Relove launches a new restaurant concept in Helsinki

A dream bag and a delicious dinner in one package – Relove launches a new restaurant concept to revitalize the heart of Helsinki  

Relove is opening an innovative restaurant concept on Pohjoisesplanadi, combining second-hand luxury bags with a diverse food and drink offering from breakfast to dinner. 

After running popular cafés and second-hand boutiques for nearly 10 years, Relove is taking an even deeper dive into the restaurant business. The company is launching a restaurant in the heart of Helsinki that blends luxury second-hand accessories with high-quality cuisine and excellent customer service. The goal is to create a multisensory, immersive dining experience, where the luxury bags and accessories for sale serve as a unifying design element. The restaurant's name will be announced later. 

The new restaurant concept will open this summer at Pohjoisesplanadi 25–27, the former location of Luxbag. A beautiful terrace oasis will also be introduced alongside the restaurant, serving guests from morning until late at night. The food and wine menu is inspired by French and Italian cuisine, with a modern and relaxed twist. The in-house bakery will ensure fresh, sourdough-baked bread. The project has been in planning for a year, and renovations on the space began this week. 

Relove’s founders Noora Hautakangas and Eero Ukkonen have partnered with seasoned professionals Kaisa Männistö and Erkki Norros, who have been shaping Helsinki’s restaurant scene for over 20 years. Männistö and Norros have co-developed Restaurant Teatteri and The Cock and were also involved in launching Chéri. 

“We are beyond excited to make one of our biggest dreams come true—opening our own restaurant with a second-hand twist in Helsinki’s most stunning location, together with our friends. Our love for brick-and-mortar shops and restaurants runs deep, as does our belief in the appeal of Helsinki’s city center. Relove’s strong expertise in creating experiences, combined with Kaisa and Erkki’s extensive background in the restaurant industry, is truly a dream team. We believe that this summer, Espa will flourish like never before,” say Relove’s entrepreneurs Noora Hautakangas and Eero Ukkonen. 

“The new restaurant will not only offer excellent food and service—it will be an experience built on warmth, authenticity, and presence. Our promise to customers is not just good food, but a moment that feels meaningful,” add Kaisa Männistö and Erkki Norros. 

“Relove has become known for its delightful café breakfasts, and naturally, our new restaurant will offer not only breakfast but also lunch and dinner. Plus, during dinner, guests can shop for the bag or accessory of their dreams—of course, second-hand,” Hautakangas continues. 

We're now hiring the team! Apply now via this page. 

For more information and interview requests: 

Noora Hautakangas 
Yrittäjä 
noora@relove.fi  
044 300 4322 

Kaisa Männistö 
Business Unit Director  
kaisa.mannisto@relove.fi  
050 308 0013