Blu Kouzina Dempsey offers a quick getaway to Greece in the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, bringing an authentic Greek dining experience to Singapore. The restaurant's rustic furniture, imported from remote villages of Greece, sets the ambiance, inviting guests to immerse themselves in Mediterranean dining within Singapore's serene Dempsey enclave.
Blu Kouzina was founded by Effie Tsakiris, whose passion for cooking authentic Greek meals for friends and family grew into catering requests and, eventually, the opening of the first Blu Kouzina restaurant in Bukit Timah in 2010. Her husband Dennis Tsakiris, drawing on a corporate background in finance and accounting at firms like Deloitte and Reckitt Benckiser, later partnered with her to expand the business into delivery, catering, wholesale, retail and food production, guided by the Greek spirit of hospitality known as "philoxenia." The Dempsey location itself has grown significantly since relocating there in 2016, expanding from a 90-seater to a 160-seater, and later to a 300-seater restaurant in 2018.
At the heart of Blu Kouzina's approach is "philotimo" — a Greek principle of respect, kindness and treating strangers like dearest friends. The kitchen rejects processed products and shortcuts, uses no microwaves, and even when preparing fried dishes on request, uses extra virgin sunflower oil to maintain quality. Blu Kouzina also produces its own Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Greek Honey from the founders' own estates.
Tucked into the lush greenery of Dempsey Hill, Blu Kouzina Dempsey offers what the restaurant calls a quick getaway to Greece — an authentic Greek dining experience set apart by rustic furniture imported from remote villages of Greece. The result is a dining room designed to transport guests into the charm of Mediterranean hospitality, right in the middle of one of Singapore's most serene dining enclaves.
Blu Kouzina's story begins with founder Effie Tsakiris, whose love of cooking authentic Greek meals for friends and family slowly turned into requests to cater events and parties. Recognising her gift for cooking, Effie opened the first Blu Kouzina restaurant in Bukit Timah in 2010. Her husband, Dennis Tsakiris, brought a very different set of skills to the table — a corporate background in finance and accounting from global firms including Deloitte and Reckitt Benckiser. Upon retiring, Dennis partnered with Effie to transform Blu Kouzina into something much bigger than a single restaurant, expanding the business into delivery, catering, wholesale, retail and food production. His approach is rooted in "philoxenia," the Greek spirit of hospitality, which continues to shape the essence of the Blu Kouzina dining experience.
The Dempsey location has grown considerably over the years. Blu Kouzina relocated there in 2016, expanding from a 90-seater to a 160-seater restaurant, before growing further into a 300-seater space by 2018 — a reflection of the restaurant's steadily rising popularity in Singapore's dining scene.
At Blu Kouzina, the guiding philosophy is deeply rooted in "philotimo" — a Greek principle encompassing respect, kindness, and treating strangers as though they were dearest friends. This ethos extends directly into the kitchen: the team meticulously selects only the finest, top-quality ingredients, treating the process with the same care a parent might give their children's wellbeing.
Authenticity is non-negotiable at Blu Kouzina. The kitchen rejects processed products and has never embraced microwaves or culinary shortcuts, instead upholding a tradition of freshness in every dish. Even when honouring guest requests for fried dishes, the kitchen maintains its standards by using extra virgin sunflower oil rather than cutting corners.
Blu Kouzina's commitment to authenticity extends beyond the dining room. The restaurant produces its own Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Greek Honey, sourced from the founders' cherished estates — a nod to the mutual dedication to crafting exquisite olive oil that was part of Blu Group's founding story back in 2010.
Beyond the à la carte experience, Blu Kouzina Dempsey caters to larger gatherings with a dedicated Group Menu, and offers hospitality services for private dinners and functions for those looking to host a special event. Gift cards are also available for anyone wanting to share the Blu Kouzina experience with friends or family.
Blu Kouzina Dempsey serves lunch from 11.30am to 3.30pm, with last orders at 2.30pm, and dinner from 5.30pm to 10.30pm, with last orders at 9.30pm. Reservations can be made directly or through Chope, and the restaurant is easily reached by phone or email for enquiries. With its blend of authentic Greek cooking, imported rustic charm, and a philosophy of treating every guest like family, Blu Kouzina Dempsey continues to be a distinctive dining destination in Singapore.