 [ Shahi Tukda -5/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/vrBRHUanOesi7AmEbC689Q/348s.jpg "Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-23 [ Shahi Tukda -5/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York")
![Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-12 [Parotta] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/E7Ph4M3mDJiCGlIZw7qGWQ/348s.jpg "Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-12 [Parotta] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York")
![Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-9 [** Eral Thokku [tiger prawn with green chili & curry leaves tiger prawns mixed 5/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York](https://s3-media0.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/AGQtDjzNDZNxg2rrvjMxUQ/348s.jpg "Semma - Semma, NY_Yelp_Sanju-9 [** Eral Thokku [tiger prawn with green chili & curry leaves tiger prawns mixed 5/5] - Indian Near Me - New York, New York")
Phenomenal food, but service could be improved! Ambiance & Service: Modern and intimate setting, but the service was rushed. Despite having a 2-hour slot, we felt overly pressured to order and eat quickly. They also did a poor job of coursing out our meal - they served almost every dish all at once which was incredibly overwhelming. I didn't feel like I could fully savor or appreciate the food! Food: We ordered every vegetarian dish on the menu. All of the dishes were spicy and packed with flavor! The highlights were the Gunpowder Dosa, Paniyaram, and Mirchi Ka Salan. TL;DR: Amazing food, but service felt rushed and overwhelming. Don't miss the Gunpowder Dosa! read more
10 months ago
Loved loved all the food. The apps to dessert were excellent. It is a well thought of menu with an eclectic mix. The service was a bit spotty. The ambience is casual. We were lucky enough to get late seating and got a chance to meet the chef! He was super nice and humble. Clearly passionate about his food. read more
Semma serves modern Southern Indian food. The flavors were interesting and spicy. The dishes were on the small side, but they were pretty filling, as they all came with a heavy sauce or curry. This is what I tried: * Badtameez Dil (sea buckthorn spirit alternative, caramelized pineapple, cultured coconut, Seville orange, and saffron): This was like a pineapple-saffron lassi -- one of my favorite drinks! * Eral Thokku (tiger prawn, green chili, fenugreek, and curry leaves): The tiger prawns were huge and tender, but I wished they were not buried under a huge pile of sauce. The fenugreek added a unique pungent flavor, in a good way. * Annasi Pazham Scallop (day-boat scallops, pineapple pachadi, and jaggery): The two scallops were seared well. The sauce was sweet and delicious; I wanted to slurp up the sauce like soup. * Gutti Vankaya (baby eggplant, ground peanut, and sesame): This was considered a main entree, even though it only contained four baby eggplants. You should order some rice or naan to mop up the curry sauce. 1 star off: The only way to get a reservation at Semma is on their website. Semma does not have a phone number, and they do not return E-mails either. I wrote them asking if they take reservations for 1 person, but never heard back after multiple attempts. Their lack of responsiveness was off-putting. I ended up just showing up and got a seat at the bar. By the way, their bar seats recessed and were quite a bit lower than their counter, so they were not too comfortable. read more
Wow what a priveldge it was to dine at Semma and be able to snag a 4 person 7pm resy. We feasted and shared everything family style. The service here was pleasant. We started off with the Mulaikittiya Thaniyam, wow that was so flavorful and refreshing way to start the meal! We also had the paniyaram which were good wish they were seasoned slightly more. Last starter we had was the Eral Thokku. These prawns were good sized well seasoned and the sauce it came in was one of the best of the night. Next we had the famed gunpowder dosa it was made very well. Tasted delicious and came with great sauces. We also had the Attu Kari Sukka, the lamb was flavorful and cooked well, some of my friends just thought it was a bit hard to eat on the bone. For the entrees we had the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee first which is the lobster curry. It was a very nice large lobster tail perfectly cooked in the curry. The curry reminded me of a Thai style curry . Secondly we ordered Nalli Elumbu the lamb shank, it fell right off the bone, was super flavorful and delicious. Lastly we had the Goanese oxtail which was cooked well and also very well seasoned another one of our favorite dishes . If we could get a reservation here again we would definitely return. read more
