Enjoy Complimentary Mains At These Dempsey Restaurants, Including Michelin-Starred Fare
Image credit: Claudine
Housed in a former beautifully restored colonial chapel atop Dempsey Hill, think of Claudine as the casual sister to the Michelin-starred Odette. Chef-Patron Julien Royer brings the French brasserie and home cooking traditions to Singaporean diners across their brunch, lunch, and dinner menus.
Image credit: Claudine
It’s all about sharing dishes here—all the better for dining in groups and making the most out of your free main course! Begin your meal in true French fashion, with French Snails in Garlic Butter ($22++), prepared with Nomade des Jardins snails, or Steak Tartare A La Parisienne ($38++), featuring finely chopped premium beef prepared tableside, elevated with mustard and capers. Then, pore over your pick from six different main dishes, including the rustic Coq Au Vin ($48++), complete with tender Savoy cabbage, or the Vol-Au-Vent ($58++), a delicate, buttery puff pastry with creamy veal sweetbreads.
If you’re swinging by for dinner, come by a tad earlier to enjoy a selection of artisanal gin and tonics at La Terrace! The storied French tradition of tipples and nibbles before a meal is made even better thanks to Claudine’s curated selection of French charcuterie and other small bites.
Address: 39C Harding Road, Singapore 249541
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Fri 11:45am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 8031 9935
Website
Claudine is not a halal-certified eatery.
Candlenut needs little introduction—it’s the world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, and has proudly held onto its star since 2016. Helmed by Baba Chef-Owner Malcolm Lee, Candlenut offers an elevated yet deeply personal take on Nyonya cuisine. While best known for their multi-course Ah-Ma-Kase menu (from $108++), those who prefer to choose their own adventure can opt for Candlenut’s homely ala carte menu instead.
The menu feels like you’re stepping into Chef Lee’s childhood and Peranakan culinary history at the same time. Time-tested starters like Wing Bean Salad ($22++) and Bakwan Kepiting Soup ($16++) come elevated with quality greens and blue swimmer crab. Nyonya cuisine is all about curries and braised mains, of which Candlenut has a healthy selection. Aunt Caroline’s Babi Buah Keluak ($48+), slow-braised with Iberico pork jowl, is a signature, but we’re equal fans of the Chef’s Mum’s Chicken Curry ($34++), a spicy heirloom recipe full of soul.
Address: 17A Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 1800 304 2288
Website
Candlenut is not a halal-certified eatery.
Image credit: Morsels
Tucked away in a restored colonial-era clubhouse, Chef Petrina Loh’s Morsels offers a refreshingly intimate dining experience, like dining in someone’s cottage home. Chef Loh, one of Singapore’s most respected female chefs, intends for her restaurant to be an ode to progressive Asian fusion cuisine—a mission she’s kept going strong since Morsels was founded in 2013.
Image credit: Morsels
Slow food and zero waste are the guiding principles here, best enjoyed with a menu of natural wines and craft sakes. For mains, we’re partial to the Upgrain Mee Pok Carbonara (from $34++), where local bak chor mee gets an Italian facelift. The Canadian Manila Clams ($38++) are another gem, starring a lemak lemongrass broth. Morsels is especially known for their noodles, which are a lunchtime speciality, but you can order the Noodle of the Week (from $22++) on their dinner menu for a taste of the kitchen’s latest inspiration.
Address: 25 Dempsey Road, #01-04, Singapore 249670
Opening hours: Tues-Thurs 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 10:30pm, Sun 11:30am to 3pm
Tel: 6266 3822
Website
Morsels is not a halal-certified eatery.
From delicately torched aburi sushi to artfully assembled sashimi platters, Rakuichi Japanese Restaurant at Dempsey Hill is a treasure trove for fans of refined Nippon cuisine that won’t break the bank. The menu is a celebration of fresh seafood and Japanese craftsmanship, with main dishes to suit all occasions.
For an order that encompasses the best of all the restaurant’s specialities, try the Rakuichi Bento ($58++), complete with various types of fresh sashimi, tempura, and sushi. Otherwise, zone in on the grilled Sumiyaki Moriawase ($36++), where you get the chef’s choice of grilled seafood and meat skewers.
Set in an elegant yet cosy space with warm wooden tones and Japanese accents, dining at Rakuichi feels both intimate and authentic. That authenticity is compounded by the fact that the restaurant is especially popular among Japanese expats seeking a taste of home.
Address: 10 Dempsey Road, Singapore 247700
Opening hours: Daily 11:30am to 2:30pm, 6pm to 10pm
Tel: 6474 2143
Website
Rakuichi is not a halal-certified eatery.
