Semsom

Based on the cuisine type alone I was excited to try Semsom, I suppose I should have guessed because that was too good to be true.
The meal itself was fine, just fine!
I had a romaine base with Taouk chicken (which was dry), hummus (a glob the size of a baseball mit), coleslaw salad (actually pretty decent), grape tomatoes, and cucumbers (which included about a half a bite of cucumber and two grape tomatoes as they were out and apparently couldn’t be disturbed to get more) all topped with a spicy sauce.
Overall, it was kind of a lackluster experience! I guess I just wanted more.
The perk: Free hummus for a Unilocal check-​in!!!

I could live here. Food is so fresh and clean; really one of the only «healthy» options in NYC. The staff are very cheerful and provide great service. The café lounge area includes both tables and couches, so bring your laptop if you need to get some work done, though I wouldn’t recommend doing that on a busy day during lunchtime. They also have a great selection of sweets at the counter, so make sure to check them out as well.

I agree with most other people. The food here is very flavorful and also manages to come off as kinda healthy. There was actually very little chicken in our chicken dish but with all the rice and veggies and humus it came off as a real meal. We only had delivery but looking forward to eating here again.

While I still really enjoy many things about Semsom (see previous review), the chicken has been VERY dry on my last few visits. Dry and tough. What happened to the moist and delicious Tauok chicken? The first 2 times this happened, I figured it was a fluke. But now it’s happened at every recent visit and I’m wondering if they changed the way their proteins are prepared. I see that a review below complains about how «oily» the chicken is– maybe they changed it in response to him. I beg you guys, change it back! I was pretty disappointed after my last visit and I don’t know how many times I will want to return.

I discovered this place through Instagram so I traveled down from 21^st + Broadway to Astor Place on my lunch break to give it a shot. I mean, lord knows you can only eat at Chop’t or Pret for so long.
The space itself is airy, light, and beautifully decorated with little soaps, teas and spices peppering the space. I picked up a rose sparkling water which was absolutely refreshing and quench thirsting.
I ordered the chicken on a bed of rice and everything was fragrant, and the presentation beautiful. I ate half of it back at my desk and it kept up in the travel, and with a busy day at the office I wasn’t able to eat the rest until later. 5 hours later and the dish still held its own. The textures weren’t melded and the flavors weren’t blended. Maybe this is standard fare which should be expected of most places, but regardless, this is nice break from an unseasoned lunchery sandwich.

Great solid lunch spot. Think Chipotle meets middle eastern. Fresh ingredients, good prices, hearty portions. I do wish they gave a better ratio of toppings to rice, and they could use a better selection of vegetables as well as sauces. The cauliflower is amazing, and so is the hummus and cabbage. Sriracha actually goes quite well as a sauce — have yet to try the tahini.
The staff is still a bit new, and not quite familiar with everything, but that comes with time.

This place was ABSOLUTELY delicious, and felt so healthy! It’s PACKED PACKED with flavors. I find Lebanese food to be extremely unique in their flavors, as they use things *americans* don’t normally get to taste like mint… and other un-​identifable herbs that I cannot name lol. When I think of mediterranean food I think of Greek food with gyros and greek salad, but really this Lebanese food is the BOMB! I seriously cannot describe their flavors, but if youre feeling a bit adventurous, this is definitely the place to try.
I had a half salad and half rice bowl with tauok chicken, hummus, eggplant, yogurt, and cucumbers. Their veggie toppings were unlimited. I wish I took advantage of that but foolish me did not. Their humus is DELICIOUS. Still drooling thinking about all that flavor. At first I thought I didn’t get much for the price paid (~$ 13) but I was so full and satisfied. Seriously, so tasty.
Their are some limitations on what’s included in your «bowl package» but the staff is nice and guide you through it as a first time customer. Definitely will be back! Comfy and open seating area, nice place for students and others for casual lunch spot :)

I’ve been meaning to try this place – mainly because of my love for hummus.
I came here one night for dinner by myself. I was starving, and this place seemed promising. It has a Chipotle-​like feel to it, where you go down the row and choose your toppings. They seemed to have a lot of savory, Mediterranean options to choose. You get a lot for the price, which is always nice.
The food was alright. Great for fast-​food type service, but not the best Mediterranean meal I’ve ever had. It’s a pretty large portion, too, which is nice, but almost too much. I do wish hummus wasn’t extra, because I would have really wanted to try their hummus. Interesting concept. Good place for lunch. Just not the best Mediterranean food I’ve ever had.

