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Dining in the Dark - Munich

Dining in the Dark - Max-Joseph-Str. 5, 80333 Munich, Germany

The great Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov once wrote: "The countdown had stalled at T minus 69 seconds when Babushka, the first female ape to fly into space, winked at me slyly and pouted her thick rubbery lips. This was the first of many such advances during what would prove to be the longest and most memorable space voyage of my career."

I was reminded of Alexei's unearthly adventures when thinking about a restaurant in Munich which no one has seen before. A restaurant which, to the unaccustomed, must seem a bit like travelling into deepest space. Huh?

Yep, this is a restaurant with no light. And I really do mean No Light. No soft lamps, no candles, not even luminous watch dials (you have to take your watch off!). Not a single photon. Dark as the center of a black hole. Incredible, but true. So if you are (a) afraid of the dark or (b) claustrophobic or (c) extremely clumsy or (d) like to touch other people uninvited, then you should not visit this restaurant, especially if you fall into the last category. I mean it. The last thing anyone wants is a quiet evening to be spoiled by groping.

All of the staff at this restaurant are either visually handicapped or completely blind. They not only serve the meals but also act as guides to the stumbling diners. Once they have shepherded the clientele through a "light lock" to their table the complete loss of vision results in the heightening of the other four senses. Your taste buds work overtime to recognise flavors and even simple, everyday foods like potatoes or plain yogurt become interesting. No-one is expected to get up or move around in the dark once they are seated at the table. But there are lights in the restrooms.

The restaurant is called Conti Bistro and is located on the Max-Joseph-Strasse between Karlsplatz and Odeonsplatz. The dining in the dark thing doesn't happen everyday. In fact, they only block out the light every second Friday and Saturday evening (approximately). At other times the Conti Bistro is a perfectly normal restaurant for those who like to see what they're eating.

The dark evenings are advertised under the name "Essen im Dunkeln" which literally means "Eating in the Dark". A fairly lame title, I think you'll agree. Germany's original dark restaurant, which opened in Berlin in May 2001, is called the unsicht-Bar. This is a clever German pun which can't really be translated into English. There is also a branch of the unsicht-Bar in Cologne, in case you're interested.

An evening at Munich's Essen im Dunkeln will set you back €70 per head. This includes a 4 course menu, an aperitif, a glass of wine, and a coffee. Additional drinks cost extra.

Conti Bistro
Haus der Bayerischen Wirtschaft
Max-Joseph-Straße 5, City Center
U/S-Bahn to Karlsplatz or Odeonsplatz

Tel. 089 38997784 or 089 55178684
Opening times: Mon - Fri 11.30am - 1am

Essen im Dunkeln
Only takes place Friday and Saturdays every two weeks or so. Check website for up-to-date details (Essen im Dunkeln). The dinner always starts at 6.30pm.