Stella’s
1012 Lafayette St, Richmond, VA, 23221
Stella’s Menu
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Address :
1012 Lafayette St
Richmond, VA, 23221 - Phone (804) 358-2011
- Website https://www.stellasrichmond.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 3:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 3:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Greek Cuisine
Greek food is a fine melody of the finest pressed olive oil, fresh fermented bread, colorful vegetables, juicy meat, sea food all cooked in spices and fresh rosemary. The people from Greek were great scholars who aimed to excel in everything they do. The results are quite visible in their food as they are the inventors of olive oil which is beneficial to health. Greeks also made different type of wines from the best quality of grapes fermented in controlled environment.
Today, you can find hundreds of restaurants offering authentic Greek food or popularly termed as Mediterranean cuisine in New York city alone. People wait in line to taste the exotic Greek dishes like saganaki, taramasalata, souvlaki, loukoumades, spanakopita, moussaka, and many more. One thing which most people like about these authentic Greek dishes is abundant use of lemon juice, olive oil, fresh rosemary and sea salt. A smart mix of few ingredients can virtually take you on the pebble streets of beautiful city of Greece.
For those who don't have time to enjoy fine dining should try tasting the famous souvlaki with pita which is type of meat dish, also a trademark Greek fast food. For those who are vegetarian, or vegan can try different versions of Greek Salad. So, if you wish to enjoy a hearty yet healthy meal that tastes divine then try dining at the best Greek restaurant in your city. Greek cuisine not only tastes good but also help maintain your body in a natural way through healthy diet.
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Jay B.
Heyyo! We finally made it to the much hyped Stella's Restaurant. The place is still packed. On a Tuesday night, 6:45 pm. Score yourself a reservation on Open Table and be done with it. Enjoy some awesome Greek food, old school Greek melded with some modern twists. We came here on my lovely wife's birthday (see profile pic!) for a romantic dinner. I will say up front that we enjoyed ourselves and the food was great. But since everyone is gushing all over themselves about this place, I will drop a few negatives. There's always something, right? When there is not, that's when I drop the FIVE star. In my humble opinion... The place is small and beautiful. They out did themselves with the atmosphere. It has style, simply put. But...it is small. And they cram you in there. NY style. Be prepared to sit in close proximity to your fellow diners. Not a huge problem, not really a problem at all. Sometimes I just get claustrophobic. And sometimes I don't care to hear about your tennis match today. Whatever. We sat up front at a two top by the windows. It was hot. That's my second gripe. It was a warm spring day but I think restaurants should be kept temperate. I was not feeling-a-cool-breeze-off-the-Mediterranean-on-Âthe-Greek-Isles kind of feeling. It was warm and stuffy. But, hey, it was a warm spring day... It was also very loud. Like any restaurant that is totally full. And full of wine buzzed West End-ers who are thrilled to have a little neighborhood joint with awesome food that they can stumble home from. Just saying. Our food. We started with the Grilled Haloumi: grilled goat cheese with grapes and pine nuts. It felt fried but what do I know. It did not really taste like goat cheese but more like....fried cheese. It was good though and we enjoyed the grapes (warm) and pine nuts. Not bad. I had a cup of the Avgolemono, a traditional Greek lemon, egg, chicken and rice soup. Just like it sounds, awesome. Try it. We both went with the Comfort section of the menu, traditional home style dishes. I had the Moussaka. It was superb as well. I don't even like eggplant but when you have someone like this Greek matriarch cooking it up, you cannot go wrong. My wife got either the PASTICHIO or the PASTICHIATHO. We are not quite sure. If you read the description on the menu, they are quite similar. My wife said, "Pastichio, the first one one the menu," to the waitress. However, the dish we got was heavy on the clove and nutmeg, we thought, similar to the Pastichiatho description. Did not matter though, it was great. Really rich. We each took home half our our entrees. I had two great lunches that week at work! Dessert. We are suckers for creme brulee and chose it over a more traditional Greek desert, of which there were a few. Don't do that. It was unremarkable. Try something Stella whipped up that day. Enjoy!
(4)Susan R.
Been to Stella's several times and have tried Spanakopita (4 stars), Dolmades (off the chart), Keftedes ( 5 stars), Avgolemeno (4 stars), Pastichio (5 stars), Moussaka (4 stars), Classic salad (loved it!). Recently went to a highly rated restaurant in foodie town SF called Kokkari. Stella's blew them away. Will dine here as often as I can get reservations.
(5)Amanda R.
I have yet to have a bad or even mediocre meal at Stella's. I have been there about 6 times and I have gone home happy each time with plenty of leftovers. I am always happy with the price and environment. Of course it is near impossible to get a quick table if you do not have a reservation and I do wish that more seating was available for walk ins. I see this as another staple Richmond restaurant even 10 years from now.
(5)Kristin V.
I creepily monitored the progress of the opening of this restaurant each day on my way to and from work, anxiously awaiting its arrival! It's within walking distance from my apartment, so I was super amped to have a cool new hangout! Once it opened, you better believe I jumped on the opportunity to try it out making a reservation during its first week of being open. Luckily it did not disappoint! The interior of the restaurant is absolutely gorgeous and it has a totally cool vibe that makes you want to spend hours just sitting at the bar acting like you're an "it" girl. But of course, the best part is the food! Delicious, delicious Greek food, much fancier than most of the Greek restaurants in Richmond, but honestly not too expensive at all! I was shocked the first time I went at how reasonable the prices are. The spanikopita is my favorite - with a very light filling of feta cheese and spinach and a side of tzatziki. The one thing that bothers me about this restaurant is that everyone else loves it just as much as I do and it's so hard to get a reservation! I definitely recommend calling at least a few days beforehand to make sure you can get in before 9:30pm!
(4)Erica G.
Stella's is fabulous!!! First, the atmosphere is so open and welcoming. You can sit in a small table and have a romantic dinner or join other patrons at a communal table. The food is so fresh and authentic Greek. It really took us back to when we were in Greece on vacation. Portions are huge though!! We have always taken food home with us. The appetizers are equally as good as the entrees and same with the desserts. Want to do tapas?! An excellent place to get a bunch of the small plates and try a bunch of different foods. Pricing is a little on the higher side but I think it's worth every penny for such good food! Definitely make a reservation for dinner. It fills up quick!!! We'll definitely go back time and time again!
(4)Karen L.
After reading the reviews of this place, I made reservations and eagerly anticipated the evening at Stella's to celebrate our wedding anniversary. I prepared my husband in advance that the tables would be close together. Well, nothing could have prepared us for the absurd, tiny little table we were assigned ever so close to the next table. My husband hit the ceiling when we got there and began looking around for a better table but all the other tables (for two people) were just as small and crowded. I have to say, it is the most uncomfortable I have ever been in a restaurant and wild horses couldn't drag me back there if the food was free. It's a shame too, because the food was excellent and the service was great. I just don't like having to hear everything being said two tables down and being so cramped you can't move. It felt kind of like eating a fine meal out of a sardine can. Just ridiculous! It you don't mind being cramped at a tiny table jam up to the next one, then go for it! Also keep in mind that those seated at the communal table seemed to have room to breathe. Go for that table if you don't mind dining with complete strangers. Finally, one other thing you may wish to know. Two entrees, 2 iced teas, 1 salad, 1 cup of soup and 1 dessert set us back $75.49 including the gratuity. Just so you know. They do not include the prices on their menu.
(2)John E.
I went with a large group to Stella's recently for happy hour. As it turns out, they only do happy hour at the bar; this irritated some of the group, though I didn't mind. We ordered a bunch of meza plates - my wife and I split the keftes (i think that's the name - their meatballs), Stella's Kalamari, and zucchini fritters (called some very long Greek name). I was underwhelmed by the kalamari, and pleased by the fritters and the keftes. The portions were generous. The wine and mixed drink lists were good, and the beer list was passable. For my money the best Greek food in town is still the under-visited Athens Tavern (Richmond's number one hidden gem), though the food at Stella's is good and the decor is great.
(4)Lindsay C.
Amazing Greek food! Everything that we had was to die for. Can't wait for another excuse to travel to Richmond!
(5)Shannon H.
I recently ate at Stella's and hands down this is one of the best restaurants in Richmond! DO make a reservation as even the communal table tends to fill up. The waitstaff are very attentive even though the place is always packed. So, sit back and ENJOY every mouthful!
(5)Bill D.
Went to Stella's this past Saturday night and had a great meal, great waitress, great lively vibe. I took away one star becasue of the annoying cowbell that rings everytime someone enters or leaves the front door. Quite obnoxious when you are seated near the front and there are waves of people coming and going. Don't think they need a Bell in cozy restaurant like this. Ou appetizer was awesome, feta cheese with olives and garlic and pita bread, the crab cakes were mostly crab. The salmon was perfect!
(4)Craig B.
If i am going to spend 3 hrs drinking & dining i want to do this in a place like Stellas. From the great stainless bar to the close tables and delightful noise to the terrific menu and Greek b&w flick running on the back wall. The staff is consistent and attentive, prices reasonable and the food fantastic! Start with a 1829 cocktail that will ding you where u live. Then, settle down for a workout trying to finish the No. 5 pasta with tasty bread. Good luck, it is huge. Wash it down with the house red and you will not be disappointed. Get there early and stay late. Thank you Stella!
(4)Marissa M.
I love it here. I love sitting in this restaurant, I love feasting on the hummus and lebneh and all the special small plates of the week (day?). I love the community table but its ALWAYS soooo crowded in this place. If you go here to eat and engoy yourself you will not be disappointed but just keep your convo to a "G" rating becasue you can hear every whisper from the next table as they pack you in there tight!
(4)Jennifer T.
I have yet to have even a mediocre dish at Stella's. Whether you order traditional Greek cuisine, or any of the other offerings on the menu, you will not be disappointed. The lamb frite in particular is amazing. And I'm a huge fan of the souvlaki -- the tzaziki sauce is fantastic. The new location on Lafayette Street is lovely as well. Good ambiance.
(4)Rachel D.
The food is really good; however, if you have dietary restrictions, this might not be the place for you. I felt like an alien, when our server was taking my husband and I's orders. The least the waiter could've done was to empathize and apologize about not being able to customize certain dishes. Instead, the waiter made long pauses and answered with a stern "no" when he was asked questions. Fancy restaurants like these don't cater to the unprivileged, in more ways than one. We are human too, despite our allergies.
(3)Julianne D.
What?! I'm sorry, evelyn, but I think your review might be on crack. My meal at Stella's was amazing! I might sound like an obese American here, but bear with me so I can give you a better picture of the place...we started with hummus which came with a little tabouleh, pita, & olives. We also ordered feta wrapped in phyllo and drizzled with honey and black sesame seeds. Oh-to the-M-to the-Gee, was that good. The feta wasn't melted, but it had this pillowy texture to it that just oozes into your mouth when you take a bite of it. Greeks and their feta. Gotta love it. Okay, on to the entree. I had a vegetarian moussaka. A very dear friend of mine--Greek, non-RVAer--rolled her eyes at the thought of a vegetarian moussaka. But meat is her primary food group, so...take that eye roll with a grain of Mediterranean salt. My moussaka was layered with artichoke, eggplant, potatoes, rosemary, and deliciousness. NOM. The hubs ate lamb. I'm assuming that if you're not vegan or veg and you're eating at a Greek place that you'll choose this option; you should. Dessert: we took baklava home. It was rolled with dark chocolate and was the perfect complement to my morning coffee. I'm kinda confused as to the ratings here on Yelp. What gives? It was a stellar meal. I know y'all are eating here on the sly because it was packed and we even had to wait with reservations (at 5:30--the only open slot, mind you).
(4)Jeff W.
This is MY FAVORITE restaurant in Richmond, VA!! From the appetizers like "Stella's Calamari" to the entrees like filet with crabmeat or the double crab cakes you cannot find a better restaurant with great atmosphere. Make sure to book a reservation well in advance.
(5)Bz W.
Stella's is one of my favorite places in Richmond to eat, and my favorite in the near west end. It's hands down the best Greek food that I've had in Richmond. The Moussaka is my favorite dish, and I believe the best value at $14. It makes the Moussaka at Athens (in the fan) taste like an amateur dish (although Athens has other good dishes). Their salads are also quite tasty. On top of great food, their service is always top notch, even though they are always slammed and busy. To be fair and critical, there are a few downsides from my general perspective (only 1 beer on tap, pricey drinks, a few over-priced apps); but I believe these stem from targeting a clientele that doesn't mind paying for "nice things." However, these are not bad enough for me to downgrade from 5 to 4 stars. Stella's is currently my most recommended restaurant, however make sure you make reservations a few weeks in advance if you want to be assured a seat!
(5)Jeff M.
Awesome atmosphere & great flavors.
(5)Caitlin C.
I'm a bit confused by the so-so reviews of Stella's. I went there on Friday expecting the worst -- not because I'd read bad reviews but because I don't tend to be a huge fan of Greek food. But I had to take it all back upon eating dinner at Stella's. I think Greek can be a bit overpowering because it's made up of such strong flavors, but Stella's did a really nice job of balancing them. For appetizers, the Feta Phyllo was ridiculously good. For dinner, I had the Kotopoulo, and the lemon really came through in the chicken. Also, it was served with some really good potatoes on the side. My friends had pasta dishes, which all looked delicious. For another Pro, our waitress was really nice -- conversational without being overbearing, and a good, efficient server. The only Cons I saw with Stella's were that they really could remove a table or two -- it's a bit crowded right by the door. And it's a bit noisy. And I will say that the pasta servings are ridiculous. As in, you'll eat for a week and feel a bit inadequate, but it will definitely be a subject for conversation.
(4)Brian C.
Outstanding food, excellent professional service and a very nice atmosphere. This is one of my wife's favorite places and it is winning me over more each time we visit. It takes a few trips to find what is good for you individually but most dishes are outstanding regardless. It is a gorgeous, unpretentious atmosphere and if you can make it to dessert you will not be disappointed. Best Bread Pudding ever!
(4)Anne G.
Very good, everything's a bit salty but that's Greek food. Menu is a little hard to understand as I'm not a Greek expert. Wouldn't be my top choice but I'd go back if asked.
(3)evelyn w.
Went with friends who live here and love the owners other restaurants. All is good, if you are not concerned where your food is sourced or the quality, those restaurants are for you. Cheap food, cheap price, huge portions. No wonder Americans are obese!!! The new Stella's, only the same with a tad more attractive interior, albeit very loud. Awful food, Seriously......why are there such mediocre restaurants in this town? No wonder Richmond has so many chains!
(1)Katherine S.
Great looks and atmosphere. Both the regular moussaka and the artichoke moussaka were to die for. If you like eggplant, you will be happy!! The lamb chops in the special meat platter were fab. The village salad and zucchini fritters were ok; the grilled octopus was very good.
(4)Kelley F.
One of the best places for brunch in RVA. Make a reservation if you can because it is usually crowded. I recommend the crab benedict with sundried tomato hollandaise.
(4)A M.
I am so glad that Stella's is back. I love Mediterranean food of various types, and this is probably my very favorite Greek restaurant. When I'm here, I normally get the tasting platter because it has small portions of the various dishes that I like - tiropita, souvlaki and wonderful dolmades. The baba ghanoush and hummus here are also quite good, and they have a salad that I really like as well - mixed lettuces, feta cheese and dill - simple but delicious. Stella's is a wonderful treat, and every time I've been there, they have had quite a crowd. Unless you're prepared to wait a very long time for a table, it definitely pays to get reservations.
(5)Pratik M.
Simply amazing. We had a small party of 3, started off with some hummus and pita, of which the hummus is to DIE FOR, I followed that up with Stellas famous baked pasta (#5 on the menu) and it was hands down the best marinara sauce I have had in my life. Also the portions were SO HUGE, i almost thought it was family style, but its not, its just for you. The wait staff was friendly and gave good suggestions, the service was quick. All in all, a great experience, I would recommend it.
(5)Alicia B.
Holy cow. Amaaaziiiiiing. The atmosphere is beautiful. It has a charming tin ceiling, black and white movies playing on the wall and an overall warm and inviting feel. We went with a large group and they were more than accommodating of our situation. The service was wonderful. We ordered lots of apps or "meze" as they are called and I was almost in a food coma before my meal even arrived. I'd highly recommend the feta phylo and anything with tzatziki, I could eat it with just a spoon! For the main course I ordered the pastichio. The portion was huge, and was just as good the next day for leftovers. However, the best advice I have for anyone going to stellas is make sure to save room for the chocolate hazelnut baklava for dessert. It's pure heaven.
(5)Leslie K.
Have been several times & definitely will go back. All my friends loved it as well. Great atmosphere & while I agree about the noise level, I understand the owners are tackling that issue. The meze (apps) are fantastic & portions are large. Try the grilled octopus, dandelion greens (horta) & grilled goat cheese (haloumi) with grilled white grapes & pine nuts. I love that they have a community table- is fun for dining & meeting new people. Next I'm trying: Meze Ora! 4-6pm with $4 small plates + beverage specials!
(4)Linda G.
Excellent service. Food was very good with the exception of the avgolemono soup which had little to know taste. My Greek palate suggests a lot more lemon (and please serve it piping hot, not lukewarm).
(4)Jessica W.
This was our first visit to stella's and it was awesome! Make sure to make a reservation because this place fills up fast! We had a group of 8, everyone loved their food. We tried a couple of tapas options, the zucchini fritters, fried calamari, and spinakopita were all awesome. The Moussaka was amazing! So was the flounder special, and the shrimp with feta cheese! I don't think you can go wrong here! The waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable.
(5)Teresa F.
I love Stella's and go there often. I would give them a five star rating except this time the service was not great. They are crowded and noisy as always and that is fine because the food is that good. Portions are huge so share or be prepared to take home. Seriously, you could feed a family of five on most of the entrees, especially the pasta dishes. You will not go home hungry or empty handed. The filet with Crab was amazing! You can cut it with a fork and the crab is fresh and plentiful. The bernaisse sauce is yummy. My friend had shrimp ouzo appetizer and it was also fantastic. The drinks are good. I had one with mint, I think it was on the list of martinis but it was good and they do not skimp on the liquor like most restaurants do. We were not ready to order everything at first because there were so many great choices but we did order appetizers for all three of us, and drinks. When we ordered our dinners later it was very busy so I do understand our waiter was busy. However, he cleared the table next to us right away and checked on them often. Our plates sat on the table for a long time and we had to flag him down to get the check. If is a myth that women do not tip well and I think he may have bought into that. His loss since we all typically tip 30-50%. This time we stuck to 20% because of the so-so service. Everyone has an off day and I am going to say that was it and not hold it against him or Stella's. Can't live without my Stella's at least once a quarter. It is such an expensive night I can't do it often so I use the excuse of guests in town to go there. If you haven't been you are in for a rare Greek treat and if you have.....well then you know!
(4)Trois C.
Stella's is just great. Lovely place, great service, and food that is homemade by Stella. What more can you ask for. Lauren provided excellent service and knew the menu inside and out. Her recommendations were spot on... the grilled octopus appetizer was outstanding... tender and delicious. Moussaka was great too. And wow... the pumpkin cheesecake and baklava with salted caramel ice cream was heaven. Another great meal at Stella's!
(5)Meagan M.
Truly one of my favorite little spots in Richmond. I've been a couple times for dinner and it's delicious...but the brunch!! best in town. Each time we went for dinner we got a random assortment of appetizers and small plates to try and everything was delicious. Good cocktails too. For brunch we had one of the skillets, which was delicious, and the Greek toast, which was just ridiculously good! Parking isn't bad and, although I've only been for dinner during the week, I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes. Their communal table is a fun idea and service is excellent. Can't say enough good things about it!
(5)George J.
Stella's, I love you. Your pastichio is heavenly. Your moussaka divine. Octopus, black kale I haven't forgotten about you either. Anything wrapped in phyllo should be ordered from Stella's. Just open the menu and point at a dish and order it, it will be good. This place does Greek food right. Friendly and knowledgable staff, warm comforting environment. This is one of the only restaurants that I don't mind sitting at the community table or at the bar to dine. The Giavos family made something really special here for Mitera Stella, and we are fortunate enough to have her share it with us.
(5)Evan F.
Thanks to fellow Yelpsters, ate there wife wife last week. We both loved it. Greek salads, hummus, Greek omelette, lamb burger, tasty coffee drink that is their special. I forget what else we had but kept ordering more and wanted more. Chatted with owners too. Will absolutely go back next time in area.
(5)Liz P.
We had a Virginia Bloggers meet up here, for brunch, and the restaurant was SO accommodating. We had 15 people, and a lot of "special" diets (gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, etc.). They were willing to make us things that weren't even on the menu. The food was delicious and I'll definitely be going back!
(5)Scott H.
Went again last night, Nota was our very excellent waitress, drinks, wine, food, desert and after dinner drinks were simply perfect. I love Stella's so much.
(5)Kristi g.
Wonderful- every single minute. Food, we tried most apps, drinks- we sampled from the cocktail menu, service- wow!
(5)Sarah C.
Loved this place! Great food. Cool atmosphere. Awesome prices. I was there for lunch and had the lamb burger. Seriously one of the best restaurant experiences I have had in a while.
(5)Beth M.
Warm, happy memories of Stella's grilled cheese and avgo lemono soup from years past are what I expected when I walked into the new location when it opened a few months ago on Lafayette St. The new space, staff and menu have created even happier experiences and I'm so glad Stella and her crew are back. The spanikopita is so addictive I worry about needing rehab. The baklava with sinful chocolate bites qualify as a perfect happy ending to each stellar meal. Since I no longer eat meat, my favorite avgo lemono soup is off-limits but the lentil is a sufficient replacement. I had the side of beets the other day and couldn't stop myself from every last bite. Be warned - reservations are needed on a week / weekend night and lunch is busy. The communal table is a fun alternative (every table is really a communal table as people look over and say "What do YOU have??"). It's a little loud in the small space but there's really no chance to talk anyway since you are enjoying and savoring EVERY bite. ENJOY
(5)Craig S.
Had a very good meal tonight. 4 of us had the Halibut and it was tasty. The Branzino looked better! Food was great. My only complaint was the waiter. Eating out should be a dining experience. He interrupted our conversation 5 times to 'get his job done'. He would have been much, much better if he was the least bit attentive to his table. It was annoying. But the food was very good. I'd go back-I'd just insist on a different waiter!
(4)Lisa T.
Richmonders you are lucky to have such a beautiful place in your City that serves such delicious food. I travel all over the US on a weekly basis with work and always hope to find places like Stellas in the cities I visit. The staff is great and super welcoming. The food from the apps to the desserts are absolutely to die for. The overall vibe is one you would find in Soho- all I can say is WOW and that I only hope to find gems like this in the rest of my travels. Kudos.
(5)Kim K.
Great Restaurant! Not more more to say than reviews before me. Lots of delicious lamb on the menu - the burger was one of my favorites. Also make sure you try the Kale salad!
(4)d J.
Poor service and noisy. Food can be good but overall not worth it
(1)Brett H.
First off, Evelyn from Manhattan, we would be happy if you never visited our town again. Richmond is full of incredible restaurants. This is one of the best. No doubt the best greek food in Richmond. The best dolmades, spanakopata, and octopus around. Also, the interior is gorgeous, kudos to the contractor and designer.
(5)Pam R.
I had a very strange experience last night at Stella's. Apparently you now have to be seated at the bar? I've been a long time fan and this was a first for me. The hostess was 'rude.' People paid their bill, left, and we sat down. Was then told we had to get up as others were waiting. Certainly didn't see anyone but apparently they were at the complete other end....and the bar was knee deep with 3 layers of people. This, after we had also been waiting 30 minutes. Asked if we had to sign up to sit at the bar and was told 'no." So maybe they didn't like our appearance (business attire)? Wouldn't you think if this is a new policy that someone would have shared when we came in and said we were going to the bar? Usually make reservations there, but went last night on a whim! Definitely won't do that again! The overall user experience wasn't friendly! Food was good as always, but other places to go with a better experience. Stella's has dropped on my list of favorites.
(2)Tiffany Z.
The service was terrible and the waiters were extremely rude. NEVER going back.
(1)Cate F.
Stella's is my favorite restaurant in Richmond! Delicious food, cooked with a heavy dose of home made. So happy she took pity on her devoted fans and came back from retirement!
(5)Janet G.
Great grilled octopus !
(5)John M.
We sat at the end of the communal table, tried a few appetizers (dolmades & octopus), a few different wines, 2 entrees (rock fish special & souvlaki), and a dessert (*OMG THE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE*), and had a great meal. The environment was lively, but not overwhelming. The service was attentive and personable. Stella's goes on my Richmond short-list of places to get back to very soon.
(5)Kendra F.
I loved every second of my visit to Stella's. The room is gorgeous! The food was delicious. We got to learn about and taste a few different Greek wines. I love that their wine list forced me to try things that I hadn't tried before. I read the menu and had trouble deciding which items to order. So much to choose from! Our waiter, Tony, made everything pleasant and effortless. He was great! This restaurant will be on my very short list of places that I love to go!
(5)Susan A.
Great food! Also a fun place to come for drinks- super hard to get into though- call ahead first!
(4)Brian J.
We went for our "date night" and it did not disappoint. We made it there at 8:30 on a Wednesday and it was packed, which was definitely a good sign. Our server was very friendly, attentive, and informative as we needed some explanations of the menu. The food was amazing(I had the sampler, my wife had the Filet) and we shared the hummus. The food came out in a timely fashion, was piping hot, and tasted very fresh. We were impressed and all the good things were true. This is definitely a great date night place!!
(5)J P.
Although the space is a bit small, can be quite loud and may feel a bit cramped, the food is fantastic! Try the lamb shank - it is to die for....
(4)Trent P.
We love Stella's. Nice energy and great food.
(5)D H.
I only recently found this place, and I just keep going back. The lemon chicken soup is very good, and nearly everything I've tried I would order again. Normally when I find a resturant I like it's just for one dish, and when I try other options I am disappointed and go back to my favorite. Here I keep trying different dishes and still end up happy. I've only been at lunchtime, will have to try and make it for dinner sometime.
(4)Andrew H.
Food here was great, service was pretty good. Get reservations! It's pretty small.
(4)Darci K.
Stella's has the best Happy Hour in town. $10 carafes of wine, $3-4 beers and $3-4 delicious appetizers. Really neat decor and very friendly staff. Dinner is awesome as well- just be sure to make a reservation.
(4)Stephanie B.
Fantastic food and service. The cheesecake was unbelievable. Thanks for a great evening out in a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere!
(4)Patti S S.
One of my favorite places in town. It gets better and better. Last time had the Artic Char and it was on top of many delicious veggies. Love their stuffed grape leaves. The deserts are all so fresh and home made it is worth the splurge. And the salads are the best in town. My friend had the lamb burger and raved about it. Such authentic food prepared with care and the service is always top notch. All so professional and warm and friendly you feel like you are dining in someone's home. At lunch go EARLY it gets packed and loud with a line outside! I guess I'm not the only one who loves this local spot. I take all my out of towners here as well as business clients and it always makes a good impression. The Salmon over spinach for lunch is a great deal and very healthy and fresh and light. Cant wait to go back again this week! Spinach Pies are really to die for never had them so good before.
(5)Katie C.
Very good upscale Greek food. So many choices on the menu. Our waitress wasn't very friendly, but the food was amazing. Will revisit again!
(4)Sarah A.
Worst service I have ever experienced. We waited for over 2 hours when we were told the wait would be 20 minutes. Once we were seated it took 25 more minutes for the waiter to even notice us. We finished our food and afterward it took another half hour to track down the waiter for our check. The staff was extremely rude and unhelpful. Stella's was one of my favorite restaurants but I will never be returning.
(1)William P.
Great happy hour (one of the best in Richmond). Awesome food and huge portions.
(4)Ashley S.
I was so excited to just LOVE this place like all of my friends and family, but I just found it to be meh... I partly blame the tapas choices we made because I bet if we'd gone with the entrees, I would have been happier. But at those entree prices, I definitely would want to be wowed. I agree with some of the previous posts about not liking being so close to your neighbors. It's always a pet peeve of mine with any restaurant and takes my opinion down a notch. I think I'd give this place another go because I really feel like my experience was not the norm. I'd just try some different choices!
(3)Lauren C.
What else is there to say that hasn't been said by almost every other Yelper? This place lives up to the hype! I went with a large group (we made a reservation about a week ahead of time) The restaurant itself is hidden away on a little side street past Carytown, and the decor is warm and golden, with lots of sparkly lights lining your walk to the door. As if that wasn't enchanting enough, they also show old black and white movies on a back wall. Our waitress was wonderful and accommodating (especially for a large group!) and made helpful suggestions about what to order when we had questions. We ended up splitting several small plates in addition to our entrees. Everything we tried was amazing, from the zucchini fritters to the feta cheese with honey. For an entree, I ordered the nightly special, which was halibut with greek green beans and rice pilaf. It was soooo good. The halibut was cooked to perfection and had the lightest lemon-y taste and the green beans were crisp and flavorful. Even though we were already stuffed (the portions are huge!) we split a few deserts, and while the chocolate hazelnut baklava was the clear table favorite, I was also partial to the pound cake served with honey and lavender ice cream. I can't wait to go back for brunch, or just for a drink and small plate!
(5)Andi S.
Loved it! Ready to go back :)
(4)C B.
Very mixed experience last night at Stella's. First the positive - the space is warm and inviting. We did not find it to be unreasonably loud as many reviewers have mentioned, but we were there relatively early, at 6 pm. The asparagus soup and the crab cakes were delicious. Now for the negative - the souvlaki was dry and the pasta, while a huge portion, was bland and over priced. However, the worst part of the experience was the service. Our waiter was abrupt and unfriendly. We never received the salad course we ordered and one of the entrees was brought to our table within minutes of the soup being served. What was good was good enough that I will give them another try, but for the most part, it was quite disappointing.
(3)Arthur C.
It was noisy, but tolerable. The food was very good. The services was great. We will go back.
(5)Deborah B.
The dolmadas were not the absolute best-although they weren't bad by any means. Pita & hummus were delish as well as the chocolate baklava. I want 2 go back. & have the Greek salad. Very busy place!!
(4)Roger Y.
This is definitely the best or tied for best (with Basilis) Greek food in Richmond. They have the best Chicken Soulvaki I have ever had. And their Greek Potatoes are amazing. Also, the interior is awesome.
(5)naseem t.
I have been wanting to visit Stella's since their reopen and today finally had an opportunity for brunch. The new location has a great atmosphere...I arrived about 20 minutes ahead of my friend, so had some time to order my pomegranate mimosa and take it all in :) The decor is simple but lovely, I sat at a two top by the front window but was offered a space at the communal table, which I may try another time. The individual tables were placed very closely together, but I understand them trying to maximize their available space and actually really love the communal table idea. My mimosa was served in a ball jar and was very refreshing. My friend and I ordered the Crab Benedict and the Lamb Skillet and shared. They were both delicious...and very generous servings for around $12 each, I think. We had no plans to order dessert but our server mentioned yummy sounding fresh donuts, so we ordered those, they came in a serving of 5, piping hot and sprinkled with powdered sugar and cinnamon, with some kind of sweet syrup in the bottom of the dish. Very delicious! I arrived at around 11:15 am which seemed perfect, because by the time we left, it was fill up, and people were waiting for tables. The service was great, I was seated right away, great people watching, will definitely be back-can't wait to have dinner here!
(4)Jeremy W.
When you go to a restaurant at 8:30 p.m. on a Tuesday night in a location off the beaten path and it's packed, you know you are in for a treat. We visited Stella's last night for the first time with 4 of our friends. We had the fried calamari and the hummus to start. For the price, fried calamari is the better deal, but both were delicious. We also had a couple carafes of the house red, which was pretty good and a great price. I had the pastichiatho which was wide noodles with meat sauce and nutmeg. My friend had Stella's No. 5 pasta. Both of us are not shy of eating and we each took home a huge to-go container. Some others at our table had the sampler, which i sampled and was delicious, the greek salad, which looked awesome and the leg of lamb, which I was told was thoroughly enjoyed. I wish I would have had room for dessert, but maybe next time. We weren't in a hurry last night, but for some, the service tends to be a little slower, so that may be an issue. If you are drinking, plan on spending about $30 a person. Totally worth it though.
(4)Tom T.
Great Sunday brunch for eight among an energetic crowd, marked by an interesting menu with reasonable diversity and excellent service. Lamb and lamb sausages were prevalent, as might be expected, but there were crab and vegetarian options as well. Be prepared for tons of potatoes in the skillet dishes that, in one case, overwhelmed the main ingredients.
(4)Allison R.
After reading to many good reviews my girlfriends and I decided to try it out. We made reservations for a Tuesday night after hearing that it got pretty packed. We arrived 15 minutes early and were seated immediately. We ordered spanikopita for an app and it was AMAZING. I ordred the greek past with feta and it too was fantastic. JUst one thing, when the server tells you that the portions are large LISTEN.... one dish was enough to feed the table.
(4)Thomas N.
Forget the long lines and heat of the Greek Festival. Go to Stella's year around. Food is fantastic and they have lots of healthy options.
(4)Jenny D.
busy, make reservation
(4)Rebekah K.
This review is based on a Sunday brunch, but I would love to go back for dinner and try their Pastichio! I had the Lamb Gyro, which is always my "tester" at Greek restaurants. It definitely passed the test! It came with a choice of Greek salad or hashed browns and I WISH I had gotten the potatoes!! The salad was by no means bad, but those potatoes are amazing. Love the classy casual atmosphere and the service was great. Our waitress was patient with the group and explaining ingredients we were unfamiliar with.
(5)Amy H.
Stella is an upscale Mediterranean restaurant with an impressive menu. I went around 9 pm on a Friday night and it was absolutely slammed even though I consider that to be past peak dinner hours. It appears to be a very popular place! We grabbed the last two seats at the bar to avoid the hour long wait. When my fiancée and I were trying to decide on an appetizer, the bartender told is that the appetizers were very large and recommended sharing. She wasn't kidding. Our platter of calamari was massive (see picture). It was grilled instead of fried (the way I'm accustomed to seeing if) and very delicious. It was very tender and didn't have the rubbery texture you sometimes have with calamari. It also had a great flavor from The sundries tomatoes, artichokes and capers it was grilled with. For my entree, I got the catch of the day (sea bass) in lemon sauce. It was a whole fish so the portion was very large ( design a theme here?). The fish was very fresh and the sauce was outstanding. When it comes to fish? I say the more lemon the better but so many lemon sauces only have a faint taste of lemon. This sauce had a very bold flavor and it really enhanced the flavor of the fish. It was served with a side of spinach pasta that sort of tasted like a deconstructed spanikopita (read: delicious). My fiancée got the pastichio. I wasn't crazy about it when I tried it because all of the nutmeg and cinnamon made it too sweet; don't get this one unless you don't mind sweetness on your non dessert foods. My fiancée also got this interesting tree resin soda. It sort of tasted like non alcoholic gin. Stella definitely has an upscale vibe but despite this, the value for what you get is actually really good. The prices look kind of high at first but considering both the quality of the high quality of the food and how massive the portions are, the prices are fair. I stop in richmond a plot on the way to DC and this place willl definitely have a spot in my richmond restaurant rotation!
