Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Stella's

    4.5 (1.2k reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Stella's Photos

    Business Info

    STELLA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Stella's

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Stellas calamari
    Mary Beth B.

    The last time I was at Stella's was at their Charleston location. I visit Charleston often since my adult children live there, and Stella's has become one of our go to favorites. It had been a while since I'd been back to the original here in Richmond, and it absolutely reminded me why this place is legendary. We ordered almost exclusively off page one of the menu, and every single dish delivered. We started with the grilled octopus. Let me be clear, nobody does octopus better than Stella's. It is grilled and charred to perfection, tender, smoky, and never rubbery. It is served over romaine with a Greek dressing that brings just the right brightness and acidity. I could eat that dish every single day and never get tired of it. They begin the meal with warm bread and olive oil, and I honestly wanted to walk across the street and get a case of the olive oil to take home. It tastes like Greece. The bread is fresh and , buttery, and perfect for dipping. I saw someone once compare it to Wonder Bread, which tells me they know absolutely nothing about bread baking or the difference between fresh bread and ultra processed food. This bread is exactly what it should be. We also had the Tria and Stella's calamari. The calamari is outstanding. The Mediterranean flavors are spot on, and the sun dried tomatoes add just a hint of sweetness that balances everything beautifully. The fresh pita and Tria dips are so yummy. We also ordered the lamb lollipop special and the seasonal salad. That salad deserves its own moment. Shaved fennel, an ouzo dressing, bacon, cranberry, and apples. Just phenomenal. I would happily eat that salad on its own every day. Yes, we over ordered, but Stella's boxes everything up without hesitation, which I truly appreciate. Great restaurants want you to enjoy the meal twice. The service was outstanding from start to finish, but what really stood out was the care they showed. I messaged ahead explaining that I am immunocompromised due to a stem cell transplant for leukemia. Stella's is tiny, so I asked for a corner table and made it clear I completely understood if they could not accommodate. Not only did they seat us thoughtfully, they kept a 4 too next to us as just a two top even though they easily could have filled the neighboring table twice. That kind of awareness and kindness matters more than people realize. If you can, go to Stella's. It is on best of lists year after year for a reason. You are not just eating dinner, you are eating like you are in Greece

    Menu
    Liz V.

    The food here is so traditional and delicious. We had an appetizer, some delicious cocktails and ordered food to go. The bartender was super helpful and friendly with our drinks and the food menu. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, lots of windows and natural light, soothing decor. After this we shopped at their market across the street and took a bunch of prepared food home! All delicious!!

    Pikelia
    Menghai T.

    I came here for a dinner and got the spanakopita ($15), pikelia ($30) and pastichiatho ($25). The food came out after about 25 mins and wow was it amazing. The spanakopita was very flaky and crispy and the dip complimented so well. The pastichiatho was a sweeter pasta with a meat sauce it was very delicious. And the pikelia had a little of everything from meats, vegetables, and pastries. Everything tasted sooo good, I can see why they are always so booked 3 months out. My only complaint is the size of the restaurant and space between tables, it's very close to other tables literally 2 or 3 feet apart which made the atmosphere feel a little to close to each other. Overall food was absolutely amazing! I'm definitely going to get another reservation down the line! Food(50%): 9.3 Staff/service(25%): 7.0 Value(25%): 8.4 Overall: 8.5/10

    Moussaka
    Kevin D.

    Great atmosphere and awesome food. The moussaka was a little sweet which was unexpected but still good. The pasta 5 was really filling but okay on flavor. The sampler was great to try several appetizers! Would recommend getting a reservation though since it gets packed. There is also a communal table that different groups can sit together at

    Interior
    Brian L.

