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    Little Sama Ojai

    4.2 (138 reviews)
    Open 12:00 pm - 8:00 PM
    Updated 1 month ago

    Little Sama Ojai Photos

    LITTLE SAMA OJAI ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed

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    Sophia E.

    The food was absolutely amazing!!! I've never had anything like this before. It was so flavorful, yet light. The place was absolutely adorable with outside seating too. Highly recommend stopping by and grabbing a bite to eat.

    Chicken wings
    Mona A.

    Stopped by Little Sama in Ojai for some fuel after Chief's Peak. We got the sweet and spicy chicken wings and they really hit the spot after a long hike. The Korean-style wings were juicy on the inside crispy on the outside and nicely sauced. The okonomiyaki tots were also a hit and worth ordering. It's located inside Topa Topa Brewing Company and the setup is straightforward. You order at the counter they give you a buzzer and pick up your food when it's ready. The service was so nice especially for counter service. They paid attention to small details without us having to ask and having worked in the service industry we definitely noticed and appreciate that The vibe is casual and family friendly. Dog friendly and kids running around, it's super relaxed. Food comes out fast and it's a chill spot to hang out

    Crispy Cauliflower
    Hazel R.

    Wagyu cheeseburger - savory, tender medium-well burger w/ cheddar, miso onions, kewpie & pickles on a buttery brioche bun. Lemongrass beef rice bowl - a flavorful mash-up of southeast asian textures & sweet‑heat notes on a comforting rice base. Korean fried cauliflower - acrispy plant-based treat w/ gochujang heat & sesame seasoning.

    Donburi bowl with seared tofu
    Emilyn A.

    I was in the mood for something fairly healthy and fresh-tasting for lunch. The donburi bowl with seared tofu really hit the spot, and the pickled veggies added a nice, crunchy element. The soy marinated eggs were the star of the show for me and they were perfectly salty and jammy. I do wish the rice was a bit fresher and softer -- it tasted a bit hardened which wasn't my favorite. Overall, a really yummy, fairly healthy meal that is fairly priced!

    Ken C.

    The restaurant is a booth right next to the brewery (Topa Topa). It is quite nice to get a bite and beer in one spot. They have a order window where you can order and pick up food at the counter when ready. I thought the food was creative and well presented. The price was definitely on the steep side for what it is but quality and service was there. The tots are unique and have a twist to takoyaki but with tots.

    Tater tots loaded
    Gohar K.

    While at Topa Topa enjoying ice cold beer we purchased loaded tater tots from here to enjoy as a snack. My husband and I were on a daytrip to Ojai from LA. We took a break after hiking at the nearby Wheeler Gorge to have a snack and beer. The service was friendly and the ambiance very chill. The tater tots were ok, I'm not a fan of sweet sauces so next time I'll pay more attention and not order something with the sauce. I'll try other things next time I'm here.

    Signature wings
    Michael C.

    Cute little spot by Topa Topa brewery. Ordered at the counter, food came out pretty quickly. We got the chicken sandwich and their signature wings. The sandwich was pretty tasty, the sauce is definitely on the sweeter side for my taste. Chicken was cooked well, nice, juicy and moist. Prawn crackers for chips is cute. The signature wings seemed to also have a similar sauce to the fried chicken sandwich, again too sweet for me but I see the appeal. Again the chicken was nice and juicy. Definitely a cool place to grab a bite and a beer. Very dog friendly- had water bowls available for the pup!

    Delicious fried chicken wings with a sweet tangy sauce, not spicy
    Deb V.

    We were looking for a casual lunch spot in ojai. My kid wanted chicken so we decided on this place. It's casual and you order at the window and they give you a buzzer for notification to come back and pickup food. The service was polite and nice. I appreciate that. The ambiance is open tables and also has a nice outdoor patio. The food was fresh, delicious and well spiced. I was very happy with my dining experience and the food itself. I will be returning when I am in the area.

    Wagyu burger
    Jetrina M.

