Stella’s

1012 Lafayette St.
358-2011
stellasrichmond.com

Second Place: The Crazy Greek

Third Place: Zorba’s

Co-owner and namesake Stella Dikos retired and closed her restaurant twice: once when it was on Harrison Street and then at another spot on West Main Street. That’s ancient history. Dikos clearly dislikes a life of leisure. The current Stella’s is the best yet, with an airy interior and a menu full of Greek classics such as pasticcio and moussaka that are transformed by Dikos’ light hand. While a vintage black-and-white Greek movie plays soundlessly behind you, sample something unfamiliar. New dishes abound — try the black kale with lemon and kasseri cheese or shrimp in a tomato-and-ouzo cream ladled over a fava bean purée. The Crazy Greek has served souvlaki, pizza and myriad variations of spaghetti to generations of Richmonders. And Zorba’s portions are enormous, so find a friend or plan to take the rest of that baked manicotti to go.