Little Island Brewing Co @ Changi Village offers a refreshing seaside dining experience that combines craft beers with hearty food in a relaxed outdoor setting. After hearing countless positive reviews about this establishment, we finally made our way to Changi Beach for a leisurely stroll and to check out this popular microbrewery and smokehouse.

The Ambience: Rustic Charm by the Sea

The brewery boasts an abundance of open-air seating with rustic wooden tables and benches spread throughout the venue. Initially, I was concerned about Singapore’s notorious heat and humidity making outdoor dining uncomfortable, but my worries quickly dissipated. The strategically placed industrial-sized circulation fans provide surprising relief from the tropical climate. We strategically selected a table directly in front of one of these massive fans – comfort problem solved!

The proximity to Changi Beach creates a unique atmosphere that immediately puts you in vacation mode. There’s something magical about enjoying craft beer and food with the sound of waves in the background and sea breeze occasionally drifting through.

Ordering System: Efficient Self-Service

Little Island Brewing Co operates on a self-service model where you can place your order either at the counter or through their self-service kiosks. After ordering, you receive a buzzer and collect your food when it’s ready – a straightforward system that works efficiently.

The food arrived impressively quickly, and we found the staff to be exceptionally friendly and helpful. For anyone wanting to browse their full menu before visiting, you can check out their comprehensive offerings at their official website.

Craft Beers: Happy Hour Delight

Timing is everything! We lucked out by arriving during Happy Hour and immediately ordered a pint of Penny Lane, an English pale ale that hit all the right notes. The brewery is known for its craft selections, and this particular brew provided the perfect refreshment after our beach walk.

Food Exploration: Hits and Misses

Small Plates & Sides

Blistered Padron Peppers

These lightly sea-salted green gems were a standout. Whenever we spot padron peppers on a menu, we make it a point to order them since they’re not always in season and rarely available in local supermarkets. Little Island Brewing Co prepares them simply but perfectly – allowing their natural flavour to shine through.

Fries & Gravy

This dish had potential, resembling a poutine with a gravy similar to what you might find in local western food stalls. While the flavour combination worked well, the seasoning was overwhelming. A lighter hand with the salt would have improved this dish significantly. One word of caution: eat these quickly as the bottom layer becomes quite soggy if left sitting too long in the gravy.

Crispy Baby Calamari

Unfortunately, this dish fell short of expectations. The batter was excessively thick, masking the delicate squid flavour almost entirely. While certainly crispy and crunchy as advertised, the heavy-handed salting made it difficult to enjoy after a few bites. The addition of aromatic curry leaves was a thoughtful touch that added an interesting dimension, but couldn’t fully redeem the dish.

The Main Event: Animal Farm Sharing Platter

This impressive platter is ideally sized for 2-3 people and features a carnivore’s dream selection: pork belly, chicken thigh, beef brisket, and pork sausage. Here’s how each component performed:

• Boneless Chicken Thigh: A definite winner. Tender, juicy, and infused with a wonderful smoky flavour that spoke to their cooking expertise.
• Pork Belly: While the meat itself was somewhat bland, the skin achieved that coveted crackling perfection with a deeply satisfying crunch.
• Beef Brisket: Absolutely melt-in-your-mouth tender and impressively moist – a testament to proper slow-cooking techniques.
• Pork Sausages: Reliable but unremarkable. As expected from good quality sausages, they were enjoyable without being particularly memorable.

The platter came with sides of potato mash (served with the same gravy as the fries) and a simple salad. While the sides weren’t standouts, they provided necessary balance to the meat-heavy main attractions.

The Perfect Ending: Sunset Views

As we finished our meal at Little Island Brewing Co, timing worked in our favour once again. We were able to enjoy a post-dinner walk along Changi Beach and catch a stunning sunset – the perfect conclusion to our brewery experience.

Final Verdict

While Little Island Brewing Co @ Changi Village may not win awards for culinary innovation, its true charm lies in the overall experience. The combination of beach proximity, relaxed ambience, and decent craft beers creates an ideal setting for unwinding with family and friends.

The food quality varies across the menu, with some genuine hits (the beef brisket and chicken thigh deserve special mention) alongside a few misses. However, the brewery’s primary appeal is as a place to chill out, enjoy a couple of drinks, and soak in the rustic atmosphere.

For visitors to Singapore looking for a break from the city’s intensity or locals seeking a mini-getaway, Little Island Brewing Co @ Changi Village offers a welcome retreat that feels worlds away from urban life despite being just a drive away. The next time you’re craving craft beer by the beach, Little Island Brewing Co @ Changi Village should definitely be on your radar.