Australian speciality coffeehouse Puzzle Coffee opens flagship cafe at Dempsey Hill, features a new, delicious all-day menu

When we think of Dempsey Hill, we immediately envision it as a dining destination for romantic dates and intimate get-togethers.  

Not only is it a charming lifestyle enclave brimming with a slew of upscale restaurants and posh boutiques, but it also boasts some of the best views around. Imagine savouring a meal amid its tranquil, idyllic setting — all while admiring the picturesque vista of its greenery.

And if Dempsey Hill’s gorgeous landscaping isn’t enough reason for you to head down, it also sees the recent (and much-anticipated) addition of beloved Australian specialty coffeehouse, Puzzle Coffee, to its thriving dining portfolio. 

If its name seems to ring a bell, that’s because Puzzle Coffee already has a takeaway kiosk at Ion Orchard shopping mall. However, its latest inception at Dempsey Hill marks an exciting new chapter for the Melbourne-born brand. It’s set to be its flagship cafe (along with an all-day menu and dine-in seats) in Singapore.

Don’t make your way down just yet, though — Puzzle Coffee at Dempsey Hill is slated to open on Sep 30.

Dempsey Hill isn’t the easiest place to navigate — most eateries are either steeped in foliage or sequestered in a similar-looking, black-and-white colonial bungalow (as the majority of stores in the area are). 

It can be a tad confusing to locate Puzzle Coffee — especially for those who’ve never been to Dempsey Hill before — but simply keep your eyes peeled for the white marquee hanging at its doorstep, emblazoned with a logo of its signature puzzle piece motif.

When you enter, you’re immediately greeted with a chorus of welcomes and the fragrant aroma of freshly ground coffee wafting in the air. It embodies the warmth and essence of coffee shops in Melbourne perfectly, where you’d enjoy a familiar cup of joe at your favourite cafe. 

If you’d like to feel the cool breeze on your face and relish the outdoor view, take a seat at its al fresco dining space. It’s outfitted with plush cushions that you can lounge on as you bask in the serenity of the place — we think they’re the best seats in the house. 

But if the weather disagrees, Puzzle Coffee’s interior is pretty cosy, too. Warm lights engulf the cafe and it’s dressed in a mellow palette of beiges and browns. It’s meant to be casual and unpretentious, choosing to focus more on its fare and flavours.

An all-day menu with fusion flavours

Besides a new space, Puzzle Coffee also welcomes a brand-new, all-day menu. According to the team, it’s a love letter to Melbourne’s cafe scene — the dishes here are crafted to reflect the tantalising flavours of its fare, albeit with a sprinkling of local and fusion influences. 

In contrast to its takeaway outlet at Ion Orchard, which serves solely pastries and brews, Puzzle Coffee’s menu at Dempsey Hill focuses on brunch items and desserts, so you’d be able to enjoy a full-fledged meal when you’re here.

We’d start with the prawn linguine (S$30), Puzzle Coffee’s take on the comforting Italian recipe. It’s an umami-laden dish that comprises a bed of twirled, al dente pasta, and drizzled with a savoury, slightly spicy sauce. 

The sauce is the highlight here. It’s incorporated with a medley of ingredients to bring out the rich brininess of the prawns. Made with slow-cooked capers, cherry tomatoes and a smattering of chilli and dill, the gravy is finished with white wine and butter for an added layer of creaminess.

Last but not least, fresh and succulent prawns crown the dish, then garnished with edible flowers for a pop of colour. Overall, it’s an aromatic plate perfumed with bits of garlic and spices, all of which come together to enhance the dish.

If you’re someone who likes bolder, meatier flavours, then the Reuben toastie (S$20) will tickle your fancy. It’s a classic deli sandwich loaded with juicy slices of tender beef brisket — the protein is prepared in-house for more than five hours, which lends it its tasty, melt-in-your-mouth texture. 

Tying it all together is a rich and decadent gruyere cheese that’s slathered all over the light rye sourdough bread. It’s a molten topping that goes well on bread and meat and imbues a light sweetness to the otherwise savoury sandwich. 

We also like that the sourdough bread was well-toasted and had a crisp, slightly smoky edge. It gave us an addictive crunchiness that balanced out the softer, gentler textures of the cheese and beef brisket.

Despite being a self-proclaimed sweet tooth, I’m not a huge fan of pancakes, in general. That’s because many iterations we’ve tried tend to be overly dense and buttery, which gets very jelak (overly rich) after a few bites. 

That’s why we were a tad sceptical when we noticed the buttermilk pancakes (S$25) on the menu. But we were quickly proven wrong — it tasted surprisingly amazing. 

Encircled by an assortment of fresh fruits, it’s a jiggly, picture-worthy dessert that’s adorned with a luscious dollop of tangy lemon curd, whipped cream and a velvety cheesecake mousse. The latter is infused with hints of citrus and vanilla, which adds a refreshing zestiness to the creamy base. 

The pancakes are also layered with a piquant mixed-berry compote, which has enough acidity to balance out the sweetness in the treat. We also found the dessert to have the right amount of fluffiness —  airy and light — and wasn’t heavy on the palate at all.

The decadent matcha lava cake (S$22) is a sinful treat to behold. A luscious chocolate cake takes centre stage, where it oozes molten matcha lava ganache from the middle. It’s a lovely switch-up from the perennial, chocolate-based lava treats, and appeals to matcha fans. 

Making the dessert all the more irresistible is a generous scattering of chocolate crumble and a scoop of matcha ice cream. With each spoonful, you get to savour the sweetness of the matcha alongside a heady rush of rich chocolate.

We probably all have that friend who’s a die-hard bubble tea fan — they’ll love the brown sugar boba cake (S$21) at Puzzle Coffee. It’s a quirky creation that combines both an airy, tea-based chiffon cake and boba in one dessert — it’s a tried-and-true pairing that works fabulously well here. 

A light, hojicha-flavoured chiffon cake atop a chocolate crumble forms the base, then, the dessert is heaped with a smooth cream. The dessert is also served with a side of warm brown-sugar boba pearls that you’re meant to pour over it, which gives it the sticky-sweet coating that’s synonymous (and much loved) with boba milk tea drinks.

Opening deals 

To celebrate Puzzle Coffee’s flagship cafe opening, the brand is rolling out a couple of sweet promotions. 

From Sep 30 to Oct 13, diners can enjoy a buy-one-get-one-free deal on all its coffee and iced beverages. During this period, you can also enjoy 10% off all food items on the menu.

For those who’d like to savour Puzzle Coffee’s new all-day menu, or simply stop by just for the vibes, this is the perfect chance to do so — you can even stretch your dollar while you’re at it!

This was a hosted tasting.

For the latest eats, check out Indonesian-style ramen joint Ono Ramen on North Bridge Road and sourdough bakery Marymount Bakehouse at Farrer Park. Alternatively, check out the newest openings in Singapore here. 

You can also book a ride to Puzzle Coffee to savour its new all-day menu. 

Do explore the GrabFood Dine Out service for awesome deals.