This Is my ultimate favorite cafe. I always order the Santa Cruz pasta. The crab cakes are so amazing you will forever crave them after having them. They have a great wine selection and don't forget to have dessert every single pastry is to die for! read more

What a find! on our motorbike ride today we took a different route and decided to go into the Ventura Harbor area to see if there was anything good to have for lunch. We walked around a bit and decided on the Le Petit Café ~ prices were very reasonable and the food was wonderful! the chef is French and makes all his items the real French way! Escargot were delicate and smothered in garlic butter, steak was cooked to perfection ;just exactly as I requested "raw" This place is a real find! We will be back Chef Jean Luc!! read more

The food was good, perfect day for sitting on the patio and the host made sure we had a nice table, "out of the breeze." Wait staff was nice. Will definitely return as it seems like a great place for the start to Date Night read more

YES!...and again, a resounding YES! to the authentically French lemon tart and scrumptious cream-filled chocolate eclair. This has been a favorite family stop for me since as early as in or around 1996. The staff is kind and friendly and for fun you can even exchange a little conversation with the owner in French. The place has that special feeling that you get when you support a small business. Authentic customer service, going the extra mile, providing an experience which is unique and pleasurable for guests. Very nice. Sweets are always still fresh and delightful to the tastebuds. read more

On a cold windy Wednesday night I had the best clams I've ever had in this county. And I was born here! Your French touch made all the difference from the rest. read more

This is the good news....the food is the best, especially breakfast. The bad news is that it is the slowest service ive ever seen. Really. We live in Ventura and must constantly weigh weather we want to go through the bad service waiting hassle or go to our second best choice, the well managed and great food at Cafe Nouveau. Usually it or Petes or another win out. That said sometimes the craving for the great food at LePetite wins out, but nothing changes, always bad service even when not crowded. Gave up complaining but having plenty of time to write this while we wait for our order now. After I write this, I can start a book... read more

Very very expensive for what you get. Was very much not impressed with our meal at all either, food was just okay if that. Salad was $16 and not even very good. I would say skip this place read more

Was blown away by the food at this little place! Had breakfast the lobster omelette was of the charts in its diviness!! Loved it. The pastries and croissants just as good as the ones you get in Europe! The fresh seasonaI fruit was so fresh and delicious. Was just visiting from Northern California, if i lived in the area i would be there everyday!! read more

Decided to have Mother's Day lunch here and I have to say the Eggs Benedict were the best I've ever had! No english muffins here, they use amazing yummy croissants and the eggs were cooked perfectly, a pet peeve of mine as most places overcook them. We had no reservation but only a short wait. Service was excellent and a very good price. Plus it's right on the harbor with a nice view. Will definitely be going back to try out the rest of the menu. read more

Le Petit Cafe has a quaint dining room and a nice patio. The eclairs are one of the best things I have ever eaten and the espressos are quite tasty. Coming for dinner, our waiter and bus boy were very nice and attentive, they never let my water go empty. The warm bread was served with my meal and it was delicious. I was hesitant to try frog legs, but they were really good and flavored nicely. I could say one of the best restaurant experiences I've had. read more

Love these guys. The pastries and hot chocolate are excellent! Highly recommend them. The lunches are wonderful European style sandwiches and entrees are basic and yummy. The owner / head chef is a delight. Service has always been good. Fun for small or large group. read more

Not only is the food an exquisite delicacy, the view is so romantic and pretty. After you are done with the dinner do not forget to go to the rocks on the beach; you can actually hear dolphins at night. It is unbelievable and freezing-bring a blanket. I love how they open the double french doors that over look the sail dock per customers request. I give 5 stars to restaurants where the food is not only above and beyond delicious but also offers the guest an experience. Le Petit Cafe Bakery is a lovely dinning experience. The food is authentic. There is a large variety of fine wines and the staff quick to offer sampling. The dessert tray is wonderfully arranged and is brought out to your table. The blue cheese on the appetizer platter is whipped and almost sweet. I have never tried cheese that tasted so rich without leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. The pasta is a savory, the chicken is juicy with flavor and soups are superb. Enjoy! -L read more

I've been in for breakfast and really enjoyed the food. Its got a nice relaxing setting, with outdoor seating offering a nice view of the harbor. A couple customers had some sort of complaint that got the owner pretty worked up about though, because after they left we could hear her telling the staff why she was right for the next ten minutes. read more

Great French food, perfect portions, a great place for brunch on a typical Ventura Co day. Don't go here on a diet; lots of butter... as it should! read more

What a pleasant surprise! An interesting menu and good tasty food. Our out-of-town visitors loved their food at lunch and the baguettes. Friendly service! We will return. read more

Bakery items very delicious, the food seemed over priced for the area. Lure and Prime are less expensive and better quality of food. Excellent service staff. read more

This was not a good dining experience. Our waitress was very nice but the food was too rich, oily and salty. I took two bites of my quiche and the manger refused to take it off the bill. Bad decision. Definitely will not go back read more

