Berlin’s variety of gastronomic and cultural offerings seems inexhaustible. There are countless events, activities and restaurants to suit every taste. Month after month, the city surprises with exciting new openings and special highlights. In culinary terms, the spectrum ranges from hearty, traditional dishes in the city’s oldest
restaurant or in a former
courthouse where executions once took place, to modern cuisine and Michelin stars. Impressive buildings with an eventful history have been converted into popular hotspots in the capital – one of them is the Telegraph Office. Once the communications center of the empire, it was transformed into a boutique hotel and reopened in 2022, hiding a very special gem in the lobby: the ROOT Bistro, which delights with its unique interior and refined cuisine – a place you shouldn’t miss. Behind it is the ROOT Restaurant, which offers an exclusive atmosphere with its focus on fine dining and is only accessible for private events.
The history of the telegraph office
Between 1910 and 1916, the Imperial Telegraph Office was built at Oranienburger Straße 16-18 – a building from an era in which Kaiser Wilhelm II placed great value on technical innovation and imperial modernity. According to the plans of the architect Ernst Hake, an imposing building in the neo-Renaissance style was created, which was later supplemented by Art Deco elements in the interior following renovations in the 1920s. During this phase, the building was also technically modernized and partially redesigned – creating the characteristic mix of classic façade and elegant, geometric Art Deco flair.
Important international messages were once transmitted all over the world from the telegraph office. It was regarded as a symbol of progress and global networking: messages, telegrams and telexes were sent from the German Reich in all directions – a widely ramified communication network that connected politics, business and the military. The building was partially damaged during the Second World War and stood empty for many years after reunification before it was finally given a new lease of life.
ROOT Bistro & ROOT Restaurant
Around 100 years after its opening, the Telegraphenamt shone in 2022 as a new boutique hotel in the heart of Berlin-Mitte. History, design and culinary innovation are elegantly combined here. The culinary center of the hotel is the ROOT Bistro in the lobby – the heart of the hotel. Behind it is the ROOT Restaurant, a luxury restaurant with a focus on fine dining, which can only be booked for private events.
The bistro, on the other hand, is open to the public every day and offers a varied selection for brunch, lunch and dinner. The open, inviting concept creates a special atmosphere in which you immediately feel at home. Here you can enjoy international cuisine – from freshly prepared sushi to the legendary club sandwich, the restaurant’s signature dish. Under the gastronomic direction of Matthias Martens and head chef Steve Großmann, an innovative concept has been created that combines classic bistro cuisine with creative sushi craftsmanship. Under their leadership, ROOT has developed into a top culinary address in Berlin.