Paula

Katherine, Andrés - thank you so much for the amazing experience we’ve had tonight! We loved each single meal and we are so grateful for your help and kindness. The food was so delicious and we will definitely come back and recommend it to all our loved ones!

+4

Rahul Singh

The Paneer Tikka was soft and fresh, while the Methi Malai and Murgh Malai were rich and flavorful. The standout dish was the Dhaba Daal—simply exceptional. Rabadi was excellent as well. The only minor drawback was the Paratha, which was slightly uneven in texture. Despite a limited menu, the food quality is outstanding—easily among the best Indian cuisine in the area. Highly recommend and will definitely return.

+10

Barney Simon

Stop in about 6:30. We're told we had to be out by 8:00. That should not be a problem. We had the lamb shank with basmati rice. It's a wonderful dish, and we'll feed us a couple more times when we get home! The menu is exciting and varied with unusual dishes, which seems to be their whole mantra. And they've succeeded wonderfully

+2

Stefano Murcia

Wow! Dhamaka is a fresh take on traditional Indian dishes not usually found at most establishments of the same cuisine. We were pleased to enjoy flavors, spices, and aromas that were both unique and satiating! The setting is relaxed with matching interior decor and a nice street view of Essex St. There's nothing very flashy and it doesn't pretend to be upscale in a superficial sense either. The focus is entirely on amazing quality of ingredients and preparation. We recommend this place for a casual night out and for couples or groups with enough appetite. The dishes are definitely best shared amongst good company! All the waiters/hospitality staff at Dhamaka we're exceptional. It felt like I was at a restaurant that could approach Michelin star status. We had the pleasure to be served by Vikas. He was an excellent waiter with close attention to detail. Besides taking good care of us at each moment, we were also able to engage in great conversations. The experience was definitely warmer and friendlier because of his open personality and great recommendations. Until the next time!

+5

Akshay Medhekar

Had the most incredible dining experience at Dhamaka NYC! From the very first bite, every dish was bursting with bold, authentic, and unforgettable flavors. The creativity and execution were truly outstanding. Kudos to the chef and the entire team for bringing such vibrant Indian cuisine to life in the heart of NYC. The service was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. A must-visit for anyone who wants to experience Indian food at its finest!

Siddhant Sharma

I have been to many Indian restaurants around the world, and this is easily one of the best and most unique. It truly lives up to the name: it's an explosion of flavor in your mouth. Eating here makes me feel like I am in someones house in India, being transported around from region to region. If I could somehow give this restaurant six stars, I would. * Word of warning: these dishes are all niche, regional dishes that would be best for foodies; dont come in expecting your standard chicken tikka masala with garlic naan. * Appetizers: The paneer tikka and bohri chicken cutlet were out of this world. The paneer was soft and had a fantastic texture. Perhaps the best paneer I have ever had in my life. The chicken cutlet had a spectacular balance of spice, and also had a great texture. They put Amul cheese in it, which is a nice touch. Before the appetizers came, I had lower expectations of the place because it looked just like many other casual Indian eateries. But after the first bite of appetizers, I was swept clean off my feet and I realized what kind of meal this would be. Main courses: We had the baingan bharta, butter crab, and Champaran meat. Everything was fantastic, but the champaran meat really stole the show. It was spicy, flavorful, gamy, hot. The mutton practically fell off of the bone. We also ordered 4 parathas and 1 rice for the three of us. All were of exceptional quality. For drinks, I ordered the Ghee Whiz (their take on an Old Fashioned). It was smoky, sweet, and strong; it has real ghee in it, and smells like a wood fireplace back home(very nostalgic smell for me). It paired incredibly well with the champaran meat. They also serve it in a really interesting way, which i took video of. Dessert: We had rabdi and kulfi. Both were absolutely amazing, especially if you like rabdi and haven't had a good one lately. Our server Catherine was super helpful and knowledgeable throughout our meal. Normally waiters dont give real recommendations, they just say "oh everything is good here", but Catherine asked us good questions before making her recommendations. For example, when we were trying to decide between the Rara Gosht and the Champaran, she told us that the Champaran will be spicier and gamier. We took this information and used it to make a better choice for our tastes, so she was super helpful. She told us that the servers here go through extensive training and quizzes, which does not surprise me given their knowledge. After dinner we asked for the chef, and he was super happy we enjoyed our meal. Young looking guy too; if he's this talented now, then I can't wait to see what else he will cook up in his career. I know that this review is probably quite lengthy, but for a restaurant this expensive you should know exactly what to expect. Fantastic, niche, regional Indian dishes. Strong, balanced flavors. Top-notch service. This was one of the best Indian restaurants I have ever been to, and it is certainly in my top 5. A must-visit for foodies, and for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of Indian food. If you don't have the palate for this kind of thing, you will be severely disappointed with the price and with the portion sizes. I suspect the bad reviews of this place are exactly that, so I will warn you again: if you want your standard, safe Indian cuisine, go eat chicken tikka masala somewhere else. This place ain't for you. All said, it's a 10/10. A must experience for those who want a real taste of India.

