Foodies in Abu Dhabi, get ready as a new dining experience has come to town. There may be various themed cafes in the region, but have you ever been to a restaurant and eaten in pitch darkness? If not, the region has a new place to be, where one gets to eat in the darkness.

Bab Al Qasr Hotel at Corniche Road is launching a dark dining experience at its restaurant Fresh Basil. Starting from September 15, adventurous eaters in Abu Dhabi can have their meals, but in the darkness—an experience of its own.

As you enter the restaurant, the floor is dimly lit with candles on either side of the hallway. As this is just the preparation for what’s coming next, further on, guests will be navigated with the help of servers who are wearing night-vision goggles.

As there would be complete darkness, knives won’t be provided (understandably) for safety purposes. The servers at the restaurant will help the guests to understand whether the food has been served completely or not. Once the dishes are served one by one, diners can dig into the delicacies without getting to have a glimpse of them.

It is said that we eat with our eyes first, but that’s what makes dining in the dark a quirky and fun experience, one that teaches you to use your other senses. The idea behind the concept, which first gained popularity in Paris in the 90s, is that when you take away one sense, the others are enhanced.

Practically, one would be able to taste and smell the food d more strongly than if you ate it after giving it a good stare-down.

To make it even more interesting, light-emitting gadgets including phones have not been allowed, making sure the entire focus is completely on the experience. Through this, it makes it even more fascinating as to how different taste buds can be from someone else’s, even though you’re eating the same thing.

While the concept has been seen at certain restaurants around the world, including in Dubai, this is the first time it’s come to the capital.

Open from 8 PM to 10 PM on weekdays, the experience will be open to diners 12 years and older and will require a reservation in advance.