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About

Stella's, the premier Italian restaurant in Dana Point, CA, invites you to experience the rich flavors of Italy in a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Located at 17 Monarch Bay Plaza, Stella's is a must-visit destination for foodies and families alike. Indulge in our carefully crafted menu, featuring an array of traditional Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients and love. From pasta to pizza, and risotto to osso buco, every bite is a taste sensation. Pair your meal with a selection from our extensive wine list, featuring some of Italy's finest varietals. At Stella's, we're committed to providing exceptional service and ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a night out, our friendly staff will make you feel like family. Join us for lunch or dinner and discover why Stella's is the go-to Italian restaurant in Dana Point. Book your table now and taste the difference for yourself!

Stella's Review Summary

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4.5
(270 Reviews)
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Elena Lyutik
Elena Lyutik -Google user
2 years ago
Best Italian pizza I have ever had! The place is perfect for quiet weekend lunch , with ocean view. Try any wine from their “special list” - it is delicious and reach. Will come back definitely to try all their menu and wine. Love!
Wayne Kimball, Jr.
Wayne Kimball, Jr. -Google user
4 years ago
We went off of a recommendation and weren't disappointed. They have a small dining area near the bar and way more seating in a tented area in the back. We shared the crab cake with an arugula salad and was off to a great start!...Read More
Dave Eats
Dave Eats -Google user
3 years ago
This pleace overlooks the oceans. The servers are nice attentive and very knowledgeable of their food. They have daily specials that range from gourmet pastas to seafood soups that will blow your mind. I had the seafood stew "Cioppino" it was the special...Read More
Dine inLunch$100+
Red Brown
Red Brown -Google user
Edited 3 years ago
Great place with ocean breezes and views. Live Jazz band on Thursdays with a great guitar and bass duo! Best smelling restaurant ever! Super friendly positive vibe from owner and staff.
Dine inDinner$50–100Yes to Veg options.Parking is easy and excellent.Kids are welcome. I see families dining all the time.Yes. Ramp into front door. Total access.
Kai Y
Kai Y -Google user
a year ago
great italian restaurant in dana point with lots of free parking. great service and ocean views. only thing was ravioli was mostly sauce.
Dine inLunch$20–30Atmosphere: 5
Elite Pools and Patio Covers
Elite Pools and Patio Covers -Google user
6 years ago
Really good food/little mix up by waiter maybe because it was a busy Friday night but overall great place
Designing Women of Orange County
Designing Women of Orange County -Google user
2 years ago
Such a great place! Good food and wine selection. Reminded us of our trip to Italy! Very quaint, relaxing and upscale feeling without upper end pricing. Also has a great happy hour from 3-7! Definitely catch them when they have musicians. Tommy Benson Duo was...Read More
Dine inDinner$20–30Atmosphere: 5
E Garcia
E Garcia -Google user
2 years ago
Was craving Italian and found Stella's on my Google search as we were driving down Crown Valley toward the beach. Never heard of it before and was pleasantly surprised how classy and comfortable it was for an evening dinner. We had a nice...Read More
Atmosphere: 5
benicia shen
benicia shen -Google user
4 months ago
we love this restaurant,delicious foods
Lunch$30–50Atmosphere: 5Not sure
Anthony Sansone
Anthony Sansone -Google user
4 years ago
We were really happy that we came to Stella’s during our short trip to the area. The ambiance was great with a great view of the ocean. Service was wonderful. And they had a live sax player playing music, which was nice entertainment. We ordered...Read More
Dine inDinner$50–100
Michelangelo Magdaleno
Michelangelo Magdaleno -Google user
8 months ago
Good food and calm atmosphere, had a birthday lunch there which was fantastic. I ordered the pizza and bolognese.
Dine inLunch$30–50Atmosphere: 5Garlic Bread, CannoliPlenty of parkingFree parking lot
Theresa L.
Theresa L. -Google user
3 years ago
Just came to Dana Point for a quick walk and luckily also found this cozy Italian restaurant with live music and delicious meal. Homemade tiramissu was a grand finale. All made to perfection. Definitely will come back to try their lasagna! Grazie!
Ben Weaver
Ben Weaver -Google user
3 years ago
Excellent Food and Atmosphere!. The Saxophone player was great, and Ocean View seating 🙌🏼 …
Sofia Anabel
Sofia Anabel -Google user
4 years ago
As soon as my family and I entered the place, I immediately felt welcome. The environment was wonderful, the music was amazing, the service was outstanding, and the food was so good, I can’t even find a word to describe it. This restaurant has definitely...Read More
Natalia Foley
Natalia Foley -Google user
4 years ago
This restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants we visited! The atmosphere is amazing, the ambience is wonderful, the service is so great that you can always count to feel welcome here, and the food… OMG! This is the best Italian food you can...Read More