3.5÷5
The good:
Quick/​simple/​friendly service :)
Very tasty vegetables (like garden fresh, not even kidding)
Flavorful yogurt dip and tasty bowl overall
Amazing iced coffee (who knew?)
Really satisfying and wholesome meal
The meh:
The turmeric chicken was tasty but most pieces were really dry
The rice was also tasty but a bit soggy
Hummus was ok but tahini heavy
Overall, Semsom provides a convenient, filling, and healthier option for a quick lunch. I would be back given the convenience and tastiness, they just need to keep their protein in a way that keeps it fresher!

Even though it is compared to Chipotle in its style, this place surpasses the Mexican food chain in many areas. The woman who made my bowl was nice and patient as she explained to me (a newbie) the food they offer. She informed me of their vegan options but I wish they had it labeled on their menu. The seating is also great with tables, bar stools by the window, and even a couch as a choice. They also have water available to go with your meal, which I always appreciate.
I ordered a bowl with the wild-​thyme cauliflower on turmeric rice and lettuce. The rice could have had more of a bite to it and I wanted darker greens. Then I got the sweet and sour eggplant. I was unfortunately surprised to find out the «sour» part of the name reminded me of sour candy. I also got the mushroom mixture but it was too oniony. Their hummus is unique and absolutely delicious. I topped it off with some tomatoes and cucumbers.
Although it was mostly tasty, I do wish they had more vegan sides. I also think they need to create dishes that allow the vegetable to shine rather than overdo it with spices and overpowering sauces. The huge portions, awesome service, and comfortable atmosphere encourages me to return.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this place! It’s a must have every time I find myself in the area… and even worth going out of the way for. Everything is so fresh and tasty. I’ve been maybe just three times, but plan to keep going back. I’ve only had the chicken taouk bowl (with half rice, half salad & hummus) each time but it’s so damn good I have a hard time trying anything else. Maybe next time I’ll be brave and try the steak!
If you’re in the hood and looking for a quick, yummy, healthy & affordable lunch give them a try… you won’t regret it!

After a long day traipsing about Soho, hummus is where the heart is. My friend (Katherine F.) suggested that we try Semsom, whom she had been stalking on Instagram. For good reason!
The Astor Place casual Mediterranean stop is spotless and brightly-​lit. They even have a little couch corner — perfect place to get cozy on a windy, cold day. AND a Winnie-​the-​Pooh quote. Which is, obviously, as good as it gets in this world.
The options all sounded incredible, and we were lucky enough to meet Carine (one of the founders) and chat with her for a while about everything under the sun — from strategy consulting to spreadsheets to travel to world events to coffee, and of course, food.
We were able to taste all of the amazing entrée options. I settled on the wild-​thyme cauliflower, and Kat had the chicken. The hummus side and tabbouleh was an incredible combination. A lot of great vegetarian– and vegan-​friendly options. They even have breakfast options.
Everything was fresh, healthy, and delicious. We loved the display of various Mediterranean spices and other goodies on the right side of the store.
I can’t wait to come back again. Especially to try dessert.
It was semsomdipitious, to say the least.

Everyone is living up to the hype about this place and now I completely get it.
I have been standing in the counter for a while without knowing what to order, one of the waitresses came to me and briefly explained how it works and what are her favorites. Very helpful! So I went with her suggestion and ordered the romaine with taouk chicken, with hummus and cabbage as toppings. Also would like to try out their specialty rose water. Really love their chicken, flavorful chewy yet only a little bit dry… the water, on the other hand, was disappointing.
Would for sure returning. This place beat chipotle (as everyone seems to compare it with that) with no doubt.

