Wannseeterrassen

A Piece of Berlin History on the Großer Wannsee

Anyone who has arrived at Wannseebadweg 35 in Zehlendorf immediately understands why this place has attracted people for almost nine decades. The Wannseeterrassen were built in 1937 as an excursion restaurant with a thatched roof, destroyed by fire in 1947, and then rebuilt. After the reconstruction, the establishment was one of the most popular excursion restaurants in West Berlin until the fall of the Berlin Wall. Then, on Christmas 2001, the second devastating fire occurred. The approximately 400-square-meter building burned down to its foundations after a defect in the kitchen. The property stood empty for over fourteen years.

The developer of the new building, Harald Huth, is actually known as an investor and planner of shopping centers such as the Mall of Berlin on Leipziger Platz. He bought the site and invested in the new construction. After the fire, the restaurant was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2015. The interior design is reminiscent of a country house in the Hamptons. The property covers 8,500 square meters and offers 850 seats, 500 of which are on the terrace with views of the Wannsee and the Havel. This makes the lakeside restaurant one of the largest of its kind in Berlin.

From the terraces, spectacular views extend over the Wannsee to Kladow. Right next door is the famous Wannsee lido. There is also a 650-square-meter children’s playground on the premises, within sight. This makes the Wannseeterrassen a particularly worthwhile excursion destination for families in southwestern Berlin.

What’s on the Menu?

The head chef relies on regional products that are used seasonally. The cuisine combines German-French influences to create an offering that should be affordable for many. The menu features both classic main courses and lighter dishes for lunch by the lake.

Appetizers include seared scallops with cauliflower, a “Paris-Berlin” beef tartare, and scamorza with wild boar ham, tarragon, and pickled red onions. Those looking for something lighter can opt for the Caesar salad with corn-fed chicken or the lamb’s lettuce with egg, bacon, and potato dressing. Among the soups, a wild game consommé is available, as well as a potato and porcini mushroom soup with bacon crisp and garlic croutons.

Those who prefer it less complicated can choose the beer garden with tarte flambée, while the upscale terrace offers a smaller menu with classic dishes. Coffee specialties, homemade cakes, homemade ice cream, and homemade lemonades complete the offerings. The Wannseeterrassen also combine brunch with a view that immediately evokes a desire for spring days by the water. If you want to experience the sunset over the Wannsee from your table, you should reserve in advance.