Dans Le Noir London: An Unforgettable Culinary Adventure in the Dark
Do you know when you have a cold and lose your sense of smell, and it ruins your appetite? Well, at Dans le Noir London, you are encouraged to give up a different sense to enhance your food experience!
Dans le noir is a restaurant in Farringdon that flips the current image of dining. Right now, restaurants seem to be going through their Instagram era aka not only does this food have to taste good, but it also needs to look good on the gram. Dans le noir offers a different selling point, eating in the dark.
In this blog I will share my experience of dining at the restaurant and answer some questions I always get asked, I hope it inspires you to book your place as this was my most favourite restaurant I have ever been to.
My experience at Dans le Noir London:
This was definitely the best part for me if we look at the experience vs the food. After being led to a waiting area, my table was ready, and I was greeted by my waiter for the night, who was partially blind. They guided me into a pitch-black room and helped me get settled into my seat. I was completely disoriented at first, but my waiter was a pro at making me feel at ease.
The darkness made me rely on my other senses in a way I had never experienced before. With no visual cues, I found myself second-guessing what I was eating, struggling to distinguish between flavours and textures. It was like discovering food all over again. In fact, I could not even manage to use my knife and fork and had to dig in with my hands. But the lack of sight also heightened my sense of smell and taste, making every bite feel like a revelation.
Sharing this unique experience with my boyfriend made it even more special. We could not stop talking about each dish, speculating on the ingredients, and trying to guess what we were eating. And sharing meals in the dark? Let us just say it was a hilarious adventure.
While the food itself was not particularly remarkable, the experience of dining in the dark was something I will never forget. It is a must-try for anyone looking to spice up their dining routine and challenge their senses.
Menus and pricing:
2 courses: £52
2 courses and a glass of wine: £60
3 courses: £59
3 courses and a glass of wine: £67
5 courses and two glasses of wine: £110
Frequently asked questions:
Can you bring your phone?
You must hand your belongings and phone to the staff beforehand to ensure the experience is not ruined for you and those around you. It is also why I am severely lacking in photos for this blog, apologies!
How long is it?
We spent around two hours there.
How do you get a reservation?
This is the trickiest part; we were fortunate to have a weekday off and so we went on a Thursday afternoon. However, even for an undesirable timing we still had to book a month in advance.
If you are looking for an evening meal on the weekend you are encouraged to book further in advance.
Can you see anything?
Nothing at all! I even said to my partner, opening my eyes feels like they are still shut there is no difference.
How do you eat your food there?
Cutlery is provided, but eating with your hands is recommended. Food is made so it is not so saucy, so this is possible.
Do you know what you are eating?
You will be asked to pick from a range of menus when booking: red (meat), blue (fish), green (vegetarian) and white (chef’s special). But these menus will remain a mystery.
What if I need the toilet?
Simply do the conga with your waiter who will lead you to the toilet – which is well lit
I hope I have convinced you Dans le noir London is a lifetime must as well as answered any questions. Start your gastronomical adventure at their website here:
