I had been wanting to stop by for awhile now located in Downtown Ventura . New year ... so NEW me!…read moreI was looking for a good balsamic to make my salads more exciting! After tasting just about most of the balsamics in the shop- I bought the strawberry balsamic. OMG I am so excited . I joined their free loyalty club and I'll be back for more goodies soon! Highly rec, if you're a foodie looking to spruce up your meals! They don't just have balsamics - They have pastas, honey, teas, sauces, gift sets and so much more. Such friendly staff and the shop is kept clean / well organized. It was not busy at all when I stopped in.

This was our third trip to Olive Ventura. We actually remembered to bring our empty olive oil…read morebottles to be refilled. You save money that way. I tried some new varieties and can't wait to use them. It's also a great place to do some gift shopping. They have all sorts of olive oil themed soaps and creams plus candles. It's right on Main Street.

I was so amazed by all the options of olive oils, balsamic vinegars, tequilas, whiskeys, and…read moresangrias. Alec was so knowledgeable about all the offerings and was so accommodating to all of our requests for the different samples. He had great suggestions for pairings and we ended up buying the perfect combo of oil and balsamic. I loved the way we got to try to the oils with the tiny spoons. I definitely think having a bread to sample for the oils would be awesome! The shop was in the cutest part of town. We are so excited to tell our friends and come back.

Such a nice little shop in downtown Ventura! George helped us and he was so friendly and patient…read morewith us as we tried a bunch of different oil and vinegar combos. We ended up getting a basil olive oil and a small hazelnut oil. Their vinegars are also quite tasty - they have bright fruity options like passionfruit and calamansi. They have a number of different size bottles to choose from, including travel sized. George was super helpful too and provided us with some local recommendations of places and views to check out while in town.

Visited Ojai Olive Oil as part of our day trip from LA and really enjoyed the experience. Compared…read moreto another olive oil tasting we did in Paso Robles, this one felt a bit more fast-casual and relaxed--which honestly wasn't a bad thing at all. It gives you the freedom to taste everything at your own pace. You order the tasting first, then they give you a tray with delicious sourdough bread from a local bakery. The staff explained that the balsamic vinegars are imported, while all of their olive oils are produced in-house, except for the truffle oil since the local soil isn't suitable for growing truffles. After that, you head over to the tasting section where you can grab samplers of the olive oils and balsamic vinegars before finding a seat outside under the olive trees. The space itself is beautiful and peaceful. There were around 10 olive oils and 10 balsamic vinegars to try. My favorites were the TH (Tuscan Herbs) olive oil and the traditional balsamic. The flavored balsamics were interesting and fun to taste, though I still personally preferred the classic options. Overall, such a fun and worthwhile stop if you're in the Ojai area. Paid $20 for two people. Also, bonus points because they happily give extra sourdough bread if you need more :)

I barely recognize this place. What the hell happened?…read more I hadn't been back in years, and maybe that long absence is what made the decline so obvious. I remember coming here for the experience as much as the olive oil and vinegars. The warm welcome, the hospitality, the tasting experience, the opportunity to wander around and talk to people, meet new people and sample things without feeling like you were inconveniencing anyone. We used to happily spend loads of money here because the experience made you want to. This time? Cold. Impersonal. No greeting when we walked in. Tastings reduced to oils and vinegars in tiny plastic cups for purchase. What is this nickel-and-dime hustle/operation you have going? And the portable toilets outside??? What hillbilly ruined this experience? I understand that COVID changed how businesses operated. I really do. But COVID is over, and apparently the customer service decided to stay stuck behind. What disappoints me most is that this place used to have a bit of magic you couldn't manufacture. We loved returning year after year. Now it feels transactional, and that's a shame because the products deserve WAY better than that. After this visit, you can have whatever THAT is. Keep the misery to yourself. The olive oil may still be good. The balsamic vinegars are top tier. (I make soda pop out of them). But the one of a kind experience and hospitality is GONE. Save your money.

