Housed in the beautifully restored Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Trattoria Stella is one of Traverse City’s most-loved dinner spots, and for good reason. The exposed brick, high ceilings, and old asylum-building architecture set a mood you won’t find anywhere else in town, and the Italian menu leans on the same local ingredients that make this region special — Michigan cherries, Great Lakes fish, and produce sourced from nearby farms. It’s the kind of place worth dressing up a little for, whether you’re celebrating something or just want a proper night out after a day on the trails or the water. Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends during the summer season when the whole town fills up — book ahead through their website if you can. The wine list is thoughtfully put together, with a solid selection of Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsula bottles alongside the Italian selections, so it’s a great stop if you’re building a wine-country evening around dinner. We send guests here often, and it rarely disappoints. It’s about a 10-minute drive from downtown Traverse City, making it an easy add to an evening that starts with a stroll around the Commons grounds beforehand.
