For someone who lives on the east, making the trek to Dempsey Hill is not a short journey — especially in Singapore standards.
But there’s good reason to visit the tucked-away neighborhood, hidden among narrow winding roads and encompassing plenty of historical significance. The lush enclave is now known for its art galleries, restaurants, wine bars, and antique shops, which are all located in close proximity to unique attractions such as the Museum of Ice Cream and The Wagington — a luxury pet hotel.
For food-and-drink-lovers, there’s no doubt you’ll find delicious fare in the area. The Native team was recently invited to check out one particular establishment: The Dempsey Project.
The expansive space was previously occupied by Jones the Grocer, which relaunched in September 2020 as a communal dining destination-meets-gourmet emporium. Located in the Dempsey Hill barracks, it features high ceilings and a warm and inviting interior that makes it easy to understand why guests frequent so often.
As soon as you step through its doors, your eyes will be treated to a myriad of high-end offerings. From a cheese room to a spice-filled pantry to Italian pasta ingredients, and from chocolates and confectionery to freshly baked goods to wine and beer selections, the space makes you feel like you’re at a worldly bazaar.
There’s even a Soft Haus by Janice Wong—the only pop-up the renowned chocolatier has ever opened within a restaurant/retail spot. At the back of the establishment is a gifting wall, where woven picnic baskets are waiting to be filled with any of the luxury goodies available on-site.
We were seated at a large wooden table, which could probably seat eight and was more than enough space for the two of us. Our server informed us we would be trying the newly launched Aperitivo menu, which features drinks and platters for the happy-hour crowd.
Available every Monday and Tuesday from 4pm, guests can choose from a range of drinks such as bubbly, wines, and cocktails to pair with a mini cheese, charcuterie, or mezze platter for $25. Considering how much a single alcoholic beverage is here in Singapore, this sunset-hour deal is pretty outstanding.
We started off with salt-rimmed Margaritas, which were delicious and just the right blend of tequila, liqueur, and lime. Shortly after, our table was filled with the Cheese Platter (three cheese, olives, cornichons, apple chutney, grapes, and crisp bread) as well as the Charcuterie Platter (chorizo, parma ham, smoked leg ham, olives, cornichons, apply chutney, and crisp bread).
It’s easy to nibble on quality cheeses and meats, especially when you’re in good company and in a lively yet relaxing environment. The platters quickly fill you up, and can even substitute as a full meal if you don’t have a large appetite.
We also tried the Sunset Feast ($75), which is a beautiful, globally inspired platter filled with falafel, vine leaves, gunpowder potato, samosa, fish fry, lamb skewers, tahini, mahummara, and baba ghanoush, among other tasty dips. With nods to Mediterranean, Indian, and other flavors, this sharing-platter was definitely a crowd-favorite. It also comes with two complimentary drinks when ordered during Aperitivo hours.
It has been a challenging time for the food and beverage industry during the past few years, but the co-founders at the Dempsey Project recognize they have been blessed with a fun and supportive team. With more than 50 permanent staff and a large retail and restaurant location to run, it’s remarkable to witness the wheels churn so smoothly at this establishment.
Time passes quickly when you have a good conversation going, coupled with some great food in front of you and a cocktail in hand. There’s no doubt the Dempsey Project is the perfect place for gatherings, but it can also be a place to catch-up on emails, read a book, or enjoy a coffee alone. Just like its cosmopolitan menus, its space is versatile, and there’s something for everyone.
