SALONA | 260A SWAN ST RICHMOND | Est. 1969 — Restaurant in Melbourne

Salona is a beautiful space and the food is indeed delicious, but our experience was a mixed one so I thought I'd post a review in case it might help others. We dined late-ish (8pm) on a Saturday evening as a company of four. When we arrived, there was no effort to take our coats or make sure water was on our table, which was indicative of the level of service we were going to receive for the evening.

We ordered the 4 course degustation. After waiting an hour for the food (importantly, the staff did a good job of making sure we were offered drinks in the meantime), we questioned a staff member on its whereabouts. The staff member checked with the kitchen and we were assured that it was on the way. After another 10-15 minutes, the same staff member who took our order said there had been a "mixup in the kitchen" and that our order didn't go through. We then waited another 15-20 minutes for the first course to arrive. Given we sat down at 8pm, this meant we hadn't had any food until ~9:30pm, which suffice to say was very disappointing.

I can happily report that once the food did arrive, it was very good and certainly worth the price on the menu, although I would not say it was the best Greek I've had in Melbourne. The lamb was excellent and the chicken was our favourite. The beetroot salad was also very delicious.

The staff did make an effort to compensate us for our long wait by upgrading our degustation to 5 courses and adding dessert (a piece of cake), however this is not what we would have preferred. 5 courses + dessert was too much food for us. We would have preferred a discount on the bill. It would have been better if the staff had spoken to us first to find out what we would like to do rather than assuming that more food is better. Of course, we do appreciate that they recognised their mistake and attempted to compensate us.

Overall it was a positive experience, but the delays and below-average customer service detracted from it somewhat. Of course it's highly unlikely that our experience is the "norm" as I've heard good things about the restaurant from many people, so definitely take this review with a grain of salt, but hopefully it will be useful to some...

Salona is a Richmond institution, and it’s easy to see why it has stood the test of time since 1969. The restaurant has that rare combination of heritage and freshness – steeped in tradition, but still vibrant and relevant in Melbourne’s dining scene today. From the moment you step in, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and full of character.

The food is outstanding – authentic Greek flavours with a focus on generosity and quality. The meze plates are a perfect way to start: we had the dips with pita, grilled octopus, and the saganaki, all of which were full of flavour and beautifully prepared. For mains, the lamb shoulder was a standout – slow-cooked, fall-apart tender, and seasoned perfectly. The seafood dishes were just as impressive, fresh and cooked with that simple elegance that lets the produce shine.

Portions are generous in the true Greek spirit, and everything is designed for sharing, which makes dining here feel festive and communal. The wine list is solid too, with both Greek wines and local options that pair perfectly with the menu.

Service is another strong point. The staff are warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming – they strike that balance of making you feel like a guest in someone’s home while still running the room with professionalism and ease.

Salona isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a piece of Richmond history. It delivers on atmosphere, flavour, and hospitality in a way that few places can. A must-visit for anyone who loves Greek food or just wants a dining experience that feels authentic, generous, and...

The Baklava was one of the highlights of the night. I LOVE baklava so I ordered it with high expectations and it delivered. The pastry was flaky, buttery and not too sweet. The vanilla bean ice cream was also the perfect accompaniment.

Our starter was the Grilled Octopus which tasted like lamb - that’s how good it was. It had the best smokey BBQ flavour to it and it was cooked perfectly - not chewy at all.

The Saganaki was paired with apricot jam and while I’m usually not crazy about the cult favourite, I found it to be delicious. The salty cheese worked harmoniously with the sweetness of the jam and it was super delicious.

The other star of the show - the Chicken Lemonato was probably the most succulent I’ve ever had. It melted in your mouth instantly. I didn’t get much of a lemon flavour in the chicken but I definitely got it in the greens. I’d order this again and I highly recommend!!

The lamb arrived in parchment which the waiter cut open for us and whilst it doesn’t look like anything special, I assure you it was packed full of flavour. It wasn’t dry and with some pita it would’ve been perfect.

The chips were also bomb. The seasoning was super tasty and they were perfectly crunchy outside and fluffy inside.

Even the Greek salad was so good!!?? Small portion but the feta was creamy and ingredients were fresh.

Clearly there wasn’t much to fault here. We left more than satisfied and it’s one of the better restaurants I’ve been to. Keep in mind prices are higher than average but it’s...