About Candlenut (Michelin Star Peranakan)
Tucked in the leafy Dempsey Hill area, this upscale Peranakan restaurant serves elevated Nonya cooking in a polished, air-conditioned dining room with a relaxed, heritage-inspired interior. The vibe is smart-casual — ideal for special-occasion dinners, date nights and business lunches, with an attentive front-of-house and the kind of plated presentation that suits celebratory meals.
The typical crowd ranges from families marking milestones to the CBD lunch crowd who travel across town for the signature dishes; weekends see couples and foodie groups booking ahead. Its menu highlights classic Peranakan flavours such as buah keluak, babi pongteh and kueh pie tee, reworked with contemporary techniques — a good example of how Singapore restaurants reimagine local comfort food for a dining-out culture that values both tradition and innovation.
Located close to Tanglin and the Botanic Gardens/Orchard precinct, it’s commonly paired with a stroll around Dempsey or pre/post-dinner drinks in nearby bars. Locals treat it as a destination for special dinners and tasting menus, while visitors often stop by to sample refined Singaporean cuisine and to tick off Michelin-starred Peranakan on their makan list.
Signature Dishes
- Ayam buah keluak (Peranakan keluak chicken)
- Babi pongteh with braised pork
- Nonya laksa with rich coconut broth
- Kueh pie tee — crispy tartlets with savoury filling
- Assorted Peranakan kueh (traditional desserts)
Opening Hours
- Mon: Closed
- Tue–Fri: 12:00pm–2:30pm, 6:00pm–10:00pm
- Sat–Sun: 11:30am–3:00pm, 6:00pm–10:00pm
