Park Bench Deli review: An icon returns with cult-favourite sandwiches you can’t miss

Park Bench Deli is back with a pop-up at Dempsey! We’ve got all the intel on the menu, what you need to order, and what’s worth your calories.

Park Bench Deli has emerged once more! This time, it’s setting up shop at The Pantry at Dempsey for a limited-time pop-up, bringing its much-loved sandwiches back into the city’s brunch scene. PBD regulars and those who never got a chance to try its famed Reuben, this is your chance. Nine of Park Bench Deli’s cult-favourite sandwiches are featured on the menu, along with various brunch classics, sweet options, and coffee. Here’s your sneak peek at all the sandwiches you can try. Remember to read our Dempsey Hill guide for the scoop on other cool restaurants in the neighbourhood.

Park Bench Deli Dempsey pop-up review: Details at a glance

Best for: Cafe hoppers; Park Bench Deli regulars; foodies who missed the brand
Must-tries: Pastrami Reuben; Hot Fried Chicken; Breakfast banh mi
Price: Sandwiches start from $15
Opening hours: Until 5 April 2026; Thursday to Tuesday, 9am to 4pm; closed on Wednesdays
Address: Park Bench Deli, The Pantry, 16A Dempsey Road, Singapore 247695

Park Bench Deli Dempsey review: The brunch vibe is fire

The balmy sunshine, lush green trees, and serene silence – Park Bench Deli has everything you need for your perfect weekend brunch. I walked in (almost forgetting I was there for work), excited and eager to get my hands on its coveted sandwiches.

Park Bench Deli founder Andrei Soen greets me and my fellow visitors warmly, giving us the lay of the land. The smoker on the patio caught my eye, and I cheekily asked Andrei if I could take a peek inside. He gladly obliged while telling me about the 15-hour smoke time and the European oak he uses.

Before the closure of its Telok Ayer location, they used to smoke their pastrami in the oven – a far cry from this new setup! The added outdoor space at The Pantry gave him the opportunity to try full-fledged smoking for the first time. Andrei chuckles and tells me it took him many YouTube videos to figure it out, but he’s got it down.

Breakfast options to start your morning right

Now, on to the real meat and potatoes of this Park Bench Deli Dempsey review – the sandwiches.

The menu is broken up into two sections: a breakfast side and a heartier lunch side. Andrei’s goal with his sandwiches is to offer high-quality bites filled with all the good stuff. Plus, his menu brings a taste of American sandwich culture to Singapore.

The sausage egg muffin ($15) is basically a recreation of the McGriddles, sans the Mc. The breakfast sausage patty is infused with maple syrup, topped with a fluffy omelette, American cheese, and a hash brown between English muffins. The sausage leans a little too sweet for me, but it’ll delight any McGriddles lover.

A standout for me is the breakfast banh mi ($24). Stuffed with spam, chicken liver pate, pork floss, and pickled veggies, it hits that sweet spot between salty indulgence and a refreshing tartness. Instead of a crunchy baguette, PBD opts for a soft and chewy hoagie roll, which I enjoyed since it meant I didn’t have to use my teeth and fight the crust for that delicious bite.

No brunch spot is complete without a big breakfast, and the PBD big breakfast ($32) is here to serve. It features a huge spread – maple sausage, hash brown, scrambled eggs, and two mini lemon ricotta pancakes. “Those are the minis?” I said out loud to my amused tablemates, almost afraid of what the full-sized ones would look like. Every element on the plate was delicious (again, I’m personally not a fan of sweet sausage), but the sandwiches continue to be a star at Park Bench.

What's On

Park Bench Deli's pop-up: All the juicy details

Bring on the Reuben!

Regulars will be thrilled to know Andrei has also brought back some favourites beyond the pastrami Reuben! This includes the Philly cheesesteak and the Cubano.

The pastrami Reuben ($34) is new and improved with a tinge of smokiness from the onsite smoker. If you aren’t a fan of smoky food, fret not – Andrei tells me the meat is intentionally undersmoked so the flavours aren’t overwhelming. It’s still a work in progress as he continues to figure out how to work his smoker, but it’s already a winner in my book.

Spice fiends must try the hot fried chicken ($26) because it won’t disappoint. The Southern fried chicken is doused in Andrei’s homemade garlic chilli crunch and spicy mayo, with coleslaw and dill pickles on top to soothe the heat. The spice on the first bite threw us, but it was a welcome punch to the palate. It builds with every bite, so tread with caution.

If you’re a fan of cold cuts, the Italian Godfather ($28) is the ultimate bite. Packed with high-quality mortadella, salami, and shaved ham, it’ll send you into charcuterie heaven. I especially loved the zing of the Calabrian chilli mayo. All in all, chef’s kiss.

The real question: Is Park Bench Deli back for good?

Andrei tells me that bringing Park Bench Deli back to the food scene was always on the back of his mind. However, the tumultuous state of Singapore’s F&B scene remains a major hurdle. For now, Andrei has no plans to find a permanent spot for the concept, but I certainly hope he’ll change his mind if he finds something that fits.

In the meantime, fans can still enjoy his delectable sandwiches until the end of the pop-up in April. Early visitors to the pop-up have reported long waits and clunky service, so we’d recommend giving the team some time to find their footing. The sandwiches are absolutely worth it, I promise.

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