Tropea closes cafe amid refurb

Italian restaurant Tropea, located in Harborne, has announced that it is closing its cafe as the site is undergoing a refurbishment to allow more focus on the restaurant menu, with plans in place for a lunch offering.

The changes are set to be complete by the summer, and the restaurant will see brand new Crittall-style windows on its signature blue frontage, and a new branded awning will shield outdoor diners and provide shade.

Additionally, new banquettes will add four additional covers inside, which will also allow the restaurant to take larger group bookings of up to 12.

Tropea said the new banquettes and bar will feature colours that complement the branding inspired by its namesake in Italy, with additional nods to this in the bar’s new tiling.

Meanwhile, Tropea is planning to have four tables for two on the new terrace outside, and it will include greenery and plants.

The restaurant is inspired by the small town on the Calabrian coast, with its menu taking its influence from Italy.

Tropea was founded by Ben Robinson-Young and Kasia Piatkowska, and first opened in 2021 as a ‘cafe by day, restaurant by night’.

Robinson-Young said: “Tropea will not be changing too much aesthetically during this refurbishment, and it will still have the same feel to it. We didn’t want the refurbishment to make the restaurant feel overly designed nor new. We’re just making better use of our space and streamlining the design using what we already have. 

“As we close the cafe side of Tropea, we would like to say a huge thank you to all of our cafe patrons for their support. We are really excited to reveal the space in June.”