Last day for Violet Oon’s Jewel outlet is Feb 3; new Dempsey restaurant to open end-March

Restaurateur Violet Oon is moving her restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport to Dempsey. PHOTO: VIOLET OON SINGAPORE

Tan Hsueh Yun

UPDATED Jan 31, 2025, 04:30 PM

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SINGAPORE – Singaporean restaurateur and cooking doyenne Violet Oon is closing her restaurant at Jewel Changi Airport after five years, and moving it to the leafy restaurant enclave of Dempsey Hill.

The last day of operations at Violet Oon Singapore at Jewel is Feb 3.

Ms Oon, 75, tells The Straits Times: “Jewel has been a cherished part of our journey, from being part of its opening to navigating the challenges of Covid-19. While it is always bittersweet to close a chapter, we are grateful for the experiences we’ve had.”

ST had reported in August 2024 that Ms Oon, who put Peranakan and Singapore food on the world map, won the tender for the space in Dempsey. The complex of low-rise buildings – now home to restaurants, cafes and lifestyle businesses – dates back to 1860, when it served as British military barracks.

She says: “Dempsey holds a personal place in my heart. From 1976, while still a reporter at (Singapore newspaper) New Nation, I used to travel there each week to be choir mistress of the newly formed Music & Drama Company.