If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurant in Knoxville, Osteria Stella Knoxville is the one I’d actually tell you to try first. I went in hoping it would be good, and it ended up being great! I left and was still thinking about that radiatori.
I walked up to Osteria Stella and immediately noticed the gold lettering and the pink door. It’s in an older building in downtown Knoxville, and that contrast stood out right away. I was sold instantly (the pink door did exactly what it was supposed to do).
I stepped inside and it shifted fast. It got darker, moodier, and felt more upscale than I expected from the outside.When I made the reservation, it looked good online, but walking in felt even better.
I walked through and realized it connects to Brother Wolf next door, but they feel completely different. I saw people grabbing drinks at Brother Wolf while they waited, then heading into Osteria Stella for dinner, which made it feel like more than just dinner.
If you’re planning other dinners around here, I’d also look at A Dopo Knoxville: Is This Sourdough Pizza Worth the Hype?—totally different direction, but still really good.
I sat down and looked around the dining room. The lighting stayed low, and there was a steady buzz of conversation without it getting loud. The tables were close together, but I could still talk normally without leaning across the table.
It felt like a date night spot right away, just without anything feeling too serious.
We went to Osteria Stella Knoxville as a group of four and decided right away to split a bunch of things. That made it way more fun because we got to try a mix instead of committing to one plate (which I never want to do anyway).
I started with the arancini and didn’t expect much. I usually don’t love it because it just tastes fried, but this was actually flavorful with saffron risotto, beef ragù, and caciocavallo, and it was way lighter than I thought it would be.
I grabbed a piece of the focaccia next, and it was simple but really good. Salty in the best way, with garlic confit, olives, and olive oil that I kept going back to like I hadn’t already ordered half the menu.
I tried the funghi alla griglia e salsiccia (say that 5 times fast) after that, and it came with grilled mushrooms, crumbled Italian sausage, whipped ricotta, and rosemary honey. That combo could have gone either way, but it worked, and it worked well.
I also had some of the insalata di burrata with seasonal fruit, prosciutto, and arugula, and that balanced everything out in between bites.
I went straight for the gnocchi d’inverno first. It had pumpkin, brown butter, sage, and candied pumpkin seeds, and every bite had a lot of flavor without feeling too heavy.
I took a bite of the lasagne alla bolognese next, and that one stood out right away. It comes out as its own structured portion, and it’s more southern Italian style, so it’s not loaded with heavy red sauce (which isn’t usually my go-to… I’m more of a white sauce girl). Since it’s cooked individually, it came out as the perfect slice with crisp edges on every side.
I tried the radiatori con broccoli e formaggio after that, and that ended up being my favorite. It’s a creamy broccoli pesto with parmigiano reggiano and lemony breadcrumbs, and everything about it just worked. I’d go back just for that—no hesitation.
I tasted the risotto nero last, and it had squid ink, shrimp, and lemon. The flavor was good, but the texture felt a little off and didn’t have that rich, creamy risotto feel I love.
We started comparing favorites, and it turned into a friendly debate. I stuck with the radiatori, Brad went with the lasagna, and those two immediately took over as the favorites at the table.
Everything we ordered held its own, which made it hard to narrow it down.
I skipped drinks, but I looked over the menu and it’s a big wine spot. They have over 200 bottles from all 20 regions of Italy, and it focuses on smaller wineries.
If you’re into wine, you’ll have plenty to choose from.
We ended up around $35–$50 per person depending on how much you order, and with everything we tried, it felt justified. Nothing felt overpriced for the quality, especially with how much we ordered.
I talked with our server throughout the meal, and they knew the menu well. They explained dishes, answered questions, and kept everything moving at a good pace without rushing us.
I parked nearby before dinner and noticed spots fill up quickly, especially later at night. Parking in that area can be a little tricky, but if you go earlier, it’s easier to find a spot close by.
I made a reservation ahead of time and walked right in without waiting.
If you’re planning a full night out or coming from out of town, I’d look at hotels here so you can stay close and not deal with parking twice.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
If you’re coming from outside Knoxville and need a car book one here for the best deals so you can get around easily.
I’d come here if I wanted a nicer dinner or a date night with really good food. Between the lighting, the setup, and the quality of the food, it feels like more of a full dinner experience instead of just going out to eat.
I left comparing it to Emilia, and they’re in that same category of elevated Italian in Knoxville. It just depends what you’re in the mood for.
If you’re building out a list, I’d also look at RT Lodge Restaurant Review: A Cozy, Food-First Dinner Worth the Drive for something different but still really good.
I left already thinking about what I’d order next time, and that radiatori is the one I’d go straight back for. That dish really pasta-tively made the decision for me (had to). So yes, I think Osteria Stella Knoxville is worth the time, money, and making a reservation for.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
