ONoir Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

Before I write the review, I want to start with the server was great and did a great job. To bad we never got to know his name. He never told us and we never ask. The server is more then a server as they become yours "eye" for this experience. It's very personal one at that.

However, I did have a few issues. The food was a okay and nothing to go crazy about. It is very average and nothing speacial. If you want a good basic meal go to The Keg up the street. The main portions were a good size but the desert was really really small and I only know this because I took it to go as I didn't want it all over me. If you are paying $50 for meal then the desert needs to be $10 in size. Which is was not. I really didn't want the desert, but I want to get the appetizer. It only came as a "surprise". I am very picky as a eater and I need to know what I am having. It was very disappointing that there was not other oppintons. It's not let you serve a blind person food without telling them.

The serves was really really slow. Being in a dark room, there is no sense of time. You order your food outside before you go in. By the time you seat down, drinks should be coming right behind, then your appetizers and so on. Everything took forever and took abouts 2hrs.....This is not a place where you want to seat around after a meal and chat. You would think they would want a fast turn around. They also have a very small menu which means meal should come out fast. There was only 1 serve in our area and was helping a few groups. One of our members felt overwhelmed and claustrophobic. It took over 5mins or longer (no sense of time here) for the server to take her out. She could have had a panic attack and nobody would have helped her. For a place that says the "employ blind people or visually impaired" they didn't have much staff.

My biggest problem isn't really their fault but kind-of is?? Who are their customers? Clearly this is not a family restaurant and really is not made for yonger abults. Just image going and there are kids???? You know there are parents out there that will do it. They don't have a age restriction and if they do it's not very clear. We had very young boys (not calling them men as they didn't act like it) around 21ish and they took over the whole place. They were loud, obnoxious and made the whole experience uncomfortable. There has to be a certain level of maturity to eat in a place like this. They are being 21 year old boys and there is a place for that (McDonlds) but this is not it. If they have an age restriction of 25 and older I think that would work.

Over all you will get an experience but what that might be is for you to find out. I would add that you will want to find a bar or some other place to just talk about what had just happen. It seats with you for sometime. I don't think it's worth the price over all but I guess you are paying to seat in the dark to eat. You would think it would be cheaper as they are saving money...

🦋We were excited to come here for the experience. We love food, but this outing was about something more. Little did we know how much our growth over the years would make this a magical and emotional journey.

🦋At the entrance, a gate separated the sidewalk from the restaurant. Hesitant at first, we confirmed we were in the right place when we saw “O’Noir.” We stepped inside, greeted by a dimly lit, medieval-style setting. Newspaper clippings on the wall spoke of the building’s history, and a quote from Shakespeare—“Where there is no darkness but ignorance”—set the tone.

🦋After checking in, we were asked to choose our meals from the menu. There were options for meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes, as well as surprise selections. Sackeria opted for surprises all the way through, while Alex chose a butter tart for dessert.

🦋Our server, Ali, introduced himself. He was completely blind—an inspiring part of the experience. He instructed us to hold onto each other’s shoulders and follow him into complete darkness. Not a flicker of light remained. Alex, naturally, took the opportunity to grab Sackeria’s butt—score!

🦋Ali guided us to our seats, helped us settle in, and explained where everything was. He was incredibly helpful, making the transition into total darkness seamless. We listened to conversations around us, noticing how our senses heightened without sight. A couple next to us joked about how they looked better in the dark—a reminder that without judgment, human connection comes easily.

🦋The appetizer arrived. Since we both chose surprises, we had no idea what we were eating. Using our hands more than our forks, we embraced the mess. We imagined how everyone must look—like cavemen, no doubt! But it wasn’t about the food; it was about presence. It felt like meditation with our eyes open, a surreal and peaceful experience.

🦋Ali brought out our mains—both meat surprises, pre-cut for ease. We were grateful, as navigating with a butter knife could’ve been… interesting. The meal exceeded our expectations, though we came for the experience, not Michelin-star dining.

Dessert followed. Alex’s butter tart, with raisins and nuts, was a pleasant surprise. Sackeria’s coconut date square was perfect for her love of coconut.

At the end, Ali invited us to sit in silence for five minutes. It was another moment of presence, reinforcing the meditation-like quality of the experience. We realized that when you close your eyes, there’s more light than when you open them in that room.

Ali led us out, and we left filled with gratitude. His kindness and wisdom taught us that happiness isn’t about circumstances—it’s about perspective. We shared stories, found common ground, and left with full hearts.

Thank you, Ali, for being a beautiful soul. Your presence touched us deeply, and your light will remain with us forever.

With love and...

For 5 years I've wanted to experience...this experience. And tonight oct 29/2022 I did. All my live I have huge respect for blind people managing their lives and traveling around Toronto(most often alone) yet blind. Us people with sight complain about the most trivial things. Yet all the blind people I meet...are so strong and courageous....I'm embarrassed to say I have sight and fast mobility...yet still complain often...about meaningless issues. My first night at ONoir was tonight. And yes.. we dined in absolute darkness. And it was one of the best experiences in my 70 yrs of life. Our 28 yr old server Diana was wonderful and very friendly and engaging. At the end of our evg we conversed with her for at least 20 mins...and she never made us feel we were over staying our time. My friend and I were amazed to hear she doesn't count her steps...she just KNOWS where we are in the room. We spoke of seeing eye dogs and her views. She doesn't have one. I asked if anyone had told her the story of the first seeing eye dog in NA ..named Buddy. She was unaware of the story. So I explained it to her. Wonderful moment ! This dining in dark...with a blind server...offers more wonder than you can imagine...until you experience it. To be at dinner with a friend ...with no ability to see...I felt my friends presence in a pure way. Like a blind person would. No visual distractions... no checking cell phone ...no looking at other tables...I felt very much "in the moment" with my friend..all evg These days...a rare experience The food was great...but the least important matter of the evening. The experience was exciting..and Diana was a breath of fresh air. Not only does she go wherever she wants even though blind...she engaged with us as a person who is kind and happy. I ask you this? If you were blind Would you be as pleasant and engaging as Diana.? And also...could you work full time in a restaurant as she does?

If you want to reinvigorate your gratitude for life and regain a new perspective . You must spend a night at ONoir.

At the least You will be supporting employment for these very gifted blind servers. They will...