I can see why everyone raves about Stella's. The ambiance was mesmerizing starting from the outside with the classic cars parked out front. If they aren't part of the decor, it was a treat nonetheless. We stepped inside from the rain with a parking spot very near the door. I snapped a pic on the way in to capture it's essence. We risked another walk-in with no reservations, and we snagged two prime end seats on the communal table. There were two open seats at the bar as well; might come in handy some other rainy Thursday night. The server, Murphy M., judging by the receipt, who helped my partner and I with our order, was a gracious host and incredibly well-practiced. It was a master class in serving, made effortless by him. He could not have been more accommodating, as we saw him appear inevitably at the exact right moments. Our server offered us bread and oil before the appetizer. The bread here is made fresh daily. It was so soft, I could not tell the difference from store bought. The food was exquisitely well prepared, the chefs and kitchen staff are immensely skilled. The appetizer was presented to us within a relatively short amount of time. We had time for a short discussion before the it arrived. The Tiropita was described as "four pieces of heaven." Accurate. The phyllo was thin and crisp, and the feta was creamy and delicious. I was careful not to bite too hard and ruin my pants. I had the Kotopoulo, which is a feta-brined oven-baked chicken with lemon and herbs served with lemon potatoes. The dish was cooked to perfection. The cooked potatoes were exactly as I like them, soft yet held their shape. It was an excellent meal, if a bit unwieldy (it's like half a rotisserie chicken, basically). My partner had the Hilopites, an egg noodle dish with giant beans, pine nuts, kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and feta, in a creamy, savory sauce that I couldn't begin to describe with mere words. The meals were both stunning, made unclear by my disastrous photography. All that being said, I did not really enjoy my meal as I was expecting. Maybe it's me, maybe it's today, or maybe the flavors simply weren't what I am accustomed to with the dozens of Greek restaurants from my past. I'm uncertain, and that's okay sometimes. Either way, it was a fantastic experience, and I will dine here again. read more

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Service terrible, so rude and overbearing... food was over priced but fine, but atomsphere was great. I won't come back again unless Im dragged in. read more

Fun restaurant with a great atmosphere. Very lively. It's loud but for Stella's, I think it's part of the charm. Service was great, not rushed and nothing forced. Really enjoyed this aspect as it's more rare to experience. We did a tapas style dining and shared several of the small plates including: zucchini fritters, grilled octopus, and the special lamb chops. All were great options. For dessert, we opted for the baklava. Definitely different from a traditional version and that made me love it all the more! read more

Great food and great service Very friendly family style restaurant Small but always enough space read more

The place I tell people to go if they have 24 hours in Richmond, the place where I take all my friends and family who visit. My favorite restaurant in Richmond!! --------------------------------- Food: Greek/mediterranean food that is so fresh and flavorful it makes you want to just stop talking and eat in silence, as my friends and I have done many a time; they can make even the simple ingredients of beans and kale taste novel, i.e., the Yia Yia skillet is one of my favorites and it's just beans and kale but it's so delicious! Only speculating, but I think the secret is the fresh ingredients/herbs and quality olive oil. The moussaka is also some of the best I've had with a very smooth bechamel sauce Restaurant Recommendations: vegetarian moussaka, yia yia skillet (it's beans and kale but how do they make it so good), calamari, saganaki (flaming cheese!), pikelia (nice sampling of different options), kale salad, grilled eggplant dip is my fav of their dips -tiramisu is some of the best I've tried (better than some of the best places in Los Angeles or NYC!); they also have a gluten free option; so many great desserts at the Stella's grocery in-front Tips: -reservations are difficult to get and need to be made months in advance, BUT if you are a small group of two or one, you can easily get a seat at the bar or communal table without waiting too long (although peak hours can be busier), I literally never make reservations and just walk in :) -they have various grocery markets with the same meals but at a cheaper price Affordability: expensive, but you actually feel like the food is worth the price Ambiance: cozy and inviting with candles and warm gold and brown colors Service: excellent, I love their complementary bread and olive oil (which they are generous with) Good for: a night dinner out, special occasions, celebrations read more

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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 read more

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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!! read more

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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 read more

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Jodi is amazing. Definitely recommend this place. My new go to to visit. Nothing but a great atmosphere

