Helsinki City Theatre opens a theatre restaurant on Hämeentie
The Helsinki City Theatre will open a theatre restaurant with HKT’s history next to the Arena stage on Hämeentie. The facilities in the foyer of the Arena stage have also been renovated to match the atmosphere of the stage hall from the 1920s.
The new theatre restaurant LÄMPIÖ is open in connection with performances on the Arena stage of the Helsinki City Theatre, but due to its central location, it also serves the audience of HKT’s other stages and all customers enjoying the theatre atmosphere in Hakaniemi, Helsinki. The restaurant operations are maintained by Sodexo, which is responsible for the City Theatre’s restaurant services. The restaurant will be opened in connection with the premiere of the play Sutinaa ja säätöä on 3 September.
“We wanted to improve the customer experience of the Arena stage, and the renovation brought new comfort and the right kind of theatre atmosphere to the foyers. We also set out to develop restaurant services that complement the theatre experience, and now we have a restaurant that exudes the spirit and history of the entire Helsinki City Theatre. You can come there to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and delicious food and drink portions named in a theatrical spirit. You can also admire the history of the theatre in the restaurant, as there are more than 60 framed performance pictures from over the years on its walls,” says Vilma Karvonen, Marketing and Communications Director.
Theatre restaurant LÄMPIÖ serves tasty food and a wide range of drinks in the arms of the Helsinki City Theatre’s Arena stage – before, during and after the performance. The selection includes both more filling dishes and casual snacks with wine or coffee. The atmosphere is warm, relaxed and suitably soulful. The menu includes e.g. Tenorit liemessa salmon soup, Mousetrap or cheese of the day and other dishes named after theatre performances.
Planning for the renovation of the public foyer began with the landlord in autumn 2024, and at the end of the year, the architectural firm JKMM Architects was hired to join the design team. During the renovation, the surfaces of the public foyer, bars, lighting, signage and furniture were renewed. The foyer now exudes the same dignified theatrical atmosphere as the theatre’s stage hall from the 1920s.
Theatre restaurant LÄMPIÖ is open on the performance days of the Arena stage: Mon-Thu 16.30–22 (daytime screening days 11–22) and Fri–Sat 16.30–23 (daytime screening days 11–23). (Hämeentie 2, Helsinki). Menu. Pre-orders from the online store or by phone 09 3940 334 on weekdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Read more about the pictures on the walls of the FOYER restaurant that reflect HKT’s history here .
Press photos can be found in the media bank and press releases in the newsroom.
Press release photo by Kim Sinisalo. Photos of the theatre restaurant will be available in the media bank on Friday 5.9.2025.
Further information:
Kaisa Pelkonen, Communications Manager, kaisa.pelkonen@hkt.fi, 040 552 3788
Helsinki City Theatre, Ensi linja 2, 00530 Helsinki