Came in here to buy a bag of coffee as a gift for a friend. I wasn't sure what to get, but the…read moreyoung woman behind the counter gave me good recommendations and talked me through their coffees. Even though the shop was a little busy and I was taking up extra time, the staff were all very friendly and upbeat and didn't make me feel bad for the line stacking up behind me. When the beans I wanted happened to be sold out of pre-packaged bags, she went and filled and sealed a fresh bag for me right then and there. Awesome! Small, clean, cozy shop, and I didn't buy any pastries this time, but they did look really tempting. I should have bought a lemon bar. Next time I will for sure.

Food - coffees, teas, sandwiches, bagels, oatmeal, pastries…read more Service - fast and good Ambiance - cozy

This is a great place in Ojai to sit down and enjoy breakfast with friends. It was very busy with…read morelong lines, but it was moving along. There was seating inside and outside the cafe, but there was some more seating in the back garden. Service was excellent. I got the Herby Scrambled Eggs and Homemade Vanilla Latte. The eggs were fine, but I wish it was made with a different type of cheese. I ate as much as I could. The salad was good. I enjoyed the Vanilla Latte. Overall, a nice place for breakfast.

The place was super cute. Amazing selection of books, seating inside and out. Menu had something…read morefor everyone. Staff was nice. I don't get the skateboard planks... are they for sale too or just display?? So why not 5-stars you ask? Well... I didn't think the food or coffee was that great honestly. The breakfast sandwich was so big, I don't know how anyone realistically eats it without getting egg all over their face or the whole thing sliding out from the bread and falling apart. It's pretty, but so sloppy once you dig in. The green pesto looked amazing but ultimately lacked flavor. The pickled shallots that came with it was so overpowering, (and mind you...I love shallots!) but I have to remove some. I ended up deconstructing the sandwich and eating it like a bagel with too much topping. Not so much a sandwich. The over easy egg was pretty, but didn't add any benefit. Maybe over hard would be a better option. Friend got avo toast. Once again super pretty, but she could tell the sliced eggs weren't as fresh and again the pesto was pretty flavorless. Lots of salt and pepper and hot sauce needed for both our dishes. Bread were over toasted, so cuts to the mouth roof top. Lattes were pretty, but tiny and coffee was meh. One bathroom, long wait. Order at counter and find a seat. Wait for them to call your name to drop off your food, but if you don't hear them or there are others with the same name... you get the picture. Come to think of it...My food did take took longer to come out and maybe it was because of those reasons! So skip the IG hype and go with Yelp reviews.

Lovewell understood the assignment. This is their second location, the OG is in the Avenue, but the…read moreOak View spot is perfectly placed for those of us trying to romanticize life on the way to work instead of just surviving it. The space is small but full of light, and it feels cozy in a way that makes you want to linger without feeling squished. The owners are genuinely kind. I asked about "The Goodfella" specialty drink and they explained it without a hint of coffee snob energy. We love knowledgeable and approachable. Also... they bring your drink to you while you're waiting. I appreciate this so much. It's such a small thing but it feels thoughtful. There's a solid lineup of fresh baked pastries if you need a little treat moment. And the message on the cups just makes you smile. It feels intentional in a quiet way, not performative. Can't wait to return. And parking is easy, which honestly seals the deal.

The vibes here at this location are top tier. The two women who were behind the coffee bar were so…read morefriendly, helpful, and had the best attitude. Very much felt like the local vibes I was looking for. I only wish they had a little more indoor seating, and that their chai was a house recipe versus a premade base. Loved that they had a sweet or spicy option for it, but homemade chai would make this place epic.

