We had a terrific experience here. The servers were very friendly and accommodating for us, as it was 93° outside! We wanted a little cooling off so we sat near the air conditioner. It was still really hot haha but I do appreciate them helping. They were very prompt and attentive to us. The food was delicious! We split the bacon jam miso Burger. As well as the Greek salad. Everything tasted really good and was very enjoyable. Highly recommend this place!! read more

Little Gem - Greek salad - Mediterranean Near Me - Ojai, California

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Sunday 5pm. Empty restaurant, which should have been a sign. Odd waitress who forgot out drinks then brought the wrong drinks. Again came back several times to ask what the food order was. Third time she came back, we said well just take the fries and go. Fourth time she asks what they were again, her system just updated. We tried telling her we didn't want anything but the fries. Awkwardly she told us the food was already in the kitchen. Food was ehhhh. Only liked the chickpeas. Midst eating we were entangled by another server/chef? Who circuitously talked for 30 mins, most of which was nonsensical. It was hard not to suspect both of the servers were tripping. Most awkward experience we've ever had at a restaurant. read more

I have to agree with previous reviewers statement this restaurant truly has a stunningly beautiful enviro to enjoy... that said... sadly that's about all it has. I wanted to actually explain why I'm giving it 1 star... Not for the poor service (they only had one waitress, so I can't fault them for that, or her slightly arrogant attitude (probably from being the only person there serving)... Not for the mediocre food... it's cars to mess up a burger, they were close (see photo). If you are in a town that was founded by artists in the 1960s one would assume you would take pride in how you plate, and present your food, especially for what you charge for your burger! But that's the kitchen... The French fries were delicious... the Greek salad (that they don't offer lettuce) isn't a salad... but it is a favorite in Israel, the Arabic culture, etc... a Greek Salad it is not... So why did I give them 1 star? The unkept restroom was so dirty, it makes other public restrooms look cleaner! The sides of the toilet that typically is just dusty had urine and poop (stains?) there! There was an unknown dust/residue on a cabinet and floor... If this is how you keep your unisex bathroom... how bad is it everywhere else? That alone did it for me... if I had seen this from the jump, I would have bolted! read more

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Very cute space! We only came here for drinks, and the staff were extremely friendly. The drinks were pretty strong, but the bartender explained to us that they usually use a big ice block but their machine was down. 5 stars for the staff! read more

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Georgia was such a pleasure at the bar!! So friendly and welcoming. Love their late happy hour on Sundays from 6-8, the $10 margaritas are delicious. Great to sit at the bar and chat but there's also a super cute patio, will be coming back for some snacks with the drinks next time! read more

Cute eatery. We sat out o. the patio. Was a slow Wednesday evening. We had excellent service. We enjoyed coctails and server suggested the steak frites which was sooo delicious. The skinny crunchy fries were excellent. My pork belly dish the pork was not as delicious wishes there was more veggies. Our drinks were great and had $1 discount for happy hour! Loved the aesthetic! read more

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Drinks.... Out of a whim, we decided to stop in this new restaurant on a Friday night for a drink or two in downtown Ojai on the main drag. The restaurant opened in May 2025. This is a cute little restaurant with a good size patio, per the size of the restaurant, and a small indoor space featuring two high tables, a table by the window for two and seating at the bar. Equally small is the kitchen that offers an array of food. Our main purpose of this visit was for a drink or two- the menu features an array of unique cocktails. They have a full bar, so the bartender can make you any drink your heart desires. Plus the restaurant offers happy hour Monday- Thursday. After a drink we decided to try some light food- we ordered a vegetarian dish that had solid flavors. The dish was not overly large, but enough for a meal if an appetizer or salad is ordered. Throughout our night we had solid service from the staff- the staff was very attentive. We even treated to some nice music from the patio area. Based on our experience, we would stop in again for dinner and perhaps happy hour. read more

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I went with my kids for dinner. We sat in one of the three indoor tables so not to be cold outside. They have more seating outside but only two heated lamps that day that were in use. Service was good and attentive. We did two simple pasta dishes, some pork belly and I had a glass of Sauvignon blanc. Nothing fancy or spectacular but it was good and of good value for price! read more

Little Gem - Cavatappi cheese pasta and pork belly - Mediterranean Near Me - Ojai, California