This is hands down one of the most unforgettable Indian restaurants I've ever been to. Every dish was a standout! * Mulaikattiya Thaniyam - Though it looks like a plant, it's actually mung beans with chili, and it was incredibly refreshing. A must-try! * Eral Thokku - The tiger prawns were packed with flavor. * Nathai Piratta - Snails with a bold twist. If you're feeling adventurous, go for it! Similar to escargot, but with intense seasoning and a side of kal dosa. * Gunpowder Dosa - Served with potato masala, this dish was delicious but a bit on the heavier side. * Goanese Oxtail - A must-order! So tender and bursting with flavor. * Dindigul Biryani - Richly flavored and perfectly balanced, without being too gamey. I highly recommend Semma--everything was a perfect 10/10! read more
First Michelin star restaurant - This place is Southern Indian food good for sharing. A little pricey so be ready to splurge! We got Mulaikattiya Thaniyam (sprouted mung beans, $11), Attu Kari Suka (lamb, $25), gunpowder dosa ($21), Meen Pollichathu (sea bass, $45), Goanese Oxtail ($48), Dindigul Biriyani ($36), parotta ($6 for 2), and coconut dessert. Must gets - best dosa we've ever had and the best lamb I've ever had Biriyani is also good value for what it was but tbh, I've had better for better value. I'd pass on the mung bean next time, but oxtail was good. Overall a really great experience and great food. Def worth a visit! Instagram - @joangela.eats read more
1 year ago
Soooo good! The gunpowder dosa was by far my favorite. It was so buttery and light. I had a vegan dish that had something called drumsticks in it. They are actually pods from a moringa tree we have growing in our yard that I never knew we could even eat. My husband had branzino fish and it was so good. The coconut rice is the best I've ever had. And their drink special was so yummy and coconut nutty. A very rare fine. The wait staff were beyond nice and helpful. read more
Excited to have gotten a reso here while visiting NY. Soooooo obviously we had to order a ton to sample all the things! Service was very quick and they checked on us a lot. They even deboned our whole fish for us . Overall would say the restaurant was pretty loud, but very nicely decorated. Ranking dishes - "can't miss" to "sure order it I guess": 1. Goanese Oxtail 2. Lamb (Attu Kari Sukka) 3. Rice/Lentil dumpling (Paniyaram) 4. Whole sea bass (Meen Pollichathu) 5. Gunpowder dosa 6. Goat biryani (dindigal biryani) 7. Winter squash and carrots (Kaikari kurma) ...dessert was up there as well in terms of wow factor and flavor! Overall def a lot of food for three people, but great flavors in all dishes. Everything is relatively spicy! Only dish that isn't (according to staff) is the lobster! read more
Gunpowder dosa was the star of the show. Only the coconut chutney was a bit watery and bland. A good number of vegetarian options, but the menu is mostly non-veg. You will need a parotta with the stuffed pepper. Unfortunately they ran out of the cauliflower dish. Biryani was good but not elevated to my expectations. The raita needed to be chilled a bit more. Drinks were strong and flavorful, but I wish they had a margarita-inspired drink. Service was not bad but nothing special. Ambiance was pleasant with Indian music in the background. If you tend to be cold, bring a sweater because they blast the air conditioning. read more
Eating at Semma was a dream come true. Yesterday, Shobha and I stood in line outside the restaurant hoping to do a walk-in. We waited almost forty five minutes, gave our names and were told that we would be seated at 5 pm. Hallelujah! We bonded with another Indian and decided to sit and eat together so we could share several dishes. Before we went in, we were given a refreshing drink of tiny glasses of chilled coconut, orange and passion fruit. Then we went in and the staff had all lined up to greet us. I was so excited to be there that I kept telling everyone. Before we started ordering we were given three warm dumplings. We ordered several dishes: the celebrated Gunpowder Dosa that had a deep golden sheen and was crisp. Dipped into the coconut chutney and the sambar, I was instantly transported to the shores of Bombay. Eral Thokku (prawns) had a lot of spices and was rich and flavorful. Mattu Iraichi Sukka (beef short rib) was tender and mouthwatering. Dindigul Biryani (goat biryani) was equally delicious and the parothas were flaky. We ate as much as we could and then slowly found ourselves feeling stuffed to the brim. We barely managed dessert. I had requested to meet Chef Vijay Kumar who had won the 2025 James Beard award for best chef in New York State. This award is the highest accolade a chef can get and considered the Oscars of the Culinary World. Chef Kumar was humble and a delight to meet. He laughed, when after shaking his hand, I told him that I wouldn't be washing my hands for a week! Hassan, Shashi, Vishal, Dennis, Nash, Ilyas and Team Semma were friendly, professional and made our dinner thoroughly enjoyable. I can't wait to return. read more
11 months ago
