Three-sip punchy cocktails, pottery from a Cypriot village, a soulful bouzouki soundtrack, and a fresh take on family recipes. SOMMA is ready to transport Norwood crowds straight to the Mediterranean when doors open next week.
Twin brothers Sotiri and Savvas Vassiliou – the duo behind North Adelaide’s Ammos and its underground ouzo bar, Mitilini – are expanding east with their newest project, SOMMA. And while it shares a heartbeat with AMMOS, the goal was always to build something that stands on its own.
“People travel to Greece every year, and when they come back, they’re looking for that feeling here,” Sotiri told Glam Adelaide back in October.
“SOMMA will share some of the same spirit as Ammos, but it will have its own identity too. Even the name says it — SOMMA is just AMMOS spelt backwards. It’s a nice way to connect the two while showing that this is something new.”
More than a year in the making, SOMMA has been a deeply personal build. Designed by the brothers themselves, surrounded by a close-knit crew, there are family touches and links to their heritage everywhere. Handcrafted pottery from their grandparents’ Cypriot village sits tucked into wall niches, warm lighting softens textured render, and stone features subtly nod to Mediterranean coastlines. It dances the line between authentically Hellenistic and contemporary dining, and the labour of love shows in every detail.
“We made sure every detail was perfect,” Sotiri says. “We really wanted SOMMA to be a proper wow factor the second you walk through the doors.”
And in tune with European dining culture, the fit-out is anchored by a sprawling central bar, allowing the space to evolve beyond a formal sit-down restaurant. “It’s the kind of place where you can sit for a full meal or just come in later for cocktails,” Sotiri says.
The menu is driven by the best of the season, focusing on seafood, charcoal cooking, and the dishes that shaped the brothers’ own upbringing. No reinventing the wheel, just finessing the staples with “a bit of flair,” Sotiri tells us.
“We’ve taken the classics people love and elevated them with premium seafood, souvla plates and mezze that’s designed to share.” he explains.
One dish already stealing attention is their two-part Greek salad.
“We offer the authentic traditional version, and then our modern take — a whole tomato stuffed with a full Greek salad inside,” he says. “It looks clean and simple on the outside, but when you cut into it, it’s a proper ‘wow’ moment.
And just like home, music plays a starring role. Their father will occasionally take to the dining room with his bouzouki, filling the space with the same sound that scored their childhood. “It brings that energy we grew up with,” Sotiri adds.
The drinks list sits shoulder-to-shoulder with the food. Wine spans premium South Australian producers alongside Greek and French bottles, while cocktails lean citrus, honey, herbal aromatics and mastiha, that signature piney spirit from Chios.
“We’re not just bringing Adelaide a restaurant experience, we’re also delivering a premium cocktail venue,” says Sotiri.
“We’ve put together a really nice wine list and a big cocktail list, with Mediterranean inspired drinks, local wines, and a few signature creations that nail the SOMMA vibe.”
And with summer finally showing its face this week, a citrus hit to the palate is exactly what a balmy mid-thirties evening calls for.
Perfectly positioned in the heart of The Parade, next to arkhé, SOMMA brings a new, bouzouki-filled rhythm to Norwood’s premium dining scene. A modern Mediterranean escape to finally fill the void of missing Euro summer this year – with just as much ouzo, promise. Opa!
“We couldn’t be any happier with the result – it’s exactly what we envisioned, and we can’t wait to finally open.”
Bookings are open, and opening night is already filling fast.
SOMMA
Where: 125A The Parade, Norwood
When: From Sunday, 12pm to late, daily (closed on the 15th for staff Christmas party)
For bookings, click here.
@somma.adl
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