Middle East
Israel
Tel Aviv District
Tel Aviv
Jaffa
Things to Do in Jaffa
Nalagaat Center

Nalagaat Center, Jaffa: Hours, Address, Nalagaat Center Reviews: 5/5

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Nalagaat Center

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Nalagaat Center
5
286
#1 of 36 things to do in Jaffa
Civic Centres
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9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 11:00 PM
About
The Nalaga'at ("please touch" in Hebrew) nonprofit center is a stage for arts and culture that promotes an equal dialogue and leads to social change, with the belief in the human spirit and its ability to touch and to make a difference. The center is home to: 1. The Nalaga'at Theater - home to the only deaf-blind theater groups in the world. 2. Blackout Restaurant - where blind and visually impaired waiters accompany the guests to a chef meal in total darkness. 3. Kapish Event Center - where deaf and hearing impaired waiters invite the guests to communicate in sign language. 4. Workshop Center - where you glimpse into the world of deaf and blind people through once in a lifetime experiences.
Suggested duration
2-3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
286 reviews
Excellent
233
Very good
42
Average
10
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Boaz Y
Tel Aviv, Israel614 contributions
BlackOut restaurant, A must "can't-see" in Tel Aviv
Jan 2012 • Family
When my mother came in we went to the BlackOut restaurant at the Nalagaat Center. Unfortunately we did not get to see a show, but the restaurant on it's own was an incredible experience. You have to make a reservation ahead of time in order to go since they don't offer it every night. The menu is kosher and mostly consists of fish and dairy, neither of which I eat, but I requested a pasta ahead of time and they said they could arrange it. The way it works is, once you arrive they have a short dinner and pre-drink ceremony while they explain (in Hebrew AND English) how ordering and seating works. Instead of ordering individual items throughout the mean, you order all your courses at once, so no reading is needed once you're inside the dark room. All the meals come with an appetizer, a main course, a drink, and a dessert. Then you and your guests are lead by a seeing-impaired waiter/waitress through a pitch black room to your table. If there's only a couple of you you may be sharing a table with another couple. Since they want to make sure lights don't come in from watches or cell phones, belongings are stored in personal lockers outside the dark room which you place there before the meal. All money handling is done afterward. First came the bread. I don't know what it is about having your eyes closed, but a simple bread and butter became a sudden symphony of tastes and textures unlike I've ever experienced. I joked with my mother that I would be eating all my meals blindfolded from now on. I didn't eat the fish but my Mother did, and she claimed it was fantastic (she is quite the connoisseur.) For my main dish they specially made pasta with tomato sauce as I requested, and just as my bland bread and butter transformed, so did my pasta. Flavor is felt like never before. I honestly couldn't tell you if the foods amazing-ness was due to the chef or the fact that we couldn't see anything. Throughout the meal the waiters bring little drinks and don't tell you what they are--You have to guess purely through the taste, which was a blast for debating at the dinner table. Ours was some kind of mulled apple wine, as I recall. The dessert was chocolate mousse, and my mother got the white chocolate mousse. As a personal preference, I'd say the plain chocolate mousse was much better. The service is amazing, prompt, and EXTREMELY friendly. Don't forgot your waiter/waitresses name so you can call for them if you need them during the meal! After the meal your waiter tells you a little about him/herself and the nature of their sight impairment, at which point you are allowed to ask them any questions you have about their lives--sight related or not. Then when you wish, they lead you out of the dark room. Stepping back into the light after so much time in darkness has a very painful initial shock--I had to keep my eyes closed because it hurt my head. But it's such an incredible experience, I will surely return again to show more friends, and HIGHLY recommend it to any visitor in Tel Aviv. It is an eye closing and eye opening experience ;)
Written June 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sovta
Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, Israel330 contributions
Blackout Restaurant: An unbelievable experience
Have you thought what it might be like to be deaf or blind? At the Nalagaat Center you have an opportunity to experience for a brief moment what you might encounter. The food at The Blackout Restaurant was delicious. We were 8 eating dinner with no visual clues. Conversation was stunted as we tried to guide the food to our mouths & pour water into our glasses. Don't miss the play after dinner.
Written January 30, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lanaiguana
Hollywood, FL44 contributions
Interesting experience that is eye opening
Jan 2015
My teenage son and I ate at Nalagaat's blackout dinner this week. What a wonderful experience. We were in complete darkness and were led to the table and throughout our experience by our wonderful waitress Hila, who is blind. She shared her story and her desire for others to experience the light she feels everyday in her daily life. And we felt and appreciated her lightness of being. The dinner was good, but the experience took us so beyond the food. We did spill our water at first and I found it easier to use my shirt as a napkin! I found my senses heightened and the conversation with my son stimulating, though I did miss seeing him as we talked. The blackout room forces you to use ur other senses for cues, even in conversation. I highly recommend Nalagaat as it can be an eyeopening experience for all.
Written January 22, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
TheShis
Tel Aviv, Israel34,625 contributions
A lovely center.
Nov 2021
This is a lovely center for people with disabilities, as well for people who believe in equality and a fair chance for everyone.
Written November 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
ronmar24
Tel Aviv, Israel63 contributions
I live in Tel Aviv, this is definitely not the 1st think to do...
Mar 2014
Don't be miss leaded by this strange rank of thinks todo in Tel Aviv. 1st think to do in TLV if you have a day in TLV, is to go to the Tel Aviv Port, 2nd is Jaffo Port and old city, 3rd Sarona (Sharona). Na Laga'at Center, at the Jaffo Port is a lovely! center for the blind & deft, is an enterprise that should be highly Intl. supported, indeed, but is not the 1st attraction in TLV, neigther is the Palamach Museum! Yes, it is located near to the hotels area, turist can go by foot, but this must the main reason to visit if you have 1 day in TLV...
Written April 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
JCoke
Roanoke, VA46 contributions
No kids under 11 allowed for Dinner
Jan 2014 • Family
Was very frustrated that after filling out their reservation form, calling them, and emailing them, it took a week for them to confirm my reservation. Then, they finally told me that kids under 11 aren't allowed. I fully understand their reasoning, but during that week of waiting, we had to book our hotel in Tel Aviv (just to go here for dinner). So, we wasted the cost of a hotel. PLEASE MAKE THIS CLEAR ON YOUR WEBPAGE AND YOUR RESERVATION PAGE!
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AZZenny
Arizona1,590 contributions
quite an eye-opener
Aug 2013 • Family
Dinner at Blackout Restaurant - food was really very good, service fair (at least as an English-speaker -- it seemed our Israeli neighbors got more contact and we were overlooked at a few key points), the blind dining experience was fascinating if slow. The show 'Not by bread alone' was a little old-fashioned in comedic style, but as it evolved it became deeply moving and quite entrancing. It will change the way you think about and experience some things, guaranteed.
Written August 2, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Julia M
Rishon Lezion, Israel71 contributions
Eye-opening experience!
Jul 2011 • Friends
This was my second time at the Blackout restaurant, and first time at the theater, for the show "Not by Bread Alone".

