The city of Berlin was founded in the Nikolaiviertel quarter in the 12th and 13th centuries as a medieval trading centre.
This area in the Mitte district forms the historical town centre where Berlin was born. The Ephraim-Palais is a faithful reconstruction of the original four-storey rococo town house, which was constructed from 1761 to 1764 for Veitel-Heine Ephraim, the financier of King Frederick II of Prussia.
In the 19th century, the building was considered by Berliners as being the most beautiful corner of the city. The building was demolished by the city authorities in 1936 to make way for the expansion of the bridge and lock system. However, public protests led the city magistrate to announce that the building would be rebuilt nearby at a later date after the bridge was completed, meaning the sandstone blocks were stored away.
In June 1944, virtually the entire district – including the Nikolaikirche – was destroyed during an air raid. The historical centre of Berlin was rebuilt between 1979 and 1987, for which the West Berlin House of Representatives made the stored sandstone blocks available. It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to Ephraim’s Restaurant.

Through our work as a multicultural team we allow the historical path of the Mühlendamm bridge to participate into contemporary culture of Berlin. The act of serving you is collectively experienced social event. Here we are: a cook, a manager, a kitchen helper, a cleaning lady, a future actor, a future bioengineer, a future linguist, an architect and (Are you a true all-rounder as well?)