Where Vijay Kumar actually eats in New York
executive chef & partner, Semma (West Village) · 9 picks
Where does Vijay Kumar eat in New York? Vijay Kumar has named 9 places in New York: Don Angie, LOS TACOS No.1, Clinton St. Baking Company, Kolkata Chai Co - Nolita, Dame and 4 more. Each one is listed below with the source, in their own words where they gave them.
Vijay Kumar is the executive chef and partner at Semma, the South Indian restaurant on Greenwich Avenue in the West Village that has held a MICHELIN star since 2022. He grew up in Tamil Nadu and built its menu out of what he cooked with his mother and grandmother; in 2025 he won the James Beard award for Best Chef: New York State, the same year the New York Times' critics placed Semma first on their list of the city's best restaurants. Asked by the MICHELIN Guide where he eats on his own time, he answered with taquerias, chai shops and late-night falafel as readily as with Frenchette.
Kolkata Chai Co - Nolita
Bluestone Lane, which is right across the street from Semma, or Kolkata Chai Company for a taste of home.
Said on Michelin Guide · read
Wu's Wonton King
It captures the spirit of dining the way it should be… loud, communal, generous. You sit down, and the table just fills with plates. It’s the same energy I try to bring to my own restaurant, in that the food brings people together.
Said on Cultured · read
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Published 2026-09-06 · updated 2026-10-14