A piece of the German Ruhr region reaches new heights: The currywurst from Bochum’s traditional butcher shop Dönninghaus is now being served at Sphere Tim Raue in the Berlin TV Tower – ironically in the capital, which claims to have invented the currywurst.
Tim Raue Currywurst
What has been a cult favorite in the Ruhr region for decades has now made it all the way to the top. The currywurst from the traditional butcher shop Dönninghaus in Bochum is now being served at Sphere Tim Raue in the Berlin TV Tower, the highest revolving restaurant in the European Union, at 207 meters above the capital. A sausage from the Ruhr region, refined with two signature sauces by Tim Raue, served above the rooftops of Berlin: honest craftsmanship meets international stage.
A Family Tradition Since 1937
The story of this sausage began in 1937, when Otto Dönninghaus founded his butcher shop in Bochum. Today, grandson Dirk Schulz runs the business in the third generation. Every week, between 40,000 and 50,000 sausages are produced here – following a recipe preserved for decades, using natural spices, natural casings, and uncompromising quality. In the Ruhr region, the Dönninghaus currywurst is more than just a snack: it’s a piece of Bochum’s identity.
From the Ruhr to the Tower
The journey to the Berlin TV Tower began with a special moment. For his TV series “Tim Raue isst!” (“Tim Raue Eats!”), the Michelin-starred chef searched for Germany’s best currywurst in 2025 – and found it in Bochum.
“When Tim Raue suddenly stood in our butcher shop, it was surreal at first,” recalls Dirk Schulz. “He tried the sausage, looked at me, and essentially said: This is exactly what I’ve been looking for. For us, it was immediately clear: This is something special.”
Irony of Culinary History
The fact that a Ruhr Valley currywurst is now being served in Berlin carries a certain historical irony. Berliners proudly claim that currywurst was invented in their city – by Herta Heuwer in 1949, who allegedly mixed ketchup with curry powder and poured it over a grilled sausage. The people of Hamburg, however, dispute this: They claim that currywurst was first served there as early as 1947. The Ruhr region, meanwhile, has long since established itself as the currywurst stronghold, with countless iconic snack bars and its own cult following.
Now, a piece of this Ruhr Valley culture is moving to the capital – and not just anywhere, but to its most prominent landmark.
One Sausage, Two Sauces
For the Berlin TV Tower, the currywurst was reimagined – without losing its character. The inspiration to serve the sausage with two sauces comes from the Berlin Currybaude. However, the execution is unique: One of the two sauces is prepared fresh in the Sphere Tim Raue kitchen – with plenty of heat, onions, and a fine curry foam. The second sauce is based on a Tim Raue recipe and comes from farmer Torsten Rahlf, known for high-quality ingredients from Brandenburg. Thus, the Ruhr region, Berlin, and Brandenburg come together on one plate – artisanal, regional, and precise.
The currywurst is served as part of the “Tim Raue Heiß & Kalt” (Tim Raue Hot & Cold) menu and as part of the “HIGHEST LUNCH” in the revolving Sphere Tim Raue restaurant in the Berlin TV Tower, which rotates fully once or twice per hour. At the Sphere Bar on the observation deck directly below, the currywurst is also available on its own, then without the fancy curry foam, but with exquisite Jaipur curry powder and an exclusive TV Tower spoon. A true piece of the Ruhr region – visible, tasteable, and with history.
A Sign of Appreciation
“The fact that our sausage is now being served up there makes us incredibly proud,” says managing director and founder’s grandson Dirk Schulz. “We are a classic Ruhr region butcher shop. No corporation, no trend product. And exactly this sausage, which has been made the same way here for decades, is now available high up on the Berlin TV Tower. That’s a great sign of appreciation for us and for the Ruhr region.”
Berlin TV Tower
The Berlin TV Tower, with its 368 meters, is the tallest building in Germany and the second-highest publicly accessible structure in Europe. With over 1.2 million visitors annually, the TV Tower at Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin’s most popular attractions. A unique feature is the revolving “Sphere Tim Raue” restaurant, located at 207 meters, which rotates a full 360 degrees once or twice per hour. The “Sphere Bar” located below can also be reached via two high-speed elevators (6 meters per second). The TV Tower is open 363 days a year from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
At the bar the Currywurst is served for 9,50 €, in the Restaurant in a menu with ice cream and drink for 27 € – until 5 p.m. Always plus admission to the TV-Tower.
Don’t confuse the TV-Tower restaurant with the Tim Raue Restaurant! Here is a review – in German language – about the two star Michelin restaurant: