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Restaurants
Singapore
Dempsey
Candlenut
Candlenut Reviews

Candlenut

Photo of restaurant Candlenut in Dempsey, Singapore
Candlenut is not bookable via Quandoo. To make a reservation, contact the restaurant using the details below.

Reviews of Candlenut (283)

Read what people think about Candlenut. All restaurant reviews are written by verified Quandoo diners. Learn more about Candlenut before you go by getting tips and ratings from other restaurant-goers. With real-life reviews, you can see what other diners loved about Candlenut and book a table with confidence!

5.2/6

283 reviews

5.2/6

283 reviews

Food:Outstanding
Atmosphere:Pleasant
Service:Great
Value for money:Good value
Waiting time:Exceptionally Good
Noise levels:Pleasant
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"Very good"
5/6
John C.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Location good, local peranaken cuisine different, spicy and very enjoyable. value for money. Would definitely return and recommend this restaurant to be on everyone's restaurant list if visiting Singapore

"Very good"
5/6
Jane Y.7 years ago · 1 review

Food Serving take about 10 minutes. Food is good & staff are friendly & attentive. But training needed as some of the young staff were not aware of their offering

"Good"
4/6
Angeline L.7 years ago · 1 review

the food was good. There was a twist to the cooking which was interesting. We love the wing bean salad. Very refreshing. However it was pricey. Even belachan had to be paid for. Service should be improved as well.

"Excellent"
6/6
Joseph K.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Very well structured and balanced meal. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and was also glad to meet Malcolm to find out more about his heritage and background. Overall, a very pleasant experience. I'll definitely be back!

"Very good"
5/6
Jeanette Y.7 years ago · 2 reviews

The chef decides the course menu. All the dishes were tasty and satisfying. They had this spicy, creamy crab dish that took the cake. Service was alright.

"Excellent"
6/6
Rachel O.7 years ago · 4 reviews

It was my second time in Candlenut this week. Brought my family members to try Candlenut and they loved the food! The service team was very cordial and attentive. Love the potato leaf with curry, buah keluak wagyu beef, Pork Jowl salad on Betel leaf. Great experience and great food!

"Excellent"
6/6
James L.7 years ago · 1 review

It was an awesome dining experience. The food was delicious and the presentation was great. The ambience was stellar and the service staff were attentive and obliging. Will visit again.

"Excellent"
6/6
David C.7 years ago · 1 review

The fixed menu was a great balance of all the permutations of the Peranakan kitchen. My friend enjoyed the halal version of the same meal. Service was friendly and charming

"Good"
4/6
Mel Y.7 years ago · 1 review

They did fusion well but some dishes can be a bit too spicy and to make it worse they charge for water (even if it's for a glass).

"Very good"
5/6
Wilson L.7 years ago · 1 review

The amakase cuisine was very good. I especially liked the bua kaluak soup with beef cheek and the grilled chicken. The bua kaluak dessert was also excellent. Overall experience was very pleasant.

"Excellent"
6/6
Pang D.7 years ago · 2 reviews

GOOD AS USUAL. ASSAM SOTONG IN SQUID INK WAS INSPIRED! GULA MELAKA KING PRAWN WAS MORISH TO SAY THE LEAST. BABI PONTEH, SLURP SLURP SLURP.

"Very good"
5/6
Rachel O.7 years ago · 4 reviews

Brought my overseas friends to Candlenut for dinner. The food was excellent, great interpretation of what Pernankan food is about. It was a great experience for my friends, who has never tried Pernankan food. Service staff could be more prompt; it was hard getting their attention. I love their vegetable curry and the Buah Keluak Ice cream!!

"Very good"
5/6
Mervin B.7 years ago · 1 review

The food today was excellent - perhaps better than at our previous visits. Our guests from UK and USA are all very familiar with Peranakan food, and agreed that it was very good. Candlenut now offers only a tasting menu for dinner, which is a bummer. Definitely not something a regular is likely to be keen about, as it limits selection, and is too heavy / expensive at $50++. Please bring us back the ability to choose!

"Very good"
5/6
Lucius L.7 years ago · 1 review

Good service and great food. They had a fixed menu but we wished they had an ala carte menu so we could order more! Overall, a great experience

"Excellent"
6/6
Artiom M.7 years ago · 1 review

Very good and polite Service. For me it was important because I am visiting Singapore and have no idea what to order. Lady helped us too choose and was making sure true whole visit that we are satisfied! Very tasty and unique food, very fast!

"Excellent"
6/6
Yingxia T.7 years ago · 12 reviews

Very Awesome peranakan food, will be back again for sure.

"Good"
4/6
Anastasia H.7 years ago · 1 review

It was nice restaurant and the food was also very tasty

"Very good"
5/6
Fernando C.7 years ago · 1 review

Excellent taste. Nice service but all the food at the same time is no good idea (some dishes get cold while eating the others). Must improve napkins.

"Excellent"
6/6
IRENE L.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Simply love the authentic peranakan food! Most of them are divine especially my favorite assam sotong. This is one of the dishes i must order. Last week, brought few friends there and we ordered like 6-7 dishes for four of us. Within 25 minutes, all the dishes are cleared!!!!!!! The staff there are very warm and service oriented except it is not easy to get a last minute reservation other than that, i won't hesitate to recommend Candlenut to anyone.

"Excellent"
6/6
Meow T.7 years ago · 1 review

The best peranakan food in my opinion and great service.

"Very good"
5/6
Mike C.7 years ago · 1 review

Excellent experience. Food portion were relatively small, but the food was delicious and service was excellent. Couldn't really complain, as it was a an excellent night out with friends. Will go again.

"Excellent"
6/6
David F.7 years ago · 4 reviews

Great food, great service. Been here a few times now and it's an enjoyable experience every time. Just make sure you're good with eating spice!

"Very good"
5/6
Kelly T.7 years ago · 1 review

Almost EVERY meat dish are succulent and I mean it! The crab meatballs for its Bakwan kepiting are tender and juicy as well. But my friends complained that it's not flavourful and lacks the 'omph' factor. I beg to differ. I love the way their meat are cooked n most of their dishes aren't too saltish (except Itek Tim). Couldn't taste MSG. I will visit to try their other dishes next time :)

"Excellent"
6/6
IRENE L.7 years ago · 2 reviews

I have been to candlenut a few times as i like the ambience as well as the food. Food is divine and the assam squid is delicate. Awesome in short!! Today i brought my Boss and colleague there and they both shared my comment. However, i was a little disappointed to learn that the ala carte menu will be taken off soon. I will bring another group of friends there next week to avoid disappointment of the ala carte menu. But for sure i will not stop bringing people there to enjoy the food there. People there are warm and service oriented. Like this place very much but it is difficult to get a reservation. My boss tried booking for coming saturday when we were there during lunch today but they are fully booked even consider two days in advanced.

"Very good"
5/6
Run Qing T.7 years ago · 2 reviews

It was my second visit and I love the food and the atmosphere. I am looking forward to try out the new menu with my family!

"Excellent"
6/6
Janice C.7 years ago · 1 review

Amazing food and service.. Servings were a tad smaller than expected if you're looking to share... Just order a second, it's worth it =)

"Good"
4/6
Bernard L.7 years ago · 1 review

Service staffs were friendly. Food was great. We ordered the ayam Buah Keluak, chap chye, sambal mushroom and Babi Ponteh. Except for the Buah Keluak which we find a tad too watery, the other dishes were sedap! 👍👍

"Excellent"
6/6
Ken Hwee T.7 years ago · 13 reviews

fantastic. great food. highly recommended for sharing groups of diners.

"Good"
4/6
Isabel L.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Overall the food was yummy & tasty. However, the portion is too small for sharing among 5 paxs.

"Awful"
1/6
Grace W.7 years ago · 1 review

My past experience dining there was excellent. So in spite of the restn changing the ala carte to set menu at S$50 per pax for dinner, I was determined to show off the cuisine to my overseas guests. I had trusted that the restaurant could deliver. Sadly the dishes were not those we came to love about Peranakan dishes. No rendang, no chap chye, babi pongtey, ayam buah keluak, etc. Perhaps the restaurant had gone too modern for my taste. The service time was sooo slow that we had to ask to be served main dishes 3 x. By right, these should be served all at the same time. It is not a Western meal. Plus, having set menus meant that the dishes are already planned right? I highlighted to the restaurant staff to one of my guest's allergies and was informed that they will try to make exception because it's set dishes. But to be charged S$40 for fried rice and kangkong and a simple fried minced pork dish and duck/pork soup is really not worth it. Moreover the servers are not very familiar with the ingredients and inspite of confirming with every dish served to my friend, he had an allergic reaction to one of the dishes. That said, I am totally disappointed and embarrassed. A real pity. The set menu doesn't work.

