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My coworker and I came here for breakfast on a September Thursday. We were able to get a table by the windows, although it got busier by the time we were done. The coffee was great as was the Coconut Chia Pudding - $15 - but worth it. So much tastier than what I make at home, made with coconut milk (?) chia, fresh fruit on top, pumpkin seeds, toasted coconut and honey. Really it would have been great to split it, since neither of us could finish the whole bowl. My coworker and I could barely hear each other and maybe we should have gone to the room at the back. They also sell Bonito coffee beans that I bought to take home, the cashier mentioned they can grind them if you want. Free 2 hr. street parking and a nearby free lot. It gets super busy at dinner too.
Everything was amazing! We started with the naan, then shared the chickpea curry and biryani, both were fabulous. The biryani was especially impressive; the presentation and flavor were out of this world! The seating is intimate, so if you're a party of two, be prepared to sit fairly close to other guests. There's not a lot of privacy for conversation, but the food absolutely made it worth it.
4.5/5 We ordered the fried chicken sando, breakfast plate, red lentil and rice bowl, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Everything was absolutely delicious--we finished every last bite! The only downside was the wait. It took almost 50 minutes for our food to arrive. Other than that, everything was wonderful. We'll definitely be back and hopefully the food comes out a little faster next time!
The Dutchess is massive, with two rooms of seating and a quaint back patio. They're open from breakfast to dinner and as their website says: "This kitchen comes to life at 4am and doesn't shut down until 11:30pm." They do a soft close from 2-5 where they don't serve the food menu but offer drinks, coffee and pastries. We stopped in on the 4th of July and were seated right away. They also have a coffee and pastry counter if you want to grab something to-go. You do not want to miss out on the pastries, and the display sure catches your eye. Along with our main we split a morning bun which was flaky and just the right amount of sweet. As we were walking out I noticed some sandwiches that looked extra tasty as well. We kept it simple and split the Dutchess Breakfast Plate since we had quite a bit of eating planned for the day, but it was more than enough to satiate us alongside the pastry. It comes with these massive, crispy and spiced potatoes, big slabs of Niman Ranch bacon, tomato chutney, thick-cut sourdough toast and two eggs. At $22 this isn't cheap, but the quality is there and I would order this again just for those potatoes. The Burmese Fried Chicken Sando seemed to be the most popular dish and I was jealous as I saw it hitting other tables. I'll just have to come back!
Cute bakery in Ojai that also offers a dinner menu at night. Pro tip: if the bakery line is long, grab a seat at the bar! They'll serve the full menu, including all the bakery items, so you can skip the wait. We visited on a Sunday around 11 p.m., and the place was packed. Service was a little slow because they were so busy, but the food was still worth it. The only letdown was the bakery bagel, it was pre-made and served without being toasted, which was a bit disappointing. The standout dish was definitely the congee. It was incredibly flavorful, comforting, and easily the best thing we ordered. Overall, a great spot, and I'd definitely come back to try more of the menu.
We came in because of all the hype and saw that they have Burmese inspirations. I was a bit underwhelmed. I mean, it's not trying to be an authentic Burmese restaurant. But I was a bit excited. I've had Burmese cuisine in Bagan years ago that left an impression but as I read through the menu, it felt more like trendy spots in LA but with more of Indian / Indonesian fusion. Both dishes were okay. We opted for their popular breakfast item since I guess that's what they're known for. Nothing stood out here, except for the sourdough. The chutney was okay. I mean, it's more or less typical diner food with elevated sourdough bread. As for the other dish, felt like chicken satay from any other place. The coffees were decent though. My wife had her iced latte and I had cold brew. I can't really remember much about the drinks but it was a necessity - it was scorching when we went. The thing about the food here is that it is definitely downtown LA priced while everything else around the area is relatively affordable. Although I don't mind the 4% health tax, it was definitely a surprise to see if charged for even buying a bag of coffee and sourdough plus tax and tip. It gets expensive fast. While service is decent, you're just ordering upfront similar to how it is at any fast food joint, looking for your own seat, and wait for food to be delivered to you while you help yourself to whatever utensils you need, which reminded us of a self-service local joint in our area who has a no tipping policy because of that fact. I honestly don't mind paying extra but the food has to justify it. The ambiance here is cute. Felt like mementos from Bagan mixed with an old hacienda, so you're more or less paying to eat at a cute place and take photos. Do we recommend it? I guess if you want to take guests to a trendy place but otherwise it's just okay. You're definitely here for the ambiance, not the food.