(4)Ashley W.
So we just got back from Greece, like, two days ago. If you know anything about Greece you know that their food is out-of-this-world delicious, so naturally we were craving another taste after arriving stateside. We'd been to Stella's before our trip but now that we had a literal taste of the "real thing" we wanted to try Stella's again in an attempt to contextualize our experience. Verdict: Yeah, it's pretty authentic. (Unsurprising as Stella herself is Greek.) The moussaka (which is my favorite Greek dish) is a little heavier, a little more seasoned, and a little larger than its counterpart in the motherland, but that wonderful smell - that cinnamon-mixed-with-cooked-beef smell - is just the same. I actually like Stella's use of bigger slabs of eggplant and less bechamel better than the moussakas I had in Greece, but the ones I had in Greece did taste lighter and fresher. (Probably because most restaurants in Greece use hyper-local ingredients.) I do wish Stella's had the authentic Greek-style grilled and seasoned bread doused in olive oil and vinegar, but we can't have everything we want. Other than the food, the place is pretty conventionally adorable. It's not particularly Greek in look and feel but still beautiful and cozy. Christian and I deemed it "what would happen if a newer restaurant in Paris, New York, and Greece had a baby." It's pretty prosaic - fairy lights wrapped around branches, lanterns, clean lines, lots of light-colored maple-reminiscent wood. A long white marble bar. The aesthetic is at once upscale and comforting, but nothing you haven't seen before. We were hoping to speak Greek to Stella lest we lose what we learned but she was actually in Greece at the time of our last visit. As there will most definitely be a next time, we'll look for her then.
(4)Tara L.
The grilled octopus, ladies and gents is where it's at. Ya know, if you're into that kind of thing. But even if you're not typically, this might just make you a believe in the eight tentacle wonder. While this dish was by far the stand-out for me, just about everything I tasted was delicious. However, to my slight disappointment I didn't love the Cypriot salad as much as I thought I would. While it's hard to go wrong with arugula, shaved fennel, halloumi, pistachio, fresh mint and grilled grapes the pistachio vinaigrette lacked the flavor I anticipated to round it all out. I think it kind of got lost in the flavor party. Service was wonderful and the atmosphere is cozy and enchanting. Great spot for a date - not too fancy or stuffy, but still very intimate and charming.
(4)Earl W.
Horrible service. I suggest you find another place for brunch! If you expect good service then find another resturant.
(1)Mary W.
Do not go here for solitude! Carve out a space at the mammoth bar. Elbow up the the communal table. Sit on the sidelines at a two top with an old friend. Great Greek food elevated above the norm, but without the fuss. There is a bustling grace about the place. That, and the olive oil, will do your heart good! I hate the wait, but I want to be there now.
(5)Shao T.
Let me begin my review by saying that my family and I have been to Stella's a few times before, and because we've had pleasant experiences in this restaurant, when a friend visited from out of town I thought of this place. After that meal on 8/13/15 (thursday night), however, two (out of five) of us GOT VERY VERY SICK after eating here. We informed the manager. He promised he would call us after talking to the chef working that night- yet, now, more than a week later, he has not called back. Needless to say, we are extremely disappointed in the management of Stella's and would like to share our last dining experience there with everyone. There were five of us. I ordered the Moussaka that night. I've never had the Moussaka before, so I had no idea what it was supposed to taste like. Though the flavors were kind of bland and the presentation not entirely appetizing, I thought the food tasted ok. Knowing I couldn't finish all of it though, I offered a huge chunk of it to my friend, who only ordered the appetizer because she wasn't very hungry. We finished eating around 6:30 and went to the movies afterward. And as soon as I was walking out of the movie theater around 9 that night, I felt extremely nauseated! I mean, the floor was spinning and had an upset stomach... the whole thing! I haven't felt like that in a long long time. At first, I thought it was due to the lack of fresh air inside the movie theater, but soon we realized it must've been something more serious. The friend who shared the Moussaka with me had exactly the same symptoms I had- and almost simultaneously. We THREW UP, not once, nor twice, but more than FIVE TIMES that night. Each time after an episode of puking, we would feel better immediately afterward, but only to be grossed out again about 10 min later; it was extremely debilitating. In fact, I threw up until there were only bile left to throw up. Keep in mind that we shared only that meal together so it couldn't have been anything else we ate (the rest our group who didn't have the Moussaka were fine though). The worst part is yet to come. So, after our episodes after that unfortunatle dinner at Stella's, my dad went with me to go talk to the manager that weekend. Though he promised he would talk to the chef in charge that night, he also was quick to dismiss any responsibility that their food might've made us sick by saying, "With any kind of food poisoning, it takes at least 18 hours to get into your system." WHAT?! You've got to be kidding me! I had nothing concrete to argue otherwise right on the spot, but I've done some research online since then, and according to the CDC: "What are the symptoms of staphylococcal food poisoning? Staphylococcal toxins are fast acting, sometimes causing illness in as little as 30 minutes. Symptoms usually develop within one to six hours after eating contaminated food. Patients typically experience several of the following: nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The illness is usually mild and most patients recover after one to three days. In a small minority of patients the illness may be more severe." source: cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/dise… Which sounds morbidly familiar. So, we understand that it was during the summer time, and food tend to go bad more commonly in this kind of heat, unfortunatley. What we wanted, by telling the manager about the incident, was so that he could take the matter seriously and perhaps take measures to improve the quality of food the restaurant serves to its customers. BUT NO, he first dismissed responsibility and later never called us back on this issue as he promised to. For these reasons, we are thoroughly disappointed in the management of Stella's and will likely never return if the management continues to not take such serious matter, seriously.
(1)Lauri T.
I FINALLY MADE IT TO STELLA'S! Don't we all have those businesses that we've had bookmarked for forever, but just haven't had a chance to get there? Hopefully there's a resounding "Yessss" happening as you read that. Anyway, Stella's immediately became my jam. I mean, have you seen it! It's probably the best restaurant in Richmond in terms of decor and style. And our waiter, whose name I forgot, was in-cred-i-ble. It's the little things that make all the difference. We had water at our table as soon as we sat down. There was a movie playing on the wall. Which movie? I have no idea. But does it matter? Absolutely not. There were lights coming from the ceiling, which had decorative tin tiles. Uh-mazing. This is the ultimate cozy spot for a date or it could be a great place to bring friends for a birthday dinner. I just love when a restaurant is versatile like that. So, on to the food. I wasn't too hungry, so I went with small plates: hummus and calamari. How basic can you get? But, those are my two favorite Greek foods so I wanted to see how Stella's gets it done. You know what, I wasn't a huge fan of the hummus (As much as I hate to say that!!!). I really really wanted to love it, but it had a twang that I wasn't used to or expecting. The calamari was pretty good and the lemon sauce that came with it was poppin. Only thing is I wish that the calamari had been just a little bit more crispy. But that's just being nitpicky. I've been bitten by the Mediterranean bug for quite some time now, and since I'm always craving it, I'm so glad that now I know where Stella's is so that whenever the mood hits, I can be there quick, fast, and in a hurry!
(4)Meredith B.
Had I realized this place lacked my own endorsement [coulda sworn I wrote this ages back], I'd have rectified my error sooner. Stella's is a gem in the setting that is the Richmond food scene, and given the competition, that's quite a statement. I have been now with friends, with family, by my lonesome on an evening when I had a craving that could not be denied... and it never fails to please me. Baklava, flaming cheese, kolokithokeftedes, spanakopita, moussaka... orgasmic french toast, glorious gyros, to die for cheesy cauliflower, and The Absolute Best grilled calamari in the city. I won't claim we've tried it all- the menu is extensive and it's difficult not to order amazing things again instead of trying new, sometimes Of the plethora of dishes tasted, literally the only thing that failed to wow was the crab meat omelettes. Perhaps it was merely in comparison, but while possessed of plenty crab meat, the flavors weren't strong enough to really impress. it didn't stop us from eating it, though. So yes. I don't have any spot I might ever call my regular, but Stella's has seen me and mine more than its fair share of times, and I'm getting a hankering for calamari and a mastic mule even as I type this. Which, you know, they do takeout...
(5)John B.
I got the happy hour small plates (Meza Ora) at the bar. Nice neighborhood restaurant with a friendly atmosphere. I got the grilled octopus, cheese and olives and the beef/lamb meatballs. All were good, while the meatballs were good enough to get seconds.
(4)Tracy K.
I've been looking forward to eating here for theee longest time. The biggest fan girl of greek/Mediterranean food and I finally got to come for lunch. The lunch and dinner menus are different, which I was really sad about...apparently there aren't as many options. My family and I got the grilled octopus for appetizer and as soon as we took a bite we were like whoaaa. The taste isnt really what you'd expect. it's kind of nutty...like roasted peanut butter kind of nutty...which was weird at first but I ended up really enjoying it. It was also so extremely soft and tender. We got all three casseroles - the No. 5, Pistichio and the eggplant one, can't really remember the names. I don't know, I thought the food was good - it was just about 80% cheese which made it so extremely heavy. Next time I'll come for dinner and order different things - I feel like that would change my perspectives of this place a whole lot. But side note- the decor is so cute!
(3)Johnny V.
This is an exceptional restaurant. Stella fuses traditional Greek cuisine with an inventive, creative flair. And to top it off, the portions are generous and fairly priced. The ambiance matches the level of the food. It's cozy, yet spacious because of it's high ceilings. This is a must if you are visiting Richmond. The folks who live in the neighborhood are extremely lucky to have this fantastic find. Make reservations well in advance for Thursday-Saturday nights. Or, take your chances, like my wife and I did, for a chance at Stella's communal table. It's well worth the wait. Rub shoulders with strangers as you savor every delectable bite. Ultimately, you won't care who's next to you.
(4)Kristine K.
3.5 Stars. Great food, meh service. Came here around dinnertime on a weekend and this place was mad packed. It would've taken too long to wait for a table so we decided to sit at the bar which was fine. I understand it was busy but not a single person checked up on us throughout the meal and the bartender was very rude/snappy. The food was pretty good. The steak and fish were both very flavorful and grilled well. Hope you like potatoes because they are in many of the menu items! Didn't realize until we got all our food that every single thing we ordered from appetizer to entrees were potato-based. Man we were so full off of carbs that night.
(3)Amanda A.
This is my birthday choice every year. I recommend the Keftedes and salted caramel ice cream.
(5)Brian B.
Garbage in every way and never even ate here. So I call to place a to go order and I'm told I have to get 1 of 3 sides and can't order a salad and pay an up charge. The guy was rude and acted like he poops flowers. No thanks. I'll take my business to someone who appreciates it. I guess they are making to much money to care about being nice here.
(1)Laxmi S.
It's Monday & my tastebuds are still tingling from an incredible dinner on Saturday night. That should tell you everything. Despite having been a DC resident for over 9 years, I've too often found myself hankering for real good Greek/Mediterranean meal (sorry, Kapnos!). So, when my BIL suggested we finally try the place that he proposed to his fiancée at...I figured it'd be good, just wasn't sure how good! This place definitely exceeded my already high standards /expectations. Everything here tastes homemade! My "must-have" vegetarian suggestions from the menu are (in order of favorites): flatbread, zucchini fritters, spanakopita, & artichoke moussaka. The quality of the food and menu options both deserve a 10 out of 10. The service and ambiance also get the same. The feel of the space makes you feel like you stepped into a trendy little spot in Soho NYC instead of Richmond. If you're even passing thru the city, take any road & just get there...I can guarantee you won't regret it! Perfect place for any date night, group dinner, or if you're just hankering for a good "home cooked" tasting Greek meal!
(5)Nikki B.
I've been here 3 times in the past 6 months and it's one of the best Greek food I've ever had. Had the pastichio the first time and it was truly out of this world. Creamy, aromatic and different than a "typical Italian lasagna". The second time, a friend and I shared many of the small plates. They were all delicious, memorable and made me crave Greek food since then. Had the leg of lamb with fat noodles and brown sauce tonight. Wasn't a fan of the brown sauce. It Had a sweeter, aromatic taste which I feel is better suited for the béchamel sauce than the lamb. Friend had the no.5 pasta and I enjoyed that one more. Service was great, the house Cabernet is great and our Tria plate was fantastic as an appetizer. Next time I will stick with the meze dishes, which never disappoint.
(4)Natalie S.
I love Greek food and this place does not disappoint. I will say I have not had much experience with the typical main dishes but that is because I usually fill up on the amazing mezze courses! The domaldes are authentic and delish, same as everything they serve. If you have questions the wait staff is extremely helpful and are good about letting you know if you have ordered enough for your party. Be sure to try the Greek wine as well! The red was amazing. If you go to Stella's you will need a reservation and you will need to try dessert. The salted caramel gelato is a must.
(5)Josh B.
Stellas is an amazing restaurant. All of the food is so delicious and authentic and made with care. My wife first worked in restaurants for Stella ten years ago on Main Street. Richmond is so fortunate that the family reopened a couple of years ago and that the tiropita and meatballs and giant beans and tzatziki can all be enjoyed again. The space is beautiful and the common table in the center is perfect for a large group or party. Plan ahead because this place is no secret, but do get in and dine with them!
(5)ryan a.
The grilled octopus (appetizer) was one of my all-time favorites
(5)Han V.
Reservations here fill up very quickly so book early if you want a table to yourself! Otherwise, you can wait for bar seats or a place at the community table that they have. Everything here from the decor to the food is pretty rustic and it feels like your at some large family gathering when you dine here. The portions are generous and almost everything here is delicious. --FOOD-- ~Grilled Octopus $12~ Super simple but soo delicious. The octopus was perfectly cooked and so tender. If you never had octopus before, this is a great spot to try it! ~Stella's Kalamari $11, Fried Kalamari~ I personally preferred Stella's Kalamari which is sauteed and served with dried tomatoes, capers, and artichokes over their fried version. The fried one just wasn't that special in my opinion. [ s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com… ] ~Leg of Lamb $18~ I really enjoy the taste of lamb and they cook it very well at Stella's. All of the spices really compliment the meat and the leg of lamb was tender and wasn't too gamey. ~Braised Lamb Shank $21~ Huge portion of lamb over a bed of "#5" noodles. The noodles were hollow and had a texture that took some getting used to for me. Overall, it was a great dish. The brown butter sauce that comes with it though is sooo tasty and I used my bread to mop it all up. [ s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com… ] ~Prawns~ One of the few dishes I didn't enjoy here. The dish came with two measly prawns, which were bland, and a sad little bed of salad on the side--not very impressive. [ s3-media1.fl.yelpcdn.com… ] ~Spanikopida~ I ordered their spanikopida the last time I came here and the waitress misheard me and served me the appetizer portion instead of the entree. I'm kind of grateful for the mistake because I wasn't really loving it. Though the texture of the Phillo dough is nice and crispy, the filling didn't have much flavor and the Greek yorgurt was really sour and overwhelming. [ s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com… ] --SERVICE-- This place gets packed and service can be pretty slow and inattentive here. Some of the servers are better than others however and you just have to be lucky to get an attentive one. If you do get one of the better ones then your dining experience will be sublime. Otherwise, be prepared to do a good amount of waiting. Food: 4 Value: 4 Service: 3
(4)Thomas N.
I do not even have the words for this restaurant. Breathtaking, delicious, clean, friendly, knowledgeable, out of the way to help... Doesn't even begin to describe this place. We went here for a special occasion. And from the moment of walking in, we felt as we were special and they truly cared about our business. The food was phenomenal!!! Everything tasted out of this world, and was highly recommended by our waitresses. At the end, all I can say is we are looking forward to going back repeatedly for life. And proudly recommend Stellas to anyone and everyone. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Richard J.
This restaurant sets the standard for well prepared Greek food. From the flakiness of the tiropita appetizer and the thick tzatziki "dip" (way more savory than the runny sauces serves elsewhere), to the pork souvlaki on pita, a chilled lima bean and feta salad, the baklava, it was all delicious! My wife and I went for a 31st anniversary lunch, and it is my new favorite place. Portions were generous, but don't do a split, they'll box it to take home, and it was just as wonderful for lunch the next day. And we ordered the avgolemono soup to take home for dinner, and it was spectacular, also. I've been a fan of Greek food since my college days, but every thing I had made me say "wow, so that's the way it should taste!". Opa!
(5)Alice G.
First of all Yum!, and second of all, Yum! Great Greek food in a very upscale, warm and inviting setting. The family is in town for parents weekend and the student is very hungry: We enjoyed the saganake served flaming and hot with a little pita points. Gone in 60 seconds. Next our entrées and all of our side dishes came out. We went a little heavy on the sides- they all sounded so good. We enjoyed the leg of lamb, the Greek chicken, and a pasta dish with pinenuts and fava beans. The entrées were all incredible and huge! If you have a light appetite skip the sides and even consider splitting an entrée. For our sides we tried a special cauliflower gratin, the fava beans in tomato sauce, and the spinach and rice. To be honest the sides were not as delicious as they sounded on the menu, and our entrées were so huge we really barely touched them. Still, it was a wonderful way to sample lots of delicious Greek cuisine. This is a great restaurant in Richmond. Glad we found it!