Man, my gf and I were in Ojai for a weekend and we ended up eating here all three days. First day…read morefor dinner, second for brunch, and third for brunch again. Every single thing they serve is quality. The chef and founder's got a cool story -- you can look up a short doc on YouTube. It's Bermese food mixed with American. The Biryani, Crispy Rice Salad, Potatoes, Breakfast Plate, Granola, Congee, and Spicy Chicken & Waffle are all great. Ask if you can have a side of their chili oil -- I believe it's made in-house and they even sell it to take home. I would've gotten a bottle but they were sold out! Their cafe is also awesome. We got their chocolate chip cookie, croissant, danish (forgot which one), and sourdough and they were all good. Drip coffee is good + their caffeinated black tea (also forgot the name)! Lastly, the customer service was top notch. Your server will check up on you every 10ish mins or so. Always very accommodating and very friendly, too. Best believe we'll be back sooner rather than later! Thanks The Dutchess Crew!

Stopped in for coffee and pastries while visiting Ojai. They do offer a full brunch with hostess…read moreseating, but the front and outdoor seating areas are available if you're just stopping in for coffee and pastries. Both very well decorated. Orders are placed at the register and pastries are given to you right away, and you'll receive a table tent so they can bring your coffee out. The pastries were really good, with a nice variety to choose from. The only thing that would have made them even better is if the savory pastries were heated. The coffee, however, took quite a while to arrive. We had already finished our pastries and our table was cleared before it finally came out. I went back to grab a few more pastries, and while I was away, a gnat flew into my coffee. I brought it back to the register, and they graciously replaced it without any issue. The second cup came out quickly and was noticeably hotter than the first. It seems like Saturdays can get pretty busy, so it might be a better experience to visit during the week if you can. There are several public parking lots nearby, along with street parking

The Farmer and the Cook -- Fresh Finds Off the Main Road…read more I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect walking in for the first time, but The Farmer and the Cook won me over pretty quickly. It's bright, clean, and has this easy organic warmth to it... the kind of place that feels like it was put together by people who actually care. Right off the main road, easy to find, and the family vibes are real. It's the kind of spot you want to linger in. If you're navigating dietary restrictions, this place is a quiet goldmine. Strong gluten free options, a genuinely vegan friendly menu, and plenty of vegetarian choices too... so everyone at the table actually gets to eat something they're excited about. That's rarer than it should be. The food? Solid. I went with the raw tacos, sopes, and huarache; all filling, all fairly priced for the area. The raw tacos especially surprised me... fresh, flavorful, and not in a "I wish this was a real taco" kind of way. These hold their own. Service was quick and most of the staff had a warm, genuine energy about them. The one small snag; the cashier seemed to be having a rough one. A little gruff, made me feel like my first visit was mildly inconvenient for them. It happens, we all have bad days, but first impressions do stick a little. Overall though, I'm absolutely coming back. There's more on that menu calling my name and an atmosphere that makes it easy to slow down for a bit. Whether you're vegan, gluten free, or just looking for something fresh and honest... this one's worth the stop.

This was a great first stop in Ojai! The ambiance was very inviting and the food was great…read more I would say, it's lovely healthy food in the style of Mexican dishes, but didn't really have a Mexican flavor profile. Definitely elevated and delicious, but don't expect the same spices and preparations. I had the goat cheese and veggies tacos, taquitos, and fresh chips and salsa. The chips and salsa were incredible and super fresh. I loved the homemade hot sauce as well. The star of the show for me was the seasonal persimmon smoothie. I couldn't believe how delicious it was, and for only $7?! The bathroom was pretty disgusting when I stopped in, but I will try not to hold that against them lol overall the restaurant was clean and the people were friendly!

Cute little brunch-type spot in Ojai located on a street with a bunch of fun little shops &…read moreeateries. You place your order at the counter inside and can pick a table on the small patio area outside. I came here around 11 AM on a Monday morning with my partner, and there seemed to be a steady flow of customers. Some were grabbing a meal while others stopped by for a quick drink & pastry. We ordered the breakfast burrito (unfortunately, they didn't have any chorizo available) and the Korean rice bowl. The Korean rice bowl was definitely my favorite of the two, as it had more variety in terms of taste and texture. The food here If I were to return in the future, I'd be curious to try the butter and ham sandwich, as that seemed to be a favorite of some of the regulars. I'd also want to grab a pastry as the scones and cookies in the case were quite enticing. Overall, flavors aren't anything out of this world, but it's a nice spot to grab a meal and people-watch if you're in the area.

