By Cafe Sofi is marking its first birthday with a playful two-month celebration inspired by one of Sophia Electra’s favourite things: polka dots.
From 1 October to 30 November, the Park Road cafe will transform into a polka dot world, with dots appearing across its exterior, walls, floors and even its washroom doors – a takeover inspired by the woman behind it all: Sophia Electra.
Cafe Sofi was created by Tashas Group founders Natasha and Savva Sideris as a love letter to their mother, Sophia – a woman whose eclectic list of loves included cats, cakes, orchids, leopard print, the Pink Panther and, importantly for this particular celebration, polka dots.
She pressed flowers, smoked cigarettes, wore red lipstick and made birthday cakes her children can still describe in considerable detail. Her tastes were particular, though not especially consistent. Polka dots belonged alongside orchids, midnight snacks and the sounds of Lata Mangeshkar.
“We’ve had polka dots subtly woven into Cafe Sofi’s design since it opened,” says Savva Sideris, Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Tashas Group. “For its first birthday, we’ve decided not to be so subtle.”
The immersive takeover will be accompanied by an exclusive polka dot-inspired food and cocktail menu, created by Cafe Sofi’s culinary and beverage teams and served daily from 12h00 until late.
Connecting the dots
The drinks also look beyond Cafe Sofi’s own four walls. Six cocktails have been named after friends and neighbours in the precinct – including Rowdy, Ballo, Custodian, Rosey & Vittori, and Pauline’s – extending the celebration to the community that Cafe Sofi has become part of during its first year.
Designed specifically for the two-month celebration, the limited-edition menu carries the dots from the space onto the table, creating a playful experience from the first sip to the last bite.
But guests won’t simply experience the takeover – they’ll help create it.
Every table will receive a stack of blank circles and a marker, inviting guests of all ages to create their own dot. Each one will then be added to the restaurant, allowing the installation to evolve throughout October and November and gradually fill with the creativity of the people who visit.
“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,” says Natasha Sideris, CEO and Co-Founder of Tashas Group. “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.”
“We always wanted to do something to pay homage to our mom,” Savva said when Cafe Sofi first opened. “This is our personal love letter, back to her.”
One year later, that love letter continues – only this time, it comes covered in polka dots.
The Cafe Sofi Polka Dot Takeover runs from 1 October to 30 November 2026 at 2 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town. The exclusive polka dot food and cocktail menu is available daily from 12h00 until late.
Cafe Sofi is family friendly and open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Cafe Sofi is marking its first birthday with a playful two-month celebration inspired by one of Sophia Electra’s favourite things: polka dots.
From 1 October to 30 November, the Park Road cafe will transform into a polka dot world, with dots appearing across its exterior, walls, floors and even its washroom doors – a takeover inspired by the woman behind it all: Sophia Electra.
Cafe Sofi was created by Tashas Group founders Natasha and Savva Sideris as a love letter to their mother, Sophia – a woman whose eclectic list of loves included cats, cakes, orchids, leopard print, the Pink Panther and, importantly for this particular celebration, polka dots.
She pressed flowers, smoked cigarettes, wore red lipstick and made birthday cakes her children can still describe in considerable detail. Her tastes were particular, though not especially consistent. Polka dots belonged alongside orchids, midnight snacks and the sounds of Lata Mangeshkar.
“We’ve had polka dots subtly woven into Cafe Sofi’s design since it opened,” says Savva Sideris, Co-Founder and Director of Operations for Tashas Group. “For its first birthday, we’ve decided not to be so subtle.”
The immersive takeover will be accompanied by an exclusive polka dot-inspired food and cocktail menu, created by Cafe Sofi’s culinary and beverage teams and served daily from 12h00 until late.
Connecting the dots
The drinks also look beyond Cafe Sofi’s own four walls. Six cocktails have been named after friends and neighbours in the precinct – including Rowdy, Ballo, Custodian, Rosey & Vittori, and Pauline’s – extending the celebration to the community that Cafe Sofi has become part of during its first year.
Designed specifically for the two-month celebration, the limited-edition menu carries the dots from the space onto the table, creating a playful experience from the first sip to the last bite.
But guests won’t simply experience the takeover – they’ll help create it.
Every table will receive a stack of blank circles and a marker, inviting guests of all ages to create their own dot. Each one will then be added to the restaurant, allowing the installation to evolve throughout October and November and gradually fill with the creativity of the people who visit.
“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,” says Natasha Sideris, CEO and Co-Founder of Tashas Group. “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.”
“We always wanted to do something to pay homage to our mom,” Savva said when Cafe Sofi first opened. “This is our personal love letter, back to her.”
One year later, that love letter continues – only this time, it comes covered in polka dots.
The Cafe Sofi Polka Dot Takeover runs from 1 October to 30 November 2026 at 2 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town. The exclusive polka dot food and cocktail menu is available daily from 12h00 until late.
Cafe Sofi is family friendly and open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.