With its high vaulted ceilings, checkerboard floors, and ornate white fixtures, The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar offers a visual feast even before the food arrives. The space is a seamless blend of colonial elegance and contemporary cool, anchored by an open kitchen that transforms cooking into a theatrical experience.
With a menu that fuses European finesse with vibrant Asian accents, it’s no surprise that the restaurant is one of the 60 around the world founded by celebrated restaurateur, Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. His creative vision is evident across the menu here—a meal at The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar is not complete without an order of the Toasted Egg Yolk With Caviar And Herbs ($50++), sitting pretty on a generous bed of sturgeon roe.
On mains, look forward to a selection of pasta dishes, pizzas, and meats to suit all persuasions. The Black Truffle and Fontina Cheese Pizza ($38++) is dressed generously with black truffle shavings.
HSBC Premier Offer: Complimentary main course with any 3 main courses ordered
Address: 17D Dempsey Road, Singapore 249676
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12pm to 2:30pm, Sun-Thurs 6pm to 11:30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm to 12am, Sat-Sun 11:30am to 3:30pm
Tel: 1800 304 5588
Website
The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
You don’t see Peruvian restaurants much in Singapore, which makes Canchita a true standout in Dempsey Hill’s diverse dining scene. Surrounded by verdant tropical plants, this vibrant Latin American spot brings the spirit of Peru to the table with a colourful menu and relaxed alfresco vibes.
Canchita boasts the best ceviche in Singapore, with three different options to choose from. If it’s your first time trying the national dish of Peru, go for the Ceviche Clasico ($30++), which uses fresh fish sourced from local markets and white tiger’s milk, a type of ceviche marinade brightened with citrus.
When it comes to mains, the menu is a smorgasbord of Peruvian classics. The fusion Lomo Saltado ($48++) is a Peruvian-Cantonese stir-fry with Wagyu beef tenderloin, while the Mariscada ($48++) sees a medley of seafood grilled a la plancha, then served up with a selection of mouthwatering sauces.
Side note: Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes are also widely available at Canchita!
Address: 9A/B Dempsey Road, Singapore 247698
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 5:30pm to 10:30pm, Fri-Sun 11:30am to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Tel: 8028 1994
Website
Canchita is not a halal-certified eatery.
Step into a kaleidoscope of retro Italian charm at Torno Subito, established by Massimo Bottura, the culinary visionary behind the world-renowned three-Michelin-starred Osteria Francescana. Unlike the minimalist gravitas of his Modena establishment, Torno Subito brims with personality, channelling the playful glamour of 1960s Italy. Think bold colours, cheeky design by Paola Navone of OTTO Studio, and a breezy seaside vibe, all set within a beautifully restored British army barracks at COMO Dempsey.
On the menu, classic Italian dishes get a creative upgrade under Executive Chef Alessio Pirozzi. A must-try is the Cacio e Pepe ($62++), a luxurious take on the Roman staple, made with Mancini Tuffoli pasta and finished with fresh black truffle for an earthy kiss. Other standouts include the Tagliatella ($50++), made with Massimo’s favourite hand-chopped wagyu ragù, and the Tortellino ($48++), Modenese miniature stuffed pasta served in a luscious, creamy sauce made from 36-month aged Parmigiano Reggiano. Each seasonal dish is rooted in tradition but playfully reimagined, much like the restaurant itself!
Address: 26 Dempsey Road, #01-02, Singapore 249686
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 12pm to 3pm, 5:30pm to 10pm
Tel: 1800 304 6688
Website
Torno Subito is not a halal-certified eatery.
Dempsey’s dining scene is as diverse as it is distinguished. Now, thanks to HSBC’s Premier 1 Dines Free programme, delighting your palate with a memorable meal there is even more enticing. Remember: order three mains, and your fourth is complimentary with an HSBC Premier Mastercard.
Additionally, overseas HSBC cardholders can enjoy S$3 off their GOJEK ride to or from Dempsey by using the promo code ‘HSBCDEM’. Terms and conditions apply. Otherwise, the enclave is easy enough to reach, with its free shuttle bus service departing from several convenient locations islandwide.
Circling back to the HSBC Premier Mastercard, the Premier 1 Dines Free initiative is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the slew of perks you can enjoy with the credit card. Think: exclusive four-hands defining experiences, dining vouchers, access to over 1,700 airport lounges and more. It’s more than just a card—it’s your passport to elevated everyday moments, from dining and beyond.
Photos taken by John Lery Villanueva.
This post is brought to you by HSBC.
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