    We went here for lunch on a Saturday around noon and it was not too busy. It's located inside Topa Topa brewery so you can order a beer and get delicious food. We ordered the tots, chicken wings and wagyu burger meal to share. My favorite was the wings, they were very flavorful without being too spicy. It only comes with 6 wings but could easily eat all of them on my own. The burger was good but wasn't anything special, same with the tots. Would definitely come here again just for the wings! Street parking only. Dog friendly inside and out!

    Chicken wings
    Sarah S.

    We got a table during a busy Friday at 1pm out of pure luck! This place is busy and very dog friendly. I had a negative experience here because the menu is all Vietnamese style and had some sort of spicy kick to the food and without the sauce or flavoring the food is bland so it's a lose lost situation for me. And I didn't want to order a $12 bowl of rice and chicken with some soy sauce. I can just make that at home. The burger was alright per my father in law. My husband really liked the wings because he doesn't mind a kick. He said they were the most flavorful he's ever had. So wings were a win. The tots were also crunchy and in good portion. This place is fun and trendy, but I was disappointed that the food all had some twist that makes it hard for people that are spice intolerant to enjoy.

    Sara W.

    Good flavors. Sad to write this but was disappointed with my salad size. Not a huge eater but literally less than half the bowl was full.. luckily I added tofu to make it more filling. Would try again because it was pretty tasty.

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    Good food and beer. Could use more low tables with normal height chairs, never noticed all the high tables and chairs until I had kids.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Little Sama Ojai

    Are there gluten free options?

    Yes they do have some gluten free options! I would call and ask them but I do know that they their seasoned tater tots and Brussels sprouts are gluten free! Also their rice bowl has an egg marinated in a soy sauce it is a gluten free soy sauce. And… 

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    Rory's Place

    Rory's Place

    3.7
    (245 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    The food is exceptional. The service is a bit lacking. We arrived and they had a hard time finding…read moreour reservation, which was weird because it ended up being under exactly the name we gave when we arrived. But it truly was met with the skepticism of a hostess trying to prevent someone from scamming their way into the establishment. When she ultimately found our reservation, she seemed shocked and suddenly her tone shifted. But it was a weird few minutes of feeling like we were some kind of con artists pulling a fast one. The place was jam packed, so service was very slow - we waited probably 15 minutes for our server to arrive. Which was strange because it's not like they were unexpectedly inundated with a crush of people, this place had been booked solid for weeks! The amount of activity was 100% predictable. Nothing about the menu was really explained, but we were prepared so we just helped the person out by giving our full order immediately using the internet for guidance on what to get. Again, once the food started coming out, it was genuinely fantastic. Not a bad item on the menu. But be prepared to know what you want and be ready when they have time for you. And absolutely come with proof of a reservation! You'll be glad you have it. And get ready for a delicious meal!

    first of all, hello satan do be living up to the name bc this was heavy handed. i never be getting…read morethe right drinks per usual bc the toes on your nose was better in my opinion... menu is incredibly versatile, from raw seafood to a well seasoned steak. starting off with the tuna tartare--BEAUTIFUL, no notes. perfectly salted, great texture. oysters came next and we were served three different types (clean to fishy) but all were delicious to experience. the steak was crispy yet tender on the inside.

    Photos
    Interior looking towards the outdoor patio
    Interior looking towards the outdoor patio
    Aguachile with shrimp chips and mole manhattan
    Aguachile with shrimp chips and mole manhattan
    The two tiered seafood platter

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    The two tiered seafood platter
    Joplin's