"Excellent"
6/6
Linda L.7 years ago · 1 review

Wow what a fantastic restaurant. The food is delicious and the service is excellent. Will visit again soon. Thank you!

"Very good"
5/6
Clara W.7 years ago · 1 review

The service was good and the location wasn't difficult to find, The food was spicy but i am really glad for the refillable water and rice. That helps alot. The waiter who served us was also very polite. All in all, a good experience. The portions are a bit small for a big eater like me though but otherwise it is really good,

"Very good"
5/6
Pang D.7 years ago · 2 reviews

One of the best places to have peranakan food in Singapore. Refined presentation of textures and flavours, inspired but still traditional. Desserts are pretty special too, the Texture of Coconut and Buah Keluak Ice Cream stood out.

"Excellent"
6/6
Dr Sian Wee T.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Great food, great ambiance, great service and overall a super location to be at. Away from the hustle and bustle of the CBD, just off Chinatown

"Very good"
5/6
Angela N.7 years ago · 27 reviews

Great Peranakan food. Chef keeps it traditional and modern at the same time. Definitely a good way to introduce friends to this unique cuisine!

"Excellent"
6/6
Michael N.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Delicious food, nice staff. Great place to bring visitors that are looking for "not the usual" Singaporean cuisine.

"Excellent"
6/6
Rosalind H.7 years ago · 1 review

My guest and I were impressed by the inspired and creative interpretation of traditional peranakan dishes.They remained authentic and delicious in taste, portions were also adequate. Every dish we ordered was a delightful experience. Will definitely go there again.

"Good"
4/6
Betty L.7 years ago · 5 reviews

A very busy seating, we had difficulty getting the attention of our server. He forgot to serve rice. We waited a long while for the ordering of wine. And a long wait for deserts. Service level has declined since our last visit a month ago. Food standard is still great!

"Excellent"
6/6
Pei Yun C.7 years ago · 1 review

Generally a place with good food. Every dish satisfied the palate. Ambience was good. It was a place that was accessible by MRT train. The nearest train station is Outram Park MRT station. It helps to make reservation as seats are limited.

"Excellent"
6/6
Rick L.7 years ago · 1 review

Great food and friendly staff. We had a very enjoyable night. Prices were reasonable by Singapore standards.

"Very good"
5/6
Angelina F.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Yummy, modern Peranakan food! Traditionalists may find the experience disconcerting. Candlenut's version of beef (gasp!) buah keluak has added the flesh of the nut added into the gravy, resulting in a thick, dark, fragrant sauce that you just can't stop eating with rice. Those who love the flavour and texture of buah keluak but dislike the work involved will cheer and eat up. Other must-try dishes include kueh pie tee, ngoh hiang, chap chye, and mum's curry. Portions are a generous serving for four.

"Very good"
5/6
Greg H.7 years ago · 6 reviews

Good and authentic Peranakan cuisine is really hard to come by, and Candlenut sure didn't disappoint. Be sure to try their super tender beef rib buah keluak!

"Good"
4/6
Trish T.7 years ago · 29 reviews

Service was prompt, can get attention easily. Food was good. Free flow of rice and water.

"Excellent"
6/6
Chee Siong L.7 years ago · 1 review

The food was great! Prices were also reasonable. Highly recommended

"Very good"
5/6
Timothy C.7 years ago · 1 review

Yummy, unique, fairly decently priced food. Will definitely return - with others!

"Excellent"
6/6
Sarah Q.7 years ago · 10 reviews

The service was good. I liked the ambiance and the 'Mum's Curry' is really delicious! Another must try is the buah keluak dessert - this was really different and I enjoyed the popping sensation. (:

"Very good"
5/6
Leonard E.7 years ago · 1 review

generally good food and service! enjoyed ourselves. . . .

"Very good"
5/6
Janie C.7 years ago · 6 reviews

Authentic Peranakan cuisine in a fuss free and cozy environment. Love the ju hu char served in pie tee cups and the zesty wing bean salad. Portions are a little small for the prices they charge though.

"Very good"
5/6
Jael L.7 years ago · 5 reviews

Food was good. However, serving was small for the dishes so may want to order more for sharing. The rice was free flow though. And staff were generally attentive.

"Very good"
5/6
BH T.7 years ago · 5 reviews

Excellent food which while not have been traditional peranakan food, was still tasty and retained enough of old school flavour. price may be a little higher (S$160 for 4 people) but worth it. must tries are the crab curry and buah keluah ice cream! the size of the menu is not large, so try everything!