I'm a new fan! Didn't know what to expect of a stand-up-to- order, wine- tasting room that happens to serve food ---but the food was fabulous. My friend and I tried Coc au Vin, Steak with basil potatoes, French country soup, and a salad, trading tastes of all. It was all wonderful, arrived promptly, and was presented nicely. Since we had somewhere to drive, we did not include wine tasting, but may next time. The "cave" part has too-lively acoustics and might get too loud if a party group is there. You would not be able to plan for a quiet time. But the food! The chefs are involved and visible as they create, and we thanked them as we left. Since The Cave is primarily an "appetizer" bar, the servings are moderate, not large, but they were certainly not skimpy. we had enough to eat and thoroughly enjoyed every bite. My friend even lamented that we were in public-- or she'd be tempted to lick her plate! Highly recommended. read more

What I love about this place is that you can try small amounts of a wine before committing to a full glass. I also really like the ambiance, and the menu seems pretty varied and the appetizer we had last night was quiet good. The other dishes we saw coming out of the kitchen looked good, as well. I do wish that you could stroll the shop with your glass of wine, there were a lot of things I wanted to look at and buy, but I didn't want to leave my wine for half an hour. Seems weird that you cannot do that. Also, many of the bottles in the self serve wine bar were empty, and it didn't seem like the staff was checking it often enough. I had to settle for 2nd and 3rd choices. Other than that, I think this is a fun concept and I really like the varieties offered. read more

From the outside, this place looks a bit shady. But when you get inside it is a wine Mecca. This place is a wine lovers dream come true. They have live music playing which would be nice if the volume was a bit lower. But nonetheless it's nice to have that background music. The food is excellent. We ordered Mac n cheese with chicken, margarita pizza, and steak. Everything was SO good! That was the best Mac n cheese I've ever had. Ventura isn't the most fun place to go, but I would go back just to eat at The Cave. read more

The Cave is an awesome spot in Ventura. We come from Agoura/Westlake Village for the excellent food and wine. The wine tasting dispensers are such a fun experience/bonus! Executive chef, Alex Montoya, delivers high quality small plates, salads, entrees and desserts and frequently visits tables and serves food to check on the guests' experience and ensure a high level of customer service & satisfaction. Space is small & intimate and wine store is an added benefit! read more

Great place for wine selections (excellent prices), hanging out and sampling with small plates. Highly recommend!

I'm in Ventura by my self, googled wine bar and found the cave. It is all that and a twist. Jade is one of my fav hostess in a long time. 5 star minus the awkward location. read more

By far, one of my absolute FAVORITE places in all Ventura. Moving from San Diego to Oxnard over three years ago still feels depressing when it's time to figure out a place for dinner. This place is awesome. First of all, the whole concept of the wine dispensaries and using the card to pour how much or how little u want to drink/try is so much fun! But the food is the real star. We had the ube hummus with the taro chips, which was so incredibly delicious and flavorful. It was the perfect amount of sweet and the coconut chips were a perfect touch for texture. Yum! I went with a girlfriend for a mommy break night out, and we both got salads (the larger portions) and added chicken. I ordered the apple walnut salad & my friend got the Ventura. We were both very pleased. I can't stop thinking about how delicious everything was and how much fun I had. I cannot WAIT to go back. read more

F A N T A S T I C ! Went to the cave for the first time not sure what to expect. This place is in a slightly out of the way strip mall and is very unassuming. As you enter the door, you walk into a nicely put together wine shop where I found several decent wine offerings starting in the just over $15 range. Walking through the dining room to the dining room podium, we were greeted by the establishment's manager who kindly explained their wine tasting program and issued us a declining balance card that is used to serve yourself at a white and red tasting station. True to the name, the small dining room was set within a faux cave with simple, but decent seating. It was a very comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Opening the menu, you find a very nice selection of small tasting times priced from $6 to $10 or so. Not knowing what to try first, we ordered just about everything on this tasting menu. THE FOOD WAS DELICIOUS! Creative dishes of tiger shrimp, filet, seared ahi and some of the most amazing mac and cheese that you will ever put in your mouth. They also have sandwiches and burgers on the menu that looked incredibly ample and delicious as I observed being taken to other tables. GREAT JOB FOLKS! I will definitely be back! read more