    We came in for a late Christmas Eve lunch and it ended up being one of those meals that sticks with you long after you leave. The restaurant was lively but not chaotic, and the space itself felt warm and inviting. Inside, the bar was full, tables were buzzing with conversation, and the holiday decorations added just enough festivity without feeling forced. It felt like the kind of place where people were settling in and enjoying themselves, not rushing through a meal. Outside had its own charm too. The street was lined with classic cars and the storefront felt cozy and neighborhood driven. It was one of those moments where you pause for a second before going in and think, this feels like the right place to be today. We started with the saganaki, followed by spanakopita and grilled octopus. Everything came out beautifully done. The octopus was especially memorable. Tender, nicely charred, and bright with lemon. The spanakopita was crisp and comforting, exactly what you hope for. For mains, we shared the pastichio and the braised lamb shank, which was absolutely the right move. The pastichio was rich and satisfying with a deeply browned top, and the lamb shank was fall apart tender with bold, slow cooked flavor. We finished with ekmek, which was light, creamy, and refreshing after a heavier meal. Portions were generous and we happily took some food home. Service was excellent throughout. Our server Jon P was attentive, friendly, and gave us space to enjoy the meal without ever feeling forgotten. We walked out right at 150 including tip, and it felt like money very well spent. This was our first visit, but it will not be our last. Stella's turned a Christmas Eve lunch into something that felt special, and that kind of experience is hard to come by.

    Cup of Lentil Soup
    J E.

    While staying in Richmond a group of us (co-workers) came here for dinner on a weeknight. We didn't have reservations and the place was packed, but they were still able to find seating for the four of us, which was great! Honestly, service the entire evening was excellent! The menu is loaded with all sorts of appealing Greek food. We decided to try a bunch of items to share... such as their Village salad, which was very nicely done with fresh veggies and a tasty, robust feta. I also tried a cup of their Lentil soup - this was really tasty. We tried many other items too; their meatballs, trio of dips, and even their flaming cheese - We really liked it all and there was so much food, we got full from just these small plates! Definitely would recommend stopping in, but be sure to make reservations, they are quite popular!

    Hilopites
    Alexis B.

    I was in Richmond for work last week and decided to stop at Stella's for dinner before driving back to Baltimore. I adored it. First of all - the location and the ambiance are really lovely. Stella's is located in a more residential neighborhood (I street parked a block away in front of a really charming bungalow house), and it's incredible charming: outside seating under an awning, corner door, in a tiny strip of shops. The inside of the restaurant is beautiful, intimate, and romantic (but still wonderful for me, as a solo dinner at the bar). And the restaurant has history. Stella's has a lengthy Richmond history for being not such an old place itself. It's named after Stella Dikos, who was born in Nazi-occupied Greece in 1942 but who emigrated to the States after an arranged marriage. She and her husband opened Village Cafe, which served American and Greek classics, in Richmond in 1956. Her first namesake restaurant opened in Richmond in 1983, and the current Stella's is nod to her, too. Until she passed away in 2024, you could still find Stella working the restaurant that bears her name. The food and the drinks really live up to the charm and history of this great restaurant. Stella's serves Greek dishes - some classic comforts and some more modern takes the cuisine. The menu is large, and the only thing I don't like about solo dining is that there's not someone to share with you, so you can't order as much. But looking at this menu, I couldn't order just one dish. I started with a salad, their Maroulosalata (tender lettuces, dill, scallion, feta, extra virgin olive oil, and fresh lemon), which I loved. It was simple and fresh and bright and everything I want in a salad. Honestly, I could eat it every day. My main dish was harder to choose. Did I want Moussaka? Always. Or did I want their Artichoke Moussaka? Interesting, maybe I want that! Was I craving Pastichio? Always. But then there were dishes I'd never tried before (Pastichiatho, Koltopoulo, Hilopites...) and roasted whole fish and roasted leg of lamb... I said to myself, "Well, you'll just have to come back," and ordered their Hilopites (egg noodles, giant beans, pine nuts, cherry tomato, kalamata olive, feta, fresh mint, and extra virgin olive oil). Comfort in a whole. I loved it. I also had a glass of wine recommended by the bartender - a bright, acidic, Greek white wine perfect for the meal. And I chatted with the bartender, other servers, and a solo drinker to my left. All of this - the history, the ambiance, the wine, and - YES ABSOLUTELY - the food, added up to one of my favorite meals lately. I can't wait to have a reason to come back to Richmond, so I can eat at Stella's again. Next time, I'm bringing other people, not because I need the company (Stella's is exactly the kind of warm place where a solo diner can have a great experience) but so I can try more of their menu. A gem.

