Singapore’s F&B squeeze claims another casualty as Italian sandwich shop Mamma Mia shuts less than a year after opening

Mamma Mia Focaccia, the sandwich shop on Amoy Street in Singapore run by Spaniard Houssein Haffian and Italian chef Nico (right), which opened in October 2025 has its final run on September 23, 2026, citing ‘rising costs’. — Pictures from Instagram/mammamiafocaccia

By Malay Mail

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 2:52 PM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 26 — Mamma Mia Focaccia and its hidden champagne bar The Champagnery have closed less than a year after opening, adding to the string of food and beverage outlets shutting their doors in Singapore amid rising costs.

The Amoy Street sandwich shop opened in October 2025 and quickly drew queues, while The Champagnery, tucked behind a red door inside the deli, opened the following month with champagne, cocktails, DJs and focaccia sandwiches.

“Like many in the industry today, we have found it increasingly difficult to keep afloat amid rising costs, and we’ve made the difficult decision to close our doors,” the team said in a joint Instagram post that announced September 23 as their final day.

The team also said Singapore’s F&B and nightlife scene had “had a tough time of late”, expressing hope that conditions would improve for businesses still operating.

Mamma Mia was run by Spanish chef-owner Houssein Haffian and Italian chef Nico, who have both lived in Singapore for about a decade, with Haffian’s Two S Creatives group also behind Asador and Next Door Spanish Cafe.

The closure comes as Singapore’s F&B operators continue to contend with higher operating costs, including labour and rental expenses, putting pressure on businesses even as consumers remain cautious about spending.