Semma is an absolute gem, and our dining experience here was nothing short of spectacular. The masala dosa was truly exceptional—perfectly crisp, flavorful, and one of the best we’ve ever had. The Paniyaram was another highlight—three small bites of absolute deliciousness, beautifully presented in a traditional Indian style. The sauce that accompanied it was the perfect pairing, elevating the dish to brilliance. I would highly recommend trying it as an appetizer.
The drink we tried was incredibly refreshing, complementing the meal beautifully. The interiors are stunning, with elements that celebrate traditional South Indian culture in such an authentic and thoughtful way. It creates a warm and welcoming ambiance that pairs perfectly with the exceptional service. Sona and her team were amazing—they took such great care of us and made us feel like valued guests.
The food overall was extraordinary, and the Michelin star is well-deserved. The Shahi Tukda dessert was the perfect indulgence to end our meal—rich, decadent, and infused with saffron, which you could taste in every bite. It was simply divine.
I would highly recommend Semma to anyone looking for an authentic and elevated Indian dining experience. Just be prepared to enjoy bold, traditional Indian flavors that pack a punch. We’ll absolutely keep going back for more!
A lot of the reviews summed it right, slightly better than average food but very over hyped
We got a lot of dishes, and everything is a one note high spice level, that killed any other flavour
The dosa, sadly, was very very average, you get loads better in other places
We felt quite rushed as the staff, very sweet but slightly novice, kept asking us to order it all in one go and rushing to clear plates away….felt a bit udipi style in an elevated restaurant
No decor or vibe to speak of, we could have been sitting in a hole in the wall place with tables squished together and all guests staring at each other wondering if they made the right choice
Rice was dry and no coconut flavor, the Korma was very disappointing, and the parotta akin to what you get in the frozen aisle of an Indian supermarket The cauliflower was mushy and whatever they are trying to show in plating creativity, it’s not working, looked like a pile of dogfood in one corner of the plate
The lamb was ok, as was the fish, but again, overwhelming spicy, so you don’t get any other flavor. Most of our party was Asian, with high spice tolerance levels, but we could t eat even half the dish
At $50 pp min spend, not worth the price, our stomachs are burning w the intensity of the spice level, and none of the food was memorable enough to go back
Kunnel S Zachariah
If you want true authentic South Indian food that is elevated and fine, this IS the place and highly recommend making a reservation (or trying to, at least) when they first open up. Getting a reservation at Semma involves alot of luck and wait. Stumbled on a reservation when one became open the morning of the day had dinner here and immediately put a deposit in. Arrived about 30-45 minutes before the original time and the hostess was gracious enough to let us go to our table early.
For appetizers, had the Eral Thokku (tiger prawns) and Paniyaram (rice and lentil dumplings) . The Paniyaram was light and flavorful, reminding me of a South Indian vada. The Eral Thokku had a rich curry flavor and was enough to share between two people. Not too spicy- almost a medium subtle heat. Also had the gunpowder masala dosa which is a MUST- the best masala dosa I've had. The dosa itself is crispy, buttery, and packed with heat from the gunpowder chutney. The sambar is light and filled with the standard vegetables (carrots, onions, daal).
For the main course, had the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (lobster curry) and Kozhi Allepey (spring chicken) with porrota. The lobster seemed slightly overcooked, but not terrible. I would still recommend trying it .
For dessert, had the Elaneer paysam which wasn't sweet at all , like typical South Indian paysam. Almost had a light coconut yogurt taste and texture to it with some cashews. I would recommend trying the Tukda if on the menu.
Service was great- waiter came by frequently throughout the night to refill water and serve the food promptly. Knowing our taste, he was able to provide some good recommendations.
10/10 would come back and try some of the other items on the menu!
Hopefully those who follow me will go to heaven Amen
Er. Prashant Sharma
Pros:
Food is good.
Cons & Other Details: Food is expensive. Obviously, not for everyone and it's relative, how you find it. But in general assume per person expense of $50 - $100 easily for one meal easily.
