Head to Amoy’s newest and freshest Italian deli Mamma Mia Focaccia for a quick and hearty lunch fix

The team behind popular Spanish spots Next Door Spanish Cafe, Asador, and more recently Mexican taco bar Los Amigos, have something new baking in the oven — focaccia.

To be exact, they’re launching Mamma Mia Focaccia, a casual all-new Italian concept dedicated to all things focaccia. 

We can already see how this brightly themed, carby newcomer would be a hit with Singaporeans, given our penchant for bread, and love for charcuterie-style meats — a simple yet oh-so-satisfying pairing.

Set to open its doors on October 21, Mamma Mia Focaccia is kicking things off with a four-day celebration: From 11am to 12pm, till October 24, the first 50 focaccia sandwiches doled out daily will be free — yes, free.

No, this is not a drill, you heard us right. Thereafter all sandwiches will be going for a special price of S$10 each. 

Outside of its grand opening promotion, prices for Mamma Mia’s focaccias start from S$14. 

At the moment there are 10 creations to choose from, including a vegetarian one, and even a sweet variation. 

In case you’re wondering where to hunt down these free focaccias, Mamma Mia Focaccia is located right in the heart of Singapore’s business district, Amoy Street. 

Its prime location makes it an ideal spot for CBD folks to swing by for a quick grab-and-go before returning to the grind. 

And true to the spirit of Italian street-dining (and perhaps fuss-free CBD lunches), there are no seats here, only standing counters. 

It almost feels like you’re in Europe, especially when coupled with the boisterousness of its native Italian chefs, albeit with a side of our sunny island’s signature humidity. 

It’s true that Singapore isn’t short on focaccia options, but the new Mamma Mia Focaccia crafts its housemade focaccia the good ol’ way — long-fermented, baked fresh daily, and lightly toasted upon order for that warm, crisp bite.

Unlike the herb-scented focaccias we’re used to in most of our cafes here, Mamma Mia keeps its loaves intentionally plain — just as focaccia is enjoyed in Europe — and serves them up with classic fillings such as mortadella, sun-dried tomatoes, and arugula, among many others. 

Just when you think that this is all to this simple, fuss-free spot, when night falls, Mamma Mia Focaccia takes on a whole-new persona as The Champagnery, a hidden speakeasy for those who love their bubbles.

It is set to open on the same day as Mamma Mia (October 21), and we hear it’ll stay open until as late as 4am, making it one of the few late-night gems in the area. (Even later than one of its neighbours Employees Only Singapore, known for being one of the latest drinking spots around.)

Focaccias that make you go “Mamma Mia!”

We get it, the focaccias can be a hefty endeavour. So if you only have room for one, make it the signature Mamma Mia! (S$22). 

It’s an Italian masterpiece, loaded with slices of mortadella, stracciatella, pistachio cream, and crushed pistachios, all of which come together in perfect harmony, taste-wise and visually.

Don’t be fooled by its seemingly slender slices — the sandwich is far more substantial than it looks, but it is by no means cloying.

The focaccia’s airy crumb and crisp edges make each bite light yet satisfying, and even after several bites, it doesn’t feel heavy at all — a definite plus in our books, especially since we hate those post-lunch food comas. 

In fact, for those who appreciate clean, classic flavours, this one hits all the right notes!

If you’re sharing, another one to consider is the porchetta (S$18), which also comes highly recommended. It features a hearty combination of porchetta, friarielli (Italian pickled greens), and stracciatella.

What makes it pop is the touch of mostarda — an Italian mustard-like condiment made from candied fruits — adding an unexpected yet intriguing twist to the otherwise mainly savoury sandwich.

The result? A delicate, layered medley of savoury, tangy, and gently sweet notes, rounded off with a whisper of minty spice.

While we may be meat-lovers, the vegetarian-friendly Vegetariano (S$14) turned out to be one of the unsung heroes of our experience, and an unexpected favourite. The sandwich comes with grilled zucchini, red pesto, mascarpone, pickled onions, grilled artichokes, and tomatoes.

This sandwich got us seriously thinking: Just how do vegetables taste this good? 

The piquant lift from the pickled veggies contrasts elegantly with the soft creaminess of mascarpone, and smooths everything out for a harmonious bite.

We’d eat all of our veggies if every veggie dish tasted just like this! 

Honestly by this point, we were already pushing our limits, even with the focaccias being airy and light, there was only so much bread we could stomach. 

But there was no way we were leaving without trying the only sweet focaccia on the menu: Comforting in its own way, the Nutella (S$14) brings together Nutella spread, mascarpone, pistachio cream, and pistachio shavings. 

It felt like an elevated yet nostalgic nod to our childhood snack where we would spread the hazelnut spread on white bread for breakfast or to stem our hunger between meals. 

Combined with creamy mascarpone and a rich pistachio cream, this reimagined version of a Nutella sandwich would easily make my 8-year-old self drool and ask for it over and over again.

More than just focaccias, the eatery also has a variety of beverages, from caffeinated brews to teas, juices, so it’s really a one-stop shop for the busy CBD dweller, or a great place to start your day right, too, with a focaccia in one hand and a coffee in the other. 

Having dug into four focaccias out of its 10, we think it’s safe to say that Mamma Mia Focaccia delivers well-executed hearty sandwiches made with care, regardless of your protein of choice.

So the next time your lunch break rolls around, be sure to pop by Mamma Mia Focaccia if you’re around the area!

This was a hosted tasting.

For more ideas on what new spots to check out around town, check out the new limited-time Paddington Bear-themed afternoon high tea set at Skai and Heartland by Enjoy by chef Joel Ong.