(5)William M.
Not the best Greek in town, but certainly top 3. Probably number two out of three. The place is loud...like very loud, but it IS a Greek place...so I guess its okay to be loud. You really can't go wrong with anything from the menu, but there are some highlights. ================== Braised lamb shank. Wow. I mean this dish may have been made by Zeus himself. Rich, filling, juicy, and wonderful. The sauce is delightful and warm. You need to eat this. Trust me, you need this in your life. Avgolemono Soup. This is a traditional Greek soup, and this is probably the best version of it. Think chicken noodle soup with a twist: Lemon! This soup is just light enough to have on the hottest summer day, yet just thick and heavy enough to enjoy on the coldest winter day. A must try. ================ There are many other standouts, but those are my two favorites. Do not come here and not try them. This place is a culinary destination in Richmond, and its near legendary status is well deserved, but don't come here with the elderly, they wont enjoy the loud atmosphere.
(4)Jessica P.
First time at Stellas and we came with a large group. Had a reservation but still had to wait about 10 minutes for a table, to be expected at such a small and busy restaurant. The service was great. Being from DC we have plenty of Mezze-style Greek places to compare Stellas to and I would not rate it as the best one, but definitely the best in Richmond. There is a huge selection of entrees, Mezze (Greek-style tapas), and salads/soups. We did all Mezze for our meal so we could try a bunch of different things. Grilled octopus is out of this world! Served with a tangy red-wine vinaigrette salad that is the perfect balance to the charred octopus. We also had the lamb frites, which everyone at the table loved, even if they weren't huge lamb fans. I would have liked for the lamb to be a bit more braised/tender, but other than that they were great. We also had the calamari- cooked perfectly and very flavorful (not coated in batter or deep fried, but pan-fried, just FYI), a salad special with lamb bacon- was okay, not our favorite thing, and the saganaki- a classic Greek flaming cheese- again not the best I have had but served very classically and definitely good. Overall, I would definitely come back here for Greek food in Richmond.
(4)Mary Ann Keogh K.
We thoroughly enjoyed the spiral spanakopita with egg and it was cooked perfectly. The lamb skillet was wonderful as always with one small issue. The eggs were a little over cooked. The yolk was not rummy at all
(5)Allison R.
I am writing this review just to sing my praises for their No. 5 Pasta. This pasta dish sounds super simple - their No. 5 tube pasta, feta cheese, and meat sauce all oven baked - but it is seriously mind-blowing. You cannot even begin to believe that a meal so basic can be so good. Moreover, the portion is beyond ridiculous. I not only had dinner, but I had lunch for the next three days. For only $15? Talk about value, and some seriously good food. Now, the catch is getting a reservation and/or a table. Definitely plan your trip far in advance. I've been here twice, once with a reservation and once without, both on Wednesdays. With a reservation, we had no problem. Without? We were waiting almost an hour. On a WEDNESDAY! The hype is real.
(5)R M.
Setting is great.food was good.ambience is quite out of place.place is pretty crowded though.might have to book in advance .we tried a seafood platter days speciality which was quite a large portion.
(4)Khadeeja S.
My favorite Greek in RVA. Being there a few times now - I have tried their octopus. It's delicious. Leg of lamb is also awesome. My favorite so far is the Santorini shrimp with orzo pasta. Love their food and ambience. Only drawback is it's hard to get reservations.
(5)Shaye N.
Ahhhh Stella's what can I say? You are my favorite. My only pet peeve is that I cannot get in for dinner without a reservation and this kills spontaneity. Probably saves my waistline though, because I'd eat here several days a week if I could. We've probably been here 4 or 5 times now. I can't pick my favorite dish - they're all good and you really can't go wrong. Our great $$ saving tip though is to get the carafe of wine. 1.) it's a great value 2.) it's actually all pretty decent wine 3.) it's a lot of wine - duh. Cutest restaurant in town and great service.
(5)Elizabeth A.
So disappointed. I ordered fish of the day which was salmon. It was the driest piece of fish I've ever eaten. The spinach which accompanied it was greasy. A side dish of beets had no flavor nor did the sauce. On the plus side, the bread was delicious as was the drink I ordered. Something needs to change in the kitchen. This is a lovely, atmospheric restaurant, excellent service with very poorly prepared, flavorless food. I probably won't be back.
(1)Caitlyn M.
One of the best restaurants in town. I have eaten many dishes from here and haven't had a thing I didn't love. Because it's so awesome, it's sometimes hard to get a table. We've started splitting an entree because the portions are so generous. The service can sometimes be a little lacking, but who doesn't have hiccups? All-in-all, a spectacular experience and delicious food.
(4)La Juania M.
First time here loved it. I had the crab omelette and lamb bacon ... Everything is great. I recommend everything but I can't say enough about the lamb bacon . It's smoked and seasoned perfectly!!!!
(5)Ed C.
They can't take Amex for a week. Don't go without a reservation they are pretty busy. Big portions good food. Neighborhood joint for a ritzy area.
(4)Reviewer R.
Two point five stars, actually. Based on the reviews, we chose to stop in here for a late lunch on a weekday while passing through town. It was less than half full, so we were seated right away and given menus, but we waited over 20 minutes for our order to be taken. (We were on the verge of flagging down our server when she finally came over.) The bread appetizer wasn't served until two minutes before our lunch orders came. We had the soup-of-the-day (crab; excellent) and the chicken souvlaki pita (so-so) with fries (huge portion). The room was quite cold (cold air seeping in from around the windows), and our server was brusque and seemed eager to get off her shift. 4 stars for the food, 1 star for everything else, so overall 2.5 stars.
(3)Christine P.
Great meal that gives you a little Greek with a little modern. Loved the oysters Rockefeller, they were great to start with, along with the mushroom saganaki. For pour entree we all had the halibut with saffron risotto, so good. Decor and ambiance are very nice as well. If only we had had room for dessert!
(4)Robert C.
My first visit to Stellas and I can honestly say It did not disappoint. It was date night for my wife and I and using my new favorite tool, Yelp, I discovered this amazing Greek restaurant. I made reservations last week and was able to get a table for tonight, Saturday night. It was our anniversary so we went to a place that may not be exactly kid friendly, however that's what we were looking for. For our honeymoon we traveled to the Mediterranean so I wanted to take my wife to a place that would remind her of our trip. Stellas was perfect for a reminder of our honeymoon. The ambiance was as authentic as we remembered, that alone made our night very special. A very busy spot which helped add to the experience. The hostess was as pleasant as could be. We barely had to wait for our table and she made us feel special. We started our meal with the humus and tabouli, an amazing starter and just the tip of the iceberg to our amazing meal. Next was the stellas Kalimari, a beautiful recommendation by our waiter. As a huge fan of artichokes and sundried tomatoes this dish also hit the spot. Luckily for me my wife likes to share so we go to try a lot of different dishes for our entree. Artichoke moussaka was first up and as a huge fan of artichokes this dish was perfect. Layers of artichoke heart, potato, fennel, caramelized onion & sautéed eggplant, baked with bechamel, topped with grated cheese. Braised lamb shank was next with a side of roasted beets followed by the filet. I know filet not exactly Greek but it is her favorite. Overall amazing experience with a great staff and some great food, thanks Stellas.
(5)Susan B.
Great service, incredible food, and ambiance. Busy, but not so loud you can't have a conversation. We tried the calamari (perfect), a salad with grilled grapes (you must have), the #5 Pasta with meat sauce, and two desserts. As you would hope for in a great restaurant, every dish had something unexpected ... a unique taste. Our server was attentive and consistent ... and right there when we needed her. And the bathrooms? Worth the visit. CLEAN and fresh.
(4)Sam T.
Love the atmosphere... Very relaxing. Food portions are generous and so good. A hidden gem... Must go back.
(4)Lynne H.
If anyone thinks they can enjoy a leisurely relaxed meal in this restaurant, I wish them luck. I've been 3 times and it's now off my list. The food is good. The wait staff unfailing friendly and polite. However, there is an attitude with some of the hostess" that implies, as a customer, you are SO very lucky to be able to dine at this place. I'm not sure how they calculate the average eating time, but a guest needs to realize you are on the clock from the time you arrive until the next reservation is due. Last night the restaurant was empty except for one table being occupied and the hostess immediately told me to sit at the bar.. No thought of asking how long I thought I might be dining so there might be an accomodation at a table. I've been asked to move from a table to the bar, then a seat at the bar to another seat at the bar. The second time, a friend and I were asked to move from one table to another table after spending about 40-45 minutes at one table. Trying to enjoy your self at this place without worrying about how long you'e got before somebody asks you to move is stressful. Go someplace else where they really appreciate their customers...
(1)Robbin W.
Seriously. One of the best restaurants in Richmond. For starters, we had a skillet appetizer with olives, white beans, tomatoes, capers, etc... It was amazing. I had the grilled psari (catch of the day), it came with a spinach risotto and drenched in Ladolemono, an olive oil/lemon sauce that was very complimentary to the entire dish. Just light enough that a "drenching" was perfect. :) My husband had hilopites, a vegetarian pasta dish. I was shocked he wanted to have something meat-less, but he wanted to try something new. It was excellent. He was very happy. It was our anniversary, so we (we meaning I) splurged on dessert. Chocolate Hazelnut Baklava? Yes, please. Also- it was homemade, and they didn't use Nutella. The ambiance was bustling, but not overly busy- just the "hums" and "clinks" of happy people and a busy kitchen. There was soft lighting/candlelight- a cute corner restaurant. If you haven't gone- GO! I hear they have a great brunch as well.
(5)Andrew S.
Brunch, Lunch, Dinner... This place is good at all times of the day. I seriously can't think of a dish that I've tried there and that I didn't like. Also, if you go there, always order the dolmades. Always.
(5)Lindsey G.
Visited Stella's recently with a friend and we agreed to sit at the friends table. The service was excellent, our waiter was knowledgeable and helpful as we made our sellections. Unfortunately, our sellections were not the greatest. I started with the black kale salad and ordered the vegetarian pasta main. The kale in the salad was quite tough though very tasty, the pasta dish was delicious but laden with entirely too much oil. My companion's meal had it's own problems with too much oil as well. The chairs around the friends table were quite uncomfortable. Our drinks were great. We were disappointed not to have enjoyed our expensive meal more.
(2)Chuck G.
If a restaurant is full and alive at 8:30 on a Tuesday night, chances are there's a convention a few blocks away or it's a really good restaurant. Stella's is an engine firing on all cylinders. Our waitress was a pro -- sensitive to the dynamics of each table (I was watching), knowledgable about the menu, and she didn't write down any part of the order. The food was exactly what we were hoping it would be -- fresh, delicious, and magazine-beautiful.
(5)Michael H.
Good Greek food.
(4)Samer M.
While the portion sizes may vary depending on the dish, the flavors were consistently out of this world! Powerful, and at times overwhelming, you might suspect that the Tzatziki supplied with the Dolmades and Kreatopita was prepared by a chef whose senses were dulled by a lifetime of chain-smoking and a state of constant inebriation. Once your taste buds acclimatize to the sensory overload, you'll realize that the balance of Greeky googly-moogly goodness has been preserved and you will continue to devour your dishes in delight.
(4)Carey S.
**I apologize for my misspelling of any and probably all Greek words in this review** Went to Stella's for the first time last night with one of my best friends from college. Getting a reservation here is not easy, you need to plan weeks in advance. As soon as I heard she was coming in town for work, I jumped on Open Table and booked it. I think going on a Wednesday night helped my chances. We arrived a few minutes early and had to wait for our table to be ready. No big deal. The waiting area is TINY so we went outside and got eaten alive by mosquitoes. We only waited a few minutes and were sat by the window. I was glad there were only two of us, because anything over four will be a tight squeeze in the restaurant. Our waitress, Katherine, was wonderful. She was very knowledgeable about the menu, and recommended a great white wine that I loved. All of the wines are from Greece, so it's not like just ordering a glass of Chateau St. Michele and calling it a day. I appreciated her knowledge about the wine, since I consider myself a wine novice. I had thought of some things that I wanted to try ahead of time and my dining companion was very happy to indulge me. We had the spanikopita, a Greek salad "the classic" and pastichio. And the chocolate hazelnut baklava for dessert. The food was five stars. My only negative and reason for the Four Star review is that the food came out a little too fast. I appreciated that it was quick, but with the table being so small, it was just a little too fast to accommodate the limited table space. The salad arrived first. It is huge and can feed four people. I am eating the rest of it for lunch today. The vegetables are fresh, the feta is delicious and the serving size enormous. About 2 minutes later the spanikopita came out. after a slight rearrangement of plates and silverware we could accommodate it all. They were hot, and stuffed with a great blend of feta and spinach. I like feta, but I don't love it like a lot of people, so i did not get the other phyllo appetizer that is just feta, but i hear its wonderful. The tazaiki sauce was delicious and went great with the spaokopita triangles. We had the pasticio for our main entree. the entrees are huge, and I am glad i Knew this going into dinner. We split everything and had leftovers. The pastichio is like lasagna but uses big tube noodles instead of sheet noodles. The nutmeg was great, and not overpowering. My friend and I devoured it and it was great. Dessert-amazing. We debated between the chocolate mousse pie and the chocolate hazelnut baklava. we went with the baklava. I did not think I would like the baklava.. Overindulging on Nutella during my six weeks in Israel in 1998 has turned me off to anything hazelnut. I am so happy to say I enjoyed this, because it was amazing. Katherine said "i know it looks small, but it is really decadent". She was right, it did look small, but was rich and filling. It was perfect for me and my friend to share. I left stuffed and with food for lunch. I am happy to report that I never felt rushed at dinner. I was worried that since this is such a busy, trendy place that they would want to turn the table quickly. I enjoyed catching up with my friend who I had not seen in a couple of months. Katherine checked on us frequently, and I never felt pressure to hurry up and leave. I had a great experience at Stella's. It is loud, so be prepared to talk loudly to have a conversation with your fellow diners at your table. I can't wait to go back.
(4)Alice C.
We came here without reservations the first time and sat at the communal table. The waiter made great recommendations (although I have come to find that everything on their menu is fantastic, so you really can't go wrong), and the portions were huge so you definitely get your money's worth. THE SHIITAKE CRAB BISQUE!!! It was their soup special that evening, but I was back a second time and was able to get it again. Please keep this on your menu! The second time we came again without a reservation and sat at the bar (even for the bar or communal table you need to get there at 5pm because they are full almost every night and the communal areas fill up fast). I've had the pastichio, flatbread (also a special), hummus, baklava (SO GOOD) and another pasta dish I can't remember the name of. Everything was delicious, dense, homemade, absolutely fantastic. Very sophisticated crowd and great ambiance. I really can't say any more about this restaurant but please go there and PLEASE order the shiitake crab bisque! My boyfriend was visiting from out of town and he wanted to come back for every meal (unfortunately they don't do dinner on Sundays). It's in a quiet location but don't let it deter you from going. So so good.
(5)Ron H.
Try the santorini. Good cocktail. Nice atmosphere. Lamb frites were good. Greek pasta was good. Didn't make a reservation so we sat at the communal table which I usually enjoy. They informed the lady next to me that they had put 2 extra chairs at the table. We were all cramped. I think adding the extra chairs was a bad idea. In addition, the hostess told us there was a 25 minute wait and we could step outside. It was raining which she obviously knew. She also knew there was a small awning with 6 people were using as shelter. That surprised me. Oh well, stuff happens.
(3)Varisara P.
I went to this place with my co-workers and everyone was very impressed and surprised that we have restaurants of this caliber in Richmond (as most of them travel from out of town). Their selection of Greek beers and wine was very nice. We started off with a half dozen appetizers to share. The saganaki is always a fun app. to get at a Mediterranean restaurant because it comes out flaming and is deliciously salty to eat with bread. The hummus was creamy and very tasty. Fried kalamari was simple with a little bit of lemon and perfectly battered. The Kreatopita was different, but very good; crispy and flaky on the outside, yet creamy and a little sweet inside. The other two appetizers had lamb and I am not a fan, but my co-workers seemed to really like them. For my main course, I had the crabcakes. They were nice and dense; barely had any filler and absolutely delicious with the tzatziki sauce. They did not look very large when they first came out, but I could only finish one. I had the creme brulee for dessert. It wasn't bad, but also not the best I've ever had. The bowl they served it in was pretty deep and did not have much surface area, so there wasn't a great ratio of caramelized sugar to custard. Other than that everything was great, and I will definitely be back to visit!
(4)Erica A.
I want to try everything on the menu. All sounds delicious and from what I tasted, all is delicious. This restaurant is tucked back behind a charming colonial village - good place to drive through and check out the old homes. Great atmosphere inside...sat at the bar as the restaurant was crowded, but not terrible for a Thursday night. I really liked the clientele which included people of all ages having great conversations and just enjoying themselves. Had the Saganoki which is flaming cheese...yum!!! It was brought to the table with big slices of delicious bread. The table oil was also top notch. I also had the Classic Greek Salad and Avgolemono Soup...all delicious and perfect. If I am ever in Richmond again, I will be back!
