There is a particular expectation when a restaurant opens inside The St. Regis Singapore, a hotel known for polished dining and classic hospitality.
Sophia meets those expectations while adding a contemporary elegance to the space, the kind that works just as well for a friends’ meetup as it does for a date.
The restaurant marks the hotel’s shift back to Italian cuisine, guided by Executive Chef Angelo Sergio, who hails from Puglia.
The menu is varied, shaped by 11 different Italian regions, from coastal plates to hearty northern staples.
Walking in, the dining room makes an immediate impression.
Soaring windows pull in natural light that softens every corner. A floral chandelier cascades over the main dining room, but never steals attention from the view outside.
The palette leans cool with blue sofa seating and pale upholstery, kept warm by wood floors and soft patterned carpets.
I went during noon time for Sophia’s set lunch, and the space felt calm, bright and unhurried. You can sit back, enjoy the vibes, food, cocktail creations or wine.
Prices for the set lunches remain approachable, sitting at $42++ for two courses and $58++ for three, available from Monday to Saturday.
Here are the recommended dishes I had for the set lunch (and I have also included the à la carte prices for your reference):
Burrata della Valle d’Itria ($26 antipasti ala carte)
Starting off with the burrata, it looked serene on the plate, and the first spoonful was almost cloud-like. Loved the gentle milkiness that spread slowly on the palate.
Warm baked tomatoes underneath brought gentle acidity, while basil and a touch of pesto oil added this round, nutty aroma.
Speck del Sud Tirolo (+$8 for set lunch, $24 antipasti ala carte)
Speck from South Tyrol is known for its gentle smoke and slow curing, a style that sits between prosciutto and smoked ham.
Sophia keeps the treatment simple, which lets the quality of the speck speak for itself.
The slices tasted savoury with a hint of cured aroma, and I particularly enjoyed the olives too which added brine and slight bitterness.
Polpo Grigliato (+$10 for set lunch, $32 antipasti ala carte)
Grilled octopus is a staple along the Italian coast and Sophia follows that tradition with a clean, direct approach.
The octopus is accompanied with fava beans, sweet Tropea red onions, mint, lemon zest, and semi-dried tomatoes.
The pieces were well charred while remaining tender, giving a toasty first bite before the natural sweetness of the octopus came through.
Tagliata di Manzo – Argentinian Angus Grass Fed (+$10 for set lunch, $58 secondi ala carte)
Tagliata is a northern Italian staple, and the quality of the beef matters most.
The Argentinian Angus is chosen for its steady marbling and cleaner beef flavour, which holds up well to open flame grilling.
The one I had carried a faint char from the grill, while the centre stayed tender, beautifully pink and juicy.
For added flavours, you just need to give a light dip in the wholegrain mustard or lavender salt to add a perfumed floral lift. Worth an order if you are a steak lover.
Rigatoni alla Carbonara ($26 primi piatti ala carte)
This carbonara follows the Roman method. No cream, only egg yolk, pecorino romano and guanciale fat (exactly how it should be).
The culinary team uses rigatoni instead of the usual spaghetti, which gives more surface area for the sauce to cling to.
With slices of guanciale (cured pork cheek) scattered around, you get both crisp edges and warm pockets of fat that season every tube of pasta. So good.
Baccalà in Umido (+$10 for set lunch, $45 secondi ala carte)
Inspired by the cod stews of Northern Italy, this version uses fresh cod for a softer, more delicate texture.
The cod was in a bed of white onion sauce, slow cooked until sweet and velvety, alongside soft potatoes and earthy artichokes.
One of those mains that tasted comforting but still refined.
Tiramisu ($16 dolci ala carte)
What is an Italian meal without tiramisu?
Sophia’s tiramisu draws from a recipe passed down by Executive Chef Angelo Sergio’s grandmother, built on soft ladyfingers that had absorbed enough espresso to taste deep and aromatic without turning soggy.
Loved that the cream was smooth and light (so it also lessened the guilt).
Baba Napoletano ($16 dolci ala carte)
For a brighter finish, order the Baba Napoletano. The sponge was soaked through with limoncello syrup so each bite had this citrus lift.
Don’t worry if it would be too heavy, as the Chantilly cream brought some mellow sweetness alongside strawberry compote for delightful fruitiness.
Sophia delivers modern Italian in a tranquil room with attentive service and a clear culinary voice.
Come for measured flavours, an extensive wine list (70 artisanal labels across Italy’s celebrated regions) and a setting that flatters during both lunch and dinner.
If you want a relaxed weekend treat, the Sunday brunch offerings certainly look promising, complete with a live jazz band.
Sophia
The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911
Opening Hours: Lunch 12pm – 2:30pm (Mon – Sat), Brunch 12:30pm – 3pm (Sun)
Dinner 6:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon – Sun)
Reservation: Sophia
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* This entry is brought to you in partnership with The St. Regis Singapore.
