Dhamaka Restaurant — Restaurant in London

I recently had a highly unsatisfactory experience at Dhamaka Indian restaurant in Ickenham during a Diwali family dinner that was supposed to be a special celebration for my son's 7th birthday. Despite booking a table well in advance for six people at 6:30 pm, the restaurant's inflexibility and lack of customer-centric approach left us with a bitter taste.

Initially, due to the festive nature of Diwali, I contacted the restaurant to request a slight postponement of our reservation, considering the possibility of delays on such a busy day. Unfortunately, the manager was quick to dismiss our request, claiming that the table was already booked for 8 pm for other guests. While I understood the constraints, the manager's eagerness to cancel our booking altogether seemed unnecessarily harsh.

Upon our arrival, just 8 minutes late due to unexpected traffic, we were seated at a cramped table meant for four adults and two children. The rushed and unaccommodating atmosphere continued as we were promptly handed menus and asked for drink orders within just 2 minutes. It became evident that the staff was more interested in turning over tables quickly than providing a pleasant dining experience.

Our dissatisfaction peaked when our seven-year-old, excited for his birthday treat, ordered mild Chilli Paneer. Despite clarifying our preference twice, we were served the spicy version, leaving our youngest family member unable to eat. The servers, seemingly more concerned with clearing plates than addressing our concerns, whisked away our finished dishes without a word.

As we approached the 7:30 mark, contemplating our main course choices and enjoying our drinks, the restaurant manager, Rolly, approached us with blatant rudeness. He insisted that we place our mains order immediately, citing a strict 1 hour 30 minutes dining time policy for high-end restaurants in the UK. When I questioned this policy, he pointedly checked my reservation details but found no mention of such a time restriction.

After a heated argument and some unpleasant exchanges, the manager reluctantly agreed to give us an hour. Dissatisfied with the overall experience, we decided to cut our losses and requested the bill for the starters and drinks. Only then did the manager realize his mistake and apologize for his aggressive behaviour.

In the end, our Diwali dinner and my son's birthday celebration were marred by the unwarranted rush and unprofessionalism displayed by the manager and the restaurant. We left by 8:15, paying a £120 bill for an experience that fell far short of our expectations. I would caution anyone considering dining at Dhamaka to be aware of their time-based dining policy, which seems to prioritize the restaurant's convenience over the customer's experience. I, for one, will certainly be avoiding this restaurant...

Big Thank You to DHAMAKA

I have come across many restaurants and today I’ve found a delicious mouth watering Indian restaurant on my drive through this village called Ickenham and I will be telling you about my experience at DHAMAKA, fantastic food and very authentic! Keep on reading just gets better and better ........

Me and my family were greeted with a warm welcome to the restaurant from a very charming gentleman standing at the entrance as soon as we got in, we were very lucky they had availability I would advise to book as it was very busy when we arrived.

I’d definitely recommend going to Dhamaka. It was my first time trying this place and it's definitely blown my mind with the delicious flavours and the food texture is honestly perfect, I have to say your chef is very good !

I had ordered various dishes for the family, they all loved it especially the ‘Old Delhi Style Butter Chicken’ it tasted like it was from India, very authentic! along with side the delicious ‘Chicken Biryani’ and the freshly made ‘Garlic Naan bread’ made in their lovely looking tandoor it was prepared soo perfectly, definitely try this place it's worth every penny.

Ooo don't forget .... the Chilli Paneer it’s smashing ! If you love a little kick of spice.

It's making me want to order another portion now as I type so you may get another booking soon ..……...

The kids loved your ‘Dhamaka Tandoori Mix Grill’, they are doing my head in for more so see you again soon.... Your chef has definitely won the kids heart with the delicious flavours.

The restaurant looks like it's been very well made into detail, very posh I love your hand crafted walls and the bar looks soo beautiful, the decor was well thought through.

It's definitely worth a try !!!!!!

Decor - 10/10 Presentation - 10/10 Cleanliness - 10/10 Customer service - 10/10

Parking - Location is perfect many parking spots right outside the restaurant which was really useful with the kids not having to walk much.

Price - Is very reasonable due to the food quality, quantity and the atmosphere you get it's definitely very well priced for what it is I've been to many Indian restaurants and this is now my go to place.

Overall experience - 10/10

Thank you guys for your hospitality at your...

A Memorable Dining Experience at Dhamka Restaurant

Today, I had the pleasure of visiting Dhamka Restaurant, and from the moment we walked in, we were given a very warm welcome by both the owner and the manager. We were seated at a cozy table for two, and the ambiance of the restaurant was truly delightful—beautiful lighting and a warm, inviting atmosphere.

We were craving Fish 65, and although it wasn’t on the menu, I noticed Chicken 65 listed. I approached the kitchen and spoke to three amazing chefs—Raghuveer, Sunil, and Mahendra—and explained my craving for Fish 65. They went above and beyond to accommodate my request, agreeing to make a special version just for us. I also asked for their recommendations for both starters and the main course, as I wanted to enjoy the chef’s special creations.

To start, we were served Pani Puri, which was bursting with flavor—absolutely fantastic. Then came the Fish 65, and I must say, it was beyond expectations. The chefs truly went the extra mile, and the result was a dish that was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and unforgettable. The Lamb Chops were another highlight—tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned.

For the main course, we had the Chef’s Lamb Dum Biryani and Chicken Tawa, which we paired with Garlic Naan. The biryani was rich, aromatic, and perfectly spiced. The chicken was bold and delicious, and the garlic naan was soft, buttery, and the perfect pairing.

To end this incredible meal, we had Gajar ka Halwa served with Vanilla Ice Cream, which truly made the evening complete. The warm halwa and cold ice cream combination was divine and the perfect sweet finish to an unforgettable dining experience.

I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how amazing the food and overall experience were. I highly recommend Dhamka Restaurant to anyone who enjoys delicious food and top-notch hospitality. This is a place...