This rapidly expanding chain of trend-setting boutique bistros has taken Cape Town by storm and is now expanding to Johannesburg, with the opening of the sixth Cafe Sofia in the trendy, upmarket suburb of Greenside. Invariably described as luscious and sexy, the Cafe Sofia brand is the brainchild of Advocate Richard Moloko and Roumen Angelo and part of the renowned Moloko Investment Group. It represents informal dining at its very best, with sumptuous decor, upbeat and vibrant ambience and sensational, yet artfully simple food.

Cafe Sofia is a breath of fresh air in the restaurant industry, taking the traditional cafe concept and giving it a novel and highly original spin, in the process creating a new niche in what is a notoriously competitive sector.

The first Cafe Sofia opened its doors in Cape Town in 2006. South Africa’s Mother City now has a string of Cafe Sofias to its name, with branches in Kloof, Sea Point, Rondebosch and the Martini Bar in Green Point, the OysterBar in Camps Bay and new Beach Bar in Bloubergstrand, which opened in December 2009.

Besides being exceedingly chic places to eat, the Cafe Sofia brand has made its name by offering hip and happening night spots imbued with the incredible spirit and energy of modern South Africa. The result is a drawcard which attracts a wide clientelle, from young trend-setters to successful go-getters, all of whom are smitten with the inventive blend of cultural influences which infuse both the menu and the surroundings, creating a unique dining experience.

Cafe Sofia has become synonymous with sensorial delights. It’s decor is warm and inviting, with an eclectic and wonderfully decadent mixture of rich oranges, dark woods and exquisite fabrics. It’s all about slowing down and savouring simple, but marvelously tasty food, sharing the vibe and great menu with friends and family.

This intimate dining style is combined with a fusion of rich and healthy food styles which embody all that is great about the Mediterranean heritage, with mouthwatering first courses – meze, tapas and a myriad of small dishes designed to get taste-buds ablaze with excitement.

The result is distinctive and original. For example, savoury coca Catalana are home-made pastries, which originate in Mediterranean Spain. These are filled with a range of mouthwatering ingredients, as are Cafe Sofia’s “signature” dishes – its range of both sweet and savoury tapas – Spanishstyled snacks and delights inspired by the vibrant culture of Spain. At the heart of Cafe Sofia, and indeed any self-respecting cafe, is its bar, which serves everything from chai latte to delicious and creative cocktails. Combine this with great food and a fabulous ambience and you have Cafe Sofia’s winning combination.