There's a reason why the line was so long when we went (making a reservation and arriving early is best). The food is good and I really liked the caramel Italian cream soda. We started with the fresh bruschetta; the accompanying salsa was dip was delicious. Calabrian chile and burrata pasta with peas was very good (not spicy at all though). Scaffetti's pasta was also good. I would get the Calabrian chile pasta again. I would definitely return to try more dishes here. read more

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Came at 730pm on a Sunday evening in August. Joined the Yelp wait list and got a text out table was ready. We were met with a line of five groups waiting at the host station. The hostess was gone for a long time and the proceeded to sit each of the five groups before us. We left before she sat the group in front of us. There were also live parrots on the back of some people at the bar that people were putting on each others heads. Felt more like a Mexican cantina bar than a nice Italian restaurant. The staff ignored us. read more

Do not give into the one star reviews... this place is a gem! We had excellent service and a bit of everything. The caprese appetizer was delicious... kind of a nice take the way it's served and plated. The large Cesar salad was a good size for two people... nothing out of the ordinary but good for the price. For entrees we did the Lemon Ricotta and the Portobello Ravioli they were both very good. The pasta that's made daily is clearly fresh and done right... I haven't had good pasta like this in a minute. We also did a coffee with the cannolis... wow one of the best cannolis I've ever had the cream is out of this world! The restaurant itself is lively... so probably not the best for a quiet romantic type dinner. I will say it is our 15 year anniversary and we enjoyed, but we are loud people The server Alexis was fantastic! Very attentive and on top of things. We will definitely be back next time we're in town. read more

From the moment we walked in, I knew this place was going to be special. Watching the chef handcraft fresh pasta right in the front window set the tone before we even sat down. We arrived just before they closed between lunch and dinner, made a reservation for later, and I'm so glad we came back. If the weather is nice, do yourself a favor and request the backyard patio--it's the perfect setting for an unforgettable meal. The handmade pasta absolutely lives up to the hype, but what really surprised me was the service. I wish I could remember our server's name (which is so unlike me--I'm still embarrassed!). She was knowledgeable, attentive, genuinely friendly, and provided the kind of service you'd expect at a fine dining restaurant. We ended up giving her our unused observatory tickets, so hopefully management knows exactly who I'm talking about. If so, she deserves some recognition--she's an outstanding employee. Now, the food... My son ordered the Chicken Alfredo and declared it the best Chicken Alfredo he's ever had. My other son chose the Steak Alfredo and hasn't stopped talking about it since. They both keep asking when we're going back, which tells you everything you need to know. The Italian sodas were also a huge hit with the kids, so don't skip those! I ordered the Calabrian Chile & Burrata Pasta with Peas. Our server warned me that it was spicy. Like most people who love spicy food, I smiled and thought, "I'll be fine." Reader...she was right. It definitely has some heat! Thankfully, the creamy burrata perfectly balances the spice, and I absolutely loved the addition of the peas. It was bold, flavorful, and one of those dishes I'll be thinking about for a long time. Trust your server on the spice level--they know what they're talking about. This is one of those restaurants you'll remember long after your vacation is over. Incredible handmade pasta, outstanding service, a beautiful patio, and an experience that feels genuinely authentic. We can't wait to return. read more

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Ate here two days in a row! Best to make reservations! Really enjoyed their homemade noodles. Best noodles I've had in the USA! Second best noodles to some I had in Rome. Had the Scaffeti and Lemon Ricotto pasta dishes. So freaking good. Service was solid despite them being super busy. Friendly servers for sure. Cute little restaurant with a nice outdoor patio. Omg! The noodles though! read more

This is my second Yelp review of this place and my third visit, and honestly, I still don't understand the negative reviews. I will never stop coming here. Here's a picture of my bf, Keith, and me. Keith was the very first person to serve us during our chaotic (but somehow magical) NYE dinner, and we've been back ever since. The food is consistently top-notch. We actually request bar seating because that's where we had our first experience, and it's become part of the tradition. This visit, I ordered the lemon ricotta pasta again, bc it's always delicious. My bf ordered the chicken Alfredo, and it was fantastic as well. I can't speak to what it's like for large groups, but as a couple, we've had nothing but amazing experiences every time we've come here. The food is excellent, the staff is welcoming, and the atmosphere keeps us coming back. 10/10. Highly recommend. We'll definitely be back. read more

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Great girl dinner here last night outside on the back patio. Love that all the pasta is made in house. The portions were great so we split a pasta and added another salmon to it for more protein. The salmon dish was delicious and the sauce was so yummy. Service was great and love its location downtown so you can walk around and explore all the cute local shops before and after dining. read more

Cafe Stella - Bruschetta board - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

This small, family-owned scratch kitchen offering Italian dishes is on Aspen Ave in the heart of downtown historic Flagstaff. Parking can be a challenge so factor in some time to find a spot if you can't walk here. We made reservations online yesterday (Sunday) around 12:30 pm while driving up from Phoenix. We made reservations for 5pm, right when they open again for dinner after closing for a couple hours. You must put a credit card in to make a reservation. We walked in right at 5pm. The greeter pointed at our table and told us we could sit down. Placard with our last name and time at the table. Didn't look too busy on this Sunday but wanted to reserve just in case. Service was slow at first. Maybe because they'd just opened? Second half of the meal, our server, Giovanna, was really great, friendly, and on top of it. Scratch-made pasta, sauces, and old, heirloom recipe marinara here. I was in the mood for some good pasta and felt very satisfied with my meal. One of my daughters is gluten sensitive and thought she'd have to get a salad but good news- house-made gluten free options available! She finished her entire dish. My daughters and I were all happy with what we ordered. Everything was delicious. My bowl was piping hot. We ordered: - Raspberry Vanilla Italian Cream Soda - 5/5 - CAPRESE SALAD - fresh sliced mozzarella (5 pieces), bruschetta, topped with balsamic glaze - 5/5 - CREAMY TUSCAN SALMON - House-made pasta, creamy spinach, artichoke, sun dried tomato, caper sauce, 6oz portion of grilled salmon (chardonnay recommended) - 5/5. This was my dish and it was absolutely perfect. Looks are deceiving- this is a very large bowl of pasta. I took my leftovers home - 5/5 - LEMON CAPER - daughter chose gluten free pasta with lemony garlic buttercream sauce with capers, and fresh mushrooms - 5/5. She was trying to save this delicious sauce for leftovers at the dorm but couldn't resist eating it all - 5/5 - GRILLED CHICKEN MARGHERITA - nut free pesto sauce, fresh sliced mozzarella, NAE grilled chicken & heirloom bruschetta, topped with balsamic glaze and basil (pinot noir recommended). Daughter said this was the best. I tried a noodle with pesto and very good, strong fresh green basil flavor - 5/5 Server will shave as much Parmesan onto your dish when they bring it to the table - Yum! Really wanted to try some of the fabulous cocktails and desserts. Had to drive home so we'll have to come back soon. TV playing hockey above the small bar. Two gender neutral restrooms for customers. More seating in the back. read more

Cafe Stella - Creamy Tuscan Salmon - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Great dinner experience here recently. We were visiting from Las Vegas, NV for a Christmas event. And decided on comfy Italian food for dinner. We made a reservation a week in advance, which was immensely helpful, since we noticed a lot of walk-in traffics were quoted 45-minutes of wait time. Upon arrival, the White male staff welcomed us warmly. We decided on Caprese salad as the appetizer, which was fresh & had well-seasoned diced tomato atop. I had the Tuscan salmon pasta, and it was delicious with spinach & artichoke. However, I wished the sauce wasn't watery. My husband had the pork chop with pasta, in which he LOVED with fork-tender pork and amazing red sauce. My toddler son loved the butter/garlic pasta. We also had a side of meatballs, which were amazing (not too salty like most restaurants) enmeshed well with marinara sauce with a touch of cinnamon. Our female server was very pleasant too. The restaurant was cozy & inviting too! read more

Cafe Stella - Creamy Tuscan Salmon - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Wow. The best experience. The service, atmosphere and especially our server! The food was 5 stars! We had the Lemon Ricotta Pasta and Spaghetti and Meatballs and OMG. THE BEST. The homemade fresh pasta was the best we have ever had! caprese and fresh bread also a must. Thank you Cafe Stella! read more

Cafe Stella - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Too expensive. Paying for bread and salad on top of an entree is a big no, no. The eggplant with pasta lacked flavor. The large dense pasta was a poor choice. It overwhelmed what little eggplant there was. I mean what little eggplant there was. read more

Food was horrendous. Pasta seemed undercooked. Both the kids garlic pasta(spaghetti) and eggplant pasta were horrible. Service also could be better. Had to wait 5 mins before someone would even say hello. Would avoid as the pastas were undercooked and lacked salt or any taste. The outdoor ambience seemed better than the indoor. read more

We walked by and went into this place and boy was I glad. The service and food was amazing and when I go back to Flagstaff again this will be on the top of my list to eat. House made pasta dishes YUMMY GOOD! read more

They have NO AIR CONDITIONING and it is not mentioned on the website. We (six) walked in then out this time. Normally a four star place. read more

Fantastic. Cute spot. Friendly staff member. Amazing pasta. We did the Creamy Tuscan Salmon (subbed with chicken) and it was so delicious. Large portion- we split it and were both still full. HOMEMADE pasta!! That was the best part. Coming back for martinis! read more

We found the staff very friendly and fast. We started with the house salad. The dressing had great flavor, not too acidic and not sweet, but the salad was extremely one dimensional. Just lettuce, a tiny amount of chopped onion, and croutons. They easily could take it from being a mediocre salad to a great salad by adding tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, carrot, and a bit of thinly sliced pecorino. You can split the large house salad amongst two or three people. The sausage and mushrooms pasta was good. You could tell the homemade pasta and sausage immediately. They served the sausage skinless, which I liked. The red sauce was good, a touch biting, but did lack garlic. If they would get it a touch less acidic and amp up the garlic, the sauce could go from good to great. A very generous portion, you can split this dish amongst two people without anyone going hungry. Their prices are a welcome third dimension to Flagstaff's two dimensional restaurant scene: Bar food/pizza or empty the wallet haut cuisine. read more

I cannot recommend avoiding this place enough. We waited an unreasonably long time for our food, only for the pasta dishes to arrive completely cold. We also ordered a Caprese salad--a dish that relies on fresh ingredients--but what we received tasted completely unfresh, almost like it came from a can. We sent the pasta back to be heated up, and while we waited, I visited the restroom. To put it delicately, it was a severe biohazard. The toilet was covered in human excrement, and a trash can was overflowing with empty tampon applicators. Sickened, I immediately informed our server. He apologized, but in a strangely unsurprised, apathetic manner--as if this was a regular occurrence. We told him we were leaving immediately, but he still made sure to charge us full price for the subpar salad before we walked out the door. Terrible food, nonexistent hygiene, and poor management. Eat anywhere else. read more

We are here after a long day snowboarding and were pleasantly surprised with some of the best Italian food we've had in awhile. The service was excellent and the pasta was very authentic. This last time we got the bolognese which was some of the best I've ever had, meat based and so rich with thick noodles. Aspen and Keith (with hair nonetheless!) helped us and the service was superb. The ambiance here would be great for a date with nice dimmed lighting and just an overall good vibe. read more

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Homemade pasta and great menu items. The Lemon Ricotta pasta was excellent! I'd definitely recommend and return! read more

Very small portion of steak on the Alfredo. The flavors were bland and overly mellow from the dairy. The noodles were like play doh consistency and not well salted. Overall pricing is outrageous for what you get and the ambiance is low effort fake plant wall and dark lighting. read more

We walked past cafe Stella during the day and I saw the fresh noodles hanging in the window, thought we would give it a try! We were sat in the back which has a cute ambiance. We tried the Lemon Ricotta Pasta which was light in flavor and a splash of lemon. It was an excellent dish to share since we were surprised by the large portion. Would be a great date night spot. Service was a a little slower since it was a Saturday night. We will be back to try another dish sometime in the future. read more

Cafe Stella - Menu 6/20/25 - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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we ate here tonight and I would honestly tell you not to waste your time or money going to this restaurant ordered a house salad and they had all the bad parts of Romain chopped up so super bitter, I ordered ravioli that was supposed to be homemade but it was freezer burnt, my husband ordered Bolognese that was probably the most disgusting spicy Bolognese I've ever had and it was not supposed to be spicy. read more

It was a huge disappointment. The service was poor, and the food was mediocre, at best. Even the beer was warm, a travesty that they couldn't fix. There are too many good restaurants to waste time with this one. We'll not be back. read more

Cafe Stella is our fav spot in flag. We always get the lemon pasta. The ambiance is so beautiful and the service is fast! Great spot read more

Cafe Stella - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

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I don't write reviews often but I felt this place needed one- unfortunately not on the positive side of things. We had a reservation and walked up to check in. The hostess asked if we wanted patio or inside (we'd never been to this place before so my husband asked if he could check out the patio quickly). The hostess said sure but then immediately sat another walk in table in the 30 seconds it took my husband to look at the patio. My husband came back and said the patio looks nice and we will do that. Then she proceeded to tell us she had just sat the last four top (the walk ins). So I asked why she'd even offer us the option if it wasn't one? And also that we had an actual reservation. She was EXTREMELY rude and told me it was "first come fist serve". She then proceeded to seat us by the soda machine (probably worst table they had). I was hoping the food would redeem her horrible service and poor judgment but unfortunately it was pretty sub par. My son's pasta was cold, mine was watery and they ran out of steak. To top it off - took my 7 year old to the bathroom and on the wall in bright neon lights is "please don't do coke in the bathroom". Seriously? This is an Italian restaurant not a bar. I had to pretend that they meant don't drink soda in the bathroom and she kept asking and going on and on about it. So inappropriate. Won't be returning and suggest you don't waste your time or money there either. read more

A lovely evening! Their pastas are phenomenal. I had the pasta with eggplant which was their vegan option. It was delicious and the portion size was huge. Great wine selection with really reasonable prices. Our service was very sweet and the ambiance was lovely. We asked for the table by the window and it was perfect. I love the lights on the ceiling. Keep up the great work! read more

Cafe Stella - Pasta with eggplant Vegan and delicious! - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

I had the mushroom ravioli in alfredo sauce. It was fantastic! It is a very small space. Make reservations even if you are only a party of one, which I was. read more

Cafe Stella is located in the wonderful downtown Flagstaff and a great place to visit for clean, homemade pasta in a cute restaurant. Staff are friendly, reservations not required. Portions were generous and it wasn't heavy, primarily because they don't drown their pastas in heavy sauce. Their dishes were not oily at all. Some notes about the dishes: just a fair warning that the Calabrian chile and burratta pasta has a nice, spicy kick and might not be for the spicy naive since the spice builds up over time. The salmon was a nice size for the Tuscan pasta and I liked the sauce! The pacherri had ground beef so just be aware of that if you wanted something with more bite. Their pastas are homemade and made fresh in house, sometimes you can watch them make it in the front. They have a small choice of types of pastas with a doughy texture. I'd recommend this place for its clean, fresh ingredients and mellow flavors that won't make you feel guilty eating it afterwards! read more

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Absolutely delicious! Would come back here in a heartbeat! My husband and I had the Sausage, Mushroom Pasta and the Creamy Tuscan Pasta and both were exceptional. Also loved the House Salad and Sourdough Bread. Service was fast, respectful and friendly. The ambience is charming and cozy. Highly recommend! read more

Cafe Stella - Creamy Tuscan Salmon and Sausage Mushroom Pasta dishes. - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

We were visiting Flagstaff for the Lowell observatory. Found this place and decided to give it a go. Well it was worth it! It may have been because we were there for lunch or it was just a Wednesday lull but we were able to get a table right away. The waiter was prompt and was very professional. I had the ravioli with ground beef and cheese and the alfredo sauce. Let me tell you, I only use the word sauce because that is what you would expect someone to call it, but, to me, it was more of a cheese gravy. I'm not complaining, not in the least bit, if they had biscuits and 'gravy' on the menu and it was this sauce there is no amount of GLP1 meds to fight the weight I would put on. Appetizer? garlic bread and the alfredo sauce. Desert? just a glass of alfredo please. My partner had the Calabrian Chile & Burrata Pasta with peas and it had a nice heat on it that grew on you. She kept trying to get me to have a bite, but I was in alfredo heaven. It's been only a few days since we've eaten there but we still talk about how great the food it. Negatives is that the tea was not good. I think that is more the water in Arizona and less the restaurant but that could just be me. While it did not impact us, I could see where someone might not like how small it is, but if you know what you're getting into you should be fine. If we are ever in Flagstaff again we will be back and I'm going to bring a needle to mainline that alfredo 'sauce'. read more

We came in early without a reservation and were seated immediately. A different take on the pasta...thick. Tasty and held the sauce quite well. Took a while to be attended but when we were the service was quite good. read more

Hands down one of the best Italian restaurants! The spaghetti and meatballs were absolutely delicious. The sauce was so good and nothing beats fresh, homemade pasta. My husband got the Mob Boss sandwich and WOW!!! It smelled and looked so good and he confirmed it was excellent. We were there on a weekday for lunch and our party of 7 was the only one there; however, I have no doubt the service would've been equally satisfactory even if there were other patrons. read more

This lovely little restaurant is popular for a reason. They have great food with huge servings that is unbelievably priced. We enjoyed the lemon ricotta pasta and the Bolognese with garlic sourdough bread and a side of steak that was eight dollars as an add-on to our pasta. I hope people appreciate this little restaurant and continue to support it so that we can come back for years to come. read more

Located in down town Flagstaff , this gem has a wonderful patio allowing dogs. The pasta is made on the premises. The food was quite good . Friendly staff and speedy service. It is also called I believe scratch kitchen. read more

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Delicious pasta , great service very attentive. We came when it first opened and gave it a second chance, well worth coming back! read more

Wow top notch! Brought my whole family here after a full day. Food came quickly and was extremely good. Plenty of flavor and very creative dishes. Just classic good food! read more

Came here for brunch! Sat in the cute outdoor patio out back. Had the flagstaff hash waffle which is just like it sounds. It was a hash brown made in a waffle maker! Two eggs sunny side up with nice roasted peppers! Delic! The homemade Pasta and sauce looked good too! read more

Cafe Stella - Flagstaff Waffle - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

Friendly staff and great Cesar salad but we did not really enjoy the thick chewy pasta. read more

Cafe Stella - Kids menu - Italian Near Me - Flagstaff, Arizona

First off get reservations! I've traveled all over the world and by far one of the best Italian dishes Ive had. Chicken Alfredo was insane, the noodles were perfect and the chicken was perfectly cooked! You can get any dishes minus the meats if you need. The tiramisu was out of this world! Great ambiance and quick service! Even if they show a lot of availability when you are looking for reservations don't think oh they don't look busy, you'll be turned away quickly as it gets busy quick. Drinks were also well balanced. read more

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The food we ordered definitely deserves five stars, but unfortunately the service brought down my overall rating. We were hesitant to order our entrées at the same time as our salads, but our waiter assured us he would wait to submit the entrée order so our first course wouldn't be interrupted. Unfortunately, halfway through our salads, another server arrived with our entrées. When we mentioned this to our waiter, he seemed unconcerned and made no effort to acknowledge or remedy the situation. That was disappointing, especially after we had specifically discussed our concern beforehand. The quality of the food makes us want to return, but the poor service makes us think twice. I hope this was simply an off night because attentive service is just as important as a great meal. read more