Super charming!!! Came here for the viral Matcha affogato and was very pleased! There was plenty of…read moreparking spaces on the Main Street where this is located and it's surrounded by alot of cute shops to explore. There were a few bar styled seats indoors but most of the seating was outside, great for when the weather is nice out. Will need to come back to taste more of their things. Our dessert came out fast and everyone was super friendly. MATCHA AFFOGATO $12 - (9/10) So beautiful AND delicious! Was pleasantly surprised that the matcha taste really came through. I was expecting this treat to just be a pretty trendy item but it is actually VERY GOOD! It wasn't super sweet and the matcha had a perfect tea taste. The matcha on top of the ice cream also had a satisfying crack. In love!!!! - free 2hr street parking in a side lot +paid street parking - seating for groups, duos, and solos - Indoor and outdoor seating - no outlets - No wifi - No bathroom - Sells drinks, pastries, and food! - Dog friendly

3.5 I'll round up to a 4 because I do recommend Highly Likely…read more The good: Turkey Sando Fries Kind staff The bad: Service on a Sunday at 11 am was sooo incredibly slow. Our server disappeared by the end of our meal. They advertise "eggs how you like 'em" but didn't offer poached, which was how we like them ha.

First time I came, service was great. Second and third service was lacking…read more Breakfast burrito is good. Pickled carrots and cauliflower taste like white vinegar, adding some aromatics could help. I've gotten the bodega sando. 1st was great 2nd time was lacking. The server was confused on how the eggs were prepared and kept asking me how I wanted them after telling her I'd take it as is from the menu. 2nd time I was unimpressed, released it was just a potato hamburger bun with scrambled egg and the sauce that comes on it 2nd time just tasted like salt. Egg to bun ratio was off. It was too much bun not enough egg. Their drip coffee is not my favorite. It has a strong sour berry taste. First visit service was great and we got refills on our coffee promptly. 2nd time drip coffees took longer than our food to come out and no refills were offered. Servers were standing around but we were unable to get their attention despite sitting at the bar. Atmosphere is nice. Will most likely try a few more things on the menu.

We visited Ojai Roots last night, and it was exactly the kind of place that fills your cup. The…read moreaesthetic is beautiful and relaxed, the people are genuinely kind, and the whole space has this effortless sense of community that makes you feel like you've been coming for years. We stopped in as part of our SoCal road trip after getting married, and everyone there made the night feel even more special. The food and wine were incredible, and to top it off, they surprised us with a vegan chocolate cheesecake that was to die for -- truly one of the best desserts we've ever had. Ojai Roots is the kind of spot that reminds you what hospitality is supposed to feel like. Can't wait to come back!

This seems to be a family owned quaint and cute shop with a friendly staff. So many cute things to…read morebuy! There is outside seating a very small amount of bar seating inside. They have some tastings and it was interesting that 2/3 cabs were from Santa Barbara but one was from New York. They have ready to made sandwiches and salads in their fridge with fresh juices. We got some salami and a beet hummus. Apparently the beets are from their store's backyard? They grow their own vegetables which is cool. They have plenty of outside seating with shade and a fan. A nice location for relax and snack.

The staff are incredibly welcoming and helpful. The food is delicious, especially if you like…read moresourdough. I got their fresh donuts and they taste like a sourdough base. They were moist and very good quality. There are no public restrooms or places to sit in the entire complex, so you'll have to go up the street for that aspect. It's not as cheap as a Dunkin' Donuts, but it's reasonable, great for vegan and gluten-free (they have just about everything-free), and great quality food.

Sun Oven is a delicious gluten free bakery with lots of vegan items…read more This is the headquarters where they bake so you can come in and order but there is nowhere to sit. The employee was welcoming, the store was bright and clean and the pastries looked delicious. You can also order it by mail and it is available in a lot of stores around here and in Orange County. I recommend trying it at least once, ordering online as gifts or stopping by the HQ