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Dhamaka
Indian
Dhamaka means "explosion" in Hindi, and the kitchen takes that seriously, sending out smoky goat belly wrapped in cedar wood and mutton in clay pots swimming in dark chili oil with a whole roasted garlic bulb. This is a sit-down Indian restaurant in Essex Market that goes deep into rustic, regional dishes rarely spotted on menus here. The chef holds a James Beard Award. Tables are comically small, so bring people you like close.
The awards strongest first
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Winner · Best Chef: New York State · Chintan Pandya
- James Beard Awards 2022 · Nominee · Best New Restaurant
- Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand
- The New York Times 2021 · Critic's Pick · Restaurant Review
- Esquire #1 · The Best New Restaurants in America
- The New York Times The Restaurant List
- Eater The Best New Restaurants in America
- The New York Times #66 · The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City
- The 50 The 50 Discovery
- Eater The Best Lower East Side Restaurants
One number, weighted & current 89
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
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Dhungar gosht
“The menu changes every so often with the most recent update including the dhungar gosht, a smoked goat stew that arrives at the table with charcoal still burning in the pot.”
Eater -
Tangri kebab
“Other highlights include a Makkahi lamb shank, and tangri kebab — chicken legs marinated in yogurt, stuffed with Amul cheese.”
Eater -
Paneer tikka
“Other highlights include house-made paneer tikka, sizzling Kashmiri lamb loin cut tableside and a butter garlic crab served over rice.”
Michelin Guide -
Biryani
“biryani under a lid sealed with a strip of dough, pried off with a knife at your table.”
The New York Times, 2026
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The neighbors closest first
- Shopsin's Eat · 78
- Anbā Eat · 65
- The Back Room Bar Speakeasy Drink · 61
- Ni Japanese Deli Japanese Eat · 18
- The Historic Blue Moon Hotel Stay · 81
- Eel Bar Basque Drink · 80
- Holiday Inn NYC Lower East Side Stay · 75
- El Castillo De Jagua Cuban Eat · 60
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