Ned T. Smith
Ned T. Smith -Google user
4 years ago
Ok! Haven't eaten out much in the last year but I'm glad I chose Stella's to host my return to dining out. Great service from the attentive staff, delicious food and vibrant (but Dana Point chill) atmosphere. I wolfed down the Gambari al Limon (Lemon...Read More
Lourdes Mondragon
Lourdes Mondragon -Google user
5 years ago
First time at Stella's, great atmosphere great music the saxophone sounded delightful. Best of all my Mojito!! I will definitely be back!
Monic Reyes
Monic Reyes -Google user
4 years ago
We had such a wonderful experience! The food was absolutely delicious the service was beyond great! Definitely recommend dining here!
Christal Williams
Christal Williams -Google user
a month ago
We love Stella's!! We enjoy a cocktail and s light bite every week before error fo our grocery shopping. Jamison is great, the entire team is delightful. The Happy Hour meatball is amazing!
Other$20–30Atmosphere: 5Quiet, easy to talkSuitable for all group sizes
Jaime Tourgeman
Jaime Tourgeman -Google user
3 weeks ago
Dine there twice . Excellent environment, good meals and great service. Strongly recommend it
Dinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5No special eventIndoor dining area
danny c
danny c -Google user
a year ago
Just a great place. Family feel, servers are excellent and a fantastic happy hour. Food is really authentic tasting, live music is fun What's that's this place apart though is how well the staff treats you. You walk in feeling like you're going to a family dinner....Read More
Atmosphere: 5
alex eskandar
alex eskandar -Google user
a year ago
We had a great night at Stella tonight The atmosphere is amazing and Sean who takes care of our table was awesome. He was very friendly, kind and professional with a best service for our birthday celebration . Highly recommended.
Dine inDinner$30–50Atmosphere: 5TiramisuPlenty of parkingFree parking lot
Tisia Joseph
Tisia Joseph -Google user
a year ago
Happy we finally dined here. Feel like it’s a hidden gem with the ocean views and great Italian seafood. Food and service all around were great. We dined with another couple and had a wonderful evening!
James Ross
James Ross -Google user
2 years ago
We had a large party of 17 on a Saturday evening. The staff at Stella's could not have been more accommodating. They welcomed us warmly and gave us outstanding, responsive service. Food, service, sax music and atmosphere was just wonderful. …
Valentina Petrova
Valentina Petrova -Google user
5 months ago
First time at this place and LOVED it! Great food and great service! Will be back for more.
Jim Abrahams
Jim Abrahams -Google user
3 years ago
Absolutely great place! I just brought my 95 - year - old dad in for dinner and they were all over the service. We had a great table right by the door with the wind blowing in, the staff was was fantastic, and our waiter,...Read More
Sheri
Sheri -Google user
a year ago
We had Thanksgiving dinner. Attentive waitress and we were well taken care of. The food and drinks were very good. It was a shakey start, but it turned out to be a lovely evening. We were sat on their interior patio (too chilly) at a...Read More
Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan -Google user
2 years ago
Very enjoyable experience on a Thursday night with live music (just acoustic guitar and bass). Food for others in my party was 5 star, mine was fine but not spectacular. Service was attentive but not pushy. Almost European in feel which made...Read More
Ebony Goldbach
Ebony Goldbach -Google user
2 years ago
I got married at Dana Point Yacht Club this past Friday. Just a ceremony. The reception was on Saturday so I wanted to find a lunch spot for my husband and daughter and I if anyone wanted to join us after they could have. It...Read More
Laraine Viviani
Laraine Viviani -Google user
5 years ago
We celebrated our 24th anniversary dinner at Stella’s and had a wonderful dinner and experience!! The food was so delicious and the staff was wonderful!! We loved the ambiance and sax player who made our experience one to remember. They use the fleshed ingredients and...Read More

Features

Service options

check icon Outdoor seating
check icon Delivery
check icon Takeout
check icon Dine-in

Highlights

check icon Fast service
check icon Great dessert

Popular for

check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Solo dining

Accessibility

check icon Wheelchair accessible entrance
check icon Wheelchair accessible parking lot
check icon Wheelchair accessible restroom
check icon Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings

check icon Alcohol
check icon Beer
check icon Cocktails
check icon Coffee
check icon Comfort food
check icon Happy hour drinks
check icon Hard liquor
check icon Small plates
check icon Wine

Dining options

check icon Lunch
check icon Dinner
check icon Dessert
check icon Seating

Amenities

check icon Bar onsite
check icon Restroom
check icon Wi-Fi

Atmosphere

check icon Casual
check icon Cozy

Crowd

check icon Groups
check icon Tourists

Planning

check icon Dinner reservations recommended
check icon Accepts reservations

Payments

check icon Credit cards
check icon Debit cards