I’ve come here for lunch a few times and Semsom has been a great addition to the neighborhood. I like that they keep the menu simple and skip having an overwhelming amount of combinations. Being vegan, I get the cauliflower over turmeric rice and add a few toppings including hummus to keep me satiated. There’s a pumpkin patty too but i found it dry so I choose the veggies. They even have a fridge with some popular packaged to-​go items.
The vibe inside is very much like a coffee shop, which makes it enjoyable to stick around as opposed to eating at my desk. If you come every so often, definitely ask for the rewards card too which they stash at the register in a little box.
The only improvement I could see is a tofu option marinated in something similar to the chicken. Then I’d probably go a bit more frequently.

Really wish there were more places serving food like this.
Picture Chipotle meets Mediterranean, now add more variety, interesting options, a really nice interior, great beverages and you get this place.
The setup here is similar to any fast causal restaurant, pick a grain, add a protein, and add two sides, then pick a bowl, wrap etc.
The protein choices here are awesome, ranging from meatballs, to chicken, to beef to Pumpkin? yeah that’s right I said pumpkin.
Kafta meatballs are my favorite of all the proteins
The vegetables are super fresh and crisp and the sides like eggplant and yogurt etc work great with the rest of the dish.
The humus here is incredible, probably one of the best I ever had.
The food options here make this spot the type you can eat at everyday, and you can truly make a healthy meal here consistently and if you feel like being fat you can throw in some rice or bread.

Like most Unilocal elites who have written a review, I was first introduced to Semsom through an excellent Unilocal Elite event in which we got to create our own hummus. I loved the experience, the staff is SUPER friendly, the interior is adorable, and the price is right… Yes, there were so many reasons to give this place a five star, BUT the food just did not impressive me at all.
I found it amusing that this «Mediterranean» fast casual does not offer the quintessential Mediterranean vegetarian entrée — falafels! Sure, they have the Pumpkin Patty and Wild-​Thyme Cauliflower as alternatives, but I wasn’t a fan of either of them. The Pumpkin Patty is quite dry and has a weirdly off-​balanced sweet flavor that did not jive well with other ingredients in the bowl. The Cauliflower sounds healthy, but it’s drenched in oil and super greasy. Unless you are a vegetarian, I would definitely go with the meat options here (though they are all oily nonetheless). I also tried the tumeric chicken — again, slightly on the dry side.
You can drizzle your bowl (+1 extra) or wrap with different sauces/​flavors, such as the Light & Fresh Yogurt, Sweet & Sour Eggplant, Levantine Mix, or Zesty Shot of lettuce, parsley, tomato, and onion. I guess the concept is pretty similar to Chipotle in that you can create your own bowl/​wrap, and make it as healthy (or unhealthy) as your heart desires.
I will add that the hummus here is delicious…

