Semma, Manhattan
96 people recommend, 31 warn against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/IndianFood, r/AskNYC, X30 comments cited below
The comments cited below are a sample of the full tally across 49 threads.
What people say, in short
Semma's gunpowder dosa is the recurring draw in recommendations for this South Indian restaurant. Diners praise its crispness and accompaniments, while individual visitors also single out the short rib and lamb chops. The split is over value and the wider meal: some find the cooking memorable, while others describe ordinary flavors, small portions or rushed service. Reports of difficult reservations sit alongside successful walk-ins; neither is a promise of availability.
Address
Semma, 60 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10011
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Signature dishes
- Gunpowder dosa, Short rib, Lamb chops
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Semma, Manhattan, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/ChackoMone in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2025taste
South Indian diner found the dosa nostalgic and incredible; recommends dosa, short ribs, lamb chops and lobster.
- Recommendsu/Royal_Potential_3299 in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2025price
Loves the restaurant and defends its dosa price against double standards.
- Recommendsu/Background_Echidna67 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025taste
Ranks it fourth for South Indian food, highlighting the Venison Ghee Roast.
- Caveatu/mynameistita in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2024taste
Commenter says Semma is just OK and prefers London Indian spots.
- Mixedu/kmpham2013 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025taste
Dishes were tasty, dosa the favorite, but some elements fell short and nothing else stood out.
- Recommendsu/cricketrules509 in r/FoodNYC · May 2025
Thought it was standard South Indian food, not whitewashed at all.
- Recommendsu/Zealousideal-Tune98 in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026
Mother loves it, ordered dosa twice; vegetarian options and mango dessert enjoyed; worth a trip.
- Recommendsu/wodkaholic in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2025taste
Names Semma for high-end dosa among their best dosas.
Show all 30 cited comments
- Mixedu/gbpenalty in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2025value
Dosa is better quality but not worth the high price.
- Caveatu/arpkit in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026variety
Limited veg options; meat dishes are standouts; dosa overpriced; vegetarians can skip.
- Mixedu/cambiumkx in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2024taste
Dosa was great; other dishes were not bad.
- Recommendsu/Flight_Tall in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2026taste
Extremely rich, like special-occasion food.
- Caveatu/Alternative_Space924 in r/FoodNYC · May 2025taste
Found the food average and not well-executed, with something missing in every dish.
- Recommendsu/Comfortable-Power-71 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2025taste
Calls it a great restaurant with good food, though not worth struggling for a reservation.
- Recommendsu/sushiroll465 in r/IndianFood · Mar 2026
Heard so much about Semma, would mention it.
- Recommendsu/New_Amphibian_9326 in r/FoodNYC · Feb 2026wait time
Says walk-in at Semma is very doable.
- Mixedu/baboombabam in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2024value
Calls it good but expensive for what it is and dislikes being rushed out under timed dining.
- Recommendsu/IIMsmartII in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2025taste
Says the short rib was insanely good and the dosa great, though similar dosas exist elsewhere.
- Recommendsu/kevin122000 in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2025
Solo diner says the food was that good, only wishes rice came in single portions.
- Recommendsu/vegeta4u in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2024taste
Says every South Indian they know who went found Semma amazing, and agrees.
- Recommendsu/swh74 in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026
Reports that an Indian diner enjoyed it, while distinguishing the upscale meal from home cooking.
- Mixedu/UESfoodie in r/AskNYC · May 2026taste
Says Semma is good but won't give the feeling of being in India.
- Recommendsu/theanav in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2026taste
Dosa is on another level.
- Mixedu/B_L_T in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2026value
Excellent restaurant but expensive for a grandma-did-it-better situation.
- Recommendsu/kkawesome1234 in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2026taste
As a South Indian, enjoyed Semma; liked the beef and lobster moilee.
- Mixedu/mamaBiskothu in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2025price
Equal quality to the rival, so questions paying much more.
- Caveatu/JuanJeanJohn in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2024taste
Commenter is a Semma critic and would prefer Temple Canteen's food.
- Caveatu/emergentblastula in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023variety
Very few vegetarian main options for an Indian vegetarian.
- Caveatu/muruku in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2024value
South Indian commenter calls Semma just okay, not worth paying high prices for food they make at home.
- Recommends@ravikarkara on X · Jul 2025
Praises Semma for regional South Indian Tamil Nadu cuisine, calling it a culinary and cultural experience.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.