Blackout Restaurant: It's a unique, unforgettable experience, where diners eat in the complete darkness. The waiters are either partially or fully blind, and you pretty much rely on them for everything. It's quite disorienting at first, but eventually you have to rely on your other senses. Eating is so different in the dark--besides the messy factor, where sometimes it's best to just give up utensils--you realize you much of your taste is linked to your eyesight. The food is good as well, you can either order from the menu beforehand, or request a surprise meal (I highly recommend it).

"Not by Bread Alone": This is a show performed by a deaf and blind ensemble, the subject of which is their hopes and dreams. It's amazing to see how each person communicates with the other, all the various sign languages, braille, tapping on each other's hands. All through out the show they bake bread, which the crowd is invited to taste at the end of the show, and to meet and communicate with the cast. The show leaves you with many thoughts and emotions, which lingered on for days. It's a window into the world of the deaf/blind, and I'm so honored to have been able to look in.
Written July 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
InternationalTr... I
Tel Aviv, Israel349 contributions
NALAGAAT CENTER - THEATRE
Dec 2019
If you are not acquainted with Nalagaat Center - in a few words (garnered from their website - they say it so much better than I can) : Nalaga’at is a non-profit cultural and arts center for the Deaf (hearing and vocally impaired and blind)… The center has an events center, gives workshops, has a BlackOut Restaurant (the only dark restaurant in Israel - and one of about 15 in the world!) , and is known for its marvelous theatre. I have seen a few of their productions which are moving, fun and inspiring as well as good theatre! The theatre productions have the dialogue with surtitles in various languages including English, If you haven't been then Not by Bread Alone should be the first production you see and if you've seen it check out their website for more.. (including Children of a Lesser God!)
Written December 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Arnolds07
Braintree, UK114 contributions
Blackout restaurant not to be missed
Jul 2014 • Couples
Book early to avoid disappointment, luckily we had a few weeks to get in and we were not disappointed at all, it was an incredible experience. You are briefed on what will happen and the. You are taken I to the dark restaurant by your waiter who is blind. We were seated opposite a lovely couple who we chatted to. The food was yummy, I had salmon and my Husband the ravioli, we had some yummy bread to start and two deserts to finish. It is not as difficult as you think as your waiter is so good at telling you where things are, even pouring your own water. Wine and alcohol are available if you require it, we had Jaffa Juice orange of course delicious and included in the set price. Overall a fabulous experience and super food, loved it
Written July 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Nalagaat Center
Nalagaat Center is open:
  • Sun - Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM