Stella Van Buren

My wife and I recently went for our second time there. We both opted for pasta dishes as entrées and have Brussels and asparagus as the sides, with calamari, bruschetta, fresh oysters, and hot rock seared wagyu taking the place of our first course. The bright flavors were exceptionally made by the kitchen and perfectly balanced with the heavier flavors they shared the table with. Thanks, Chef Jonathan, for a great dinner. Ya killed it! 🤙🏻

Our server, Kate was phenomenal! She remembered us and our order from a previous visit. And the bread pudding was delicious!

Great menu options. Reasonably priced, I chose a healthy breakfast option, the quinoa power bowl and it was tasty. I'd come back. The waiter Dali kept my coffee filled and my table clean. Great experience.

Had an amazing date night with my gf. We split a chicken ceasar salad which was amazing. She had the filet and I had the prime burger. Her filet was amazing as expected. My burger, I can’t even put into words how it exceeded my expectation’s. Highly recommend. Espresso martini to cap it off. Couldn’t ask for a better date night

Michael was amazing…..didn’t have vanilla vodka 🤦‍♂ so he made some suggestions and it was fantastic. Food was amazing, service was beyond, I could see why he is training other people for sure.

The bacon steak on the wedge salad is amazing, and everything else is delicious too!

We were here 5 or 6 years ago. Stayed at hotel and had dinner and breakfast at Stella. Back today for breakfast and it was great! Almost as great as our server Morgan!

I ate here twice on my recent trip to Milwaukee and it was amazing!!! The service was excellent and the vibe is homey and warm. Would definitely return. Recommend the wedge!!

I went here for my birthday dinner and it exceeded my expectations. Kate was our server and was going above and beyond - my experience was so comfortable. I’m quite indecisive and she helped me choose on which dessert to get and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be recommending this place to friends and will be coming back in the future! We accidentally made a reservation at the wrong location, but even so, they happily gave us the best seat with the best view. Thank you!

Food and atmosphere were great, as always! Cannot recommend the Spicy Tuna Bruschetta and Bread Pudding are an absolute MUST! Highlight of our night was Kate, our phenomenal server! She was personable, responsive and just wonderful! We come here often. Tonight was one of the best!

Anjail was quick and quite polite. Spicy tuna tartare shown was a fantastic starter. Barrel cut filet medium rare was also exceptional.

We recently ate at Stella for an anniversary/birthday dinner. We enjoyed the atmosphere - cool bar area with high shelves stocked with high end liquor. High ceilings and a well designed space throughout creates a high end feel. Lighting and furniture are on point which helps create a fantastic ambience. There are great outdoor seating options with views of the city. Our waiter, Mike, was outstanding throughout the night and provided some great recommendations. Micky, the manager, checked in with us to ensure we were having a great experience, which we appreciated.

Some highlights from our meal as we tried many of the items on the menu:

Drinks:
Strawberry Mint Mule - very refreshing and flavors worked together perfectly without being too sweet. Outstanding and one of our favorite drinks we’ve had at any restaurant.

Paloma - another outstanding drink with fun garnishes. I coulda ordered a couple more of these but wanted to try other drinks on the menu. Highly recommend this if you are into Paloma’s.

Appetizers:
Crab cake - good size portion of delicious crab with an outstanding tartar sauce. One of my favorite items all night.

Hot stone Wagyu - worth it for the experience alone. This was a fun appetizer where we cooked our own Wagyu strips on a hot stone brought to the table. Not something we have ever seen at a restaurant. The Wagyu was delicious. Tips for this one - salt the meat first before searing. The spicy chili dipping sauce was good but a bit overpowering for such delicious meat. I preferred eating the meat without the sauce though might change my mind if there was a different sauce. Overall I highly recommend this unique appetizer for the experience and meat quality.

Entrees

Wagyu Bolognese - very tasty pasta with tender cuts of wagyu bolognese. Well cooked, flavorful. Highly recommended!

Italian Oscar - a delicious filet topped with crab meat and a delicious white sauce. Probably the best cut of meat I’ve had at a restaurant which paired well with the crab. The sauce was so good I just wish there was a bit more. Glad I ordered this one!

Dessert:
Bread pudding - very good bread pudding topped with vanilla ice cream. Would definitely order again.

I highly recommend Stella for both locals and tourists staying at the hotel. The ambience is outstanding, the food was excellent, and service provided throughout the hotel and restaurant are the best I’ve experienced in Milwaukee. We will be back soon!

Stella Van Buren is a great choice for a birthday celebration. The lunch menu offers a variety of pasta dishes, including "paste al dente" which is highly recommended. The Italian donuts for dessert are also a tasty option and are sure to add a sweet finish to the meal.
In addition to the delicious food, Stella Van Buren also boasts a stunning view from its windows, offering guests a panoramic view of the city. The luxurious atmosphere of the restaurant makes it a perfect place to celebrate a special occasion such as a birthday in style.

First of all, Kate is an excellent server! She is knowledgeable about the menu, personable and efficient. The food is wonderful. My husband had the special which was sea bass, and claims that it was the best he’s ever had. I had the scallops, and have to say that they were better than mine… and mine are quite good!
Only criticism is very expensive valet parking ($20) for dinner, and there was a tear in the curtain right in front of me! Very minor compared to the very enjoyable time we had at Stella Van Buren!

Mike, Chloe, and Chris were AMAZING! This was our first time in Wisconsin and they made us feel so welcome! The food was to die for! We had a great experience and time!

amazing experience! we were sat in front of the large window in the dining room right as a thunder/lightning storm was starting. the food was great! will definitely be coming back!

We went for a work dinner and our waitress, Anjail, was incredibly sweet & attentive. She checked in on us and made sure our drinks were always full. The burger I got came out perfectly and juicy! Definitely recommend this place for any occasion!

Had not been here before, would definitely come again! Food was delicious, atmosphere was super classy, service was on point. Thanks to Hannah for recommending the scallops, so so delicious. Made our whole Tuesday evening coming here!

Stella is a phenomenal restaurant, equally perfect for corporate events, group outings, and date nights. The ambiance is amazing, bar selection is vast, and staff are welcoming and professional. You can't go wrong with the menu, but I especially like the bruschetta appetizer and vodka marinara.

The food was exquisite. Perfect place for a fancy date or special occasion. I had the filet with mash potatoes and a side of risotto and it was all delicious. Our waitress was also very friendly and attentive. Overall, highly recommended!