Indian Gastro Bar · Columbia Heights
By Monty Khas, Anonymous Critic. Pays every bill.
Tamashaa means a show, a spectacle, something worth watching, and this Columbia Heights restaurant takes the name seriously. Walk in and you're surrounded by violet and orange, an intricate tiled floor and a Bollywood swagger that tells you dinner here is meant to be fun.
The people
Tamashaa opened on 14th Street in 2024. Restaurateur Rajiv Chopra runs the business with his wife, Shivani Chopra, who designed the room, and chef Manoj Goel leads the kitchen. They describe it as a gastro bar, which means small plates, big flavors and a bar that does a lot of the talking.
What to eat
Start with the panipuri shots, crisp shells filled with spiced water and meant to be downed in one bite. The ghevar chaat turns a Rajasthani festival sweet into a savory snack, and the crispy okra and sweet potato chaat is a crunchy crowd-pleaser. Kerala fried chicken brings coconut and curry leaf to the fryer, and the Old Monk haldi chili fish, named for India's favorite dark rum, is bright with turmeric and heat.
For something hearty, the Jama Masjid seekh lamb channels the kebab stalls of Old Delhi. Goat vindaloo is tangy and fiery, and lamb nihari is slow-cooked and rich. The kitchen also does a soft-shell crab in coconut curry and an Andhra fish curry for seafood lovers. Bread matters here too, especially the Amul cheese and onion kulcha, made with India's most famous processed cheese. It's indulgent in exactly the right way.
The bar
Cocktails lean on Indian flavors. The Silk Route, made with clarified chai and white rum, and the Kashmir Valley, with Kashmiri chili, have been signatures. The non-drinkers' list is thoughtful, too. Menus change, so ask what's new.
Before you go
Tamashaa is at 3115 14th Street NW, steps from the Columbia Heights Metro. It's open daily from 11 a.m., with a late-night menu, and there's a mall garage across the street for parking.
Why it matters
Washington has plenty of polished Indian dining rooms. Tamashaa adds something different: a place that feels like a night out from the moment you walk in. It's loud, colorful and generous, and that's exactly the point.
The Quick Fix
What to order: Panipuri shots; ghevar chaat; Kerala fried chicken; Old Monk haldi chili fish; Jama Masjid seekh lamb; goat vindaloo or lamb nihari; Amul cheese and onion kulcha; a Silk Route cocktail
Pricing: Mid-range. Easy to graze, easy to splurge.
Best for: Groups of friends, birthday dinners, cocktail nights, late dinners and anyone who likes a little drama with dinner
How it compares: More theatrical than Pappe; more of a party than Rasika; a strong pick for regional small plates north of U Street
See where Tamashaa ranks: The Best Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Restaurants in Washington D.C.: Our Top 10 for 2026
The food was always this good. We're just paying attention.