Image: Let them whip you up something.
Last Updated: October 2025
Overview:
Tamashaa jumped onto our shortlist for underrated/under-the-radar spots. Despite its location smackdab in the middle of Columbia Heights, it has yet to get the buzz it deserves. They do a fun version of Indian in a nice open space with attentive service. It is at a reasonable price point and not that hard to get into.
The dishes here are creative, well-executed, and very good. You can default to the standards and not be disappointed with your chicken tikka masala or daal. We would encourage, however, to dig into the menu’s other options like Chilean sea bass with fermented mustard-marinated, or the ghevar chaat of chickpeas served with honeycomb and a whipped tamarind sauce. We looked past the paneer (cheese) in spinach for the paneer amul cheese tapenade with tomato-based sauce. The pani puri shells come atop shot glasses with two each of mint, guava and pineapple water that you pour into the shell before popping in your mouth. Even with a large takeout order and an almost as large dine-in dinner, lots of interesting choices remain to be tried. There is a long cocktail list in book form with fun pictures, and a few other drink options.
There are still some quibbles. They have a large number of hightops that are not what most people think they are getting when they make a proper reservation instead of risking the walk-in, so you may want to make a specific request if you want to avoid that. The kitchen was a bit slow with the courses despite very diligent servers scooting about the floor, but it was a busy Saturday night and that will likely settle itself out, but you may want to plan for a little extra time if you are doing multiple courses. Strangely, the “lounge” waiting room area is all the way in the back, so people congregate at the front instead.
The owners, Rajiv Chopra and his wife Shivani Chopra, come from New Dehli, but the inspiration comes from all points including some outside India. They opened a couple spots in Northern Virginia and now they are moving into the District. They arrive in bold style and deserving of recognition. We recommend you give them a try.
Other Guidance: It is located at street level, bathrooms located on the same floor with a slightly circuitous path to get there. It has a neighborhood feel of a place where you can get dressed up for a first date, or have the whole family around a big table in various states of formality. Being Indian, lots of vegetarian and GF options, all clearly marked on the QR code menu.
Summary:
Cuisine: Indian
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights/Petworth
Address: 3115 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20010
Website: https://tamashaa.us/
Reservations: Resy
Other Critics/Voices:
Washington Post: No coverage yet
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Nevin Martell: In WCP.