Semma
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"4 out of 5 experience at 5 star prices."
This hip hotel in the LES has a cool vibe and welcoming staff at arrival. The room was stylish, though it showed signs of wear. Unfortunately, we were awakened at 6 a.m. by loud noise from the room above, which sounded like sanding or heavy vacuuming on wooden floors. Beds were comfortable but nothing exceptional. Overall, the stay didn’t feel worth the high price paid.
"Spicy Food with Rushed Service"
This restaurant offers a refreshingly different take on Indian cuisine, with a creative menu that’s far from the usual fare. We opted for family-style dining to sample a variety of dishes. Almost everything was delicious, with the gunpowder Dosa and spiced lamb standing out as the highlights. Most of the dishes are gluten-free, which was a big plus for me. The food leans heavily on strong, complex flavors—cardamom, cumin, and other spices—so it may not suit those with sensitive palates. Service was friendly but extremely rushed, making the dining experience feel more like fast food than a relaxed evening out. While my husband found it too hurried to enjoy, I still think it’s worth visiting at least once if you appreciate bold, authentic Indian flavors. Overall, I give it my GoldnAdvice seal of approval.
"Not a pleasant experience at semma"
I visited Semma with my son on July 17, 2024, marking our fourth visit to this Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant. While the food was as exceptional as always, the atmosphere was unfortunately very noisy and chaotic. Staff walking around constantly, handling cutlery with loud clatters, and general commotion made it difficult to enjoy the experience. We mentioned this to the manager, but the response was disappointing—he simply suggested booking a “better table,” which felt inadequate given the level of noise affecting all diners. For a Michelin-starred restaurant, the environment should be enchanting and immersive, but this felt more like a bustling, disorganized eatery. The food remains outstanding, but the ambiance needs serious improvement to match the culinary experience.
"An amazing addition to the Greenwich Village (or NYC for that matter) dining scene!"
This year, I set out to experience the best Indian dining in NYC and visited Semma, part of the acclaimed Unapologetic Foods group, which also owns other elite spots like Adda, Dhamaka, and Masalawala & Sons. Semma, like its siblings, has taken the city by storm, redefining Indian cuisine while embracing the bold, heavily spiced flavors that Southern India is known for. The restaurant earned Michelin stars in 2022 and 2023 and was recently featured on the New York Times 2024 Restaurant List. Nestled among classic Greenwich Village eateries, it also boasts a prime location. We had a late reservation at 9:15 PM and were seated at a quiet table in the back, which suited us perfectly. Highlights of our meal included: Gunpowder Dosa: Hands down the best dosa I’ve ever had, paired with excellent sambhar. 5/5 Eral Thokku: Tiger prawns cooked with green chili and curry leaves, perfectly spiced and great with Parotta. 4.5/5 Attu Kari Sukka: Lamb sukha with black cardamom and Tellicherry pepper—juicy but not as remarkable as other small restaurants I’ve visited. 3/5 Meen Pollichathu: Whole sea bass wrapped in banana leaf with ginger and shallots, served with a coconut milk-based gravy. One diner couldn’t eat it due to allergies, but the flavors were superb. 5/5 Dindigul Goat Biryani: Not for fans of Hyderabadi biryani, though the accompanying salan was phenomenal. 2.5/5 Desserts were a treat: Shahi Tukda: Simple, sumptuous, and perfect. 5/5 Elaneer Payasam: Coconut kheer served elegantly on ice, and on the house. 4/5 Service was good, and the food outstanding. The only downside was that tables are quite close together, making the space a bit loud and less private. Overall, Semma is a thrilling addition to Greenwich Village and NYC’s dining scene, offering bold, authentic Southern Indian cuisine that’s worth exploring.
"Meh…"
As an Indian, I have high standards for Indian cuisine, and unfortunately, this visit to Semma was underwhelming. The dosa was great—but dosa is a relatively simple dish, and you can find excellent versions elsewhere. The rest of the meal failed to impress, making me question the Michelin star rating system and even some of the recent New York Times accolades. Was it a well-deserved honor, or did someone pull some strings this year? Overall, a very “meh” experience.