Just finished my breakfast here. We ordered Le Burger with cheddar and a Croque Monsieur. I must admit it was delicious! Their home made lemon vinegar is must try with a salad. Our waiter was very helpful. I'll be back! :) read more

This place is AMAZING! My wife and I live in Santa Barbara, and as you know we have more restaurants here to eat at a different one everyday. Unfortunately there are no Good french restaurants in the Santa Barbara area which brings us to this delicious Gem (Le Petit). Service is great and its a pleasure to see a French man in chef clothes greet you when ordering French food at a French restaurant. I have been coming to this place for about 8 years and have always been happy with the food, service, cleanliness, and pastries.... A++++++ on all levels :) read more

This is the most incredible place! The food is unbelievable! We have never been so pleased with the service such as this. I will always recommend this restaurant and will come here every chance we get. You have to try the Pomegranate Martini, it is the best. Wow, impressed super impressed. read more

The food here is always excellent, and make sure to buy something to go from the bakery. Sit out on the patio on a sunny weekend, relax, and people-watch - spotted a tough-looking leather-vest-wearing biker dude walk by eating an ice cream cone - priceless! read more

Do you enjoy fresh air on a courtyard overlooking the beautiful Ventura harbor during breakfast? I sure as hell do. When I'm feeling fancy i head over to this place. Hands down the best eggs benedict i have EVER had. Its served on a large freshly baked buttery and flaky croissant. With either local fruit or augratin potatoes . Its probably the most relaxing eating experience for brunch in Ventura. I highly recommend this place The waiters are somewhat unusual characters but I have never had a negative experience. It is a tad more expensive than most eateries but I think the quality of the food and location is unbeatable. read more

Besides the amazing breakfast especially the french crepes....the hot chocolate is the beat ive ever had.....great service and a nice view of the harbor to boot. read more

Our server Aaron was one of the best I have had! Great sense of humor and quick to attend to our needs and requests. Ask for him as your server if you stop by for a delicious French meal! read more

We went with my family in hopes of a nice Mother's Day, however our hopes quickly turned into a nightmare. We were originally told about 25 minutes to wait, which we figured would be normal this day. Well this turned into a 50 minute wait. When we were seated we see about 5-6 other empty tables, approximately 25% empty. We sat down and waited for about 5-10 minutes before someone came and even took a drink order. We placed an order for mozzarella sticks to snack on while we waited for our meal. The waitress left with our drink and appetizer and came back a few moments later with a mostly correct drink order. After about 15-20 minutes the mozzarella sticks came out. I believe there were 4 on the plate, and they did not taste like mozzarella. None of us could figure out the cheese, and nor was it stringy or gooey as would be expected. About 40 minutes later as we still had not received our food, and had very few refills on our beverages. We asked on status and was advised that it would be coming up soon. About 5 minutes later she brought us some complimentary croissants to share. I am not sure if this was customary or what, but if so an hour into the meal is a little ridiculous. read more

The Best part of Le Petit Cafe is the wonderful pastries! The chocolate eclairs are to die for :) We also enjoyed breakfast twice while on this trip. read more

Would not recommend this restaurant. Terrible service. Waitress never returned to our table until we were done eating. Had to get our own extra knack ins and jelly after asking twice. Bring your own salsa or hot sauce. They have only Tabasco and seemed upset that we would ask for anything else. Pricey small servings for the price. read more

I can only write about the pastries served here and I have togive Jean Luc, the owner, 5 stars for his pastries.. I treat myself to a pastry every saturday and sunday. I have traveled throughout Europe yearly a month at at time over the past 10 years and Jean Luc can bake with the best of them. One of my favorites are his passion fruit cake topped with whipped cream, a layer of some sort passion fruit cream or paste, a layer of cake, a layer of chocolate ganache, a layer of what seems to be chocolate mousse and another layer of cake. I also like his raspberry chocolate tarts. He usually uses a tart shell with some almond paste at the bottom. of the tart. They he puts a layer of his buttery tasing crust on top of the almond paste. Then on top of that he puts some chocolate ganache topped with raspberry mousse and then whipped cream. The almond paste is kind of hidden in its' own little compartment as it sits between the bottom layer of dough forming the tart and then he covers the almond paste with a layer of dough before he adds the garnache on top of that layer of dough. My wife says his carrot cake is like a festival of flavors. She does not like carrot cake but said "This guy knows how to make carrot cake". She particularly likes is cream cheese like cream he uses between the layers of cake. If you like Napolean's you must have one of his. The custard he uses is to die for. You also cannot go wrong with his cocoanut cake with a very creamy and tasty cocoanut cream between layers of cake. Another favorite of mine is his Sacher Torte. I like to take it home and put some Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream on it. If you have some Cherry Garcia at home and like chocolate then this is a take home treat for you. If you like lemon, I mean really like a sweet tart lemon taste then his lemon cake or lemon tart is for you. The taste of lemon jumps into your mouth and you would swear you were eating a lemon off the tree that has been naturally sweetened. read more

Apricot tart is to die for! A true testament to the chef. One of the best things i've ever had.

