This is Gaucho

Gaucho – Kluuvi Shopping Centre, Helsinki

Gaucho is one of Finland’s most theatrical restaurant concepts — a Brazilian churrasco rodízio experience built on live tableside carving, quality meat, and an atmosphere of genuine occasion. Since opening in Kluuvi in January 2025, the concept outgrew its space within months, expanding twice before demand called for something far bigger. Gaucho has now relocated to a significantly larger home at Kluuvikatu 5, designed not just to hold more guests, but to reimagine the concept entirely.

The Concept

Gaucho serves all-you-can-eat churrasco in the Brazilian tradition: lihamestarit (meat masters) circle the room with skewers of freshly grilled meats and seafood, carving each guest’s selection tableside. It’s dining as performance — guests see, hear, and choose their food in direct interaction with the kitchen, at their own pace, course after course.

The Design Brief

The new Gaucho called for an interior that could match the drama of the churrasco ritual itself — a space that feels like an event the moment guests walk in. Designed by Jaana Ekman of VDP Helsinki, the result is a room built entirely around spectacle: gold-clad walls and pillars wrap the dining hall, while dozens of chandeliers cascade from the ceiling, drawing on the opulence of international luxury dining rooms.

The layout is built to support the theatre of tableside service — generous sightlines and open sweeps of floor let the lihamestarit move freely between tables, while rich materials and warm gold tones give the room enough presence to hold its own against the ceremony of the meal. Scaled for both intimate dinners and large celebratory groups, the space was also designed with Helsinki’s festive season in mind, positioning Gaucho as one of the city’s standout venues for private events and parties.

Project Details

• Location: Kluuvikatu 5, Helsinki, Finland
• Concept: Brazilian churrasco rodízio restaurant, relocated and significantly expanded flagship restaurant
• Design focus: Spectacle-led dining environment, gold interiors, chandelier installation, tableside theatre