Kandice VincentEver tried dining without actually seeing your food? That’s the unique experience offered by blind restaurants, where you eat without the luxury of sight – the idea behind it is to amplify your other senses, allowing you to focus only on the food.
Join us as we explore ONoir, Toronto’s blind restaurant, where your heightened senses of taste, texture, and aroma will help deliver a one-of-a-kind dining adventure!
What is ONoir?
ONoir, a “Dine in the Dark” restaurant in Montreal and Toronto, offers a unique sensory experience of dining in complete darkness, enhancing the taste and aroma of meals.
Moe Alameddine, the founder of ONoir, was inspired by a blind dining experience in Zurich, Switzerland. Partnering with Alejandro Martinez, they opened the first ONoir in Montreal, followed by the Toronto location in June 2009, attracting critical acclaim.
Led by its new owner, scientist, and entrepreneur Dr. J. R. Feng since 2011, ONoir continues to evolve. With modern business models, a modernized menu, and improved services, ONoir Toronto has become the largest restaurant of its kind globally.
It also employs a wait staff exclusively made up of individuals with visual challenges.
Things to Know Before Going to ONoir
How to Book a Table at ONoir
To book a table at ONoir, visit Yelp and select your preferred date, seating time, and the number of guests. Fill in all necessary details, ensuring your first and last name, phone number, and email address are provided.
A valid confirmation email will be sent, and you’ll receive a confirmation text message on your mobile phone the day before your schedule.
Fun Fact: They allocate 5% of their earnings to local associations that aid individuals with visual impairments and blindness.
How to Get to ONoir
Address: 620 Church St, Toronto, ON M4Y 2G2
Website: ONoir Toronto
Instagram: 🅾’🅽🅾🅸🆁 🆃🅾🆁🅾🅽🆃🅾 (@o.noir_toronto)
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 6:30 PM–9 PM
Friday: 6:30 PM–9:30 PM
Saturday: 6:30–10 PM
Sunday: 6:30–9 PM
Contact: (416) 922-6647
If you’re planning to use public transportation, you can get to ONoir via bus, subway, and streetcar. You can also bring your own vehicle as there’s a public parking lot nearby or even your bike.
By Bus: At Yonge St at Dundas St East – Dundas Station, take Bus 320 to Steeles for a brief 6-minute ride covering 8 stops. Then, enjoy a short 4-minute stroll to reach ONoir Toronto.
By Subway: Depending on your location, you can take Subway 1 or 2 and get off at Bloor Station, which is only a three-minute walk away from ONoir.
By Streetcar: Catch the 306 streetcar and get off at Carlton Station at Church St. Continue straight on foot for about 10 minutes.
By Bike: Head east on Dundas St W toward University Ave, continuing onto Queen’s Park Cres E. Then, turn right onto Wellesley St W and left onto Church St. – estimated travel time is 10 minutes.
By Own Vehicle: Departing from downtown Toronto, head east on University Ave, continue onto Queens Park, then turn right onto Wellesley St W, then a left onto Church St. ONoir will be on the left.
Parking Info: A public parking lot can be found at the corner of Church and Bloor, equipped with green machines for easy access. Additionally, street meter parking spots are available on Charles St. and at Charles and Young.
Map of ONoir in Toronto
What to Expect at ONoir
Food
ONoir offers appetizers, entrees, and desserts – indicated in their menu written in Braille – catering to meat-based and vegetarian preferences. Each guest is required to order a minimum 2-course meal, so expect to shell out around $30 to $100 per person.
For an element of mystery, you can choose the surprise menu; the catch is, you won’t know what’s being served. When opting for this surprise option, the host or hostess will inquire about any allergies or specific food dislikes you might have.
Appetizer choices range from marinated beet carpaccio to albacore tuna with mango salsa, while main courses include filet mignon, cajun fish, and shrimp risotto. Dishes are complemented by cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.
Service at the door
ONoir is entirely underground and features small dining areas. Upon entering, a spacious waiting area with a bar awaits, where the host or hostess explains the restaurant concept, provides menus, and takes orders.
