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A Dine with a View at Vespetta Italian Restaurant.
Let’s start with a truth bomb: not every Italian restaurant in Singapore gets it right.
Some try too hard. Some phone it in. And some serve “carbonara” with cream sauce (we see you 👀).
But Vespetta?
Vespetta feels like someone took the soul of Puglia—that sun-drenched region in Southern Italy where food is simple, seafood is sacred, and every meal feels like Sunday—and placed it gently by the river at Boat Quay.
It’s not just a restaurant.
It’s a soft landing.
A quiet corner where you can hear the clink of wine glasses, smell the olive oil before it hits your tongue, and taste dishes that come with stories, not just price tags.
Perched along the river with the water gliding past like a lazy thought, Vespetta isn’t just a place to eat.
– GAN FASA (SINGAPORE FOR EVERYONE)
It’s a place to pause.
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From Puglia to Boat Quay: The Story Behind Vespetta
Vespetta’s story starts far from Singapore, in the sun-kissed landscapes of Apulia (or Puglia)—a region where the air smells like freshly harvested olives, and family gatherings are incomplete without four kinds of pasta on the table.
That’s where Antonio and Francesco began.
Childhoods wrapped in local festivals, village kitchens, and the hum of hospitality in their bones.
Fueled by a deep love for their homeland’s culinary heritage, they made a bold choice: to bring the warmth, flavor, and soul of Apulian cuisine to Singapore’s fast-paced food scene.
Meet Francesco: The Soul Behind the Stove
Francesco is Vespetta’s Executive Chef—the man responsible for every “Mmm” echoing across the tables.
His journey began in Italy, was refined in Thailand, and was further refined through kitchens in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2015, he planted roots in Singapore, opening Vespetta with one mission:
Bring Apulia to the plate.
And he does.
Every dish carries his signature—classic with a personal twist, rooted in tradition but unafraid to surprise you.
Like pairing seafood with pesto (we’ll get to that), or fermenting pizza dough for 48 hours to get that texture.
You don’t just taste Francesco’s food. You feel the care that went into it.
Meet Antonio: The Heart of the House
Antonio is Vespetta’s Hospitality Manager—but let’s be real, he’s also its heartbeat.
He grew up in Locorotondo, a postcard-worthy town in Apulia, where hospitality isn’t a job —it’s a way of life. After years in the Italian service industry, Antonio moved to Singapore in 2018.
Since then, he’s been orchestrating Vespetta’s front-of-house like a maestro.
Warm, attentive, and deeply in tune with the menu, Antonio doesn’t just serve food—he serves a feeling.
That feeling when a stranger treats you like family. When a recommendation turns out to be precisely what you didn’t know you needed.
That’s Antonio’s magic.
Location: Extraordinary spot with a romantic vibe
Boat Quay can be noisy. Tourist-packed. Occasionally chaotic.
But tucked in a quieter pocket, Vespetta sits like an introvert at a party—low-key, unbothered, and beautifully in its world.
You walk in, and you’re greeted by soft yellow lighting, friendly accents, and a whiff of something slow-roasted in the kitchen.
Outside, the Singapore River glows under the city lights. Inside, you feel like you’ve wandered into someone’s family kitchen in Puglia.
Which, it turns out, isn’t far from the truth.
The Food: A Love Letter to Southern Italy
Here’s what we ordered—and why each dish felt like a little hug from the Italian nonna you wish you had.
🐟 1. Baccalà Fritto (Deep-Fried Cod in Tempura)
This starter surprised me.
It’s simple—just a deep-fried cod fillet with rocket salad and cherry tomatoes.
But the chef tells us it’s his homemade recipe.
The kind of dish they’d serve as a warm-up before big family dinners back home.
And that’s precisely what it tastes like: something made with memory.
The cod is flaky, the batter light, the rocket peppery.
No theatrics—just food that makes you feel like you’re about to have a good night.
🦐 2. Calamarata Mare e Pesto
This was the showstopper.
Thick pasta rings swimming in a sea of mussels, white clams, squid, prawns, and cherry tomatoes—coated in a light Genovese pesto.
Pesto on seafood? That’s not typical, even in Italy.
But the chef adds it anyway—his touch, because food doesn’t always have to follow rules.
The result?
A dish that tastes like salt air and sun-drenched balconies.
Every bite feels like a walk by the Amalfi coast, even if you’re just seated by the Singapore River.
🥩 3. Agnello alla Pugliese (Roasted Lamb Chops)
This is comfort food done right.
The lamb is roasted Puglia-style—tender, herbed, and just rustic enough to feel like it came out of a wood-fired oven in someone’s backyard.
It’s served with rosemary potatoes and a fresh salad, but let’s be honest…
You’re here for the lamb.
Savory, juicy, and unapologetically hearty.
This is the kind of dish that makes you want to order a glass of red wine and talk for hours.
🍕 4. Vespetta Pizza – Burrata, Parma Ham & Rocket
Now we’re getting serious.
The dough here is fermented using the poolish method, where a portion of the dough is pre-fermented for at least 48 hours.
Why? Because slow dough equals strong flavor.
The texture? Chewy in the middle, crisp at the edges. The kind that tastes like something, not just a crusty delivery platform for toppings.
Topped with creamy Burrata from Puglia, 36-month aged Parma ham (yes, really), and peppery rocket—this isn’t your casual Friday pizza.
It’s a celebration on a plate.
And one slice in, you’ll understand why the dough takes two days.
🍰 5. Homemade Tiramisu
You think you’re full.
You say you’re full.
But then the tiramisu arrives.
Layers of espresso-soaked sponge, mascarpone cream, a hint of Marsala…
And suddenly you have space in your soul (and stomach) for dessert.
It’s not flashy. It’s not overloaded with chocolate dust or gimmicks.
It’s just… right.
The kind of dessert you eat slowly, because you don’t want the evening to end.
🥂 Real Talk: What Makes Vespetta Different?
Anyone can throw up some fairy lights and call it “romantic.”
But Vespetta doesn’t try to impress you. It just is impressive.
The flavors are rich, yet not overpowering. The ingredients are treated with respect. The vibe is warm, not pretentious.
You can find the entire Vespetta’s menu here.
And that view?
At golden hour, when the river reflects the city lights and the wine glasses catch the sunset, it’s magic.
Quiet magic. The kind that doesn’t need to shout.
✅ Worth It?
Yes.
Especially if you’re craving…
- An authentic Italian experience without hopping on a plane
- A romantic riverside dinner that doesn’t feel like a tourist trap
- Food made with heart, memory, and just the right amount of rebellion (see: pesto with seafood)
Go on a weeknight.
Bring someone you want to talk to for hours.
And whatever you do, don’t skip the pizza.
Tag someone you’d share that tiramisu with.
Or save this spot for your next pasta-and-wine kind of night.
Because in a city that never slows down…
Vespetta is a gentle reminder to sit, savour, and stay a while.
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