Super nice little wine bar, great atmosphere for a couple

Truly some of the best small plates in NYC. Fantastic wine selection and incredible guidance from the staff regarding pairings. Definitely try the ricotta and figs, and their prosciutto is sliced fresh in front of you and is worth every penny. Great date spot, or place to share a bunch of tasty dishes with a group of friends.

Came to read a book and have some Italian food. Was a lovely single person night out.

Everything about Gottino is perfect - the food, the wine, the Josh (the guy, not the wine) … but don’t go. Because then it will be crowded and not our home from home in NYC. (No, do go. It’s absolutely brilliant.)

chintan anjaria

We had a wonderful experience here! The food was amazing and the service was very thoughtful. Although our order came a little late, they generously offered two complimentary pieces. The dosas are a must-try, and the crab we pre-booked was incredibly delicious. Highly recommended!

+2

Chad Harris

Absolutely amazing!! Everything was great. The vibe was moody. The service perfect. The chef is walking around and so genuinely nice. The lobster was the best. Skip the eggplant. Have to get the dosa. We will be back.

+1

Vinayak Sankar

Absolutely phenomenal experience from start to finish! We walked in without a reservation, and the staff was incredibly kind, helpful, and accommodating. They went out of their way to help us get seats, which truly says a lot about their hospitality. The food was on another level it was bold, perfectly balanced flavors and deeply authentic South Indian cuisine. Every single dish was memorable and tasted like it was prepared with passion and tradition. The customer service matched the food with warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. A reservation is definitely recommended because this place is always in demand, but even without one, they made us feel taken care of. Truly Michelin-worthy, and without a doubt one of the best dining experiences in NYC. We will absolutely be coming back!

+1

Tom Giratikanon

We had a fantastic birthday dinner at Semma. Fun atmosphere, attentive and friendly service, and delicious food. Their menu had several vegetarian dishes, including all the dishes below. The highlight is the gunpowder dosa. They’re incredibly flavorful, spicy and crispy. Highly addictive. Honestly, one dosa is basically a meal by itself. The paniyaram are fried lentil dumplings, which are also delicious. Great vegetarian appetizer. The parotta bread was flaky and buttery. The gutti vankaya (baby eggplant) was nicely made, but truthfully we were so full that we couldn’t really appreciate it. We even got a surprise birthday ice cream, which was very kind of them and a great moment. The passion fruit pudding was very good, a really unique flavor and texture. The servers were really great, helpfully walking through the highlights in the menu and making good suggestions. We had a great time! A great place for vegetarian diners.

+1

Sreejith Menon

After months of waiting we finally got a reservation for dinner at Semma! It was definitely worth the wait. The lamb shank was absolutely delicious and the meat just falls right off the bone! The presentation is unique and the accompaniments are excellent.

+4

Roze

We hosted a large medical work dinner at Semma, and the experience exceeded every expectation from start to finish. One of the standout features was their private conference room located at the back of the restaurant, complete with a sliding door and a TV where we were able to plug in a laptop. For a group of around 20 people, this setup was incredibly convenient and thoughtfully designed, making it ideal for professional events while still feeling warm and intimate. The staff were exceptional. They were friendly, attentive, and on top of everything throughout the entire evening. Managing a group of this size seamlessly is no easy task, yet every single person felt taken care of, which truly elevated the experience. The drinks deserve special recognition. They were absolutely fantastic and incredibly unique, with Indian spice elements that added depth and character you do not find elsewhere. My favorite was the Badameez Dil, a non-alcoholic creamy coconut drink that was so delicious I had four of them. It was smooth, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. I also tried the Soppana Sundari, which carries similar creamy coconut flavors but with mezcal, and it was just as enjoyable. My colleagues and friends loved the drinks as well. Everything was refreshing, creative, and beautifully executed. As for the food, we had a set menu but were fortunate enough to try nearly everything in smaller portions. Every dish was memorable, but several truly stood out. The beet salad, beautifully plated in a moon-like shape, was fresh and flavorful. The Eral Thokku prawns were incredibly tender with bold and unique flavors. The Goanese oxtail melted in your mouth and was rich, deeply satisfying, and full of spice. The lobster was absolutely out of this world. It was perfectly tender with a divine sauce, especially when paired with the parotta. That moment genuinely felt like a Ratatouille-style fireworks experience, with flavors bursting in the best way. The Kaikari Kurma, featuring assorted vegetables in coconut milk, was comforting, balanced, and delicious. Dessert was the perfect ending. The creamy coconut dessert with assorted nuts was my favorite, light yet indulgent and beautifully composed. We also had the pleasure of meeting the head chef, who was incredibly friendly and clearly very talented. You can feel the passion and precision behind every dish served. Semma is cozy, aesthetic, and absolutely worthy of its Michelin star. Reservations are highly recommended, though walk-ins may get lucky with bar seating. I will without a doubt be returning, especially for the drinks and entrées. Highly recommend.

