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    The Ranch House

    3.8 (709 reviews)

    Order The Ranch House Takeout or Delivery

    Services - The Ranch House

    Venue rental

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    THE RANCH HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - The Ranch House

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    Cognac Chicken Liver Pate
    Ashley S.

    The last time I visited, I was honestly super disappointed. Definitely not the experience we had when we first tried it. I ordered the filet which was on special. I ordered it medium well & it came out medium rare. Not kidding, borderline rare. I swear the very middle was not cooked. I didn't want to complain considering everyone gives me a hard time for ordering a filet cooked almost well done anyways. Just let me live okay. The service wasn't as great either. Just felt like another ordinary restaurant, where's the magic? It was also my birthday (a special occasion) & it didn't feel special at all. I mean I know we're not at Disneyland, but if you're going to have the ambience scream fairytale, carry that vibe all the way through. From food to service. The first time I visited, maybe it was just an ideal table with an ideal server and ideal seasonal cuisine. For the price though, I'm looking for a home run every time.

    "Charcuterie board"
    Joie S.

    WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!! Went with 5 girlfriends for happy hour, looking forward to a good time with good food and music. First, the so-called happy hour menu was sad, very limited. The server said the charcuterie board was substantial so 2 of us decided to share. There were 2-1/2 half inch "slices" of bread, a 2 inch piece of prosciutto, a small piece of salami and something that might have been ham; a caper berry, a tiny cornichon and a sprinkling of dried cranberries. Awful. The menu said crab cakes, but there was only one, no flavor. My friend sent it back. They took 40 minutes to tell one of us that what she ordered wasn't available. The Chardonnay was warm. The cosmopolitans had little to no liquor. This place used to be wonderful; now, I'll never go back. The music was good, though.

    Michelle H.

    We live about an hour outside of Ojai and a friend gave us a Groupon for this restaurant (which in the end we couldn't use and Groupon didn't give a full refund). Nevertheless, we were very excited to try something new! We had reservations on a Thursday night at 5, it wasn't busy yet. First off, the staff is very attentive and friendly (greeted warmly!), the atmosphere wasn't something I was expecting (which is a good thing!), we were seated next to the pond with all the wonderful Koi fish! My husband and I both got the three course meal, the perfect amount of food; since we also had bread (around $60 per person). I started off with: Burrata Toast: Burrata with toasted country bread, heirloom tomatoes, fresh farm arugula and balsamic reduction... this was a great starter! (however, I think the burrata could have been a little more fresh). Baby Gem Salad: Blue cheese crumble, bacon, cherry tomatoes, Ranch House dressing... simple salad, but it hit the spot. I think what I appreciate most is the portions; just enough where I don't get too full. Rack of Lamb: Sauté Couscous, spinach, Parmesan, mint yogurt... not sure how I felt about this. I love couscous and lamb; however I wasn't asked how I wanted my lamb cooked (which was a bit interesting), but it was still good. I will say they should get rid of the potato strips on top; I don't really think it goes well with the dish. As far as drinks go, I ended up getting the Barrel Aged Black Manhattan ($16) A subtle, spiced version of a beloved vintage... I really enjoyed this drink, it was nice and rich and perfect for the cold night out! My husband just ordered a Glenlivet neat and I will say the pour was generous! Overall, I enjoyed the atmosphere (though slightly outdated), however relaxing. The service was perfect, however the food could do with a bit of an adjustment.

    Lamb shank
    Sean R.

    Current price is $75 for 3 dishes and $90 for 5 Took my girl for her birthday and it was very disappointing... personally the ambience was okay it just felt like someone's backyard dressed up really well. We got the lamb shank and steak for entrees both were really bland. The highlight of these dishes were the vegetables as they had the most flavor mostly just coming from butter and salt. For appetizers we had the beef skewers and artichokes. The skewers had a marinade based with hoisin and some herbs that didn't feel like they paired together. The artichokes felt like they're the ones you'd get in a jar. Desert was very sad. The cheese cake were just two tiny squares that tasted worse than store bought frozen ones and the lemon cake was average. To be fair we're LA locals so we had a higher expectation for a fine dining experience when it came to the food. However, the service was really great! Some of the nicest and sweetest people we've ever met.

