Ojai’s Culinary Scene: Best Restaurants & Hidden Gems

Ojai Beginnings: Wine & Artisan Delights

This artisan market and white wine bar, coupled with an already durable Area Supported Agricultural program (or CSA), placed this native spot on the map in 2024. Drink a glass of convivial summertime rosé in Ojai Beginnings’ 21-and-over red wine garden, while sharing the caramelized Parmesan sardine dip or a boquerones and marinated anchovies romesco toast, and the go to feels like you’re someplace abroad as opposed to 30 miles east of the 101 Highway.

Ojai Noodle House: Modern Vietnamese Flavors

Picked by locals as the Best of Ojai in 2024, Ojai Noodle House serves modern-day Vietnamese dishes making use of neighborhood and fresh active ingredients. For lunch or supper, the dining establishment’s evolving food selection always uses complicated and vibrant tastes: Try the lemongrass hen Bánh Mì or recently added spicy sugar fish sauce crispy wings. Regulars recognize to always conserve room for the pandan, mango, or strawberry cut ice.

Musicians, totally free spirits, and pioneers have actually constantly gravitated to Ojai. As early as 1882, the Ojai Valley, tucked within the Topatopa Hills almost an hour northeast of Los Angeles, came to be an attractive vacation for its thermal springs, temperate weather, and picturesque valley sundowns. More than a century later on, people still group to the region. In the last couple of decades, city dwellers looking for a peaceful, slow-paced life have transformed this sleepy town right into a premier destination for eating. These transplants’ passion for exceptional food is a welcome makeover, one that brings much more fine eating and cutting-edge food to a comfy area of Ventura Area. Below is the best of the number, listed from north to south.

Vegan Mexican: Local Cuisine Celebration

This vegan Mexican dining establishment with a weekend flatbread popup commemorates in your area grown cuisine. Go at the neighboring Ventura River before delighting in the Betterfinger healthy smoothie that tastes like the preferred candy bar yet with carrot juice and goji berry or the huarache with barbequed vegetables topped with an aji cilantro sauce. The charming market shelves and sunlit patio just improve the experience.

Joplin’s: Rock ‘n’ Roll Comfort Food

The most recent area on the checklist is Joplin’s, recently opened up by Brittany and chef Saw Naing, who are partners at the stylish Burmese area the Dutchess. The dining establishment offers comfort food from local ingredients with a rock-‘n’-roll spin, leaning heavily into produce discovered from adjacent ranches like Boek Home. Choose the Caesar salad, macaroni and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, and Niman Cattle ranch extra ribs right off the smoker.

Swimming pool tables, antler light fixtures, and a dark timber interior are what define this rustic, off-the-beaten- course watering hole. A regional fave for soul-filling bbq, where tri-tip and drew pork are rubbed in the lodge’s backwoods sauce, the area is always a good time. Examine the schedule to pop in during a music efficiency.

Ojai Tortilla House: Authentic Mexican

Anticipate a line out the door at this genuine Mexican dining establishment that serves freshly made corn and flour tortillas daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The line scoots, so get hold of the al pastor burrito, a fave of Ojai Quarterly editor, that says his Ojai Tortilla Residence go-to workdesk lunch always “seems like a correct break.”

Artists, totally free spirits, and trendsetters have constantly moved to Ojai. As early as 1882, the Ojai Valley, put within the Topatopa Mountains simply about an hour northeast of Los Angeles, came to be an appealing getaway for its hot springs, warm climate, and picturesque valley sundowns. These transplants’ passion for exceptional food is a welcome transformation, one that brings even more fine eating and innovative food to a comfy area of Ventura Area.

Retro Dining: Jennie’s Restaurant

Proprietor Jennie Newell guarantees that everyone seems like family when entering the 30-year-old restaurant named after her mom. This retro-style spot embraces nostalgia with all-day morning meal items, like chicken-fried steak, pancakes, and biscuits and sauce. Come on a weekday after 11 a.m. for a Monte Cristo sandwich or beer-battered fish and chips in a cheerful, well-lit room.

Principal’s Top: Cocktails & Vinyl

The Social Shelter Club friendliness group’s Principal’s Top works as the bar for the managed and highly Instagrammable Ojai Rancho Inn. Cozy up by the fire place or get a view of the swimming pool and take pleasure in trademark sake alcoholic drinks, all-natural wines, and beer while paying attention to vinyl. Consider joining the Mug Club, where an annual charge obtains site visitors a Kat and Roger ceramic cup kept on bench’s wall surface.

Musicians, free spirits, and innovators have always gravitated to Ojai. As early as 1882, the Ojai Valley, tucked within the Topatopa Hills just concerning an hour northeast of Los Angeles, ended up being an appealing vacation for its hot springs, pleasant climate, and picturesque valley sundowns. Musicians, totally free spirits, and trendsetters have actually always moved to Ojai. As early as 1882, the Ojai Valley, tucked within the Topatopa Hills simply regarding an hour northeast of Los Angeles, came to be an appealing getaway for its warm springs, warm weather condition, and picturesque valley sunsets. Picked by residents as the Best of Ojai in 2024, Ojai Noodle House serves modern Vietnamese dishes utilizing fresh and local ingredients.

Radio Roma: Oaxacan Tacos & Tunes

A hi-fi lounge offering reasonably priced Oaxacan tacos, Radio Roma is a local hang comparable to a senior high school pal’s living room. Come for the late-night food selection of lamb taco, shrimp mixed drink, and tuna tostada by cook and co-owner Ryan Farrar, however remain for the tunes on the vintage Klipsch stereo.

Corn kakiage tempura was one of the very first dishes Yuya found out to make at home, while Asaka uses his blade skills with the sesame-marinated goma kampachi. Don’t dismiss their takeout if you can not get an area inside, specifically with the day-to-day ramen and yakitori specials.