    Joplin's

    4.2
    (83 reviews)
    0.3 mi

    Foodie Alert! Joplin's Ojai is a Masterclass of Fire, Smoke and Flavor…read more Some restaurants serve food. Others tell a story. Joplin's does both. BBQ seems an understatement. Saw, the chef-owner, was raised in Burma with an Indian father and it seems as if he was blessed with an instinctive understanding of spice and flavor. His culinary journey includes 4 years at Tallula, (Mexican) in Santa Monica and today he's creating something uniquely his own in Ojai. Open-Fire BBQ with an artist's touch that makes even cornbread elevated. I promise- you'll be a fan too. The spiced compound butter with honey and flaked salt takes this dish over the top. I ordered the Smoked half chicken with lemongrass curry and rice. The meat was perfectly tender and smoked and complimented by the fabulous curry sauce. I wanted to lick the plate- it was that good. We shared the pulled pork with tamarind BBQ sauce and it too was a flavor bomb. The tamarind sauce was both Smokey, a tad spicy and just enough sweet to balance it. As sides we shared the beans and the garlic slaw. Each dish had its own garnish and flavor surprise in my mouth. Both were delicious. I can't say enough about the food other than -Do yourself a favor and eat at Joplin's. The setting is equally inviting with a charming outside patio with plenty of shade and Mountain Views. It's an ideal spot to linger over lunch. The indoor dining room is dark and dramatic with the bold rock-n-roll soundtrack playing in the background. The front of the restaurant is run by Saw's wife and you order before you're seated. They are gracious hosts and the service is good but remember- they are busy. Be patient and take your time to enjoy your flavor experience.

    Disappointing experience. We stopped here after visiting a local art gallery and decided to share…read morethe pork ribs and cucumber salad. When we asked the server for a recommendation between the beef and pork ribs, she gave a vague answer about both being "bone-licking good," which wasn't helpful. The food itself was a major letdown. The portion was tiny (just three small pieces of ribs) and the meat was undercooked, greasy, and mostly fat. The cucumber salad was essentially a strange-tasting cucumber soup filled with soggy cucumbers and cherry tomatoes. Glad we only ordered one dish to share, because this definitely ruined my appetite for ribs!

    Photos
    Joplin's
    Joplin's
    Joplin's

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    Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill

    Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill

    3.9
    (341 reviews)
    0.3 mi
    $$
    29 years in business
    Family-owned & operated

    So, felt like a short drive. My posse (most of them today, some were MIA)...drove up to Ojai and…read morewhoa!-Music Festival and Pottery Festival going on. Traffic all around but we did get out and walk around. Someone said, "I'm hungry, anyone else?"...Of course they were obliged by ALLLL of us! We decided to walk a few blocks from the crowds, came upon Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill + the cantina. We went in and ordered. The service was very good and a few of us saved a large booth as the others went next door to the cantina...there was a good number of folks in there already eating...some locals, you can just tell-made me feel better. Our food arrived: Smash burger I had ordered was great. The pickles as someone else mentioned were a very tasty yet the meat flavor was still there. A chicken burger, some tacos, and some buffalo wings, fries..Cold beer(it was a warm afternoon)-rounded off the 'posse' order. Everything was very good. Jim & Rob's serves some very tasty food. Nothing pretentious, just down right good food. I will stop back in next time I am in Ojai-good food.

    The New Philly Smashburger they added to the menu was not available on the online order portal so…read morewe had to go in and order and wait. Hopefully they can get that updated soon. I asked for no pico-de-gallo on my alota tostada, but it was on there. The food is generally bland, but in the best way. They don't go over the top. It's simple flavors which is how I like it. It sits easily in the tummy. This place is for a comfort Mexican meal. Not the fancier foo-foo style you might expect at a destination restaurant. That's why this place is a go-to for the local crowd.

    Photos
    Grass-fed Watkins Ranch beef Cheeseburger and Fries at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai and Lisa's Cantina
    Grass-fed Watkins Ranch beef Cheeseburger and Fries at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai and Lisa's Cantina
    Fajita Platter looking delicious at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai and Lisa's Cantina
    Fajita Platter looking delicious at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai and Lisa's Cantina
    Adult beverages on the Lisa's Cantina bar at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai

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    Adult beverages on the Lisa's Cantina bar at Jim & Rob's Fresh Grill Ojai
    The Rochers at the Ranch House

