Distance: 2.1-2.5km to walk the circumference
Get dropped off at the corner of Holland Rd/Minden Rd to increase your steps.
Once a British army barracks, now a leafy black n’ white compound of art, retail, food and lifestyle, pic-pretty Dempsey offers plenty of walkability… though be warned it’s a veritable maze and there’s very little to no shade. Time your outing for early morning or late afternoon, or, better still, combine your stepathon with these lush pit stops.
A. Open Farm Community
Trail-blazer Ryan Clift helms this rustic designer shed complete with Singapore’s first legitimate kitchen garden. Feast on straight-forward, beautifully-plated, patch-fresh produce either grown onsite or sourced locally before strolling the lovingly tended grounds.
130E Minden Rd, +65 6471 0306, lunch & dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun, openfarmcommunity.com
B. PS Café at Harding
A Dempsey stalwart, this gorgeous light-filled conservatory with verdant views and spacious terrace is popular with the brunch set on weekends so book ahead. Feeling triumphant with your workout? Treat yourself to one of the ridiculously indulgent cakes. Sibling PS Chopsuey Cafe is but a chopstick toss away for Chinese comforts.
28B Harding Rd, +65 6708 9288, 8am-11pm Sun-Thu, till midnight Fri-Sat, pscafe.com/pscafe-at-harding-road
C. COMO Cuisine
Join the Pilates-honed green queens upping their antioxidant levels with COMO’s nourishing east-west superfood bowls. Meat-eaters fret not: sizzling steaks and moreish curries are found alongside the raw and fun-free.
18A Dempsey Rd, +65 1800 304 6688, 8am-10pm Sun-Thu, till 10.30pm Fri-Sat, comodempsey.sg
D. The Dempsey Cookhouse & Bar
This chichi tropical villa pulls a smart crowd with Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s zingin’ Michelin-starred palate pleasers. A veritable scene spot on weekends, be sure to book ahead (or walk in and nab a pew at the bar).
17D Dempsey Rd, lunch & dinner daily, brunch Sat-Sun, +65 1800 304 5588, comodempsey.sg
E. Candlenut
The world’s first Michelin-starred Peranakan restaurant, Malcolm Lee’s elevated take on trad Baba-Nyonya cuisine is a must for foodies. Like what you try? Shop for ingredients at COMO Marketplace afterwards.
17A Dempsey Rd, +65 1800 304 2288, lunch & dinner daily, comodempsey.sg
F. Dover Street Market
DSM brings its trademark edit of all that is cool and conceptual to COMO Dempsey. The Japanese avant-garde – Junya, Commes et al are shelved alongside streetwear and dedicated sneaker space.
18 Dempsey Rd, +65 6304 1388, 11am-8pm daily, singapore.doverstreetmarket.com
G. EM Gallery
Browse Emiko Nakamura’s covetable stash of Asian textiles and ceramics, then hit Curio Home Accents for contemporary British furniture by the likes of Andrew Martin and Kelly Hoppen.
26 Dempsey Rd, #01-03A, +65 6475 6941, 10am-7pm daily, em.gallery
H. Bungalow 55
Globestrutting interiors whiz and owner Nina picks up pieces to shelve in this light n’ airy honeypot of ever-so tasteful tropical-meets-the-Hamptons furny, tableware, lighting and gifts.
8D Dempsey Rd, #03-04, +65 8318 5358, 10am-5.30pm Tue-Sat, till 5pm Sun-Mon, thebungalow55.com
I. The Yard Dempsey
Drop the sprogs off for a fun, immersive acrobatic session at this fully kitted out gymnastics studio dedicated to the under 10s.
72 Loewen Rd, #01-07, +65 6914 9660, 10am-8pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-6.30pm Sat, 8am-2pm Sun, theyard.sg
J. SWISH! Swimming
Want to improve your technique, train for a Tri or simply gain confidence in the water? Splash out at this professional swim school offering classes for kids and adults alike.
72 Loewen Rd, #01-08, +65 9832 2522, 9am-6pm daily, swishswimming.com
Hero image: Bungalow 55 /iStock
ManulifeMOVE has no association with any of the landmarks, dining venues, galleries or retailers included within this walking guide, selected by LUXE, and disclaims any liability as to the accuracy, adequacy or reliability of any information contained herein.