We had dinner here after a long and eventful drive from Joshua Tree National Park. We found the place by accident after a stroll along the marina from our hotel (the pricey but very comfortable Holiday Inn Express, right on the water). The food was amazing, and the service wonderful -- warm, friendly and very helpful in finding something for our super-picky-eater son. My wife had the duck salad, which was the best she's ever had; I had a great seafood stew (mmmmmmussels etc.) and for my son they suggested a ham-and-cheese croissant with french fries. He's always hit-or-miss, even with classic standbys, and this was a hit! We shared a delicious hazelnut mousse and crème brûlée cake for desert. According to our waiter there are lots of regulars. We also liked that the space is small and comfy. read more

Had quiche lorraine with au gratin potatoes, and some desserts which it was all good. Just wish the quiche lorraine had some veggies.

Some items are exceptional, others are not. The bread and croissants are 5 stars. So are the desserts. Soups are quite good--the sweet potato jalepeno is craveable. Crab cakes and blackened fish are always great choices. Stay away from the crepes and quiche... Personally, I think the quality of the bakery shines is more apparent when consumed simply. Eat a plain croissant or the bread with just butter instead of opting for a sandwhich. The homemade salad dressings are good, but the salads are lack luster. The sauces in general are amazing and the food is high quality--but the more simply prepared items usually seem to be a better choice. I'm never sure how this place turns a profit. They are frequently closed during stated open business evenings... Many years ago, we learned to say, "Let's go to the harbor for French, if they're closed we'll have Greek..." During the week, it is not uncommon to be empty or nearly so. I've had friendly exchanges with the chef and his wife--and other times I've been essentially ignored (while receiving attentive care from my waitrer/waitress) which I only mention due to other reviews. read more

I always enjoy a stop here. The bake goods rock but the coffee sucks. Plan on a short wait and choose your poison in advance. The I would sit outside and eat till nirvana hits you. read more

The cutest little French cafe you will ever find in Ventura! I was impressed with the freshly baked croissants and baguettes served. The food is definitely high in calories but it is certainly delicious. I recommend coming for breakfast or brunch. read more

Superburb! A must visit!!! Great for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Great service and the food is amazing. If you don't have room for desert (the portions are big), make sure to take home. The deserts melt in your mouth. Also, take some bread back with you. read more

This review is just for the coffee although the food smelled great , wish I would've eaten there ! But stopped in for an espresso and no one was there to greet us. There was a bell to ring for service. A man in a chefs coat promptly came out and helped us. He was friendly just seemed busy or distracted. The espresso was nice and strong, could've been hotter though. read more

If I can give 0 stars I would but I need to put one to leave a comment. PLEASE DO NOT EAT HERE! Its horribly overpriced and the food is nasty! Very tasteless the Caesar salad dressing was a water down mayonnaise and the garlic bulb appetizer was disgusting. Nothing we ordered was good the pasta had nasty chicken and the crab cake tasted fishy. read more

A favorite of ours for years, this is a great place to take out of town guests. The food is consistent and well prepared. Service is always top notch. As with any French restaurant, the baked goods and desserts are an essential part of the meal and should not be missed. Some recommendations: Duck confit, French fries (you read that right, best French fries this side of Steak and Shake,) coffee, chocolate cups. Highly recommended. read more

This is one of the few restaurants in Ventura that has the integrity to stick with the traditional, regional food from where it claims to originate. This is true, French country dining- the type of food one's grand-mère would prepare. As a food traditionalist, I truly appreciate this honesty as so many restaurants tend to call themselves something they really are not and just pander to the tastes of the masses. The owner/Chef is a native of France and it shows. The staff is very attentive and friendly. I'm an overly picky, professional baker and I have eaten desserts all over Europe and I can attest that these are the BEST French pastries, baguettes and croissants you will find anywhere nearby! (although, Renaud's chocolate croissants in SB are killer.) Only these desserts will satisfy my sweet tooth- mind you, they are not the overly sweet toothaches we are used to. The Napoleons, Paris Brest and REAL eclairs are my favorite. The food is rich and delicious, as it should be so don't go in there expecting to have a "skinny" meal. Plan accordingly and enjoy. My only gripe is that the au gratin potatoes seem like they have been reheated... the fat separates from the sauce which told me it wasn't just out of the oven. However, that's not enough to keep me away, and certainly I will return for baked goods whenever my waist will allow it. read more

We were happy to stumble upon Le Petit Cafe on a midweek summer day. Our party of six adults enjoyed fresh fish, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and of course the wonderful bread. The place was not very crowded (mid week) at lunch time, and the service was very good. Prices seemed reasonable for the quality of the food. After lunch, we visited the adjoining bakery for take home pastries, also very good. read more