Dreamy Dining: Top Restaurants in Dempsey
Dempsey Hill, which was a British army barracks in the 1800s, now thrives as a vibrant culinary destination. It seamlessly blends heritage and modernity even in its food!
You’ll see how in this guide. So join us on a culinary journey as we explore the best Dempsey restaurants for local and foreign food connoisseurs.
PS. Cafe
Address: 28B Harding Rd, Singapore 249549 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567089288
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM–10.30 PM; Friday to Saturday, 8 AM–11 PM
Price: $$
PS. Cafe, nestled amidst the lush foliage of Dempsey Hill, offers both an exquisite atmosphere and delightful cuisine. We go there for some nature immersion and a whole lot of winner winner chicken dinner.
Its crispy roast chicken is paired with a unique blend of French onion and garlic bread sauce. We love the grilled lemon accents that perfectly elevate the dish, enhancing its already superb flavour.
Pro-tip: Weekends tend to get crowded, so make sure to reserve early.
Jumbo Seafood
Address: 11 Dempsey Rd, #01-16, Singapore 249673 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564793435
Hours: Daily, 11.30 AM–2.30 PM and 5.30–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Jumbo Seafood has been around since 1987 although it started as a single outlet. Today, it has multiple restaurants across Singapore, China, and the rest of Asia.
It’s become famous for its fresh seafood cooked to perfection, with signature dishes like the black pepper crab earning it a loyal following. We tried it and found that the succulent crab offers a depth of flavour paired with the butter sauce.
Pro-tip: You can also eat the crab with steamed or fried mantou (soft buns).
Samy’s Curry
Address: 25 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249670 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564722080
Hours: Daily (except Tuesdays), 11 AM–3 PM, 6–10 PM
Price: $$
Samy’s Curry, nestled in a quiet corner of Dempsey Road, exudes a nostalgic 80s colonial vibe. This inconspicuous canteen-style eatery offers Indian dishes with a choice of fragrant biryani or white rice.
We’re all over its masala chicken which features tender thigh meat with a balanced blend of garam masala spices, perfect for pairing with rice. For variety, there are also daily-changing side vegetables and unlimited pappadams (crispy flatbread).
Pro-tip: If you prefer less noise, ask to be seated outdoors.
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine
Address: Dempsey Rd, #9A 9B, Singapore 247698 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6580281994
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 5.30–10.30 PM; Thursday to Sunday, 11.30 AM–3 PM and 5.30–10.30 PM
Price: $$$
Canchita Peruvian Cuisine’s space comprises two main buildings. We opted for the lower building from the main entrance for its charming garden theme and dining tables with scenic views of the greenery.
There’s a dedicated ceviche bar where we tried the ceviche clasico. It features fresh market fish with Peruvian rocoto chilli tiger’s milk (tangy citrus marinade), grilled octopus and purple corn tortilla chips—with the added zing of red onions!
Pro-tip: The friendly staff can guide you if you’re unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine.
Candlenut
Address: 17a Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6518003042288
Hours: Daily, noon–3 PM and 6–10 PM
Price: $$$
Peranakan chef Malcolm Lee aims to elevate his culture through fine dining. At his Michelin-starred restaurant, Candlenut, he shares his mother’s authentic chicken curry recipe.
The dish reflects flavours from his Indo-Chinese heritage. The curry was served with brown rice and features rich, warm flavours of potato and kaffir lime—so lip-smacking good!
Pro-tip: Opt for the omakase menu for a chef-recommended dining experience.
Claudine
Address: 39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6580319935
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 6–10 PM; Friday to Monday, 11.45 AM–2 PM and 6–10 PM
Price: $$$
Let’s start by praising Claudine’s Hokkaido scallops with Jerusalem artichokes. This French fusion dish is exceptional with its roasted mouthfeel and hints of hazelnut flavour.
Housed in a chapel featuring gothic stained glass windows, cast iron grills, and a high roof, the spacious, well-lit area exudes quiet elegance. It’s a great spot for celebrating special occasions.
Pro-tip: The extensive wine list includes unique cocktails (check out The Bicycle Thief) and mocktails.
Siri House
Address: 8D Dempsey Rd, #01-02 Dempsey Hill, Singapore 249672 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6594871552
Hours: Sundays and Tuesday to Thursday, 11:30 AM–10 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11.30 AM–11.30 PM
Price: $$$
Siri House offers a vast lifestyle, social, and dining space featuring a backyard, restaurant, bar, and art area. Its eclectic interior resembles a residence rather than a traditional restaurant (we can pretend we’re landed homeowners here!).
