The Retro Restaurant Trend That's Coming Back Around

Travel + Leisure

2 days ago

Forty-eight floors above the hurly-burly of Times Square, all you can hear is the crackle of ice in a cocktail shaker, the murmur of hushed conversation, and the barely-there tinkle of a baby grand piano. A couple is having their pre-show Manhattans; a group of friends is gossiping over martinis and shrimp cocktail. All the while, the view is ever-changing as the revolving restaurant atop the New York Marriott Marquis takes another spin. 360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria, in the Swiss Alps.
After a five-year closure, the View is back—and ready for its star turn. 'We wanted to create a space for the neighborhood's artistic community and its audiences, bringing together a colorful mix of locals while establishing a welcome refuge 48 floors above Broadway,' says Danny Meyer, the founder and executive chairman of Union Square Hospitality Group, which operates the bi-level restaurant and lounge. 'It's not just about dining or service; it's about creating a multisensory experience.' From left: Orbit 360° Dining, in Auckland; the Katz's martini (and its inspiration) at the View.
From Left: Sky City; Eric Medsker/The View
Reviving restaurants—and indeed whole neighborhoods—is something of a calling card of Meyer's. His first project, Union Square Cafe, was a beacon of taste when it opened on a then-scruffy 16th Street in 1985; his more recent Ci Siamo is already a destination address in the Manhattan West development.
With the 2025 reopening of the View, Meyer partnered with design luminary David Rockwell, of Rockwell Group, to tackle the challenge of bringing a sophisticated experience to Times Square while also reimagining the kitschy concept of the revolving restaurant. Infinity at Sydney Tower.
'We took inspiration from theater and set design both because of the View's location in the heart of the Theater District and because it serves as a natural stage,' Rockwell explains. 'Plush fabrics and drapery help define the circular floors, adding dimension and variety.'
And while the View is the only revolving restaurant in New York, other venues around the world are evidence that the concept is coming around again. A seafood plateau at the View, in New York.
Consider the new addition to Berlin's TV Tower, Sphere Tim Raue , which opened in June. It's helmed by one of Germany's top chefs, Tim Raue, whose existing namesake restaurant a block from Checkpoint Charlie has two Michelin stars. In Australia, Infinity at Sydney Tower relaunched in 2024 with multicourse menu options from French chef Guillaume Gritteret, who puts an emphasis on sourcing rock oysters, Wagyu-style beef, and produce from New South Wales.
Wherever they're located, these sky-high spots are tapping into diners' hunger for superlative moments. 'There's something special about the hum of a restaurant in full swing—the clink of glasses, laughter between bites, and the rhythm of service—that all feeds into the energy,' Meyer observes. 'There's a strong appetite for experiences that go beyond what you can create at home.'
Berlin
The city's Fernsehturm, or TV Tower, has a new restaurant, Sphere Tim Raue, with a menu of Middle European dishes and views from 679 feet.
Sydney
Infinity at Sydney Tower offers a six-course tasting menu centered on local products on the 81st floor of the city's tallest building.
Swiss Alps
The James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" put 360°-Restaurant Piz Gloria on the map when the refuge at the summit of Schilthorn played the part of a villain's lair. These days, the 9,744-foot-high spot is known for its Prosecco-soaked brunches. Entrées $29–$61.
Vienna
With views of the old city and the Danube River from more than 550 feet, Turm Restaurant serves Viennese classics like schnitzel and Tafelspitz, as well as seasonal options such as asparagus risotto. Entrées $25–$58.
Auckland, New Zealand
On the 52nd floor of Sky Tower, the tallest building in the country, Orbit 360° Dining has menus that change with the seasons, featuring dishes such as line-caught snapper with onion and leek ragù and a roasted-eggplant preparation with wild rice and coconut yogurt. Prix fixe from $66.
Las Vegas
Surprisingly, the only revolving restaurant in the city, Top of the World is more than 800 feet above the Strip, with a menu of steak-house classics (plus lighter choices like diver scallops with polenta and wild mushrooms) and a deep wine cellar with nearly 300 labels, including Caymus Vineyards and Château Margaux. Entrées $43–$110.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
A haunt for the jet set after it opened in 1965, Pier Top has been reimagined following its 2017 closure in the wake of Hurricane Irma. The Midcentury vibes remain, but the inventive cocktails, like one made with cashew- and coconut-washed rum, are as contemporary as it gets. Small plates $12–$32.
A version of this story first appeared in the September 2025 edition of Travel + Leisure under the headline "Let's Twist Again."