    The Rochers at the Ranch House

    3.1
    (13 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    An interesting attempt at being creative. I would call it a strange experience…read more Picture walking into a beautiful Japanese inspired garden that's been there for many many years, bamboo and lush gardens, and sitting down for an elegant meal. Then the music is turned on and I'd call it 1960 English rock mixed in with other genres from all over, a little too loud and not really be fitting of the environment. We mentioned it to the waiter and he said it's the chef's jam so to speak. The food was certainly adventuresome. It just missed the mark too often. Either a bit too acidic or a bit off on a funny flavor profile, or in the case of the tuna really inedible as it was very tough. When all 4 ppl leave most of it, you'd think the server(s) would inquire but they just cleared the plates as if it were normal. I really hope the restaurant makes it and of course being a prefix menu we might just have been in on an off night. The plating was beautiful. The dishes were beautiful and unique. There was certainly thought put into it and the service was very nice and attentive. Wine pairing was nice and generous. If you do go here, it's worth adding it on as an option. Overall It just missed on too many flavor profiles that didn't quite go together. They do say the chef likes to combine all types of different cuisines and he certainly did that. I'm just don't know if they blended well. I probably would give it a 3 1/2 if that were possible.

    Beautiful Setting, but the Experience Misses the Mark…read more We were excited to dine here and enjoy dinner in the garden. From the moment we arrived, though, the atmosphere felt off. You walk into a peaceful, charming space only to be hit with loud punk rock music. It was jarring. We thought it must be a mistake. We love music, but this didn't fit the setting--it drowned out conversation and clashed with what should have been a serene dining experience. When we politely asked if the volume could be turned down, our server explained that it was the chef's personal playlist and he'd need permission to adjust it. For a restaurant charging $200 for dinner, that's disappointing. The server later returned to tell us it had already been turned down earlier because another guest had complained. In other words, it would stay as is. It sent the message that the chef values his own preferences over his guests' comfort. To be clear, the servers were wonderful. They spoke passionately about the history of the property and described each dish in impressive detail. It was obvious they were trying to bring the chef's vision to life. They were warm and professional, even when it was clear their hands were tied. The drink menu was another miss. Plenty of bottle options, but few local wines by the glass--a surprise in the heart of wine country. My partner ordered a Manhattan, only to be told the chef doesn't allow it. That's a first for us. It added to the feeling that this place is about control, not hospitality. As for the food: some dishes were inventive and delicious, others fell flat. There's creativity, but at this price point, the experience still feels uneven. We both agreed that if we hadn't prepaid, we would have left soon after sitting down. The music made it nearly impossible to relax, and we honestly couldn't wait to get out of there. We were told the chef is aiming for a Michelin-star experience, but after dining at Caruso's the night before, this restaurant has a long way to go. Caruso's delivered exceptional service and food, but more importantly, made every guest feel valued. Here, we felt more like intruders in someone else's artistic experiment. The setting and history are beautiful, and I genuinely wish them success. But the chef's attitude--toward both guests and staff--suggests he's not ready to take real feedback. When he asked how our meal was as we were leaving (after paying), it felt more like a formality than genuine curiosity. In short: stunning venue, talented servers, flashes of culinary creativity--but an overall experience built for the chef, not the diner.

    Photos
    A window by the terrace offers guests a sneak peek into the kitchen--where the magic of each course begins.
    A window by the terrace offers guests a sneak peek into the kitchen--where the magic of each course begins.
    A peek through the garden gate offers a first glimpse of the lush, hidden world that awaits just beyond.
    A peek through the garden gate offers a first glimpse of the lush, hidden world that awaits just beyond.
    Our lounge offers garden views through full-length windows--complete with a gleaming white grand piano to set the tone.

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    Our lounge offers garden views through full-length windows--complete with a gleaming white grand piano to set the tone.
    The Oak

    The Oak

    3.8
    (206 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    Enjoyed everything about this restaurant! It is conveniently located in the middle of the hotel…read morewith the most spectacular view specially at night! We came for breakfast and dinner and loved everything. For breakfast we had the the chilaquiles with the morning juice. Kids hand pancakes and the special cinnamon roll (only 3 made a day) The Cinnabon was a little dry on the edges, not so sweet. Everything else was good. Dinner at the Oak was my favorite. First night we had catch of the day- branzino. This was 10/10. So flavorful! The tortilla soup 4/10 Kids had the salmon plate ( came with mashed P and broccoli), and the Mac and cheese. It was great! They finished everything. Service was some what slow however everyone was so nice!

