Semma, the buzzy Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant in Manhattan's West Village, has been serving serious acclaim alongside something a little less glamorous: a city-issued "B" health grade that diners and neighbors say was tucked out of easy view until reporters started asking questions. The grade followed an inspection that cited more than a dozen issues, including food-temperature lapses, cross-contamination risks and hygiene problems, and it has locals talking about how celebrated spots handle public health citations.
Inspection findings
Inspection records show Semma was hit with 18 violation points and a resulting B, after citations for inadequate personal cleanliness, improper food temperatures and contamination concerns. Earlier notes in a 2024 inspection also flagged evidence of mice and flies. As reported by the New York Post, the paperwork lists more than a dozen violations that placed the restaurant solidly in B territory. The combination of critical and noncritical issues pushed the score past the threshold for an A and into the B band.
How the city's grading system works
New York City assigns restaurant letter grades by totaling inspection points: 0–13 results in an A, 14–27 results in a B and 28 or more results in a C, according to the NYC Health Department. The letter is meant to give customers a quick read on food-safety risk and must be posted where people on the sidewalk and inside can actually see it. The department's public portal lists inspection histories along with the specific violations behind each score.
Semma's response
A Semma representative told the newspaper the B grade was not being hidden and that the 8x11 notice is typically posted in a small side window to the left, attributing any timing quirks around re-posting to inspection backlogs. "The letter grade was properly posted outside," the restaurant said in a statement to the New York Post. Management also said the kitchen would address the issues cited by inspectors.
Local reaction and context
For regulars and industry watchers, the story cuts against Semma's carefully built reputation as one of the city's most talked-about newer restaurants. The spot opened in 2021 and quickly turned into a destination for South Indian tasting menus. Time Out and other guides have praised the food, while also noting the limited seating and long waits for a table. Some diners told reporters they would think harder about returning until they see clear corrective action reflected in the restaurant's inspection record.
What comes next
The Health Department typically conducts follow-up inspections after violations are logged, and any corrective filings or a new letter grade will show up on the agency's online inspection portal. Until that happens, customers can comb through the public records for details on the citations and any re-inspection outcomes. We will be watching for Semma's next inspection and for any steps the restaurant takes to close the book on its B.
