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Gola Party @dhamakanyc Squinty smiles reserved for fun cocktails and delicious dishes at my all time favorite spot. If you don't like Indian food, you're not hitting up the right ones. Also, I meant to photograph the Paneer Tikka before biting into it but I was just too excited and forgot. - Dhungar Gosht - Short Rib Pulao - Butter Pepper Garlic Crab - Kashmiri Gosht Chaamp - Paneer Tikka - Rabdi NYC
I was excited to try Dhamaka after hearing such great things about their biryanis! We got a reservation for dinner, and were seated immediately. The staff were all so nice and welcoming. They explained how their menu sometimes rotates, so they did not have the lamb biryani when we came. We got the goat biryani instead and some paneer. Inside had tight seating, but they are able to serve a decent amount of tables at a time. The food was great! It was all so flavorful and the spices were perfect. The goat was not gamey, and in fact, was so tender that the meat fell off the bone. I ate to my heart's content and had a wonderful time.
Service was very slow and sporadic. Didn't bring out the drinks or the carb items before the first two meat courses. Really messed with the experience and tastes. Food was pretty good, but nothing special. Would not come back again.
dhamaka does a great job elevating indian flavors into beautiful dishes. we came for restaurant week, so the menu options/portions might be a little different. we started with the paneer tikka and chana chhena tikki. the paneer was nicely crisped on the outside and had a good spice to it. the fried tikki was slightly more interesting in its texture and the sauce was delicious! the paneer methi was very good, a little different than i was expecting, and i wish i had asked to make it a little spicier. nonetheless, it was very good. the apricot dessert was nothing to write home about, but done well. we got quite a late reservation, so we were lucky to have great service! my friend was even struggling a bit with the spice level, and our waitress was so kind to bring us yogurt drinks to help soothe the spice. would come again to try the biriyani!!
Dhamaka was my favorite Indian restaurant in NYC for quite a few years. They were bold, innovative, and just delicious. Unfortunately, I can't say the same anymore. They've passed that torch to their sister restaurant, Adda. Not only has their menu changed, but so has the staff. And it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, but in this case, it was. We were recently served by someone who admitted himself that he's only been there for a week. No big deal. Except our first dish took 30 minutes to arrive. Meanwhile the folks to the left and right of us kept getting their food and they ordered after us. When we were done with our first and only dish, I asked our waiter where the rest of the food was, only to find out he didn't fire any of it because he was waiting for us to completely finish. The service was not good. And the food is not nearly as fun and delicious as it used to be. I don't know if I'll be coming back to Dhamaka anymore.
In short, amazing. Service was great, friendly, and very cognizant of allergies. - Ghee Whiz - smoked cocktail, really good, flavorful, smooth, unique - Paneer - on the one hand, $20+ for two pieces of paneer seems crazy but on the other hand that paneer was so melt-in-your-mouth texture maybe it's worth getting again, but probably not - Beef pepper fry - amazing, my favorite dish we got. Definitely a bit on the spicier side but incredible flavor, beef all cooked well, great presentation on the skillet, so worth it. - Makai Lamb - the lamb itself was incredible; imagine a giant lamb bone with meat falling off into a thin soup-like sauce. The sauce was delicate in flavor, allowing the lamb to really shine and it was delicious. So filling too, a ton of food. Only weird thing, the two chunks of corn cobs felt out of place. Will definitely return, delicious and best done with more people to try more dishes.
I was in town for work staying in Chinatown. I was lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful restaurants Dhamaka is located in Essex Market with a good selection of vendors. I came right before lunch ended and I was able to snag a seat at the bar. My go to is always something with paneer so I ordered the paneer methi. I was definitely scoping out what everyone order too. The girl next to me ordered the paneer tikka which is my next go to! I ordered the paratha which was similar to roti. Made fresh, flakey, and buttery, oh my! The portions are pretty big! This was something I could have shared or taken home if I wasn't traveling for work. I did my best to get as much of that meal in my belly. It was so good. I love Indian food and this place was off the chain! The flavors were so amazing. I'll definitely be back to try more. I loved the chill vibe with bar and restaurant seating too. Not a bad place for lunch at all.
As a brown girl, Dhamaka has been on my list since moving to NYC. It's inside Essex Market (food hall) but they have their own nook with seating. The interior is actually super vibrant and fun, just like the menu. We went for Sunday brunch, had a reservation, and were seated quickly. Also, our host was so sweet. We ordered a lot: garlic crab, methi paneer, dhaaba daal, and malai murgh. I'll be honest, my standards for Indian food are high and this was under seasoned. I get they may cater to a wider audience but the spices are what make Indian food shine. Favorites were the dhaaba daal and garlic crab. The rest I'd probably skip next time. Loved the vibes but still on the hunt for my go-to Indian spot in NYC!
We snagged a 9:15 PM reservation for Dhamaka this past Friday, mainly because its sister restaurant Semma is basically impossible to get into, and my friends raved about their experience at Adda (their third restaurant). Figured it was a solid alternative, but in hindsight, the late reservation was kind of a mistake. We're big paneer people, so naturally we went 2/3 paneer on the order. PANEER TIKKA (2 PCS) - 21 Each piece was thick and creamy. Super flavorful and packed with spice, with that soft, cheesy texture done really well. I can see why it's a fan favorite, but it's incredibly pricey for just two pieces. PANEER METHI - 36 The paneer in this entree was just as delicious as the paneer tikka, but the curry was way too salty for me. It didn't come with any basmati rice (and we would have had to order a side of it), so I didn't go back for more. NALLI BIRYANI - 75 The dum (steamed) biryani in a huge claypot, and we were amazed when we saw it. The lamb shank was the highlight -- fall-off-the-bone tender and really well-cooked. Super deep flavors. There was a ton of rice and meat, way more than we could finish. The rice was very flavorful as well, but the whole dish got pretty heavy after a while. Overall, the food was good, but nothing was mind-blowing. We paid about $65 each and had a fair amount of leftovers. Sadly, the food wasn't worth a 9:15 reservation, but I'd like to try Adda and Semma eventually.
Food was excellent! Just like my trip to India. They have the right food in the menus and all the things we ordered had a little taste of slickness in it. Service was very good as well. And the ambiance is at the corner area of Essex Street Market tucked away with its own convenient toilet. The crab with garlic was served with Indian rice. The Tika was perfectly done and their Indian bread which very thin went with it and the eggplant dishes that they cooked Jndian style - must also order. We had the goat dish which was also delicious. They gave us green chutney and fresh sliced red onion as well So overall it was a positive experience.
"Busy" is not the word for this popular Indian spot in Essex Market. It's just as packed as the sister restaurant, Adda, that recently re-located from Queens. Alex, our waiter, was fantastic and walked us through the menu with his favorites. They also have unique cocktails and a decent wine selection. The cocktail I ordered was a little too sweet and reminded me of mouthwash so I switched it for a glass of wine. We definitely ordered way too much for two people, but every dish was layered with incredible flavor. If you're not big on spice, ask about the heat level, a dish or two had an extra kick. The Butter Pepper Garlic Crab was my favorite. They level up the presentation by bringing it out in the shell and flipping it at the table. Raita isn't listed on the menu, but they do have it . Reservations are a must, even if you are planning to sit at the bar. Their dining area is suitable for all size parties. FYI: they're also participating in Restaurant Week.
Two of us shared: - paneer tikka: the texture of this is amazing and it was good but personally I could have used more of a sauce - beef pepper fry: wagyu strips that were delicious and very flavorful. Fortunately, we had the paneer and the biryani to offset the saltiness, but you need to order something else to balance this - lamb biryani: the star of the show, tender lamb in a huge container. There were so much leftovers. It did get a little bland at times but the beef pepper fry was helpful for that They provided a green sauce, onion, and yogurt as well, but not sure if any of these come with specific dishes. I got the garden nimbu pani as a drink which is nice and refreshing, in the vibe of a mint-less mojito.
RESTAURANT WEEK ONLY REVIEW Came here after seeing Dhamaka end up on the restaurant week menus. Made a 5:15pm reservation about a week before. From the restaurant week menu we ordered: - Chana Chhena Tikki - Paneer Tikka - Rara Gosht - Malai Murgh All the dishes were great! Everything was definitely bursting with flavors from start to finish. My wife's favorite thing was the paneer tikka. I personally really liked both the rara gosht (had a nice little kick to it) and the malai murgh (which had a nice rich creaminess to it). The dishes are definitely on the richer side of things so we ended up having a decent amount of leftovers to take back. The paratha that was served with the mains was also excellent. Super buttery, but not overly oily. I also ordered the Malai Lassi which was super tasty and a nice sweet treat. My wife also ordered the Manjal Saaru off the N/A menu, but got it with an actual shot of gin and enjoyed it. The only things that were a bit of a bummer was they didn't have the Thandai Dhamaka (sponge cake) since it hadn't set by the time of service. They did swap it with a chocolate cake which was solid though. Additionally the space is very cramped. It didn't help that it was so cold outside so everyone's puffy winter jackets were taking up space. Our server was excellent, but definitely seemed like there wasn't enough front-of-house staff as she was running between so many different tables. It was a bit hard to get a hold of her at times, but when we did she was excellent. The price is definitely on the steeper side, but I think with restaurant week pricing you effectively get the desserts for free. Dhamaka has definitely been on my list for a while (as with Adda), so I'm definitely glad I tried it. I'm not sure I'd come flocking back again to try it since there's so many other excellent Indian restaurants in the city, but this one is definitely worth checking out if you're in the area!