Service is fine, it's little cheesy, a little bit unprofessional and lacks in sophistication. Mostly young Indian staff and I am sure they are trying to be very nice and friendly but again such standards vary from person to person and individual's taste and likings and I understand it varies from place to place and culture to culture.
Expect no parking or no easy or inexpensive parking considering it to be NYC Midtown. Path train and Subway is not far. Uber may have surge pricing on certain days and can cost you $50-$60 easily for a mile or two.
It may be hard to get the advance reservation and without reservation you may not get a table. If you walk in either you may be turned away or will be asked to wait for an hour or more and might be offered a seat at the bar where the full menu can still be served. May not be comfortable or desirable for everyone but you should know that advance reservation is required.
Reservation can be made online.
They don't have any valid working public phone number to call and confirm anything.
Menu is available online.
Ambience is so so.
Overall, if price is not a concern for you and you can get the reservation I would recommend you to go.
Vegetarian options: Only one or two option suitable options for vegetarians out of the total limited menu.
Dietary restrictions: They ask and take care of dietary restrictions like allergies and try to incorporate your dietary needs.
Parking: I would recommend you taking public transport like Path Train, Subway or Yellow Cab, Uber over you driving and looking for parking. But if you really need to drive then I am sure you can find some paid parking garages around.
Kid-friendliness: I wouldn't recommend it for kids. It has a bar in between so not truly a kids friendly place.
Wheelchair accessibility: I wouldn't say this restaurant or the area in general is very wheel chair friendly or accessible. I suggest you to make alternate arrangements for your needs.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa
Emily Rasmussen
Glad we finally got a reservation! The food was delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nitya Ramaswami
Amazing and delicious dinner experience!
N Agrawal
Overpriced indian food. Slightly better than typical fare but not worth the hype.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Venky Raghavan
Fantastic place for a family or date night. We loved the food and being south indian myself, will attest to the authenticity of the food, they transport you to the chettinad south on Greenwich. Will certainly visit again.
Normal people are not allowed to eat here. I got online at 9am three weeks out of the day I was looking to book and immediately at 9am all reservations were sold out. There were two reservations left, 5:30 and 9:00. I attempted to book the 5:30 and was forced to offer to pay 100$ for the gift of a reservation. After accepting the charges I was told the reservation I had already picked was no longer available because bots bought up the reservations. Gross way to run a business.
Tiger prawns and Dosa were amazing. Paniyaram, Cauliflower and Shahi Tukda were average. Overall it was a great experience, must try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiger Prawns, Gunpowder Dosa
Kasia Zajac
Had very good experience. Great food. We got reservations, so there was a table waiting on us, otherwise they are very busy. The only thing.... it was way too hot in the restaurant, considering freezing temperatures outside, so guests are dressed warm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Poonam Singh
Authentic food, especially loved the goat biryani, lamb chops and tiger prawns. Gun powder dosa is the best !!!!! Service is quick and staff is very courteous polite and super caring. chef Vijay - so glad we could meet you!
I really enjoyed several of the dishes - the beef short rib in particular was excellent and something I would be excited to get again. The cocktails were good but nothing special, which diminishes the experience somewhat. The only other criticism I have is the health inspection rating - a B rating is very disappointing for a restaurant of this quality and price. I would definitely come back for the beef rib and gunpowder dosa when we had a special occasion. The service is exceptional as well, and definitely makes the experience better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa
Jannet Johns
I had a delightful experience at SEMMA. The food was exquisite, and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. Santo, the manager, truly made the visit memorable with his exceptional hospitality and thoughtful attention to detail. His warm and friendly service added a special touch to our meal. Highly recommend SEMMA for both outstanding cuisine and top-notch service!
Semma is an absolute gem, and our dining experience here was nothing short of spectacular. The masala dosa was truly exceptional—perfectly crisp, flavorful, and one of the best we’ve ever had. The Paniyaram was another highlight—three small bites of absolute deliciousness, beautifully presented in a traditional Indian style. The sauce that accompanied it was the perfect pairing, elevating the dish to brilliance. I would highly recommend trying it as an appetizer.
