The Place Located along Beach Road, Nox Dine In The Dark has been around since 2013. As the name of the restaurant suggests, diners will be dining in the dark at Nox, an experiential dining concept in partnership with the visually impaired community in Singapore.

Before my visit, I was frankly quite curious about the dining experience here, and if I were to be dining in complete pitch dark setting. And to my disbelief, I was informed by the wait staff at the ground floor dimly lit bar that the 3-course dinner will be in complete darkness. To calm your nerves a little, you can order a cocktail from the bar to prepare you for the dinner ahead.

Once you are ready at the bar after finishing off a small amuse bouche to whet your palette, the wait staff will escort you to the entrance to the stairway that will lead you up to the dining room at level 2, where a visually impaired wait staff will be taking care of your needs from here. I was led to my table in complete darkness and with hands on the shoulder of my dining partner, the wait staff chatted with us while giving clear instructions to get us to our dining table. And, the fun is just about to start!

The Food The menu at Nox is a 3-course dinner at S$88 per person. The wait staff will serve up the dinner via 3 platters, each comprising of 4 appetisers, 4 main courses and 4 types of desserts. Photography is not allowed at the dining room, since it is pitch dark anyway, and I am still curious how my food turned out visually that evening.

Each platter is served with 4 small plates, which the wait staff will explain to you when it is served. During my visit, the appetiser platter has Tomato with Burrata, Scallop, Mussels with Fried Shallots and Foie Gras with Grapefruit. For the mains, I had the Grilled Cod Fish with Broccoli Puree, Duck Confit with Tangerine and Egg Mayo, Roast Chicken with Smoked Mashed Potatoes and Sauteed Spring Onions, and Wagyu Beef with Yogurt and Mushroom Beetroot Salad. As per what was served in my meal, quality ingredients are used to prepare the dinner at Nox.

For desserts, I was surprised by how much I struggled to recognise some of the flavours. The platter consist of Pomelo with Burnt Ginger, Vanilla Panna Cotta with Sugar Toasties, Deconstructed Apple Crumble and my favourite for the night, the Rum and Raisin Gelato with Homemade Brownie.

Rants For some, the experience might intrigue. For others, it might be slightly discomforting. A stark reminder to cherish our ability to see.

Will I Return Again? It is definitely a dining experience like no other. At Nox, the idea of dining in complete darkness is novel, and it was fun trying to figure out the dishes laid in front of me from across the 3 platters. And most importantly, a new found appreciation of my ability to see. And for that, a meal at Nox is worthwhile for all to experience at least once.

This was an invited tasting, though all opinions expressed are our own.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 3.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 3.5/5
Ambience: 5/5
Overall Experience: 3.5/5

Nox – Dine In The Dark
269 Beach Road
Singapore 199546
Tel: +65 6298 0708

Opening Hours
Tuesday to Sunday: 6:30pm to 10pm
Closed on Mondays

Ranted by The Ranter