We walked in at 5pm and sat a little after 8pm. I've never waited so long for a dinner but it was more than worth while. Every dish was flavorful - from the mix of spices to the textures. It is casual but feels like a special night out. Im already planning a second visit! Must orders: beef short rib, paratha and gunpowder dosa. read more
2 years ago
The flavors were well executed but a little bland for my own taste. The Dosa was very buttery and light. Tiger Prawns was the star of the show. Chicken was also pretty good. I do recommend saving plenty of room for desserts and trying all the desserts on the menu. They are not very sweet but melts into the the mouth read more
amazing meal and astounding service! we arrived 15 minutes before our reservation and were immediately seated and taken care of. the gunpowder dosa and lobster tail dish were my absolute favorites of the night. it was hard to choose what to order but our server helped us make our choices. every plate was completely bare after it left our table. i highly recommend for a special occasion :) read more
10 months ago
We went out to eat last night and from start to finish the experience was amazing! First of all the staff was so kind and so nice and made you feel so welcome for the minute you walked in. B one of the hardest reservations to get it was so worth the hype! The flavors of the food exploded in your mouth like a symphony of fabulousness. Also, there was not one thing that we didn't love As. Everything tasted so good. This is my new favorite restaurant and I want to go back tomorrow !!! Also the restaurant was such an amazing ambience and really made it feel like a warm place to eat. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I was across the street at Roey's enjoying happy hour when the scent of Indian food hit my nose from Semma, and I had to have it. After finding out that Semma is a hard reservation to get, we decided to take our chances and hop on line at 5 pm when the restaurant opened to see if we could get bar seats. Our efforts were successful, we easily scored two bar seats (this was a random Wednesday so not sure if weekends are different). We decided we had to get the Gunpowder Dosa, which was flavorful and spicy. Not the best dosa I've ever had, but still pretty good. We also split the rice and lentil "dumplings" which were more like fried balls, which were also packed with flavor and well topped with a creamy spicy sauce. I was with a vegetarian and wanted to share a bunch of stuff so the stuffed long peppers was what won for the main course. It was spicy and served in a creamy sauce, which was perfect since we'd ordered a side dish of parotta to soak it up with. Overall this was really good, but I wasn't blown away. I'll be back to try some of the more popular meat dishes for sure. read more
2 years ago
SERVICE - located in West Village near the 4th st-wash sq station - need to make a reservation exactly 2 weeks before the day and time you want to dine. if you make a reservation, note that the deposit is not refundable and will be credited towards your final bill - ambiance is suited for a nicer, semi formal meal - seating for groups of 2-5 in the front with some tables towards the back for larger groups - service was amazing! our server thoroughly explained the entire menu including their specialties and what items to to pair together. we even had the pleasure of the chef walking past our table twice to ask us how the food was - appetizers served first then entrees - they are strict on the 90 minutes per table time limit so make sure you are on time and order relatively soon so that you have time to enjoy your meal MENU - upscale south indian food split into small appetizers, larger appetizers, and entrees - our server recommended ordering 4 appetizers and 3 entrees for a group of 5 - pricey ($50-$60 per person) FOOD - gunpowder dosa (10/10): rice and lentil crepe filled with potato masala and served with mixed vegetable sambar, tomato chutney, and coconut chutney. This dosa was the main reason I wanted to try Semma. It is the signature of vegetarian South Indian comfort food, and when made by a Michelin star chef I knew it had to be good. I honestly would have been satisfied just getting this and no main dishes. The dosa was thin and crispy on the edges but not so thin that it fell apart when you touched it. The center was lined with authentically spicy "gunpowder" and a soft potato curry. Both the chutneys made a perfect dip and relief from the spice of the dosa. While I liked the variety of vegetables in the sambar, I would have preferred to swap out the murunkai (moringa) for another vegetable that is easier to eat as not everyone knows the proper way to only eat the flesh and not the skin. Overall, a must order dish. - palakkai kofta (7/10): five pieces of jackfruit balls soaked in a creamy tomato gravy. This was one of two vegan entrees and it seemed easier to share. While I liked the spiciness of the gravy, I wished the kofta had retained some crispness. They fell apart and became soggy within minutes of serving. - kal dosa (9/10): we ordered this as a side for the kofta. It comes with 2 pieces and is a softer version of the regular dosa. It was okay but not spectacular. WOULD I GO BACK? Yes! It is a great spot to take parents or for celebrating a special occasion read more