I have to add a review anytime I think the experience drastically contradicts the current ratings. And this was one of those scenarios. We basically ordered off the happy hour menu getting the patatas gravy's, the burger, the margarita and frites. And everything was phenomenal. It's a cute little point place at the bartenders friendly and the locals seem to enjoy their happy hour. Which is always a good sign so check it out. Stick with some of the standards and I'm sure you'll be fine. read more

Small wine list. The Oaxacan Jade was way too limey; the mezcal was buried. Every menu must have a burger? Um, idk... but the fries were good. read more

Little Gem - DOES every menu need a burger? - Mediterranean Near Me - Ojai, California

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Food - cocktails, wine, beer small bites like olives, papayas bravas, grilled asparagus. Salads and mains. Had the burger and it is served with 8 oz patty. Surprisingly a good burger with its tomato and carmelized onion compotes. Burger comes with skinny fries. Good combo but fries was slightly undercooked. But imagining it as crispier, this combo would be dynamite. They have happy hour all day Wednesday and Thursday and 3-6 on Friday and 6-8 on Sunday. Service - good and friendly Ambiance - clean and modern and cozy. Verdict - since I overheard that they are just open for 3 weeks, they are headed in the right direction. Room for improvement as they say but it's getting there. Burger is good! But fries could definitely be better cooked. But when in Ojai, do try them. read more

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What a gem little gem is. The food is great and what made our experience so memorable and special was the exquisite Dominique- thank you ! read more

Food was great ! Service was excellent!! Jamie took care of us well , highly recommended !! Prefect little gem ; in a perfect little town! Vibe ! read more

I came here with a bachelorette group to grab drinks after dinner. We enjoyed our drinks and and the ambiance was nice. The reason for the 3 star review was because of an interaction with our server. A few people in our group were driving and ordered mocktails. When we were ordering the server asked, "Okay, is anyone ordering drinks with alcohol?" Maybe it was unintended, but it came across as judgmental and made those who chose not to drink feel uncomfortable. You don't need to know the reason someone chose to not drink, whether it be because we're driving, in recovery, pregnant, taking medication, or simply not interested in drinking. Whatever the reason, it would be nice to not be singled out. A small change could have made our group feel more welcome and comfortable, thanks! read more

To start with, this used to be called Tres Hermanas, which is why we came back, only to be disappointed to find this place, which the same group apparently owns. What a difference this place is compared to Tres Hermanas. Very dissatisfied! The service was practically nonexistent. We had to wait 15 minutes before they came to take our order, and the restaurant was only about 20% full. The menu itself was OK, but small and spartan. In other words, there were very few choices! We tried the garbanzo beans with coconut milk and quinoa, called 'Marry My Chickpeas'. Well, this was a divorce from the start, because the bottom line is that the lemon overpowered it, and its portion was really small. One of the things I really dislike is when they give you a large plate with a small portion in the middle to make it "artisanal." I took the safe route, I thought, and ordered what was supposed to be a half-pound hamburger, which turned out to be more like a quarter-pounder, and it had grizzle in it. It was extremely low quality; the bun and condiments were delicious, but it didn't really make up for the lack of quality in the meat. I was starving and the waiter was never around, so I wound up eating it, and at the end of the meal, I did explain that I felt the meat could've been better, and I got a complete non-response from our waitress, and she said I'll bring you your bill which then took another 20 minutes. The atmosphere is charming as before but doesn't make up for the disappointing experience we had. read more

Food came out slow but was overall decent. Alcohol was good. But my shakshuka had the coldest tomato sauce I've ever had. I was so hungry I didn't want to complain. And it came out after 35 min too. I wouldn't come back here, even though everyone was so nice, the Food wasn't good enough. read more

Service from Nikolai was very good Atmosphere and location are terrific I'm sorry to say the restaurant is missing in a few areas Portion sizes ... folks, we can't skimp our way to success. That's an unimpressive burger portion. Menu diversity - enough said There is so much you could do right now with all the fresh produce out there... So much "Who do you wanna be? " a place known for killer "fries" located in the center of Ojai? Featuring an affluent, educated, experienced dining crowd... We're highlighting "french fries?" Really hopeful you can turn this around and find success in this location. Problem: ??? I'm unsure if it's "too many cooks in the kitchen" but everything feels like a compromise. read more

