Dans le Noir? joins the Restaurant Month in Auckland !

As winter wraps Auckland in its cool embrace, the city’s vibrant food scene comes to life with one of its most anticipated annual events: Restaurant Month. Each year, Restaurant Month transforms the city of Auckland into a dynamic culinary destination, where local flavours and international influences meet in creative, exciting ways.

This August, among the many culinary experiences available, one stands out for its originality and depth. Hosted at the elegant Grand Millennium Hotel, our restaurant invites guests to step into the unknown by dining in complete darkness.

 At Dans le Noir ? you are invited to let go of sight and discover an experience unlike any other.

Throughout the month of August, Dans le Noir ? participates in Restaurant Month in Auckland with a special two-course menu and a drink, all for a fixed price of $80 NZD per person.

The concept is simple yet powerful: you dine in total darkness, guided and served by a team of blind or visually impaired waiter-guides. Deprived of sight, you are invited to rediscover your other senses — taste, smell, touch and hearing — in a radically new way. Flavours feel more intense, textures more surprising, and conversation more authentic. For many, it’s a moment of reconnection — with themselves, with others, and with the act of eating itself.
 

What’s included in this month’s offer

To celebrate Restaurant Month, Dans le Noir ? is offering a curated package that combines culinary creativity with sensory immersion:

• a surprise two-course menu (starter and main), carefully crafted by our chef
• one complimentary drink of your choice (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
• all for just $80 NZD per person

Whether you come as a couple, with family, or with a group of friends, this special offer is a unique way to explore one of Auckland’s most original and purpose-driven dining experiences.

This special offer is available every week in August, but places are limited and booking is essential.

Dans le Noir ? is more than an original restaurant. It is a sensory and human experience designed to break habits and awaken curiosity. In a world filled with distractions, dining without sight forces you to slow down, listen differently, and explore each bite with a new level of attention.

This approach to dining is rare, especially in a city like Auckland. It speaks to those who seek something out of the ordinary — couples looking for a new kind of date night, families wanting to share a special moment, tourists eager to discover something they won’t find anywhere else, or locals who wish to reconnect with food in a more mindful way.

If you are searching for a unique and purposeful experience, this is your opportunity.

One of the most touching aspects of this event lies in its human dimension. At Dans le Noir ?, the roles are reversed — the blind become your guides. This reversal challenges the way we see the world and those around us.

By trusting your hosts, you become more aware of your surroundings, your habits, and even your biases.

It’s not about discomfort or challenge — it’s about empathy, presence, and learning to trust in unfamiliar ways. Many visitors describe the experience as moving, even transformative. Beyond the meal, there is a powerful sense of purpose that stays with you long after you leave the table.

Whether you’re a tourist in search of something more meaningful than the usual attractions, or a local looking to break routine, Dans le Noir ? offers an experience that comes from the heart.

Restaurant Month is the perfect occasion to try something new. With dozens of culinary events happening across the city, Dans le Noir ? remains one of the most unusual experiences on offer. It combines gastronomy, sensory exploration and human connection — all within the elegant setting of the Grand Millennium Auckland.

Whether you’re visiting the city, planning a special evening, or simply looking for something that feels different, this is your chance to experience dining as you never have before.

Don’t let the month go by without discovering what happens when you let go of sight and embrace your senses.

Practical information:

• where: Dans le Noir ? at the Grand Millennium Auckland
• when: every week in August
• price: $80 NZD per person
• what’s included: 2-course surprise menu + 1 drink
• booking required: limited seats available

Restaurant Month only comes once a year — don’t miss this opportunity to take part in one of Auckland’s most original culinary events. Join us in the dark, and let your senses lead the way.