Imaginings is an ever-growing collection of writings and artwork from Imaginal Institute Fellows. Good to Great Restaurants in the Ojai Valley
Listed in no particular order, here are some of the places to get good food in Ojai. For addresses and phone number for these eateries, check out www.ojaiconcierge.com/restaurant.html. As you might expect, reservations are a good idea at the higher end restaurants.
Los Corporales
True traditional Mexican food -- one of Ojai's culinary treasure spots. Right in downtown Ojai on the main drag.
Movino Wine Bar
www.movinowinebar.com
Located in the Arcade on Ojai Avenue, the main street running through town. A light menu with salads, cheese plates, and homemade gourmet pizzas. Quite a nice wine list, live jazz on the weekends, and best of all, chocolate souffle to die for.
Feast Bistro
www.feastofojai.com
Ojai's newest restaurant, near Movino in the Arcade. Indoor and patio dining with New American cuisine, an espresso and tea bar. No fuss or formality, a casually elegant little bistro with tasty food.
Azu
www.azuojai.com
Also downtown on Main Street, serving Spanish tapas and live jazz on Saturday nights. Quite excellent food (their bacon wrapped dates are the stuff of dreams), can get noisy late at night.
Seafresh
Hot diggety dog casual seafood joint with great fresh seafood. Not fussy, but some seriously good eats at seriously reasonable prices. Much of the seafood they serve they catch on their own boat. A perennial favorite of locals. Located on the Eastern end of downtown Ojai.
Auberge at Ojai
www.aubergeatojai.com
With a new chef/owner, a fresh take on French/American cuisine. Somewhat pricey, but gets rave reviews from loyal fans. Located just of Ojai Avenue in a charming historic house.
Suzanne's Cuisine
www.suzannescuisine.com
Another beloved local spot, with elegant American fusian cuisine. Homemade desserts, mid range to pricey, but worth it. Located on the Western edge of Ojai Avenue just as you are about to hit downtown.
Boccali's
www.boccalis.com
Hometown Italian pizza and pasta joint. An Ojai tradition located at the Eastern end of the Ojai Valley just before you head up the hill into the upper valley. Has bruschetta with serious addictive qualities.
Bodees
www.bodees.net
Simultaneously one of the oldest and newest food spots in town, recently reborn by the grandaughter of the original owners. A splendid steakhouse with indoor and patio dining. Located on Highway 33 heading up towards Los Padres National Forest.
The Deerlodge
Also on Highway 33 heading up into the mountains, and first opened in 1932, the Deerlodge is old western watering hole meets the Flintstones in decor. Has a great menu with wild game; highlights include a game plate and a barley stew with venison. Cool rock fireplaces are lit on chilly evenings, and hot rock-n-roll bands play live on Saturday nights.
Ojai Pizza
The local's pizza joint. Great pizza, sometimes somewhat spacey service, but worth the effort. Best of all, if you're in to kicking off your shoes and dining horizontally in your room, they deliver!
The Ranch House
www.theranchhouse.com
An Ojai original, and a landmark restaurant for California cuisine. Exquisite outdoor gardens to dine in, food that changed a nation's palate, and a wine list that will make your head spin. Pricey, but a legitimate "I ate there" kind of spot. Located just down the hill and around the corner from the Ojai Retreat.
Sakura Ojai
Great sushi and Japanese food, with the most appealing sushi chefs we've ever met. If you go, make sure you take a handful of people and order "The Love Boat." You'll never forget it. Located on Highway 33 in Mira Monte, East of downtown Ojai.
Sri Thai
A family operated Thai restaurant with a menu that's longer than Moby Dick. Absolutely yummy food and utterly charming owners and staff. Great food at great prices! Located on Highway 33 in Oak View. (About a block away from the Oakridge Inn, for those of you who chose to stay there.)
The Oak Pit
Down home BBQ with tri-tip and brisket slow roasted over fires. A charming dump! Located in Oak View on Highway 33, and also very close to the Oakridge Inn.
Rainbow Bridge
www.rainbowbridgeojai.com
Mostly natural a natural food grocery store, but has a super deli counter with lots of homemade treats from sandwiches to salads to entrees. Right downtown in Ojai.
Take me back to the Fools Gathering Page.
Take me to the Lodging Options Page.
Take me to the Ojai Retreat Rooms Page.
Take me to your leader. (Just kidding.)