Stella Ristorante Vineria e Locanda

found the restaurant through the Michelin Guide, as it has a Michelin Plate, and I had expectations to match—but they were not met. Everything was fine, but that’s about it—I expected something more. The food was tasty, but nothing that really amazed me. The wine was good, though I missed any explanation about it when it was served—not even the basic details were provided. The staff were friendly, and the atmosphere pleasant. However, the kitchen was very slow – for three courses plus dessert, we were there for 2 hours and 20 minutes, and we waited (too) long between courses. On a positive note, they easily adapted the dishes to be gluten-free, as I have celiac disease.

Splendid experience of food and wine in this Slow Food haven. The attention to the details of preparation, friendly and sincere service, and relaxed setting made for a memorable visit. Highly recommended for honest, traditional rustic foods of the area. To start with, the bread was wonderful, lovingly made in house with curated yeast. We were also lucky enough to enjoy the parmigiana sedano nero di Trevi, which exploded with flavor. The gnocchi were pillowy and light in the deceptively simple and delectable ragu of duck. The risotto was top notch, with obvious care to the texture of each ingredient, especially the butternut squash. Moving on, the grilled eel had a wonderfully crisp texture, and the rabbit was divine with it's sweetbreads and porchetta accompaniment. The broccoli flan was all at once inventive and familiar comfort food. All this accompanied by an excellent natural wine, selected for us in consultation with the resident expert. In closing, we very much enjoyed the semifreddo of hazelnuts, which left smiles on our faces. Bravo!

Uniqueness: 10/10 Experience: 10/10 Value: 10/10 Rare found. Authentic Umbria. Absolutely uniquely created. Italian countryside. Secret recipes. Great wine. Detailed within. Delightful set up. Cozy. Pleasant. Unforgettable. Great hosts Sylvia & Arek. Sad to leave. Be back. Promise.

Very Italian experience, great peculiar and traditional food

Stella distills Umbrian cuisine into one meal. Hyperlocal (fish from regional lakes, local grains, Umbrian wine), ethically sourced, meticulously and lovingly prepared. It’s like dinner at Nonna’s, if your Nonna happened to be Lidia Bastianich. The food was great - squash blossoms, “fish fries” (little fish fried like French fries), guinea fowl, white Chianina ragú. The wine list is extraordinary - mostly Umbrian, and mostly organic and natural. The setting is familiar and comfortable - it’s a former house. The crowd was a mix of regulars, locals and visitors. The whole effect is thoughtful and caring and authentic, and intended to showcase the best of Umbria. Italian, English, Polish and German all spoken fluently by the proprietors. Note for those with mobility impairments: the dining room is accessible, the restrooms are down a set of steps.

I can’t say enough good things about my recent stay at this gem of a hotel in Perugia. From the moment we walked in, we felt a genuine warmth from the staff who go above and beyond to make sure you feel taken care of. Our room was spacious, impeccably clean, and had a beautiful view of the countryside. Now, the restaurant is where the experience truly shined! Every dish was crafted with so much care, celebrating local ingredients and the local wine selection was spot on. Especially if you appreciate slow food, this is the place to be. What really sets this place apart is the attention to detail and the passion you can feel in everything they do – from the service to the food. They don’t just want you to stay; they want you to have an unforgettable experience, and they succeed. Whether you’re a food lover or just looking for a charming authentic spot to stay while exploring Perugia, I highly recommend this place!!

This restaurant is outstanding. We visited twice in the 5 day stay in Perugia and it took our prestigious last night slot. Sylvia is the boss. She is a 5 foot tall diamond. She welcomes every guest and makes sure they know everything about the food on offer. I loved the fact that Sylvia took time to get to know us. Where we were from and why we chose the area. It was genuine. Arek is her husband and he does the wine. There is an extensive selection but make sure you choose the Umbrian region wines which in general you will not see in the UK. We had several bottles and every one was exceptional. 20 to 25€ will see a very good bottle. The food is wonderful. Never met the chef or his team but they deserve a mention. Take a punt and try what Sylvia suggests. Many favourites with several local Umbrian dishes. They take delight in you enjoying the food. Favourites were wild boar gnocchi and fried aubergine with tomato and mint Sourdough bread is baked daily and very tasty. Service was mostly on the terrace outside with space inside in case it rains. The place was spotlessly clean. Stella is about 10mins taxi from Perugia. Not an issue. Well worth getting away from many restaurants that cater only for tourists. A taxi will be about 25€. A call or email will be answered usually by late afternoon. Don't think it is open for lunch. All in all one of our best ever local restaurants in Italy. 5 stars. Well done Sylvia and Arek.

Lively Italian osteria with outstanding local specialties such as Carpa Regina di Porchetta, Latterini friti ( fried smelt) from Lago Trasimeno, and a Panna Cotta to die for. The owners Sylvia and Arek (sommelier extraordinaire!) are gracious and always offer suggestions to make your experience a great one. We shall return!