Aditi Warke

I had an amazing dining experience at Dhamaka! From the moment I arrived, the staff was incredibly welcoming and attentive. The vibrant atmosphere and cozy yet trendy vibe made it a perfect spot to enjoy authentic provincial Indian cuisine. The standout dishes for me were the spicy lamb curry, smoky tandoori chicken, and the flavorful biryani—each bursting with rich and unique flavors. The service was fast and efficient without feeling rushed. I also appreciated the variety of vegan and vegetarian options available. Whether you're coming for lunch or dinner, this place is a must-visit in New York. I will definitely be coming back and recommending Dhamaka to my friends. Five stars all the way!

+2

Delicious food and amazing service. our waiter was really helpful with the menu and suggestions.

Delicious food and amazing service. our waiter was really helpful with the menu and suggestions.

Delicious food and amazing service. our waiter was really helpful with the menu and suggestions.

Stopped here spontaneously for a drink and snack. Had the chicken cutlet which was fabulously spiced. The Indian influenced drinks were fabulous. Sat at the bar. Great service.

The kulfi was ok, the service was excellent. The food lived up to all the hype. Hands down the most tender paneer I've ever had. I'd go back just for the methi paneer

The kulfi was ok, the service was excellent. The food lived up to all the hype. Hands down the most tender paneer I've ever had. I'd go back just for the methi paneer

Dhamaka was one Indian restaurant we decided to try on our trip to NYC & it certainly did not disappoint. The staff is warm & welcoming, the suggestions made by them were bang on. We tried "Paneer …

Dhamaka was one indian restaurant we decided to try on our trip to NYC & it certainly did not disappoint. The staff is warm & welcoming, the suggestions made by them were bang on. We tried "Paneer …

I loved everything here and hope to come back to try more! The lamb shank briyani is divine and the butter prawns makes you dream of it sometimes. Service is fairly fast which is great. Love what…

A wonderful, wonderful, wonderful ambiance and experience. I want to work there. We started with the spinach dip with garlic and cumin seeds and the butter pepper garlic crab (a lil bit of heaven)!…

We found the staff to be very friendly and approachable and we were seated at the bar promptly. We had the crab and the goat curry and we found the food to be excellent as we expected. It's not the m…

We found the staff to be very friendly and approachable and we were seated at the bar promptly. We had the crab and the goat curry and we found the food to be excellent as we expected. It's not…

We found the staff to be very friendly and approachable and we were seated at the bar promptly. We had the crab and the goat curry and we found the food to be excellent as we expected. It's not the…

We found the staff to be very friendly and approachable and we were seated at the bar promptly. We had the crab and the goat curry and we found the food to be excellent as we expected. It's not the…

Unapologetically Indian food, as they claim, and very good at that. We tried quite a few things and left happy. thevegetarianvoyager on IG for reels and pics

Unapologetically indian food, as they claim, and very good at that. We tried quite a few things and left happy. thevegetarianvoyager on IG for reels and pics

Unapologetically indian food, as they claim, and very good at that. We tried quite a few things and left happy. thevegetarianvoyager on IG for reels and pics

food outstanding, service top, ambiance friendly and comfortable. Favorite dishes , Kashmiri Champ , Creamy crab, Signature dish of Dhamaka Champaran meat curry is outstanding . Delicious Sta…

Food outstanding, service top, ambiance friendly and comfortable. Favorite dishes , Kashmiri Champ , Creamy Crab, Signature dish of Dhamaka Champaran Meat curry is outstanding . Delicious Starters …

Food outstanding, service top, ambiance friendly and comfortable. Favorite dishes , Kashmiri Champ , Creamy crab, Signature dish of Dhamaka Champaran Meat curry is outstanding . Delicious Starters …

Food outstanding, service top, ambiance friendly and comfortable. Favorite dishes , Kashmiri Champ , Creamy Crab, Signature dish of Dhamaka Champaran Meat curry is outstanding . Delicious Starters …

Wow. Everything was absolutely delicious. Especially the lamb biryani and paneer tikka. service was great and the atmosphere was so fun!

