Dunkelrestaurant Finster in Essen

Super nice service. First class food. Simply recommended. Gladly again.

It was a great experience. We had already visited a dark restaurant in Cologne a long time ago, and in comparison the food here was a little better. I chose the game menu and was very satisfied. The taste experience in complete darkness is of course completely different and highly recommended! We would like to come back, but you don't do something like that every day. Many thanks for the great experience and the very good service!

This was my second time visiting the Finster restaurant. There are around 5 years between visits and I can only recommend it. The employees are in a great mood and friendly. Great concept and the food was again excellent. I had the game menu and my friend had beef - everything was super tasty and felt beautifully prepared ☺️. It was just another great experience. Great team, keep it up. 👍🏻

Really dark, didn't see anything. Great experience, delicious food. Always my pleasure.

MEGA! Great experience completely in the dark. Very good and high quality food, we had the beef 4 course menu, and incredibly nice staff. From the reception to the bar to the waiter (thanks Pedro) everyone was very, very nice and friendly atmosphere during the visit from start to finish.

We chose the Finsterrestaurant as the highlight of our company outing and were not disappointed (like 15 years ago)! The waiter Eddi once again contributed to this with his lively, funny manner - but also with private anecdotes! The food was super delicious. Great experience for all the senses! Keep it up!

Really a special experience. The staff is very friendly, the food tastes good too, the dessert was the best. Beforehand, we also asked again about intolerances and allergies. However, I have to deduct one point because the portions are very small. The only other thing that bothered me was that it got very crowded afterwards, at least that's how it seemed to me given the volume, and you had to wait quite a long time between courses. Even after the last walk, it took quite a long time until we were led out of the room. Afterwards there was a breakdown of what you ate. But other than that it was really good.

Our waiter Pedro was great...food could have been warmer.

A great experience that I can recommend everyone to try. Very tasty food and great service in a 'unique' atmosphere!

Eating dark was an exciting and great experience. Unfortunately, points are deducted for the price-performance ratio and the setting. The 3-course menu included a very small starter soup, a tasty main course and an unusual dessert. It should be noted that the quantity of the main course was not exaggerated, which is good on the one hand, but not if you don't feel full throughout the evening. The room where we ate was extremely loud due to the conversations of other guests. Soundproof walls or something similar could perhaps have helped. So I often couldn't understand the person I was talking to. The service is extremely friendly and humorous. Overall it was a nice evening, I'm glad I had the experience. However, once is enough for me here.

Clear recommendation! Thank you dear Finster team! We felt very comfortable. The food was very tasty. We were 4 people. Our children had poultry, my husband had game and I had fish. It was a great experience that I can only recommend. You are a great team that spreads a good atmosphere. Keep it up!

Really great, something you have to experience to be believed. Friendly waiters and delicious food. Only to be recommended!!!

Very special experience! It was a beautiful evening with a special experience for the senses. 💛🧡❤️🧡💛🍀🍀🍀🍀In the dark it is actually dark in the restaurant! Thank you for the special moments!🌿🕊🏳️‍🌈👍

Thanks to the team and especially Yunus - the best! for this special, great, meaningful evening, we felt very well looked after. Praise to the cuisine, whether beef, poultry or fish, it was all imaginative and very tasty. Everyone stay as you are, your goddess team table 175 :)

Great experience. Will definitely come back.

It was a super great (taste) experience. Of course it takes some getting used to, but that's what's so appealing about it. We had the incredibly nice and personable waiter Pedro. A very empathetic person who takes away your excitement with light-hearted jokes and makes your stay in the "dark" pleasant and eventful. A great and impressive evening. The food tasted very good, therefore absolutely recommended!!

We have never experienced anything so great. If you let yourself get involved in the darkness, you will have a great evening. Great food served at a top level, charming, funny and incredibly friendly. Top in all areas. 3 or 4 courses are served, each one better than the other. Vegan, vegetarian, meat, fish, there is something for everyone. Allergies etc. are checked in advance and you can rely on them even in the dark. Cell phones, bags, jackets, etc. will be handed in beforehand and stored safely. Digital detox at its best. Enjoy with all your senses. Unfortunately there are no photos of the food ;-). Thank you for the lovely evening.

