Explosive, unapologetic Indian food – try the famous goat dishes and intensely spiced regional specialties that are rarely found elsewhere.
Amber Sutherland-Namako reviews Dhamaka, an "unapologetic Indian" restaurant in Essex Market, highlighting its unique dishes and exciting atmosphere.
Dhamaka, translating to
Dhamaka offers a unique and adventurous take on rustic Indian cuisine, focusing on less common regional dishes with complex spice blends and high heat levels. Fan favorites include the biryani (especially goat or lamb), the Champaran Meat, and the Paneer Methi. However, some find the food excessively spicy, greasy, or too salty, with one comment suggesting all curries have a similar red flavor profile. Vegetarian options are noted as limited by some.
"The biryani (particularly lamb, goat, or goat neck), Champaran Meat, Paneer Methi, Beef Pepper Fry, and crab garlic butter rice are frequently recommended."
Customers are divided, with many praising the bold, authentic, and intensely flavorful dishes, while others find it too spicy or question its hype and authenticity.
Important Note
Some diners find the restaurant to be overly spicy, greasy, or salty. Reservations can be difficult to secure, and the location within Essex Market might detract from the ambiance for some. Certain adventurous dishes, like the rabbit, may require advance ordering.
"Dhamaka was recommended for its amazing Indian food."
Positive"This user advises skipping Dhamaka if noise is a concern, as they found the restaurant to be excessively loud."
Negative"Dhamaka is listed as a recommendation for date-worthy food that is not stuffy or fine dining."
Positive"The user recommends Dhamaka as a great choice for a birthday dinner in NYC. They also suggest Bungalow and mention Queens for amazing Indian food."
Positive"This user states that Indian Accent is fantastic and much better than Dhamaka in their opinion."
Negative"This user notes that Cloves has top-tier service, contrasting it with Dhamaka."
Negative"The user describes Dhamaka as a bit more unique and adventurous than Adda, but notes that the portions are smaller for the price point."
Neutral"The user expresses a negative opinion about Dhamaka's location, stating it is in a food court."
Negative"Dhamaka is mentioned as a fine dining restaurant from the same group as Semma, and is considered considerably easier to get into. The user also notes its location in a food court as a potential downside."
Neutral"The user suggests Dhamaka as an alternative to Semma."
Neutral"This commenter listed Dhamaka as a place to try."
Positive"This commenter stated that Dhamaka was the best meal they have had in some time."
Positive"This commenter is seeking opinions from Indian individuals who enjoy Dhamaka."
Neutral"The commenter visited Dhamaka and found the food and mocktail good, with the crab dish being the standout."
Positive"This commenter recommended Dhamaka, specifically praising the Paneer Tikka appetizer for its spicy and cheesy qualities. They also mentioned the Paneer Methi entree as being great."
Positive"The commenter prefers Dhamaka and Adda over Semma."
Positive"The commenter expresses strong admiration for Dhamaka's biryani."
Positive"The commenter plans to visit Dhamaka, having previously experienced Semma and Adda, noting the difficulty in securing reservations for both."
Neutral"A strong positive affirmation for Dhamaka."
Positive"The commenter questions the 'underrated' status of Dhamaka, recalling a less impressive experience from years ago, but is open to revisiting after a menu revamp."
Neutral
