This South Indian Restaurant Is New York’s No. 1 in 2025 By New York Times​​​

An Indian restaurant has claimed the top spot in New York’s dining scene for 2025. Semma, the Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant in Greenwich Village, has made history by being ranked No. 1 on The New York Times’ prestigious annual list of the city’s 100 best restaurants.

This year marks a shift in format: only the top 10 restaurants were ranked, while the remaining 90 were listed without a specific order—unlike previous years. Following Semma on the 2025 list are Atomix, Le Bernardin, Kabab, Ha’s Snack Bar, King, Penny, Sushi Sho, Szechuan Mountain House, and Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi. In 2024, Semma had ranked seventh and was one of just four Indian restaurants to make the list.

Celebrated for its unapologetically regional South Indian menu curated by Chef Vijay Kumar, Semma’s ascent to No. 1 represents a landmark moment for Indian cuisine in New York—and across the global culinary landscape.

In an Instagram post, Semma wrote "This is unprecedented in so many ways. Semma isn’t just about Indian food, it’s about what happens when a cuisine, any cuisine, speaks in its own voice, untranslated and unafraid.⁠

⁠This win isn’t just ours. This is for every cuisine that’s been sidelined. For every chef who’s led with vulnerability instead of validation. And for every diner who’s shown up with an open mind. To be at the top of this list is a milestone for a significant change. For us, for you, and for what's to come."

Located in Greenwich Village, Semma is a Michelin-starred restaurant led by Chef Vijay Kumar, originally from Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to showcasing the rich and often overlooked culinary traditions of South India, Semma brings bold, deeply personal flavors to the forefront. As The New York Times critic Priya Krishna notes, Semma redefined Indian dining in New York. Its menu—layered with coconut, chiles, and curry leaves—delivers vibrant yet balanced dishes that linger on the palate. The dosa, fermented to perfection and finished with ghee and fiery gunpowder spice, is considered the best in the city. Four years since its debut, Chef Kumar’s vision remains as fresh and compelling as ever.

Semma currently holds its Michelin star for the third consecutive year—making it the only Indian restaurant in New York City with a Michelin star at present. While the city is home to several acclaimed Indian eateries, Semma stands apart for both its critical acclaim and culinary vision. It is part of the Unapologetic Foods group, which also includes Dhamaka, another beloved Indian restaurant pushing boundaries in New York’s dining scene.