15 Best Cafes & Restaurants in Dempsey Hill

The former site of British military barracks, Dempsey Hill has been through many transformations throughout its history. Today, this Singapore area is a gourmet paradise offering everything from weekend brunch spots to Mexican cuisine. Surrounded by lush forest, Dempsey Hill cafes and restaurants are the perfect escape from big-city life. Read on to find the best spots to satisfy your inner foodie in this lifestyle enclave. 

Also read: 10 Best Brunch Cafes in Singapore That Locals Rave About

Best Dempsey Hill cafes for brunch

1. PS Cafe

PS Cafe is one of the best Dempsey Hill cafes for a slow brunch. PS Cafe Dempsey Hill has floor-to-ceiling glass windows that provide panoramic views of the verdant foliage. There is ample space between the tables, so you won’t feel like you’re jostling with other customers. 

For brunch, the cafe serves up butterscotch pancakes, avocado mushroom bruschetta, prawn laksa, and more. You can complement your meal with freshly squeezed juices, kombucha, or their signature double-shot coffee. PS Cafe uses carefully selected 100% arabica beans from India, Uganda, and Ethiopia. A latte or espresso brewed with these quality beans is sure to melt away your worries. 

2. Baker and Cook

Baker and Cook’s concept cafe is an ideal spot to enjoy good vibes and good food at Dempsey Hill. Designed to promote a healthy dining experience, it has serene outdoor seating that helps customers unwind after a long week. There is also a play area for children to run free and get active. 

On the menu, you’ll find meals light on the calories: chia seed bowls, yoghurt granola, and eggs Benedict on sourdough. If you want to chill out for several hours, this is one of the best Dempsey Hill cafes to do just that. 

Also read: 11 Overlooking Restaurants & Bars in Singapore With the Best Views

3. Open Farm Community

If you want to see what sustainability looks like in the food business, head to Open Farm Community (OFC). This farm-to-table cafe on Dempsey Hill sources from local and regional organic farmers, and uses every part of their ingredients to minimise waste. Additionally, they grow some of their vegetables in a backyard garden. 

OFC’s menus offer gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options. For weekend brunch, you can get soft shell crab sammies, salad bowls, single-origin chocolate brownies, and other delectable treats. Free-flow wine, mimosa, and draft beer are each priced at $55/person. 

4. Chop Suey Cafe

Chop Suey Cafe is the place to be for brunch enthusiasts who want something different. Instead of your usual big breakfast and eggs benedict, this cafe serves exciting Anglo-Chinese fusion. 

Customers can dig into tantalising pepper beef buns, crispy duck pockets, and lobster wontons in a tranquil garden setting. Ever heard of mud crab fried rice and orange beef? Get a taste of these novelty dishes at Chop Suey Cafe to expand your culinary horizons. 

Of course, brunch isn’t just about the food. The cafe’s chic marble-top tables and rattan chairs will make you feel like you’re living the luxe life. 

5. Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari

Tiong Bahru Bakery Safari is one of the best Dempsey Hill cafes to have a light brunch or breakfast. Here, you can munch on freshly baked croissants in a rustic tent while taking in the fresh air and forest views. 

If you’re unaware of what the hype is all about: Tiong Bahru Bakery is famous for using French butter in their bread and pastries. This creates an addicting fluffiness that will have you coming back for more. 

Also read: 15 Hidden Cafes in Singapore That Are Worth the Road Trip

Best Dempsey Hill restaurants for Asian food

6. Min Jiang at Dempsey

Min Jiang at Dempsey is an award-winning Chinese restaurant that serves Cantonese and Sichuan cuisine in a casual setting. The dining room is lit with natural light and uses wood and rattan furnishings. 

Signature dishes here include Peking duck, Iberico pork fried rice, and Sichuan hot and sour soup. In addition, the restaurant serves a selection of intricate dim sum from 11.30am to 2.30pm. 

7. Candlenut

Candlenut holds the distinction of being the first Peranakan restaurant to receive a Michelin star. This restaurant gives Straits Chinese cuisine a contemporary twist, while preserving the authenticity of traditional dishes. 

To make use of fresh seasonal ingredients, the menu changes from month to month. For May 2023, Candlenut’s lunch menu offers wagyu beef satay, baby lamb rack curry, king prawns in green chilli, and more. 

Also read: 6 Weird & Underrated Food in Singapore That Only Locals Know About

8. Samy’s Curry

Samy’s Curry is one of the oldest Dempsey Road restaurants, dating back to the 1960s. Today, it remains a family-run establishment. Their menu comprises both North and South Indian cuisine. The most iconic dishes here are the masala chicken, fish head curry, and mysore mutton. A secret blend of spices creates the “wow” factor that has made Samy’s Curry an establishment in Singapore’s Indian food scene. 