(5)Emily C.
Stella's is quite possibly my favorite restaurant. I love it anytime but I think lunch is when the food is best. Their soups are to die for and my personal favorite entree is the lamb burger. It is a bit tight, so expect to be close to people and busy so a short wait is to be expected. Over all LOVE it :)
(5)Rani H.
This is hands down the best Greek restaurant I've ever been to. I've been to various Greek and partially Greek restaurants in Manhattan, DC, Florida, etc. - everything from mom&pop to haute cuisine (i.e., Zaytinya in DC). Why is it so great: - Super tasty tzatziki and other dips - Super tasty spanakopita, nice and flaky with lots of cheese - Super tasty black kale salad. Generous cheese which is my favorite - Super duper tasty and fragrant artichoke moussaka - Flaming cheese was super tasty - Everything was fresh because they have high turnover; we were probably part of the last dinner seating and were informed of several items being close to running out or running out (with the extensive menu though, many just as yummy alternatives) - They have authentic Greek stuff from salt on the table, coffee, even wines and beer - Lovely decor. The campy old school Greek movies playing are so fun and funny to watch in the background - Big portions for the price, so a great value - Everyone is nice One thing missing: no greek yogurt, honey, walnut dessert?! Thought that was authentic... I can't wait to go again... mm mm..
(5)Kate P.
After having been here twice I feel pretty strong about giving this a 4 star review. The location of this place is awesome and the decorations are so gorgeous! It can be difficult to get a reservation so plan far in advance. I went with a large group of friends and we each ordered an appetizer. They were all equally amazingly delicious. I was less than impressed with my crab cake entree. It was good but I have had better. Next time I go back I plan on just getting several appetizers and desserts.
(4)Sarah R.
I will say...it took FOREVER to finally get a reasonable reservation (not 10pm on a Friday night) but it was worth the wait! The ambiance is lovely. There's a cool communal table that looks like a blast! I can't wait to go back to try more of the seafood dishes! The vegan skillet is awesome. Their house wine by the carafe is a great deal. If you have a group or even a duo, make reservations at least 2-3weeks in advance! Cheers!
(5)Caron L.
Knowing its popularity, I made reservations a few days in advance. I was only able to get a reservation for 8:30 and when we go there we still had to wait 20 minutes before we were seated. However, the restaurant is beautiful and the food is phenomenal! The moussaka is the best I have ever had and all the other dishes we tried were great!
(4)Charles F.
Its ok. For the most part I find it kind of mediocre greek food. That said, the decor/ambiance is good, and everyone else seems to disagree with me. Including my wife, which is why I've been there umpteen times. I'm trying to avoid going back and only eating greek food out of town where it tastes like its supposed to. I'm pretty sure Stellas will still be mobbed without me though.
(3)Adrian T.
First of all, I'm a Greek. In every city I live and in every city I visit, I always try as many Greek restaurants as possible. Short of actually being in Greece, Stella's blows everyone out of the water. Not only do they do the staples better than anyone, but they offer inventive Greek dishes and some dishes that you would only find in Greece. I don't get tired of Stella's.
(5)Steve D.
always busy so reservations are highly recommended. My only complaint is the acoustics are not very good so it can get very noisy and hard to have a conversation
(4)Steve A.
Team outing on a Thursday with 11 people. Seating for such a large group is always hit or miss but the staff worked to seat us as prompt as possible. We ordered a ton of food and all of it was delicious. Highly recommend the baklava with salted carmel ice cream.
(5)Brock L.
This is a Greek restaurant that we tried for brunch. The food, service, and atmosphere were all terrific. We ate two of the Greek skillets, both delicious. The service was pleasant and prompt. The restaurant is quaint but not crowded with large front windows that let in lots of sunlight. Great spot for Sunday brunch (and probably everything else as well).
(5)Gary J.
I've been living in Richmond for close to 6 years and Stella's is BY FAR the BEST restaurant I've been to. FANTASTIC food and service. If you're going on a Saturday night (like I did) make sure to make reservations (like I did). The only drawback is the noisy crowd but just goes to show you EVERYONE is enjoying themselves. I really can't say enough about STELLA'S. 5+Stars for the food lover.
(5)Paul I.
Quiet neighborhood in the evening. 1st time in the Richmond district of Richmond, VA. Looking for interesting place on Yelp. Stella's fits the bill. The menu is extensive and interesting. They have the traditional items you would find, but I tried some that were new to me. They have an appetizer where it's a portobello mushroom covered with Greek cheese and spices. Broiled and flambé to your table, marvelous. The lamb shank, the meat was fork tender. The Baklava was huge and easily shared. A great experience. The service was attentive and friendly.
(4)Shiela E.
Let me start off saying that I wish we had half stars because I would rate this place a 3.5. I'm not a fan of Greek cuisine, but this place was alright! First off, I highly recommend making a reservation. I made a reservation for their Sunday brunch with a party of 7. Super glad that I did, as it was extremely busy. Make sure your entire party is there, because y'all will not be seated. Our reservation was at 1, got there 5 mins before, but didn't get seated til past 1 because they were extremely busy (totally understandable). I love the atmosphere of the restaurant. It's not big, but it feels so open. We had to wait for a little until a server came to our table, but it was okay. I was not extremely hungry so I decided to order a salad. What was really cool was that they allowed me to add smoked salmon for an additional charge (was not on the menu), so they were very accommodating. My boyfriend ordered the veggie skillet, which he enjoyed. Overall we weren't super blown away with their brunch, but are willing to come back for lunch/dinner.
(3)Erika F.
My fiance and I went here the other day for date night and had a good time. The place is adorable looking and I absolutely love the family style seating they have in the middle of the room. The decor is nice and the place isn't too loud even when it's full. The food was good. The first thing that came out was the bread. It tasted very good but I wish it had been warmed before we ate it. We tried the Stella's Calamari which was outstanding. The flavor was perfect and the calamari was cooked to perfection. I loved that they didn't fry the dish but sauteed it. For entrees we had the Artichoke Moussaka and Pikelia. Both were delicious. I think I enjoyed the Pikelia better because it was a tasting plate of some signature dishes. The chicken that came with the Pikelia was tender and the veggies were wonderful. The Artichoke Moussaka was super good - the eggplant and artichoke paired with the cheese was a wonderful melody of flavors. I would definitely go back again for dinner and I want to try their happy hour as well.
(4)Linda T.
We have been back several times since this review. The staff was great and the food excellent. I am happy to change my review to five stars!
(5)Julian E.
The food is par excellence-- I can't stomach the West End clientele. My wife's pretty thick skinned and she found the crowd intolerable. We're not native Richmonders, for the record, but we've grown to love the city. With all due respect, there are a few enclaves in this city that need to move into the 21st Century. Great restaurant, questionable location, tired clientele!
(4)Duy N.
I think this is the best restaurant I've visited thus far in Richmond. The decor is spectacular and inviting. I love the lighting and the layout of the restaurant. The food was so good, I was quite impressed. I didn't expect much coming here but if you're thinking about coming here, you definitely should. The restaurant is on the nicer side so dress up and be ready to dine. Seating is limited as the restaurant isn't that big. I hope to come back here soon. Also note, price is a little expensive.
(5)Amanda S.
First time at Stellas tonight. I was meeting a friend for a dinner reservation- she was waiting at the bar for me. When I got there, I told the hostess I was meeting a friend at the bar and I began walking towards my friend. The hostess followed me and said, I'm sorry I don't see which friend you're meeting. What? Since when am I not allowed to just go to the bar to find my friend? And what if I'm the first one? Am I not allowed to go to the bar? Once she decided my friend acknowledged me, she led us to our table. Before we got there and sat, she told us there was a reservation after us at 7:30 so we gad an hour and *about* 11 minutes to eat. W.O.W. I have NEVER been told how long I have to sit and eat and catch up with my friend before. Food was great, waiter was great, hostess might need some xanax. Would've given it 4 stars.
(3)Tom M.
Mediterranean Greek restaurant that has tons of charm, mouth watering authentic entrees and lots of business. On a Friday night there was never an empty seat and plenty of people waiting. I learned there is a long and storied history of this restaurant and believe it's family run. The grilled octopus was incredible and the hummus was perfect. The bread was amazing with the EVOO. I had the halibut special. The food of our foursome was beautiful and delicious. Highly recommend for food and ambiance. Service was very prompt and good recommendations, but could have been a bitter happy and pleased that we were there?!! Still a 5 star place!!
(5)Maria C.
This review is so far only about the MENU DESIGN. I haven't gotten any drinks or food yet, and the service has been excellent (so far). The water is perfectly chilled and extremely refreshing. The ice at Stella's is always the exact perfect temperature! The menu design is reminiscent of a Mast Brothers chocolate bar - just exquisite. 5 out of 5 stars all around (so far).
(5)Tara T.
Went here for the first time last month. Packed but great vibe, gorgeous decor and not too loud. Service was excellent and food arrived quickly. Stella on draft and a whiskey cocktail were excellent. All dishes were excellent but an oyster special impressed me the most. Will be back!
(5)Princess Leia S.
Hummus and pita was the best thing I had. The Classic Greek salad was good but it's hard to mess up a salad. Calamari was good, not rubbery, however: I had an allergic reaction to the calamari so it must have been contaminated by some shellfish. I informed the waitress, who told me the chef said the calamari and shell fish were kept separate. Obviously not that day! They reused to admit fault and did not offer to take it off the bill. My friend and I had to leave before finishing because I was swollen and itchy and uncomfortable. Imagine if someone were deathly allergic!
(1)Navia G.
Tried this place for our anniversary. It was on our to-go list for quite a while, but reservations are hard to come by and this place fills up fast. We booked our reservation 2 weeks out and still had to choose between just two slots: 5pm or 8pm. The dining room is really prettily done up in rustic-chic decor, but still feels comfortable. It almost feels like you're dining in someone's tastefully decorated home. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Every single special that our waiter rattled off sounded awesome making it hard to choose. I don't think this is a tapas-style place, but there are so many appetizers on the menu that we kind of ordered a little of everything. Everything we ordered was amazing! The mushroom crab bisque is probably the best soup I've ever had. Calamari was a huge portion and cooked perfectly, not crazy about the bechamel served as the dipping sauce, but calamari this good didn't need sauce at all. We also really enjoyed the veggie flat bread that had butternut squash, eggplant, feta, arugula, and some other stuff that made it so fresh-tasting and delicious. The moussaka was a first-time try for us and while it was tasty, I wouldn't order it again based on personal preference- not crazy about the flavors that border on pumpkin pie spice. I had the Hagia Sophia drink which changed my life. It's a prosecco based drink and was so good that I had 2. Highly recommended for a date night- but plan ahead!
(5)Katia B.
Stella's is by far the best, most authentic Greek restaurant in Richmond. There are dishes on the menu that I grew up eating in my Greek family but had never seen in a restaurant before. The specialty cocktails are always on point. Go with friends and order everything! Opa!
(5)Matt S.
Came in for dinner on a Saturday, without reservations. We were originally told there was a 45 minute wait, even for the bar because they do dinner seating there. Somehow, we got seated within 5 minutes - not sure how that happened, it was kind of disorganized. We may have displaced someone from the bar, unclear. Bartenders were friendly and reasonably attentive. Drinks arrived quickly; the Bailout was sweeter than expected, wouldn't get that again. Was disappointed to see that Stella was the only beer on trap. Not allowed to be surprised by that though. We ordered saganaki, which came out afire with deliciousness. I also got the braised lamb shank, which was beautifully tender, falling off the bone, juicy and savory all the way through, in a robust red sauce on homemade pasta. Wow. Would definitely do it again, and again.
(4)Laura P.
I've been to Stella's countless times now and it just gets better and better. A few times I've been with a larger sized group of family and family friends, and though it was difficult to converse with those further down the table due to noise, we had a great time and it wasn't awful getting a reservation. The ambiance is always delightful. I've also been for brunch and lunch a couple of times and the atmosphere was definitely different (less crowded, more quiet, a lot brighter..), but still very fun, delicious, and an overall good experience. The menu items that I consistently dream and rave about: the lamb frites (A+), black kale salad, feta phyllo with honey, and the moussaka. The #5 pasta is also good. But I've never had anything here that I wouldn't try again.
(5)Felicia M.
Talk about sexy! Stella's romanced me so wonderfully. The decor is warm and inviting with the lighting lit to the perfect level. Every time I visit Richmond I plan to stop in and I'm so glad I did. Reservations are the best way to go and we didn't have them but not to worry, you can sit and order full menu at the bar or sit at the community table. Love this idea. We were seated here and were surrounded by strangers. It is always great to be amidst laughter, smiles, forkfuls of food being shared between a couple, glasses clanking in toasts. Stella's has that and it is such a superb dining experience. I felt like I had been coming here for years. Our server was excellent and took her time with us. We decided on the hummus app. The pita bread was warm and toasty and the hummus hit the spot. My next course was the shrimp with feta. Omg! This was as good as sex good!!! Every bite was heaven in my mouth. Every flavor was spot on and nothing was overpowering. Hats off to the chef. We finished with the baklava which was perfect. I have to day Stella's delivered the best dining experience I've had all year. I cannot wait to be back and try something else. Wonderful job owner team, can't get better than this!!!!
(5)B L.
Really good food..try the lamb burgers...convenient location...parking can be tough...but thats any city...
(4)Maria H.
Where was the Greek? Food - 3.5 Atmosphere before it was busy - 4 after it was busy - 3 Service - 3.5 I understood that they were going for subdued - and the film playing on the wall was a nice touch. But nothing in that restaurant transported me back to an island - or the mainland. I was definitely in Richmond. I think Greek - I think colorful, emotion filled, hospitable. This was a generic watered down version of each of those. Beige. Best items on the menu - the special flat bread with smoke feta! Had a good dinner - will go back with different expectations.
(3)Judi K.
My husband enjoyed 5 lunches here before we took my parents in for dinner and it was well worth the 3 week wait to get a table. Our waiter, Jeff, was enthusiastic and loyal. We enjoyed the grilled octopus, flaming cheese, soft shell crab, filet with crabmeat and crab cakes. All dishes were outstanding and competed against one another as the best we've had! The restaurant is small but overwhelmed with character and outstanding food! Don't miss out on this neighborhood gem!
(5)Frank F.
The best Greek restaurant in Virginia, Maryland or DC. I'm a huge fan of Greek cuisine and have tried numerous restaurants in the area and even been to Greece. Stella's is by far my favorite of them all. The ambience and decor is beautiful always filled with a lovely crowd. Make sure you make reservations because they book up fast! The Moussaka is the best I've had, perfect consistency and presentation. I always order the Dolmadas which are made fresh daily by Stella herself, and the Avgelamono soup. Bar scene is hopping and bartenders are friendly and knowledgable. Highly highly recommend!
(5)Kaitlin R.
My husband and I LOVE Stella's. I think it's the best restaurant in Richmond. We always sit at the bar. The bartender, Jeffery, is really kind. The food is amazing and very authentic. They also have a great wine selection. I highly recommend the spanakopita and the wine from Santorini. Go to this place ASAP!
(5)Claudia R.
I never give out 5 stars, but Stella's is my favorites restaurant in Richmond because it consistently has fresh, well-done Greek/Mediterranean dishes made with quality ingredients. I've eaten brunch, lunch and dinner here--and I've never left less than satisfied. Stella's is nicer than most fan bars/restaurant, but if you want great food and an inviting atmosphere--it's worth paying the slightly higher prices. Stella's has a full bar and they make some creative and delicious cocktails. I always bring my out-of-town guests here because I know they'll love it. It's also a great date spot. I've never had anything I didn't like, but here are some of the dishes I recommend---you can share these as well. All of the skillets (dinner or brunch,) mushroom saganaki (amazing cheese plate served flamed with pita,) spanikopita (duh!) lamb frites (an appetizer that could also be a whole meal--it's fried potatoes, lamb, onions and cheese all baked,) and of course baklava (for dessert.) NOTE: They don't take reservations for parties 5 people or less.
(5)Jeff Y.
I can't believe that it's my 200th Yelp review! =o I came with three friends with a reservation for four, which is good, because apparently the wait can be quite long. The restaurant is located in a very unassuming location, hidden amidst a very residential area. The restaurant is not too big; it has a bar area and a number of tables. There are some cool lanterns and ornately-patterned ceiling tiles. Our server was very patient with our group, despite the fact that we took a while deciding on what to order. He was friendly and attentive throughout the entire meal. All of us ended up ordering seafood dishes, as well as splitting the Grilled Haloumi as an appetizer. The grilled haloumi was great, paired perfectly with the white grapes and pine nuts. We enjoyed the complimentary bread with olive oil while we chatted and waited for our entrees. I also enjoyed a cup of avgolemono soup, which is one of my favorites. Stella's was not quite as lemony as ones I've had in the past, but it was still a delicious soup! I decided to order the grilled whole fish, picking Mediterranean sea bass. The fish was of decent size, so there was quite a lot of meat. The fish was served with a spinach-rice mix. The fish was AMAZING. Super flavorful and flaky, with a crisp skin and tender flesh. i slowly worked my way through the entire fish, including all the nooks and crannies in the head (the cheek meat is always good) and eyeballs. I am proud of myself for getting through that much of the fish using a fork instead of chopsticks. When the server came to collect my plate, containing nothing but the tail and bones, he commented, "now THAT'S how you eat fish!" =) I do love my fish, and I've had a lot of practice coming from an island heritage. There were a ton of very tantalizing dessert options, but we were all simply too full to partake. Next time! ;)
(4)Christopher E.