Ambience a bit dark but otherwise great 😜 Food tastes good and the service is excellent. It's fun 😄

Was a great experience with good food. Beforehand, we could hardly imagine what dinner would be like in complete darkness. The waiter Eddi accompanied us throughout the evening and gave us a lovely evening

It was a completely extraordinary experience to eat in the dark and thanks to our nice waiter Eddi, the initial tension quickly disappeared. Everything was explained very well, we asked about any allergies or intolerances at the beginning and the food was really tasty.

So great you don't worry about how it would be like you can't see it anymore. Great experience. The food was simply great, although some forks failed. Our service Machmut is simply great, like the whole team

The food was more than enough and varied. I had the game menu. Eddy was lovely and rounded off the unique evening perfectly. We will be happy to be guests again.

You are accompanied through the experience with incredible love and warmth. The food was really incredibly good. Great team and great atmosphere!

Dinner in the dark restaurant was an incredible experience. Our waiter Eddie was super nice and explained everything to us well. With his open manner, he took away any tension in such an unusual situation. The dishes were exceptionally tasty. I had the vegetarian menu, my friend had the game menu. We were both more than satisfied. At the beginning you were also explicitly asked whether there was anything you didn't like. We really enjoyed it and the experience was very interesting. We definitely want to come again! :)

Great experience, really pitch black. Incredibly nice and funny service from Eddie! ☺️ And best of all: the food tastes really good too! 👍🏻 Can absolutely be recommended.

A great experience, highly recommended. Daring to eat without your sense of sight is something very special. All other senses are sharpened and are open to THE taste experience! The food was formidable, our waiter Eddie was great and we will definitely be back!

Ville score even though I've never seen the dining room, but I was able to experience it. It is and remains an experience even if, like us, you have eaten there several times. The best service for visually impaired or blind people. Really great. The cuisine is very varied and of very good quality. We'd love to come back. I'll add photos of the inside later.

We were there yesterday with a group of 7 people. It was a great and exciting experience. The food was delicious and the service was great. Our group is always loud and cheerful, it's exciting that things were much quieter in the dark. In the room itself, it was difficult to converse in large groups because it was difficult to hear others due to the overall volume. Conclusion: An all-round successful evening, I will recommend it to others

What an experience! It’s one of the most unique experiences I’ve had in my entire life. Also Mahmoud is the nicest person on earth.

Wie schon bei den anderen Berichterstatter beschrieben, war es eine Herausforderung.. Im Dunkeln seine Getränke einzuschenken ohne zu sehen wieviel im Glas ist, das Essen entgegennehmen ohne zu ahnen wieviel auf dem Teller oder in der Suppen Schale ist, ist schon eine herausforderung um dann mit der Gabel auf dem Teller herum zu stochern bis etwas essbares angebissen hat, war nicht meine Welt. Es war interessant und eine Herausforderung, mehr nicht. Die Akustik viel zu laut, man hatte das Gefühl in einer Kantine zu sein. Die Unterhaltung ging nur durch zurufen. Bei den Nachbartischen viel schon mal ein Glas um und dann.... Das Essen war eher durchschnittlich und für den Preis nicht sonderlich. Das heisst die Geschmacksknospen wurden nicht sonderlich heraus gefordert. Das Positivste war die Bedienung, sehr engagiert und zuvorkommend. Beim Bezahlen wurde nur Abkassiert und keine Frage wie es war und ob es Spaß gemacht hat oder so und weg waren wir. Also für mich nur einmal und nie wieder, schade. 3 Gänge Menü

It was a really special evening and the waitress Jolie was great. I can recommend everyone to try dining in the dark.

Always an experience. The menus were very tasty.

An incredible experience The service staff Pedro and Machmut have been blind since birth and help the guests through this unique restaurant in a humorous way and with a lot of charm. At the end we discussed with the chef what everyone had eaten.

