A much-loved Singapore dining institution is preparing to say goodbye. Porta Porta Italian Restaurant, the Muslim-owned Italian eatery that has served generations of diners for 33 years, will permanently close on December 31, 2026, ending a family-run journey that began with a dream of bringing the warmth of Italian home cooking to Singapore.
The restaurant, located at 32 Jalan Pari Burong in Simpang Bedok, announced its closure on November 9. Its farewell message described the business as a “long and tiring but beautiful journey,” thanking customers who had become more than regular diners over the decades.
The decision is personal rather than the result of a reported sale or relocation. The founder and executive chef, Rozianah Baharudin, widely known as Rozi, wants to retire at 65. Her son, Danesh Ettore Laino, told AsiaOne there are no plans to reopen the restaurant elsewhere. AsiaOne+1
For longtime customers, the closure marks the end of a restaurant that became part of family celebrations, first dates, anniversaries and everyday meals. It also brings to a close a remarkable story of resilience, shaped by migration, bereavement, the pandemic and the challenges of running an independent restaurant.
From Changi Garden to Simpang Bedok, a 33-Year Italian Food Journey
Porta Porta opened in 1993 at Changi Garden after Rozi and her late Italian husband, Antonino Laino, drew inspiration from the five years they had spent in Carrara, Italy.
The couple wanted to introduce Singapore diners to the Italian tradition of gathering around a table, sharing home-style food and enjoying meals together as a family.
The restaurant gradually built a following through its Italian dishes and welcoming atmosphere. Its name, Porta Porta, became associated with a dining experience that combined Italian culinary influences with the personal touch of a family-operated business.
In 2019, the restaurant moved to its present location at Jalan Pari Burong, continuing to serve customers in the eastern part of Singapore. AsiaOne+1
Rozi Laino Continued the Restaurant After Her Husband’s Death
One of the most emotional chapters in Porta Porta’s history came 14 years ago, when Antonino died of lung cancer.
Rozi considered closing the restaurant following her husband’s death. However, she eventually decided to continue, supported by the confidence he had placed in their business and the help of their only son, Danesh, who stepped in to assist.
That decision allowed Porta Porta to remain in operation for more than another decade.
The restaurant’s survival was not without difficulties. Rozi previously spoke about the struggle to find committed employees willing to work in the demanding food-service industry. Rising ingredient costs also placed pressure on daily operations.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the business had to adapt by shifting more of its operations towards food delivery.
Despite these challenges, the family continued serving customers until the decision to retire was made. AsiaOne
No Second Outlet or Reopening Planned
For customers hoping Porta Porta might simply move to another location, the family has indicated otherwise.
Danesh confirmed that there are no plans to continue the restaurant under the same name at another premises. He said he intends to continue his career in the technology industry.
He also hopes his mother will have the opportunity to travel around the world and enjoy the holidays she missed while spending decades running the restaurant.
The closure will therefore mark the end of the family’s restaurant business rather than a temporary shutdown or relocation. AsiaOne
The Italian Dishes Customers Will Have One Last Chance to Enjoy
Porta Porta developed a menu featuring Italian classics, including pasta, seafood and meat dishes.
Among the items highlighted in the closure report were:
- Ravioli Pomodoro – S$26.50: Pasta filled with ricotta and spinach.
- Spaghetti Vongole – S$28.50: A seafood pasta dish featuring clams.
- Cotoletta di Pollo – S$34.50: A crispy chicken preparation.
- Carré di Agnello – S$38.50: Charred lamb racks.
These menu prices were those reported in the November 10 coverage and may be subject to change before the restaurant’s final day.
The restaurant’s appeal was not limited to its food. Its family atmosphere and long relationship with regular customers helped turn it into a place associated with personal milestones.
Some diners recalled visiting during their dating years before returning with their spouses and children. Others shared memories of family lunches, birthday celebrations and gatherings with friends.
Those messages reflect the emotional connection that independent restaurants can build over decades. AsiaOne
Singapore’s Restaurant Industry Faces a Difficult Period
Porta Porta’s retirement announcement comes amid wider pressure on Singapore’s food and beverage industry.
The sector has experienced a steady flow of restaurant and food-business closures, with operators facing challenges involving rent, manpower, ingredient prices, competition and changing consumer spending habits.
According to figures from Singapore’s Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority reported by The Online Citizen, 2,916 food and beverage businesses ceased operations between January and October 2026, approaching the 3,074 closures recorded for the whole of 2025.
However, the same figures showed that 3,747 new F&B businesses were registered during the first 10 months of 2026. The numbers point to a high-turnover industry in which new businesses continue to emerge even as others leave the market. The Online Citizen+1
The pressures facing restaurant operators have also been documented by Channel NewsAsia. Its reporting has highlighted how rising rental expenses, manpower shortages, intense competition and more cautious consumer spending can make it difficult for independent eateries to remain profitable.
These industry-wide challenges provide important context, but Porta Porta’s family has identified retirement as the reason for its closure. It would be inaccurate to claim that rising costs alone forced the restaurant to shut down. CNA+1
Other Singapore food businesses have also announced closures in recent months.
WWC ONE MEDIA previously reported on Gyu-Kaku’s Departure From Singapore After More Than 20 Years, as the Japanese barbecue chain prepares to close its final local outlet.
Another report covered LUNA Patisserie’s Decision to Close by the End of 2026 Amid Rising Costs.
The changing restaurant landscape has also affected major local operators. WWC ONE MEDIA examined Crystal Jade’s Outlet Closures and the Impact on Approximately 120 Workers.
More recently, Singapore’s Mamma Mia Focaccia and The Champagnery Shut Down Less Than a Year After Opening, highlighting the difficult conditions confronting businesses in the sector. The Mamma Mia closure was separately reported by CNA and AsiaOne, with the owners citing rising costs. AsiaOne+1
What Customers Need to Know Before Porta Porta Closes
Customers who want to visit Porta Porta before its final day should take note of the restaurant’s announced closure date and location.
Porta Porta Italian Restaurant
Closing December 31, 2026
32 Jalan Pari Burong, Singapore 488698
Tuesday to Sunday
- Lunch: 12 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Dinner: 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Monday: Closed
Hours are based on the published restaurant information. Customers should confirm directly before visiting, especially near the final operating date.
Official website: Porta Porta Italian Restaurant
The restaurant’s Muslim-owned identity has been part of its story. However, its published FAQ states that it is not officially halal-certified, so customers should not assume that Muslim-owned and halal-certified mean the same thing. portaportaitalianrestaurant.com.sg+1
The End of Porta Porta Is More Than Another Restaurant Closure
When Porta Porta serves its final customers on December 31, it will bring an end to a 33-year family business built around a simple idea: sharing Italian food and hospitality with Singapore.
Its story began with Rozi and Antonino’s experiences in Italy, continued through the loss of a husband and business partner, and survived the difficult years of the pandemic.
For generations of customers, the restaurant became part of their personal histories. Some first visited as couples and later returned with children of their own. Others made it a regular destination for family meals and celebrations.
Now, as Rozi prepares for retirement, those memories will become part of the restaurant’s legacy.
Singapore’s dining scene will continue to welcome new concepts and restaurants, but the departure of long-running family establishments raises a bigger question about what happens to the personal stories, traditions and connections built around them.
After 33 years, Porta Porta is closing its doors—but will Singapore lose even more beloved family-run restaurants before the next generation gets the chance to experience them?
