I checked out Sospiri, a Southern Italian restaurant in Singapore with incredible rooftop views. Here’s why it’s worth your pasta-loving attention.
I’ve lost count of how many Italian restaurants I’ve dined at in Singapore, but Sospiri stood out. Why? It’s serving up the bold, rustic flavours of Southern Italy, all from a sleek rooftop perch at IOI Central Boulevard Towers.
Sospiri: Details at a glance
Must-try dishes: Capocollo di Martina Franca, Ravioli alla Vaccinara, Orata al Limone
Expect to spend: $50++/pax
Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 11.30am – 2.30pm; Daily, 6pm-12am; Saturday – Sunday, 11:30am-3pm; the bar opens daily, 3pm – 12am
Reservations: Highly recommended, book a table here
Menus: Dinner, Set lunch, Set menus, Weekend brunch, Bar
Address: Sospiri, Level 7, IOI Central Boulevard Towers, 2 Central Boulevard, Singapore 018916
Sospiri review: Truffle, oxtail and Amalfi dreams
Brought to life by Beppe De Vito of the ilLido Group, Sospiri is a sun-drenched love letter to Southern Italy. Think Puglia, Sicily, and the Amalfi Coast, all beautifully distilled into handmade pastas, seafood dishes bursting with flavour, and a chic rooftop bar that had me seriously contemplating a second Aperol Spritz before noon.
Step into an Italian summer dream
The name Sospiri, which means “sighs” in Italian, was inspired by De Vito’s favourite childhood dessert. But it also feels like a nod to the gasp-worthy views and the dreamy interiors. Located on level seven, the restaurant opens up to sweeping skyline vistas that overlook Marina Bay Sands.
Inside, it’s all warm terracotta tones, polished woods, and Mediterranean elegance. It feels like you’ve walked into a luxurious Roman holiday home but with better air-conditioning. There’s a plush private dining room for more intimate dinners (it fits 14 pax), but I was all about the main dining area with its comfy banquettes and buzzy energy.
Food that speaks to the soul
Helming the kitchen is chef Matteo Ponti, a Michelin-starred talent. His Southern Italian menu is a tribute to fresh produce, bold flavours, and age-old traditions, without being stuck in the past.
I kicked things off with the Capocollo di Martina Franca ($34), thin, melt-in-your-mouth slices of Apulian cured ham served with warm, pillowy olive pettole (fried dough). Next came the Burrata di Andria ai Pistacchi ($26), a creamy orb of burrata paired with buttery avocado and crushed Bronte pistachios. It was rich, nutty, and just the right kind of indulgent to set the tone for the meal.
Pasta lovers, take note
Wow, every plate that left the kitchen looked like it was made for Instagram and my carb-loving soul. I went straight for the Chitarra Cacio e Pepe al Tartufo ($35), a twist on the Roman classic, featuring homemade spaghetti chitarra, black truffle, and signature peppery, cheesy cacio e pepe. My thoughts: a slightly reduced sauce, allowing the truffle’s pungency to dominate, would elevate this dish further.
Next came the Ravioli alla Vaccinara ($35). These plump, silky parcels were filled with tender braised oxtail, lifted with lemon zest and finished with a sprinkle of pine nuts. It was decadent and hearty, like comfort food with flair. That said, I found myself craving a bit more bite; slightly chunkier oxtail would’ve added some texture to the otherwise melt-in-your-mouth dish.
The mains don’t slack either. I tried the Scaloppine al Marsala ($38): tender slices of Mangalica pork loin bathed in a rich Marsala wine sauce, and paired with earthy Cardoncelli mushrooms. Comforting and luxe, it felt like something you’d tuck into on a cool night in Puglia.
The Orata al Limone ($45) was a lighter, brighter affair. Perfectly roasted seabream served with bitter cime di rapa and a zingy Amalfi lemon sauce. Not gonna lie, it was a refreshing counterpoint to the heartier dishes on the table.
Rooftop bar with that iconic Marina Bay view
You haven’t done Sospiri properly until you’ve hit up the rooftop bar. It’s decked out with rose-gold stools, plush sofas, and a menu full of Italian bar snacks like truffle stracciatella and bruschetta with pizzutelli tomatoes. The cocktails? Bellissimo. The mixologists are on point, shaking up Italian classics with a creative twist.
With so many Italian restaurants vying for attention in Singapore, Sospiri has to do more than just serve good pasta – and it delivers. The combination of a stunning rooftop view, standout Southern Italian fare, and top-tier hospitality makes it more than just another spot. It’s a place I’d return to for a birthday brunch, romantic dinner, or even a fancy weekday lunch.