The location is fab - the second best in Ojai (I think Topa Topa has a better spot). The ambiance is peaceful. Beautiful inside decor. Inside seating is small; more space outside and it's very comfortable. Staff is great - the girls do a good job. I popped in on a Sunday afternoon for a lite lunch. The wine selection is small and okay. But the pour I got was really small (see photo). At first I thought she was giving me a sample but no that was my glass. So I had to go easy on it during my meal. The cauliflower soup was delicious - I was actually surprised because I generally don't like cauliflower. The pork belly was okay. I needed more asparagus (they don't give you much), eating just pork belly is no fun. It needs an accompaniment. All in all was okay. There are some other items on the menu I'd like to try so I suspect I might be back sometime in the future. read more

Little Gem - Cauliflower Soup and Pork Belly - Mediterranean Near Me - Ojai, California

Food, service & ambiance were all top notch! Such a cute vibe and food and beverage were delicious. Service was great - super friendly and came out fast. We ordered several apps before our meal and those were all great! Best food in Ojai. 10/10 recommend read more

Such a cute little spot with the best vibe! The restaurant has a really cozy, charming ambiance that makes you want to stay awhile. The service was great too! Our server, Dominique, was so friendly and gave us awesome recommendations. We started with the patatas bravas and the grilled asparagus, and both were so good. The patatas were crispy and flavorful, and the asparagus was perfectly cooked. Dominique also suggested trying the new tomato braised cod, and it ended up being the star of the meal. It was fresh, flavorful, and something I would absolutely order again. Great food, great service, and such a welcoming atmosphere. We'll definitely be back! read more

After beers across the street, we walked in sans-reservation, for the experience of a lifetime! After being welcomed in, we sat out on the patio and got introduced to the menu...on opening night! Drinks were awesome, appetizers incredible, and our mains were fantastic. So far, so good. The dream someone has of opening a restaurant and succeeding is a noble one indeed. If you do wind up eating here, let them what they did right for ya. I'll start... Wonderful welcome as we arrived. Great description of various menu items Options for those w/ dietary concerns Beautiful space, inside and out read more

Little Gem - Asparagus w/ whipped goat cheese - Mediterranean Near Me - Ojai, California

Today I came to this restaurant with my family for dinner. We ordered steak, and there was a hair inside the steak. This is very unpleasant and unacceptable for any restaurant. When we told the waitress about it, instead of apologizing or trying to fix the problem, she acted very rude and unprofessional. She also seemed like she might have been drunk. After that, she told me: "Get out of my restaurant and don't come back here again." I was with my family, and this kind of treatment is completely unacceptable. Nobody properly apologized, nobody solved the problem, and instead we were treated with disrespect and basically kicked out. Very bad experience. I do not recommend this place, especially for families. read more

Stopped in on a whim and was great! The vibe is welcoming, and the service was good. The expresso cocktail was awesome The shoestring fries and potatoes were so good. It was very enjoyable. read more

This is the spot!!! I had the Greek salad with chicken..... it was delicious our server Jamie was very quick service she was very helpful All this delicious food was cooked by the big chef in kitchen, fun to watch him too Come experience the homey atmosphere and delicious food... The Little Gem in ojai. Nice patio too read more

The food is Delicious... The Service is Outstanding... It's a wonderful place to eat and relax. The outdoor patio is so comfortable with its pillows and deco. Pets are Welcome too read more

This place is amazing!!! Everything is so fresh and delicious. Jamie had great recommendations and chef Don made everything to perfection. We had the asparagus appetizer, chopped greek salad and gnocchi. read more

Little Gem is now my go-to spot whenever I'm in Ojai. Not only do Dominique and Georgia make DELICIOUS drinks, but they're so fun to chat with!! The service is both quick and quality and I will definitely be back next time I'm in town! read more

This little place is phenomenal! Great eclectic menu. The food was amazing! Try the wings. The portions are huge! Great value. I would highly recommend this Little Gem read more

Overpriced and barely edible lunch. Little Gem salad was only lettuce, fennel, breadcrumbs drenched in salad dressing. Added chicken which looked like random weird pieces of rotisserie meat. Very unappetizing. And two disappointing salads cost $68.00 read more

Great restaurant with a unique style that is both inviting and relaxing. We were there for dinner at 5pm and sat outside (the music was too loud inside). There were many tables open, but many were dirty (as in they hadn't been bussed yet). Very friendly and helpful server. Cocktails were fabulous and we shared the gnocchi, frites and pork belly. All were delicious and reasonably priced. I would have given 5 stars, but the dirty tables along with a dirty, unkept bathroom and loud music lost them a star. I believe they could be understaffed, but either way, those two things aren't acceptable, especially as there were only 2 other people when we got there and only 2 others when we left. Still, highly recommend and will go there again. read more