My husband and I attended the Cakebread Cellars wine and food pairing dinner last evening. This was a 5 course dinner, paired with first champagne, then whites, finishing with reds. What a delicious culinary experience!! The food was awesome, and paired with one of my favorite winerys! I have never had anything at the Cave that I didn't like, and plan to attend more of these dinners. It was a great way to finish a weekend. Great job!!! read more

As if the wine dispenser tower and walls were not enough, the cool cave feel really set the mood. I took my wife for her bday and we were both more than pleased. The food was amazing and the portions were great too. We ended up ordering an appetizer, half a salmon salad, and then another appetizer. We shared each one and only ordered one when we finished the last to allow for more time to enjoy our wine. We were pleasantly satisfied and could eat no more. We will be back and plan to take friends there. read more

Food was great, wine selection was Ok not too much help for the non-wine drinker. Because it is such a small place it was hard to get staff to accommodate larger party (11). read more

This is one of my favorite places to go for amazing food and wine! The staff is always friendly and anxious to assist you with your wine selection. They are very knowledgeable about wines in all price ranges. Can't wait to go back!! read more

Very cool little wine bar with some tasty tapas. A great spot if you want to try something new with a group of friends.

Nice cavey atmosphere, very clean, the pizza was delicious, if a bit wet in the middle. Wine tasting stations had a good breadth of selection. We were too late for the panini, will definitely go back for that. read more

Absolutely loved this place! I will definitely be returning as a regular. The food was amazing. We got the meat and cheese appetizer and salmon salad. So yummy. The atmosphere was our favorite. Very quaint, unique and great music. The wine bar was fun because you could try any amount of several kinds. The service was great too! I highly recommend. read more

Service was enthusiastic by not competent. One plate was delivered after everyone was finished eating. It wasn't crowded for a Thursday night so no excuse. Food was okay but not exceptional. Don't get the wine delivery system. You have to buy a card for five bucks just to then buy a glass of wine? Now I have a card with 3 dollars on it for a restaurant I may not return to. read more

Love the Cave, great selection of wine and spirits! Love the idea of being able to buy the wine bottle and take to dinner. The Food was delicious! read more

My boyfriend and I love the cave. Alex the head chef is inventive and attentive. The servers are kind and make great suggestions! We love this place, if you disagree fuck you. read more

Rip off! Who charges a $10 cork fee at 4:30 p.m., when the place is empty just because it's Friday?

Good food, fun place with music! Looks like you are in a cave! Try different wines out of a vending type machine! The campfire bread pudding was to die for!! read more

First of all let me start saying that I love Ventura and everything about this small city with everything it has to offer. Wine on tap is great to have, so definitely recommend for wine drinkers. Food is OK but definitely can be improved. One of the hamburgers was over burnt and I regret not requesting it to be replaced at the time We still had a great time. read more

AMAZEBALLS!!!! This is a go to place! The food is fantastic and the wine selection is great! Have only had great food here. Menu changes a lot, but each morsel is delicious. Definitely a place I would recommend in a heartbeat! read more

I love this place! I go here with my girlfriends at least once a month. The live music is great, the place is small but cozy and the food is good for the low prices and of course the wine selection are amazing! Always get the chocolate creme brulee (is that how you spell it?) for dessert read more

The young chef Alex is quite remarkable, knowledgeable and absolutely brilliant. I can't go on enough and we will return. Totally gourmet. Every dish we sampled was exquisite, including the burger. The salads were so fresh they popped flavor. My friends loved the Wine Bar. You can sample different kinds of wine in a "Cave- like atmosphere. The desserts were perfect, especially the ice cream. read more

