Already the rage in Europe, Australia, L.A. and New York, O.NOIR is Canada’s first-ever restaurant that invites you to experience food, drink and conversation like never before IN THE DARK! It’s a sensual dining experience like no other. When you eat without your sight, your remaining senses are heightened to savour the smell and taste of food. O.NOIR does more than just fire the imagination and stimulate the senses. After a few hours in complete darkness (that’s right, no flashlights, matches, cell phones, cigarette lighters or luminous watches), customers gain a better understanding of what it’s like to be blind just like the restaurants’ entire wait staff. O.NOIR – IT’S BETTER IN THE DARK.
O.Noir delivers a one of a kind dining adventure that heightens the senses with complete darkness, allowing flavors, textures, and aromas to take center stage. The experience is consistently described as immersive, thoughtful, and humbling, with attentive service from a team of staff who guide guests through the concept and explain the courses clearly. The menu options, especially the surprise courses, are frequently highlighted for their creativity and depth, and portions are described as satisfying with a mix of impressive appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Several reviews praise the friendly, professional servers who make guests feel at ease and excited to discover what is on the plate without seeing it. The atmosphere is often noted for its quiet focus and sensory engagement, though some nights are louder due to groups, which can detract from the immersion and occasionally lead to longer dining times. Overall, O.Noir is recognized as a memorable, must-try experience that blends education with gastronomy and gracious hospitality.
Our server was fantastic & the experience was definitely memorable. You check your devices at the door & you are in total darkness right after you place your order until you finish eating.
The reason for four stars is that the food was average & extremely pricey ($55 for two courses, which was a few bites of chicken, vegetables, & a small piece of dessert).
Amazing experience! Highly recommend. Sophia was our server. She was great at explaining how things worked. Also checked on us several times to make sure we were ok. The food was excellent. Big portions. I had the tuna appetizer & the slow cooked roast beef. Both were excellent. The room was complete darkness. You are unable to see anything. Sounded liked the place was busy & people were enjoying themselves. Would definitely visit again
Mar 24, 2023
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Amazing experience & food ! We did not get the surprise menu because we don't like fish 😉it was scaredy-cat dark ! There is a lounge area with lights were they take your order & you leave your cellphone or purse in a locker. They recommend you to go to the toilet before... once you are in I recommend do not stand up again until you are finished ! All this comments about if people gets touchy there are ridiculous! If u want cheaper darkness just go to the movie theatre or rent a room ! Let us enjoy a nice experience!
It was a very surreal experience, with so many disembodied voices in the dining room in utter darkness. It many ways it felt like some contemporary sound installation. The food was very rich & delictible, although I ended up eating most of it with fingers. It was also surprising the effect darkness has on time.
Despite (because of?) being in darkness, this is a community experience. Wait staff address you by name & talk you through the experience, you feel very connected to those eating with you & the connection to the food is more intense (never enjoyed a mushroom so much ). A must do once for everyone & you'll likely repeat.
This was such a wonderful, unique, & memorable experience. It was very jarring at first to sit in complete darkness, but after orientating ourselves it was so enjoyable. For anyone who has told secrets in the dark at a sleepover, that's the vibe our conversation took. It felt like we left so much closer to one another after the experience. On top of everything, the food was absolutely incredible & the staff was welcoming, comforting, & kind. I would highly recommend!
Best experience ever !! Our blind waiter Sami was so caring & friendly plus the food was really good & an adventure to find out what you're actually eating on pure darkness. I can only recommend their place :)
This is a unique & savory experience. Of course it depends on the person what they make of things, but the setting of total darkness can facilitate the feeling of novelty that is abundant in childhood. The staff is friendly & resourceful, it's amazing how they can provide impeccable service in the dark. Truly a must visit in Montreal!
The atmosphere: For the bar itself, it has a very comfortable atmosphere. For the dinning dark room, there is no light totally! Everything is perfect.
The dishes: We tried the "surprise dishes", clients can choose 2 or 3 services. The price is very reasonable. After you decide the menu, you can enter the dark room to explore the darkness. The flavor of the dish is really good. I really recommend you to have a try.
Ps. All services are bilingual. The waiter/waitress will lead you into the darkroom.( you only need to put your hands on their shoulders) . After you seat youself, they will present you the locations of your knife & forks. If you have any questions during the dinner, you can just call their name. It's really a unique experience. That allows us to experience the life without visualization, however, other sense in the darkness will become very sensitive. If you don't have dark phobia & claustrophobia, It's really worth to go to this restaurant.
Very unique experience, worth the price. The complete darkness is slightly unsettling at first but once you adjust to it it's super cool & interesting. Definitely recommend!
Mar 9, 2020
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We loved our experience. The staff is very friendly, helpful & welcoming. The food is delicious. They accommodate all food restrictions, some people in our group had food allergies, others were vegetarians, they were able to offer a surprise menu to everyone respecting individual specificities. We had children with us, 10 to 12 years old, they all had a blast. We started singing happy birthday to my daughter & everyone in the restaurant joined along. Was such a magical moment & all that in pitch darkness. Good times!