Wow. Everything was absolutely delicious. Especially the lamb biryani and paneer tikka. Service was great and the atmosphere was so fun!

best experience the food is so delicious. I visit there with my friends. all were happy. The atmosphere and management are fully satisfied. Highly recommended.

“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

Hard reservation to land and tucked inside a food market, which made Dhamaka feel like a great find before we even sat down. Top dishes: the beef pepper fry was the standout. Tender, spicy in the best way, served with chutney and onions. The butter pepper crab tasted like a richer shrimp scampi, incredible. The malai murgh had bold butter and spice flavors - crispy onions were excellent, just wish the portion was bigger. We also ordered the paratha and it was perfect for dipping into all the sauces. The balli biryani was huge and could feed four easily. Great presentation, and yes, we ate the bread sealing the pot. Service from Alex was patient and helpful, guiding a table of opinions. Our group eats a lot of Indian food around the city, so this was a bucket list stop. Albarino wine was great with the meal, and the Old Fashioned and beers held up too. Overall a fun, flavorful night with a lot of surprises!

Amazing Indian food! The paneer methi and dhaba dal were packed with authentic flavors, starters like lamb chops, paneer tikka, and chana chena were melt-in-the-mouth, and the rabdi was rich and truly authentic. Definitely coming back!

Ozgun Saran

This place had been on my friend’s must-try dining list since it first opened, but it was always fully booked and reservation-only. Today was finally the day we got to experience it—and it was well worth the wait. The staff, from the maître d’ to the waiters, were genuinely warm and welcoming. A special shout-out to Alex, who was fantastic—patiently explaining the dishes, keeping our water glasses full, and checking in on us throughout the meal. The ambiance is funky and hip, with a unique vibe that doesn’t immediately give away the type of cuisine being served, which I personally loved. The authentic Indian music added an extra layer to the experience and complemented the food beautifully. This is not the place for chicken tikka masala lovers looking for a familiar take. This is real, authentic Indian cuisine (with some selective meat dishes). From the appetizers to the main course—especially the lamb shank for two—everything was flavorful, well-seasoned, and thoughtfully prepared. We both truly enjoyed our time and will definitely be back. Making a reservation is a must.

Rahul Banerjee

So much hype and recommendations from friends across the tri-state area made us take a jump this Saturday to experience lunch at Dhamaka. Located quite nicely in Essex Market, this place is a little crowded and has a marketplace feel to it. Our server was excellent who paid attention to everything we had to ask. Now to the food. We tried to sample 6 dishes across their spectrum of cuisine from across all parts of India. My overall impression was that this sort of represents India but something is lost in the translation. The Lamb biryani is more representative of Northwest frontiers than Punjab. The crab was excellent in its flavors, presentation and is a recommendation for this place. Bohri chicken cutlet was a pleasant surprise as well. The haiyali (Green) fish was quite a disappointment as was the chicken in cream sauce. The lamb had good flavors and quite spicy, however seemed a little hard.

+1

Michelle Lin

This place had a lot of hype and many even say this is better than Semma. I didn’t think it was anything mind blowing. The first bite always tastes amazing— the paneer, chicken cutlet, and lamb shank biryani. Everything was great but as you continue with each dish, it gets less special since the flavour is rather uniform. The paratha was a standout— very buttery and crispy with the perfect amount of chewiness. It’s also really expensive….