    Claira C.

    A beautiful birthday dinner. We were able to get a spot at the bar without a reservation on a busy Monday night. The service was impeccable and the food was outstanding. Highly recommend the feta braised chicken... some of the most flavorful and tender chicken I've ever tried. Definitely worth the hype.

    Oysters on special
    Alexina A.

    Stella's was absolutely delicious! The portions are perfect for sharing and the drinks were amazing too. We had such awesome service--everyone was so friendly and attentive. We sat at the bar since they only accept walk-ins (no reservations) and it definitely gets busy, but it was well worth the wait. Every dish was so flavorful and unique. The baked oysters special was incredible, and the filet was cooked to perfection. I love the feeling inside it's very warm and inviting. Highly recommend!

    Spanakopita
    Connie T.

    I've had opportunities to try Stella's several times over the last few months during lunch and dinner. I can certainly see why it's so busy and hard to score reservations. The food is delicious, portions are massive, and the service is attentive. It seems you can't really go wrong with any of the dishes. I highly recommend trying several apps like spanakopita, hummus & tabouli, and tiropita. All the phyllo dishes are so delicate and crisp. I've also enjoyed the chicken souvlaki pita, lamb gyro, kotopoulo, and the chicken souvlaki. Everything is tender and you can really taste all the Greek flavors. I do surprisingly wish the pita and gyro were a bit smaller as they're so large and full that you have to eat it with a fork and knife.

    The best entree, salmon  IG: @_badassfoodie
    Jade R.

    At any given night you'll probably find me here at my regular table ordering the octopus, lamb, and salmon with my Kapnos cocktail in hand. This has become one of my Richmond staples and a place I take anyone and everyone in my life. The staff is like family and the food is always consistent. I hope they stay in Richmond forever.

    Artichoke Moussaka
    Amos E.

    Fab food! Some of the dishes are spin-offs and more fusion than traditional, but everything we tried was good. We had the mushroom saganaki, black kale salad, artichoke moussaka, and salmon. Out of the selection, the salad was the least interesting as the dressing consisted of just oil and lemon (though it was flavored with the grated cheese. We just like stronger flavors. The other dishes were done to perfection. The atmosphere was very pleasant and could be romantic (soft light, candle lit lanterns, faux tin ceiling, cloth napkins, cool wall art). The soundtrack is mostly older Greek songs, which works for the restaurant, but makes me feel bad for the staff who must have heard every song thousands of times. The service was great! Just right amount of attention but not too much. They were helpful as to recomendations. We were seated almost immediately on a thursday night, though the restaurant was bustling.

    Oysters

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Delicious Food! Great service! Hard to get in but definitely worth it! They do take walkins but at the bar or at the long table.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Brian L.
    330
    68
    301

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of J E.
    127
    3665
    13123

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 2
    Love this 6
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 2

    10 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tim H.
    47
    8
    0

    3 months ago

    Longtime favorite, used to live very close to it, great food, good service, I highly recommend!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Toska S.
    11
    125
    58

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lynn N.
    0
    35
    49

    2 months ago

    Sooo great! Everything delish and fresh. At the bar: great service. Lamb, hummus, strawberry salad, salted Carmel gelato! All fantastic!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of JM D.
    261
    34
    0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Mr A.
    27
    108
    18

    2 months ago

    extremely good food and really nice vibe if not just a little pricey, but really you get what you pay for

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 30

    Stella's Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Stella's

    What is their cork fee?

    $20

    Do they offer reservations for outdoor seating?

    I'm not really sure...but definitely worth the wait!