Outstanding experience from start to finish! Our server Jamie was attentive, friendly, and made sure we were well taken care of throughout the entire meal. The food was absolutely delicious, the atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, and the cocktails were fantastic. Great service, great food, and a great vibe--I'll definitely be back! read more

i always want to support local businesses, especially new ones, but this was not a great experience. we came on a very slow monday night, service was practically non existent while we waited 20+ minutes to order, when there was maybe 4 other people in the dining area that had already been served. we got our food ordered, fries were undercooked and the steak was cold and unenjoyable :/ servers were chatting / switching between the bar and the tables yet we had to wait for about 5 minutes and notify the server that we needed a steak knife. vibes were very nice tho, had an old disney movie playing on the tv with very chill music. read more

Took well over two hours for us to try to get a quick bite of lunch. Our waitress took our order for fries after a 15 minute wait. They came relatively soon but after that we never saw her again for over 30 minutes. When we finally got her attention to place our order, took another 40+ minutes for the food to arrive. No one ever stopped by to see how the food was, if we needed anything, etc. which we did. Food was decent when we got it, but so late we couldn't really enjoy it. read more

I went to Ojai for Italian, rain had fallen and locking for comfort food. Sooooo glad I happened on this spot. Little Gem is exactly what it is. Greeted with a warm smile and fantastic tunes, any place you walk in and Pappa Bear & His Cubs are playing? Stay! I had a Mezcal Marg (salt was amazing) The Mussels (yea I found green lips) & Banana Bread (not dense and so light) I will be back, sooner than later! Thank you to the staff and the young lady who waited on me (I think she's the owner) read more

A nice place with great service. Jaime was super outgoing and really made me feel welcome. The food was excellent! The burger I had was top notch! Cooked perfectly and the shoestring fries were excellent as well. I would recommend and come back. read more

Amazing food and super fun atmosphere. Best burger in Ojai!! The manager was super sweet and took awesome care of us. read more

I recently went to Little gems just to chill on a Saturday their brunch which is a proper brunch and the only brunch I know of in Ojai was fantastic. I'm not a big champagne drinker and I don't know if they have a endless Mimosa or champagne thing but they've got a great bar and they make a wonderful old fashioned the meal that I had, I had my reservations by its name ,but oh my God it was absolutely delicious the staff is friendly and wonderful they're very attentive and I recommended highly I spent 5 hours sitting there enjoying the Ojai valley, my interaction was with the assistant manager Jamie who's light-hearted friendly conversations made it so much more enjoyable, I sat at the bar I didn't go outside to the spacious patio but it seemed that everybody that ate outside was enjoying the heck out of themselves and if their food was half as good as mine how could you not, it's a very reasonably priced restaurant and it represents the soul of the Ojai valley it truly is a little gem. read more

My partner and I had a great experience at little gem. Jamie took care of us, she was amazing all around. Drinks were amazing! We will be back for the food. read more

So much promise, so little delivery. We arrived and were told it would be a 20 - 30 min wait; no problem! We browsed the nearby shops and waited for a text that never came. After 45 min, we finally went back and checked, and were then told we could be seated on the patio--we were also advised that there was a single server/busser/hostess for the entire restaurant and that service would be very slow. While we sympathize, it would have been nice for her to tell us that when we originally put our name on the list! Had we known, we would have immediately headed elsewhere. That said, we were starving and had a table so we decided to go ahead and order. The wine list needs a lot of help: 1 white wine and 3 reds. Period. The 2 we sampled were mediocre at best. Sadly, this trend continued with the food--super small portions of dishes that had little in common with their descriptions on the menu! A table next to us had the exact same experience with their dishes. Truly bizarre. One dish was missing half the ingredients and the other was crazy salty and sour. Sadly, we will not be back. read more

HEAR ME OUT! I want to give small, new businesses a chance. I'm rooting for them! So despite the subpar reviews, we went over here with an open, loving heart. But unfortunately, it was disappointing. We walked in and the staff looked at us like _ . Then we sat down, hella flies buzzing around my shihh. So gross. Glasses were dirty, waitress was a bit snobby. Then, and here's the kicker, we get ready to order (after getting drinks + appetizers) and they decide at that moment to tell us that like half the f*cking menu is sold out? The 2/3 entrees we planned on ordering were gone. So we got the check, and left. read more