You know a place is really good when you make it part of your trip as you pass through. We stopped in for lunch, had the Kalamari and a couple of salads,. All of which were generous portions and plenty of flavor to match. Our server was very attentive and courteous. Good thing I don't live in Richmond, I'd be here at least once every week.
(5)Sonia P.
Easily one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond! Make a reservation in advance if you want to guarantee yourself a table. This place is always crowded for one main reason - the food is AMAZING! Plenty of options for meat eaters, vegetarians, and seafood lovers so there is something for everyone. They serve "mezze" dishes (shared plates) so everyone can have a bite but don't over-order because portions are VERY generous plus they start you off with a bread basket that you can dip in Greek olive oil. Favorite dishes include: Lamb Frites (I adore this dish and leftovers make for a great breakfast hash), Grilled Octopus (an unexpected favorite dish, tastes like a combo of lobster and calamari), Saganaki (salted, flaming cheese - so addicting), Cypriot Salad (unique salad with grapes, pistachios, and mint - very refreshing), and Moussaka (have tried both meat and vegetarian - kinda like a Greek lasagna that has a touch of sweetness from cinnamon = true comfort food). The Zucchini fritters, Stella's Kalamari (sauteed with tomatoes), and the Chicken Souvlaki are also good choices. Don't forget to ask about specials because there are lots of choices. We loved our special mezze of seared scallops with sauteed chicken livers. They also do Sunday brunch, happy hour from 4pm-6pm, Monday-Friday and serve select small plates and drink special (cocktails are unexpectedly good and there's a nice wine list). If you arrive during peak hours, you might be lucky to grab a spot at the bar or at the communal table. Highly recommend Stella's, it will soon become one of your favorites. And ask Sarah for your server, she rocks!
(5)Alejandra Y.
We went with a big group of two families. We were all able to get get drinks at the bar since our table wasn't quite ready, which was nice. Good choices for beer on tap and bottles, plus wines and unique yummy mixed drinks. The service was quite professional but not too stuffy. We shared several appetizers, main courses, and desserts. Everyone was so pleased! The Lamb Frites appetizer and braised chops main course took the cake. Overall wonderful dining experience.
(4)Anuj B.
This is a great place to have lunch or dinner. Their gyros, pita bread are all fresh and has a dynamic flavor embedded. Salats are just phenomenal and hummus is pretty decent. I had moved from DC/Baltimore region and was looking for an authentic Greek/Italian place in Richmond and I am very happy to be working near this divine spot. We have been here for late lunches and early business dinners and you can never be wrong taking your date for a delicious meal. The only downside is (some people don't mind it), it's a little noisy and sometimes parking could be an issue. Reservations recommended to avoid disappointment !!
(5)Eric S.
The best of everything you want in a restaurant. Great food that is either deliciously simple comfort or exotic delicacy, solid cocktail program, and beautiful decor and wonderful service.
(5)Mai P.
STELLA'S STELLA'S STELLA'S. I went here with a small dinner party and hoped for the best based on the previous reviews - after all my reputation as a trustworthy food hound was on the line - and was ecstatically surprised by how FANTASTIC this turned out to be! We had the Stella's Kalamari (cold and a little heavy on the sodium BUT DAMN TASTY), Spanakopita (yes), Lentil soup (yes please!), the Daily soup - chowder?? (can't remember which one it was, but it was flavorful), Moussaka (condensed but impactful), No. 5 Pasta (THIS COULD SERVE A SMALL ARMY OF PEOPLE), and a lot of other dishes I can't remember at this point but know they were all GOOD. We finished it off with the special ice cream thing.. I want to say it had peanut butter and caramel but I can't remember at this point. All you need to know is that it was unique, and thoughtfully composed. Their serving sizes were generous, the flavors were beautifully married to one another in all the right ways, and the interior and knowledge of the waitstaff was to be lauded. This is great for a small group, or a date night/birthday/anniversary/hell anything you want to celebrate alongside with Greek food. Ok, enough raving about this place - it's now time for you to discover it for yourself.
(5)Wendy P.
Absolutely wonderful, a very picky palette I search for local favs! Beautiful ambience, our waitress was knowledgable and spoke with an accent! The food was delectable, we had stuffed grape leaves, crab and porta bello bisque, spanakopita stuffed with meat, and homemade breads. Lively lunch crowds, remember to park in the back.
(5)Drew Y.
So yeah I've heard about this place from, like everyone, and truth be told - I think the place lives up to their reputation. Went for a work event, the place was able to accommodate our party of 11. The service was great (1 server), and the food was even better. Hard to say what was the best, being a work event, we ordered a little bit of everything. The house wine was mad decent and affordable, go for that. Greek beers were just OK per my colleagues - but the commitment to authenticity was very admirable. For the casual diner, I would recommend focusing on the small plates so you can get a taste of everything. The spot was quaint and small, but the place was packed (as usual, per my colleagues). Will definitely be going back in the near future.
(4)Amy W.
I've ordered take out numerous times. The pastichio is delicious. I love the no 5 pasta. I get three meals out of it. The hummus is the best in town. The artichoke version if the moussaka is awesome. Salad is good. Cheese triangles etc. I love it all. Even the bread that comes with it. Haven't tried anything that wasn't fantastic !!!
(4)Julie W.
This is the second time I've been since 2/2013, and, well, the food is not consistent. Location: 4 stars Service: 4 stars Ambiance: 4 stars Food: 3 stars, down from 5 over year ago. We tried the Spanakopita (great) and Dolmades (yum) but the Stella's Kalamari had declined in flavor last time - this time it was cooked perfectly but the taste wasn't consistent any of the times. I was left disappointed and not expecting to be able to look forward to wonderful flavors when visiting again.
(3)Matt M.
I have eaten here many times, most recently for Sunday brunch. Their food is generally excellent and their portions are large, too. The space is interesting and the service is very friendly. It can be hard to get a table, so I recommend reservations or having a flexible schedule. On previous trips, I have enjoyed their chicken souvlaki, gyro, and for meze the spanikopita and tiropita are excellent. Their grilled pita bread is outstanding and the Yia Yia's potatoes are addictive. The maroulosalata is a little too lemony for my taste, and the hummus is surprisingly just okay. Brunch was very good and filling. I had the Lafayette, which is poached eggs in phyllo cups with sausage, onions, mushrooms and a sundried tomato hollandaise. It was very good, as were the potatoes served on the side (they just really know how to do potatoes here). My wife had the crab benedict, which was excellent and even better than a normal benedict because of the awesome bread they used in place of biscuits or english muffins. My mom had the kale skillet and my dad had the lamb skillet. Neither are particularly my favorite foods, but they both enjoyed theirs. A can't miss Richmond favorite.
(4)Hayley S.
This review is for BRUNCH only -- I have yet to go again for another meal! I came here after hearing about it for almost a year. My friend was in town, and her local Richmond pal told us to meet him there for brunch. We got there right at 10 (we'd heard it could get crowded) and were seated promptly in a sunny corner. I loved the decor and rustic-yet-polished, open feel to the whole space. I am not a huge brunch fan in general, but was pleased with the offerings on the menu. I ordered a Greek coffee frappe and an omelet with feta and spinach. Our waiter brought out the frothy coffee and I promptly guzzled it. Three minutes later, he surprised us by bringing me another one! He said he had made the first one too frothy and wasn't happy with it. It was a nice gesture, and we all split the second coffee so I wouldn't get too caffeinated. My omelette was light and delicious, with perfectly melty feta and barely-wilted spinach. At $11, I found it to be very fairly priced. My friends all loved their food too. I will definitely be coming back here for brunch, and hopefully for dinner too!
(5)Usavadee G.
Busy always. Super nice waitress Great food. Fresh fish of the day. Long line. Better come early
(5)James L.
Pretentious and overpriced. Food is good but they are clearly trying to be something they are not. They are a solid neighborhood place to eat in a middle class neighborhood. They are not a high-end place to eat. We went for brunch. I had the lamb skillet. It was ok but not a 12 dollar plate. 2-egg plate was $7. I think that's just crazy and pretentious to think eggs are something special. They're just eggs!!!
(3)Sridevi K.
Everything about Stella's is super good. Excellent food choices. We had the whole rockfish, lamb shank and ground lamb puffs. Highlight was chicken liver! Very friendly service. Can't go wrong here.
(4)Joel W.
After going the first time, my boyfriend and I now have a standing weekly reservation. We've been each week for over a month, and every time has been great. One server in particular, Sara, offers wonderful service. She always remembers us, makes conversations, and is knowledgeable about the menu. She always makes recommendations based on what is good that night and our previous selections. I am no expert on Greek cuisine, but the menu and food is like none I've ever had. Extremely high quality ingredients- from the creaminess of the feta cheese, to the freshness of the produce, really make this restaurant stand out. By now, we've tried about half of the menu, and any dish we haven't enjoyed was due to personal preference and not the preparation or quality of ingredients. I recommend the Feta Phylo and Mushroom Saganaki from the starters, and the Maroulosalata salad as some of the best items to try on your first visit. The ambience is very intimate, with tables quite close together, but this fits in with the simple decor. It can be very loud to sit at the community table or the bar, but having a table is great, as long as your neighbors aren't to loud. This will be a long-time favorite, and we look forward to going again this week!
(4)Ching H.
Review for Sunday Brunch... 3.5 stars. No reservations unless for parties of 6 or more. Here's what was ordered: Greek Toast - "French Toast" served with almonds and fresh fruit and whipped cream. Sausage Skillet Kale Skillet with 2 poached eggs over top Lamb Skillet with 2 poached eggs over top We arrived at 11:10 and there was a 45 minute wait for a table. We decided against waiting and sat at the "communal table," (a large marble table where multiple parties can sit together) My largest complaint about the experience was how loud it was, since we were sharing the table with 2 other parties on either side, it felt like we were shouting across the table, since there were so many voices around us. I had the lamb skillet which was served with 2 poached eggs, 2 hard pieces of toast, lamb, onion, and potato like hash. I was expecting it to have much more flavor, as the food was rather bland. The sriracha saved the meal as well as the eggs, love a good runny egg. Overall, dug the vibe of the restaurant, and decor, but it was honestly way too loud, to even enjoy the whole experience of eating and conversing. Service was okay, nothing memorable. Definitely prefer Millie's over Stella's.
(3)David H.
pretty good, nothing spectacular but some solid greek mezze the restaurant is nice (kinda small), in a residential neighborhood pretty much. There's a huge common table in the middle where you sit with strangers and stare at their food tried a handful of the mezze dishes, none in particular stood out as amazing, but they definitely weren't bad
(4)Casey R.
The food here is authentic, fresh and satisfying and the atmosphere is just as wonderful. It's a great place for all price ranges and great for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores alike. Their 'Meze Ora' happy hour is one of my favorites for food and drink in the city. Also, the staff is knowledgeable and nice. Do not leave without ordering the Tzatziki...and they have Proseco on tap!
(5)Mia W.
So after leaving another establishment due to their lack of cleanliness, we needed to find somewhere close by and quick that could satisfy the hunger burning deep inside of us on a Saturday night at 9:30PM. We lucked out and were able to snag a 9:45PM reservation at Stella's! The place: This place can get pretty crowded!!! Even though we had a reservation, we had to sit and wait at the front for about 15-20 minutes past our reservation time because no seats were available. The have a big community table and I was not a fan of the hostess asking if we would prefer to sit in the middle of this crowded table instead of sit at a table since no table was open for our reservation. If we wanted to sit there, we would have skipped the reservation process-so I think their reservation timing may need to be tweaked. The atmosphere was loud, but not obnoxious. Many tables were filled with friends and couples with carafes of wine flowing at each table. The decor is nothing to write home about, but its dark inside with some candles and low lighting to give an intimate type vibe which was nice. Our table was a tiny two top and we were pretty close to the other tables sitting next to us. The bathroom was clean and actually smelled very nice bc they had a B&BW candle burning on the sink ( this was a plus bc public bathrooms scare me so the fact they kept it clean and smelling nice gave them points for me). The food: They bring out some amazing bread to the tables and it is sooooo good IMO. I am a carb freak and bread is my weakness. I had the crab cakes with a tomato based orzo side dish. The crab cakes melted in my mouth!!! it was amazing. It came with two decent sized cakes and a very hefty size bowl of orzo. I was not able to finish both cakes and I barely put a dent in my orzo bc I had indulged in too much bread. But I was happy with my dish. My friend ordered the salmon dish and ordered the black kale salad and loved it! We had a carafe of their red blend and it was decent (a carafe was only $18 I think and it yields 4 glasses of wine ). Overall: food was a decent portion and very very tasty. The service: -When we finally got seated at our table, our server came to explain the specials and he was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the food and ingredients (almost speaking as if a chef would have described the exact ingredients)-I was impressed with his knowledge of the menu and detailed descriptions. -Since I was not able to finish my meal, the waiter offered to box my food. When he brought back my leftovers, I was very disappointed in his service: I had a huge bowl of orzo left over but obviously he only gave me what would fit in one of those tiny condiment cups and I guess he threw the rest away. Also, I had a tiny piece of bread that was just on my plate (obviously it was left over crust that one could see was not wanted)-well my waiter decided to throw that in my leftover container and I was upset about that bc common sense would tell most that was trash and if anything, he should have just put a fresh piece of bread inside instead. Overall: This place will definitely be on my repeat over and over list! It was great and I enjoyed the atmosphere as well. They DO NOT split checks -even if its just two of you (which I think is just crazy) -but be aware of that before you go if its a friends outing and not a date -bc you two will be trying to figure out who is going to cover your $120 bill until yall get cash etc. If the waiter had not disappointed me with the leftover food situation, then I may have given 5 stars, but that definitely was not good service IMO on that aspect. I'm confident if you go here you will love it!
(4)Lisa H.
Stella is stellar. We went based in other Yelp reviews and happy we did. First, driving around we thought we were lost but the restaurant is hidden amongst a residential area. There's parking in the rear of the building. Walking in the restaurant you notice it's nicely decorated and very hip looking. They have a large table right in the middle with a white marble slab. It's perfect for large parties. The bar is a good length and every seat was full. They have everything from wine to handmade cocktails. I'd recommend reservations. We got the last one at 9pm. Even at 9pm it was busy. We sat down and waited 10 minutes before a server took our drink order. No worries, it was a great place to people watch. When we did order I got the No. 5 Pasta with meat sauce and we also got the flat bread. Flat bread was great. However the pasta stole the show. No joke, the pasta No. 5 was big enough for three people. But you won't want to share because it's amazing. This is saying a lot but I think this is the best pasta dish I've ever eaten. It has hints of nutmeg and the noodles tasted homemade. The flavors really worked well together. If I'm ever in Richmond again this is No. 1 on my list to try again. Loved it.
(5)Morad B.
We love this place. Cute little restaurant. Nicely decorated. Great service and delicious food. Definitely make a reservation as it gets busy.
(5)Carlo D.
Excellent service!! Had the fried calamari. One of the best calamaris I've had. Thank you!
(5)Lisa G.
I can't believe it's been almost a year since I've been to Stella's. Went last night with two friends, and it was delicious! We split a salad and order of sauteed calamari. The salad was crisp and fresh. I prefer my calamari fried, but this was still quite good. I ordered the grilled filet, which is topped with lump crab and sherry dijon cream and a side of orzo. Melt in your mouth delicious! One friend got the leg of lamb, which was overcooked (though they didn't ask him what temperature he wanted) and another friend got the pikelia tasting. He ate all of it, so I assume it was great. Joy was a great server and timed her visits to our table well, pre-bussing and filling glasses as needed. Stella's is hands down one of my favorite restaurants in Richmond.
(5)Jessica L.
Very nice brunch menu! We did have to wait for about 30 minutes for seating, however, it was well worth it!
(4)Cara M.
From what I have read, most of what is said about Stella's on here is true. It is loud and it is hard to get a table but the food more than makes up for that! This is the type of restaurant I crave. The staff is fairly friendly and knowledgable. Definitely a Must for the Richmond Restaurant Bucket List!
(4)George B.
All I can say is the food is amazing, the portions are generous, and then service is great!
(5)S D.
I do not give out 5 Stars very often. I have to say the sautéed calamari is what took me from 4 to 5! A tough reservation to come by, but worth an early or late dinner to enjoy. The black kale salad and the scallop special was also delicious.
(5)Michele L.
The atmosphere was amazing.. Nice brunch crowd... Great friendly and fast service... I will say that I was not a fan on the eggs benedict that I got.. I was cold, and the egg a little too runny for my liking.. Someone else at a different table go the same thing, and theirs, didnt run as bad as mine did.. I know not to get that again. The cocktails, were amazballs as well.... :-)
(4)Tara R.
I love Greek food, and I have to say I think this is some of THE BEST in the city. The salads are SO fresh and tasty. The atmosphere makes you feel like you're in Greece. The cocktails are creative and delicious and the Happy Hour is really hard to beat. Go early because this place gets packed! Also, don't be afraid to sit at the community table. It's a great way to meet new people!
(5)Tina H.
"Homey" atmosphere... Good home decor tips. :) We ended up at the large community table in the center and had a lovely meal and ultimately a fun conversation with our table mates (visiting from AZ and TN)! We enjoyed the beet salad, baked feta and meatballs along with two salads. Tons of leftovers!
