Chef and Partner Chintan Pandya and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar of the critically acclaimed Rahi and Adda Indian Canteen are bringing Dhamaka, a new “Unapologetic Indian” restaurant to the recently developed Essex Market. Dhamaka (which means “explosion” in Hindi) is a deep dive into the cuisine that encapsulates the heritage and vibrancy of the subcontinent's rich culinary history.

Foods from unrepresented regions of India dominate the menu at Dhamaka. An ‘explosion’ of flavors is present in every dish with help from the country's collections of ancestral spices, migrational culinary patterns, and the traditional methods of preparation which include open fire cooking, clay pots, pressure cookers, and grills.

The casual 42-seat restaurant with floor to ceiling windows onto Delancey Street includes a 10-seat bar and 40-seat sidewalk patio. The decor by architect-designer Wid Chapman is vibrant and colorful with hand-painted murals and industrial accents reflective of the Indian culture and local neighborhood.