I love this shop. It's beautiful, light and bright, and oddly so calming. Service is phenomenal…read more The woman who owns the shop is really nice and incredibly helpful. She's thoughtful and mindful about the product selections, and she has great taste. The quality of the product is also outstanding. Their oils and balsamic vinegars make the best salad dressings and dipping sauces. Plus, they have exceptional foodstuffs, like pastas, sauces, pesto, tapenade, chips, and more. This time, they also had a sample table with maple syrups from Runamok. They were terrific! Every time I'm here, I spend $100 on delicious things and leave happier than I arrived, so I'm calling that a victory.

This is such a fun store. You can taste any of the products and there was so many items to choose…read morefrom. I had so idea there was white balsamic vinegar. I loved the blueberry dark balsamic. It was so tasty! I need to go back and pick up some goodies for my sourdough bread.

This was probably one of my favorite experiences as a result of walking into a random store. I…read morewasn't sure what to expect when I walked in but I was immediately greeted by Carolina who welcomed me to try anything in the store. I knew Ojai was famous for its olive oils, but Carolina especially embodies mastery and craftsmanship as reflected in her offerings of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. As I was the only patron in her shop at the time, I was privileged with her showing me various unique combinations of balsamic and olive oil. She certainly lives up to the Italian stereotype of having good taste. She suggested against me buying food for my mother for Mother's Day, but she understood when I insisted that my mom is a foodie (where I get it from). Carolina herself is classy and refined, yet still so open and welcoming, all of which also is reflected in her store. It is thus no surprise that her shop has been around for over a decade. I hope her shop is there when I am 100! If there was ever a place to stop in Ojai, I would recommend this place. A truly unique experience, unparalleled. I am bringing my mom and all my other loved ones here.

It's a cute little store. It was quiet since we were the only ones there. They have samples in a…read moreglass covered sampler. We were also told that we could sample anything even if it was closed, which was great. We were focused on the balsamic vinegar. We tried the Blackberry Reserved Balsamic, and it was amazing. I didn't ask, but they have like a salad recipe that it would be paired with or possibly sell salad there as well. So glad we decided to stop by. The lady who helped us was kind and friendly. Overall, we will be returning since the service and tasting was a pleasant experience.

Paradise Pantry is truly a gem and hands-down our favorite restaurant in the area. We keep coming…read moreback because we know every meal will be consistently delicious, thoughtfully prepared and made with the highest-quality ingredients. Their commitment to locally and sustainably sourced food really shines through in every dish. Everything tastes incredibly fresh and dishes are made from scratch. The service is always warm, attentive and welcoming. Tina is exceptionally knowledgeable about wine and has a wonderful ability to recommend the perfect pairing to complement your meal. Her passion and expertise elevate the entire experience. Her co-owner, the chef, is clearly talented and dedicated to creating memorable dishes that never disappoint. Paradise Pantry is one of those rare places where outstanding food, genuine hospitality and consistency come together beautifully. We always leave looking forward to our next visit. Highly recommend!

SERVICE: I appreciated the cheese samples once seated…read more There's a deli in the back to buy blocks of cheese or spreads. Nextdoor also carries a lovely room of some great wines. The employees were kind, place was clean, there's in and outdoor seating, and parking is what you make of it as PP is located on a blocked off street where cars are not permitted. All to say, research where you wish to walk about, find a meter or free parking lot - enough around, and put on your good yet cute walking shoes because you'll enjoy strolling about after your meal here - or drink. FOOD: I sooo loved my grill cheese. Instead of mushrooms I swapped for spinach - you're welcome. AND THE PICKLE ON THE SIDE - delish! So why 4 and not 5? Because of my limited lifestyle I found the menu a bit limiting. However, I am not a HUGE cheese person and I don't drink. With that said, I feel anyone else who loves to indulge in that world should have a super great experience. Mine was still great. WELL: I actually enjoyed my time and shall return. My mother loves a good red wine so I'll bring her too.

This farmers market is elite Saturday morning energy. Open year-round, rain or shine, right on Main…read moreStreet between S Palm St & Figueroa St. It's officially part of my weekly ritual. Fresh produce? Always hits. Flowers? Stunning every time. Vendors? So friendly. It's the kind of place you come to stroll and leave with a full tote and very happy. Also... the food court deserves its own moment. Artisan bakery goods, fresh juice, and tamales. Do yourself a favor and stand in line, it's worth the wait. Heads up: no pets due to health department regulations. Easy to walk, great vibes, occasional live music, and feels very Ventura in the best way.

