Scala Turm Hotel Restaurant

I had lunch in this top floor restaurant of the Jena tower a Monday early August of 2024 on the recommendation by my wine merchant in town. I had an Asian inspired halibut that is one of the very best versions of this delicate fish that I have ever tasted including in Iceland. The restaurant features a very good wine list and the Spätburgunder by the glass I drank was of excellent quality. Overall a great lunch with top value for money incuding the view over the city.

Seems to be a well prepared place but we were surprised to hear from the waiter that we had to order a certain number of portions at minimum. Certainly, this pressure was unexpected. The waiter kindly accepted us ordering less than he required, but it did take a little discussion and "only as an exception". Anyway, the desserts were great quality and apart from this strange pressure to generate turnover, we had a good experience. The place was almost empty, comfortably quiet, and we enjoyed the view.

We visited Scala Jena to celebrate our anniversary and chose the vegetarian five-course menu — and from the very first bite, it was an experience to remember. The second course was an absolute standout: the Banyuls Karotten Sashimi was simply fantastic, and the Basilikum Artischocke mit Trüffel was a true delight — I still can’t forget those flavors. Even the butter with the fresh bread brought back memories of my grandmother’s cooking. That moment felt both nostalgic and refined — truly amazing. There was a small mix-up during the third course, which briefly affected the mood. But the way the team handled it made all the difference. The chef personally came to apologize, and the staff were sincere, attentive, and kind throughout. What began with a little hiccup turned into a truly lovely anniversary dinner — thanks to the thoughtful hospitality and exceptional flavors. A night we’ll remember, with warmth and laughter.