+9

Renata L

As a white woman I LOVED this place. Went there to celebrate my in-laws anniversary and my father-in-law’s birthday. 4 people in the group were directly from Kerala. 2 from the states. The taste was perfect and amazing, staff were wonderful! Beef was perfect and the lamb too!

+4

Kris Tan

Amazing service and food. Enjoyed the service right from the door to the to-go parcel delivered. Waitress was very knowledgeable, kind and accommodating to our preferences. Felt very inclusive (a rarity in NYC). Gunpowder dosa was amazing with the sambar. Sambar took me to childhood Indian wedding season memories. Enjoyed the cocktails, crab masal (pre-ordered) and ellani payasam. The finishing touch and high note was the beautiful card and dessert for our anniversary celebration. The personal attention of a casual conversation mention did it for us. Semma was a delight and decadent, a treasured memory to take home. P.s. Staff were very attentive to every small detail. A glass going half-empty was quickly refilled, a spoon dropped to the floor in between meals was quickly swipped, tables were cleaned and wiped before dessert, patrons were not rushed out but tables were restated within seconds of departure to welcome the next party.

+2

Anushka Mankunath

Honestly so amazed and impressed with our meal here. Everything we ordered was delicious and so well made! We were greeted immediately when we arrived and taken to our seats. We started with the tiger prawn which were two huge prawns. Delicious and super flavorful. Next we had the lamb chops, dosa and lobster. The lobster was definitely the highlight of the meal it was amazing. We keep thinking about it even weeks after coming here. We will definitely be back!

+1

S P

Had dinner last night at Semma for the first time with my cousins and it was great! We had a party of 10 and their staff was helpful and kind with our booking and changes. The restaurant is very nice inside and the music is at a perfect volume so your table can hear each others conversation. The cocktails were deliscious and perfectly made and presented as well as all the dishes we ordered. Our main waiter Shashi was magnificent and provided excellent service the whole night. We also got to meet the head chef and he was very nice to come and talk to us. I totally recommend this restaurant and it’s worth the $ Keep up the great service and food Semma!

+1

Jensen

Fortunate to be able to dine at the bar as the restaurant was fully booked during a break in NYC. I ordered the starter Paniyaram, mains Kozhi Allepay (Poussin) with coconut rice and dessert Shahi Tukda. I’ve sampled allot of Indian food and this felt like a new experience. I really enjoyed it and felt it was a very refined set of dishes. Thanks to the accommodating staff service was excellent.

ehab shalabi

Obviously had high expectations when I saw the Michelin star at the front of the restaurant. But it lived up to the hype honestly. The dosa app was super flavorful, and had a great spice level. Short Rib was so tender, so delicious, and paired really nicely with the Parrota bread. Scallops might've been the bite of the night. Pineapple and mango flavor, in a buttery, perfectly cooked scallop. Only 2 pieces for $23 but I thought it was absolutely amazing. The Lobster Tail was also so good. I'd recommend ordering coconut rice on the side, as the curry that came with the lobster paid beautifully with the rice. Overall excellent experience. For a Michelin star restaurant with this much social media hype, the prices were not too bad. Would absolutely come back.

