(Photos) Berlin’s TV Tower Revolving Restaurant Review: Is The View Worth It?

While the views are great from Duck and Waffle in London, the problem is that you can’t choose your view.

Although, the views from the Berlin TV Tower restaurant aren’t spectacular by any means as you can see.

Is it disorientating to be spinning and eating? Not really. The restaurant revolves at such as slow pace it’s barely noticeable.

Aside from the view, the food is actually pretty good. I was really happy with my Tower breakfast (Reblochon de Savoie (french raw milk cheese), Milan salami, San Michele pork ham, mortadella, smoked salmon, assorted jam, honey, butter, coffee smoothie, fresh fruit, spelt and whole grain bread, wheat rolls) and think it’s worth it price when you total the whole experience. It makes me wish London had a revolving restaurant. You can see all the menus here.

Also known as Berliner Fernsehturm (locals also refer to it as a speared onion), Berlin’s TV tower is the tallest structure, not only in Berlin but the whole of Germany. So if you’re looking for panoramic views of the city, there is no better place. Standing at 368m, it can be seen piercing the sky from anywhere around the city, much like the Eiffel Tower (the Berlin TV tower is 70m taller).

Incredibly, it only takes 40 seconds to reach the observatory deck thanks to Europe’s fastest elevator which reaches speeds of 47mph.

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History of Berliner Fernsehturm

The Berlin TV Tower (Berliner Fernsehturm) is Germany’s tallest structure and one of its most iconic landmarks. Built between 1965 and 1969 by the East German government, it was intended as both a broadcasting hub and a symbol of socialist achievement. Designed by architect Hermann Henselmann, the tower was strategically placed near Alexanderplatz to dominate the skyline of East Berlin and rival Western architecture.

Standing at 368 metres, the tower was inaugurated on 3 October 1969 to mark the 20th anniversary of the German Democratic Republic. Its gleaming sphere was inspired by Soviet satellites and originally meant to glow red — the colour of socialism. After reunification, the tower was reimagined as a symbol of unity and modern Berlin. Today, it hosts over a million visitors annually, offering panoramic views, a revolving restaurant, and a virtual reality experience. It remains a powerful emblem of Berlin’s transformation and resilience.

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10 Interesting Facts About Berliner Fernsehturm

1. The tower was built in just 53 months, with workers operating in three shifts.
2. Its sphere reflects a cross in sunlight — nicknamed “The Pope’s Revenge.”
3. The tower was originally 365 metres tall, one metre for each day of the year.
4. A new antenna added in 1997 raised its height to 368 metres.
5. The Sphere Restaurant rotates once every 30 minutes.
6. The tower’s observation deck is at 203 metres, with views up to 42 km.
7. It was the third-tallest freestanding structure in the world when completed.
8. The tower has 986 steps, but visitors use lifts that reach the top in 40 seconds.
9. It’s still a working broadcast tower, transmitting over 60 radio and TV channels.
10. The tower has appeared in films like The Bourne Supremacy and Sense8.

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Things to See and Do at Berliner Fernsehturm

• Visit the Observation Deck
  Enjoy 360° views of Berlin from 203 metres high. Spot landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag, and Tempelhof Airport.
• Dine at Sphere Restaurant
  Book a table in Germany’s highest restaurant. It rotates slowly, offering changing views as you enjoy Berlin cuisine and cocktails.
• Experience Berlin’s Odyssey VR
  Take a virtual reality journey through 9 centuries of Berlin’s history, including the tower’s construction and Cold War context.
• Sip Drinks at Sphere Bar
  Relax with a drink at the panoramic bar, located on the same level as the viewing platform.
• Join a Guided Tour
  Learn about the tower’s architecture, symbolism, and transformation from GDR icon to global landmark.
• Take Photos from Alexanderplatz
  Capture the tower’s full height from the square below — especially dramatic at sunset or during light displays.
• Browse the Gift Shop
  Pick up souvenirs, postcards, and miniatures of the tower, plus books on Berlin’s history.
• Attend Seasonal Events
  Look out for themed lighting, art installations, and special menus during holidays and festivals.
• Spot the Leifur Eiríksson Statue
  Outside the tower, find the statue of the Viking explorer gifted by the USA in 1930.
• Explore Nearby Attractions
  Combine your visit with Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, or a walk along Unter den Linden.

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Practical Information for Visiting Berliner Fernsehturm

• Location: Panoramastraße 1A, 10178 Berlin, Germany
• Opening times: April–October: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm; November–March: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
• Entry: From €25.50 adults; skip-the-line and restaurant packages available
• Tickets: Book online via the official website
• Parking: Paid parking nearby; public transport recommended (Alexanderplatz station)
• Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible due to fire regulations
• Dogs: Assistance dogs only
• Food: Sphere Restaurant and Sphere Bar on site
• Toilets: Available, including accessible facilities
• Nearby: Alexanderplatz, Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, Rotes Rathaus, Hackescher Markt