Opulent new Indian restaurant takes over former home of a controversial Toronto bar
A luxe new Indian restaurant just moved into the space that a once-controversial Toronto bar last occupied, and it's nearly unrecognizable now.
It's been nearly two years since Danforth bar Louis Cifer closed its doors permanently, rendering the impressively expansive space in the heart of the neighbourhood vacant.
For how imposing the space itself was, though, the loss of Louis Cifer, for many members of the community, wasn't a particularly heartbreaking one, after the bar landed itself in hot water for hosting controversial events in the immediate wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Still, an occupied storefront is always better than an empty one, and the neighbourhood anxiously awaited news on what would come next.
As of the last days of December, 2025, we finally have our answer. The latest venture to take the sweeping space on is Dhoom, a new restaurant serving a unique blend of Indian spices and Canadian cuisine.
The menu at Dhoom, the restaurant's website claims, reflects a "new genre of Indian dining," which balances authenticity and luxury with equal weight.
The space itself has undergone an admittedly breathtaking transformation: gone are the dark hues, dim lights and wood panelling of the Louis Cifer era.
Instead, Dhoom floods the space with a minimalistic palette of whites, beiges and taupes, the odd black-and-white upholstered chair breaking it all up. Now, the space feels open and expansive, where before, even its high ceilings and large footprint somehow felt confined.
As for the food, they offer a full suite of fresh-grilled and fire-roasted tandoor dishes, mains that put distinct spins on Indian classics, plus a collection of bar bites and small plates to wash down with the restaurant's collection of playful signature cocktails or house masala chai.
Dhoom is located at 417 Danforth Ave.
Dhoom Toronto
