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Semma

Semma Semma, located on Greenwich Avenue, is a South Indian restaurant that offers Heritage Southern Indian Cuisine crafted by Chef Vijay Kumar. This restaurant has gained popularity for its party-like atmosphere and unique dining experiences such as the prix-fixe menu exclusively for American Express at The NY Times Food Festival - Nights to Remember. Semma has also been recognized as one of America's Best Restaurants of 2022 by .

Recent social media posts

06/01/2026

To be named No. 41 on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is such an incredible honor.

Thank you to World’s 50 Best Restaurants for this recognition, and congratulations to every restaurant, chef, and team on this year’s list. To stand alongside so many restaurants that have shaped the way people think about food, hospitality, and culture is both humbling and inspiring.

This award and recognition is not possible without the cooks on the line, the dishwashers, servers, runners, bartenders, managers, farmers, producers, and every member of the Semma and team who show up every day with care, consistency, and pride in their work.

Thank you to our guests, peers, friends, and supporters who continue to believe in what we do.

Moments like this remind us that restaurants can be more than places to eat. They can tell stories, preserve traditions, create opportunities, and bring people together around a table. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the conversation.

Being named to Top 10 U.S. Restaurants is such an honor.These are dishes shaped in Tamil homes, recipes carried by memo...
04/09/2026

Being named to Top 10 U.S. Restaurants is such an honor.

These are dishes shaped in Tamil homes, recipes carried by memory, adjusted by hand, and protected. For a long time, they weren’t the ones that made it onto lists like this.

So this isn’t just a “thank you.” It’s a marker that this food, specific, regional, and deeply personal, can take up space exactly as it is. ❤️

We’re honored to receive our plaque for retaining our Michelin Star for 2025 ⭐️To our team, who grinds, tempers, roasts...
02/21/2026

We’re honored to receive our plaque for retaining our Michelin Star for 2025 ⭐️

To our team, who grinds, tempers, roasts, and plates with relentless precision.

To our guests, who trust us.

To our partners and producers, who show up.

We are so grateful. ❤️

Love stories live here. Over the years, these walls have witnessed first dates, quiet proposals, anniversaries and Valen...
02/15/2026

Love stories live here.

Over the years, these walls have witnessed first dates, quiet proposals, anniversaries and Valentine’s Day traditions shared over a dosa. Moments that begin with curiosity and return as tradition. We don’t take that lightly.

The only way we know how to love you back is through the food; the hands, the heat, the patience, the memory in every dish.

Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️

On February 15, join .vijayakumar at India Conference (ICH) at the Harvard Business School!ICH is a 48 hour look into th...
01/29/2026

On February 15, join .vijayakumar at India Conference (ICH) at the Harvard Business School!

ICH is a 48 hour look into the complexities and opportunities of India. This year, ICH has been organized as a deep dive for anyone who wants to learn more about India’s emergence in the global stage. ICH will feature dozens of speakers, including CEOs, experts, politicians, founders, and cultural ambassadors.

Ticket link for ICH ($5 discount with code ICHHARVARD) in bio!

01/22/2026

Grateful to and The Dish for taking the time to sit with the work and the why behind it.

At Semma, Chef Vijay Kumar cooks from memory, place, and lived experience. Food shaped by childhood, grounded in Southern Indian traditions, and presented with intention.

Thank you for creating space for a thoughtful, impactful conversation. Watch the full video at the link in bio. ♥️

Bisi Bela Bath a statement of regional identity from Karnataka, is a deeply comforting dish that brings together rice an...
01/16/2026

Bisi Bela Bath a statement of regional identity from Karnataka, is a deeply comforting dish that brings together rice and lentils cooked until they move as one, layered with tamarind’s sharp tang, warming spice, and the quiet sweetness of tendered vegetables. It’s not meant to be flashy, it’s meant to heal you.

At Semma, our Bisi Bela Bath arrives with urulai kizhangu varuval, potatoes pan-fried until crisp, alongside appalam, pickle for punch, and raita for a cool contrast. Each element exists to sharpen or soften the next and nothing is accidental.

Spicy, tangy, deeply savory, and quietly complex, it’s a complete meal, nourishing and practical, that’s also emotionally grounding. Now on special. 💫

Chef Vijay doesn’t do victory laps. But this past year was BIG, and asked for a pause, a moment to look around and take ...
12/31/2025

Chef Vijay doesn’t do victory laps. But this past year was BIG, and asked for a pause, a moment to look around and take it all in.

Somewhere along the way, Semma became part of a much bigger dialogue, about South Indian Food, about representation, about what happens when you REFUSE to comply.

Swipe through for a few of the moments that shaped the year: some of the stories we were proud to be part of, and reminders that this work lives far beyond the pass.

Thank you everyone who showed up, who told our story, who helped us celebrate every milestone, we are so grateful.

We’re not even close to done. We can’t wait to see you all in 2026! Happy New Year 🎆

This past year was BIG, but it also asked for a pause, a moment to look around and take it all in. Somewhere along the w...
12/31/2025

This past year was BIG, but it also asked for a pause, a moment to look around and take it all in.

Somewhere along the way, Semma became part of a much bigger dialogue, about South Indian Food, about representation, about what happens when you REFUSE to comply.

Swipe through for a few of the moments that shaped the year: some of the stories we were proud to be part of, and reminders that this work lives far beyond the pass.