5 hours ago
Dhamaka was such a fun and memorable introduction to a different side of Indian cuisine in NYC. What stood out to me was how different the menu felt from the usual dishes you see at many Indian restaurants. The colorful décor, warm lighting and energetic vibe give the restaurant so much character, and it feels casual while still being a really fun place for dinner.The flavors were bold, the dishes were interesting, and we loved ordering several things to share and getting to experience such a variety of regional flavors. We started with the Kale Pakora Chaat, which was one of my favorites. The crispy kale with yogurt, chutneys and sev had such a good combination of textures and sweet, tangy and spicy flavors. The Butter Pepper Garlic Crab was another standout and one of the most memorable dishes of the meal. It was rich, buttery and garlicky with a wonderful peppery kick. Definitely a unique dish and something I'm really glad we tried. The Paneer Methi was rich and comforting, with soft paneer in a flavorful gravy, and it paired perfectly with the breads. We also had the Goat Neck Biryani, which was excellent. The meat was tender, while the basmati rice was aromatic and packed with flavor. It was hearty, satisfying and perfect for sharing. We also really enjoyed the drinks. The Malai Lassi with malai yogurt and boondi ladoo was thick, creamy and almost dessert-like, while the Chaas Bulbule with clarified buttermilk was light and refreshing and paired really well with all the bold flavors. We finished with the Rabdi, which was cool, creamy, rich and a perfect way to end the meal. Overall, we absolutely loved our experience at Dhamaka. There was so much variety on the table, and every dish brought something different. I especially loved getting to try Indian dishes and flavor combinations that we don't normally come across. The service was excellent as well! Our server was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and able to explain the dishes, which made the dining experience even more enjoyable. The combination of great service, vibrant ambience and incredible food made our visit truly memorable.Definitely one of the more unique and memorable Indian meals we've had in NYC, and a place I'd happily come back to! read more
Upscale Indian desi eats with no-nonsense taste. The Kale Pakora Chaat was a great start, along with the Ajwain Prawns and classic Shami Kebabs. The Mutton Dhungar (smoked) and Chicken Hari Mirch Kurma were outstanding gravies--perfect with hot chappatis. But the piece de résistance was the Goat Neck Biryani--deeply flavorful, with meat literally falling off the bone and proper, fragrant basmati rice. Absolutely fantastic. The place is nice and lively--busy and a little tight on space, but the service is fast and friendly. Reservations are a must. An absolute must-try when visiting NYC. read more
Dhamaka is a modern yet upscale Indian restaraunt tucked away in the back of Essex market on the Lower East Side. Because of its location, it may appear unassuming and underrated, but the food is bold, spicy, flavorful, and packed full of rich cultural elegance. On my first visit, I was able to try a few different dishes, both veg and non-veg, as well as one of their signature cocktails. We ordered to start the Kale Pakora Chaat (fried kale, tamarind chutney, with a sweet yogurt) and it was perfectly crispy, flaky, and delicious. Next, for main dish we ordered the Paneer Methi (fried paneer in a fenugreek and tomato blend) and I honestly can never complain when it comes to any paneer dish and I have to say this one was absolutely no exception. The paneer was so soft and tasty with the sauce and other spices that I couldn't help but feel like I was eating a home cooked meal. Lastly, I ordered the Shami kebab because I wanted to try a non veg dish. This item consists of lamb, minced and blackened, paired with a green chili sauce with mint. I have to say this was a complete miss for me; the lamb was so dry and mealy I couldn't finish it at all, on top of that it had too many spices and was a bit salty in my opinion so I needed a lot of water. I would seriously consider altering this dish before keeping it on the menu in its current state or removing it completely. If you're thinking of ordering this, I wouldn't recommend it as I'm sure they have other protein dishes on their menu that are far better. I'm looking forward to trying some of the others the next time I go. Lastly for cocktails, we ordered the Monsoon wedding (Indian gin, lychee, curry leaf, and lime). I thought the cocktail was alright, it didn't stand out too much to me as it was a fairly decent lychee drink that had a slightly muted flavor. I've noticed that Indian restaraunts often struggle to make good cocktails because too often they rely on mixing things that shouldn't really be mixed and adding unnecessary ingredients. Overall though, the time spent there was worth it and I appreciate that it's relatively easier to get a reservation here than at some of the other Indian spots in New York currently. Based on my experience, Dhamaka should be considered highly rated on that list. read more
Gola Party @dhamakanyc Squinty smiles reserved for fun cocktails and delicious dishes at my all time favorite spot. If you don't like Indian food, you're not hitting up the right ones. Also, I meant to photograph the Paneer Tikka before biting into it but I was just too excited and forgot. - Dhungar Gosht - Short Rib Pulao - Butter Pepper Garlic Crab - Kashmiri Gosht Chaamp - Paneer Tikka - Rabdi NYC read more
