There is something deeply poetic about a restaurant born out of familial devotion. When Tashas Group founders Natasha and Savva Sideris opened Cafe Sofi, it was envisioned as more than a culinary destination, it was an intimate love letter to their mother, Sophia Electra. A woman of eclectic, uncompromising tastes, Sophia’s world was defined by orchids, midnight snacks, red lipstick, the timeless cadence of Lata Mangeshkar, and, most distinctively, polka dots.
Now, as Cafe Sofi marks its first milestone, that love letter is getting a vibrant, whimsical rewrite.
From 1 October to 30 November 2026, the Park Road sanctuary in Gardens, Cape Town, is shedding its subtlety. Transforming entirely into a polka-dot world, the two-month anniversary takeover sees signature dots spilling across the cafe’s exterior, walls, floors, and even its washroom doors transforming a beloved dining room into a living, breathing art installation.
Design Meets Memory
“We’ve had polka dots subtly woven into Cafe Sofi’s design since it opened,” reflects Savva Sideris, Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Tashas Group. “For its first birthday, we’ve decided not to be so subtle.”
What makes this installation exceptional is its participatory spirit. Guests are not merely spectators to the design; they are invited to co-create it. Upon arrival, every table is provisioned with a stack of blank circles and a marker. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to contribute their own dot to the space, allowing the installation to organically evolve and fill with the collective creativity of the community over October and November.
It is a fitting tribute to a woman who understood that legacy lives in the details. As Natasha Sideris, CEO and Co-Founder, notes: “A dot is a small thing to remember about someone. Then again, so is the precise colour of a lipstick, or the way a cake looked before anyone cut it. It feels particularly fitting for a restaurant that has always been about memory, personality, and the small things that made our mom, Sophia Electra, so distinctive.”
A Taste of the Celebration
The immersive experience extends far beyond the visual, translating onto an exclusive, limited-edition food and cocktail menu available daily from 12h00 until late.
In a charming nod to community and camaraderie, the cocktail menu looks outward, honoring neighbours and peers within the precinct. Six bespoke drinks are named after local fixtures:
Rowdy
Ballo
Custodian
Rosey & Vittori
Pauline’s
Carrying the playful polka-dot motif from the interior straight onto the plate and glass, the menu ensures that every sip and bite is wrapped in the celebratory ethos of the season.
The Details
When: 1 October – 30 November 2026
Where: Cafe Sofi, 2 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town
Hours: Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner; exclusive polka-dot menu available from 12h00 until late. Family-friendly.
One year later, the love letter continues only this time, it is covered in polka dots.
