Where to Go When Visiting Ojai: Our Personal Guide to Food, Drink & Stays

Ojai has always had a certain magic—those pink sunsets (“the Pink Moment”), the relaxed vibe, and the creative, nature-soaked energy that draws visitors back year after year. But over the last decade, one thing has changed in a big way: the food and drink scene has exploded.

With so many incredible options, creating a short list is nearly impossible. Here’s our personal guide—the places we return to again and again, and the ones we confidently recommend to friends, family, and first-timers.

☕ Coffee: The Best Places to Start Your Morning

Ojai Coffee Roasters

The OG of Ojai coffee culture. They’ve been roasting since 2019, and their tiny shop is as friendly as it is delicious. The cold brew is our go-to—smooth, bold, and perfect on a warm Ojai morning.

Three Birds

A local favorite with a fun, creative vibe. Think great drinks, fresh-baked pastries, and a curated selection of books. Enjoy your coffee indoors or under the Ojai sky outside. Highly recommend the breakfast menu, too.

Rory’s Other Place

Great coffee, great bites, super cozy style. But the must-try combo?Buffalo milk soft serve + espresso. Separately or affogato-style—trust us.

🍳 Breakfast: Rise, Shine & Eat Well

Farmer & The Cook

Head over to Meiners Oaks for a beloved farm-to-table experience. Organic, vibrant, and quintessentially Ojai.

The Dutchess

Just follow the line and the smell of freshly baked magic. This is where the town wakes up. Worth every minute of waiting.

Three Birds

Yep, again. It’s that good. And the banana pancakes? Absolutely worth planning your morning around.

🥗 Lunch: Midday Eats You’ll Dream About Later

Highly Likely

Open all day, and everything on the menu is dialed in. A relaxed spot to settle into the Ojai pace and soak in the sunshine.

Hip Vegan

Even if you’re not vegan, you’ll love this place. Everything is scratch-made and incredibly fresh. Try the banh mi and gunpowder fries—the kind of meal that leaves you feeling amazing.

Ojai Roti

Widely adored. Known for their rotisserie chicken and Mediterranean menu, but absolutely everything is great. Don’t miss their “wine box” full of beer, wine, kombucha, and things you didn’t know you needed.

🍽️ Dinner: Where Ojai Really Shines

Highly Likely

Same place, different vibe at night. Consistently delicious.

Izakaya

An intimate, authentic Japanese dining experience. Fills up fast—go early or be prepared to wait. Worth it.

Jim & Rob’s

Casual Mexican comfort food. Grab a table or sit at Lisa’s Cantina, the connected bar.

Pizza at Pinyon

Ojai Noodle House

Vietnamese-inspired dishes that never miss. Get the pho, then end with the shaved ice for dessert.

Ojai Valley Inn (The Oak, Olivella & Jimmy’s Pub)

Five-star food and service in the most beautiful setting in the Valley. Whether you're dressed up or just hungry, these restaurants deliver.

Pinyon

Wood-fired pizzas, great drinks, a surprisingly strong wine list, and East Coast-style sandwiches. A unique, delicious spot.

Rory’s Place

A restaurant with instant cool factor. The energy, the menu, the design—it all just works. Drinks and dishes are fantastic. A huge boost to Ojai’s dining scene.

🥤 All-Ages Refreshment: Something for Everyone

Revel Jun Kombucha & Açaí

We’re biased - but confident you will agree. Revel makes a jun-style kombucha crafted here in the Ojai Valley, and even people who “don’t like kombucha” end up loving it. Smooth, refreshing, and served on tap, as slushies, flights, and even floats.

The organic açaí bowls are a local obsession too—with sprouted granola, fresh berries, and optional peanut-butter drizzle that hardens on the cold açaí. A perfect mid-day recharge.

🍺 Adult Drinks: Where to Unwind

Ojai Beverage Company

Great bar food, tons of beers and cocktails, and a shop full of bottles with knowledgeable staff. A go-to for both drinking and stocking up.

Oak Creek Winery

Beautiful outdoor setting, delicious wines, and photo-worthy views everywhere you look.

Ojai Valley Brewery

Locally crafted, uniquely flavored beers. Food trucks and fire pits make nights here extra cozy.

Ojai Valley Inn — Wallace Neff Heritage Bar

Upscale, elegant, and expertly made cocktails. A refined spot for a nightcap.

Topa Topa Brewery

Arguably the best beers in the region. Friendly, lively, and right in downtown Ojai. Try the Sunburst and whatever seasonal they’ve just released.

Radio Roma

Ojai may not be known for nightlife, but that might change now. DJs, great drinks, cozy ambiance—it’s becoming the place to be after dark.

🛏️ Places to Stay: Where to Settle In

Blue Iguana & Emerald Iguana Inns

Eclectic, clean, comfortable, and full of Ojai character. Emerald Iguana is walkable to downtown; both are charming escapes.

Caravan Outpost

Sleep in a real Airstream surrounded by lush greenery. Unique, Instagram-friendly, and super fun.

Ojai Valley Inn

If you’re ready to treat yourself, this is the place. Five-star lodging, stunning pools, beautiful golf, exceptional restaurants, and unmatched service.

Final Thoughts

Ojai is small, but its food, drink, and hospitality scene is world-class. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a whole season, you’re going to eat and drink incredibly well—and hopefully discover new favorites of your own.