Timo P.
Yelp
The most legendary hotel in Finland, Hotel Kämp, has had many restaurants over the years. The hotel that was originally opened in 1887 reopened its doors in 1999.
Before Brasserie Kämp was at this location, the restaurant was called Est 1887 which was an upscale restaurant. Before Est 1887 the restaurant was called Kämp Restaurant which was super upscale and even held a Michelin star in the early 2000s, when at the time the stars were very rare. The original, but very expensive Kämp Restaurant was one of my favourites, but I disliked Est 1887.
Times have changed and at least to me the changes done by the management haven't been good. The atmosphere at Brasserie Kämp is more casual then it was years ago, but it is still way more tense than it should be. The service is a-ok, but nowhere close that you get in Michelin rated restaurants.
The restaurant looks very nice and a couple of years ago was expanded. Now there is an all-year glass enclosed terrace that surrounds the building with about two dozen more seats. No problem there.
Now the big question. Since the restaurant looks good and the service is ok, why are you only giving this place 3 stars? Simply, because of the food.
There is nothing wrong with the food, but when you are paying way over 100eur for lunch for two people, the food should blow your mind. Unfortunately, at Brasserie Kämp it doesn't. The layout of the dishes are spot on, but there is something in the taste that doesn't take it to the next level. Don't get me wrong, the food is good, but it should be way better.
If you are in Helsinki and thinking of going here, I would walk 50 meters to Restaurant Strindberg (there is a restaurant on the 2nd floor, the 1st floor is a cafe). Over there the food is way better, you get a better view, better service and even the prices are a bit less expensive.