A standout dish for us here is the Korean short ribs, which were slow-braised for 36 hours. We were told the marinade included pears, apples, sake mirin, and shoyu, and it was served with a delightful parsnip puree and some pickled cabbage.
Pro-tip: The venue is ideal for intimate weddings and other gatherings.
Burnt Ends
Address: 7 Dempsey Rd, #01-02, Singapore 249671 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6562243933
Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday, 6–11 PM; Thursday to Saturday, 12–2.30 PM and 6–11 PM
Price: $$$
Burnt Ends is a modern BBQ restaurant in Dempsey Hill, serving contemporary Australian barbecue alongside boutique wines and spirits. We found its ambience both lively and relaxed.
It was awarded a One-Michelin star in 2018 and is known for excellent dishes like beef tenderloin. We tried it and appreciated the delectably pink centre served with a flavourful burnt onion sauce.
Pro-tip: The place always gets fully booked, so some patience is required.
Atout
Address: 40C Harding Rd, Singapore 249548 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6587994567
Hours: Monday to Thursday, noon–9 PM; Friday to Saturday, noon–9.30 PM
Price: $$$
Atout features a retail counter offering cheeses, charcuterie, breads, and cakes for sale. With a cosy, casual atmosphere, it’s a welcoming spot where our hunger is quickly satisfied.
We usually order its indulgent 40 Garlic Chicken for a burst of buttery, garlicky flavour. The slow-cooked half chicken in a cast iron pot infuses its essence into the surrounding gravy, making it a delightful dish to savour.
Pro-tip: Try the frog legs if you want to try something exotic!
Open Farm Community
Address: 130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564710306
Hours: Monday to Friday, noon–3 PM and 6–11 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 11 AM–4 PM, and 6–11 PM
Price: $$
Open Farm Community (OFC) is a unique dining concept in Singapore, focusing on locally sourced, seasonal dishes. Located on Minden Road, this open-concept restaurant spans 35,000 square feet to unite local farmers, creative chefs, and nature.
One must-try dish is the crowd-favourite burratina, served with locally produced okra and chilli garlic pesto sauce for a local twist. It’s topped with tangy sumac and crispy rice for added texture.
Pro-tip: For dessert, try the orange meringue pie with citrus salsa, featuring a crunchy pine nut crust that complements the zesty orange.
Min Jiang at Dempsey
Address: 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249684 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567740122
Hours: Daily, 11 AM–2.30 PM and 6.30–10.30 PM
Price: $$$
You can indulge in hairy crab delights amidst Dempsey Hill’s greenery at the Michelin-selected Cantonese-Sichuan restaurant, Min Jiang.
Its Min Jiang Trio Platter features marinated jellyfish, crispy-fried hairy crabmeat with shrimp roll, and rice crisp with hairy crabmeat in egg white.
Or you can opt for à la carte options like sautéed hairy crab meat and roe with egg white or Peruvian white asparagus.
Pro-tip: Min Jiang also offers braised hairy crab with pumpkin and delicate crab-stuffed dumplings.
Huber’s Butchery
Address: 22 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249679 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6567371588
Hours: Daily, 9.30 AM–7 PM
Price: $$
Huber’s offers a diverse selection of customisable meats and operates a modernised online ordering system. It employs trained chefs who provide expert advice on meat selection and cooking techniques.
We’re glad to report that it also has a bistro! Its braised short rib, characterised by its robust flavour and ample portion, is a standout dish, even without the accompanying mashed potatoes.
Pro-tip: The place gets pretty packed at lunchtime, so plan your visit around those hours.
Sushi Sato
Address: 6B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247662 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6569718265
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon–3 PM and 7–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Sushi Sato, led by Master Chef Yuji Sato, offers Japanese omakase menus for both lunch and dinner.
We opted for the utsukushi (lovely) menu, featuring a seasonal starter, chawanmushi (savoury egg custard), and exquisite sashimi including medium fatty tuna and flounder fin.
The meal continued with additional sushi dishes, a rice bowl, and soup, concluding with a simple yet satisfying fresh fruit and mochi dessert. Oishi!
Pro-tip: Don’t forget to visit Sushi Sato’s lush, serene garden before you leave.
The Dempsey Project
Address: Block 9 Dempsey Rd, #01-12, Singapore 247697 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564752005
Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 8 AM–9 PM; Friday to Saturday, 8 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $$
The Dempsey Project boasts a secluded colonial-themed ambience with a diverse menu spanning breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
We particularly enjoyed its mezze platter which included falafel (chickpea balls), fattoush (mixed greens salad), tahini (ground sesame seed), muhammara (roasted red pepper dip), tzatziki (yoghurt dip), pita bread, and manakeesh (flatbread).
