Blackout – Blind Dining

BlackOut is the only dark restaurant in Israel. It is also only one out of 14 in the world.

The restaurant is associated with the Nalaga’at (please touch) Theater. This theater integrates people with disabilities and provides an equal stage for meeting between deaf, blind and those that are both deaf and blind and the wide public.

The combination of a unique culinary experience and meeting a team of waiters that are all blind or visually impaired, making a visit to “BlackOut” into an incredible experience.

In the restaurant, the waiters will guide you inside and through the experience. They have a classic menu which includes bread, main curse, and dessert at 6:30pm. They also have a primum menu which includes aperitif, appetizer, main course, and dessert at 9:00pm.

There are also chocolate tastings and wine and cheese tastings events given in the dark as well.

What to expect

When I went with a friend after spending the day in Yafo, we served a cocktail and given the menu to choose from before entering. We were also asked if we’d like the experience in English or Hebrew. Both of us being half Israeli, we opted for Hebrew so the English speaking waiter could be with guests.

Before going in we were explained a little about the experience. Then were guided by our waitress into a hall which lead to the pitch black dinning area and instructed where to sit.

My friend David and I sat side by side across from two girls we didn’t know. At first I thought this may be awkward but since we couldn’t see them, only hear them, it felt like they were at another table all together.

Bread and tomato butter (I don’t like tomatoes but this was delicious) along with a pitcher of water was placed on the table and we were told where they were. More than once my hand ended up in the butter dish. I also spilled water a time or two but I used my thumb to tell when the water reached the top of the glass.

As we were settling in, it felt surreal. I felt like I was in a dream or maybe half a sleep. However, as time went on it felt completely natural to be eating in the dark. David and I spoke as we would at any dinner, in fact, we were maybe a little more open.

When the main course was served we were assured that it is fine to eat with our hands. David and I prided ourselves on not only eating with cutlery but being able to taste food of each others plates.

Then dessert came and eventually we left. Honestly, it was such an incredible experience I was sad to leave and looked forward to coming back again.

Plan Your Trip

Reservations must be made in advance and fill up quickly. Contact Sunday through Thursday from 9 am to 11 pm.

Resturant Days and Hours

Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday: 6:30pm and 9:00pm
Holidays: Closed.

Contact

Phone: 03-633-0808 or 972-3-633-0808
Email: Theater1@nalagaat.org.il

Address

Ratzif Ha’Aliya
HaShnia, box 6, Jaffa Port