We can absolutely recommend this experience. Everything was right and it was an unforgettable experience. Thank you to the whole team

Great experience. Always happy ☺️. The people who work there know how to give you a great experience. Thank you for the wonderful evening 🧑‍🍳🎉✨☺️

This is something very special! It's completely dark! You have to push the food together on your plate so that you don't end up with an empty fork in your mouth again. The service is great, the food is great, but you have to get involved.

It's pitch black... you just can't see anything and I was skeptical about how the evening would go. At the reception we were briefly explained about the process and we were aware that a service person would accompany us throughout the evening. Then the door to the lock opened and a man named Eddy greeted us in a very relaxed manner. The first name and Eddy's manner immediately creates the necessary trust, a must because you have to rely on the service in order to even get to your place. Eddy was our eyes that evening. It's crazy and you immediately become aware of how blind or visually impaired people perceive their environment. The other senses were heightened and Eddy made himself known whenever he entered the room. Eddy also always made us laugh. Not only did we eat very well, we also laughed for a good 2.5 hours. I believe that Eddy, with his style and also with his fate, makes a huge contribution to the success of this restaurant. Cheers! A complete success, a very funny evening, thanks to Eddy, and without exception a delicious one. Full marks! The master, Basti

Finster Restaurant offers a unique experience for those looking for more than just a meal - it is a place where people can get to know each other in a unique way. The food is a real treat for the palate and there is something for every taste. Surprises are definitely positive here! Particularly noteworthy is the friendly and courteous staff. A very special thank you goes to Mahmut, who accompanied us throughout the evening with his charming service and helped to make our experience unforgettable.

It was a mega experience. At the beginning it was very unusual because you really can't see your hand in front of your eyes, but our great waiter Pedro quickly took away your uncertainty. Every single one of the employees is super nice and friendly. Pedro is a super funny, friendly guy. He made the evening even more special. The food was super delicious. We'll definitely be back!!!

We enjoyed the food incredibly well! The experience of dining in the dark allows you to experience life from a whole new perspective and gives you a deeper insight into another world. It was a really great experience! A special thank you to our waitress Xhuljeta, who is a wonderful person and accompanied us throughout the evening. We chose the game menu and it was excellent. Ps: However, for people who are afraid of the dark, it may not be the best choice.

It was really an absolutely great experience to eat at Dunkel Restaurant. Starting with a really great and incredibly nice service, who like to poke fun at each other and always have a casual saying on their lips, to a really, really tasty meal. We had the feeling that the complete darkness made you perceive flavors much more intensely. An absolute recommendation for this great restaurant. We'll definitely be back soon. Thank you for this beautiful wedding day

It's really something special to eat without seeing. You definitely have to do it... I can only recommend it. The staff is super nice and friendly... Atmosphere all in all great.

The experience is definitely the priority. But the food was also okay. You should try it out. It was a very interesting experience!

We were very satisfied with the evening. Great waiters who relaxed the mood a lot. The food itself was also great. Unfortunately it was a bit loud in the room. It may be due to the room or the darkness that people automatically talk a little louder.

An exciting experience of eating in the pitch black. The waiter Eddie is awesome! Was fun

Thanks for the great experience. The food was great and the team was great :) Eddi and Pedro you are great. Keep it up. We'll definitely be back :)

Great experience and actually very, very good food. Many thanks especially to our waiter Pedro, who guided us through the evening with a lot of humor and extreme caution.

We traveled a good 300 km from Saarland. The change was a bit unusual, but our waitress, dear Joline, quickly alleviated our uncertainty. It was an experience that you should definitely have. The food was also very interesting and totally delicious. The journey was definitely worth the adventure and we would do it again.

An absolute experience. Since any light source is prohibited, of course no food can be published. Because you couldn't see anything, the enjoyment experience was more intense. You can choose between various menus and mention any intolerances beforehand so that there are no problems with the food. Eating in the absolute darkness is a challenge but also a wonderful experience that you should have. The service is very helpful and friendly. All in all, highly recommended.