I was excited to try Dhamaka after hearing such great things about their biryanis! We got a reservation for dinner, and were seated immediately. The staff were all so nice and welcoming. They explained how their menu sometimes rotates, so they did not have the lamb biryani when we came. We got the goat biryani instead and some paneer. Inside had tight seating, but they are able to serve a decent amount of tables at a time. The food was great! It was all so flavorful and the spices were perfect. The goat was not gamey, and in fact, was so tender that the meat fell off the bone. I ate to my heart's content and had a wonderful time. read more
1 month ago
Service was very slow and sporadic. Didn't bring out the drinks or the carb items before the first two meat courses. Really messed with the experience and tastes. Food was pretty good, but nothing special. Would not come back again. read more
dhamaka does a great job elevating indian flavors into beautiful dishes. we came for restaurant week, so the menu options/portions might be a little different. we started with the paneer tikka and chana chhena tikki. the paneer was nicely crisped on the outside and had a good spice to it. the fried tikki was slightly more interesting in its texture and the sauce was delicious! the paneer methi was very good, a little different than i was expecting, and i wish i had asked to make it a little spicier. nonetheless, it was very good. the apricot dessert was nothing to write home about, but done well. we got quite a late reservation, so we were lucky to have great service! my friend was even struggling a bit with the spice level, and our waitress was so kind to bring us yogurt drinks to help soothe the spice. would come again to try the biriyani!! read more
Dhamaka was my favorite Indian restaurant in NYC for quite a few years. They were bold, innovative, and just delicious. Unfortunately, I can't say the same anymore. They've passed that torch to their sister restaurant, Adda. Not only has their menu changed, but so has the staff. And it doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing, but in this case, it was. We were recently served by someone who admitted himself that he's only been there for a week. No big deal. Except our first dish took 30 minutes to arrive. Meanwhile the folks to the left and right of us kept getting their food and they ordered after us. When we were done with our first and only dish, I asked our waiter where the rest of the food was, only to find out he didn't fire any of it because he was waiting for us to completely finish. The service was not good. And the food is not nearly as fun and delicious as it used to be. I don't know if I'll be coming back to Dhamaka anymore. read more
In short, amazing. Service was great, friendly, and very cognizant of allergies. - Ghee Whiz - smoked cocktail, really good, flavorful, smooth, unique - Paneer - on the one hand, $20+ for two pieces of paneer seems crazy but on the other hand that paneer was so melt-in-your-mouth texture maybe it's worth getting again, but probably not - Beef pepper fry - amazing, my favorite dish we got. Definitely a bit on the spicier side but incredible flavor, beef all cooked well, great presentation on the skillet, so worth it. - Makai Lamb - the lamb itself was incredible; imagine a giant lamb bone with meat falling off into a thin soup-like sauce. The sauce was delicate in flavor, allowing the lamb to really shine and it was delicious. So filling too, a ton of food. Only weird thing, the two chunks of corn cobs felt out of place. Will definitely return, delicious and best done with more people to try more dishes. read more
I was in town for work staying in Chinatown. I was lucky to be surrounded by so many wonderful restaurants Dhamaka is located in Essex Market with a good selection of vendors. I came right before lunch ended and I was able to snag a seat at the bar. My go to is always something with paneer so I ordered the paneer methi. I was definitely scoping out what everyone order too. The girl next to me ordered the paneer tikka which is my next go to! I ordered the paratha which was similar to roti. Made fresh, flakey, and buttery, oh my! The portions are pretty big! This was something I could have shared or taken home if I wasn't traveling for work. I did my best to get as much of that meal in my belly. It was so good. I love Indian food and this place was off the chain! The flavors were so amazing. I'll definitely be back to try more. I loved the chill vibe with bar and restaurant seating too. Not a bad place for lunch at all. read more
As a brown girl, Dhamaka has been on my list since moving to NYC. It's inside Essex Market (food hall) but they have their own nook with seating. The interior is actually super vibrant and fun, just like the menu. We went for Sunday brunch, had a reservation, and were seated quickly. Also, our host was so sweet. We ordered a lot: garlic crab, methi paneer, dhaaba daal, and malai murgh. I'll be honest, my standards for Indian food are high and this was under seasoned. I get they may cater to a wider audience but the spices are what make Indian food shine. Favorites were the dhaaba daal and garlic crab. The rest I'd probably skip next time. Loved the vibes but still on the hunt for my go-to Indian spot in NYC! read more
We snagged a 9:15 PM reservation for Dhamaka this past Friday, mainly because its sister restaurant Semma is basically impossible to get into, and my friends raved about their experience at Adda (their third restaurant). Figured it was a solid alternative, but in hindsight, the late reservation was kind of a mistake. We're big paneer people, so naturally we went 2/3 paneer on the order. PANEER TIKKA (2 PCS) - 21 Each piece was thick and creamy. Super flavorful and packed with spice, with that soft, cheesy texture done really well. I can see why it's a fan favorite, but it's incredibly pricey for just two pieces. PANEER METHI - 36 The paneer in this entree was just as delicious as the paneer tikka, but the curry was way too salty for me. It didn't come with any basmati rice (and we would have had to order a side of it), so I didn't go back for more. NALLI BIRYANI - 75 The dum (steamed) biryani in a huge claypot, and we were amazed when we saw it. The lamb shank was the highlight -- fall-off-the-bone tender and really well-cooked. Super deep flavors. There was a ton of rice and meat, way more than we could finish. The rice was very flavorful as well, but the whole dish got pretty heavy after a while. Overall, the food was good, but nothing was mind-blowing. We paid about $65 each and had a fair amount of leftovers. Sadly, the food wasn't worth a 9:15 reservation, but I'd like to try Adda and Semma eventually. read more