Led by the hostess to a dining room, you’ll be introduced to your server. Following a single-file formation, guided by the person in front, you’ll pass through two doors, and to maintain complete darkness, the doors will be closed.
The visually impaired wait staff remains in the dining room, and you need to call out when ready to use the restroom or leave. There are also sighted runners assisting with food transport to and from the kitchen for the servers.
Service at the table
As you settle at your table, your server guides you through the items on it, encouraging you to feel them to get oriented. This step is crucial because when your food arrives, the server hands you the plate, and you must carefully place it without spilling your water.
When it’s time to clear the plates, you pass them to your server. Keep in mind that there might be some waiting involved – maybe around 10-15 minutes – as servers depend on runners to bring the food to your table.
Sensory experience
In the completely dark dining room, where your eyes struggle to find focus, guests might get headaches. It’s also worth noting that in the dark, people may seem to speak more loudly, though it could be that hearing becomes more sensitive.
Eating with hands proves less messy than attempting to be civilized, and using fingertips as landmarks for buttering bread with a knife is surprisingly effective. The highlight of the experience is the challenge of identifying everything on the plate.
What to do near ONoir
Explore the Royal Ontario Museum
Address: 100 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
Website: Royal Ontario Museum
Instagram: Royal Ontario Museum (@romtoronto)
Hours: Tue-Sun: 10 AM–5:30 PM
Contact: (416) 586-8000
Price: Book tickets here from $26 up
Before dining at ONoir, guests can explore the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Canada’s largest and most celebrated cultural institution. It boasts a world-class collection of over six million objects across various fields.
Established in 1914, the ROM offers a captivating journey through art, culture, and nature, featuring 40 galleries and exhibition spaces. Its diverse realms of archaeology, geology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology make it a must-visit destination.
Visit The Yorkville Rock
Address: 131 Cumberland St, Toronto, ON M5S 2W7
Website: Village Of Yorkville Park – City of Toronto
Instagram: Yorkville Park on Instagram
Hours: Open 24 hours
Contact: (416) 928 3553
After dining at ONoir, you can check out the Yorkville Rock nearby, an ancient remnant of a once-extensive mountain range. Nestled in Yorkville Park, it has been transformed into a modern work of art, meticulously reassembled to preserve its original shape.
This extraordinary rock, extracted from the Canadian glacial shield, was transported on flatbed trailers and reassembled to create a tectonic puzzle. The effort aims to integrate Victorian history into Yorkville’s urban oasis.
Have pastries at Piedmont Coffee Bar
Address: 66 Isabella St Unit 4, Toronto, ON M4Y 1N3
Website: Piedmont Coffee Bar
Instagram: Piedmont Specialty Coffee (@piedmontcoffeebar)
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM–5 PM
Sat: 9 AM–6 PM
Sun: 9 AM–5 PM
Contact: (416) 901-8639
Piedmont Coffee Bar, a specialty coffee and bakery shop, is just a two-minute walk from ONoir. Boasting a comfortable and chill vibe, this café provides a clean and cozy refuge on a quiet street off Yonge and Church.
You can indulge in must-try coffees like their flat white and London Fog, accompanied by pastries, including the strawberry cake roll, croissants, and Japanese milk bread. They also have free Wi-Fi, along with convenient bike and street parking.
Go thrifting at Value Village Boutique
Address: 481 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M5S 1X9
Website: Value Village Boutique
Instagram: Value Village Boutique (@valuevillage_thrift)
Hours:
Mon-Wed: 10 AM–8 PM
Thurs-Sat: 10 AM–9 PM
Sunday: 11 AM–7 PM
Contact: (437) 826-4585
Before or after your ONoir dinner, consider exploring the treasure trove of thrifting delights at Value Village Boutique. With a commitment to making secondhand second nature, this iconic store has been a thrifting haven for nearly 70 years.
Located in the historic 140-year-old Brunswick House, it offers an extensive collection of clothing, shoes, and accessories. As a clean and organized space with a convenient self-checkout, it’s the perfect spot to indulge sustainably.