We’re not even close to done. We can’t wait to see you all in 2026! 🎆

Odiyal Kool; scallop, squid, prawn · tamarindOdiyal Kool comes from the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, places...
12/29/2025

Odiyal Kool; scallop, squid, prawn · tamarind

Odiyal Kool comes from the coastal belt of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, places where heat, humidity, and the sea shape how people cook and eat. At first glance, a deeply spiced, steaming seafood soup might seem counterintuitive in a tropical climate, but historically, dishes like this exist because of the heat, not in spite of it.

On cold New York nights, Odiyal Kool lands differently, but just as powerfully. The warmth is immediate, with tamarind brightening each sip. What once soothed bodies in tropical heat now feels instinctively right in frigid winter air.

This is not a “soup course.” It’s a document of coastal South Indian cooking that is practical, intelligent, and deeply soulful. ❤️

12/20/2025

As we gear up for a busy Saturday night, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the video that takes you inside our small-but-mighty kitchen.

It’s intense. It’s loud. It’s exacting. Every service is a pursuit of precision, driven by a team that shows up with focus, discipline, and deep care for the food and the story it carries.

Night after night, we’re humbled by the chance to serve and to share something so intimate and distinct. Thank you to Business Insider for telling that story, and to every single person who makes this possible, from behind the line to across the dining room. It’s truly an honor. ❤️

Watch the full video at the link in bio.

12/08/2025

Last week, .vijayakumar was awarded the CNN–News18 Indian of the Year honor, an extraordinary national distinction recognizing individuals whose determination, vision, and achievements have shaped India’s cultural and creative landscape.

This is an unbelievable milestone for Vijay, for Semma, and for all of us across Unapologetic Foods. But the moment was made even more powerful by the presence of his mother (joined by his sister and nephew) who traveled from their village in Tamil Nadu to witness an achievement they could have never imagined when Vijay was growing up.

What unfolded was deeply emotional: Vijay joining by video from New York, his mother standing proudly in Delhi, the two of them sharing an intimate, powerful exchange that spoke to everything this journey represents; sacrifice, resilience, and the quiet strength behind every success.

Please join us in congratulating Vijay on this incredible and well-deserved recognition 👏👏👏

12/02/2025

In Tamil kitchens, a dish like Eral Thokku isn’t built on the plate. Thokku is a style that asks for restraint and heat management, cooked until the moisture disappears, the spice clings, and the prawn is coated in a deep masala.

For many in coastal Tamil Nadu, this was the flavor of weeknights, not feasts: seafood caught in the morning, seasoned with what was always in the pantry — green chili, fenugreek, curry leaves.

It’s small. It’s quiet. It’s the kind of cooking you don’t show off, but you return to again and again because it tastes like home. ♥️

Chef Vijay Kumar was awarded as La Liste’s Talent of the Year last week, one of the few Indian chefs to ever receive thi...
12/02/2025

Chef Vijay Kumar was awarded as La Liste’s Talent of the Year last week, one of the few Indian chefs to ever receive this honor, a recognition that holds real weight. To be seen on a global stage, in Paris, far from the ingredients and stories of home... that matters.⁠
⁠
And because life loves a little bit of irony, Chef Vijay couldn’t attend the ceremony. So CEO, Roni, did what any good friend would do: he carried a cutout of Vijay’s head across the room and accepted the award on his behalf. ⁠
⁠
Brown excellence comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a perfectly crispy dosa, and sometimes it’s your business partner holding you face on a stick to accept a major award. 😏⁠
⁠
Thank you for the recognition!

Address

60 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY
10011

To get to the restaurant in Greenwich Avenue, you can take the subway and get off at the West 4th Street station. From there, walk along Washington Square Park and head towards Fifth Avenue. Turn right on Fifth Avenue and continue walking until you reach Greenwich Avenue. Make a left turn onto Greenwich Avenue, and the restaurant should be a few blocks down.

Alternatively, if you are driving, take the West Side Highway and exit at Canal Street. Drive towards Sixth Avenue, turn right onto Bleecker Street for two blocks before making a left onto Charles Street. Continue straight until you reach Greenwich Avenue and park your car nearby.

Opening Hours

Tuesday 5pm - 10pm
Wednesday 5pm - 10pm
Thursday 5pm - 10pm
Friday 5pm - 10pm
Saturday 5pm - 10pm
Sunday 5pm - 10pm

Telephone

+1 212-373-8900

Website

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What people say

South Indian restaurants are known for their unique flavors and spices that tantalize the taste buds. Semma, located on Greenwich Avenue in New York, is a prime example of a restaurant that offers authentic South Indian cuisine. The restaurant is helmed by Chef Vijay Kumar, who has brought his heritage Southern Indian cuisine to the shores of America.

Semma has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Best Restaurants in New York by prestigious publications, which is a testament to the quality of food and service offered at this establishment. The hospitality team at Semma is dedicated to creating something special that leaves a lasting mark on the city and beyond.

What sets Semma apart from other South Indian restaurants in New York City is its party-like atmosphere. According to one review, "Semma is the first one that feels like a party." This creates an enjoyable dining experience for customers who want to indulge in delicious food while having a good time.

If you're looking for an authentic South Indian dining experience in New York City, look no further than Semma. With its flavorful dishes and lively atmosphere, it's no wonder why this restaurant has become such a popular destination for foodies and locals alike.

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