Nice staff, delicious food and generally exciting experience.

Great food - very friendly service - the atmosphere was cozy, but very dark

Wonderful food. Really great. And everything about it was a great experience. Super nice staff. Bruno⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We'll be back

It was a very nice experience and the food was very good. I recommend the fish or vegetarian menu. Our waiter Bruno was very attentive and made the experience nice.

A very unusual and beautiful experience that you should have done. The service was absolutely top notch and so was the food. We will definitely eat there again. I can recommend it to everyone.

The three of us ate at the dark restaurant Finster at the weekend and had an incredibly nice evening!! Many thanks to Eddie for keeping us entertained all evening. It was a very extraordinary, great experience for us to eat and spend an evening in this darkness.

Thanks to the Finster team! It was an unforgettable evening. ❤️ I have never experienced such darkness. It was an incredible experience! We chose the game menu from the menu and were thrilled. Yes, we used our fingers and enjoyed the menu. We also started talking to the people sitting next to us at the table. That was unusual but very nice. A very special thank you to our waiter Pedro, who guided us through the menu and the evening. Since the selection on the menu was very extensive and the service was so friendly, we will come back. Looking forward to next time. ❤️❤️❤️

Great experience. First of all, huge respect to the employees there. We were welcomed very warmly and our service person Mahmoud was simply great and amusing. The food was great and with the total darkness it was an unforgettable experience. In my opinion, the bar could be made a little more inviting. But we were super happy and can highly recommend it.

We didn't feel comfortable in the dark, but the food was great.

First of all I have to say! Many thanks to the people with poor eyesight or complete blindness for enjoying their job. My wife and I were there for the first time and didn't know what to expect...we were warmly welcomed. I have already selected the menu on the website in advance. A short time later our waitress Maria came and took us to our table! Even the way there was really exciting. Getting to the table in total darkness with the help of Maria was really exciting.. again a short time later our drinks arrived, followed by the food.. in short we were impressed by how it worked and that the food tasted so good. . So if you want to experience the experience up close...please go there and immerse yourself in the other senses.

Always brilliant...I love it. I was there for the fourth time at the weekend and I'm always thrilled.... Mega staff and good food at a fair price. You just have to try it.

Worth experiencing! The restaurant didn't seem that great to me (which you could tell), but the food and the waiter killed it! However, the portions could have been a little larger, hence a star deduction. Pedro the waiter was so friendly and funny that I would recommend the restaurant because of him.

An experience that you have to experience. Super delicious food and great staff. The only downer is the ambience in the area where you can still see.

A great experience with good food and a very nice and funny waiter named Pedro, who looked after us impressively in complete darkness! It was an interesting experience that I would recommend to everyone.

Had already been given a meal at another dark restaurant and found the experience very interesting. Since the restaurant from back then no longer exists, but we wanted to share this experience with friends, we came here. We couldn't see the room/table at any time, but our waiter Mahmut brought us to the table via polonaise without any accidents, served us friendly and humorous throughout the evening, and escorted us out again at the end. Many greetings to him at this point... The food was very tasty and the 4-course meal really filled us up. When it comes to the much-mentioned price-performance ratio, you have to remember that you're not just paying for the food, but also for the special experience. In any case, we didn't regret it, we enjoyed it and can only recommend it. Parking is easy and relatively cheap in the university clinic's parking garage (approx. 5 minutes' walk).

Simply a wonderful experience from start to finish!!!

Das Essen war lecker, die Atmosphäre war locker und das Personal ist super nett. Einfach mal in Ruhe essen, ohne die mittlerweile obligatorischen Pseudo-Influencer, die ihr Menü erst posten und dann essen. Sehr entspannend.

