Stella Italian Kitchen & Pizzeria

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

We love Stella Kitchen and have taken a number of friends there who are equally impressed. Having previously lived in Leichhardt and eating regularly at the better cafes in Norton St and in Haberfield we struggled for years to find a 'real italian' pizza on the Northern Beaches and Stella does it! If you're a fan of the take away pizza places with heaps of weird toppings (like pineapple)forget it this is not the place for you but if you love a simple prosciutto and real mozzarella and not much else on a pizza then you will love it.

The meals we have sampled there have also been excellent! This is an Italian style restaurant not an 'Aussie' version of Italian, and I can say we have had worse food in Italy!

Apr 01, 2012 

3.5 Below Average

Food  4      Ambience  5      Service  1      Value  4     

Went on a Monday night. Came here for my fathers birthday. Everybody who came was over 18. We bought our own wine and my mum, dad, sister and I had a glass. As soon as it was poured we had the head waiter come up to our table and demand to see some ID from my sister (who is 23) and myself (I am 21). We found this to be very rude as he was pushy and in our face, saying the restaurant would "get a fine if an enforcer came".

How often do enforcers come to check people's ID on a Monday night at a family dinner? He refused to let my sister have her glass of wine as she did not think she would need her ID at a local restaurant for a family dinner. Not only was the service by the head waiter shocking, the food was bland, overpriced and not big enough.

A member at our table ordered the special of "Mushroom Risotto". There was no mushrooms in his dish at all. We all left hungry and disappointed and will definitely not be back.

Mar 13, 2012 

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  6      Service  8      Value  8     

Beautiful Food. Very authenically italian, especially the pizza! The manager seems to be really on the ball. Can get a little noisy if busy but then it's that kind of restaurant. Will definitely be back.

Mar 06, 2012 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  10      Value  8     

Had an excellent night, service was a nice change from the usual, waitstaff were friendly and attentive but not over the top. Food was good best was the dessert to die for.

Feb 25, 2012 

1 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  1      Service  1      Value  1     

Worst service I have ever had! They forgot our meals. Never checked in on us, the food was way overpriced and the food was burnt. Very bad value for money!
The staff were too busy chatting to their friends at another table rather than checking in on anyone else.

Jan 19, 2012 

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  1      Service  6      Value  3     

Would not go back to this restaurant, meals were ok but nothing special. Main was actually quite nice but entrees tasted like they were from a frozen packet. The worst part, however, is although we booked ahead and arrived early (6.30 pm, so before most) we were given the worst seat the house. We were cramped in next to the waiters ordering station which meant we had the waiter standing right on top of our table for the whole evening. It was very unpleasant, couldn't really even have a private conversation with my wife for longer than 30 seconds.

Jul 09, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

I absolutely Adore Stella Kitchen, I have definitely found my favourite place on the beaches. I find my self at Stella fortnightly, I can't get enough of their amazing wood fire pizzas and the wait staff are friendly and attentive.

Apr 28, 2011 

8.5 Highly Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

The evening at Stellas was great, although it was packed out we managed to get in. The pizza's were superb and the service was very attentive. A bit of Surry Hills up on the northern beaches. Just what is needed.

Apr 14, 2011 

7 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  6      Service  7      Value  7     

Ate here on a Thurs night and although the place was almost empty when we arrived they had so many bookings the only table for us was outside. No probs there as it was a pleasant evening, but can someone please develop a working muffler for the local buses? The tables are almost roadside and whilst the cars were okay, the tables almost rocked everytime a govt bus roared by. I suggest eating after 7 pm if outside as the noise starts to dampen down.

In a recent review I complained that many pizzerias are nothing more than takeaway outlets with a few tables but charge like restaurants. At least Stella has the appearance of a restaurant and offers something a bit more upmarket. We started with their Rice Balls and a Radiccio Salad and then pizzas all round. My Maurino was a good mix of spicy salami, cherry tomato and gorgonzola cheese. The base was delightfully thin although soft towards the middle.

Despite being outside the service was friendly and efficient. Its not the cheapest place for pizza but as you get treated like a restaurant diner it was not unreasonable. I will just remember next time to book a table inside or arrive later.

Apr 08, 2011 

6.8 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  5     

Visited on "Mad Monday" where pizzas are all $15 ( normally $19-$23) and main meals are $20 (normally about $28). The service was friendly and efficient. The pizzas whilst tasty had very little on them and the swordfish serve was small. A pear & walnut salad was also on the small side. The 4 of us ordered 3 pizzas, 2 main meals (they were out of veal at 7:00pm!) 3 beers, 1 gelato and it came to $135 and my son and I were still hungry! I am glad it was Monday and I didn't pay normal prices.

Mar 15, 2011