The Dutchess is a unique Burmese meets Central California spot in Ojai that is part bakery and part restaurant. Reservations are highly recommended as tables do tend to fill up fast. Wifey and I stopped by for brunch with a reservation and were seated right away. I got the Spicy Chicken & Scallion Waffles, she got the Chicken Congee, and we shared a Cinnamon Bun. We thoroughly enjoyed our dining experience here and all the staff were very friendly and welcoming.
We stopped by The Dutchess in Ojai for a quick bite for breakfast and it did not disappoint! I ordered a Bloody Mary to drink while waiting in line. The line was long but moves quickly. I ordered a ham and cheese croissant served with a gherkin and everything was absolutely delicious. The croissant was perfectly flaky and buttery, the ham and cheese were flavorful, and the gherkin added the perfect tangy crunch. The Bloody Mary was well-balanced and refreshing but I wish it had celery. The atmosphere was charming, relaxed, and exactly what you'd hope for in Ojai. The staff was friendly and welcoming, making the whole experience even better. I can't wait to come back and try more from the menu. Highly recommend if you're looking for a great breakfast or brunch spot!
We came here for dinner at a colleague of my wife's recommendation. We did not have reservations, but they still sat us quickly at one of their outside/sidewalk tables. The sidewalk tables are comfortable and the ambiance casual. Service was efficient and friendly. They have an extensive wine list, but we stuck with water. It seems the menu is prepared daily, as the cover of the paper menu had today's date on it. Dishes were a combination of traditional and innovative, with many vegan and gluten free options. We chose the Coconut Chickpea Curry, Zuckerman Farms Asparagus & Snap Peas and Wok Fired Beef Satay. The dishes were visually appealing, served hot, and brought to our table as they came out of the kitchen. You can tell they use fresh, quality ingredients and combine them in a sophisticated way. All good... except that I found the Asparagus and Satay dish overbearingly salty. Unfortunately, the saltiness overpowered all flavors in these two dishes.
This was our first time in. It's obviously a popular spot so timing is everything. Today we got lucky, the place filled up quickly after arriving (8:45am). We had a large party with strollers and were able to find spots in the billiards room. The patio looked nice too. Everyone in our party decided to go with options from the case. I also tried the golden latte. Turmeric taste came through well and overall a good drink. Everything was delicious from the case. Their tomato pastries are so good sleep on those. We enjoyed our food/drinks and the service was good. There is space to maneuver through the eatery with a stroller. They do have high chairs. We didn't use the facilities so unsure if there's a changing table. We would return in the future to try menu items.
What a cute little spot in Ojai! We tried the fried chicken sandwich and almond chocolate croissant as well as olive oil cake. Prices were reasonable. Everything was pretty fresh. Parking was great! Service was friendly. I would definitely go back.
AMAZINGGGG!!!!! worth it omg. i got the iced matcha latte with lavender + oat milk and was blown away it was amazing and look at that color !!!!!!!!!! so green !!!!!! the food was wonderful especially the potatoes. so many seats indoor and outdoor, everything was so clean and everyone was soo so friendly and kind. i will be coming back, it was so so good and it's a top spot for me.
Stopped in for coffee and pastries while visiting Ojai. They do offer a full brunch with hostess seating, 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
8 months ago
First time in Ojai and had The Dutchess bookmarked since they open! Dinner was enjoyed but the pastries was their stronger point ! The hazelnut bun was amazing The cocktail we order was good , the lamb was overly salty while the chicken was a bit under seasoned ! I usually enjoyed tandoori chicken but not quite this time !!The dessert- passionfruit lime pie was delicious ! Staff were attentive and the decor and ambiance was great ! Their pastries are definetly worth trying again if I were vacationing in Ojai again read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
The Tuna appetizer is a MUST!!! Woww!!!!!!! I got the pea curry for the main dish. It was great as well but still craving that tuna appetizer . It won my heart . read more
Super mega cute restaurant! From the outside walking in, you don't see how big this place actually is. They have a few different dining rooms, including outdoor patio seating all the way in the back. Services was very friendly and the ambiance was perfect for brunch. The food was delicious, except we waited mega long for our food, which is why I took off 1 star. I understand a restaurant gets busy, but waiting nearly an hour for our food is way too long. We did go back the next morning to buy some pastries. Everything we had was delicious! Gotta get there early though because they can sell out pretty quick. read more
1 year ago
We happened upon The Dutchess during our quick little getaway to Ojai for a night, and couldn't have had a better experience! The restaurant is beautiful... rustic and so cozy with a great bar area and plenty of tables. Our server, Sophia, was so sweet and wonderful, and was really on it with anything that we needed... The food was DELICIOUS! We had the crispy potatoes with the herb aioli, the chick pea fritters, and the pork belly noodles, which were amazing! To top it all off, when we lingered a bit too long and couldn't get an Uber back to our hotel, Sophia ended up driving us back herself! If you want an amazing meal with equally great drinks (best espresso martini I've ever had) and service, I would 100% recommend The Dutchess! read more
