Stella’s: A Greek Culinary Gem in Richmond, VA

I recently took a weekend trip to Richmond, and I had the good luck to stumble upon Stella’s, one of the best restaurants in town! 

Stella’s is a family-owned gem featuring authentic Greek cuisine. If you’re in town, you definitely need to make it a stop on your itinerary! 

The restaurant is named after Stella, who learned to cook in her native Greece and then immigrated to the United States.

She worked alongside her husband at a restaurant in Richmond called Village Cafe that he started back in 1956. The first version of the Greek restaurant called Stella’s was later opened in 1983. 

Stella’s Overview

Menu Overview

Stella’s specializes in Greek cuisine. They have a huge menu that includes just about every Greek dish you could ask for, including Moussaka, Souvlaki, and Pastichiatho.

You can also find a selection of salads, including, of course, a traditional Greek Salad, plus a fresh Cypriot Salad with arugula, shaved fennel, mint, pistachio, and grapes.

For smaller plates, there are several popular Greek side dishes, like homemade Hummus, Tzatziki, and Tabouli.

I happened to order the Braised Lamb Shank, and it was incredible! The meat was so tender that it practically melted off the bone. 

The lamb was cooked in a delicious rich house shank sauce. It’s also served with pan fried noodles. The meal is filling but I easily finished each delicious bite. 

Make sure to order dessert! I got the Chocolate Hazelnut Walnut Baklava, which is as decadent and rich as it sounds! Some of the other desserts include Gelato with Honey, Rice Pudding, and Chocolate Mousse Pie. And so you’re sure to find a great treat! 

The drink menu has a nice selection of wines and beers, plus some creative cocktails. I tried a refreshing and bright Santorini (Vodka, Blueberries, Ginger, Lemon, and Pomegranate.)

The Saint Sophia is a bubbly option that’s particularly great in warm weather. It’s made with Prosecco, Aperol, Citrus, and St. Germain. 

Atmosphere and Ambiance

Stella’s has a nice ambiance that’s just about the right amount of lively but without being too big that it loses its home-style charm. 

It’s essentially a large dining room with tables and a bar on one side. 

One unique twist is that they play Greek-inspired movies (think Zorba the Greek) on a projector in one corner. This was a fun detail that made the restaurant feel more down-to-earth. 

The bathrooms have a playful decor, with bold designs inspired by Ancient Greek art, and chairs floating on the walls.

Some of the other details I loved about Stella’s was the ornate tin ceiling and the Greek urns that lined the top shelves around the bar. 

The lighting is low, the decor is stylish, and it would be an equally great spot for a romantic dinner, a birthday celebration, or a casual night out with friends. 

Location and Accessibility

Stella’s is located at 1012 Lafayette Street. It’s not far from the Museum District, which makes it convenient after a day of sightseeing. 

The restaurant has a bit of a unique location in a residential area of Richmond. When I first drove there, I thought my GPS had taken me to the wrong place because I seemed to be on a quiet street with houses. I was driving at night, which made it extra difficult to spot! 

But luckily the GPS was in fact correct and I found Stella’s on one of the side streets. 

There is street parking in the area, and I didn’t have an issue finding a spot about a block from the restaurant.  

I actually like that the location is in a quieter area, especially after just coming from very busy Carytown, where parking was tricky! 

The restaurant is on one level and is accessible. 

Service Quality

The service at Stella’s is excellent. Despite the busy crowd on a Saturday in the summer, I was able to get a table with no wait and food was served quickly as well. 

My server was really attentive throughout and made great food recommendations when I had a hard time deciding between the many items on the menu. 

Note that I was able to get a table more easily because I was coming a bit later at night for dinner, around 8pm. 

If you come during peak hours it can be hard to get a table, so it’s good to book a reservation in advance. 

Final Verdict

If you’re in the Richmond area, definitely make a trip to Stella’s for fabulous authentic Greek cuisine! It’s a popular spot for dinner and a great place for special occasions, a romantic night out, or a fun night out with friends. 

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