11 Dempsey Hill restaurants for the perfect date night

Blending colonial charm with modern touches, Chopsuey Cafe at Dempsey Hill by PS.Cafe is cosy and a little nostalgic, with inviting indoor and outdoor seating. A go-to spot for laid-back lunches and satisfying dinners since it opened in 2013, the menu celebrates Anglo-Chinese cuisine, inspired by the comforting Chinese dishes found across Europe and beyond.

Expect familiar classics, each served with Chopsuey’s signature twist including Crispy Duck Pow! Pockets (buns with shredded duck confit and pulled roast duck, $17), Fresh Crab & Chunky Prawn Omelette with chilli jam ($38) and Chef’s Beef Cheek Rendang ($39).

Chopsuey Cafe Dempsey Hill is at Block 10, Dempsey Road, #01-23, Singapore 247700. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

If you’re up for a romantic date surrounded by lush greenery, head to Air, one of the newer additions to the Dempsey enclave. A sprawling space ensconced by lush greenery and spanning 40,000 sq ft, the sustainability-driven Air CCCC (it stands for Awareness, Impact, and Responsibility) bills itself a ‘circular campus’ that encompasses a 45-seater restaurant overlooking an edible garden as well as a cooking school. Acclaimed American chef duo, Will Goldfarb and Matt Orlando helm the space together with Indonesian entrepreneur Ronald Akili.

The menu, too, takes a produce-driven approach that incorporates produce from the edible garden, from the Yellowfin Tuna & Squid “Aguachile” ($30) with garden shiso and watermelon radish, to Glazed Spanish Mackerel ($45) with scallop butter and Grilled 1/2 Kampong Chicken ($48) with chimichurri, lemongrass and Andaliman pepper.
And if you’re the breakfast sort, the restaurant has teamed up with French-inspired patisserie Le Matin to present the Sunrise at Air CCCC concept, serving up breakfast treats like Indonesian Avocado Toast ($20) and Fermented Potato Croquette ($18), and bakes such as Chocolate Babka ($6) and Kenari Nut Sticky Buns ($6).

Air Restaurant is at 25B Dempsey Road, Singapore 249918. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Those into Peranakan cuisine would likely have heard of one Michelin-star Peranakan restaurant, Candlenut. Rattan furnishings, bamboo lampshades and Peranakan decor dot the space, which imparts a nostalgic atmosphere that doesn’t feel stuffy, partly thanks to the high-ceilinged interiors.

Helmed by chef Malcolm Lee, the restaurant takes a contemporary yet authentic approach to traditional Straits-Chinese cuisine. An a la carte menu of elevated classics like Westholme Wagyu Beef Rib Rendang, Aunt Caroline’s Babi Buah Keluak using Iberico pork jowl, and Candlenut Blue Swimmer Crab Curry (all $48). Can’t make up your mind? Go for the Ah-Ma-Kase (a play on the Japanese word omakase) tasting menu of homely favourites, priced at $108 per person.

Candlenut is at 17a Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Cracking into crab legs and pincers might not scream romance, but if it’s fresh juicy crustaceans you and your SO are hankering after, it doesn’t get fancier than at Ministry of Crab. This Singapore outpost of the internationally renowned restaurant dishes up wild-caught Sri Lankan crabs — from 500g crabs (starting at $75) to colossal ‘Crabzillas’ weighing over 2kg. Take your pick of preparations, whether it’s baked, steamed, wok-fried with garlic chilli, or simmered in a rich curry. Want more variety? The menu also features other seafood options like giant freshwater prawns and king mackerel, plus a few chicken dishes.

Ministry of Crab is at Block 06 Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249683. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Barbecue lovers will be in for a treat at Burnt Ends, a Michelin-starred establishment that consistently ranks among the best restaurants in Asia. While there’s no permanent menu, guests can anticipate items like wagyu steak tartare with caviar and potato cake – Burnt Ends’ play on steak frites – slow-roasted beef short ribs and king crab doused in garlic brown butter. Reserve a counter seat for the best view of the open kitchen.

Burnt Ends is at 7 Dempsey Road, #01-02, Singapore 249671, +65 6224 3933. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Hidden away in a quiet corner of Dempsey Hill, Siri House overlooks a lush and leafy courtyard and boasts chic, colourful and ritzy furnishings – a great setting for a fun night out with your partner. You’ll discover tasty contemporary Asian eats like fried cauliflower with gochujang and spam crisps, unagi risotto and tender pork secreto with a Thai-style marinade, as well as playful cocktails (including zero-proof options).

Siri House is at 8D Dempsey Road, #01-02, Singapore 249672, +65 9487 1552. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

As far as romantic ambiences go, Claudine takes the cake. Situated in a beautifully restored colonial chapel that previously housed The White Rabbit restaurant, it’s perfect for marking a special occasion. On the menu are approachable French eats like heirloom beetroot salad, roasted scallops, mushroom ravioli and steak frites, plus an elegant riff on profiteroles served with caramelised pecan praline, vanilla cream and dark chocolate sauce.

Claudine is at 39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541, tel: 8031 9935. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Brought to you by the same folks behind Peruvian venue Canchita (also located at Dempsey Hill), TINTO is a casual Spanish joint that specialises in tapas, paella and wine. Popular tapas include patatas bravas, marinated olives and prawns cooked in roasted garlic oil and dried chilli, and there’s a myriad of eye-catching paellas and mains to choose from. For dessert, the churros served with warm chocolate sauce is sure to delight.

Tinto is at 10 Dempsey Road, #01-21, Singapore 247700, tel: 9729 5002. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

If you’re in the mood for Japanese cuisine, Sushi Sato promises an omakase affair to remember. The restaurant is helmed by a chef who hails from Hokkaido and has more than two decades of industry experience under his belt. Take a seat at the counter crafted out of imported hinoki wood, watch the chef in action and look forward to savouring an assortment of refined, artfully prepared raw and cooked items.

Sushi Sato is at 6B Dempsey Road, Singapore 247662, tel: 6971 8265. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

Those who want to dine in a rustic and inviting environment should make a booking at Morsels, helmed by homegrown chef Petrina Loh. Its seasonal menu, which changes every two to three weeks, features hearty progressive Asian fusion dishes inspired by global flavours: think well-cooked meats with mouth-watering sauces; starters such as juicy mushroom pork dumplings and chilli crab sliders with pickled torch ginger; and desserts made with the likes of miso caramel and lemon gel.

Morsels is at 25 Dempsey Road, #01-04, Singapore 249670, tel: 6266 3822. Visit its website for reservations or more information.

This article was originally published in Singapore Women's Weekly.

With wraparound glass windows that afford views of lush greenery, and a canopy of more foliage, Canchita makes for a relaxing spot to unwind over vibrant, authentic Peruvian fare. The restaurant is helmed by husband-wife duo Daniel and Tamara Chavez.

Dive into ceviche, tiraditos and causas (from $28 to $36), all made to order, as well as tacos, Peruvian-style rice dishes and mains such as Mariscada ($46), a seafood stew, and Lomo Saltado, Peruvian-Cantonese stir-fried wagyu beef tenderloin ($48).

Canchita is at Dempsey Rd, #9A 9B, Singapore 247698. Visit its website for reservations or more information.