1 month ago
4 months ago
1 year ago
As a cafe and a place to eat? This place was a 8/10. Fried chicken and breakfast plate were a twist on something that is common in brunch places now. Chicken and Waffle had a very southeast asian - Indian flavor to it. Breakfast plate was in general good because of the potatoes. As a bakery, this place was also a 8/10. I think the very popular morning bun isn't my favorite, but instead I asked the server what their favorite was and it ended up being our favorite as well. It was bearclaw like and carried the same sweetness and density. read more
4 months ago
Came here for brunch after hearing all the good reviews for it. While the food itself was pretty good, it was definitely overpriced, and the service was slow. We paid over $80 for a meal and drink for 2, and we had to wait over half an hour just to order. As I said, food was pretty good. The Burmese Fried Chicken Sando was delicious, but the egg sando was a bit bland and left some to be desired. Great selection of fresh pastry items as well as a decent drink menu. While the food is good, I feel like a portion of what you're paying for here is the location as it's right in the heart of DT Ojai. Wouldn't be my first pick for food in Ojai, but I would still return again. read more
2 months ago
We came to Ojai for a girls' trip, and The Dutchess was all over my TikTok, so we all knew we just had to try it out for brunch! The entrance has a lot of baked good options to buy at the counter, and the restaurant seating is in the back. Our server was extremely helpful and gave great recommendations. Love the ambiance and vibes here, and the only complaint that I have is that there are only 2 bathroom stalls (and located far away from each other, so you can't tell if the other side has a shorter line). I ended up getting stuck in a line for 20 minutes and got the table behind since it was right when we got seated. Other than that, the place is such a vibe, and the dishes are unique. Don't pass up coming here! read more
1 year ago
Best pastries in Ojai. They are so creative with the types of pastries they have. We also got a latte and a mocha and both coffee were so deep in flavor and delicious. Line may be long but moves fast! A must stop in Ojai. read more
9 months ago
Wasn't much on the menu to choose from for breakfast but the coffee and service was great. Glad they have outdoor seating to hang with your pets while hangout out. read more
SUCH A NICE RESTAURANT. I feel like this place can def be a speakeasy in it's mysterious and unassuming appearance from the outside, versus what it looks like in the inside. Each dining room has like it's own personality, and when you get to the room adjacent to the patio, there's a billiard table and piano. like WUT. if I were super into vintage and antiques, i would want to live here lol. Food seems promising too, but since we came around noon, we were limited to the lunch menu. We weren't that hungry so SO and I split the following: - Coconut Chicken Noodles (Ohn No Khao Swe) $25: Light coconut curry flavor, with ripped pieces of chicken. Chicken didn't seem to be marinaded and lacked flavor. There was also two flat pieces of battered something, but they were a stale kind of crunchy and were tasteless. Noodles were like spaghetti texture. Best of this entree as the soup and the soft boiled eggs ); - Matcha $6.50: bland, and slightly bitter. Didn't have a strong matcha flavor ): Definitely overpriced, but honestly I think this place is promising, despite the lackluster flavor. I may be biased since Burmese restaurants are hard to come by, but I would come back to give it another try, esp for their dinner menu read more
2 months ago
8 months ago
Ojai continues to deliver some of the best food! Geez. So good. This place is no joke. The breakfast plate was unreal. read more
Such a cool place! We came for brunch on a thursday. So many different seating options. They have a full bar and pool tables for some evening fun. Their chicken sandwich was DELICIOUS, we got ours not spicy and there was still so much flavor. But if you like spicy GET it spicy. The breakfast meal was classic and their congee was very comforting and flavorful ! read more
1 year ago
The Dutchess Ojai completely stole the show at the Family Style food festival. Their passionfruit lime pie was hands down the best thing I had at the entire event. It absolutely blew me away with its perfect balance of sweet and sour from the passionfruit, paired with a base that was rich, flavorful, and absolutely flawless. This pie was so good I would honestly drive all the way from Los Angeles to Ojai just to have it again. It is without a doubt the best pie I have ever had, truly out of this world and unforgettable. read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
10 months ago
I didn't come here for the food. No, this review is for their five star bakery that I waited in line for and yes, it was worth the wait! I consider myself to be somewhat of a connoisseur of morning buns. I literally seek them out and almost every city I go to when visiting. I also really love another version of a morning bun, which is the buttery, flaky sugary Kouign Amann. I'm here to tell you that the Duchess morning bun is almost like these two pastries got married and had a baby. It's absolutely fabulous! You can't eat just one, the bakery case even states it's their homage to the famous Tartine bakery in San Francisco. Oh, and I also had to get a couple of their almond croissants and an Herby cheesy twist. Also, did I mention how adorable the Duchess is? I bet the food is good too. Trust me, just GO! that with a cup of their delicious coffee and you know it's gonna be a good day. read more
