Happened to return to NYC so obviously brought my mom here and it's even better than I remember, i LOVE that they don't shy away from spices. Their menu had a couple of new options so we tried the- gunpowder dosa obviously-JUST as good and mom approved poriyal- delicious! i loved the spices and fresh ingredients mangalore huukosu- i am now just dreaming of this dish, the breading was perfect and that sauce on top, absolutely insane shahi tukda- the brioche bun with rabdi is what i imagine heaven feels like We sat the bar, service was great and the ambiance is dreamy, i love the houseboat feeling and most importantly my mom LOVED the food!

Compliments to the Chef on this culinary gem, such an innovative menu with attention to detail and artistry in every dish, it delivered a dining experience that is both memorable and unmatched in Indian food! Whether you're savoring their signature dishes or trying a creative drink; this restaurant exemplifies excellence and creativity. Our waitress was fantastic, however, things like giving you a new plate for each course & an un chilled glass of wine is something you would except from a Michelin Star restaurant. At the end of the day though, Kudos to the team for putting Southern Indian food in the book & on the map in NYC

Third time here but I really only came for the dosa. Ambiance was great as always but I find it crazy that this place is so popular months after it has opened, regardless of its Michelin star status. We walked in and they sat us at the bar. We saw an open table (on a rainy Tuesday at 9:42 PM when they close at 10:30) and they still didn't seat us at the table because they said they had a reserved party. Well the party never showed up so I was a little annoyed. Dosa was great but as usual very expensive. Would recommend if you've never been but for a life changing experience maybe go somewhere else.

Food: 4.6/5 Service: 4.6/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Value: 4.3/5 Had a pleasant dinner at Semma on a Friday night at 7pm. I was very lucky to get that timeslot on Resy. Normally all I see on there are slots for 5:30pm or after 9pm. Semma is the only one starred (Michelin) for Indian food in NYC. It is well-deserved. They offer a wide array of dishes using spices and techniques native to South India. The cocktails have interesting ingredients, but do not overpower the drinks. The ANNAATTHE NEGRONI ($22), THANGA MAGAN COLADA ($22), and PANAKKARAN OLD-FASHIONED ($23) are what we had. Some drinks have cardamom, cumin, cultured coconut, bay leaf; things like that. There is also a mocktail that I had called SURYA UDHAYAM ($13) that had agave, orange, and lemon and it was sweet and refreshing. The Goanese oxtail ($51), Dindigul (goat) biryani ($42), and lobster tail ($55) dishes were very delicious. The sauce on the lobster dish was superb. There is also a small plate of short rib called Mattu Iraichi Sukka ($27) that reminded me of Indonesian beef rending that was quite good as well. And of course the light and crispy gunpowder dosa was perfectly formed and good. One other thing I recommend doing is ordering the parotta (Southern version of paratha) ($6), putting the rice and meat inside, wrapping it up like a taco, and eating that way. Semma is owned by the same restaurant group that owns Dhamaka, but I found the spice levels at Semma (while still powerful) to not be as punishing as those at Dhamaka. The ambiance is more on the casual side (no table cloths) and is in a relatively small-to-medium sized space in the West Village, but it is nicely appointed and well-lit. The freestanding chairs at the tables and outside of the booths are not the most comfortable, but that's ok. There are two restrooms downstairs to the left and they are gender-neutral. Service was very prompt and thoughtful. Good recommendations. They even took the liberty to make more of the lobster sauce when we mentioned how much we enjoyed it and that we wanted the remainder of what we had to be wrapped up. Pricing is about what one would expect for a one-Michelin-star restaurant in NYC which prides itself on quality ingredients, processes, standard of care, etc.

While visiting NYC, our local resident friend booked reservations here for dinner. We were immediately enthralled by the decor and eventually impressed with the cuisine! Nothing we ordered tasted bad: EVERYTHING WAS DELICIOUS! At the end of the dining experience, we were so full that we considered skipping dessert, but as fate would have it, we didn't make our minimal ordering requirement (one of our party cancelled) so we ordered the passion fruit pudding, which was so beautifully prepared and yummy!

