Hotel Kämp's historic renovation progresses: restaurant À La Kämp and the iconic Kämp Bar open their doors
Kämp Hotel 13, November 2025
Following a year-long transformation, the historic restaurant space reopens on November 14th under a new name and spirit. À La Kämp and Kämp Bar pay homage to the hotel’s illustrious past while ushering in a contemporary era of timeless sophistication. Located at the corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Kluuvikatu, the dual concept unites restaurant and bar under one roof, offering an evening dining and social experience every day of the week.
Together, the restaurant and bar seat 117 guests – 65 indoors and 52 on the glass-enclosed terrace overlooking Esplanade Park, which serves as the main dining area. The atmosphere is designed to feel both intimate and lively.
“The rebirth of Kämp is a tribute to its enduring legacy. Through this transformation, we honour our history while creating an experience that feels both familiar and entirely new – one that celebrates craftsmanship, the finest ingredients and grand moments that define Northern hospitality”, says Tuomas Liewendahl, General Manager of Hotel Kämp.
Where heritage meets modern grace
Kämp Bar and the restaurant have long stood as a social landmark in Helsinki – a place for meeting, exchange of ideas and celebration throughout the city’s formation and modern history. The redesign by David Archer and Julie Humphryes of London-based Archer Humphryes Architects builds on the legacy, reinterpreting the spirit of gathering that has defined Kämp for more than a century.
Their vision reimagines Helsinki’s architectural heritage, blending the elegance of Neoclassicism, the organic sensuality of Art Nouveau and the optimism of the Belle Époque. Original architectural details – columns, capitals and plaster panelling – are restored and paired with polished mahogany, marble, satin brass and soft velvets, creating a space that feels both intimate and grand.
À La Kämp – a contemporary interpretation of haute cuisine
Replacing the former Brasserie Kämp, the new restaurant combines classic elegance with a contemporary Nordic sensibility. The menu is rooted in storytelling, created by reviewing over 90 menus from 1890 to present day , translating Kämp’s culinary heritage through refined French techniques and seasonal Nordic produce.
At À La Kämp, every dish tells a story. The concept weaves together the past, present and future of Kämp, with table-side service playing an integral role in the storytelling experience. Highlights on the menu include Kämp classics such as the sandwich table, consommé, smoked whitefish, boeuf bourguignon and the Kämp burger.
Initially open for dinner service only, À La Kämp will introduce an all-day offering with à la carte breakfast and lunch in August 2026.
Kämp Bar – the social heart of Helsinki
Kämp Bar continues its long-standing role as a central meeting point for both locals and international guests. The bar’s concept revisits the tastes of early 20th-century Helsinki society – champagne, fine European wines and signature cocktails
– infused with a modern Nordic touch through local ingredients and flavours. Kämp Bar welcomes walk-in guests, with the full À La Kämp food menu also available in the bar.
Its most distinctive feature is the Lemon Table, a historic seating area once reserved for Kämp’s regular guests, including prominent Finnish artists and authors. As a reminder of their legacy, the name remains engraved on the table. The signature cocktail Lemon & Punsch, stands out as tribute to the original Lemon Table. Another house signature, Kämp Punch, blends vodka, birch and blueberry in homage to Finland’s Independence Day on December 6th.
The full refurbishment, carried out in phases, will see the entire hotel renewed – from guest rooms to wellness areas – while preserving its original architecture and spirit. The full transformation will be completed in 2026. Hotel Kämp remains open throughout the refurbishment project.
À La Kämp and Kämp Bar will officially open their doors on November 14th.
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