Stella's, an enchanting Italian restaurant nestled in the heart of Taos, NM, captivates diners with its cozy, candlelit ambiance reminiscent of classic Italian eateries. The menu is a well-curated selection of authentic dishes that cater to various dietary preferences, including gluten-free options that have delighted guests. Patrons rave about the Chicken Alfredo and Fettucine Carbonara, with one customer highlighting the delectable gluten-free pasta—a true game-changer for those with dietary restrictions. The Grilled Salmon, adorned with sundried tomatoes and pesto cream sauce, showcases the restaurant’s flair for flavor in every bite. Desserts at Stella's appear to be a crowd favorite, notably the warmed chocolate cake and homemade carrot cake, which one guest declared the best gluten-free option they've ever tasted. With a welcoming atmosphere and attentive service, reservations are encouraged, especially during peak times, to ensure a delightful dining experience. Overall, Stella's elevates the dining scene in Taos with its quality ingredients, generous portions, and a charming vibe. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine while enjoying a cozy night out.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great cocktails
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves healthy options
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
High chairs available
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Photos
Reviews For Stella's
Chris Roybal
May 4,2025
We found this spot after a day of mountain biking nearby and enjoyed a fantastic meal! We were asked if we had reservations, we did not. They still were able to seat us, thankfully. Stella's has a dark, candlelit, old school Italian restaurant ambiance to it. The grilled salmon was delicious. It was served with sundried tomatoes, angel hair, pesto cream sauce, over a bed of spinach with some other veggies as well. The kids had a great chicken alfredo and spaghetti, both served with veggies and a slice of garlic bread. We finished off with some awesome desserts! The warmed chocolate cake and key lime pie were mouth watering! We hope to visit again however, reservations may be the only way to get seated if you're not lucky to go when they don't have a packed house.
Sare
Mar 22,2025
Holy gluten free pasta. I haven't had pasta this delicious since I discovered an allergy to wheat. This place is tucked away in an adorable little plaza, the inside of this restaurant is delightfully quaint, and the food is truly delicious. Once I tasted the chicken fettuccine Alfredo and realized the caliber of cooking here, I knew I had to try a gluten free dessert. I can officially say that this is the best gf carrot cake I have ever eaten in my entire life.
Rachel Wynne
Mar 22,2025
OMG this place is well worth the trip!!!! DO NOT PASS THIS UP ESPECIALLY IF IT IS WITHIN 1 hour TRAVELING DISTANCE!! Their pizza crust is so good (and for 2 can also be used as the table bread), and their gluten free noodles are homemade! Amazing flavor! They have a free olive bar, and they easily make modifications to dishes easily (I asked for the chicken pasta to be made with the Cajun cream sauce- DELICIOUS!). So worth it ppl! And if you like candlelit ambiance and classic Italian music, you will be in heaven. Don’t forget the gluten free homemade carrot cake and chocolate cake!!
Vince Bowers
Mar 18,2025
Authentic dining in Taos. The ambiance alone is worth going. Great menu including vegetarian and gluten free and surprisingly good wine list at reasonable prices. A locally owned Italian restaurant complete with antipasto plate. Even if you don’t want Italian you should go. Good portions and good prices. Not fast food and hopefully Marco will tell you a joke or two. No regrets.
Nancy S
Mar 10,2025
Excellent food and service. The mushroom soup was the top tier. Probably the best soup I’ve ever had. I’ve been talking about it for the last week. We both also loved our entrees and he loved his desert (I sadly was too full for dessert). Waitress was very friendly and bus boy/assistant was on top of refills and checking on us. Highly recommend a reservation to be sure you can get in.
Gretchen Grey
Feb 25,2025
What a lovely surprise! Our first time in Taos. After several days of “green or red chile?” my 11 year old wanted spaghetti for dinner . A couple people suggested Stella’s - but they didn’t tell us what a lovely little restaurant it is! After reading the reviews - I decided to call ahead and make sure they could get us in. They were very kind and said yes, 5:30 would be ok. We were the only people there at that time. What an adorable, quaint, cozy little restaurant! It reminded us of Boston’s North End (“Little Italy”). Think checkered table cloths, dripping candles in wine bottles, old pictures everywhere.... There were only 2 people working the whole place - one cooking and one serving. The service was great, the wait for food was perfectly reasonable. The food was all excellent! The chicken noodle soup was fantastic. The kid’s spaghetti with meat sauce was perfect. We also had the eggplant parm & “chicken pasta”. We all loved everything! So if you are wondering if you should try Stella’s - the answer is YES!!! Just call ahead to make sure they can save you a spot.
Meredith Morris
Feb 11,2025
I had dinner at Stella’s a few weeks ago. After reading the reviews, I wasn’t sure if I should give it a try. But I am so glad I did! I had the warm spinach salad, with chicken. It was delicious and my wine was quite good. My daughter had the chicken soup, which she loved (and she is a teen who doesn’t like anyone’s cooking!); my husband had a pasta dish, which he quite liked and the bread was divine! I think there is some blatant ageism at play in the reviews. The owner is a lovely older man— he is a little reserved until he sees a friend (He has many!) or someone offers him a smile. Then he is warm and appreciative. The staff was kind, warm, and helpful. I highly recommend Stella’s. It’s like a step back in time, with scrumptious food, and comes with a reminder that when we arrive at a restaurant with a good appetite and open mind, we may leave pleasantly surprised in many ways.
Derek. A. T.
Feb 10,2025
Went early when they opened and had no trouble getting seated. Marco was an amazing true Italian owner. Food was fantastic. Soups were great. Wine list was amazing. Hard to find the true Italian experience in a restaurant these days. Stop by Stella's and you will not be disappointed. Everything we ordered tasted homemade. The meatballs and the sausage were amazing. This is a fantastic stop in Taos make sure that you make reservations they fill up fast. This is a must visit restaurant. They just don't make them like this anymore.
Reviews For Stella's