But we think the highlight was the soft and fluffy pita bread paired with well-balanced creamy dips adding a unique flavour to the platter.
Pro-tip: Vegan options include the tasty spiced plant-protein tacos and cauliflower wings.
RedDot Brewhouse
Address: 25A Dempsey Rd, #01-01, Singapore 247691 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564750500
Hours: Mondays, 11.30 AM–10 PM; Sundays and Tuesday to Thursday, 11.30 AM–10.30 PM; Friday to Saturday, 11.30 AM–11 PM
Price: $$
The RedDot Brewhouse is housed in a restored 1860’s military barracks amidst lush tropical foliage. The expansive indoor and outdoor spaces offer a variety of dining options, including salads, pizzas, pasta, burgers, and classic main courses.
Its popular charcoal grill features selected sausages, steaks, and seafood. But we were feeling like chiliheads so we opted for The Latino Pizza. It had ham, capsicum, mushroom, and tangy salsa that made our tastebuds happily tingle.
Pro-tip: Bringing kids along? They can enjoy the spacious outdoor play area with a playground, sandpit, and water play feature.
Margarita’s
Address: 11 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249673 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564713228
Hours: Daily, 11.30 AM–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Margarita’s in Dempsey Hill is a hidden gem offering authentic and succulent Mexican cuisine. Its concept focuses on simple, high-quality ingredients to create homemade flavours.
One of its signature dishes is the baked crab enchiladas, which are stuffed with delicate crab meat and topped with a creamed garlic sauce.
While the crab is flavourful, the richness is balanced by complementary sides of rice, vegetables, and black bean sauce.
Pro-tip: Don’t miss out on the frozen margaritas here. It’s what the place is named after!
Blu Kouzina
Address: 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-20, Singapore 247700 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6597108303
Hours: Daily, 11.30 AM–3.30 PM and 5.30–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Blu Kouzina, one of Singapore’s few Greek restaurants, features a grocery and wine corner with products imported from Greece. The entrance is adorned with two Mycaenian lions, and the decor includes black-and-white tiled flooring.
A standout dish for us here is the lavraki (sea bass) carpaccio featuring thinly sliced Greek sea bass with zesty lemon and a chilli kick. It was a refreshing break from all the meat!
Pro-tip: Sharing is recommended to try more main dishes, as they’re generously portioned.
The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
Address: 17D Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6518003045588
Hours: Monday to Thursday, noon–2.30 PM, 3–5.30 PM and 6–9.30 PM; Fridays, noon–2.30 PM and 6 PM-midnight; Saturday to Sunday, 11.30 AM–3.30 PM and 6 PM-midnight
Price: $$$
The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar, located in an old colonial house, emphasises intense flavours and textures using vegetable juices, herbal vinaigrettes, and broths.
The menu’s focus is on fish and vegetables but we found ourselves looking towards its meat offerings. In particular, the roasted Wagyu beef tenderloin was cooked to an excellent pink medium-rare and had a tangy mustard that piqued our tastebuds.
Pro-tip: Free-flow water is available for those who prefer not to order still or sparkling water.
Da Paolo
Address: #01-13 Dempsey Rd, Blk 8, Singapore 247696 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6562613128
Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 8 AM–11.30 PM; Friday to Saturday, 8 AM–12 AM
Price: $$$
Da Paolo Dempsey puts a modern spin on traditional Italian cuisine, featuring a live pasta-making counter, an Italian wood-fired oven for hand-stretched pizza, and an extensive wine and cocktail menu.
We’re simple folks when it comes to Italian fare. Flour, cheese (lots of it!), and tomato sauce done the authentic way can send us into raptures.
That’s why we’re over the moon at the Naples-style 8-cheese pizza, featuring a chef’s selection of cheeses on homemade dough. The dough is fermented for over 72 hours for a soft, chewy bite!
Pro-tip: The place can get crowded fast, so it’s best to make a reservation first.
Chang Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant
Address: 71 Loewen Rd, #01-01, Singapore 248847 (Google Maps)
Contact: +6564739005
Hours: Daily, noon–3 PM and 6–10.30 PM
Price: $$
Chang Restaurant offers high-quality cuts like Wagyu beef and Kurobuta pork alongside a variety of à la carte menu items. A standout dish here is the prime boneless short rib that’s known for its superb marbling and flavours.
We love that it’s cooked on a wire mesh instead of a traditional metal plate grill. The result is a tender and juicy piece of short rib that doesn’t even need a sauce to impress!
Pro-tip: A variety of side dishes like kimchi, stir-fried fish cakes, and anchovies are served before the charcoal fire is even started.