Semma (restaurant)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | October 12, 2021 |
| Founder | Roni Mazumdar, Chintan Pandya, Vijay Kumar (partner) |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City |
Key people | Vijay Kumar (Executive Chef and partner), Roni Mazumdar, Chintan Pandya |
| Products | South Indian cuisine |
| Parent | Unapologetic Foods |
Semma is a New York City-based Indian dining establishment that focuses on South Indian cuisine. It operates under the hospitality group Unapologetic Foods, led by Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya, and serves as the successor to their previous restaurant, Rahi. Awarded a Michelin Star in 2022, Semma has maintained this distinction through 2024 and has garnered significant praise from critics. Chef Vijay Kumar received the 2025 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in New York State.
History and focus
After Rahi closed its doors in September 2021, Semma opened on October 12 of the same year. Vijay Kumar transitioned from his position as chef at Rasa in California to take on the role of Executive Chef and partner at Semma. Hailing from Tamil Nadu, Kumar designed the menu to showcase Southern Indian culinary traditions, drawing inspiration from his family’s recipes, including dishes like nathai pirattal (snail) and venison. Notably, Semma does not provide a phone contact; a 2023 New York Times article described it as among the most difficult reservations to secure in New York City.
The name "Semma" translates to "fantastic" or "super" in Tamil. Both Mazumdar and Kumar have remarked that diners value the restaurant’s genuine portrayal of Indian flavors.
Design
Following Rahi’s closure, the interior was reimagined with design elements inspired by the Indian state of Kerala. The New York Times characterized the atmosphere as featuring "tropical accents," with wooden ceilings reminiscent of Keralan houseboats (kettuvallam). A mural depicting a Kathakali dancer is also part of the decor. Wid Chapman Architects were responsible for the design concept.
Reviews
Critic Pete Wells of the New York Times praised Semma for its unique selection of "chutneys...sauces...and spices," noting that its broader menu distinguishes it from related establishments like Adda and Dhamaka, while emphasizing their shared strength in "rustic cooking."
Robert Sietsema writing for Eater applauded Semma for boldly redefining New York’s perceptions of Indian cuisine’s variety and complexity, highlighting favorites such as Mangalore huukkosu, mulaikattiya thaniya, and erral thoku.
Hannah Albertine from The Infatuation similarly commended both the restaurant's ambiance and its culinary offerings.
Accolades
Semma earned a Michelin Star in 2022 and successfully retained this honor through 2023 and 2024. In 2021, The Infatuation recognized it as one of New York City’s best new dining venues. The restaurant was also featured on The New York Times list of most-loved eateries by critics in 2022 and included among Bon Appétit’’s top new restaurants that year. It frequently appears on premier lists naming the best Indian restaurants in New York City by media outlets such as Eater, Thrillist, TastingTable, and The Infatuation.
In 2023, Pete Wells ranked Semma twelfth within New York City's top 100 restaurants, improving to seventh place in 2024. For 2025, interim critics Priya Krishna and Melissa Clark from the Times placed Semma at number one on their list. Additionally, head chef Vijay Kumar was honored with the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in New York State in 2025.