1 year ago
This Michelin Star for the 3rd consecutive year is a must for any Indian cuisine foody! Reservations are very hard to get. Cheat Code for this is to do walk-in at bar (ideally 1-2 people). Once you have a reservation you must try their best dish - Dungeness crab (Kanyakumari Nandu Masala) it serves for two. This however isn't that easy to get; you must pre-order in advance and the cheat code for this is to email them once you have already obtained a reservation. As for the rest of the menu, it's packed with rich flavorful meals with a lot of variety; I would suggest the Gunpowder Dosa - serving the best dosa in town!!! And after trying it, it sure is, so make sure to get this. Moving on to what else we tried. See below. - beef short ribs (Mattu Iraichi Sukka) well balanced and really flavorful and delicious. - banana leaf wrapped branzino (Meen Pollichathu) presentation and aroma is amazing - lobster tail (Valiya Chemmeen Moilee) it's beautiful when it's on the table and matches the taste with turmeric and coconut milk. Add On - if you are trying to enjoy all the sauces around you get the Parotta and coconut rice !! Thank me later To match these rich taste buds suggest go with one of the can beers or if you're an old fashioned lover like me, get the Panakkaran Old-Fashioned - The flavor on this is amazing and you can taste all the notes from its creation. It's also very strong which makes it worth enjoying even more. Lastly we finished off the meal with their breaded milk dish (shahi tudka) - very delicious and creamy with the center bread richly soaked. Overall amazing!!! The inside ambiance has great decor as well. Would definitely go back and try other options - if only I can get a reservation again read more
5 months ago
Everything about this restaurant made my South Indian soul incredibly happy. Currently the only Indian restaurant in NYC with a Michelin star, this is a restaurant that I've been looking forward to experiencing for over a year now. Our party of 3 was able to snag a 5 PM weekday dinner reservation with ease--but I suspect that was only because we happened to open Resy at just the right time, as it seems that it is generally difficult to get reservations here normally. It's rare that I ever get the opportunity to translate Indian menu items for my friends (I'm of South Indian descent and don't speak Hindi), so I was practically beaming with joy while explaining the Tamil and Malayalam words on the dinner menu and chatting about the cultural significance of some of the interior design elements in the restaurant to the other members of our party--"'chemmeen' actually means 'prawn'", "that's a kathakali", "you can usually find these kinds of chairs on verandas", and "this is designed to look like a kettuvallam". Now onto the food. (It was spectacular.) We started with the paniyaram, small, round balls of steamed batter that had just enough lentils inside to offer a subtle crunch in each bite. I wish there had been more pieces of paniyaram in this appetizer--it was so tasty! Next, we tried the mangalore huukosu. We were pleasantly surprised by the texture of the cauliflower and the way that the spices in the masala complimented each other in this dish. Every bite was a joy. The gunpowder dosa was undeniably the star of the evening. The dosa itself was thin and cripsy, and the potato filling had just the right balance of heat and flavor. The sambar was cooked flawlessly--it was full of vegetables but still had enough liquid for dipping, and the chutneys (mint and tomato) balanced the heat of the podi and potatoes in the dosa's filling with their cool coconut notes. This was the first time one of the girls in our dinner reservation had tried dosa, and we had a blast watching her reaction to it. "Do the people in South India get to eat this every day?" she asked me, her eyes literally rolling back in delight as she put another handful of dosa, sambar, and chutney in her mouth. Yes! They do! We enjoyed the dosa so much that we ordered more. Next, I had the attu kari, which I ate with the parotta (of course!). Now, I do think that the goat could have been a tad bit spicier, and I felt that the spice rub was missing a little something--but I'm unsure of what exactly it was missing. But the rich, familiar notes of the spices on the goat and the flakiness of each layer of the parotta reminded me of home. I found myself making a mental note to call my parents as soon as I left Semma... By the time I finished the parotta and attu kari, I had absolutely no room for more food. I felt about as plump as the Michelin Man himself (though happily so!) and declined my friend's repeated offers to try some of the Dindigul biryani, though I heard that it was fantastic. This restaurant is a delightful celebration of South Indian cuisine--a beautiful testament to the complexity and beauty of Indian food. I will be back, and I will most certainly be bringing my family and South Indian family friends here as well! read more
