Tucked along Danforth Avenue is Dhoom, an expansive new arrival that makes an immediate visual impression. It is a striking, design-forward space that feels far more ambitious than the typical neighbourhood opening. The room unfolds across a large, airy main floor and mezzanine, accommodating up to 200 guests, yet still manages to feel cohesive and thoughtfully composed. A soft, neutral palette of whites, beiges, and taupes sets the tone, giving the restaurant a polished, contemporary elegance. Warm, flattering lighting washes over the space, while the glass garage doors at the front bring in natural light by day and lend an inviting, open feel in the evening.
There is an undeniable energy here, particularly on weekends when live music fills the room on Friday and Saturday nights, adding a lively, social dimension that complements the scale of the space. Two bars, one upstairs and one on the main level, anchor the experience, each offering a curated program of handcrafted cocktails and premium spirits that feel in step with the restaurant’s modern positioning.
The menu leans into contemporary Indian cuisine, presented through a chef-driven approach of small plates designed for sharing. The dishes are bold, vibrant, and layered with spice, while maintaining a level of refinement in their presentation. There is a clear intention to elevate familiar flavours into something more polished and composed, and when the kitchen is firing on all cylinders, the results are both satisfying and memorable.
Where the experience falters, unfortunately, is in the execution of service. For a restaurant of this scale, the staffing felt noticeably thin. During our visit, the entire dining room was managed by a single server, alongside a hostess and a manager who were both clearly stretched, moving between roles throughout the evening. We were told this was a budget-driven decision, but the impact on the guest experience was significant.
Pacing suffered, with long waits between courses, and tables were not being cleared in a timely manner. Dirty dishes lingered even as new plates arrived, and several surrounding tables remained uncleared after guests had left. These are the details that, in a restaurant of this calibre and ambition, should be seamless. Instead, they became a distraction.
There is a lot to admire about Dhoom. The space is beautiful, the energy is strong, and the food shows real promise with its bold, modern take on Indian cuisine. But hospitality is an essential part of the overall experience, and until that element is addressed, it is difficult to fully embrace what could otherwise be a standout addition to the Danforth dining scene.
As it stands, the shortcomings in service leave a lasting impression, and for now, it is not a place I would rush back to.
Happy dining,
Shanea
04/22/2026