(4)Brian M.
What a gem of a place! Great place to have a date meal or just great food - a must try. We started with ordering saganaki and grilled octopus. The saganaki is this amazingly salty cheese that comes out flaming! The cheese looks to have olive oil already all over it and then you squeeze some lemon on top. Its served with thick bread that just soaks in the lemon and olive oil. What a great dish! The grilled octopus was also killer. It was so good that we actually contemplated ordering it again! For my main meal I ordered the constantine. Which is an open faced pita that had cucumbers, tomato, onions, lettuce pilled high. On top was two zucchini fritters that reminded me of a falafel and fried potatoes (kinda like a Greek french fry but seasoned). My side was the Greek potato salad and that was killer too! For a vegetarian dish this was great and the server size was enough that I took half home and ate the rest for dinner! Overall, this was one of the best Greek meals I have had. Love the place the staff was very friendly and already put our return visit on the calendar.
(5)Casey S.
My boyfriend and I went for his birthday dinner and while it was crowded and a bit noisy, it still felt intimate. The service was great and our waiter was very attentive and knowledgable. Absolutely amazing food! We had the lamb frites to start, pastitsio and a special that was translated as "you're gonna love it" and it definitely didn't disappoint. The portions are huge, the flavor is incredible - overall in my top 2 best food list for Richmond!
(5)Willem V.
I dined in this evening to enjoy my girls birthday. This spot was ideal. The food was amazing and the server was great. We ordered the Calamari one of the special appetizers flat bread, both were great, but the calamari was amazing. The main dish was a sweet sausage and shrimp pasta which hit the spot in taste and portion. I will definitely be back for more.
(5)Christy S.
The food was really yummy and fresh! Wish they were able to split checks, as their policy was challenging for my large party. Service was informed but a little snarky. Atmosphere is quaint and romantic.
(4)Andrew B.
I came to Stella's on a Wednesday night after hearing great reviews. My friends made a reservation because if they hadn't, we wouldn't have gotten a table. Nothing about my meal impressed me. The appetizers were ok. My entree was pork souvlaki which was good, but the side was fried potatoes that reminded me of KFC potato wedges. I thought my meal would be saved by one of my favorite desserts, baklava - not so. Their chocolate hazelnut baklava definitely disappointed. After all of this they refused to split our check in 3's which, to me, is a lack of customer service. Stella's didn't live up to the hype.
(2)Jacob K.
I stood at the door, about to yell Stellaaaaaaaaaaaa. And then they seated my bedraggled party even though it was 6 minutes before close. Our meal was wonderful. The service was great. Even the positively 'MURICAN scale of thespanakopita was welcome.
(5)Jessica L.
Stella's is quite simply - amazing. I only wish I had discovered this romantically cozy and beautiful gem sooner! I am almost more in love with the ambiance here than the food, but only almost. The dim candlelight and the embossed ceilings had me swooning! Fellas, this is definitely a place to take your lady for a lovely night out. As for the food, I was very impressed. My first time trying a kale salad was here, and I have not been able to forget about it since! I was pretty skeptical about it being good, but my roommate convinced me to try it and I am so glad she made me a believer! The kale was dressed in a lemon and olive oil dressing with toasted almonds and several different cheeses, sprinkled lightly with some black pepper. It sounds very simple, but they definitely do it right. You have to try it! We also ordered the branzino, one of the specials for the night. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly and served atop a warm orzo salad. Just delicious! And the Moussaka (layered eggplant and ground beef with bechamel sauce and grated cheese) was very good. It was a little too earthy for my liking, but I enjoyed trying it out. Last, but not least, was dessert! Their dessert selections change daily, which is great for getting to try new things, but also disappointing when you have one of their heavenly concoctions in mind and they don't happen to have it that day! I really wanted to try their salted caramel pretzel gelato, but was unfortunately informed they were not making it the night I came. But nevertheless, I opted for their other gelato selection that night - a honey and sesame gelato topped with crushed baklava. Rest assured, I'll be coming back to try and catch the elusive salted caramel pretzel gelato, but this one definitely satisfied my sweet tooth amidst my disappointment. I absolutely cannot wait to go back!
(5)Sam G.
My boyfriend has lived a block and half from Stella's for about a year and a half and we never ate here. We kept hearing rave reviews about Stella's so we decided to give it try and boy were we missing out. We called to make a reservation for Friday night and the only time they had left was for 10:15 pm so make your reservations ahead if you have a larger party. We decided to sit at the communal table which was not a weird communal table like some other places. We ordered tria appetizer and the no. 5 pasta for our entree we shared both dishes and still had plenty to take home. They also have my favorite Stella cider on tap which was a nice surprise. Stella's is by far one of the best restaurants in Richmond and I would recommend it to anyone!
(5)Alan H.
Stella's constantly flirts with my top choice of favorite restaurant in RVA. I love this place so much that I would contemplate naming my dog Stella...... Where to start! I can't decide what meal i like more here, dinner or brunch! It's a hard choice but either way you will be completely satisfied. Let's start with brunch. My FAVORITE item is the Crab Benedict. Usually when you order a crab dish, you'll be lucky to get a pinch of crab. At stella's i was impressed with the large portions of crab. The hollandaise sauce was awesome as well. I'm usually not a big fan because most places make it pretty creamy but here its nice and savory, sun dried tomato base! Yummmmm. You can't go wrong with the skillets and the french toast comes in huge portions. They have an original french toast which comes with pistachio and cherries which is pretty unique but on the sweet side. Onto dinner! So many options! I've been for happy hour-meze ora and they have a discount on the appetizers. The lamb shank is superrrrr tasty and tender, fall off the bone goodness. I'm a sucker for fries and the lamb frites are a solid starter. Another good starter is the grilled calamari. Seasoned to perfection! The pastas come in heaping portions and have a nutmeg base. I got a little tired of the nutmeg but it was still pretty good. I've also tried the souvlaki, humus, flaming cheese, and grape leaves. The service here has always been pretty good. Try to make a reservation if possible because I've never been here without a pretty big crowd. If only I lived within walking distance..........
(5)Nicholas G.
Every time I come back to Richmond, this is a stop I never miss! The Constantine sandwich for lunch is the best!! And the family that owns Stella's is very special! You can catch the one and only Stella herself in the kitchen scooting around with her red headband. Love this restaurant! One of Richmond's best!
(5)Tawheed H.
Almost a 5 star.... damn it's good but make sure you have reservations on busy nights. Party of 12 on a Friday night, had reservations for 9p, we weren't sat until right after 9:45p. I know it's not their fault and believe me we waited patiently for 45 minutes, the hostess seemed genuinely concerned and even attempted to rectify the problem with complimentary saganaki. Man am I glad we stayed! Everyone and I mean everyone enjoyed their dish. Plates were passing, forks were reaching and libations were washing every delicious bite down. The server stayed on top of everything and even laughed at my corny jokes. As a team- the hostess, the server, and the kitchen crew rectified a terrible start to a fantastic finish. The whole team deserves accolades Johnnie! And the restaurant looks good too.
(4)Diane H.
We were a party of 7 and our waiter was great offering suggestions. We ordered several appetizers. Really enjoyed the fried haloumi, the tria 10 and of course the pita is amazing. With all the appetizers I ordered the Yia Yia's skillet as my entree - really enjoyed. Other diners had the grilled octopus, braised lamb shank, whole bronzino and another fish special which all thought were delicious. With all the food we shared just one bread pudding which of course was yummy.
(4)K D.
Amazing food and great cocktail selection. Generous portions so you will have plenty of food for leftovers. One of the few places in Richmond that serves taramasalata. I also enjoy the artichoke moussaka and grilled octopus. If you can't get a table/reservation, join the community table and make new friends :) Do not sit at the community table if strangers bother you or if you expect others to sit in silence around you.
(5)Jane S.
Most delicious food in Richmond, but I'm partial to Greek. EVERYTHING is so good, just go there and enjoy yourself. The place is beautiful, too. Perfect date spot.
(5)Lauren P.
I have never had a bad meal, whether it be apps and a glass of wine or entrees. The service is professional and engaged without being pushy. The food is exquisitely prepared. You can taste the freshness. The salmon with spanakorizo is out of this world. I've never had a reservation, but the atmosphere at the bar and the community table is great. I always look forward to my next visit.
(5)Sally B.
I went to Stella's with a group of out of town friends for the first time for my birthday. The waiter was very helpful in recommending small plates for us to share. We ordered 5 for 4 of us and had plenty left over. The "small" plates have very generous portions and were very reasonably priced. I loved everything I ate! The atmosphere was great as was the service. I now understand why it's so hard to get a table here.
(5)Good E.
i got the lamb gyro and got the lima bean/feta cheese salad on the side. this was a take out item; im not reviewing the restaurant. the gyro was ok. the bread was soggy by the time i tore into the packet, which was about 10 minutes after i picked up the food. this was very disappointing; i hate eating soggy bread. the salad was meh. i found to be VERY salad and it was getting my blood pressure on the rise. it was downright difficult to eat. the only reason i got it was because i heard the fries here are bad, as they usually at most greek food venues. the packing of the item was a little odd. i got the take out container . literally just the container, no utensils or bag. i had to ask for the utensils. the gyro was not wrapped in foil, just placed in the container on top of the salad, which i found sloppy. the price was about 11 bucks which is also on the pricey side. i prefer the greek cafe on cary street and big greek restaurant in the DMV area over this gyro.
(3)Ho S.
No. 5 pasta is absolutely amazing!!! I would fly to Richmond just to eat here again!
(5)Sara E.
My husband and I stopped at Stella's on a Friday around 6pm for drinks and tapas. This place has an awesome vibe. The hostess was friendly and had a table ready for us right away. We ordered the fried calamari, spanakopita, and feta fourno. All were delicious, but very very salty. I think it must have just been an off night. I was chugging waters the rest of the night but still woke up at 2am dying if thirst. However, the ingredients were fresh, the portions were big, the prices were reasonable, and the service was great. We will be back!!
(4)Juliana C.
Earlier this summer, one of my best friends and I made plans to meet for Sunday brunch at Stella's. She had been there for dinner, but not for brunch, and I hadn't been there at all, but I was eager to try it out after hearing rave reviews from several friends. We met there at 10:00 am, right when the restaurant opened, and were immediately seated at a table by the front window, which provided a lovely view of Lafayette Street for our dining pleasure. As usual, I did my homework and perused Stella's Sunday brunch menu ahead of time, so I was already pretty sure that I was going to order the Tsoureki Vyssino. (No worries, I didn't even attempt to butcher the pronunciation). What is that? You may ask. Well, it's a ridiculously delicious and extravagant version of french toast....but calling it french toast doesn't even begin to do it justice. The menu description reads "Greek Easter bread french toast with almond, topped with sour cherries, toasted pistachio, & whipped Greek yogurt." It was also served with a side of maple syrup, but the abundance of toppings basically rendered the syrup unnecessary (and this is coming from someone who tends to drown her waffles/pancakes/french toast with syrup!). My friend ordered the Stella's Crab Benedict - jumbo lump crabmeat, Artisan rolls, asparagus, and topped with sundried tomato hollandaise. I didn't get a picture of her meal, but she said it was excellent. So, take it from two, mid-twenty something, Richmond foodie blogger friends - Stella's Sunday brunch is fantastic! The food is high quality, the atmosphere is charming, and the servers are friendly and attentive without being overbearing. Also, Amy and I had A LOT of catching up to do, as we hadn't seen each other since her wedding 2 weeks earlier. So we ended up sitting there gabbing for nearly two and a half hours! (no worries, there were a few empty tables available or else we definitely wouldn't have taken up a table for that long). Yet, our server never once tried to rush us out or make us feel like we had overstayed our welcome. I went back for dinner with another friend several days later. I finally settled on ordering the Hilopites - egg noodles, giant beans, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives (except I asked for no olives...I know I know, not acceptable at a Greek restaurant, but try as I may, I just don't like them), feta, fresh mint & extra virgin olive oil. The entree was delicious and the portion was huge (I had plenty left over for dinner the next day)! Oh, and in case any fellow vegetarians out there were wondering, Stella's brunch and dinner menus are both definitely veg-friendly! Can't wait to go back soon!
(5)Jordan C.
Really is that good! Have been twice. Once with my husband for a date night. We opted for several appetizers. We had Calamari, lamb with frites, spanakopita, and grape leaves. The best grape leaves I have had. Seriously, amazing. The second, we took friends who were in town visiting. Seeing as though they are all from NYC they can be hard to impress with restaurants. Stellas was a perfect, local to Richmond, showoff spot for us. No one was disappointed! Everything we had was outstanding. I love the atmosphere and it is a great date spot. Trendy Casual and bring a big appetite. Anything less would be a shame. Parking not an issue. You will need a reservation (way in advance), unless you want to try your luck at the bar. It gets packed!
(5)Kristin E.
My husband and I are self-proclaimed foodies, and Stella's is my favorite restaurant in the Richmond area. Maybe it's because I'm part Greek or perhaps it's the ambiance (I love the decor), but ultimately it's the food. I've never had a bad meal there. The first time we went there we got the moussaka (I got meat, husband chose artichoke). Coincidentally, the artichoke moussaka was very different than the traditional dish, and we loved the artichoke version almost a little bit more. We've been there with my grandmother (she's the Greek), and she absolutely adored the pastichio, saying it was just like she remembered it. We also noticed a lot of people ordering small plates, so that's what we did on our second trip. It's probably the best route to go. Our faves are the grilled houlami (cheese w/ sweet raisins and pine nuts), fried calamari, kolokithokeftedes (beef and lamb meatballs), saganaki (a flaming cheese), and dolmades. I admit, it can be loud. This is a great date place; if you're trying to have a meeting with a large group, it can be difficult. Regardless, you've gotta try Stella's at least once. This is my favorite place around, so check it out when you can!
(5)Sara C.
Fantastic food and wonderful atmosphere. I had the lamb gyro, and it was the best one I've ever had. This quaint mediterranean style restaurant is tucked away in the beautiful suburbs of Richmond. Perfect for brunch with family or friends.
(5)brice b.
Wonderful late lunch today! Seared salmon on wilted spinach with a feta wedge. Exactly what I was wanting and paired with a nice Wine from Santorini. This place is tucked out of the way and is certainly local. Great staff and a relaxed feel. I will return!!!
(5)Whitney K.
Words can't explain how wonderful the food and ambiance is. This is a restaurant you must experience yourself. I went here for brunch and sat at the bar. We arrived right around 10:00 am when they opened so there was no wait. My grandfather is 100% Greek so I grew up on real Greek food. Stella's does a great job of getting pretty close to the real thing. The food was unbelievable. I ordered the Salmon Fritatta which was placed on top of fresh pita with a dollop of tzatzki sauce. I have no complaints about my dish. Fresh, flavorful, and filling. The bloody marys were your standard drink. There was nothing special about it however I didn't have any complaints either. The quaintness of the restaurant adds to the wonderful food making it an overall experience you wouldn't want to miss out on.
(5)Rajbans J.
Good place.. amazing food.. The fish was fresh and tasty... Place gets pretty crowded though...
(4)Virginia E.
This is without a doubt one of my favorite restaurants. It's so nice to go out for lunch on a workday!
(5)Lisa S.
Amazing brunch. The spanakopita with poached eggs was fabulous. The lamb skillet was okay. The spiked frappe was heavily spiked and made me very very happy. Service was great. Fellow diners were good too.
(4)Sarah D.
I have to start with Mimosas... They were beyond incredible! We had a group of 10 for brunch, the staff at Stella's had everything set up for us ahead of time. The menu had some amazing options! Most of the table ordered the Spartan Grilled Cheese I have to say I have never seen one this huge! Others ordered Grilled Pita, lamb burger and crab cakes there were no complaints! Lots of laughter and outstanding food made for one of the best Brunch experiences so far in RVA!
(5)Lalith D.
Was here with my girlfriend for a date night. Great place, nice ambience, good service and excellent food. Only problem was that the space was slightly cramped. We ordered the Humus and Tabouli and the Mushroom Saganaki to start with. Absolutely loved the Saganaki! For main course I had the Artichoke Moussaka and thoroughly enjoyed it. Did not have any space for dessert this time but we'll be back very soon!
(4)Matt H.
I would give this place six stars except it suffers from the tragic flaw of being a hundred miles away from me. They served me potentially the best lamb gyro I've ever had. Like a one-night-stand you've fallen in love with, Stella's will keep you tossing and turning all night, hoping that if you roll over enough times, you'll somehow move on. But what is life without love, even unrequited? This review got real deep real fast. The garlic tzatziki is what makes the gyro. The sauce is really thick and, well, garlicky. This is not a good date place unless you have a shared respirator fetish, because you will smell like garlic for days afterward. Wear it like the badge of pride that it is. The place is incredibly classy, and it's got a great setup with a big communal table. It's tucked into a neat little neighborhood. I hear the place is packed all the time, but when I went for lunch, it was fine. A little pricey for lunch--but just remember, you can't take money with you when you leave this Earth, but you can take the memories of the finest Greek sandwiches you've ever eaten. What are you waiting for? Time to hop in the car, drive on down to Stella's, and tell her how you really feel. She won't wait forever.
(5)Stacey S.