+1

vj jose

We finally got a reservation after months of trying, using the Dorsia app. Found it impossible using resy through their website, even checking at 9am every morning. We had to advance pay $300 on the Dorsia app, but it all went towards the final bill. So great app, try it out and you get 30 days free. We arrived a little late fighting traffic on a Saturday night and we did past the 15 min late rule by a few minutes, but they welcomed us with open arms. Our server Shady was amazing. Decor and atmosphere is a little underwhelming tbh for the # 1 restaurant in NYC. Might be due for an upgrade there. Now let’s get to the food. We tried I believe 12-13 items on the menu. All the very popular dishes (except the oxtail). Started with the mung bean salad, paniyarum, tiger prawns, gun powder dosha, scallops, short rib, porotta, and for entree the lobster, lamb chops, and biriyani. The mung bean salad had a real kick, my wife enjoyed it. The best apps were the paniyarum, prawns, scallops and short rib all great. The stand out dishes to me that were amazing were the dosha and the lobster. The curry on the lobster was so good, especially with the porotta. We loved all the desserts as well. They even gave us a “happy anniversary” free ice cream, which was nice of them. The most underwhelming dish was the biriyani. It was below average and you could get better biryani almost anywhere. I would improve that. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly, however even with all that curry on it, it lacked flavor. And I remember some food influencer on IG saying the same thing. I think they can improve on that. Another critique. Their cocktails are very underwhelming. We have an Indian restaurant by us in the suburbs and they use Indian spices in their drinks. I was expecting that type of next level cocktails for an award-winning restaurant. It was not there. Very average to say the least. I think they can take their cocktails to the next level by infusing more Indian flavors and even some spices in there, like other Indian restaurants do. All in all, definitely worth it. Patrick the manager also was very friendly. Shadi was great and the service was excellent. We saw the owner Vijay come out for two seconds to talk for the staff and went back to the kitchen. It would have been nice if he came around the tables and said hello, especially since all of the guests are coming for his food and he has a huge following online. Thanks for a great experience and hope you enjoy the feedback.

+9

Kenneth Sundaresan

I had the pleasure of taking my father to Semma in the West Village for his 80th birthday dinner last night, and it was a fantastic experience! 🌟 The South Indian cuisine was exquisitely good and offered a delightful eclectic mix of flavors that truly impressed us. Each dish was incredibly tasty, showcasing the authenticity and creativity of the menu. Additionally, the process of organizing our large event was seamless and stress-free, making our celebration even more enjoyable. I can't recommend Semma enough for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience filled with exceptional food and service! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Nisha Dahiya

Reservation is very tough to get but it’s totally worth it if you can get. We noticed there were ppl waiting in queue and slowly were given table at the bar but it was a long wait. We were seated right away with the reservation. We got to celebrate my birthday here. It was an experience trying delicious food and meeting chef Vijay. Our server was very friendly and we told him if we can meet chef and say hi as we are from india and heard so much about him and I was so surprised to see chef walking to me and wishing me happy birthday. He is very polite. Now let’s talk about the food. Presentation to taste everything was beautiful and worth the hype. Most of the food we tried was very nice but the star of the show were the lamb chops, gun powder dosa and paniyaram. The restaurant does feels lively all the time but that does mean compact seating and crowded atmosphere.