While treating yourself to rich curries, you can cool down with a glass of lassi (a yoghurt-like drink) or coconut juice. If you have space left for dessert, there’s gulab jamun (balls of milk dough in syrup) and rasmalai (cheese balls soaked in cream) to satisfy your sweet tooth. 

9. Sushi Sato

Sushi Sato is a traditional omakase restaurant opened by sushi chef Yuji Sato. Chef Sato has 26 years of experience and contacts that allow him to buy exclusive produce from Japan. 

The decor reflects the theme of “dining in a garden.” Glass panels reveal the soothing greenery outside and the furnishings are made from natural materials. The centrepiece of the dining room is a 200-year-old Hinoki wood counter. Customers can take in the energising scent of top-grade Hinoki while enjoying their fine meals. 

As the restaurant uses premium ingredients flown in from Japan, prices start at S$220. This is one of the Dempsey Hill restaurants you should save for special occasions. 

10. Hathaway

Hathaway is a restaurant where you can savour gourmet Southeast Asian food in a nostalgic setting. Housed in a black-and-white colonial bungalow, the restaurant offers both indoor and al fresco seating. Some of the mains you’ll find here are veal, fried quail, fish curry, and chicken curry. 

The restaurant does not serve pork, lard, or alcohol to be inclusive to the Muslim community. If you’re craving a drink, you can try the non-alcoholic wines and cocktails on their menu. 

Best Dempsey Hill restaurants for Western dishes

11. Culina at COMO Dempsey

Before venturing into the restaurant business, Culina was a distributor of gourmet foods and wines. Culina at COMO Dempsey showcases the company’s expertise in selecting fresh and sustainable ingredients. 

This retail outlet is a restaurant and marketplace rolled into one. Customers can first shop for high-quality beef, sustainably sourced fish, and other fine foods in the marketplace. Afterwards, they can take their purchases home or have them cooked at the restaurant. 

12. Burnt ends

Burnt Ends is a one-Michelin-star restaurant that takes pride in its wood-fired Australian barbecue and boutique wines. Ranked #94 on the 2022 list of the World’s Best Restaurants, it attracts foodies from all over Singapore. 

The dining room’s open kitchen concept and stylish aesthetic will appeal to those seeking a lavish yet laid-back experience. At the counter seats, customers can watch their food being cooked in wood-fired stoves. Since the menu changes daily, you’ll get a surprise every time you visit. 

13. Da Paolo

Da Paolo is the best restaurant in Dempsey Hill to get a taste of Italy. From pasta made fresh at the counter to pizza cooked in an Italian wood-fired oven, this place goes all out to bring authentic Italian flavours to Singapore. 

The extensive wine list consists of Italian, Portuguese, and French wines that will elevate your dining experience. In the dessert arena, Da Paolo does not lose out to other Dempsey Hill restaurants. Customers can end their meal with velvety Italian gelato or the restaurant’s signature tiramisu. 

Other Dempsey Hill restaurants worth trying

14. Margarita’s Dempsey Hill

Margarita’s is a classic Mexican restaurant where both your eyes and palate will be treated to a feast. Apart from their gorgeous margaritas, they have a selection of specially curated mezcals, tequilas, and wines. 

For your main course, pick from a sumptuous range of tortillas, steaks, fish, and chicken dishes. If you want something sweet, the menu offers hand-churned churros, kahlúa tiramisu (kahlúa is a type of Mexican liqueur), and Mexican fried ice cream. 

Also read: 12 Mexican Restaurants in Singapore With Delicious Food & Tantalising Margaritas

15. Canchita Peruvian Cuisine

Canchita will transport you to Latin America with its modern Peruvian cuisine and upbeat ambience. Its speciality is ceviche, the national dish of Peru. Ceviche consists of raw fish or shellfish marinated in citrus juice and spiced up with chilli, pepper, or other seasonings. At Canchita, a must-try is their signature ceviche clásico (a dish of market fish soaked in citrus and chilli marinade). 

Ceviches aside, the restaurant serves a sumptuous range of tiraditos, tacos, and meats. A weekend brunch menu is available for those who want to start their day with a Peruvian feast. 

Also read: 6 Exotic Restaurants in Singapore That Let Your Taste Buds Do The Travelling

Rounding up our Dempsey Hill food recommendations, we have one last thing to say. Remember to book a table! You don’t want to leave disappointed after coming all the way here in search of good food. Whether you’re planning a get-together with friends or a first date, there’s no shortage of places to eat in the Dempsey area. Pick a spot suitable for you, book a table, and get ready for a gastronomic adventure!