Nestled on a small hill just off the road from the Orchard and Tanglin area, lies Dempsey Hill, a food lover’s haven. A heritage area, Dempsey Hill is unique for it centuries old colonial buildings that were once barracks and outposts during World War II. These olden buildings have mostly been turned into a commercial zone constituting a mix of restaurants, pubs, and household and furniture shops. Over the years, the brand names have come and gone, but what has stayed the same is the continued spirit of the locals to patronise this quaint town.
Dempsey Hill is known for the great range of restaurants and different cuisines that it offers. From South American to Chinese, it’s not hard to find another reason to come back again. Here are the top 5 restaurants in the area that you should definitely try on your next visit there!
TINTO
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Tinto is a Spanish inspired restaurant that offers some great Spanish classics such as their Paella De Mariscos, or as we like to call it, ‘Seafood Paella’. As someone who’s lived in Spain for a year, Spanish food does not get better than this. Each dish is filled with bold and bursting flavours with each mouthful. Tinto prides itself on it’s small plate tapas, Paella’s and generous variety of Wine. I also appreciate that this restaurant offers an entirely separate vegetarian menu, vegan options and gluten free options for those who have special dietary restrictions which makes the dining experience accommodative to everyone.
This restaurant is packed on weekday nights for dinners and also on weekends. Make sure to make a reservation due to this popularity of this place. It is also a relatively new comer in the restaurant scene at Dempsey Hill. Prices for a meal here however, command the general Fine Dining food prices you’d fine anywhere in the city with appetisers averaging out in the mid twenties and main courses commonly being in the thirties to forties.
My Recommendation:
- Gazpacho – The best I’ve had anywhere in Singapore so far with just the right blend of cucumber and tomato.
- Gambas Al Ajillo – Prawns drizzled and cooked in roasted garlic oil and garlic chips, a great appetizer to start.
- Setas, Habas & Jerez – These are mushrooms cooked and presented on top a creamy bed of artichoke puree.
- Paella De Mariscos – Authentic and traditional, its always a family favourite to share amongst a few people.
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Address: 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-21, Singapore 247700
Operating Hours:
Monday – Wednesday only for Dinner from 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Thursday – Friday 11:30am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Saturday – Sunday 11:30am – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Min Jiang
Being one of many Chinese chains in Singapore, Min Jiang at Dempsey Hill does it right. Serving a mix of Chinese influences from Cantonese, Sichuan to trolley cart dim sum, they bring a good blend of the best of Chinese Cuisine to the area. This upscale Chinese restaurant focuses a lot on the aesthetic design of the place representing its Asian history and heritage.
The restaurant is tucked away in one corner of the Dempsey Village area and therefore may be a challenge to find.
Recommendations:
- Sichuan Hot and Sour Soup Accompanied With Prawn Spring Roll – The perfect kick to your palette, but not too much
- Iberico Pork Fried Rice Served in Mini Pumpkin Accompanied with XO Sauce – The first time I see any fried rice aesthetically look like an art form. The subtleness of the pumpkin blends well with the XO fried rice.
- The Dim Sum Trolley Cart – Definitely a must try if you are dining their for lunch. Inspired by the traditional Hong Kong Dim Sum trolley cart, these are freshly made daily and are a great appetiser to start your meal off.
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Address: 7A &, 7B Dempsey Rd, 249684
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday 11:30am – 2:30pm, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Saturday & Sunday 11:00am – 2:30pm, 6:30 – 10:30pm
Blu Kouzina
Calling all Greek lovers! Blu Kouzina is the joint that you have to check out. With it’s flagship restaurant in Dempsey Hill, Blu Kouzina has expanded from one tiny restaurant in the Bukit Timah Neighbourhood originally, to now just having opened their 3rd outlet in Sentosa. When this authentic Greek restaurant first moved to Dempsey Hill, it started off with only one rental unit along that stretch of the colonial style building. Today they successfully expanded the restaurant to occupy the neighbouring units as well, having a very large dining hall for patrons. Outside, there is still space for additional tables for alfresco dining and makes a great choice for those with pets on the weekends.
My Recommendations:
- Moussaka – Oven baked eggplant with minced meat in bechamel sauce. They also have a vegetarian option of this dish, a testament to their vegetarian offerings here which are plenty!
- Saganaki & Figs – A traditional dish I have come to love, the blend of both sweet and savoury in the mouth works harmoniously in this dish, you have to try it for yourself.
- Hummus Dips and Others – Their authentic Hummus is as close to Greece as you’ll get. One way to try as many as possible is ordering the 3 or 4 Dip Platters to really get a good taste of Greece!
- Xtapodi – Grilled Octopus with Vinegar & Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You can never go wrong with this dish as it is a staple in all Greek restaurants and it is worth trying here.
- Greek Salad – A mix of tomatoes, cucumber, onion with feta cheese tossed in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is a great dish if you’re feeling too warm in sunny Singapore.
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Address: 10 Dempsey Rd, #01-20, Singapore 247700
Operating Hours:
Everyday 11:30am – 3:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:30pm
Claudine
Taking the silhouette of an old church, this used to be the place of former 1-Michelin star restaurant, White Rabbit before it transformed into Claudine, under the same group. This French inspired restaurant is an artwork in itself, with a bar beneath the multi-coloured stained glass window (keeping to it’s rich cultural heritage), the restaurant exudes the richness of the old with the modernity of new in the furniture and finishings and color schemes. The impeccable service and taste of French hospitality that this fine dining venue offers makes it a perfect date night.
My Recommendations:
- Caramelized Onion Tart – A rich tart of sweet and savoury flavours
- Foie Gras Terrine – One of their signatures which is rich, decadent and a great sharing dish for the table. A platter or trio of Terrine would be a better idea if you are not sure which type of Terrine you would enjoy as there are quite a few.
- Roasted Hokkaido Scallops – Seared to perfection, these scallops are juicy and plump.
- Brown Mushrooms and Morel Ravioli – Rich in earthy flavours, it’s almost like a whimsical journey to Alice in Wonderland in your mouth and makes a great main course for vegetarians.
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Address: 39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541
Operating Hours:
Tuesdays – Thursdays opens from 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Fridays & Mondays opens from 11:45am – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Saturdays & Sundays opens from 11:30am – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Ippoh Tempura Bar By Ginza Ippoh
Ippoh is Osaka’s oldest premium tempura bar that is located at Como Dempsey Hill. Headed by Chef Masaru Seki, he is the fifth generation of this long family establishment from Osaka, Japan. This dining experience parallels that of a performance. The intimate bar setting allows for the Chef to lead his diners through the menu with an introduction of each course.
This Tempura bar allows for patrons to order by Ala Carte or by set menu. Lunch offers two set menus to choose from with Momiji, a 12-course priced at $90, and Ume, a 14-course priced at $125. There are also two set menu options for dinner which are the 14-course Tsuki set menu, or the larger 16-course Yuki set menu, both $150 and $230 respectively. Ala Carte tempura averages between $10-$20 for each piece, however if eating Ala Carte, a minimum order of $70 must be hit to order.
My Recommendations:
- Shrimp Toast – Part of the Ume, Tsuki & Yuki set menu.
- Sea Urchin Tempura with Caviar – Part of the Ume & Yuki set menu.
(These can also be ordered Ala-Carte.)
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Address: 17C Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676
Operating Hours:
Tuesdays – Thursdays, Sundays, Mondays opens from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Fridays & Saturdays opens from 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 11:00pm