Food was excellent! Just like my trip to India. They have the right food in the menus and all the things we ordered had a little taste of slickness in it. Service was very good as well. And the ambiance is at the corner area of Essex Street Market tucked away with its own convenient toilet. The crab with garlic was served with Indian rice. The Tika was perfectly done and their Indian bread which very thin went with it and the eggplant dishes that they cooked Jndian style - must also order. We had the goat dish which was also delicious. They gave us green chutney and fresh sliced red onion as well So overall it was a positive experience. read more
"Busy" is not the word for this popular Indian spot in Essex Market. It's just as packed as the sister restaurant, Adda, that recently re-located from Queens. Alex, our waiter, was fantastic and walked us through the menu with his favorites. They also have unique cocktails and a decent wine selection. The cocktail I ordered was a little too sweet and reminded me of mouthwash so I switched it for a glass of wine. We definitely ordered way too much for two people, but every dish was layered with incredible flavor. If you're not big on spice, ask about the heat level, a dish or two had an extra kick. The Butter Pepper Garlic Crab was my favorite. They level up the presentation by bringing it out in the shell and flipping it at the table. Raita isn't listed on the menu, but they do have it . Reservations are a must, even if you are planning to sit at the bar. Their dining area is suitable for all size parties. FYI: they're also participating in Restaurant Week. read more
Two of us shared: - paneer tikka: the texture of this is amazing and it was good but personally I could have used more of a sauce - beef pepper fry: wagyu strips that were delicious and very flavorful. Fortunately, we had the paneer and the biryani to offset the saltiness, but you need to order something else to balance this - lamb biryani: the star of the show, tender lamb in a huge container. There were so much leftovers. It did get a little bland at times but the beef pepper fry was helpful for that They provided a green sauce, onion, and yogurt as well, but not sure if any of these come with specific dishes. I got the garden nimbu pani as a drink which is nice and refreshing, in the vibe of a mint-less mojito. read more
RESTAURANT WEEK ONLY REVIEW Came here after seeing Dhamaka end up on the restaurant week menus. Made a 5:15pm reservation about a week before. From the restaurant week menu we ordered: - Chana Chhena Tikki - Paneer Tikka - Rara Gosht - Malai Murgh All the dishes were great! Everything was definitely bursting with flavors from start to finish. My wife's favorite thing was the paneer tikka. I personally really liked both the rara gosht (had a nice little kick to it) and the malai murgh (which had a nice rich creaminess to it). The dishes are definitely on the richer side of things so we ended up having a decent amount of leftovers to take back. The paratha that was served with the mains was also excellent. Super buttery, but not overly oily. I also ordered the Malai Lassi which was super tasty and a nice sweet treat. My wife also ordered the Manjal Saaru off the N/A menu, but got it with an actual shot of gin and enjoyed it. The only things that were a bit of a bummer was they didn't have the Thandai Dhamaka (sponge cake) since it hadn't set by the time of service. They did swap it with a chocolate cake which was solid though. Additionally the space is very cramped. It didn't help that it was so cold outside so everyone's puffy winter jackets were taking up space. Our server was excellent, but definitely seemed like there wasn't enough front-of-house staff as she was running between so many different tables. It was a bit hard to get a hold of her at times, but when we did she was excellent. The price is definitely on the steeper side, but I think with restaurant week pricing you effectively get the desserts for free. Dhamaka has definitely been on my list for a while (as with Adda), so I'm definitely glad I tried it. I'm not sure I'd come flocking back again to try it since there's so many other excellent Indian restaurants in the city, but this one is definitely worth checking out if you're in the area! read more
One of a kind experience- and highly recommend snagging that reservation asap! So Dhamaka is attached to the Essex Market and their entrance is within the market. Right off the bat you're met with Bollywood music & a colorful bar and wall decor. The restaurant itself is a bit on the smaller side, but it's not overly crowded even with a full house. The food is undeniably delicious! We tried recommendations from our server and you should too because they won't steer you wrong. Every dish is fresh and has spices that are unique to the different Indian regions. You quite literally are having a taste of every part of India when you order different dishes. The drinks menu is also carefully caring to incorporate Indian and South Asian culture. If you run into the chef like we did highly recommend having a chat with him as he's super nice and takes the time to describe the dishes and the ideas behind them. In all, wonderful experience and would recommend Dhamaka to anyone who's looking for Indian food read more