RESTAURANT WEEK ONLY REVIEW\n\nCame 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:\n- Chana Ch…

RESTAURANT WEEK ONLY REVIEW\n\nCame 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:\n- Chana …

Enjoyed a lovely gals evening at Dhamka. We got the famous lamb rice and it indeed was delicious. The crab dish was TOP TIER and probably my favorite thing consumed that night. Casual atmosphere …

Enjoyed a lovely gals evening at Dhamka. We got the famous lamb rice and it indeed was delicious. The crab dish was TOP TIER and probably my favorite thing consumed that night. Casual atmosphere lo…

Enjoyed a lovely gals evening at Dhamka. We got the famous lamb rice and it indeed was delicious. The crab dish was TOP TIER and probably my favorite thing consumed that night. Casual atmosphere lo…

Take the reservation if you can. Is the Nalli Biryani too big for two people? Absolutely. Get it anyway the leftovers are fabulous. We celebrated a birthday here and they were so kind to bring out …

My friend and I did not feel welcome at all. We arrived at the restaurant at 5pm which was our reservation time. There was no one at the restaurant at that time and it remained very empty for the r…

This is an average indian restaurant located in a food court trying to act like a 'fine dining restaurant'. In summary they are over priced with average portions. Their brunch costs $45 - I would p…

Good indian food, although it fell short of expectations. I suggest the pander troika and pander meth because the pane er was freshly prepared in-house. The rare goths and banning bharta were decen…

The food was delicious. I enjoyed the crab and grilled eggplant. But the dishes are nothing more than small plates, so very pricey for "fine dining" in a food hall/food court. Dhamaka also has TERR…

I don't know what the hype is all about with this place. I did not like anything they served. Portions are tiny and waaaaay overpriced. Nothing is included. White rice with your Saag is extra. $30…

I don't know what the hype is all about with this place. I did not like anything they served. Portions are tiny and waaaaay overpriced. Nothing is included. White rice with your Saag is extra. $…

This place has a very creative menu. We sampled the pakoras, fish fry, & shrimp/crab biryani. All were extremely flavourful and well balanced. The paratha was possibly the best that I had ever tast…

As a person who loves Indian food and also traveled to India, I didn't love the dishes. Also the portions were pretty small. Service was kind and great and the place is very cute.

jang sidhu

Dhamaka’s food felt like Diwali’s firework which didn’t explode after flight and the dhamaka didn’t happen. Ordered methi paneer and parontha, paneer was the softest paneer ever had in US, parontha tasted like it was frozen and reheated up and raita tasted as store bought, rather than that homemade curd tangy flavor you crave with Indian food. As an Indian it is not anything extraordinary that you haven’t tasted before. The batameez dil drink was refreshing however after a long day. Overall I waking give it a 3.5 star rating compared to other places I’ve had in India and outside. The service is really good and does deserve 5 stars for that. We looked forward to this dinner all day and it just didn’t hit the spot as anticipated.

Akshara Tarkas

One of the famous Indian restaurants here in NYC! The food to be honest was just okay and wouldn’t really recommend or come back here, maybe for the Paneer if they sell that Food : We got the Paneer tikka, Butter pepper garlic crab, Paneer Methi and Champaran meat. The Paneer tikka spice was decent but the Paneer itself was soo soft and yum, the best I’ve truly had. The Paneer methi was lack lustre and was just okay! My husband tried the crab which he loved and the champaran meat was one dimensional, just spicy. Service : Nice and quick! Ambience : Nice but nothing outstanding!

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 s…

unfortunately i think this place is a little over rated. the paneer was good but the lamb shank was a bit dry. also overall i think just too expensive for what it is - it's $14 for the lassi but …

unfortunately i think this place is a little over rated. the paneer was good but the lamb shank was a bit dry. also overall i think just too expensive for what it is - it's $14 for the lassi but …

Note: This is in Essex Market, and not a dedicated restaurant so not fit for dinner. They don't serve hot tea(chai) or coffee. Some menu items are priced reasonably while other are expensive.

It started off badly. The woman who greeted us went into some kind of unnecessary instruction about how if I was waiting for the second person in the party that I could only wait for 15 minutes a…

Ganesh Thangaraj

For being advertised as unapologetic, seems there was a lot of compromises to tone down flavours. Service was top notch. But what we were served wasn't. Bohri Chicken cutlet - was able taste only the chaat masala sprinkled on top. Jama Masjid seekh - was tender and flavourful Butter pepper garlic crab - was too mellow and only the lime flavour stood out Machi Hara masala - fish with mint chutney and had lots of bones Kolambi ani kekda bhaath - For what was advertised as Tiger prawns.. We saw only cat prawns ( pun intended) Rara gosht - was decent Desserts were decent but too creamy.

+2