    Do they take reservations for a party of 2?

    yes

    Is there any outdoor seating these days?

    Indeed there is, along the sidewalk leading towards the front door of the restaurant.

    View All 6 Questions

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Mediterranean 1,454 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Harry's at Hofheimer - Variety of Small Plates

    Harry's at Hofheimer

    4.3(104 reviews)
    0.9 miScott's Addition
    Women-owned & operated
    Rooftop seating

    Random Thursday night the week after significant snow on the area. I'm in town for work and was…read morecraving a salmon dinner. This came up as one of a few options close by. I would have skipped this place if the perfect parking spot hadn't come available but the parallel parking gods told me I was meant to give this place a try. (I live in the land of parking lots and I'm not about this life, lol) This place is really cute!! I only saw the main dining area and bar. Decor is retro, quirky, hipster. The lighting is moody but not too dark. The art is kind of historical eccentric. There's a gorgeous picture of Harriet Tubman over one table that I loved. The waitstaff was really sweet (shout out to Sydney for being awesome). I'm a solo dinner table for one when on business and the waitress was attentive without being over bearing. I had the brussel sprouts, appetizer. It was well flavored with a move char/crisp. Cocktail (The Affair) was great, balanced and yummy but not over sweet. I had the salmon dinner that came with mashed potatoes and green beans. Nice crispy skin, seasoned decent, cooked a little more well-done than I prefer but it was cooked to the level my friends would probably request. Potatoes seemed a little over mixed or possibly from instant but not bad. It didn't stop me from eating it all . It's a great date spot and I enjoyed listening to the "first date" couple who got seated next to me. Yep I'm nosy and the tables are close enough that it's not the place for a private convo. Bread Pudding Dessert was standard but yummy. The place exudes a feeling of inclusion and love from the friendly interactions, to the diverse art, to the pride cake dessert. I love that. Overall I'd give the food a solid 4 but with the, service, and ambiance it rounds up to a 5. Live music came in towards the end of my meal. It was really nice. Not too loud.

    We arrived around 8 o'clock on a Thursday to a daunting parking situation. At least three people…read morewere double parked out front. We had to find a space around the block. Walking in the front door to a welcoming entryway was a nice surprise. The host had gone home already, so we walked in and were seated by a warm and kind bartender. Our server, Clare, came over immediately after and gave us the rundown. No sour beers here either. We looked over the curated menu, and chose a few appetizers, the burrata and the egg rolls. For an entree my partner ordered the fried chicken sandwich, and I chose the pomegranate glazed pork belly. The place settings and restaurant decor were modern and aesthetically pleasing. The paintings and pictures were well placed. I especially liked the one with Truman and the alien, Ebi. The books and book shelves were a nice touch; I thought Harry's would be a nice place to relax on a weekday and enjoy a new read. The food came: the burrata on toast topped with a balsamic glaze and peaches was scrumptious as were the mac and cheese and beef egg rolls. The dips, a sweet BBQ sauce and a spicy mustard aoli, both worked their magic. My partner's fried chicken sandwich was massive. She enjoyed half that night and half the next night for leftovers. The garlic mashed potatoes were exquisitely prepared. The pork belly was a poor choice in my opinion; half of the pork belly was fat that I had to painstakingly remove, and it seemed overcooked. Though, maybe that was the intent, to crisp the bottom. The food tasted fantastic once I did all the prep work to get to it, but the butter knife made cutting through the pork and the broccolini challenging. The broccolini was more sour than I would have liked, probably prepared with lemon, and the garlic mashed potatoes again, with the pomegranate seeds, were the clear winner. It indeed felt like we got the dregs from the kitchen, which is strange considering we arrived well before closing time. Our appetizers and entrees came out at the same time. Everything felt thrown together, even though it was played well and the food tasted top tier. It really seemed like the kitchen staff was ready to go home. All things considered, I recommend Harry's. The food was incredible, the staff were kind and accommodating, just arrive before 8PM if you want a better culinary experience.