The drink we tried was incredibly refreshing, complementing the meal beautifully. The interiors are stunning, with elements that celebrate traditional South Indian culture in such an authentic and thoughtful way. It creates a warm and welcoming ambiance that pairs perfectly with the exceptional service. Sona and her team were amazing—they took such great care of us and made us feel like valued guests.
The food overall was extraordinary, and the Michelin star is well-deserved. The Shahi Tukda dessert was the perfect indulgence to end our meal—rich, decadent, and infused with saffron, which you could taste in every bite. It was simply divine.
I would highly recommend Semma to anyone looking for an authentic and elevated Indian dining experience. Just be prepared to enjoy bold, traditional Indian flavors that pack a punch. We’ll absolutely keep going back for more!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa, Paniyaram, Shahi Tukda
A lot of the reviews summed it right, slightly better than average food but very over hyped
We got a lot of dishes, and everything is a one note high spice level, that killed any other flavour
The dosa, sadly, was very very average, you get loads better in other places
We felt quite rushed as the staff, very sweet but slightly novice, kept asking us to order it all in one go and rushing to clear plates away….felt a bit udipi style in an elevated restaurant
No decor or vibe to speak of, we could have been sitting in a hole in the wall place with tables squished together and all guests staring at each other wondering if they made the right choice
Rice was dry and no coconut flavor, the Korma was very disappointing, and the parotta akin to what you get in the frozen aisle of an Indian supermarket
The cauliflower was mushy and whatever they are trying to show in plating creativity, it’s not working, looked like a pile of dogfood in one corner of the plate
The lamb was ok, as was the fish, but again, overwhelming spicy, so you don’t get any other flavor. Most of our party was Asian, with high spice tolerance levels, but we could t eat even half the dish
At $50 pp min spend, not worth the price, our stomachs are burning w the intensity of the spice level, and none of the food was memorable enough to go back
If you want true authentic South Indian food that is elevated and fine, this IS the place and highly recommend making a reservation (or trying to, at least) when they first open up. Getting a reservation at Semma involves alot of luck and wait. Stumbled on a reservation when one became open the morning of the day had dinner here and immediately put a deposit in. Arrived about 30-45 minutes before the original time and the hostess was gracious enough to let us go to our table early.
For appetizers, had the Eral Thokku (tiger prawns) and Paniyaram (rice and lentil dumplings) . The Paniyaram was light and flavorful, reminding me of a South Indian vada. The Eral Thokku had a rich curry flavor and was enough to share between two people. Not too spicy- almost a medium subtle heat. Also had the gunpowder masala dosa which is a MUST- the best masala dosa I've had. The dosa itself is crispy, buttery, and packed with heat from the gunpowder chutney. The sambar is light and filled with the standard vegetables (carrots, onions, daal).
For the main course, had the Valiya Chemmeen Moilee (lobster curry) and Kozhi Allepey (spring chicken) with porrota. The lobster seemed slightly overcooked, but not terrible. I would still recommend trying it .
For dessert, had the Elaneer paysam which wasn't sweet at all , like typical South Indian paysam. Almost had a light coconut yogurt taste and texture to it with some cashews. I would recommend trying the Tukda if on the menu.
Service was great- waiter came by frequently throughout the night to refill water and serve the food promptly. Knowing our taste, he was able to provide some good recommendations.
10/10 would come back and try some of the other items on the menu!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiger Prawns, Sambar, Gunpowder Dosa, Lentil and Rice Pancake, Lobster Tail, Paniyaram
Hopefully those who follow me will go to heaven
Amen
Pros:
Food is good.
Cons & Other Details:
Food is expensive. Obviously, not for everyone and it's relative, how you find it. But in general assume per person expense of $50 - $100 easily for one meal easily.