Check out Little Canada
Address: 10 Dundas St E Basement2, Toronto, ON M5B 2G9
Website: Little Canada
Instagram: Little Canada (@littlecanada)
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 10 AM–6 PM
Fri-Sun: 10 AM–7:30 PM
Another attraction near ONoir is Little Canada, just a 20-minute walk away. Here, Canada is intricately recreated on a miniature scale, complete with iconic landscapes, from the very detailed streets of Toronto to the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains.
Don’t miss the chance to visit their “Littlezation Station,” where you can craft your own tiny avatar that becomes part of the charming Little Canada world. You can use our complete guide to Little Canada here for more details about this family-friendly venue.
Where to drink near ONoir
The Bishop and Belcher
Address: 175 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 3T5
Website: The Bishop and Belcher
Instagram: The Bishop and Belcher (@bishopbelcher)
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 11 AM–12 AM
Friday: 11 AM–1 AM
Saturday: 10 AM–1 AM
Sunday: 10 AM–12 AM
Contact: (416) 591-2352
Established in 1995, The Bishop and Belcher is a friendly British-style pub just two-minutes away from ONoir, offering a diverse menu with daily specials. Conveniently located near the Bloor & Yonge Subway station, with ample street parking available.
You can join the vibrant scene on their best nights—Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday— and don’t miss out on their Happy Hour specials. The Bishop and Belcher is a go-to spot, and we highly recommend their delicious ribs, tacos, and nachos!
Artful Dodger Pub
Address: 10 Isabella St, Toronto, ON M4Y 1N1
Website: The Artful Dodger Pub
Instagram: The Artful Dodger Pub on Instagram
Hours: Mon-Sun: 11 AM–2 AM
Contact: (416) 964-9511
The Artful Dodger Pub’s charming woodsy paneling creates a nostalgic pub ambiance. This perfect Victorian pub offers two great patios for a delightful summer experience and two fireplaces to keep you cozy during winter visits.
With 13 beers and ciders on tap, free Wi-Fi, and a pool table, it’s an ideal spot to unwind, especially on their best nights—Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We recommend their bangers and mash, topped with rich gravy and sautéed onions.
Crown & Dragon
Address: 890 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 3P4
Website: Crown & Dragon
Instagram: Crown And Dragon (@crownanddragon)
Hours:
Mon-Tue: 3 PM–12 AM
Wed-Sat: 12 PM–12 AM
Contact: (416) 927-7976
You can also visit Crown & Dragon, especially on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, where you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and free Wi-Fi. They have a half-price wing special on Tuesdays after 5 pm and all day on Sundays with any drink purchase.
Speaking of wings, this pseudo-basement-styled pub features 22 fried wing flavors and 4 baked options. We recommend trying their Bollywood-flavored fried wings with a pint of their Canadian sub-zero draft.
Where to stay near ONoir
The Anndore House
Address: 15 Charles St E, Toronto, ON M4Y 1S1
Website: The Anndore House
Instagram: The Anndore House (@theanndorehouse)
Contact: (833) 745-8370
Price: From $269 up for two adults per night
The Anndore House is situated just steps away from ONoir, providing an ambiance of old-school charm mixed with modern convenience. Whether exploring Dundas Square or Yorkville, this hotel offers a perfect central location.
It boasts an on-site restaurant and lounge and features modern amenities like free WiFi, a flat-screen plasma TV, and an iPod-compatible vinyl record player. Its own app allows you to control room settings and order room service directly from your mobile device!
W Toronto
Address: 90 Bloor St E, Toronto, ON M4W 1A7
Website: W Toronto
Instagram: W Toronto (@wtoronto)
Contact: (416) 961-8000
Price: From $380 up for two adults per night
W Toronto offers a prime location just a 6-minute walk from ONoir, providing direct access to the Yonge-Bloor Subway Station. Surrounded by upscale shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums, the hotel is a hub for exploring the city’s cultural offerings.
Each room at W Toronto is designed for modern comfort, featuring rain showers, a seating area, a refreshment center, and in-room safes. The hotel is pet-friendly and completely non-smoking, with multiple restaurants and bars to choose from.