Much larger market, but it was a great walk. Lots of fruits and vegetables, and produce and food…read more And I like how to separated. The cooked food from the raw . Found me a juice stand and absolutely loved it.

Probably one of the best farmers markets I've ever been to! The produce and flowers are absolutely…read moreincredible, and the location is perfect. It's exactly what a farmers market should be; quaint, charming, and full of fresh, yummy things. I absolutely loved it!

Typically, I go to the Ojai market on the weekends, but I was visiting Ojai on the weekday and…read morenotice that they have a small market. They called this the community market. The market is open on Thursday from 3-7pm. Unlike the weekend market the number of vendors is very limited. The limited vendors could also been due to the heat the day we visited. I did spot a yummy bagel vendor-called buckaroo. Their bagels were really yummy made out of sourdough. The farmer's market is right off the main street...so very convenient when visiting. The farmer's market is in the park and there is parking lot right next to the market. A nice, relaxing vibe to go with the family- often there is music at the market.

Finally checked out Ventura Meat Company and yeah... this is the kind of spot that makes you side…read moreeye grocery store meat counters forever. You can tell there's real care behind what they do. Everything feels intentional, from the quality of the meat to the fact that they practice whole-animal butchery and source locally through Hobson Family Farms. Love supporting businesses that are actually rooted in the community instead of just slapping "local" on a label. Also obsessed that they make everything in-house... jerky, sausages, beef sticks, bone broth powder, seasonings, even beef tallow. They also carry artisan bread, fresh produce, and organic milk, so somehow I walked in for meat and left feeling like a pioneer woman lol. The space itself feels warm, welcoming, and very Ventura in the best way. Clean, rustic, community-oriented... the kind of place where you can tell the regulars genuinely love coming in. It has that old-school neighborhood butcher shop energy but without feeling intimidating or pretentious. The staff was super welcoming and patient answering questions without making anyone feel intimidated. Whether you know your cuts of meat or you're just there because someone told you "trust me," they make the experience approachable. Honestly feels like one of Ventura's hidden gems. Made my husband very happy. He literally made flank steak the second we got home and was completely content. Now he's suddenly talking about buying a smoker!

Great selection of fresh meat. Fresh ground beef that makes great burgers or whatever you like. I…read moredo have 1 complaint. They weigh the ground beef in a small cardboard container. I bought a half pound of ground beef. I paid $6.00 at 11.99lb. so I know it was a 1/2lb. I went home to make 2, 4 oz burgers. I use a highly accurate digital kitchen scale. I weight out exactly 113 grams which is slightly less than 4oz. Turns out I was 12 grams short. I then weighed the cardboard container and it measured 12 grams. Next time I will make sure they weigh it without the container. I know, 12 grams isn't much, but 1 oz is 28 grams, so 12 is close to a 1/2 oz. With todays prices we need to get all of our money's worth. I guess you could say that the tray is worth something, but I didn't ask for it and it just goes in the trash anyways. I still give them 5 stars for quality and service!

Great selection of tasty treats including gelato, espresso drinks and beautiful hand painted…read morechocolates. There's also a retail area, very modest, with other great gift able items like artisanal chocolate bars, drinks mixes, and cards for many occasions. Anything with the salted caramel is divine. I especially loved the pot of gold chocolate, and really appreciated the service and assistance with creating the perfect graduation gift.

I was in town and saw that there was a chocolate store nearby so obviously had to go and check it…read moreout. This place is a tiny little gem! They have lots of stunning hand-crafted chocolates behind a glass counter. There was a really friendly lady who worked there who gave us the rundown on the most popular goodies. I got 4 chocolates: -Passionfruit dark chocolate -Pot o' Gold (coconut caramel, almonds, milk & dark chocolate) - this was insanely good, my favorite -Macadamia coconut in dark chocolate -Salted caramel almond turtle in dark chocolate (she said this is an all-time best-seller) They have gift boxes for an additional price in case you're getting a gift (this would make an awesome gift!) or a free standard plastic bag if you're getting some for yourself. They're soooo tasty! Definitely worth stopping by!