Chef Antonio Miscellaneo, the celebrated force behind pizza palace La Bottega Enoteca and casual Italian chain Casa Vostra, is expanding his culinary empire to Dempsey Hill. Opening on October 24, Petra marks his first major departure from Italian cuisine. The 8,000-square-foot, 119-seat restaurant is the realization of a personal craving for the simple, bold flavours of the Mediterranean that Miscellaneo cherished while living in London.
A New Chapter for a Pizza Pro
Miscellaneo’s standing in the Italian dining world is undisputed. He recently secured the 85th spot on the global Top 100 pizzaiolos ranking, and his flagship La Bottega was crowned Singapore’s highest-ranked pizzeria at The Best Pizza Awards 2026. His casual concepts, Casa Vostra, are renowned for the daily queues they attract. At Petra, he takes the reins as executive chef-owner, steering the kitchen toward an expansive interpretation of coastal Mediterranean cooking.
A Menu Inspired by the Ancient World
True to its name—inspired by the historic trading hub of Petra in the Levant—the restaurant celebrates cross-cultural exchange. This fusion is deeply embedded in the kitchen. Executive chef Anas Shami (formerly of Aniba Singapore) and chef Dawid Nowosadzki (of Ottolenghi fame and KOMA Japan) bring a unique blend of experience from the Middle East, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
The menu reads like a journey through the region: fresh seafood, small plates, grilled meats and fish, and legumes. A standout feature is an Ottolenghi-inspired salad bar, bursting with seasonal vegetables and punchy dressings. Keep an eye out for a dedicated seafood counter showcasing the day’s freshest catch, and a bread oven turning out warm Middle Eastern flatbreads. Olive oil, herbs, spice, and smoke define the culinary identity here.
Dempsey Hill’s Dining Renaissance
Petra is a key player in a significant transformation of the Dempsey Hill dining scene this year.
- Shirazi brings Persian cooking to the hill in a semi-fine dining setting, helmed by chefs Mohammad Hosseini and Ying. Don’t miss the charcoal-grilled kebabs, Persian rice, and signature black hummus.
- SHAO @ Dempsey brings contemporary Teochew cuisine to its fourth location. The menu features marinated roe crab, signature BBQ roe crab, and Hokkaido cuttlefish with squid ink.
- Casa Mori opened earlier this year with a wildly creative cross-cultural menu from chefs Willin Low and José Alonso. Expect Singaporean flavours meeting Spanish techniques in dishes like the Kalipoquetas (a curry puff–croquet fusion) and Iberico pork skewers with Indonesian sate glaze.
- Margarita’s has been completely refreshed with revamped interiors and a contemporary Mexican menu featuring pink guava shrimp tacos and leche frita.
A New Reason to Visit Dempsey Hill
With this influx of vibrant new concepts, Dempsey Hill is solidifying its reputation as a premier dining destination. Whether you’re drawn by Miscellaneo’s bold Mediterranean vision or eager to explore the diverse new tables on the hill, there has never been a better time to plan a visit. For a full overview of everything opening, head to the official Dempsey Hill website.