Semma, the Michelin-starred South Indian restaurant in the West Village, has been cited for multiple New York City health violations — including an alleged failure to prominently display its “B” sanitation grade for diners and passersby, The Post has learned.
The acclaimed hotspot, widely regarded as one of New York City’s toughest reservations, received more than a dozen violations during its most recent inspection in January. City records list issues ranging from “inadequate” personal cleanliness to concerns involving food temperatures and possible contamination.
Inspectors also found that the restaurant had not posted its “B” grade in a location clearly visible from outside, as required under city rules, according to the Department of Health’s public restaurant grading database.
During a recent visit by The Post, the grade card still was not visible outside the restaurant. Public records indicate Semma has carried the “B” rating since at least 2024.
A representative for Semma pushed back on the suggestion that the restaurant was concealing the rating, insisting the grade was properly displayed outside. The spokesperson also criticized the city’s inspection process, saying the Department of Health has been delayed in conducting follow-up visits.
“Under DOH’s own inspection cycle, a B-graded establishment is scheduled for reinspection roughly 5 to 7 months after its last visit — Semma is within that window now,” the representative said. “If the timing here reads as unusual, that’s a function of how the city schedules re-inspections, not anything Semma has done.
“We run a good operation, and a clean operation,” the spokesperson added when questioned about the visibility of the grade posting.
Still, visits to the restaurant — along with a January Reddit thread discussing the issue — suggest the sign has at times been either tucked into a corner of a window or not visible at all.
The city’s health department requires all restaurants to display their grades in clear view of passersby, and at all times.
“Love a nice little concealment,” one Reddit user wrote in the caption of a photo showing the sign hidden in a tiny window corner obscured from the street.
“They make it impossible to get into and with [a] cost upwards of 100pp the least they could do is get their god damn health rating in line,” the user fumed. “So much for having a [Michelin] star.”
When confronted with the findings, a manager at the site clarified its 8 x 11 letter grade is typically visible — and confirmed it’s posted on a tiny side window to the left.
Still, the worker hastily moved it to a street-facing front window after a Post reporter’s inquiry.
The news comes months after The Post revealed fellow buzzy A-lister restaurant Carbone was dinged with a slew of violations resulting in a B rating – and a similar out-of-sight sign.
A review of health department records showed trendy restaurants – from Serafina to Citizens of Soho to Caffe Dante – hiding ratings or posting outdated “grade pending” notices.
Semma, which opened in 2021, had its latest inspection in January, racking up a total 18 health department points.
Food, supplies and/or equipment were “not protected from potential source of contamination,” officials said.
“Personal cleanliness is inadequate,” inspectors added, finding an outer garment “soiled with possible contaminant,” among compliance issues relating to hair, jewelry and fingernails.
Its only other inspection posted online, from 2024, showed the same number of violations. That inspection found evidence of mice and flies, with the department noting the site had “conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.”
An inspection score between 0 to 13 points yields an A rating, and 14 to 27 is a B, according to the city’s website. Restaurants that rack up an abysmal 28 or more points — usually because of roaches, rats, mice (or all three) — get a C grade.
New Yorkers had mixed reactions on whether they’d still eat at the hotspot.
“Probably not. It’s concerning,” said Alex Haskett, 23, of Gowanus, Brooklyn: “If someone else picked it, it wouldn’t stop me, but it would be at the back of my mind.”
“If the food is good, I can justify [the rating],” said passerby John, 25, “but most people in New York would be sensitive to that, especially the Michelin Star crowd.”
“It’s surprising,” said a woman waiting in line to eat at the restaurant. “I haven’t had any issues and I’ve been there twice.”
“It seemed pretty clean when we went,” another diner chimed in.
“The only downside is the wait.”