+11

Geetanjali Chugh

Snagged an early dinner reservation for five at Semma. I went in with mixed feelings, not sure if it would live up to the hype but it absolutely did. This was hands down the best non–North Indian food I’ve had in New York. We tried a variety of dishes, and I’d recommend every single one. The paniyaram were light and airy lentil dough balls, the scallops came with a unique sweet-tangy sauce, and the tiger prawns packed a bold, spicy, peppery punch. The masala dosa was such a hit that even though we ordered two for the table, they disappeared instantly. I’d go back just for the dosa. The beef short rib was outstanding 😋melt-in-your-mouth tender with a distinct peppery flavor. Definitely order the kal dosa and parotta to soak up the incredible sauces. The eggplant was another highlight, enjoyed equally by the meat eaters at the table, and the biryani was flavorful with just the right kick from green chilies without being overwhelming. We finished with the rice pudding, even though we thought we had no room left. Honestly, I can’t pick a favorite. Each dish had its own distinct personality. The food is exceptional, the service is warm, friendly, and informative, and the experience really showcases the rich flavors of South Indian cuisine. Yes, it’s pricey but absolutely worth it. Highly recommend Semma!

+5

Elizabeth Yee

Place is so roomy and comfortable. Don't feel like tables are on top of another. Everything was delicious, not just spicy, but flavor bomb on all the dishes. First, if you can get a reservation that is your way to go. They have a wait-list, but it seems like it goes quick. Saw people start lining up at 330 pm and they open at 5pm. From the first course, you are present with spice flavor bombs and textural crunches. The star dishes was the Dosa and lamb chops. The Dosa was so crispy and it comes with three different sauces. So delighted to get different taste profiles for it. The lamb chop was so flipping juicy and cooked just right, and the sauce that was ladled over paired perfectly. Service and dining experience was a cherry on top. Bring people with you and try things on the menu. This is what we tried Panlyaram- rice and lentil dumplings Eral Thokku - prawns Gunpowder dosa - rice and lentil crepe Mattu Iraichi Sukka - braised short ribs Gutti Vankaya - baby eggplant dish Meen Pollichathu - branzino wrapped in banana leaves Ghee Roast Lamb Chops Sides: parotta and coconut rice

+1

Brian Zhao

It was my first time trying Southern Indian cuisine, and I was absolutely blown away. The lobster was nothing short of perfection, and the lamb chops were beautifully crispy on the outside while tender and juicy inside. You could truly feel the chef’s love for the diners — from the thoughtful garnishes on each dish to the delightful dessert at the end. This place has completely changed the way I think about Indian food. I’ll definitely be coming back the next time I visit NYC.

+4

This was absolutely worth the hype. We walked in single-digit temps, arrived 15 mins before opening, and snagged a reservation at one of the bar seats they reserve for walk-ins. We smushed into the v…

This was absolutely worth the hype. We walked in single-digit temps, arrived 15 mins before opening, and snagged a reservation at one of the bar seats they reserve for walk-ins. We smushed into the…

BEST MEAL EVER! We had a party of 5 Saturday and we ALL agreed best meal ever! The service, the decor, the cocktails, the wine, the kindness of the chef were all spectacular!! However the food was on…

Absolutely amazing!! Everything was great. The vibe was moody. The service perfect. The chef is walking around and so genuinely nice. The lobster was the best. Skip the eggplant. Have to get the do…

Absolutely amazing!! Everything was great. The vibe was moody. The service perfect. The chef is walking around and so genuinely nice. The lobster was the best. Skip the eggplant. Have to get the do…

This place did not disappoint, there wasn't a single dish we didn't thoroughly enjoy. The staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. It wasn't too loud; …

This place did not disappoint, there wasn't a single dish we didn't thoroughly enjoy. The staff was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance was warm and inviting. It wasn't too loud; …

Truly had a great time at Semma. I was hesitant to bring my 4 month old baby but the staff was very welcoming. Everything we ordered was impeccable, fast service. I would definitely go back!