4 months ago
1 year ago
We recently visited Ojai, and this place came highly recommended by the host of the Airstream we rented. We didn't know what to expect going in, but we're so glad we made the trip,The Duchess is absolutely to die for. We literally joke about driving two hours back to Ojai just for the food... but we're totally serious. It's hard to put into words,the flavors are impeccable, unlike anything we've ever tasted. The staff was amazing, the service was excellent, and the ambience made the experience even better. Huge thank you to everyone who took the time to explain each dish, where the inspiration came from, and how all the vegetables are locally sourced from nearby farms. That personal touch made it even more special. If you're on the fence about going, don't be. Just go. You will not regret it. read more
11 months ago
2 years ago
This was a great lunch spot. We locked our bikes outside and there was plenty of seating. They have three rooms and Ian outdoor space in front and back. I highly recommend the roast beef sandwich. They make their bread in house. Also, the peach and berry crumble was incredible! Everything was fresh and the ambience was beautiful! Good for large parties and plenty of street parking. read more
The kale salad unto itself was a winner, especially since the restaurant was able to hold the chicken, but the overall experience was so frenzied that it's hard to be excited about going back. The line took about twenty minutes despite only three or so parties in front of us (making me imagine there was some systemic issue), the woman at the register couldn't answer basic questions about the menu, and our food took a half hour to arrive (one salad and one sandwich). Overall, being in that space is chaos. But I'd have the salad again if it was a hair less frustrating. Note to the owners: make a "no chicken" option for the kale salad available on delivery apps! I'd get it all the time. read more
2 years ago
We came to visit Ojai from LA and decided to give this spot a try for dinner on a Thursday night. I didn't make a reservation since it said on the site they didn't have any left for the day but I called and she was able to accommodate us outside since we had our dog with us. Patio seating is dog friendly! We parked on the side and sat at one of the tables right outside the restaurant. Service was excellent and attentive. Based on their recos, we ordered: - Tuna Crudo (4/5) aguachile and slices of fruit/veg on top of the tuna complimented it perfectly but kind of wish it was colder? - crispy rice (4/5) can def taste more of the Burmese flavor and inspo in this one. Textures were good - Puri (6/5!!!!) we would absolutely come back for this. The fried naan is to die for with the pate. It reminded me of Chinese fried dough or sesame bread. So light and fluffy with a pate that wasn't too strong that had chile jam and shallots. - chickpea curry (5/5) comforting and felt like I was eating at someone's house. Filling - Falooda (3/5) it was like their version of a sundae with some crispies on top. Lots of different flavors not sure if I'd get it again Great little spot in Ojai, we'll be back for breakfast or lunch next time! read more
9 months ago
First time at The Dutchess I got a breakfast sandwich and a pastry 10/10. Would recommend getting there early they run out of pastries pretty fast! Service was super fast. read more
2 months ago
1 year ago
Arrived here a little after 10 on a Saturday morning. No lines and was not busy on the first weekend of September. We had the breakfast plate which was very tasty. The sourdough bread with eggs and bacon were delicious. I was going to get another dish but the wife wasn't too hungry and I didnt want to carry food around in the heat. The servers were great. We sat at the bar area since there was a wait. I asked if I could order pastries or if I had to stand in line and the hostess kindly obliged to bring the pastry to us. I chose the morning bun which was great (4.5/5) and the wife had a chocolate something pastry. From her expression (5/5). I had a Caffe Latte to go along with breakfast with an extra shot of espresso. That tasted normal, nothing to write home about. The roast they used wasn't too strong so even with the extra shot, it was still creamy. There was plenty of seating inside and a few outside. The tables were set up to be very spacious between each other. I ordered an old fashioned before we left and it was probably one of the better versions I've had in a while. Great sweet and bitters balance. The only complaint I have was that it took at least 10 minutes for the drink to be made. It looked like there was no assigned bartender. I would recommend this place if its not crowded. read more
1 year ago
I got their crispy rice salad. I thought the overall flavor was a bit one note. The textures are great but nothing super interesting happening other than some crunch. Would've loved a protein component to this read more
More info about The Dutchess
457 E Ojai Ave
Ojai, CA 93023
Directions
(805) 640-7987
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https://www.thedutchessojai.com
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