Margarita's

Margarita's is a Mexican restaurant and bar at Dempsey Hill. It first opened on Faber Drive in 1988, and it calls itself Southeast Asia's oldest Mexican restaurant. It was also one of the few original tenants of Dempsey Hill as the area looks today.

Founder Andy still leads the kitchen as head chef. The cooking covers Mexican classics such as tacos, enchiladas and fajitas. The team also nods to Singapore's Chinese heritage with a Mexican version of yusheng, the raw fish salad tossed for good luck. It is not on the regular menu, so ask whether it is being served.

What to order

The menu runs from small plates and quesadillas to tacos, enchiladas, burritos and larger mains. Vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are marked. Good picks include:

• Elote: roasted sweet corn with spiced lime butter and cotija cheese
• Queso fundido: melted Oaxacan cheese with tequila-spiked chorizo
• Birria tacos: slow-cooked beef in guajillo chilli, served with consommé
• Chicken fajitas: with charred onions, cheese and flour tortillas
• Snapper Veracruz: fish with tomatoes, olives and jalapeños
• Lamb adobo: lamb shank with root vegetables and mashed cauliflower

For dessert, try the churros with Mexican chocolate or the tres leches citrus cake. Leche frita, a fried milk pudding with cinnamon syrup, is a less common choice. The bar is built around tequila and mezcal. It makes frozen margaritas by the glass or jug, plus premium ones such as the Grand Margarita with reposado tequila and Grand Marnier. Non-drinkers can pick virgin margaritas, fresh juices or agua de jamaica, a hibiscus drink.

The setting

The room takes its look from the old country estates of Mexico. Expect high beamed ceilings, wrought-iron details and a dim, cosy dining room. There is also an outdoor patio for those who prefer to sit outside. Live music appears now and then.

Margarita's suits family meals, dates and group dinners. It also hosts weddings and company events. For a large party, the space can take more than 250 guests, and long tables seat up to 30.

Good to know before you go

• Booking: reservations are recommended. Walk-ins are accepted, but waits can reach an hour at busy times. You can book through the Margarita's website.
• Dress code: smart casual. Singlets and slippers are not allowed.
• Dietary needs: there are vegetarian dishes, and many items can be made gluten-free on request. Tell your server or add a note to your booking.
• Pets: pets are welcome on the outdoor patio.
• Parking: free outdoor parking is available.
• Bringing your own: a corkage or plating fee applies if you bring wine or a cake.

Nearby

Margarita's is one of many places to eat at Dempsey Hill. Other restaurants here include Canchita Peruvian Cuisine, for more Latin American food, and Burnt Ends, a well-known barbecue restaurant. The Singapore Botanic Gardens are close by, so a morning walk and a long lunch work well together. For more ideas, read our Dempsey Hill and Holland Village guide or browse all restaurants in Dempsey, Tanglin and Holland.