Semma

Semma, operated by the Unapologetic Foods group, brought an entirely new dimension to Indian dining in New York City when it opened in October 2021. The restaurant’s name means ‘fantastic’ or ‘dope’ in Tamil slang, and it lives up to its name by presenting authentic, deeply personal Southern Indian cooking that defies expectations at every turn. Executive Chef Vijay Kumar, a native of Tamil Nadu, draws from his childhood memories and ancestral farm life, putting ingredients and preparations on the plate that most diners have never encountered outside of South India. Dishes like Nathai Pirattal, a tamarind-laced preparation of meaty snails served in a banana leaf boat, and Kudal Varuval, featuring spiced goat intestines, sit alongside the iconic Gunpowder Dosa, crispy and golden with a potato masala filling. The Attu Kari Sukka, a slow-cooked lamb dish darkly aromatic with black cardamom and Tellicherry pepper, consistently earns rave reviews. The dining room at Semma, designed with Keralan influences including wood-plank ceilings that evoke houseboats and a mural of a Kathakali dancer, transports guests to South India without ever leaving Greenwich Village. Semma has held its Michelin star since 2022 and was named one of the best new restaurants in the United States by Bon Appétit. Chef Kumar was awarded the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: New York State distinction in 2025, cementing Semma’s place as an essential stop on any NYC dining tour.