As many others said, they’re goin for the Chipotle of the hummus world, as others are (Chickpea, Hummus and Pita & Co, etc.).
I will say off the bat, what makes them different is their overlooked front section where they sell cute cards with vegetables (yeah, this sounds weird, but I swear the veggies look cute and happy… I’ll take a pic next time), cool spices like sumac + tumeric, loose leaf teas, bottled rose water, etc.
It’s like a mini kitchen/​spice store with cute gift ideas and things you really don’t need, but want and are probably going to buy.
Food–
Wild Thyme Cauliflower:
Soooo delicious. The cauliflower is cooked perfectly: still holds its structure so you can bite into it, but soft enough that it’s easy to chew. The flavor, spot on, is bold and brings out the creamy goodness the vegetable deserves.
Chicken Taouk:
Best meat protein choice. It’s moist and packed with flavor– smokey, slight spice, and savory in a way that increases your saliva production. Yeah, I got scientific on ya.
Meatball– Skip
Bland, dare I say? Almost on the… dry side :(ugh. Nobody likes a dryish, bland meatball. However, paired with the eggplant, it balances out the eggplant’s intensity. Do you really want to get a meat so that it can calm down a vegetable though? Probs not.
Eggplant:
When I had my first (tiny) bite, I thought, «wow! It’s so good… it kicks you with an acidic/​sour heat you like.» Then, I had more bites… overwhelming. Definitely had to enjoy it in small amounts and as an accompaniment to a mildly flavored protein.
Tzatziki: Always top a mediterranean bowl with tzatziki. Trust me– it’s a cool, refreshing cucumber-​yogurt mix
Rose Lemonade: Really interesting. It’s a delicate mix of rose water and lemonade, and tastes just like it sounds. If you don’t think you’d like the taste of a rose petal, don’t order it.
Despite trying all of this at a Unilocal event, I would come again if I’m in the area. It would be a great post-​workout meal or basically… whenever I’m starving because it’s filling.

I love places like this-​fast, casual, clean, and relatively healthy. Located on Astor Place, this new spot is sure to be a hit with local residents and university students alike. The hummus is a must-​try item. It’s so fresh that you’ll have a hard time picking up Sabra from the grocery store every again. I would also recommend the wild thyme cauliflower and the sweet and sour eggplant, as both were delicious. The portion sizes are generous and the pricing is hard to beat at under $ 10/​plate.
The staff was really friendly and helpful as well. It was my first time at Semsom, so they walked me through the menu and were eager to describe the various options. I have no complaints about this place. Everything from the service to the atmosphere to the food was spot-​on!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a complimentary meal here at Semsom for a special Unilocal event. My opinions and this review, however, are unbiased.
Semsom is stylized like a Mediterranean Chipotle. You choose wrap or bowl, choose your protein, your carbs, and then go through with different veggies and then top it off with the sauce of your choice. Service was great during this event. The owners are super outgoing, knowledgable, and enthusiastic.
Feel free to ask for samples– they’re very generous. It’s also helpful to try out their various unique flavored before committing to something you may not be expecting. The ingredients are all so fresh, and they apparently prepare everything the day of. The Lebanese meatballs and — are delicious. I didn’t get a chance to try their cauliflower, but according to one of the executives of the restaurant, it’s as if they sprinkled crack on the cauliflower– it’s that good! I’ll have to go back and try the cauliflower. The eggplant is very interesting, marinated in a special Lebanese sauce that I think comprises of some fruit and vinegar? I can’t remember the details. For around $ 10/​bowl of healthy, wholesome food, they can’t be beat! If you like your food bland, though, Semsom is not for you. Prepare to be introduced to a variety of spices!
They also have some delicious drinks here, from iced hibiscus tea to rose lemonade.
The joint is not large, but is decorated in a modern but quaint way. Very homey! And they’re conveniently located right off the Astor place stop off the 6 train.
I’ll definitely be back to try more of their menu. Keep it up, Semsom!

I had higher expectations for this place foodwise. Inside, is super gorgeous and has comfy seating. It’s so perfect for NYU students to meet up in groups with friends cause there is enough space (most of the time). When they 1^st opened up, they gave out hummus cups in the street which was really good but of course its a dollar extra.
The food was OK but for the portion, I did not feel I got the best bang for my buck. I ordered the chicken taouk which had an excellent flavor but really oily. They give you some options for sides like sweet & sour eggplant and taboule, which I ordered and the scoop I got was so microscopic the guy’s hand was shaking so hard giving me that tiny portion. I was kinda disheartened that I even forgot to ask for the student discount.
However, the most important part is that the seating here is really nice and I was able to find a spot to sit with some friends and chat and have a nice time which is more important to me.
I plan to give Semsom another chance in the future, but for now I prefer Maoz closeby for my Mediterranean crave.