First of all, the negative aspects first. The parking situation is really terrible, so it's best to plan a few extra minutes for this. Also, the portions could have been a little larger. With that out of the way, we can now focus on the predominantly positive aspects. Starting with the extremely friendly and humorous staff (best regards to Pedro) who make you feel comfortable from start to finish. The food was really to die for. The fact that you only have a rough idea of ​​what ends up on your plate is just the icing on the cake, because the food was, without exception, a 10/10. Last but not least, of course, is the aspect of eating in the dark. It's really pitch dark. But it's still an amazing experience having to rely on your other senses apart from sight. Maybe not appealing to everyone, and the fact that you should or even have to use your fingers while eating could put some people off. However, if you are open to it, you should definitely try it out in this restaurant!

Super exciting experience, it's only in the dark that you really realize how much you rely on your eyesight and, above all, how much your sight anticipates when you eat. We had a hard time guessing many of the ingredients. Our service staff was totally friendly, funny, and helpful. The food was also really tasty. Gladly again.

The food was very tasty and we were very well looked after. We felt completely comfortable. We stated any allergies beforehand and this was carefully taken into account. Many thanks to the whole super nice team 👍😃

Super nice, funny staff and a visit here is a very special experience. After your meal, an employee takes extra time to talk to you about what exactly you ate. Unfortunately the vegan menu was pretty unimaginative, bland and not really filling :/ We had the 3 course menu for €40 and were still hungry afterwards :/

A great experience, very friendly staff Food was also very tasty

Food was phenomenal, service was second to none. Our waiter was Pedro - he alone is worth a visit. The ambience is overwhelming...you have to "see" it 🤣

Super nice staff The food was great. Toilets are very clean.

With a queasy feeling and a little fear we drove to the dark dark restaurant today. We were received very warmly there. After we chose our menu (just a keyword, e.g. beef, the rest remains secret) we were soon welcomed by the blind waiter Pietro. Pietro accompanied us into the completely dark restaurant and took away our uncertainty with his fresh and cheerful manner. Another couple was sitting in the room with us. Pietro guided us through the menus with a lot of charm and humor and it was a real experience to taste the food without knowing what it was, sometimes even feeling it with your fingers. The food was delicious, even though I would never have chosen the dish on the menu. After the meal we were led out of the restaurant again and the menu was then explained. It was a really great evening, with very good food and super-friendly staff. We will definitely come back. Thanks to the entire staff for this successful evening

Was a great experience eating in the dark. You really can't see anything. You can choose a 3 or 4 course menu beforehand on a blackboard. The food was very tasty. Afterwards you get the resolution. And know what you ate.

We had dinner there on Thursday August 8th, 2024. It was really incredibly great and an experience that I will never forget. Many thanks to Eddy our cellar, whose humor and friendliness gives everyone a safe, good feeling in the unfamiliar darkness. I can't remember a time when I approached eating so consciously and with completely different senses. Everything was really delicious and you forgot about time and even the darkness around you. All of the dishes were excellent and exceeded my expectations in terms of taste. It was a very special day and I will remember these hours. Dear team, thank you very much for the hospitality, the great, unbeatable service and the excellent food. I can only recommend everyone to stop by there as a guest.

So the first thing to say is that the service was great, our waiter/supervisor Bruno was super nice, would have earned a 6th star. It's an experience not to see anything at all and you have to let that sink in. It was really nice to forego cell phones and have a completely analogue conversation. What was critical was that in an emergency I wouldn't know where I would have to go, there was no emergency lighting. For my part, the food came too quickly one after the other, there were hardly any breaks between the three courses. The food itself was delicious, but there was room for improvement. Nevertheless, all in all it was a successful evening and worth an experience.

It's very expensive but always an experience. Definitely come back. This time it was extremely hot in the dark room. So one star less.

Unforgettable wedding day in the dark We celebrated our wedding anniversary in the dark and were thrilled. The darkness enhanced the intensity of the flavors and the food was simply fantastic - creative, varied and of the highest quality. Special praise goes to our waiter Marco, who accompanied us attentively and friendly throughout the evening. His empathy and professionalism made the evening unforgettable. For special occasions or simply an extraordinary evening, we can only warmly recommend the Finster!

