With the smell of slow-cooked kleftiko tempting your senses, Salona in Richmond is where Greek hospitality truly comes to life. A family favourite for over five decades, this vibrant restaurant is run today by Stavros and Alexandra Konis, who continue the family legacy, honouring three generations of recipes, traditions, and generously filled tables.
Every dish is made to share, every meal a reason to linger, and every guest treated like family. Salona is all about celebrating food, connection, and those unforgettable moments that happen when friends, family (and maybe a little extra bread) gather around the table.
Can you share a little about the history of Salona and how it all began?
Salona is very much a generational family story. Stavros’s grandfather Tony Atherinos took over in the early 70’s, Salona first opened in Richmond in 1969, at a time when many Greek migrants were building new lives in Melbourne.
“It was a time when, according to Stavros, they were serving lamb’s head and offal to the Greek gamblers who he says frequented illegal card houses that dotted Swan Street, Richmond. Tony brought with him a deep sense of hospitality and a belief that food was meant to bring people together.
Stavros’s parents Thomas and Anastasia Konis then continued to hold that torch passing those values on to us, in 2004 Stavros took the reins, continuing the family legacy and serving many of the original recipes”
The restaurant quickly became a place where people gathered not just to eat, but to celebrate, connect and feel a sense of home.
Over the years it has remained in our family, and today we continue that legacy with the same spirit of hospitality - food made with care, tables meant for sharing, and a space where generations come together.
What does it mean to carry forward a three-generation legacy?
It’s something we feel deeply proud of, but also very responsible for. When a restaurant has been part of a community for so long, it becomes more than a business. For us it’s about honouring the people who came before us ,the recipes, the traditions and the values of Greek hospitality - while making sure the restaurant continues to evolve and feel alive for the next generation.
How do you honour tradition while evolving the menu?
Many of our dishes are still based on the original family recipes that have been cooked at Salona for decades. At the same time we’re always thinking about seasonality and the incredible produce we have here in Australia. The goal isn’t to reinvent Greek food, but to present it with care and respect - letting the ingredients speak and keeping the flavours honest.
Tell us about your approach to ingredients and sourcing.
Greek cooking is very ingredient-driven. When the produce is good, the food almost cooks itself. We source beautiful local vegetables, seafood and meats, and pair them with carefully chosen Greek imports - things like olive oil, oregano and cheeses that bring those unmistakable Mediterranean flavours. It’s really about simplicity and quality.
Are there menu items that hold special meaning for you?
Absolutely. Dishes like chicken Hilopites, Zucchini kefte and slow-cooked goat kleftiko with oven baked potatoes remind me of the food that was always on our family table growing up. Greek food carries memories - you taste something and it instantly takes you back to a Yiayia’s or Aunts kitchen, a family celebration or a summer in Greece. That emotional connection is something we really try to preserve.
How do you create that warm sense of connection in the dining room?
Greek hospitality is all about generosity. The idea that when someone sits at your table, they’re not just a customer, they’re a guest. So we design the experience around sharing: plates in the centre of the table, long conversations, a little extra bread, maybe another glass of wine. The goal is that people leave feeling like they’ve been part of something.
What do you hope people experience when they dine at Salona?
That feeling of being welcomed and looked after. We hope people slow down, share food, talk for hours and forget about the outside world for a little while. The best nights at Salona are the ones where the table is full, the room is buzzing and no one is in a hurry to leave.
What does being part of Richmond’s community mean to you?
Richmond has always been an incredibly vibrant neighbourhood and Salona has grown alongside it. Over the decades we’ve watched people meet for the first time, families celebrate birthdays, engagements and milestones here, and then return years later with their own children & grandchildren. That sense of continuity and community is something we treasure.
Top hosting tips for beautiful memories around the table?
- Cook something made with love.
- Keep the table generous.
- Always leave room for dessert.
- Always have extra space for last minute guests.
