Semma

Name: Semma
Address: 60 Greenwich Avenue, New York, NY, 10011, US
Telephone: +1 212-373-8900
Price range: $$$

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

08/27/2026

Eral Thokku from every angle. 🦐

In Tamil, eral means prawn and thokku is a bit harder to translate as it’s a style of cooking where ingredients are slowly reduced with oil and spices until everything deepens, concentrates, and clings together. At Semma, plump tiger prawns are folded into green chili, curry leaves, and fenugreek, each flavor settling into a spicy, fragrant bite.It’s the kind of food that feels deeply familiar to those who know it and tells a story of Tamil cooking to those discovering it for the first time.

08/19/2026

Follow the S as the sun sets into the most beautiful hours at Semma. ✨

As the light go down, the drinks go up, the plates get clean - delicious food, hearty laughs, and lots of love is shared each night within these walls.

08/05/2026

In Tamil, elaneer means tender coconut - and Semma’s Elaneer Payasam celebrates it in every possible form. Tender coconut flesh, coconut water and coconut milk come together in a chilled, silky payasam, finished with cashews for just the right amount of crunch.

Delicately sweet and deeply nostalgic, it’s the kind of dessert that quietly arrives at the table… and somehow becomes the part of the meal you can’t stop thinking about. 🥥

07/31/2026

Filter coffee, chicory, and wh***ey walk into a bar...

This drink is named after Chikmagalur, the region considered the birthplace of coffee cultivation in India. For many South Indians, the aroma of filter coffee brings back family coversations early morning at home.

Here, those nostalgic flavors are reimagined into a cocktail - with jaggery bringing a deep, caramel-like sweetness and chicory recreating the unmistakable flavor of traditional filter coffee.

07/27/2026

A little piece of Chef Vijay’s childhood made an appearance on Good Day New York this morning!

With a little help from Rosanna Scotto, he prepared Mulaikattiya Thaniyam - a healthy and refreshing after-school snack his mother made for him growing up in Tamil Nadu that now lives on Semma’s menu. ❤️

Thank you FOX 5 NY and Rosanna Scotto for having us!

07/20/2026

We’re honored to be featured on , a global guide celebrating exceptional restaurants around the world.

Thank you to Chef Vijay Kumar, our entire team, and every guest who’s joined us in celebrating the depth, diversity, and boldness of South Indian cuisine - this recognition belongs to all of you. ❤️

We’ll keep telling our story the way we always have: one plate at a time.

07/14/2026

From rural Tamil Nadu to Wall Street.⁠
⁠
Chef Vijay Kumar’s journey has always been about honoring where he came from while showing the world what’s possible for Tamil cuisine. His latest essay for The Hindu reflects on that journey, what this moment meant to him, and why it’s so much bigger than one person.⁠
⁠
It’s about family. It’s about perseverance. It’s about carrying Tamil cuisine onto the global stage without ever losing sight of where it began.⁠
⁠
A piece worth reading - you can find the whole story at thehindu.com. ❤️

07/13/2026

From rural Tamil Nadu to Wall Street.⁠..
⁠
Chef Vijay Kumar’s journey has always been about honoring where he came from while showing the world what’s possible for Tamil cuisine. His latest essay for The Hindu reflects on that journey, what this moment meant to him, and why it’s so much bigger than one person.⁠
⁠
It’s about family. It’s about perseverance. It’s about carrying Tamil cuisine onto the global stage without ever losing sight of where it began.⁠
⁠
A piece worth reading… find the story at thehindu.com. ❤️

07/02/2026

Semma’s menu is a beautiful series of dishes from Chef Vijay’s childhood - whether they were eaten every day, only on special occasions, or somewhere in the middle when seasonal produce allowed.⁠
⁠
Mulaikattiya Thaniyam fell into that first category - a common after school snack his mom would put together from ingredients found in their garden. As he says - its light, crunchy, refreshing, nutritious, and best of all - beyond delicious.

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.

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

http://www.semma.nyc/

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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.