Today, Tuesday 25 July, local staple for authentic Indian cuisine, Daana Restaurant announced they will be closing curtains at the end of the restaurant’s lease in mid-September.

“It’s time to say goodbye to our home – Daana at Curtin,” wrote restaurant founders, Sanjay and Sunita Kumar in a closure announcement.

“Our lease ends in September, and our new landlords are looking to re-develop this property soon, ruling out a long-term lease.”

After winning numerous awards over the years, including Australia’s Best Indian Restaurant at the 2022 Restaurant & Catering Awards, Daana’s final service in Curtain will be on Saturday 16 September.

“Sometimes you just know it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings! In September 2015, we started Daana with a single step and a massive leap of faith,” wrote Sanjay and Sunita.

Daana’s humble beginnings saw them based out of a 40-foot shipping container in Westside Acton Park before becoming a key part of Canberra’s culinary canvas.

“Over the past eight years, starting as absolute greenhorns in Australia and the hospitality industry here, we have stumbled, picked ourselves up, learned, grown, and survived a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic!

“We often get asked, what kept us going? And our answer is the blessings of our guests and the support of our fantastic team members, both past and present,” they wrote.

“Although exhausting and fraught with many challenges, our journey has been both extraordinary and highly fulfilling, and we have made so many friends for life along the way.”

While there is currently no word on a second brick-and-mortar restaurant, Sanjay and Sunita plan to continue serving the Canberra community through their function and events venue, The Abbey by Daana in Gold Creek, Nicholls, as well as through The Curators Café Bar & Functions at NFSA, and Daana Catering.

“However, we will miss opening our doors to our guests and giving them memorable experiences at Daana restaurant in Curtin,” they said.

“Being optimists that we are, one never knows how the tide may turn, and we start another venture to continue the Daana legacy elsewhere in the future.

“We will continue to serve you with love and sincerity and look forward to the same support and affection in the future.”