01
Best overall pick
The Oak at Ojai Valley Inn
Inside Ojai Valley Inn • Upscale California Resort Restaurant • Best For Sunset Dinners
A polished yet relaxed spot where wood-fired California cuisine meets wide-open views of the Ojai Valley.
The Oak leans into the resort’s setting with big windows, generous patio seating, and dishes that showcase Central Coast produce and local citrus. Menus run from indulgent brunches to grilled steaks and seasonal pastas, with a solid vegetarian showing. Time a reservation for golden hour and you get one of the nicest sunset dinners anywhere near Mira Monte.
02
Best for a splurge
Olivella
Ojai Valley Inn Hillside • Fine-Dining Mediterranean-Italian Spot • Special-Occasion Splurge
A refined dining room focused on multi-course, Mediterranean-leaning menus and a deep wine list.
Olivella is where locals book anniversary dinners and big celebrations, pairing carefully plated courses with views over the resort and valley. Expect house-made pastas, pristine seafood, and sauces that nod to both California seasonality and Italian tradition. It is a slower, more ceremonial meal, so plan to linger and let the wine pairings do their work.
03
Best vegetarian spot
The Farmer and The Cook
Meiners Oaks • Organic Vegetarian Café And Market • Casual Daytime Favorite
A laid-back, mostly outdoor café serving organic, produce-driven vegetarian Mexican and Californian plates.
Just a few minutes from Mira Monte, this beloved café feels like the neighborhood’s shared backyard, with picnic tables, dogs napping underfoot, and locals grabbing coffee or a late lunch. The menu leans on farm-fresh vegetables grown by the owners, turning up in quesadillas, hefty salads, and baked goods that actually taste wholesome. It is an easy choice when you want something satisfying but not heavy before a hike or a drive up Highway 33.
04
Best for small groups
Ojai Rotie
Downtown Ojai Arcade • Wood-Fired Rotisserie And Wine Bar • Best For Lingered Evenings
A courtyard restaurant built around crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken, vibrant sides, and a thoughtful natural-wine list.
Set in a cozy, plant-filled courtyard just up the road from Mira Monte, Ojai Rotie is ideal for sharing plates and catching up with friends. Order a whole bird, add a spread of salads, dips, and flatbreads, and let everyone graze at their own pace. With gentle lighting and a relaxed but stylish crowd, it feels like a low-key dinner party more than a formal night out.
05
Best night-out pick
The Deer Lodge
Highway 33 North Of Mira Monte • Historic Rustic Roadhouse And Bar • Late-Night Local Hangout
A century-old log cabin turned roadhouse for hearty plates, craft drinks, and live music on select nights.
The Deer Lodge is the spot when you want something a little rowdier than downtown Ojai, but still unmistakably local. The menu leans toward comfort—burgers, steaks, and generous bar snacks—backed up by a strong whiskey and beer selection. On nights with a band, the dining room morphs into a lively music venue, drawing a mix of Mira Monte regulars, bikers, and weekenders heading up the 33.