"Spicy Indian Food !"
We visited Semma as a group without a reservation, and quickly realized just how popular this spot is—we ended up waiting an hour and forty-five minutes to be seated at the bar. Once seated, the food more than made up for the wait. The dosa was unforgettable, and we shared a variety of appetizers along with a fish entree. Portions were on the smaller side—the sprouted mung bean dish was tiny, so we ordered a second—but everything was packed with flavor and a pleasant level of spice. The coconut dessert was a refreshing and delightful surprise. Service was friendly and attentive, and the ambiance was lively and energetic. A couple of minor drawbacks: the cocktail menu could use more variety, as the drinks were visually appealing but just average in taste, and the music above the bar was quite loud, making conversation a challenge. Despite these small issues, Semma earns my GoldnAdvice seal of approval for its bold, flavorful cuisine and vibrant atmosphere.
"Okok experience"
Semma seems better suited for non-Indian diners, as the menu is limited for those familiar with traditional Indian cuisine. Many dishes are heavy on ghee—sometimes hidden—which can overpower the flavors and spoil the taste. The food itself is okay, but not exceptional. The restaurant is always crowded, so a reservation is essential. A useful tip: if you notice very few Indian diners, it might indicate the food leans more toward novelty than authenticity.
"Delicious but ridiculously expensvie"
The food here has always been excellent, even before the recent name and menu changes. We dropped in last minute for a light dinner and enjoyed a fried chicken sandwich, a glass of limeade, cod in a fantastic sauce, and a few slices of naan. The dishes were flavorful and well-prepared, but the cost was hard to justify—$70 plus tip brought our total to over $85. While the quality was there, the lack of any vegetables or sides on the plate made the price feel steep. A small addition could have made the meal feel more complete. Tasty, yes—but pricey to the point that staying home might make more sense.
"Top 3"
We were incredibly lucky to secure a table at Semma, a restaurant my son had been eagerly following on social media for nearly a year. From start to finish, the meal was exceptional. We began with the Eral Thokku and a Kal Dosa—both outstanding and full of flavor. For our next course, the Mattu Iraichi Sukka was simply wow—tender, perfectly spiced, and unforgettable. Our mains included Goanese Oxtail, Valiya Chemmeen Moilee, and Dindigul Biryani, accompanied by two portions of coconut rice. Each dish was meticulously prepared and bursting with flavor. Our server was attentive and ensured a seamless dining experience throughout. Having dined at some remarkable restaurants over the years, we can confidently say that Semma easily ranks in our top three.
"Superb South Indian Cuisine"
Eating at Semma was truly a dream come true. On Tuesday, Shobha and I tried our luck as walk-ins and waited about forty-five minutes before being told we would be seated at 5 PM. Excitedly, we bonded with another diner to share more dishes. Before entering, we were offered refreshing tiny glasses of chilled coconut, orange, and passion fruit drinks, followed by a warm welcome from the attentive staff lined up to greet us. We were then served three warm dumplings to start. For our meal, we ordered several standout dishes: the celebrated Gunpowder Dosa, perfectly crisp and golden, transported me straight to the shores of Bombay when dipped in coconut chutney and sambar. The Eral Thokku (spiced prawns) was rich and flavorful, while the Mattu Iraichi Sukka (beef short rib) was tender and delicious. The Dindigul Goat Biryani was equally impressive, and the flaky parothas were the perfect accompaniment. After indulging in so much flavorful food, we barely had room for dessert. A special highlight was meeting Chef Vijay Kumar, this year’s James Beard Award winner for Best Chef in New York State. He was charming and laughed when I jokingly told him I wouldn’t wash my hands for a week after shaking his hand. Throughout the evening, Hassan, Shashi, Vishal, Dennis, Nash, Ilyas, and the entire Semma team provided professional, friendly service that made the dinner unforgettable.
Semma
A South Indian restaurant in Greenwich Village known for its bold regional cuisine; the dosa and other dishes are crafted with respect for tradition but with modern finesse
Address
60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011, United States
Website
http://semma.nyc/
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
N/A