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 read more

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there's nowhere to wait even when you have a reservation. We've been here 5 or 6 times now. Not sure why we kept trying. We ended up waiting 30 minutes for our table. There are no spots at the bar. There's no waiting area. I guess they expect their customers to wait out in the cold There's only one up-side to Stella's. They have talent in the kitchen. That's it. Great food. Bad service and poor management. We won't be back. read more

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! read more

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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. read more

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Hubs and I came here for lunch on a federal holiday around 2:30 and the place was slammed. It is evident that this is a popular spot for the locals and it's not hard to see why! We scored a seat at the communal table and probably the last 2 seats at the time. We started with the calamari which was simply mediocre. The garlic sauce was nice, though. The "Wonder bread" as a recent diner called it (also hilarious) is also not worth your calories. We both got the lamb gyro. While the overall flavor of the pita was tasty, the meat was just kind of average for me. The lima bean salad and the potato salad were very good, though! The cocktails looked delicious, but sadly we didn't get to try those. The other reason for docking a star is because the bathroom was absolutely disgusting. I hate when restaurants make you share a bathroom with dudes. UGH. I imagine other dishes are pretty good. I would come back if we were local to try other items. Maybe another time! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Stella's - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Great food and services! Great customer service! I liked the location, very convenient. Would recommend.

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! read more

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First time at Stella's! Gabe was our waiter and he was delightful. He really helped my partner and I navigate the menu with ease and gave us some great recommendations. We started with the Saganaki and Kreatopita. I probably wouldn't get the Saganaki again. It wasn't nasty or anything, I just don't think it's my vibe. The Kreatopita was great though! The tzatziki was also amazing! For entrees, we ordered the No. 5 pasta and the lamb chop special with spinach . The lamb chops were amazing, top 5 I've had in Richmond! The pasta was good too, it could definitely feed at least a family of 4. We were too stuffed for dessert, but I'm definitely coming back for more lamb chops and to try other menu items. Didn't have a chance to grab photos of my food, but I will next time! read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Stella's - The best entree, salmon IG: @_badassfoodie - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Awesome spot for grab and go items that are made fresh. Also, the dessert choices are unparalleled.

Great food Good service Just impossible to ever get a table. Repeated attempts to get a reservation and walk up every single time is an hour plus. So many other restaurants to enjoy without the hassle. read more

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. read more

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My friends and I came here a couple weeks ago during the holiday bustle. We were meeting midway in Richmond as I was traveling north and they were returning south. We wanted a fancier meal in a nice setting and found this on Yelp and decided to give it a try. We arrived around 8pm on a Friday and were seated immediately at the end of a long communal table. It's a small but cozy space with nice decor. Our waitress was outstanding - very friendly, observant, quick with suggestions and made our experience that much more enjoyable and memorable. We started with some espresso martinis and appetizers (meatballs and oysters). The meatballs were a great portion - I had leftovers and needed to save room for the entree. I ordered their shrimp pasta which was a special of the day - also a large serving that lasted me into the next day. My friends enjoyed their plates too. Drinks were delicious and food was good. A little pricy but definitely delivered on the fanciness we wanted for the night. read more

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Loved the location in the museum/fan area. The outdoor tables had bug fans at the table. The service was great, the food was ok. Loved going across the street to get groceries and gifts. read more

Stella's - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I was in Richmond for a meeting and just kept hearing about Stella's as the go-to spot for Greek food, so I made a point to stop in--and I'm glad I did. The atmosphere is casual yet inviting, perfect for a lunch or an easy dinner, and the food was definitely up to the referrals I received. I started with the Crab Bowl, which was full of flavor; plenty of lumps of crab meat so well complemented the rice and vegetables, simply aided by lemon and olive oil making it all come together. Refreshing and satisfying without overfilling me up. My wife had the Lentil Bowl which was hearty and full of flavor. The lentils were nice and firm in texture, and the roasted vegetables and feta added a really nice texture to the Bowl. The vinaigrette gave it a kick with a tanginess that made this a special soup. The star of the afternoon for me, though, had to be the Keftedes. These handmade beef and lamb meatballs were pan-fried to a nice crispiness on the outside and so tender inside, smothered with grated cheese and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, rich in flavor. Oh how so yummy. We didn't have the time to try everything on the menu, but all that we tried left a great impression. Stella's is definitely on my list for the next time I'm in Richmond--I'm already looking forward to coming back. read more

