Trending Food: 8 tiramisu treats to try

SINGAPORE – It has been pizza and pasta galore in 2024 as a procession of new Italian restaurants dish out the popular comfort food. 

But it is tiramisu that provides a triple-duty pick-me-up – an all-in-one aperitif, coffee and dessert on a plate – after one has inhaled plenty of carbs.

Many eateries are putting their own spin on the classic treat – typically made of coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits layered with mascarpone and dusted with cocoa powder – to round off a hearty Italian meal. 

Some amp up the booze factor with a blend of alcohols, while others infuse it with fruit or other unusual flavours, or put an innovative spin on the sponge fingers or cake beneath. 

The confection has also inspired tiramisu lattes at Luckin Coffee chain and Lucine by Luna cafe in Somerset. 

Over the years, the home-grown Da Paolo Group has dished out tiramisu in flavours such as Speculoos and gula melaka, as well as its current specials of matcha and fruitcake for the festive season. 

The group’s director Francesca Scarpa, 41, says: “This surge in Italian restaurants provides a wonderful opportunity for us to share our passion for tiramisu with a wider audience. 

“As more people discover this delightful dessert, it’s encouraging to see them embrace both the traditional recipe and creative variations that add a modern twist.” 

For some, like Mr Antonio Miscellaneo, 52, the Italian chef-owner of restaurants La Bottega Enoteca and Casa Vostra, however, the classic tiramisu still reigns supreme.

Previously, he offered iterations of the dessert at La Bottega Enoteca in Joo Chiat, including a do-it-yourself tiramisu and a “Pizzamisu” made with whipped mascarpone, egg yolk, coffee and cocoa layered on a slice of fried “Newpolitan” dough.

These days, he hews closely to tradition. La Bottega Enoteca’s tiramisu ($15) is spiked with rum, and includes egg white incorporated into the mascarpone for added lightness – no frills but made with care.

Its sister restaurant Casa Vostra at Raffles City offers a traditional tiramisu – sans alcohol – following the original tiramisu invented at the historic Le Beccherie restaurant in Treviso, Italy. The recipe uses just six ingredients – mascarpone, Savoiardi ladyfinger biscuits, egg yolk, sugar, coffee and cocoa powder. 

Mr Miscellaneo adds: “Tiramisu is the most popular dessert in Italian restaurants, but also the most adulterated; there are so many versions and preferences. We make it classic because that will never go wrong.” 

Whether you are a purist or someone hankering for something different, here is where to treat yourself. 

Pete’s Place

Where: Basement level, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road
Open: Noon to 2.30pm, 6 to 10.30pm daily 
Info: www.singapore.grand.hyattrestaurants.com/petes-place

For unlimited portions of tiramisu, head to Italian restaurant Pete’s Place at Grand Hyatt Singapore. 

Chef Salvatore Giorgio Catania’s recipe features a sabayon base of organic egg yolk whipped with sugar and white amaretto from Piedmont, his family’s home region in Italy. 

It is part of the buffet spread at the restaurant’s semi-buffet lunch (from $42++) and Sunday brunch ($88++ for adults).

For dinner, the dessert is served tableside as a generous a la carte portion ($18++). 

Da Paolo Gastronomia 

Where: All Da Paolo Gastronomia outlets, including 01-06 Raffles Holland V, 118 Holland Avenue; 01-108 VivoCity, 1 Harbourfront Walk; and B1-K8 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road 
Info: To order, and for the full list of outlets and opening hours, go to dapaolo.com.sg

For the widest variety of tiramisu options, home-grown Italian chain Da Paolo Gastronomia has you covered.

The current specials are the matcha tiramisu cup ($13.90), where Savoiardi biscuits are soaked in matcha tea and topped with matcha powder; and the festive fruitcake tiramisu ($13.90, available till Dec 26), featuring brandy-soaked fruit. 