The dark restaurant Finster in Essen offers an extraordinary and unforgettable experience. Dining in complete darkness heightens the senses in ways previously unimaginable. Without the influence of vision, taste and smell are intensified, giving the carefully prepared dishes a new, fascinating dimension. Every dish that was served to us was of the highest quality and the finest flavors that melted in the mouth. The main course was particularly impressive, with its flavors becoming even more intense in the darkness. Another highlight of the evening was our waiter Eddy. Not only was he extremely attentive, but he was also extremely entertaining. With his charming humor and his ability to guide us safely through the darkness, he made the evening a completely successful experience. Eddy was a master at transforming the initial uncertainty that the darkness brought with it into serenity and joy. Anyone looking for an exceptional culinary experience is in good hands at Finster in Essen. This restaurant combines excellent cuisine with a unique concept and outstanding service. A visit to Finster is much more than just dinner – it is a journey into a completely new world of the senses.

That was something special, eating in the dark, different choices of dishes and very nice, amusing staff. Can definitely recommend

A birthday present that I regret for the price. We both chose beef. The advertised price of €50.90 for a 3-course menu gave us hope for a taste experience in the dark. Unfortunately that wasn't the case! I am absolutely not a fan of ready meals, but here I experienced the full force of poor quality (meat) and ready meals for far too high a price! The 2 hour drive wasn't worth it, I can't recommend this restaurant. The waiter, Pedro, was very nice. The people in the anteroom, on the other hand, were a bit unfriendly. When we entered we didn't really feel welcome. Price-performance is absolutely not right! Interesting concept, poor implementation when it comes to food, which is what it's all about. Unfortunately I have to give one star for the food.

Absolutely recommended, we were there for the first time, super friendly staff, the food was absolutely delicious and we were full to the brim! My partner really struggled with the absolute darkness for the first 10 minutes, but then it worked! It is definitely worth recommending and you should try it out. I think after that you appreciate your two healthy eyes;) the great staff definitely takes away your respect for them. I recommend it!

We were there for the first time today and it was awesome. From start to finish it was great. Thanks again to the wonderful Maya. You topped the evening :) My husband and I will definitely be back :)

Great experience, good food, very friendly waiter. Tip: Simply park in the UKE car park, it's not far and you save yourself having to look for a parking space.

The service was very friendly and eating in the dark was an interesting experience. Unfortunately it was very stuffy in the dining room and the quality of the food was unfortunately not worthy of a restaurant. We ordered the vegan dish. Unfortunately the composition of the starter didn't match; there was leaf lettuce with bulgur. The bulgur was delicious, but the large lettuce leaves made no sense in the situation. The main course was rice with vegetable curry. The dish itself was harmonious, but unimaginative, I can do the same thing at home. The ice cream sorbet for dessert came with thawed frozen berries. That was definitely an impertinence. It's a shame, because we had heard a lot of good things and were looking forward to an exciting evening. Another note: We booked the "special package" for 16 euros for our anniversary, which included a glass of champagne and a mini 3D wooden puzzle with about 10 pieces that you should puzzle at home; the connection to the restaurant visit remains a mystery to me to this day !? All of this for over €100 for two people wasn't worth it to me.

It was a new experience, no question about it. At first impression, the restaurant is a bit shabby. And the toilet rooms are also getting old. The furnishings are not stylish, but everything is just thrown together. An interior designer should come in there. The women on The counter is very reserved and doesn't pay attention to you at all. You don't feel welcome there. Only the man at the cash register was great. If you see the atmosphere around it, you can pretty much imagine the kitchen. That's how it was. Standard, way too salty, nothing special. But ok for eating in the dark. Overpriced for the bit of standard food.

Not our first visit to a dark restaurant , however the 1st Sometimes in the dark. We were welcomed in a very friendly and open manner and were given good advice when choosing our menu. Our waiter Pedro guided us through the evening in a funny, entertaining and confident manner. The food was very good. Here you can really enjoy with all four remaining senses and concentrate fully on the taste of the food. Personally, I find it very relaxing not to be distracted by other stimuli. For me the portions were adequate, for our men it could have been a little more.