Semma is the one indian restaurant I've tried that I truly believe is not overrated, the food was incredible, the gunpowder dosa really is THAT good. The shortrib was also excellent. We waited to…

Semma is the one Indian restaurant I've tried that I truly believe is not overrated, the food was incredible, the gunpowder dosa really is THAT good. The shortrib was also excellent. We waited to g…

Semma is the one indian restaurant I've tried that I truly believe is not overrated, the food was incredible, the gunpowder dosa really is THAT good. The shortrib was also excellent. We waited to g…

Semma was an amazing experience. The food was incredible. My favorites were their lamb dish and lobster curry, but you really can't go wrong with anything. Drinks were also unique and refreshing. O…

Really good food and ambiance. Semma is a top rated Indian restaurant in NYC and there's a reason for that. \n\nNote: it's really hard to get a reservation here btw. Make sure you check in 14 days …

Really good food and ambiance. Semma is a top rated indian restaurant in NYC and there's a reason for that. \n\nNote: it's really hard to get a reservation here btw. Make sure you check in 14 days …

Thanks Shadi for the great experience. What a treat.\n\nReally loved the lobster and dosas. Ridiculously good portions. Comfortable seating and the chef was so kind.\n\nMust try the Dosas here. Ver…

The overall ambiance was good. Services were great and staff was friendly. Must try the dosa!!!

10 - 10 - 10 Across the board!!" The five of us all agreed that without a doubt this was one of the BEST meals any of us had EVER had!! Chef Vijay was greeting folks along with the hostess and coul…

Eating at Semma was a dream come true. On Tuesday, Shobha and I stood in line outside the restaurant hoping to do a walk-in. We waited almost forty five minutes, gave our names and were told that we …

We were extremely lucky to get a table for this fantastic restaurant. My son had been stalking it on social media for around 12 months. We ordered the Eral Thokku & a Kal Dosa to start . Both were f…

I've been wanting to dine at Semma for a long time but was never able to get a reservation. So, when an open slot popped up (on the Resy app) for a 9:15 PM sitting on 1/1/2025 I grabbed it. My wi…

If you are looking for a place that has great food, service, and vibe you do not have to look further than Semma. I love indian cuisine and this is some of the best indian food I’ve had outside t…

If you are looking for a place that has great food, service, and vibe you do not have to look further than Semma. I love Indian cuisine and this is some of the best Indian food I’ve had outside the…

My experience at Gottino was very good. It’s a great place to have a conversation — calm, charming, and perfect for a date. It’s not noisy, which makes it even more enjoyable. This bar serves only beer and wine (no cocktails). We ordered some olives with our drinks, which were nice. I recommend it if you’re looking for a chill, quiet spot to have a drink before dinner. Prices are “normal” for NYC, though a bit on the expensive side.

Delicious Italian small plates in a cozy West Village spot. We came in on a Sunday night for dinner and got a table for 3 people without any problem. We tried 2 crostinis, the white fish and the brussel sprouts salad. We particularly enjoyed the crostinis. The staff was so friendly. Looking forward to coming back and sitting in the garden!

Stumbled across this place before a dinner reservation for a quick drink. A lovely dark intimate feel, cant wait to come back with my husband or small group of friends to try the food.

Cute space and a friendly staff. If your like Italian wine you’ll love it here. I was surprised to see they have a little outdoor space in the back. Great place for a date or a girls night.

I came here for dinner with a couple friends and while overall very good and the service on point, the food was a little too spicy at moments (and I actually generally like spice). I wish they had as…

Scoring a reservation here feels nearly impossible, so we were excited to finally experience it. Unfortunately, the power went out just as we arrived, so we ended up dining in the dark--in the midd…

This is a cute place, but the experience was ruined by lack of service. As soon as we walked in the host/waitress seemed annoyed to greet or seat us even though the restaurant was 80% empty. She was rude throughout the entire service, she clearly didn’t want to be there. On top of that their payment systems starts the tip setting at 20%. I should be tipping minimum 20% for non-existent scornful service? The food and wine is delicious. The crostini and the crepes were super tasty. This place needs to improve their service if they want patrons back.