    Filet Mignon
    Mojan D.

    This place is really a sight to see. The outdoor is pretty incredible, which is great during COVID. They have heat lamps for the colder evenings as well. The menu changes for the season and each dish is finely curated - this is definitely fine dining! Came with a few friends and we each tried different items. Here was our verdict: - APPETIZER: The Crab Cakes were the best tasting, but the Duck Flatbread was HUGE (see picture). If you have a bigger appetite, go for the flatbread! - MAIN: We got the Filet mignon, Duck breast, and Halibut. We were all split on this one. I personally liked the Halibut the best but my friends enjoyed the duck breast a lot. -DESSERT: We got the cinnamon creme brûlée, lemon cheesecake, and flourless cake. We were split here as well but overall we enjoyed the creme brûlée A LOT! It is very sweet, so if thats not your thing, you've been cautioned! That being said, the reason I took off a star is due to the price. There are not too many "fancy" restaurants in Ojai compared to more populous cities, so maybe thats why the price is justified. But it was roughly ~$70 per 3 course meal for smaller sized portions and good food but not AMAZING food. I think Ranch House is perfect for a date night or special occasion because of its ambience, its finely curated meals, and soul! All of the staff was wearing masks, attentive to service, and worked with us well to ensure we had a great time. Just be prepared to spend a pretty penny! (Apologies for the pictures, they are screenshots from a video)

    Yummy bread
    Terri K.

    Definitely a must while visiting Ojai for an elevated menu & amazing outdoor ambiance. Beautiful gardens, perfect outdoor dining & heaters for every table when it gets cool. 3 course or 5 course options. We had one of each. Overall the portions are definitely on the smaller size but the food is delicious. Bread & butter- really good with coarse salt on top. Mushroom Rockefeller-tasty but served on only 3 artichokes leaves. Seasonal soup Potato Leek-good. Nagoya Kale Salad & Baby Gem Salad- delicious but very small. Filet Mignon-excellent, cut through it like butter & a hearty portion. $75 for 5 course meal. Duck-the meat itself was just good, the glaze was tasty but I know I'm hard to please because I'm always comparing it to duck in France. $60 for 3 course meal. Apple Tart- very good Flourless Chocolate Cake- really delicious for a gluten free option. Friendly helpful staff & servers. I'd be happy to go back again.

    From Entrance
    Jacqueline A.

    The Ranch house was quite an exquisite experience! The restaurant is nestled among some trails and residential area. It's a hidden gem with lovely garden surrounding the outdoor dining area. The Ranch House has been around for 75 years and offers a variety of fine dining. They offer three-course meal or five course meal per person. The service seemed a bit scattered as they were navigating the seating arrangements as well as providing adequate heaters for all guest. They do offer blankets for guest but had ran out due to a large party going on. The server was gracious enough to provide an additional heater near by table to stay warm during my meal.

    View from our table
    Blair T.

    This was an ideal spot for a delicious meal in a beautiful setting. Our food and the staff were all 5-stars, however all of their seating is outside (which is lovely and ideal) and there are no fans. It's quite hot in the summer, and during our last of 3 courses, the flies were absolutely swarming us and our food, and I was drenched in sweat. Installing fans would have made a huge difference. In terms of food, everything was delicious. The cocktails were fabulous, the salads were satisfying, and the entrees were cooked perfectly. The wait staff was kind and knowledgeable. We'd definitely want to come back in more comfortable weather.

    Tuna tartar appetizer.

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    2 years ago

    Celebrated our 15th anniversary here a few weeks ago! The food was amazing and service was excellent.

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    Went here for my birthday recently. Everything from the service to food to the ambiance was amazing.

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    Page 1 of 18

    Ask the Community - The Ranch House

    Someone told us that you have a family night special on Wednesdays, but I don't see anything about it online...is that true?

    Wednesday night happy hour. Food and drink specials and music 5-8 pm

    Do they allow pets?

    Yes dog friendly

    Do you charge a corkage fee, if so, what is it?

    Yes, $25.00 per bottle

    Is there indoor seating available for winter months?