I give this place a 3.5. When we arrived I didn't realize this was located in a food hall apart of Essex market. I do agree with some of the reviews how it's pricey for being apart of a food market. The service was great and waiter gave us some good recommendations on what to order. It's a small place so definitely recommend having resy. They have a small bar area which has cute esthetic. Now to the part that everyone cares about the food! We ordered the paneer tikka and the bohri chicken cutlets. We really enjoyed both appetizers. They are known for their paneer as it's fresh and it was definitely fresh as it was so soft. The green chutney was also fresh, limey, good balance of mint, and spice level which was good pairing with paneer and chicken cutlets. The chicken cutlets were yummy and had a good level of spice kick. For the entree we got paneer methi which was good and you got that soft paneer again. However, for my tasting I could have used a little more spice and sauce/gravy. It got a little dry and hard to eat with rice. We also got the paratha which was flakey, crunchy and buttery goodness. For drinks, we got trusted the waiter and bartender. We had the following: -Avocado Avatar -Genda mule-not overly limey and was good -Bombay blues- was interesting and enjoyed trying it but I think I liked mikes better -Manual Saaru with vodka-almost reminded me of mango ish drink althou there no mango in it. It definitely was not over empowering. Overall it was a good experience and I really enjoyed the appetizers. I would recommend people to try it. I hear the crab is good however I don't eat seafood. read more
Dhamaka is one of the sister restaurants of Semma and Adda, both of which my boyfriend and I had been to before. Dhamaka lives up to the hype! It's located inside a sort of food hall complex with other businesses. My boyfriend and I ordered with the intention of being able to take home leftovers, so yes we got way too much food for 2 people. We started with the butter pepper garlic crab which was amazing! I love any opportunity where I don't have to get the crab meat out from the shell myself lol. We shared three mains: the Malai Murgh (chicken), Rara Gosht (goat meat and mince) and the Nalli Biryani (braised lamb shank with basmati rice). The goat dish is a bit spicy but that is considering I have a pretty mid spice tolerance. Still good though, especially over rice! We ended on the rice pudding dessert which we were nervous about originally because the table next to us did not finish their rice pudding dessert, but my boyfriend and I LOVED it and did not leave a single lick behind lol. Overall I think the price is worth it for the amount of food and skill displayed by the cook of the food. read more
Was super excited to try this restaurant. Service was amazing and the vibe was fun, the decor was an interesting choice. Paneer tikka was yummy. Super soft and very fresh. The green chutney was perfect with it. The malai murgh cream sauce was absolutely delicious. However the chicken was bone dry and had too many bones that would fall apart and would be in the bites with the meat. The daal was my favorite. Whole cloves of roasted garlic and chili was delicious. The paratha was flaky and perfect. Comped is with a birthday dessert which was excellent service and a nice touch. I don't usually like rose desserts but the rose kulfi was actually so good despite how thick it was. A nice and refreshing end to the meal. Went on Sunday at 5. No one there. Around 6 a lot more people showed up. read more
11 months ago
Is it a restaurant, or is it an indoor market food stall? Given its location inside Essex Market, their prices aren't cheap but it's certainly worth a visit. Dhamaka offers small to medium to large plates so go with a group and be prepared to order a bunch and share. The menu showcases spices and food preparation from different parts of India (not just the North or South). We tried the paneer tikka (excellent), the lamb belly seekh (very soft and melt in your mouth but lacked oomph in flavor), the Kashmiri gosht chaamp (spicy and had a kick but definitely recommend) and the rara ghost for our entree with roti and paratha. We really like lamb &goat meat as you can tell :). Given the expertise of the chef, the roti was pretty sad (and reminded me more of a taco in taste and texture), and definitely didn't feel freshly made. We finished off with bite size pistachio kulfi which was great and the perfect sweet treat. read more
Delicious authentic Indian cuisine, with an emphasis on attentive service. The hearty dishes are large - enough for several people to share, with rich, complex, spicy flavors. (We probably could have shared bread and one entrée between the 2 of us and been satisfied.) The "Kolambi Ani Kekda Bhaath" arrived in its pressure cooker with shredded coconut added table-side for a nice texture complement to the curry dish rich with a generous portion of crab and shrimp, having whole cinnamon bark pieces, cardamom seeds, and cloves hidden inside for occasional surprisingly flavorful bites. The paneer methi has beautifully fresh house-made paneer in a strong and vibrant curry with fenugreek and tomato. For some background on the chef and the work that goes into these dishes, watch "A Day in the Life of an Indian Master Chef" -https://youtu.be/29ZP8ADQJ1Y The only downside was we were the first seated after they opened but no food arrived for 50 minutes. But it was worth the wait. read more
