Where to Eat in Dempsey Hill, Singapore: Best Restaurants for Al Fresco Dining, Fine Dining, and Mod-Sin
PUBLISHED February 20th, 2018 06:00 am | UPDATED February 6th, 2020 05:24 pm
Want to get out of the city for a bit? Take a step back from the busy working life and travel out for dinner at Dempsey Hill, a tranquil spot that’s often a go-to some classy fare. A dining enclave within a forest, the options here include Michelin-starred cuisine, Modern European sharing plates and farm-to-table fare – we sussed out the best for you to sink your teeth into.
Morsels
Chef Petrina Loh moved her Mod-Sin joint to Dempsey early last year and hasn’t looked back since. Settle in at the 40-seater barn-style restaurant with some friends and chow down on wildly creative fusion sharing plates at their best. Our choices? Dishes like the Fermented Iceberg Lettuce and Mushroom Catsup on toast, Wild Sri-Lankan Tiger Prawns with foie gras mousse, and the crowd-favourite Steamed Venus Clams in fig chicken broth. Also new to Morsels is a four-seat Chef’s Table available for private dinners, by reservation only. Read our full review here.
Morsels is located at 25 Dempsey Rd, #01-04, Singapore 249670, p. +65 6266 3822. Open Tue-Thu 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm, Sun 11am – 3pm. Closed Mon.
The Disgruntled Chef
Modern European cuisine is the star at this stalwart stop in the foodie haven. Opened by celebrity chef Daniel Sia back in 2010, The Disgruntled Chef features small plates and big plates meant to share, with starters on the first and mains on the other. A crowd favourite meal features the Baked Bone Marrow ($18; persillade, fine herb salad, sourdough toast) to start and Saikyo Miso Hamachi Collar ($34; chilled milk cabbage, pickled shimeji, ponzu) for the middle course, then finishing off with your choice of pudding.
The Disgruntled Chef is located at 26B Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247693, p. +65 6476 5305. Opens Tue-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm, Sat-Sun 11am – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm.
Culina
The bistro outlet for gourmet food purveyor Culina, head down to this stop for good food paired with excellent wines. Featuring the produce brought in from Culina’s vast array of brands, you can go to the counter for a pick of the quality meat and seafood available that day, which will then be cooked fresh and served to your preference. Should the cuts not be to your fancy, peruse the extensive menu – from Charcuterie to Sandwiches, Pasta to Salads, and a long list of wines, the options at Culina have you covered.
Culina is located 8 Dempsey Rd, #01-13, Singapore 247696, p. +65 6474 7338. Open daily 11am – 11pm.
La Ventana
For al fresco dining amongst lush greenery, try the Spanish spot La Ventana. A sleek white building with a wooden deck that can host up to 55 guests, this spot was a part of Michelin-starred chef Charles Gaig’s portfolio of restaurants that’s been expanding to Asia, and is now under the watchful eye of chef Toni Vallero. His creations include modern Spanish creations with an Asian twist such as Monkfish with Saffron Foam and Kalamata olive emulsion, Wagyu Cheek with Black Trumpet Cream and Watercress Purée and Curry Leaf Ice Cream with Szechuan strawberries and lemongrass tea jelly. Read our full review here.
La Ventana is located at 16A Dempsey Rd, #01-01 Singapore 247695, +65 6479 0100, +65 6479 0100. Open Tue-Sun 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 11pm. Closed Mon.
Candlenut
The only Peranakan restaurant to receive a highly coveted Michelin star and situated in lifestyle destination COMO Dempsey, Singapore chef Malcolm Lee helms the kitchen as executive chef to serve up Nonya dishes with his own flair. Featuring curries, roasts and dishes from the wok, familiar names include Buah Keluak of Braised Local Chicken, Peranakan Signature Black Nut Sambal ($22) and Sambal Baby Sweet Potato Leaves, Dried Shrimp ($16). And if you can’t decide, try the ah-ma-kase ($88), Candlenut’s Peranakan version of an omakase dinner with canapes, main courses and dessert decided by the chef.
Candlenut is located at 17A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676, p. +65 1800 304 2288. Open Sun-Thu 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm.
COMO Cuisine
Named as it is for the multi-concept spot it’s home to, COMO Cuisine reflects the diverse melting pot of Singapore with dishes from around the world using local ingredients. Fired up in the coconut charcoal-fired tandoori oven, the dishes take on a healthful shine as executive chef Tim de Souza worked with a nutritionist to create the menu. So while you may feast the mains like Tandoor Chicken ($28), do match them with greens such as the Padron Peppers ($12) and Tandoor Cauliflower ($12).
COMO Cuisine is located at 18A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249677, p. 1800 304 6688. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm – 10.30pm.
Open Farm Community
Farm-to-table dishes has never been fresher than at Open Farm Community. Sit down outside and you can check out exactly where the ingredients come from as you dig into fresh garden produce made into European-fusion dishes. Both the patio and terrace gives you great views, so do come down and grab a spot quick to enjoy the great outdoors. Read our full review here.
Open Farm Community is located at 130E Minden Rd, Singapore 248819, p. +65 6471 0306. Open Mon-Fri 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm, Sat-Sun 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 11pm.
Jiu Zhuang
Inspired by 1920s era Shanghai, this Shanghai Tang-esque restaurant-bar transports the past to the present with its curated offering of luxe drinks, delectable dim sum and Chinese small bites. Think fine wines, champagnes, whiskies, sake, cocktails, and for the daring, several bottles of Chinese baijiu and huangjius (Nu Er Hong 20 years) for your imbibing pleasure, coupled with dishes such as Jiu Zhuang’s signature Double Boiled Soup with wontons and dried scallops, Wagyu Roulade with red wine, and Smoked Duck Breast infused with Cointreau yuzu.
Jiu Zhuang is located at 6C/D Dempsey Rd, Singapore 247664, p. +65 6471 1711. Open Mon-Sat 5pm – 1am. Closed Sun.
The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
You might be familiar with the food of acclaimed Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, but even if you’re not, it’s just a short ride away at The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar. Featuring signature elements like an open kitchen and communal dining spaces, this is where imaginative creations like Crackling Organic Chicken ($30) with habanero hot sauce and Roasted Cod in Spicy Herbal Coconut Broth ($44) come to the fore in a cuisine that can only be described as immensely global.
The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar is located at 17D Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249676, p. 1800 304 5588. Open Mon-Thu 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 12am, Fri 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 1am, Sat 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 1am, Sun 11.30am – 4pm, 6pm – 12am.
The White Rabbit
Housed in the beautifully-restored 1930s Ebenezer Chapel, The White Rabbit has since become one of Singapore’s most romantic restaurants with a carefully-curated menu to boot. Helmed by Head Chef Benjamin Tan, dishes at this whimsical world include the likes of the Rangers Valley Wagyu Carpaccio ($26) with balsamic pearls and truffle cream, signature Alaskan King Crab Tagliatelle ($28/42) in light pork and kombu broth, as well as a delicious Dover Sole Meuniere ($48) that’s served right beside your table. And one of the restaurant’s biggest draws? Excellent G&Ts from the gin bar right outside.
The White Rabbit is located at 39C Harding Rd, Singapore 249541, p. +65 6473 9965. Open Tue-Fri 12pm – 12.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm.
Top Image: COMO Cuisine