    Yes, they do have inside dining.

    Do they offer gift certificates?

    Yes

    Is the food great still?

    No, my last visit the food was bland and tasteless

    View All 8 Questions

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    The Oak

    3.8(204 reviews)
    1.3 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.

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    The Oak - Brunch buffet

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    The Dutchess - Spicy chicken on scallion waffle - this flavor profile is so good that it should be illegal

    The Dutchess

    4.1(656 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    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

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    The Dutchess - Interior design

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    The Dutchess - Naan good texture but the herb butter was just okay.

    Naan good texture but the herb butter was just okay.

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    Olivella

    Olivella

    4.4(149 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    $$$$

    I missed a couple of photos of items we ordered, but this might be the best restaurant I have ever…read morebeen to. We were given complimentary appetizer of fried artichoke hearts with lemon. Which was a perfect bite to start the meal off while we enjoyed our cocktails. My girlfriend and I each ordered an appetizer, pasta course, and entree. Each of which came out within a reasonable time of each other to enjoy the food and have some time to discuss the course. Also enough time to build up anticipation for the next course! Our server Keegan was super knowledgeable about all of the items on the menu and was able to accommodate my girlfriend's dietary restrictions. Additionally he gave me the perfect recommendation for a glass of wine to accompany my pasta course! For me the highlights were the Rigatoni Bolognese, The Elders cocktail, and the Pacific White Prawns (unfortunately not pictured). Highly recommend to anyone looking to have a special night out.

    Stayed at the Ojai Valley Inn and decided to try Olivella. Honestly, I am not sure it was worth it…read more We were walk ins, and they made it sound like we were very lucky they could accommodate us, but once we were seated there were plenty of open tables. It's unfortunate because it's a lovely restaurant with a stunning view. Our server was also a bit slow and not very attentive, which did not help the overall experience. As for the food, everything we ordered was just okay. We had the beef tartare, the black truffle risotto, the veal osso bucco, and a side of mushrooms. Nothing really stood out, especially for the price. The ingredients were clearly fresh and high quality, but the flavors felt muted and a little too subtle. For a restaurant at this level, I expected more depth and more memorable dishes. Overall, not terrible, just not impressive. I wish the flavors matched the quality of the ingredients, the service, and the price point.

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    Nocciola - Caprese

    Nocciola

    4.3(609 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$$$

    Located on El Paseo Rd this secluded little restaurant is a gem in Ojai with a menu that changes…read morefrequently! I ordered Tagliatelle Slow roasted duck ragú, seasonal mushrooms. My son decided on the Anatra Pan-seared duck breast which came with mashed potatoes and a red cabbage. My wife's choices was Tortelli Sweet potato ravioli, piave fondue, brown-butter, sage My DIL chose the Fish Filet special that came with Black Rice. We ordered sides of Roasted Potatoes and their mixed vegetable blend! We ordered several wines and soft drinks to accompany our dinners. All the dishes were excellent and the in house made pastas were absolutely amazing! Service was excellent from start to finish.

    We were on a girls trip and had reservations for dinner our first night in Ojai. I really enjoyed…read moremy cocktail - the Scotsman. It was well balanced and delicious. For food, we ordered a few things including the Cesare salad, Tortelli, scallops, seafood pasta, lamb shank, mushrooms, and one other special. Everything was ok, but nothing was particularly remarkable or interesting. All the food was well-prepared and the lamb was tender. The Cesare salad was good and so were the scallops. I wouldn't get the Tortelli again, it was plain. The service was poor. We had to flag the server down a few times. She didn't check in with us throughout the meal. My friend didn't like her cocktail and asked for a new menu and she ordered another drink. We didn't make a fuss and the server didn't ask about the full cocktail that she took away. I don't expect them to comp the drink, but the server should have at least asked what was wrong or why she didn't like it. Feedback is important and she didn't seem to want any. I expected better service at this restaurant, which is supposed to be one of the better restaurants in Ojai. Overall, I'd recommend going elsewhere if you're in town. The food was good, but nothing special and there are other great restaurants that are more affordable, with better service.

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    The Ranch House - venues - Updated May 2026

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