How to drill stainless steel?

For drilling stainless steel (which is quite hard, thanks to the chromium), your best bet are cobalt-steel drill bits (here's an example). Cobalt steel drill bits are significantly harder than regular HSS drill bits and will cut the stainless steel much better, allowing easier drilling. They are characterized by a dark golden color (as opposed to lighter golden color of titanium-oxide coated bits. and are more expensive than regular HSS bits.

Regarding technique, the trick for drilling hard metals is to drill with a slow speed and high pressure on the drill. The goal is to get the drill to "bite" the metal, cutting of shavings. A drill press will be very useful here (if you can get access to one). High speed drilling will often just overheat the drill bit and the metal, without actually doing anything.

Use a center punch to get a starting point for the drill bit, to prevent wandering.

or the bottom of plant pots, I use a bit of masking tape. It keeps the drill from wandering and the ceramic from getting those little fractures that may become big cracks...

A vise to hold it tightly might help also. You probably do need another type of drill bit.

try a carbide bit. Make dent with nail. Go slow

Thank you! Picked a carbide bit up today and will give it a try.