For Chinese New Year 2025, mandarin tiramisu – with mandarin compote and Savoiardi biscuits soaked in mandarin juice – makes an auspicious return. 

Top sellers remain the classic (from $13.90 for a cup) and pistachio tiramisu cup ($14.90), says Ms Francesca Scarpa, 41, Da Paolo Group’s director. 

The classic ($19 a slice) and pistachio tiramisu ($20 a slice) are also available for dine-in and takeaway at Da Paolo Dempsey Restaurant & Bar. 

 Cat & the Fiddle 

Where: All Cat & the Fiddle outlets, including 01-18 Westgate, 3 Gateway Drive; 02-32A Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place; and 02-50 City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road 
Info: To order, and for the full list of outlets and opening hours, go to catandthefiddle.com 

A decade after it launched, the halal-certified cheesecake chain’s signature tiramisu cheesecake ($52.90 for a whole cake) remains a top seller for the brand. 

It is made with mascarpone, cream and espresso-soaked ladyfingers that provide a full-bodied coffee kick. 

Ginger.Lily

Where: Level 5 Hilton Singapore Orchard, 333 Orchard Road
Open: 8 to 1am daily (cake shop opens from 10am to 8pm daily)
Info: @ginger.lilysingapore on Instagram

A Venetian Tiramisu cake ($13.08 a slice, $76.30 for a whole cake) joins Ginger.Lily bar and lounge’s collection of botanical-themed cakes called Botanique En Fleurs.

It features espresso-soaked ladyfingers, Marsala wine, mascarpone and creamy eggnog mousse made with a traditional recipe from Venice. 

A layer of cocoa powder forms the “edible soil”, along with chocolate twigs and a dried and pressed four-leaf clover, to complete the garden theme. 

This adds to Ginger.Lily’s array of existing signature cakes, including The Sunflower ($81.75 for a whole cake) and Ginger.Lily Cacao Garden ($76.30 for a whole cake).

Casa Vostra 

Where: 01-49/50/51 Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road
Open: 11.30am to 10pm daily 
Info: casavostra.sg

This is one for the traditionalists. The tiramisu ($12) simply uses mascarpone, cocoa powder and Savoiardi ladyfinger biscuits soaked in decaffeinated coffee. It is both adult- and child-friendly, and you can sleep tight even after having it at dinner.  

Chicco Pasta Bar 

Where: 208 Telok Ayer Street and 27 Lorong Mambong
Open: Go to website for details
Info: chiccopasta.sg

This is probably the most dramatic version of the Italian dessert. Get your camera ready for Chicco Pasta Bar’s pistachio and coffee mascarpone tiramisu ($12), which comes with a cascading layer of creamy mascarpone topped with crunchy pistachio.  

Sospiri

Where: 07-02 IOI Central Boulevard Towers, 2 Central Boulevard
Open: 11.30am to 2.30pm (weekdays), 11.30am to 3pm (weekends), 6pm to midnight daily
Info: www.sospiri.sg

Another one for the purists. Italian restaurant and rooftop bar Sospiri’s tiramisu ($22) comes elegantly served in a tall glass.

Coffee and Marsala wine-soaked ladyfingers are layered with creamy and light mascarpone, and dusted with cocoa powder.

The dessert is also part of the four-course sharing menu ($88++ a person, minimum four people, available for lunch and dinner).

Puzzle Coffee 

Where: 01-02, 71 Loewen Road
Open: 8am to 6pm daily 
Info: @puzzlecoffeesg on Instagram

The second location of Melbourne’s Puzzle Coffee not only offers an all-day dining menu, but it also has a Cold Drip Tiramisu ($21), with layers of ladyfinger doused with the brand’s cold drip espresso, Kahlua coffee liqueur and Marsala wine. 

The ladyfingers are layered with a creamy mascarpone infused with yet more Kahlua and Marsala wine, then dusted with cocoa powder and topped with crunchy chocolate pearls for added texture.