    Photos
    Harry's at Hofheimer - Book shelves, bar area, and front decor

    Book shelves, bar area, and front decor

    Harry's at Hofheimer - Burger and Frites

    Burger and Frites

    Harry's at Hofheimer - Ambiance

    See all

    Ambiance

    Reveler Experiences

    Reveler Experiences

    4.7(43 reviews)
    1.0 miCarytown

    Révéler is the kind of place that defies easy description, which is exactly what makes it worth…read morevisiting. The décor is wildly eclectic and definitely gives the spot a unique feel. I was there for a private event. The crowd was warm and wonderfully mixed. There was a little chat before the event began that basically told us to not get kicked out by being mean or non-inclusive. Not sure how I felt about that. Parking in Carytown is its own contact sport. Come early -- your blood pressure will thank you. I parked 6 blocks away and was lucky to get that. Bottom line: Weird, welcoming, and worth every lap around the block looking for a spot if you're into crowds and are looking for something different.

    Came here with friends and it seems like a cool spot, especially for an older crowd. We purchased…read moretickets expecting a jazz experience, but the music was not jazz at all, which was a bit disappointing. The art exhibitions were nice and definitely interesting to walk through. The charcuterie board we ordered was excellent and a highlight of the night. The location is also great for nightlife. That said, the drinks didn't quite hit the mark for me, and the service was inconsistent. We were told guests are expected to be quiet during the sets, yet another group was talking loudly and nothing was addressed, which felt a bit uneven. Overall, it's not a place I'd return to, and I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a more diverse crowd.

    Photos
    Reveler Experiences
    Reveler Experiences
    Reveler Experiences

    See all

    Lillie Pearl - Dads Breakfast Sandwich

    Lillie Pearl

    4.5(732 reviews)
    2.8 miJackson Ward, Downtown
    $$

    Lillie burger was flavorful and collards rocked ! Service was attentive and welcoming. New space…read moreis well lit and lively.

    This was my 2nd visit to Lillie Pearl at their new location at 305 Brook Road. I absolutely love…read morethe new location. The decor and the ambiance are invigorating & soul soothing concurrently. On both occasions I ate in the upstairs dining area & I really enjoyed being able to look out their windows & observe the hustle & bustles of Broad Street while dining. The music that played in the background while we dined was the perfect aural companion to a down home Southern cuisine centered meal. As you know, I love when the music in the restaurant compliments the cuisine & Lillie Pearl's playlist is top notch. During our dining time, we ordered their Smoked Wings as our appetizer. The wings were perfectly seasoned & visually appealing. However, I found them to be a bit dry & overcooked for my taste. My dining companion, however, had no problem with the wings texture. She enjoyed them very much. For my main meal, I ordered their Wild Game Burger[a mixture of Waygu Beef, Bison & Wild Boar] with a side order of Fries. The burger was cooked perfectly. It was well seasoned & juicy. The fries were delicious. They were crispy and also perfectly seasoned. I could have eaten a whole plate of just the fries alone. I ordered a cocktail to complement my meal, the Sweetest Thing. It was bright, crisp & a perfect drink for my food. As for Customer Service, Our server was courteous & attentive & knowledgeable about any menu changes we needed to be aware of. Also of note for me was that I had a reservation I needed to change to an earlier time slot & the staff was able to accommodate my request expediently. I also appreciated the fact that they informed me in advance that they were still on the Lunch menu & not dinner as my initial reservations had requested. I find that type of honesty & transparency refreshing & is definitely one of the reasons I will ALWAYS be a loyal Lillie Pearl customer.

    Photos
    Lillie Pearl - Top floor decor and portrait wall

    Top floor decor and portrait wall

    Lillie Pearl - Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner

    Roasted Heirloom Baby Carrots Dinner

    Lillie Pearl - Nearest Two Street (if you know..you know)

    See all

    Nearest Two Street (if you know..you know)

    Stella's - mediterranean - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...