I've heard so many Richmonders rave about Stella's that I'm happy to say I finally dined here and it lived up to the hype. Yes, the restaurant is small, crowded, and loud. But on a Saturday night I wouldn't expect anything less. We did have an issue with our reservation not being ready but they sated us with wine and everyone was happy to wait a little longer for a table to open. We ordered the zucchini fritters to start and then the pastichio and artichoke moussaka for our entrees. The portions are huge. Really huge. We couldn't finish any plate we ordered which means we had plenty of delicious leftovers to eat over the next few days. When we go back, we'll definitely order one entree to share and maybe an appetizer or salad. The pastichio was probably my favorite dish - well seasoned, great texture (although the pasta was a tad on the mushy side). The artichoke moussaka was also very good although a little rich. I wasn't a fan of the zucchini fritters. I was expecting small, fried zucchini cakes and these were more like large fried balls of spinach dip. From our friends' dishes, we sampled the fried calamari appetizer (eh - nothing special) and the lamb frites (tasty and big & rich enough to be an entree.) The whole meal inspired me to go home and try some new dishes in my own kitchen. To me that's a sign of a good meal!
(4)Megan N.
Richmond dining has really come a long way in the last few years. There are not only restaurants with delicious food, but also great ambiance. Stella's is the best of both worlds. The decor and cuisine are excellent. The mixture of soft lights, clay pots and lanterns makes you feel like you are in NYC restaurant. I love the spacious marble top bar area and the communal dining table. The place has a great vibe. I went to dinner this past Saturday with my family and met a nice group of people sitting at the bar while we were waiting for our table. It is great to order variety of dishes from the menu to share. My family and I split everything we ordered. The highlight was the Marouosalata, it was so fresh and the dill was not too overpowering. The rockfish special with roasted vegetables and rice was also out of control good. The only dishes we weren't as crazy about was the porkbelly special and the melted cheese with fig special. Both were too heavy. My parents have gone to Stella's before and said the fried calamari was excellent. I will have to try next time.
(5)Tony H.
Simply great food! Great food! We've been in twice since my last review and tonight we're headed back. We are taking friends who live out of state for a late dinner tonight. Well, we had a great time again at Stella's. my notes from our friends went like this: nicely grilled salmon, excellent, delicious rock fish special! I had the "classic" Greek salad ( it's huge ....and shared it w/ my wife ) she ordered the fried calamari which was really tender..and I had my favorite.....Stella's calamari, sautéed ! It's as good as it gets anywhere including the North-end in Boston. This has become our go-to restaurant!
(5)Don N.
The food was mediocre. I wasn't really impressed. For appetizers we got the spanakorizio, which to be honest was not that great. The classic salad came in a huge bowl and had two large chunks of feta cheese. For entrees, we ordered leg of lamb and kotopoulo (oven roasted chicken), both serve with generous sides of potatoes. The pros of my dining experience were that the server was really nice, romantic/intimate atmosphere, and they served large portions. We had to take the salad and entrees to go. But overall, the food wasn't up to the hype that I read on the reviews. We were going to try the baklava because it seemed to be popular, but the table next to us just ordered it and said it wasn't worth it.
(3)Matthias S.
I recently visited Richmond again after year's of being gone and took a friend to Stella's as it was highly recommended but we were forewarned that the wait could be very long. Even though we got there on a Saturday evening at 7:30pm without a reservation and the restaurant was full, we got a seat at the bar within 15 minutes. The bar service was very attentive and knowledgeable. We had meze plates to share and tasted the fried calamari, the lamb frites, the keftedes (meatballs) and the shrimp ouzo. All were well done and cooked properly even though the shrimp were a bit bland for my taste. The lamb frites and keftedes were definitely the favorites. For dessert we had the tiramisu, which had the right consistency and was delicious. Even though there was a good crowd including a large bachelorette party we could have a normal conversation. It's definitely something I recommend and holds its own compared to the many Greek restaurants I have been to in Manhattan but would suggest reservations for high traffic times.
(4)P H.
4.5 stars. The food was tremendous! We ate brunch on Sunday, and it was all I expected and more. We have tried for quite some time to get reservations, but were unsuccessful. Brunch finally worked out. Our party of 5 sampled several small plates including spanakopita, tiripota, and meatballs. All were delicious. I grabbed the Sifti Spanakopita over potatoes w/two fried eggs on top. Bloody marvelous. Wife got the Greek Toast, and raved. Two others got the greek sausage omelette and both were so big they couldn't finish in one sitting. I had quite possibly the best bloody mary I've ever had here. Wonderful libation on a Sunday morning if I do say so my Pagan self. The ONLY downer was the waitress. She was perfiectly effecient; we didn't wait a bit for anything. Her attitude was, however, downright unpleasant. I have no idea why. Makes no sense to me. i mean if you hate people, then why become a waitress. Anyway, the food and dining experience outweighed anything else. Still, could have had 5 stars instead of 4.5.....I'm just sayin'
(4)Katherine M.
I've been a huge fan of Greek food since visiting in 2007, and Stella's was truly WONDERFUL! The restaurant is charming, our waiter, Roy, was very knowledgeable, and the menu was full of interesting dishes. It was difficult to choose, but we ended up with the Scallops Santorini (special) and the Moussaka, with Xino wine. Wish we'd had room for dessert! Try: Feta Phyllo Also taken by the superb design of the space, menu, and website!
(5)Greg S.
Consistently phenomenal. Great vibe, service and menu. Vegan/veggie friendly. There is only one way to order - family style on the appetizer menu. Don't do entree's...too much to experience! Grilled octopus is blow away. Spanokopita, yaya something, artichoke mousaka are winners. Major draw back is sodium, they use a lot of salt. But for one night out it is worth it! Definitely with checking out. A gem in Richmond.
(4)Christy L.
Met some friends here for dinner. Quaint spot, nice atmosphere. We had a bottle of wine, shared apps and salad. Enjoyed dinner and had coffee and desserts. Paid or check and then....the waiter came and announced to our table and the group at a table next to us.. " I have another reservation and I need these tables now, I have to ask you to go". What??? Ruined the whole experience. We all got up, our table and the other, and left while wondering did this really just happen? None of us will ever go there again.
(1)Mark H.
This is one of the better restaurants I have visited in the Richmond area. We will definitely be heading back here to try some more of their dishes. The restaurant is very unassuming from the outside. The restaurant is casual yet classy. Make reservations. We ended up eating at the bar which we enjoyed anyway. The portions were a nice size and the food was excellent. Save room for dessert.
(4)Liz D.
Stellas is hands-down the best food I have eaten in the Richmond area (and I lived there for 11 years). Unfortunately, we only discovered the restaurant a few months before we moved out of the state. The food is fantastic, the drinks are great, and the ambiance is cozy, yet vibrant. The prices are higher than "normal" restaurants, but you really do get what you pay for here. Every time I have eaten at Stella's, I have had enough left over for at least one meal the next day. The first time we tried to go to Stella's, we just showed up around dinnertime and realized that this is definitely a place where reservations are a must. We left (after hearing the wait) and came back another time with reservations (VERY easy to make on Opentable).
(5)Rachel G.
I love this place. The dinner menu is fantastic, but the brunch? I had such a hard time deciding on what to get! Everything is so fresh and flavorful.. a staple of Richmond dining!
(4)Jamie D.
So delicious! We went to Stella's for a belated bday dinner with my mom and stepdad, and now I know why this place receives so much buzz. Knowing that it tends to get packed (even on a Monday night), I called ahead and was happy to hear that the communal table was totally open. I'm a fan of breaking bread with strangers (ok, so we didn't actually do this... but if we had I would have loved it!), so communal tables are right up my alley. Most, if not all, of the regular tables were either occupied or reserved so I definitely recommend calling before you head over if you don't have a reservation. Of course, the bar looked great so grabbing a few drinks while you wait certainly wouldn't be a bad thing. The entire menu looked delicious, so of course we opted to order a bunch of the meze plates to share. The Stella's kalamari (sauteed with sun-dried tomatoes, capers and artichoke) was perfectly cooked and very filling. The feta phylo drizzled with honey was totally dessert-like, and absolutely mouth-watering. I'm obsessed with goat cheese, so of course we had to order the grilled haloumi. It was served with two of my other favorite things: pine nuts and grapes. The special soup was mushroom with crab, if I remember correctly, and my mom let me steal some slurps. They didn't skimp on the crab in the least, and it was the perfect addition to the creamy soup. We also ordered what I think was called the Yia Yia's Skillet - a creative vegan concoction that included fava beans, black kale and lots of flavor. This came out last, and I was getting so stuffed by that point that I only consumed a few bites. But what I managed to taste, I really enjoyed. We also ordered the Cypriot salad, which, shockingly, might have been my favorite part of the meal! It was so incredibly fresh with mint, grilled grapes, arugula, fennel, haloumi and pistachios with a pistachio vinaigrette. The vinaigrette was light and allowed the flavors of the ingredients to shine through, rather than masking the individual tastes as dressings sometimes do. I could eat this salad every day. Oh, and I almost forgot about the Greek coffee! Served in what looks like an espresso cup, it's a handmade strong brew. I chose the sweet route, and would order it again in a heartbeat. In fact, their brunch menu looks so enticing that I might have to schedule a return visit soon for an early Sunday feast accompanied by Greek coffee.
(4)Tara S.
Maybe I'm spoiled since I grew up near Tarpon Springs, FL which has a large Greek community. When I heard about Stella's I knew we had to go. We started with the Dolmades (too sour and cold for my taste). I had the lamb shank and my husband ordered the rockfish special. The Lamb was perfectly cook but WAY too salty. His Rochfish was delish but the risotto was too al dente. We had the creme brulee for dessert. Very good but too much of the sugar on top. The service was just ok. If i wasn't such a Greek food snob, this place would be awesome.
(3)Jonah P.
Higher-end, delicious Mediterranean food, served in monster portions at very reasonable prices. The traditional "appetizer and entree" approach is too much food for most folks. Instead, pick a few items to share. Beer selection leaves a lot to be desired, and the cocktails are fair at best, so go for wine or lower your expectations in the drinks department. Absolutely make a reservation.
(4)Tiffany S.
Who knew I'd find really good Greek food in Richmond? Definitely was unexpected. The ambiance was a little lacking for us but we were seated at the community table so it might be better if you are able to secure a private table. It just seemed really loud in there and was a bit hard to hear my dining companions. The food was delicious though and we ordered practically everything on the menu. The greek salad is worth getting; it's huge, refreshing and tasty. The real standouts though were the octopus, saganaki with figs, the dip with capers and the lamb shank. I would definitely order those again if we were to do a normal amount of food. If you want to go overboard like we did, the lamb meatballs, calamari, feta & olives, kale salad, trio of dips, watermelon & tomato salad, and Brunswick stew were also delicious (the last 2 I didn't try but my dining companions raved about them). If I'm ever in Richmond again, I'll definitely be back and will try the other half of the menu that we missed :)
(4)Jamaal C.
Easily one of my favorite spots in RVA. Great service, great decor and delicious food. I recommend the following: Brunswick stew Kale salad *Philoh with feta and honey--for dinner or dessert Lamb frites
(5)Laura N.
My family was passing through Richmond and decided to get dinner on the road. All four of us are happy we gave Stella's a chance. The place was full but we had made a reservation about 25 minutes earlier and had no trouble getting a seat. Our waiter was enthusiastic and descriptive, and wasn't at all put off by our atrocious Greek pronunciation. The portions here were large and the prices very reasonable. The food is excellent as well. We were all satisfied and had leftovers to take to our hotel for the next day. We also got a postcard with a picture of Stella's wedding day with our bill. Very cool place!
(5)Carter K.
Good Greek food. Dinner is better than brunch. It can have a long wait, so consider sitting at the bar. The portions are large and two people can share a salad and an entree.
(4)Josh R.
I've only been her a couple of times over the years... and both times, I've wondered why I didn't make this a regular destination. Maybe I will! Our last visit, the place was popping for lunch, and my mom and I got a seat at the communal table. No worries, we weren't packed in with a bunch of other folks (actually, the other folks who they sat at the big table in the middle were at the other end, so we had more privacy than many of the folks at their own "private" tables). We sat and drank our tea and coffee (cause I don't pound whiskey when mom's around) chatting... a moment later, the waiter comes up and trumpets "Shittake Mushroom and Crab Bisque! Or Shittake Mushroom and something Soup, as a vegetarian option! Seared Salmon, that's our fish of the day!" He seemed decidedly excited about each choice, and his presentation was just epic! That made me happy. We decided on other stuff... a Lamb Burger that was greasy and delicious, cooked just right. A Gyro that was obviously hand-carved, not that stack of gyro meat you get in most places. Tzatsiki and fresh veggies on each that was perfect. I was one of the best cooks in one of the best greek restaurants of it's time in RVA for a few years. That Tzatsiki at Stella's was killer! I got more of it to dip my fried potatoes (think steak fries on steroids, with salt and pepper on them). My mom got a lima bean salad with feta and herbs that was so good we've both made attempts at replicating it since our visit there. I hope there's some overweight, chain smoking Greek chef back there screaming "Malaka" at the rest of the staff on a regular basis making this place happen... it would complete my image of a place that is solid all around, food focused, reasonably priced, with healthy portions and a boisterous atmosphere. If anyone has tried the Moussaka, I'd love a note on how it is. I get sidetracked when I look at the menu, it's one of my favorite things in the world (if it's well done, it's just a hair better than good sex). Yeah, I should probably make this place a regular stop.
(5)Sam M.
Great food and great ambiance, a must try
(5)Roxanne G.
I'm on a Yelp kick right now, so I figured why not write a review for my favorite restaurant. Stella's is my go to restaurant for a nice night out that doesn't break the bank and is totally delicious. The decor is very pretty. I love the old movies playing on the wall and the tin ceiling. I have a favorite cocktail...I think it's the Onassis...it makes me feel just like an old, Greek billionaire...okay...maybe not. But it's minty and sweet and gets me tipsy. And the food! The tiropita are like triangular slices of heaven. I also always get the village salad and the hummus and tabouli and kind of rotate through my other favorites. I also like that Stella's is both family friendly and a good place for date night. It's so loud in there that you can kind of do your own thing and you don't bother anybody and nobody bothers you. The only thing I DON'T like about Stellas is that it's hard to get a reservation, but then I always feel so smart when I remember to reserve two or three weeks ahead. :)
(5)Rick S.
This place is amazing. Tucked away in a neighborhood, it has a quaint and classy feel. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. They also we'rent annoyed when we had to ask what several items were. The menu offers a variety of Greek dishes. We had the calamari, oysters Rockefeller, spanikopita, halibut, scallops santorini, and lamb shank. All were excellent. We racked up a decent bill with this meal, but it was well worth it. It's a popular place, so make sure you get a reservation or get there before the dinner rush and grab a spot at the community table.
(5)PizzaTheHut X.
As a new Giavos spot, I had high expectations. I had a 9:15 reservation on a Friday night, arrived around 9:10. I waited at the bar for about 10 minutes enjoying an ice cold Stella draft (the only thing on tap) until our table was ready. The atmosphere is nice and fun, yet slightly elegant at the same time. The two tops are a bit close, so don't expect to have a private conversation. Our waiter was one of the best and most informative Ive ever had. He was extremely friendly and very helpful with deciding what to order. (The hostess was also very friendly, and helped me get to know the neighborhood cat). We ordered Calamari - fried. It was very well prepared and flavored, and the dipping sauce was different and good. For our entree we split the top item on the menu, on the page that has the 4 items made personally by Stella(?) each day- Pastichio 14. It was delicious, rich with creamy cheese and a perfect size. The fat noodles were melt in your mouth tender, and the beef has excellent flavor. The last item on that page, the #5, is gigantic- enough for 3 people to split. Grab a few apps and split that for a great meal. All of Giavos' restaurants have great atomspheres... So you can count on that. What made experience great was the excellent service and well prepared food. Oh, and the neighborhood cat hanging around outside was friendly too!
(4)Toni T.
Mixed feelings about this review as I've seen so many Yelpers rave about Stella's. LOVE the ambiance. Cozy feel inside in the midst of a cozy part of city, which is endearing to me. All of the staff was warm and friendly as well; our server seems to have a wealth of knowledge about the menu. Thankfully it wasn't too busy and our group was able to make reservations, so we didn't have to endure a lengthy wait. I had Stella's calamari as an appetizer and the artichoke moussaka for the entree. Both solid choices...but they were both missing something. Seasoning? Flavor? Outside of the sundried tomatoes, capers and artichokes in the calamari and the extra artichoke in the moussaka...the food didn't quite please my palate. I could barely taste the eggplant in the moussaka. I will say that Stella's serves huge portions; I certainly had enough for lunch the next day if I wanted to take it. The experience was pleasant because of the atmosphere and the company I was with; don't know that I'd rush back to try something else.
(3)Maryann C.
I read a ton of yelp reviews and was eager to go to the restaurant for my cousin's 21st birthday! I definitely recommend making a reservation before you go though. We were seated awkwardly at the "community table"- one huge table where about 16 people sit together- in a straight row. We asked if 2 of the 4 of us could sit across from the other 2. The atmosphere was so loud, and my throat was getting hoarse from yelling to my friends. We were also never given bread like everyone else in the restaurant was. Our waiters didn't notice during our entire meal, so we had to ask for some at the very end. For the price of the food, it wasn't very good. We had the lamb frittes and the potates were hard and dry. The fat egg noodles (palamanchito...or something like that) tasted like spaghetti from a store bought tv dinner. I will say the the shrimp ouzo was very good though.
(2)