Semma, yet another hit by unapologetic foods. Loved their Rowdy Rooster joint. Tried hard to get a reservation at Semma but ended up for a 5PM reservation. The next available one was months away. Showed up early and got a nice corner table for 5. Surprisingly, this was my first Michellin Star restaurant and had my hopes high. I was prepared for the over-expensive menu. Our Order: Paniyaram MULAIKATTIYA THANIYAM GUNPOWDER DOSA ATTU KARI SUKKA MEEN POLLICHATHU DINDIGUL BIRYANI VALIYA CHEMMEEN MOILEE ERAL THOKKU PAROTTA The best part about Semma is authenticity and sticking on to the taste and not delivering weird dishes in the name of gastronomy. The crowd hit was Gunpowder Dosa. It took me back home! The richness of ghee, potato filling and the chutneys, made me want them more! The other one was the Paniyaram which was so tasty and cooked to perfection. The accompanying chutney made it even better. I wouldn't recommend the MULAIKATTIYA THANIYAM . This was a simple, bland salad. Loved the MIRCHI KA SALAN with Parotta. It had a perfect blend of spices and the curry was rich and creamy. Disappointing restaurant for vegetarians since they don't have anything beyond Dosa for them. read more
1 year ago
Unpopular opinion, but the food didn't live up to the hype for me. I was really looking forward to trying Semma after hearing so much buzz, but the flavors just didn't hit the way I expected. Maybe I just didn't order the right dishes. That said, the service was absolutely amazing--our server was friendly, attentive, and super knowledgeable about the menu, which I really appreciated. read more
Reservations are seemingly hard to get but my partner's mom had luck immediately before she flew into town so we were off to a great start! She and my boyfriend are from Tamil Nadu like the chef so she was extra excited to surprise us with a table for 4. Our favorite parts of the dinner were our incredible team of servers and bussers working in unison + the lively yet homey feel of the restaurant, unlike other Michelin starred restaurants I've been to (staff in loose/casual clothing, louder music, bright interior and beautiful artwork throughout, etc.) Everyone was so affable and service was prompt, never missed a beat. Experience and service was 5/5, food was 4/5. Loses a star because my boyfriend and his mother were both "disappointed at this being the representation of Tamil Nadu on a Michelin scale" (their sentiment, verbatim.) We all agreed on that for the food, a bummer. Our friend voted 5/5 on his lamb shank, though. I think most of the dishes I tried could have used a bit of finesse and more spice. Like the seabass.. just a little sloppily presented and difficult to easily eat. Gunpowder dosa was great and crispier than any other I've had but the filling was comparable to a spot we often visit. My boyfriend thought his Kaikari Kurma was substandard and lacked a strong depth of flavor. The Mulaikattiya Thaniyam + Paniyaram were perfect morsels of food -- delicious little bites of salad and dumpling (they pair well together, btw.) Tequila cocktail wasn't my favorite but that's a personal preference. I'm fairly picky about tequila-based drinks. It *was* definitely satisfactory! Passion fruit pudding: tried a bite and realized it wasn't my cup of tea. Flavor didn't mesh with my tastes nor did the texture. I think I would have enjoyed any other the other desserts more but the table decided on it to share! Was a gorgeous dish nonetheless. All in all, I'm thrilled that we came here to celebrate Indian food and the recognition every region deserves in the Michelin world! read more
Hard to get a reservation but if you have a larger group it's a bit doable. What an amazing dining experience, although I will say that we had an RSVP and still had to wait 30 minutes so that was not up to par. Service was also not great after ordering food as they did not come to check up on us and "left us" and we were sitting around waiting for our check. I won't go into each dish but it was all mostly very good, flavorful, although expensive. The lobster tail was one of the more popular dishes amongst the group as well as gunpowder dosa, which can easily be one person's entree. The beets and green jackfruit were probably the least favorite in the group with the dumplings average. Would come again and try other items but wish service and timeliness of seating was abided by. read more
4 months ago
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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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