Yesterday the four of us ate in the “Finster” restaurant and had an unforgettable experience. The food was really excellent and we enjoyed it very much. Our waiter Pedro was also very accommodating and put us in a good mood the whole evening! It was a great evening and an exciting experience. Many thanks and big praise to the entire team!

Brilliant experience that is second to none. Gladly again. Food quality also very good. Very friendly staff.

Interesting experiences with excellent food. However, it is very loud in the restaurant, so we could hardly hear our waitress. Better ventilation would be desirable.

The visit to the dark restaurant Finster was a real highlight! I have never experienced such great and friendly service as here! The four courses were all super delicious and it was a lot of fun trying to guess what you were actually eating. Absolute recommendation 🫶🏻

Arrived this evening full of expectations, Then a carelessly furnished restaurant Totally stuffy room, the dishes, especially the plates, smell like a wet dog (dishwasher rail broken?) and a totally arrogant first contact person (totally overconfident with cheeky comments that weren't funny, like asking about the drink order and then commenting on how boring the order was The same thing at the end when the dishes are revealed to the “chef”?! In addition, the food was far too fatty and I only had vegetarian. In terms of price, it was also way too expensive for what was offered. More employees smoke outside than work All in all, a huge disappointment.

It was the first time and it was an interesting experience eating and drinking in the dark. Was there with a friend and his parents and it was also really fun. Staff was very friendly. The food was also very good and is an experience worth focusing on your taste buds.

We spent our 10th anniversary here. It was wonderful and a unique experience, especially with such a friendly and courteous waiter like Benno. We would love to do it again 😊

Everyone was very friendly. The food was absolutely top.

Great service, great feeling of being in good hands, super delicious food!! A very interesting experience! We would be happy to do this again if we get the chance! 👍👍

We had a wonderful evening in the Finster restaurant. Express thanks go to the entire staff who provided excellent support throughout the evening from reception to payment. Special thanks go to Mahmud, who guided us through this experience as our personal companion throughout the evening. The food is good for the price, the menus offer a comprehensive selection.

We were given a voucher for the dark restaurant “Finster” in Essen and were very curious to see what it would be like. Since we didn't want to be spoiled, we didn't do any research beforehand. The restaurant is located in an old pub, so we first had to look for a parking space as there are no dedicated parking spaces. When we entered we were greeted not unfriendly, but not really friendly either. We were told in a rather harsh tone that we should turn off our cell phones now. We were then allowed to choose between vegetarian, vegan, game, beef and poultry and whether we would like a solid or liquid starter. Afterwards we were asked about the drinks. In our opinion, the older gentleman who served us was too forward and unfriendly towards us as guests, and that had nothing to do with the typical Ruhr area manner. We were eventually picked up by our waiter and taken to the dining room. It was completely dark. However, the waiter completely compensated for his colleague's rudeness. He was a very nice person who made us feel very comfortable. Our starter came quickly and it was definitely an experience to eat so completely in the dark. We had some difficulties at first, but we soon found fun with it. The food itself was average – not exceptionally good, but not bad either. We've definitely eaten worse. The moment of surprise because you didn't know what you were eating and eating in the dark without any visibility was an experience in itself. However, in the end we were very disappointed. Our nice waiter had told us that we would find out exactly what we ate outside. Unfortunately, the gentleman at the reception just checked us in quickly and we didn't get any further information about what exactly we ate and whether our assumptions were correct. We hope that the gentleman at the reception just had a bad day and is not so rude to all the guests. The waiter in the dining room was just great – nice, courteous and on the ball. All in all, we had an interesting evening, but we probably won't come back again. We don't need the experience of eating in complete darkness a second time, and the food was mediocre, so it's not worth coming a second time. Sufficient for the event, but unfortunately not enough to eat well.

Everything was fine. The food was really good. Personally, I coped well with the circumstances. Who needs light when there's something to eat. You probably have to get involved with it.