A unique experience in Auckland: a dining in the dark restaurant

Discover Dans le Noir ? - the restaurant experience to live in Auckland

When you hear the words “Dining in the Dark,” you might picture food stains on clothes and spilt drinks. Soon after, common questions arise: How do I find my way in the dark? How do I eat without seeing? How will I know what I’m eating? For some, it’s simply a fun challenge to test their senses alongside friends and family. It also offers insight into the challenges faced by visually impaired people, leaving you with a deeper appreciation of the things sighted people take for granted.

At first, guests expect their eyes to adjust and that they will eventually see a faint outline of the restaurant. For many, the initial plunge into complete darkness is disorienting. A quick explanation of the restaurant’s size and layout helps ease nerves and invites guests to relax and re-enter.

Despite these misconceptions, dining in the dark is a unique opportunity. Guests must temporarily abandon their sense of sight, relying completely on our blind waitstaff and their remaining senses. It’s only when sight is lost that we realise how vital our other senses are in solving the puzzle of Dining in the Dark.

Life is about experiences: try this unique restaurant in Auckland
You’ve been eating with the lights on all your life. But what happens if one key step is removed? How well could you adapt if you couldn’t see your food? Dans le Noir ? challenges you to step out of your comfort zone and face a situation where losing sight is just the beginning.

A sensory journey in Auckland
It’s often said we eat with our eyes and that’s true. In the dark, however, every dish and drink is a complete surprise. Smell and taste become your primary guides. Remember, if your sense of smell isn’t working, taste suffers too, due to the close link between smell and taste receptors.

We carefully craft our menus to challenge your senses. Food texture stimulates your sense of touch, encouraging you to identify dishes by shape and feel. We even encourage you to use your fingers occasionally—not only to help identify food but to ensure nothing delicious is left behind.

A social experience in Auckland
When you book at Dans le Noir ? Auckland, you’ll be informed that you may share your table with other guests. This is due to the restaurant’s specific floor plan, unchanged since opening in March 2017, designed with two purposes in mind: first, our blind guides need to be intimately familiar with the layout to safely lead up to 12 guests at a time; second, sharing a table with strangers encourages social interaction.

In the dark, without visual cues like appearance or body language, inhibitions fall away, boosting confidence and opening conversations. Many guests have made lifelong friendships after meeting for the first time in complete darkness. The lively atmosphere often continues afterwards in our lobby bar, a sure sign of the social success of the experience.

Employment opportunities in Auckland
Customer satisfaction matters to most restaurants, but employee satisfaction is equally important to us. Jobs for visually impaired people are rare, but Dans le Noir ? has created meaningful employment for blind guides at eight locations worldwide. For many, joining Dans le Noir ? was their first opportunity to enter the workforce.

Originally launched in 2017 as a temporary “pop-up,” Dans le Noir ? Auckland has thrived thanks to public curiosity and word of mouth, entering its fourth year of operation. Our guides’ dedication and professionalism are key to our ongoing success.

Team building: the ultimate experience for colleagues in Auckland
Our popularity has grown thanks to corporate groups who see Dans le Noir ? as a unique team-building opportunity. From multinational companies to high-profile sports teams, we design private and bespoke events to meet your goals and foster team cohesion.