About Sopra

Sopra means “above” in Italian — a name that came unexpectedly, during the very first conversation about opening a restaurant in this space. Toni’s business partner’s father had asked a simple question: “What’s the word for above, in Italian?

The answer landed quickly. And it stuck. Sopra. A name that spoke to both the upstairs location, and the ambition of what was being created here.

What began as a wish to a friend has now become a much-loved part of the Scarborough village. Tucked above The Village Hub, Sopra invites you into a slower rhythm — of shared meals, handmade food, and evenings that stay with you.

Scarborough is a place where wild coastline and community meet. On one side, the Atlantic; on the other, the edge of the Cape Point Reserve. The air is fresh. The streets are calm. There’s space here — to breathe, to walk, to sit, to eat.

Sopra belongs to this place. In summer, the doors are left open and the sea breeze moves through the room. In winter, a wood fireplace brings gentle warmth to the space. The mood remains consistent all year round: unhurried, elegant, quietly special.

Sopra is an Italian restaurant guided by three principles: seasonality, simplicity, and soul.

Pasta is made fresh daily. Pizza dough is cold-fermented for 48 hours, hand-rolled, and cooked in a wood fired oven. Mozzarella is made nearby by Davide Puglia, cured meats by local master Richard Bosman, and produce is sourced as locally and sustainably as possible.

The kitchen favors depth over complexity. Every dish is made to order, and built to balance comfort with precision. Whether it’s a simple burrata, a seafood pasta, or a slow-cooked ragù — what arrives at the table reflects both discipline and care.

About ToNI

Two men sitting at a dining table in a restaurant, one is a chef in a white coat and the other is casually dressed, pouring white wine into glasses.

Toni was born in San Remo, Italy, where weekends meant setting the table properly and food was always the center of the gathering. His earliest food memory is watching his mother make fresh pasta at 4am on a Saturday morning — a memory that shaped how he now runs the kitchen.

He is not a trained chef, but a natural host. Every dish at Sopra, every playlist, every bottle of wine poured — carries his attention. He believes great restaurants are not built on performance, but presence.

What you’ll experience is something he has built slowly, intentionally, and with deep respect for both the ingredients, his staff and the people he serves.

The signature craving: Parmigiana

Ask Toni what he is craving, and he will tell you: parmigiana.

Aubergine, tomato, basil, mozzarella, parmesan — layered, slow-baked, and served hot. It’s comforting, elegant, and deeply satisfying. A dish that shows how simplicity, done well, becomes something unforgettable.

Pizza being inserted into a wood-fired oven with a metal peel.
✧ First Time ✧

Start with pizza

If it is your first time, order pizza.

Sopra’s dough is cold fermented for 48 hours, which gives it a lighter texture and deeper flavor.

Pizzas are hand rolled using Italian “00” flour, and topped with traditional style mozzarella made locally by Davide Puglia, with Italian inspired cured meats made locally by Richard Bosman.

Empty restaurant dining area with wooden tables, black chairs, and wine glasses set for service. Bright natural light from large windows, hanging paper lanterns, photographs on the walls, and a visible outdoor patio.
✧ Ambience ✧

the feeling

Sopra is not only about what is on the plate. It is also about how the night feels.

The light, the music, the pace, the ease of conversation, the warmth of the welcome.

In summer, the doors stay open to let the ocean air drift in. In winter, a wood-burning fireplaces brings a quiet glow and soft comfort to the room.

This is a place designed for people who love food, but also love a beautiful evening.

A person serving food from a steaming pot in a kitchen.
✧ The kitchen ✧

culture

Consistency comes from presence.

Toni believes you have to be available to your kitchen team, and you have to explain what a dish means, not only how to cook it. He often reminds his head chef that the goal is not simply to cook well, it is to teach well, because that is how standards become consistent.

This is how Sopra stays personal, even when the room is full.

Close-up of a person’s hand pressing dough through a pasta machine, making fresh spaghetti noodles in a kitchen.
✧ Made Fresh ✧

Pasta

At Sopra, pasta is made fresh, every day. Each shape, each sauce, each plate is built with balance in mind — texture, temperature, seasoning, and finish. The recipes stay close to Italian tradition, but the focus is always on precision, timing, and the quality of the ingredients.

Fresh pasta offers a kind of generosity that can’t be rushed. It anchors the menu, and reminds us why simple food, made well, never goes out of style.

🥂

Private events & celebrations

Host your next gathering at Sopra. Whether you’re planning a birthday, an intimate celebration, or a bespoke corporate dinner, our team will work with you to create something unforgettable.

South African flag in a circular design
✧ Scarborough, WESTERN CAPE ✧

The Cape

of

Good Hope

Opening hours & Bookings

Lunch: Friday to Sunday 12:30 to 3pm

Dinner: Monday to Sunday 17:00 – 21:30

Bookings: Call us (+27) 21-780-1047 or email us info@sopra.co.za