Dempsey Hill Welcomes Persian and Teochew Dining Concepts This October

Dempsey Hill is expanding its culinary line-up this October with new dining concepts spanning Persian and Teochew cuisine, alongside recent additions and refreshed offerings that bring different culinary traditions to the precinct.

Two of the latest arrivals are SHIRAZI, a Persian semi-fine dining restaurant, and SHAO @ Dempsey, which presents a contemporary take on Teochew cuisine. They join Casa Mori, which opened in May, as well as longstanding Dempsey Hill favourite Margarita’s, which has recently refreshed its interiors and menu.

The new concepts add to Dempsey Hill’s existing mix of local and international dining options, giving visitors more opportunities to explore different cuisines and dining formats within the precinct’s conserved buildings and lush surroundings.

SHIRAZI brings Persian cuisine to Dempsey Hill through the culinary partnership of Chef Mohammad Hosseini and Chef Ying, who have worked together for two decades. Chef Mohammad grew up in Zanjan, Iran, where he began developing his culinary knowledge around the city’s historic Grand Bazaar. His early experience in local eateries and butcher shops was followed by culinary work across the Middle East, Singapore and Australia.

At SHIRAZI, that experience is combined with Chef Ying’s culinary perspective. The restaurant operates a Muslim friendly kitchen and uses halal certified meat and poultry from recognised halal suppliers.

Its menu includes charcoal grilled kebabs, Lamb Koobideh, a Persian minced lamb kebab, and Lamb Neck served with Persian rice. Other highlights include Iranian Caviar and SHIRAZI’s Black Hummus, a distinctive creation that is not commonly found in Singapore. Selected spices and ingredients are sourced directly from Iran to connect the dishes with their culinary origins.

The restaurant’s semi-fine dining setting draws inspiration from Persian art, colours and decorative traditions. Its beverage programme also incorporates Persian inspired flavours into cocktails. For private gatherings, SHIRAZI has a private dining space that can accommodate up to 30 guests and can be divided for smaller groups.

Also opening this October is SHAO @ Dempsey at 9 Dempsey Road, the group’s fourth restaurant after its outlets at Frankel, Holland Village and Rangoon. The restaurant builds on SHAO’s contemporary approach to Teochew cuisine, with a focus on fresh ingredients, seafood and familiar Teochew flavours presented in an elevated setting.

Designed for family meals, group dinners, private celebrations and corporate events, the Dempsey Hill outlet also provides a setting suited to the communal nature of Teochew dining, where dishes are shared around the table.

The menu includes Marinated Roe Crab (生腌膏蟹), Signature BBQ Roe Crab (招牌烤黄膏蟹), Pan-Seared Hokkaido Cuttlefish with Squid Ink (北海道黑、白墨鱼肠) and Poached Crispy Rice with Seafood, Paofan (贵妃海鲜泡饭).

The latest openings follow other changes to Dempsey Hill’s dining landscape. Casa Mori, which opened in May, is a collaboration between Chef Willin Low and Chef José Alonso. Their menu brings together Mod-Sin, Spanish and wider Asian influences, with dishes such as Kalipoquetas, which combines elements of a curry puff and croquette, and Iberico Pork Skewers served with an Indonesian sate glaze.

Meanwhile, Margarita’s has entered a new chapter with refreshed interiors and a reworked menu. The Mexican restaurant continues to serve bold and comforting flavours while introducing contemporary combinations, textures and presentation. Highlights include Pink Guava Shrimp Tacos, Carne Asada, Chicken Adobado and Leche Frita, or fried milk.

With SHIRAZI, SHAO @ Dempsey, Casa Mori and the refreshed Margarita’s joining its established dining options, Dempsey Hill continues to broaden its culinary mix while maintaining its character as a destination where visitors can combine dining with retail and lifestyle experiences.