"New York's boldest Indian table — Chintan Pandya's Dhamaka cooks whole rabbit, goat and clay-pot regional dishes with no apology, a thrilling night out."
About Dhamaka
Dhamaka sits in Essex Market on the Lower East Side of New York, the work of chef Chintan Pandya and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods. Opened in 2021, it set out to serve the food of India's underrepresented regions without compromise — a mission that earned a James Beard Best New Restaurant nomination and won Pandya the 2022 James Beard Best Chef: New York State award. It is also a World's 50 Best Discovery.
For more of the city's top Indian cooking, compare the group's own Adda, the Michelin-starred South Indian Semma and the upscale Baar Baar. Dhamaka belongs to the city's Indian dining scene.
The Kitchen
Pandya's menu is a holistic portrait of regional Indian food, most of it made to order and cooked and served in the same clay pots and cast iron used in Indian homes. The headline is the Rajasthani khargosh — a whole rabbit — described as one of the hardest dishes to order in the city, alongside Bohri chicken cutlet, butter pepper garlic crab and the offal-forward gurda kapoora. It is bold, uncompromising cooking; expect a mid-to-upper spend, with the most ambitious dishes calling for advance notice.
The Room
The room is a snug, energetic space inside Essex Market, loud and convivial rather than hushed, with a counter feel and tables packed close. Service is informed and enthusiastic about steering newcomers toward the bolder plates. Demand is high and the space is small, so reservations open in advance and go quickly — booking the moment a date opens is the way in.
Best for a First Date
A bold menu, a buzzy room and a shared sense of adventure make Dhamaka a memorable first date or birthday in New York. The conversation-starting dishes also carry a lively team dinner.
Not for
Not for diners after mild, familiar Indian-restaurant standards or a quiet, formal room — Dhamaka is loud, intense and built around uncompromising regional cooking.
Frequently Asked
What is Dhamaka in New York known for?
It is a regional Indian restaurant in Essex Market on the Lower East Side from chef Chintan Pandya and Roni Mazumdar of Unapologetic Foods, known for bold, made-to-order dishes from underrepresented regions of India — including the whole-rabbit khargosh — and for Pandya's 2022 James Beard award.
Who is the chef at Dhamaka?
Chintan Pandya, who won the James Beard Best Chef: New York State award in 2022; the restaurant is run with restaurateur Roni Mazumdar under their Unapologetic Foods group.
What should I order at Dhamaka?
The Rajasthani khargosh (a whole rabbit) is the signature, alongside the Bohri chicken cutlet, butter pepper garlic crab and the offal-forward gurda kapoora.
Where is Dhamaka located?
In Essex Market on the Lower East Side of New York, at 88 Essex Street.
Is Dhamaka hard to get into?
Yes — it is a small, in-demand room, so reservations open in advance and book up fast; reserving the moment a date opens is the best approach.
Has Dhamaka won any awards?
Chef Chintan Pandya won the 2022 James Beard Best Chef: New York State award, the restaurant was a James Beard Best New Restaurant nominee, and it is a World's 50 Best Discovery.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Dhamaka
Reservations open in advance and go fast; book the moment a date opens.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressEssex Market, 88 Essex Street, Lower East Side, New York
NeighbourhoodLower East Side, Essex Market
CuisineRegional Indian
PriceMid-to-upper; ambitious dishes need notice
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingSnug Essex Market room and counter
ReservationEssential
