1. Dhamaka
Lower East Side
With Dhamaka, chef Chintan Pandya and restaurateur Roni Mazumdar of Adda and Rahi have another bona fide hit. Here, in Essex Street Market, the focus is on provincial Indian cuisine of the kind we haven’t seen much in these parts. Think beguni (crunchy eggplant dusted with masala and served with Bengal mustard), goat-neck biryani, and champaran meat (mutton with whole garlic and red chile). For adventurous palates, there’s baby shark — done with turmeric, ginger, and tomatoes. Click here for a dish-by-dish deep dive into the menu.
Dining status: Indoor and outdoor tables are open for reservations.