    Location: Amazing. The restaurant is out in front of the golf course so you have amazing views. Was…read morehoping for a slightly earlier dinner time (no reservation) but when we arrived at 6:30, we were told the next opening was at 7:30. This ended up working out because we had two drinks and sat out at the little fire pits on the lawn and enjoyed those. There were tons of families with kids there for Easter weekend and all the kids were making s'mores at the fire pit, which was cute to watch. We were notified our table was ready at 7:25 which was nice that it wasn't later. We sat down at a table that wasn't directly under a heater and after a few minutes asked the busser if we could switch to the table next-door. He obliged and moved us to the new table and turned the heater on. We were at the front of the patio and had a gorgeous view, again out over the golf course. The staff were all fantastic. From the hostesses to bussers to wait staff, everyone was highly attentive. Ok well all that is 5 stars for sure, but on to the food. Bread and butter were tasty, the rosemary butter was awesome. Our stomachs were a little bigger than their eyes and we ordered two entrées and FOUR sides. Lamb chops and Rib-eye were both cooked perfection but didn't blow me out of the water (especially for the price). The mashed potatoes were my favorite, perfectly seasoned and buttery smooth. Broccolini was also cooked perfectly, the lemon garnish helped to bring out a little flavor, but I do think it could've used something else, a little pepper or some Parmesan. The Mac N Cheese was good but mild for my taste. A little more of the crumb topping or a dash of salt and pepper would've helped make it pop a little more. Then there was the one big miss, which was the mustard greens. I feel like I've had them before, but I've certainly had many other types of similar greens and they had one single flavor which was extreme bitterness. It was just completely devoid of any other seasoning, salt, acid, SOMETHING, although with how better it was, I'm not sure much could be done. I just can't imagine that was the way it was intended to taste. For dessert, we had the old-fashioned doughnut bread pudding, which had a delicious marionberry ice cream on top and a sharp lemon blueberry compote on the side. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and I definitely return to celebrate a special experience although I'd probably be a little more selective on some of my food choices next time.

    Photos
    Brunch buffet
    Brunch buffet
    Seafood
    Seafood
    Apple Pastry Dessert

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    Apple Pastry Dessert
    Spa Cafe

    Spa Cafe

    3.4
    (12 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Healthy Food! Superb Atmosphere!! Great Service!…read more It's actually two places... a juice bar that opens early, and a beautiful dining, room that is only open from noon to 2:00 P.M. Carmen, at juice bar was highly accommodating, and offered to let me sit in the dining room, four hours before they open. I took accepted her offer, and met the manager of the dining room, Ian, who informed me that patrons can also be served by the pool, sauna, and jacuzzi. These two areas will definitely become part of a routine, the next time we stay, or co-host another large event at the Ojai Valley Inn.

    Pretty disappointed by the food and service at what I I thought was the best resort in Ojai. I was…read morefinally approached by one of the pool servers and while yes, I was interested in ordering some food, I had to ask for a menu. There are some very, very healthy options but I ended up going with the ahi poke "tacos" and the "all greens" cold pressed juice (spinach, cucumber, celery, parsley, green apple). The tuna tacos were served with bigeye tuna, butter lettuce cups, sweet onion, shoyu dressing, chili garlic crunch, seaweed, and side salad or rice but I opted for fresh fruit as my side. The food and juice were both good but definitely not worth the price point, coupled with the lackluster service. In Yelp terms, the overall experience was "OK."

    Photos
    Ordered poolside
    Ordered poolside
    Real plants grace the table with their Beauty!
    Real plants grace the table with their Beauty!
    Hotel Guests are encouraged to refill the insulated containers that they provide at no cost!

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    Hotel Guests are encouraged to refill the insulated containers that they provide at no cost!

    Little Sama Ojai - asianfusion - Updated August 2026

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