FAQs

• 01. How dark is it?
• 02. How can I eat in the dark?
• 03. What if I need to use the toilet in the middle of the meal?
• 04. Why can’t I just turn my mobile phone on silent?
• 05. Why can’t I take my bag inside?
• 06. Why are your guides blind and visually impaired?
• 07. Are the chefs blind/visually impaired?
• 08. How will I move around in the dark dining room?
• 09. How will I place my order? How can I see the menu in the dark?
• 10. What kind of food do you serve?
• 11. What are the prices of the menus?
• 12. Why do you advise us to go for the same menu?
• 13. What if I am concerned about the food?
• 14. What if I have allergies or other dietary restrictions?
• 15. How regularly do you change the menu?
• 16. How long will we stay in the dark dining room?
• 17. What about security matters?
• 18. Is the dark dining room monitored at all?
• 19. Should we make reservations in advance?
• 20. Can our “junior diners” join us?
• 21. What types of payment does the restaurant accept?
• 22. What is the dress code of the restaurant?
• 23. What can you do if we have something to celebrate?
• 24. Can you do blind dates?

• How dark is it?

  The dining room is completely pitch black. You can’t see your hand in front of your face.

• How can I eat in the dark?

  After a few minutes, your other senses will become more sensitive to this environment and you will quickly adjust to eating in complete darkness. The dining experience has been designed in that way to avoid getting food on your clothes, also one should be more than capable to find one’s mouth. Of course we are happy to provide you with an apron if you are concerned.

• What if I need to use the toilet in the middle of the meal?

  We encourage guests to use the toilet before entering the dining room. However, if you need to get to the toilet during dining, please call your guide by their first name and they will assist you.

• Why can’t I just turn my mobile phone on silent?

  Dining in the dark is a concept restaurant featuring a complete sensory experience. If you have your phone with you, you will be tempted to check it, and this small amount of light will detract from the entire dining experience for all of our guests. We recommend that our guests detach themselves from their worldly affairs and enjoy the meal and fellowship with your dining companions.

• Why can’t I take my bag inside?

  Bags of all sorts and all light emitting devises (watches, phones, lighters, cameras, etc.) are to not to be brought in the dark dining room. It will be placed in a secure locker to which you hold the key. When it comes to bags you may think to keep it under or next to your seat; for safety reasons we like not to. Since you cannot see it, it could cause tripping of our service staff, yourself and other guests.

• Why are your guides blind and visually impaired?

  Blind and visually impaired people are naturally more comfortable and efficient in low light situations. When you enter our completely dark dining room, you will have to transfer your trust to your guide. This is not only a confidence booster, but also a wonderful way to raise awareness about the visually impaired and disabilities in general.

• Are the chefs blind/visually impaired?

  No, our chefs are not blind or visually impaired. The kitchen is well lit to ensure only the highest quality ingredients and industry standard preparation techniques are used.

• How will I move around in the dark dining room?

  For safety reasons, we ask you to remain seated and do not leave your chair unassisted; it might cause accidents to you and others. If you need to get up or leave the dining room for any reason, please call your guide’s name and they will be happy to guide you out of the dining area.

• How will I place my order? How can I see the menu in the dark?

  You will place your orders in the lighted lounge area. At Noir. Dining in the Dark, we exclusively serve set menus, so once your order is placed in the lounge area, you are set. Additional beverages may be ordered in the dining room from your guide. If you are vegetarian or have other dietary restrictions, please remind your guide as they serve your meal to avoid any confusion.

  Would you like to see our set menus!? Please click menu

• What kind of food do you serve?

  At Noir. Dining in the Dark, we serve a three set menus  inspired by contemporary international and Asian-Vietnamese cuisine. Each dish is crafted with a wide range of diverse flavours designed to enhance the dining experience and to open minds about new ways of exploring food.

• What are the prices of the menus?

  The prices of the menus are written above the menus in the header and below the menu description.

• Why do you advise us to go for the same menu?

  It is our recommendation to take the same menu, as it enhances the dining experience; out of experience we have noticed our guests like to talk about and discuss the different ingredients in the menu. Sharing menus, besides the tricky task of it, combines flavours and smells of both menus together and are not recognisable anymore.

• What if I am concerned about the food?

  There is no need to be. We are still a restaurant and focus on providing great food and great service, it may be in the dark, but that does not mean we cannot provide a hospitality experience. The chefs in our kitchen team take pride in making sure the dishes prepared are to be fully enjoyed by our guests; we place a lot of effort in the development, preparation and even presentation of the food. There are no strange ingredients in the menu, maybe you are not familiar with some, but that does not mean it is strange; we would not be pleasing anyone with that. For allergies and dietary restriction, it is no issue to alter the menu.

• What if I have allergies or other dietary restrictions?

  Please let our staff know about any dietary restrictions and/or allergies when you place your reservation. Kindly remind the staff upon your arrival to the restaurant. And lastly, remember to remind your guide about your dietary restrictions when they are serving you.

• How regularly do you change the menu?

  We change our menu based on what ingredients are in season. If you plan to return to Noir soon, check with us about our menu status (who knows, you might have eaten the last day of our previous menu). This is also why it is essential that we get as many details from you as possible when you make your reservation.

• How long will we stay in the dark dining room?

  Most of our guests spend between 1 to 1.5 hours in the dark dining room. Closing your eyes time to time helps to relax your eyes and adjust to the darkness in an easier way. If you wish to stay longer inside the dining room, just tell the guide.

• What about security matters?

  Security is something that we take very seriously. The lockers where you place your light emitting items are locked and monitored by security camera. Lights in the dining room will automatically switch on in case of an emergency and there are emergency exits to provide safe routes in case of an incident.

• Is the dark dining room monitored at all?

  Yes, we have infrared CCTV cameras monitoring the dining area at all times and archive this footage. Please note that we only review this footage if there is a doubt about security, an incident or upon government authority’s request.

• Should we make reservations in advance?

  To avoid any disappointment, we advise all guests to book in advance to ensure that there is adequate space available.

  Online Reservation

• Can our “junior diners” join us?

  Of course! Children aged 8 and above should it enjoy it very much. For younger children, this experience may be a little frightening. Out of experience we have noticed it helps to inform children in advance, so they have time to prepare Also based on their reactions you can see whether they are going to like it or not.

• What types of payment does the restaurant accept?

  In cash in VND, USD or Euro and by credit card; VISA, MasterCard, American Express, China UnionPay, Diners Club, JCB.

• What is the dress code of the restaurant?

  We prefer our guests to wear relaxed, smart casual, what you feel comfortable with. Shorts and slippers are fine, however no tank tops and no glowing shoes, clothing or accessories.

• What can you do if we have something to celebrate?

  Dining in the dark is a special experience, perfect for celebrating birthdays or anniversaries. Please let us know upon making the reservation if we need to assist in organising flowers or a cake.

• Can you do blind dates?

  Having a blind date over dinner is romantic, having a blind date over dinner in the dark is even more memorable. It is most certainly a unique way of meeting each other for the first time! Let us know and we shall advise you to arrive with an interval of 15 minutes and seat you separately one after another, to avoid laying eyes upon each other at arrival in the lounge prior dinner. During dinner focus on your voices and the words you say to get to know each other.