Before I get into the food, I must admit my continued frustration with the claim to represent "regional" Indian cooking across many of the new hyped desi eateries in the city. I suppose the lehsooni palak references Rajasthani lehsooni chutney, but more so than dal baati or gatte ki sabzi? Champaran may be a secondary hallmark of Bihar, but where is sattu and where is litti chokha? My partner hails from Uttarakhand and has never heard of a pahari dish called "dahi wali bhindi." NYC needs better regional Indian restaurants that ACTUALLY serve regional cuisine. With that being said, the flavors were very good. As always at Unapologetic Indian establishments, the paneer is a standout - it was perfectly tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, just like the one I had ordered from Biryani Bol. The aforementioned lehsooni palak and dahi bhindi were both nicely spiced, very rich mains that I'm glad we ate with chappatis rather than a heavier bread. The atmosphere is fun and casual with a 2010s Bollywood playlist (I'm pretty sure I heard Hookah Bar). Thankfully the hype has died down so you can actually get a seat here now. read more
3 months ago
First time dining at this Michelin Bib Gourmand and it was restaurant week. I had a 5pm dinner. Service was great and accommodating. My server was knowledgeable and helpful in choosing what dishes to order. I ordered from the restaurant week menu and the portions were definitely smaller. Ambiance was small and it is situated inside Essex Market. I started off with the Genda Mule, which was refreshing and complemented my entire meal. For the appetizer I ordered the Paneer Tikka which is one of their popular dishes and it was small. Given the alcoholic drink ordered the slice of Tikka flavored paneer cheese was not enough. For the entree I ordered the Rara Goscht and it was definitely spicy and filling for a small portion. I didn't finish the dish and I ended up taking it home for my other half to enjoy. He only devoured the bread and I ate the rest of the entree for lunch the next day. For the dessert I had the Rabri which was small but enough to mask the alcohol consumption from the Mule. I would definitely return with a friend who can handle spice to try the Champaran Meat. read more
1 year ago
Paratha: I fear I much prefer naan but this was flaky and buttery. Lamb biryani: 10/10 deffo overpriced but this has to be the best biryani I've had in terms of the flavor and tenderness of the lamb. There's an entire lamb shank in there and the portion is enough to feed 6 ppl imo. Paneer methi: amazing paneer, clearly made in house and the fenugreek really comes through. I do wish this dish was less greasy. Beef pepper fry: spicy, tender beef, what's not to like Service is good, waters are constantly refilled and they bring clean plates between appetizers and main course. Note that this place is super loud as it's in Essex market and always packed. read more
Authentic Indian food with bold flavors. The restaurant is colorful and vibrant serving Indian flavor inspirired cocktails . The paneer is made in- house and is the softest malai panner available in all of new York. We ordered the paneer tikka & methi paneer . They do not hold back on their spice and favour. Its exactly how Indian food is . They served phulkas which is a fully puffed bread which reminded me of home. A phulka is supposed to be had hot so the servers made it a point to get one by one .Methi paneer portion was family style so be sure to share . read more
Went at Saturday right at 11:30 AM as they opened. We had a reservation but they had plenty of seating throughout the time we were there. We were quickly helped by a really nice waiter, who walked us through the menu and gave us suggestions on what to order. I appreciated that they feature dishes all throughout India, giving a different diversity of options. We went with the paneer, crab, and lamb biriyani. It was all delicious! The paneer was well seasoned and a great texture. The crab had a good amount of meat and was served in a really nice way, with the shell which the waiter then poured out and mixed for us with the rice. And then the lamb biriyani was great, lamb was super tender and fell right off the bone. Especially the biriyani, good amount of food for easily 4 people. The vibe is nice, right in Essex market, so easy place to buy spices afterwards or pickup any other food you may want! Definitely a decent place for some Indian food! read more
For the price point, I was mildly unimpressed. We went in during restaurant week and they had a pretty solid menu. The dishes however didn't seem to stand out and I left feeling that I dined at a standard Indian restaurant not a $$$ one. The ambiance is also very casual. In fact the restaurant shares space with a food court on one corner. Overall, I'd say it was just okay and not worth the price. The drinks however were fantastic - I especially enjoyed the ghee whiz. read more
if you're going to go to dhamaka, the paneer is a MUST!! i don't normally get vegetarian dishes but this meal was delicious. to start, we got the chickpea patties for an app and WOW, the flavor was just right and had the right kick to it with the chillies inside - was way better than i had expected! we also got the paneer methi as it was came highly recommended and the paneer literally MELTS in your mouth, it was awesome!! personally i could have used a bit more spice but the flavors were just right. we also got the baigan bharta which was charred to perfection giving it a slight smoky flavor that was delicious - the portion was small but the flavors were large!! and finally we got the dal and that was honestly my second favorite and i did not expect to love dal so much. they do the thadka at tableside which is always a fun experience - so highly reccomend!! for a drink i did try their non alcoholic manjul saaru that was perfectly refreshing especially pairing well with an indian meal. the service was awesome and our server was so kind and helpful when we were debating between what to get! the food comes at a relatively quick pace and comes out very hot and fresh which is always really nice. and the inside seating is a bit limited so definitely recomend making a reservation and if not there is bar seating available as well. interior is cute and located right inside the essex market read more
They serve the best, softest, tastiest, full of right spices and texture paneer tikka in North America so far. I've tried paneer tikka from various restaurants and this is my favorite. We ordered it twice. I ordered their methi paneer entree with the paratha and roti and it was crazy good - the gravy was very flavorful and paired well with the paratha. This was enough for 3 people or you could take it Togo. Thankfully the reservation was not hard to find. The food options were very good and we had a great time. Our server was also very sweet and friendly. Would definitely recommend this restaurant if you haven't tried it despite the price point. read more
Spicy but delicious food! We came one early evening for dinner - had the okra and the eggplant dip. And the rice pudding dessert. The restaurant was relatively quiet compared to other times I have walked by. The waitress was on top of her game. The food was good portions. It was super spicy - even the sauce they give at the beginning. But I loved it! read more
Indian restaurant Top inside the Essex Street market serving up high end Indian culinary. We made a reservation and we're set in like this corner restaurant inside the market staff was bustling about ensuring our water glasses were filled in. Our every need was taken care of the waiter made suggestionsand we decided on cocktails appetizers and mains after we were through. There was no room for dessert. I definitely would love to come back here to experience more of the exotic dishes as they were tasty and spicy like I like it. Go here!! read more
9 months ago
Had an amazing experience at Dhamaka. The menu is kinda small so there's not many options and limited vegetarian options. I wish they had naan instead of just chapathi/paratha but the paratha was pretty good. We sat at the bar area and the service was good too. The paneer methi was super yummy and I'd definitely order it again. The methi in it was the best part in my opinion which I didn't expect. The quantity was also huge so we were able to eat it with rice too which was nice. read more
Dhamaka was a great experience. Service was great -- friendly and fast -- and food met the expectations of what we'd heard. A little pricey for an Indian spot, but that's expected in Manhattan. We started with the paneer, thin sliced beef, and paratha -- and all were to die for. Probably my favorite dishes of the night. They were 3 out of the 4 dishes we got (between 2 people)... but still! Everyone should get the paratha as it was flaky, flesh, and incredible. I usually prefer naan, but South Indian paratha hits! The paneer was a must get; crispy outside and soft inside, covered in a flavorful marinade. If you like spice and beef, I think the thin sliced beef was truly my favorite dish of the night. I love Asian cuisine and this was like Asian meets Indian in the preparation of the thin sliced beef (and we ordered rice on the side). It was very spicy though, a lot of chiles, so beware. Finally, we finished with the Malai Murgh (chicken in cream sauce) and it was great as well. It was messy, as I usually prefer boneless chicken for that reason, but the curry was great and the chicken was tender. Overall, drinks were good too, service was outstanding, and food was to die for. One of the best Indian restaurants I've ever had! read more
4 months ago
The food is good and the overall experience is also great. The service is exceptional. The ambience is casual.. but getting an appointment is very tough.. the place is small so plan early.. read more
11 months ago
I was recommended this place by an Indian friend and my sister was not recommended by another Indian friend, food was alright and priceyish, I found everything had dairy, not many vegan options either. read more
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More info about Dhamaka
119 Delancey St
Essex Market, Store 34
New York, NY 10002
Lower East Side
Directions
(212) 204-8616
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Visit Website
http://www.dhamaka.nyc
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Ask the Community - Dhamaka
Do you serve halal meat?
The only items on the menu that are not halal are the Doh Kleh (pork), the Champaran (mutton) and the Rabbit dish.…
What type of lentil are the "white peas" in the ragda pattice?
Traditionally chickpeas
What percentage of the dishes on the menu are spicy? One person in our party can't eat anything spicy, and I want to know whether we should ditch them. Ha ha!
A lot of them are spicy. Food is much better than the friend!
Do they take reservations to eat alone at the bar or is that available first come/first served?
The bar you can walk in if there is a seat open. Usually if a reservation is running behind they have the table sit at the bar to order a drink while they clean up the table.
Do they take walk-ins?
Yes, we walked in as a party of two and got seated right away. I think we were pretty lucky, though.
Is the meat halal?
I believe so, I think they source their meat from Bangladeshi butchers in Queens
Has anyone had a positive outdoor dining experience here? Was it distanced enough? Were there heat lamps?
The outdoor dining is under a tent, so it's not outdoors. During our dinner, the door in the tent was open and fresh air was coming in. The tables were distanced. I don't remember if there were heat lamps, but try the food and you'll get warm in no…
Is there outdoor dining? if so how can we reserve?
They do not have outdoor dining. While their website and Resy listing both state they do, the seating they say is outdoors is actually in a fully enclosed area with no airflow, not even windows. If you're concerned about COVID spread, this is not…
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