Our Favorite Ojai Restaurants

The Dutchess

The Dutchess is a place to come for a cappuccino and a croissant, take home a loaf of bread, meet friends for sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads at lunch, and come back for great drinks and Burmese-Californian flavors at night.

Izakaya Full Moon

Izakaya means Japanese gastropub. Come here for sweet, malty Echigo Koshihikari lager and tasty BBQ skewers, fresh sashimi, and ramen. It's tricky to get a table, so we recommend showing up right at 5 pm.

Ojai Rotie

How about a "casual yet elegant...Lebanese French Picnic?" Menu highlights include rotisserie chicken with delicious veggie sides and labneh with charred lemons. Rotie's bread is a mild, naturally fermented sourdough served with a healthy portion of house-churned butter.

Rory's Place

Rory's features live-fire cooking and a raw bar with excellent charcuterie and natural wines. "Our menus are inspired by the fresh, seasonal produce, seafood, and livestock from Ojai, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding areas." Reservations recommended.

Nocciola

This romantic spot is among Ojai's best for dates and celebrations, off the main drag, and situated in a cozy old house. Nocciola boasts rich, homemade pasta dishes, fabulous cocktails, and delicious desserts that make for a solid experience. The prix fixe menu is spendy but amply portioned.

Little Sama

Little Sama is the third offering from the growing Sama empire (including Sama Sama Kitchen in Santa Barbara and Dim Sama in Los Alamos). Located in the back of the Topa Topa taproom, they serve sharable small plates. Stars include the pixie wings, togarashi tots, and wonton nachos.

Pinyon Ojai

Ojai is having a pizza moment, but the Pinyon folks are doing something different: pies come topped with fancy ingredients like kefir cheese, mozzarella (handmade in-house), and egg yolks. Additional menu items add to the decidedly grown-up vibes of what otherwise looks like a typical (but elevated) New Jersey joint: tasty veggie sides, salads, and prosciutto with Giardiniera preserves.

Tres Hermanas

With a lot of new restaurants coming, VORTEX has to try them all. Stay tuned to see who fills this spot!

Hip Vgn

So many all-vegan restaurants veer into the comfort food territory, relying on deep-fried junk foods like onion rings. While Hip Vgn does make a mean french fry, most of their offerings are simply healthy, balanced plant-based meals with filling portions. Favorites include the Indian falafel (the coconut chutney is perfection) and Ashram Lunch with spicy daal. The casual atmosphere has plenty of outdoor seating.

MEINERS OAKS

Ojai Noodle House

OHN is a local gem where traditional Vietnamese cuisine meets the warmth of family heritage. Each dish, from the rich and soul-warming pho to the aromatic garlic noodles and vibrant, zesty salads, is crafted from the owner’s mother’s recipes. It’s not uncommon to find her in the kitchen, infusing every meal with love and generations of culinary tradition.

Meiners Heritage Table

There are two new spots in Meiners Oaks: Chris Bakes and The Rochers.

Farmer and the Cook

Steve Sprinkel and Olivia Chase have run this veggie-friendly Meiners Oaks market, cafe, and certified organic farm forever. Farmer hosts music events, pizza nights, frequent art shows, and a weekly CSA pick-up. The diverse crowd it draws makes for some of the best people-watching in the Valley.

OPEN LATE

Ojai Pub

Open until midnight every night, Ojai Pub has crafted brews, house-made sausages, and a cozy, unfussy atmosphere. There’s usually live acoustic music or trivia on tap.

Radio Roma

With its low lighting, mezcal cocktails, and midnight tacos, Radio Roma feels like it exists outside the decade (and definitely outside America). A DJ often keeps the room humming late into the night while locals cluster around mariscos and agave-flavored drinks in a sleek, transportive space. It’s small and popular (reservations recommended)

Jimmy’s Pub

Located in the Ojai Valley Inn, Jimmy's menu leans resort-pub (burgers, pizzas, wings), the service leans formal (“sir?”), and the whole thing can feel slightly surreal. But when most everywhere else is dark, Jimmy’s has the lights on.

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