I have to give this place more stars!! AMAZING! I was waiting for a date to come and wanted to sit outside...the area was dirty so I started moving things around and not more than 4 seconds after I started moving things 2 gentlemen were outside helping me and saying sorry for the mess...I said not a problem that I totally didn't mind. They were quick with giving menus and water and would come out to check me while I waited. AMAZING!!!!! :) I tell everyone I know to come here and they are never let down :). read more

Really cool vibe at this place. All the food was great, and its lots of fun pouring your own wine. I'll definitely come back to this place with some friends. read more

Wow. Seems weird how fast the money goes on my card. Oh wait, I was just told my card can be "accidentally" used by other people if they push a button first. Huh? We'll okay...help yourself. These kids are fun, even if they accidentally make you a benefactor of their buzz. Atmosphere and food is A+. Chuck cheese for 21+! read more

The burgers are amazing they are so consistently juicy and the buns are one of a kind. I'm not into wine but they have a very good selection and the atmosphere is great. The waitress always remembers me and is pleasant and attentive. The price is not bad for what you getting. I wish they had the full menu you all day but overall one of my favorite places to relax and grab lunch. read more

This is another great local spot and fun place to go with friends or quiet diner for two. Good selection of wine and beer. Food is very good and am a huge fan of the banana bread pudding, killer! My only gripe is the $5 charge for the wine card if you don't buy a $50 credit. Really? It's not like you will lose money when it's refilled over and over. That's why people come in to drink the wine. Also, it's a demo for wine sold in the shop that people buy from drinking it in the restaurant. read more

Good atmosphere here. The food and wine are ok but the people are nice. More of an older/mature crowd, but again the atmosphere was nice. Not a place to go for a meal, more like some wine and a snack read more

My husband wanted bread pudding for his birthday so I called The Cave to ask if they sold their bread pudding by the tray. I was transferred to Alex. He said they don't but he would be able to make it for me. He was very accommodating to the amount I wanted, time, and date I needed it. The day I picked it up I was greeted by every employee I came in contact with with a smile. Alex came out with the tray of bread pudding and all the toppings. Their customer service is top notch and the bread pudding is awesome! read more

My husband and I have recently been coming here quite a bit and every time we go we always leave very satisfied. They have a great inventive menu and absolutely love the desserts. We really enjoy that they change the menu every month. Great atmosphere and great service. read more

I visited The Cave for the first time and loved it. The dishes we ordered were awesome as was their presentation. The use of the wine card for tasting the featured wines was novel and convenient. A friend of mine had been recommending The Cave for awhile now and I can honestly say I will definitely be back and will recommend it to family and friends. read more

Really enjoyed this place. Tuna sandwich was really good. Loved the wine tasting machines and the whole cave look. Great atmosphere ! Will be back read more

Love this place. Such a unique place. Great happy hour prices. Love the whole idea of being able to taste such a vast amount of wines, with just the insert of a card. Great place to eat as well. Great cheese and meat plate. Had to buy a bottle on my way out. Good prices! Will be back. I sill have money on my card. read more

The menu is not as good since the kitchen staff and menu changed. There aren't as many good value menu items. I miss the turkey burgers and banana bread pudding. The service is still terrific though. read more

First time here to dine before the Date night movies! A varied and delicious menu - the small plates are just that - small - so order a couple and split them - we had Sea Bass, Salad, and pizza! Also the opportunity to sample a variety of wines is awesome with your meal. read more

Love this place!!! Really unique concept, delicious food, super nice staff, and really nice selection of wine at all prices. Very different from the typical Saturday night dinner venues. Will recommend The Cave to all of my pals. read more

The small plates are delicious. The atmosphere is cozy with amazing classical guitar playing. Dre made us feel special and was extremely friendly & helpful with menu & wine selections. We had fun shopping for the wines we tasted after dinner. Delightful! read more

The Cave is one of my favorite wine/tapas places to go. They've really grown over the years but still make you feel so welcome! Carlos is the BEST! Went this past Friday night with some girlfriends for a birthday celebration and Dre was awesome! He gave us the deal of a lifetime on the best champagne! All the food was fabulous! A really great place to go! AND you can buy some delightful wines on your way out, as the wine store is well stocked with the greatest prices! read more