Hank Chang

Stopped here when a last minute reservation canceled and we had a space - fantastic flavors, lots of spice but towards the second half of the meal was overwhelmed with the spices... would've probably been better off ordering a bit less. Best dishes - the lamb chops, the coconut dessert, and the gunpowder dosa.

+15

Ryan Tammaro

Semma is an upscale Indian restaurant with an adventurous menu, but the overall experience was a bit underwhelming. We ordered a variety of dishes: Tiger Prawns, Gunpowder Dosa, Snail, Oxtail, Rabbit, Sea Bass, and Payassum. The standout dish for me was the Gunpowder Dosa, which had a great balance of spice and crispness. The Oxtail was also a highlight—rich and flavorful with a slow-cooked tenderness that was deeply satisfying. And, while I enjoyed the Sea Bass flavors, the abundance of small bones detracted from the dish. Unfortunately, many of the other dishes didn’t hit home for me. They were overly saucy, which masked the core ingredients instead of elevating them, and there was a noticeable lack of texture that left the meal feeling somewhat sloppy. There are some bright spots but overall, it felt like a mixed bag

+4

The food was sadly very average , tasted like most other Indian restaurants I've visited nothing less and nothing more. Which is alright, but at this price point I would've expected better. \n\nWe …

The food was sadly very average , tasted like most other Indian restaurants I've visited nothing less and nothing more. Which is alright, but at this price point I would've expected better. \n\nWe …

Unpopular opinion, but I found Semma to be a bit overhyped for what it offers. I was expecting this place to blow my mind as the first indian restaurant in New York to receive a Michelin star and g…

Delicious food but broken air conditioning on a hot day. I spent the meal sweating uncomfortably. This restaurant is too expensive to not have working air conditioning during a heat wave.

This was very meh... I'm Indian and so I know good indian food and this was meh. The dosa is great. But dosa is a simple food and you can get great dosas anywhere... It does make me wonder wh…

This was very meh... I'm Indian and so I know good indian food and this was meh. The dosa is great. But dosa is a simple food and you can get great dosas anywhere... It does make me wonder what i…

It’s good for non Indians to have more. Too much hyped and very limited options. It’s 200 grams of ghee a hidden one along all the food you order. Taste is ok but ghee spoils it. Always full and ne…

I went with my son yesterday July 17, 2024 for the fourth time to this Michelin star South indian restaurant Semmai but the noisy atmosphere was really annoying , the way the people walk here and …

I went with my son yesterday July 17, 2024 for the fourth time to this Michelin star South Indian restaurant Semmai but the noisy atmosphere was really annoying , the way the people walk here and …

It's a scene, the staff were great, the food was okay at best. Came out quickly at least. Goat Biryani had very little goat, The Dosa was tasty but barely had any filling. The rest of the meal w…

A dinner which we were very much looking forward to got off on a poor customer experience. reservations @ 9 PM, seated at 9:02 PM, drinks and food ordered, appetizers and drinks on the table @ 9:07…

A dinner which we were very much looking forward to got off on a poor customer experience. Reservations @ 9 PM, seated at 9:02 PM, drinks and food ordered, appetizers and drinks on the table @ 9:…

Was so difficult to get reservations but the place is just too much hype. Food was disappointing. All of us had horrible stomach upset and vomiting after eating here. Not coming back!

It's got a star so it's not going to be cheap, so fine! However it was disappointing to the point that I am writing a review - which I rarely do. The check was large, as mentioned, however, the a…

So unpleasant experience. I went to celebrate my friend's birthday 5 people, we were waiting for the previous clients to leave so we can sit on a table, then suddenly another woman sits right away claiming that it was her birthday and that she and her friends will be sitting there. None of the waiters step in to solve the inconvenience; one waitress stopped by and asked us to move to another table without enough space to sit. They never listened to us or made anything to understand and come with a solution. I will never go again, and I do believe the staff is completely unhelpful and useless.