Wanted to try this unique Indian Michelin Star restaurant. As a vegetarian, there were some options to try but the most tempting was the gunpowder dosa. Although this was just an appetizer, it was definitely enough for one person. We also ordered the passionfruit pudding and the Shahi Tudka. The dosa was amazing and worth the experience but the desserts were a miss in my opinion. Very unique but the taste did not resonate with me. I would still recommend this to vegetarians as the dosa is a worth a try. For non vegetarians, this is a must!

After a month of trying to snag a reservation, I finally secured one for Semma, my first Michelin starred restaurant experience, and it was well worth the wait. To make it even better, I returned a week later for a two day only Diwali celebration, which offered a unique tasting menu, making both visits unforgettable in their own right. As soon as you step into Semma, the atmosphere transports you. With nearly every seat taken, including the bar, the energy is vibrant, while the decor and Indian music evoke a sense of home for anyone familiar with South Indian culture. The warm welcome continued when Ronnie, our waiter, provided a full breakdown of the menu and guided us with popular recommendations. We started with drinks: the Thanga Magan Colada, Indian single malt whiskey, rum, pineapple, green cardamom, saffron, and coconut, was visually stunning and tasted distinctively Indian, though my girlfriend found it too whiskey forward, so I happily finished it. My own drink, the Panakkaran Old-fashioned with smoked chili spirit, mango, cinnamon, and bay leaf, was a fantastic twist on the classic, delivering a unique depth of Indian flavors. To replace my girlfriend's drink, we tried Thee Mule, which had a refreshing, spiced smoothness thanks to green chili vodka and Indian spices. A must try for those who enjoy a fusion of classic cocktails with Indian flair. We kicked off with the Mattu Iraichi Sukka, a beef short rib with black cardamom and tellicherry black pepper. The flavors were an explosion of authenticity, reminiscent of home cooked meals but elevated, and I'd say this ranks among the best Indian dishes I've had in America. We also had the Gunpowder Masala Dosa, a crispy crepe filled with spiced potatoes and served with coconut chutney, sambar, and rasam. It's hands down the best masala dosa I've ever had, including those in India. Pairing the dosa with the beef was a game changer, and I highly recommend getting both if you visit. I ordered the Goanese Oxtail, a standout, with beautifully cooked Angus oxtail seasoned with cardamom, cinnamon, and cumin. The presentation was stunning, especially with the snow peas garnishing the plate. My girlfriend's Valiya Chemeen Moilee, a lobster tail in mustard, turmeric, and coconut milk, was equally impressive. The creamy curry perfectly complemented the large lobster tail, which is traditionally served with kingfish or salmon. Both entrees were intensely flavorful and authentic in ways you rarely find in Indian restaurants in America. We opted for the passion fruit dessert, which was visually lovely but overly tart for our tastes. Nonetheless, we appreciated the thoughtfulness of the kitchen in bringing out a celebratory scoop of ice cream with a candle for our anniversary, an extra touch that made the evening special. A week later, I returned with my mom for Semma's Diwali celebration, featuring a unique, thali-style tasting with 12 small servings of curries, meats, and vegetables on a banana-leaf-lined platter. The standout was the fish fry with branzino, and I couldn't resist seconds (or thirds). My mom particularly enjoyed the pineapple pachadi and lamb sukka. The special Diwali cocktail with mezcal, fenugreek, and curry leaves added a festive touch. For dessert, we were treated to Semiya Payasam and Rava Kesari, both traditional, beautifully executed, and delicious. My mom, in her sari, was thrilled with the whole evening, especially with the henna artist who created lovely designs for guests. Meeting Chef Vijay Kumar himself was a highlight. Soft spoken & humble, he appreciated our feedback and seemed genuinely happy to see my mom enjoy his food. Semma stands out as a rare place that goes beyond typical "Indian" restaurant fare, focusing instead on authentic South Indian dishes prepared to perfection. The thoughtful drinks, unforgettable appetizers, bold entrees, and the Diwali experience make it a must visit. Chef Vijay Kumar's dedication shines in every dish, and for those looking to experience true South Indian flavors, Semma is absolutely the place to be.

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.

This place was incredible. The vibe of the restaurant is awesome and the service was impeccable. Everything we had was amazing. I would easily have to get the gunpowder dosa again when we go back. The curry in the lobster was amazing. The lamb shank fell off the bone and was amazing. We want to try the coconut rice/oxtail (they were out when we came) /prawns/ lamb appetizer / cocktail. It was very pricey but man was it worth it.