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Amazing food! Amazing service. I enjoyed the whole experience but Matthew was a 10/10. He really elevated the experience. Agreed with another post this might be the best salmon dish I've ever had. read more

Stella's - Pan Seared Salmon - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I join the crowd to say Stella's is a Richmond icon. My first time dining here did not disappoint and there is certainly a reason this establishment has been around for as long as it has. I went there last night, had the Pastichio, and it did not disappoint. I thought the cinnamon was a bit odd for a lasagna, but I suppose that's why I'm not the chef - it was VERY good! My only minor critique is the noise level inside. It was a bit loud, but, did not distract me from my food once it arrived. Sitting outside would have undoubtedly alleviated this problem. read more

Average experience. The staff was friendly, but the food took quite a while to come out and was just mediocre when it arrived. It's an okay neighborhood spot, but there's definitely room for improvement. read more

We ordered takeout and the food was very good. However, I was disappointed to discover a 15% takeout service fee on the receipt. The fee was not mentioned when I placed the order, and I only noticed it after I had already paid. If a restaurant chooses to charge an additional fee for takeout, it should be clearly disclosed before the order is finalized so customers can make an informed decision. The food was enjoyable, but the lack of transparency about the extra charge left a negative impression. read more

Wonderful Italian restaurant I had several special last night that were good My wife had the pasta on the regular menu and it was HUGE Like 3 meals Wonderful service but it can get crowded Note open table only has a few reservations call them for reservations if looking for a specific time read more

It was totally worth the wait! We made a reservation two months out just to see what all of the hype was about! It was so worth it! The service was phenomenal, the food was great, and the ambiance was warm and cozy! We got the feta and phyllo to start, a pasta and a moussaka. Each dish was better than the next! I got the Santorini as my drink and would recommend! read more

Stella's - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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A cozy neighborhood-style store. Lots of selections and choices - traditional and rare finds. The staff was friendly, attentive, and engaging. If I'm ever in the area again and looking for something quick, I'll definitely consider returning. read more

The choices of food were boundless! Every item ordered was a culinary delight! I personally love the hummus and octopus! Octopus was so tender you did not need a knife! I enjoyed all of the branzino fresh off the bone ! A definite favorite! read more

We stopped here for late lunch and ordered lamb gyro plates. The dish is very tasty and balanced. The restaurant is generous with the size of the dishes, and you will not leave hungry. Great service as well. read more

This place was amazing! Husband picked this for a date night & it did not disappoint & definitely got him some brownie points! We got the Sausage & shrimp orecchiette & Shrimp Santorini. We don't usually want to go back to a restaurant right after leaving because there are just so many good restaurants out there to try but we definitely will be back here soon! read more

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We were able to snag reservations for Saturday at 5 pm same day. The restaurant was very warmly decorated, service was great and ambiance was great. Restaurant was packed and had outdoor seating as well. Our server was very helpful with recommendations and her honest opinions. She constantly checked on us and there was always someone walking around to top off water. Food: the bread they bring to start you off with was AMAZING! Tasted so fresh and fluffy We got the grilled octopus and dolmades to start. OMG the flavor in both was on point. The octopus was perfectly seasoned and grilled. The dolmades were packed with so much flavor. We were impressed! We got the lamb shank to share. It was highly recommended and we were so let down. When the server came by to ask how the shank was I told her it was underwhelming and under seasoned. She apologized profusely and talked to the cook. The cook made a new sauce and it was so much more flavorful! Apparently they messed it up and appreciated our honestly to fix it. The comped is a dessert Dessert was so light and fluffy and not too sweet. The cook came out at the end to thank us again for our honestly. The service was just so good and everything else was amazing. I can't wait to come back to try the other things on the menu! read more

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I have been looking for a good Greek rose since I've come back from Greece. And this store had a few!!! Was thankful one of the workers was able to help me and point me in the direction of a few to choose from. The food choices were great, salads, wraps, little snacks. All great. The lay out of the store itself is very welcoming too. read more

Love Stella's. The atmosphere transports you right to Greece. Service is always reliable and the food is to die for. read more

Stella's - Mediterranean Near Me - Richmond, Virginia