Service is fine, it's little cheesy, a little bit unprofessional and lacks in sophistication. Mostly young Indian staff and I am sure they are trying to be very nice and friendly but again such standards vary from person to person and individual's taste and likings and I understand it varies from place to place and culture to culture.
Expect no parking or no easy or inexpensive parking considering it to be NYC Midtown. Path train and Subway is not far. Uber may have surge pricing on certain days and can cost you $50-$60 easily for a mile or two.
It may be hard to get the advance reservation and without reservation you may not get a table. If you walk in either you may be turned away or will be asked to wait for an hour or more and might be offered a seat at the bar where the full menu can still be served. May not be comfortable or desirable for everyone but you should know that advance reservation is required.
Reservation can be made online.
They don't have any valid working public phone number to call and confirm anything.
Menu is available online.
Ambience is so so.
Overall, if price is not a concern for you and you can get the reservation I would recommend you to go.
Vegetarian options: Only one or two option suitable options for vegetarians out of the total limited menu.
Dietary restrictions: They ask and take care of dietary restrictions like allergies and try to incorporate your dietary needs.
Parking: I would recommend you taking public transport like Path Train, Subway or Yellow Cab, Uber over you driving and looking for parking. But if you really need to drive then I am sure you can find some paid parking garages around.
Kid-friendliness: I wouldn't recommend it for kids. It has a bar in between so not truly a kids friendly place.
Wheelchair accessibility: I wouldn't say this restaurant or the area in general is very wheel chair friendly or accessible. I suggest you to make alternate arrangements for your needs.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa
Glad we finally got a reservation! The food was delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing and delicious dinner experience!
Overpriced indian food. Slightly better than typical fare but not worth the hype.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 3
Fantastic place for a family or date night. We loved the food and being south indian myself, will attest to the authenticity of the food, they transport you to the chettinad south on Greenwich. Will certainly visit again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa, Kaikari Kurma, Mangalore Huukosu, Paniyaram, Malabar Paratha, Elaneer Payasam
Normal people are not allowed to eat here. I got online at 9am three weeks out of the day I was looking to book and immediately at 9am all reservations were sold out. There were two reservations left, 5:30 and 9:00. I attempted to book the 5:30 and was forced to offer to pay 100$ for the gift of a reservation. After accepting the charges I was told the reservation I had already picked was no longer available because bots bought up the reservations. Gross way to run a business.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Tiger prawns and Dosa were amazing. Paniyaram, Cauliflower and Shahi Tukda were average. Overall it was a great experience, must try.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiger Prawns, Gunpowder Dosa
Had very good experience. Great food. We got reservations, so there was a table waiting on us, otherwise they are very busy.
The only thing.... it was way too hot in the restaurant, considering freezing temperatures outside, so guests are dressed warm.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Authentic food, especially loved the goat biryani, lamb chops and tiger prawns. Gun powder dosa is the best !!!!! Service is quick and staff is very courteous polite and super caring. chef Vijay - so glad we could meet you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiger Prawns, Sambar, Gunpowder Dosa, Dindigul Biryani, Paniyaram, Passion Fruit Pudding, Elaneer Payasam, Goat Biryani
I really enjoyed several of the dishes - the beef short rib in particular was excellent and something I would be excited to get again. The cocktails were good but nothing special, which diminishes the experience somewhat. The only other criticism I have is the health inspection rating - a B rating is very disappointing for a restaurant of this quality and price. I would definitely come back for the beef rib and gunpowder dosa when we had a special occasion. The service is exceptional as well, and definitely makes the experience better.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gunpowder Dosa
I had a delightful experience at SEMMA. The food was exquisite, and the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming. Santo, the manager, truly made the visit memorable with his exceptional hospitality and thoughtful attention to detail. His warm and friendly service added a special touch to our meal. Highly recommend SEMMA for both outstanding cuisine and top-notch service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tiger Prawns, Gunpowder Dosa, Dindigul Biryani, Lobster Tail
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