Semma

It’s understandable that snagging a reservation at Semma takes some patience: in 2025, chef Vijay Kumar was honoured by the James Beard Foundation as Best Chef (New York State), and The New York Times declared Semma the “No. 1” restaurant in New York City.

Chef Kumar refuses to water down his authentic southern Indian cuisine, and his food sings with nuanced layers of flavour and spice. Semma’s wine list shows that there are virtually no boundaries when it comes to pairing wines with Indian cuisine; Riesling is not your only option. The small but mighty list includes Champagne, Burgundy, Albariño, Pinot Noir, and a diverse array of varietals from around the world.

Semma is part of the acclaimed Unapologetic Foods group, which includes the hotspots Adda and Dhamaka.