Sogna Napoli, the Carrollwood restaurant known for its Neapolitan-style pizza and family recipes from southern Italy, is expanding its footprint — and its menu.
The husband-and-wife team behind the restaurant, Andrea and Simona Sarpa, confirmed this week that Sogna Napoli has received its liquor license and begun serving wine, beer and cocktails. The update follows a strong first year in business and comes as the couple prepares to open two additional locations, one in Wesley Chapel and another in Odessa.
“It’s going to take another year,” Simona said. “Both locations will have the same menu and the same recipes. We don’t want to change what people love about Sogna Napoli.”
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A growing local favorite
Sogna Napoli opened in May 2024 at 12913 N Dale Mabry Hwy, quickly earning a reputation as one of Carrollwood’s best new restaurants. Known for its brick oven pizza, handmade pasta and imported Italian ingredients, the restaurant has become a gathering place for locals who crave traditional Neapolitan cooking.
The expansion marks a milestone for the Sarpas, who previously owned Viva Napoli in South Tampa before relocating north to shorten their commute and build a neighborhood destination closer to home.
“We want to preserve what we have here,” Simona said. “That feeling people get when they come in — like they’re eating in Naples.”
What’s next
Both new restaurants in Wesley Chapel and Odessa will replicate Sogna Napoli’s Carrollwood model, from its imported brick oven to its menu of family recipes passed down through generations. The liquor license allows Sogna Napoli to pair those dishes with classic Italian cocktails and regional wines, expanding its dinner service and enhancing the guest experience.
Finding the right team, Simona said, remains the biggest challenge. “The hardest part is finding good employees,” she said.
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Even with two new openings on the horizon, the couple plans to stay hands-on. “Andrea is always in the kitchen,” Simona said. “We’re here every day. That’s what keeps the quality the same.”
Staying true to Naples
Regulars say that consistency — from the crust to the sauce — is what sets Sogna Napoli apart. The menu includes dishes like Cacio e Pepe, pistachio cream pasta and the restaurant’s signature Montecristo pizza, layered with ham and creamy burrata.
For the Sarpas, expansion is secondary to experience. Their goal is to build community, one plate of pasta at a time.
For more information about Sogna Napoli, visit their website here.
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