-
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.
Eight honors, in evidence:
The record 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
- Eater The Best New Restaurants in America
- The New York Times The Restaurant List
- Esquire #1 · The Best New Restaurants in America
- The New York Times #66 · The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City
- Eater The Best Lower East Side Restaurants
One number, weighted & current 88
How we scoreThe dishes from the writeups
- Housemade paneer The New York Times, 2026
- Dhungar gosht Eater
Nearby in the record closest first
- Shopsin's Eat · 78
- Anbā Eat · 65
- The Back Room Bar Drink · 61
- Eel Bar Basque Drink · 80
- El Castillo De Jagua Eat · 60
- Okiboru Noodles Eat · 64
- Russ & Daughters Cafe American Eat · 83
- Tigre Seafood Drink · 85
Something wrong with this entry? Tell us — closed, moved, miscategorized, we want to know.