Stella Seaside Lounge, Changi: Soak in Bali-esque vibes with grilled platters & boozy cocktails

Stepping into Stella Seaside Lounge made me feel like I was transported to Bali. 

There it was: Unobstructed views of the stunning sea, swaying coconut trees, dim light bulbs streamed atop the outdoor tables, and above all, the undeniably mouth-watering smell of grilled meats.

It didn’t help that there was a massive downpour on the day we decided to visit. Plus, a small area was undergoing renovation (you heard it from us first— they’re expanding)! 

Despite all that, Stella Seaside Lounge still gave fantastic Bali-esque vibes, and the vibin’ music put me in a Fri-yay mood instantly, even though it was only Wednesday.

Tucked away at Changi, Stella Seaside Lounge is the perfect getaway spot if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. 

The ambience reminded me of a beach club, with staff tying a club wristband on my wrist upon stepping in. Thumping feel-good EDM music filled the brightly lit space, which had a good variety of seats— sheltered tables, outdoor tables, lounge and sofa chairs, high tables, and tables right along the boardwalk.

The good vibes were infectious, and I couldn’t wait to start eating.

What I tried at Stella Seaside Lounge

Starting the meal off with a cocktail or two felt right, especially when you’re greeted with a gorgeous sea view. 

Sunset Daiquiri (S$21) is Stella Seaside Lounge’s innovative spin on the daiquiri, with the addition of Thai honey mango, fresh strawberries, mango puree and strawberry syrup. This tropical cocktail was refreshing and easy to drink, great for a hot day.

My personal favourite was Stella’s Vice (S$23), which was a combination of tequila, rum, passionfruit and mango puree, coconut cream, pineapple juice and vanilla sugar. It tasted like a mango milkshake— creamy, mildly sweet and tropical, with the hint of tequila only coming through at the end. Dangerously addictive.

One of the recommended starters was the Grilled Organic Sweet Corn (S$10), which came with chipotle mayo, cotija cheese and spices.

The minute the dish was placed on our table, I could smell the strong and pungent cheese. The kernels were light, juicy and crunchy, and the savouriness of the cheese added a well-needed saltiness. The spice only kicked in at the end, which made me only go back for more.

A great start to the meal, albeit the struggle to eat it straight off the cob. I ended up using a knife to slice my way through the corn, with some difficulty.

I am a huge fan of clams. Put a plate of sambal lala in front of me, and watch me polish it off. That was why I was so excited to try Stella Seaside Lounge’s White Wine Clams (S$18).

Clams sauteed in white wine, garlic, butter and shallots, and served with garlic toast… what a perfect combination. This dish ticked off all the boxes for me and it was easily my favourite dish of the night. 

The rich broth was salty, cheesy and buttery, with a nice acidity from the white wine. I alternated between drinking it from the clam shell, directly from my spoon, and dunking the crispy garlic bread in it. 

Before I knew it, I had finished half the bowl of clams. What an absolute delight.

We also got to try its Seafood Linguine (S$20), which was a cheesy pasta served with prawns, clams, squid and garlic toast.

I loved the sauce. It was just the right amount of creamy and cheesiness. To some extent, it reminded me of mushroom risotto— thick, savoury and with a good hint of umami.

I was grateful for the addition of black pepper, as it had gotten a bit too salty towards the end of the meal. The spiciness helped to cut through all that creaminess, making it easier to polish off the plate.

Its Kurobuta Pork Chop (S$38) came with a hefty price tag, but just looking at that grilled bone-in pork loin got us drooling. It came with a bagna cauda sauce— which is made of garlic and anchovy— and an apple cabbage slaw.

My advice to you is to eat it immediately when it’s served. The pork loin was tender and had a springy bite, but the meat was quite lean and got tough overtime. 

Admittedly, I wasn’t a huge fan of the bagna cauda sauce, which was herby and refreshing and reminded me of coriander, but I enjoyed the apple cabbage slaw for its fresh crunchiness.

We were the first to try a new item on its upcoming revised menu: Birria Beef Tacos— tender, roasted stewed beef packed in crispy taco shells, and accompanied by a beef consomme. 

A single bite of the crispy beef tacos sent me to paradise. This glorious dish was savoury, salty and crispy, and every single mouthful was absolutely delicious. The caramelised roasted beef was smokey and tender, and paired well with crispy tacos. 

This would be what I imagined if I combined beef chilli cheese fries with freshly fried nacho chips, with a sprinkling of lime and black pepper.

Final thoughts

While the rain was a bit of a disappointment, the sky started to clear up just as the sun was about to set. That was when we were pleasantly surprised by a double rainbow, together with the warm glows of a setting sun.

Despite the blocked off area due to the renovation, the sunset was equally beautiful, and plenty of diners came out to snap pictures of the gorgeous view.

I had a great time at Stella Seaside Lounge. The food was pretty amazing and I was impressed by the White Wine Clams and Birria Beef Tacos. However, the biggest selling point would definitely be the view and ambience, which left me feeling happy and relaxed for the entire night.

The staff shared that the revised menu will be out sometime in April 2022. This will be in time with the launch of its expanded dining area on its right, which comes complete with pool, pool chairs, sofa lounge areas, an extended boardwalk and live seafood tanks.

You can definitely bet that I’ll be back, especially once the revised menu is launched and the expanded area is complete. 

 Expected damage: S$30 – S$60 per pax

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