We stayed the night in Ojia and were told this was the best restaurant in town. Well I hope not. It's very quaint with a nice atmosphere and the staff was very friendly. That being said, the serving staff at "the best restaurant in town " should probably wear something other than overalls and sneakers. I ordered an old fashioned to drink. At cost $22, which is not a cheap drink. I asked our server what brand bourbon they used and she replied, Old Granddad. I was shocked. I asked if they had anything else and she gave me what was named Hogsworth, the only other one they had. She said their standard was Old Granddad, and added that she did not know much about bourbon. Well. Old Granddad comes in a plastic bottle with a twist cap, which should be the first clue. I did a quick online search and found that it was 20% cheaper than Jim Beam. The internet describes Old Granddad bourbon, as, "a budget bourbon" and " the workhorse of bourbons." $16 for a .750ml The bar manager at "The Dutchess" needs to step up his game. And maybe ditch the overalls and sneakers if you're a server. The food was good, but have cocktails elsewhere before you go. read more

Food was not worth almost an hour ( on a weekday) and the breakfast plate came out cold. The fried chicken was soggy. Party felt sick after eating. Not worth the 80+ dollars for 2 people read more

Ojai is full of artsy, quirky charm and plenty of great food , but this place stands out above the rest. The space is beautiful and cozy, and the dishes are some of the most unique we've ever had. Everything felt thoughtful, creative, and completely different in the best way. We absolutely loved: BIRYANI ( pictured) Spiced basmati rice, ground Ojai lamb, cashew, puff pastry -- rich, aromatic, and unlike anything we've tried before. CRISPY RICE SALAD Bomba rice, cabbage, Burmese nut mix, spicy herb chutney (vegan!). Bright, crunchy, and packed with flavor. BEEF SATAY Wok-fired tamarind beef with Darby's Farm tatsoi, chili crisp, and pickled ginger -- tender, perfectly balanced, and absolutely delicious. And oh my GOD... the PASSION LIME PIE. Rincon Tropics passionfruit, lime zest, gingersnap crust, whipped yogurt, lime leaf oil. Think cheesecake but brighter, lighter, and totally addictive. A must-order. Such a fun way to kick off our holiday weekend the night before Thanksgiving. Highly recommend calling for a reservation, and we cannot wait to come back and try the breakfast pastries. 10/10 -- Ojai at its finest read more

The Dutchess - Ojai vibes - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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I had a ham and cheese crossisnt with fresh orange juice. Duchess will not warm your crossisnt in dining area. I didn't enjoy the cold cheese or ham. For the money the value wasn't received. Time to adjust your policy, so we can enjoy your hard work, and look forward to returning. read more

We came here for breakfast. We agreed that at least for breakfast, this place is severely overrated. The chocolate croissant was a disappointment with only a small amount of chocolate in it. The chicken congee is comical as you need to pay an additional $10 to add chicken to it. This place is just trying to be hip to justify its premium prices, but unfortunately the quality was mediocre at best. There are far better options in Ojai with great food and more reasonable prices. read more

Very cute place! The service was great and the food was tasty I definitely recommend checking this spot out! Good vibes all around! read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

We've been to the dutchess a handful of times now and every time we have the best experience! New items on the menu are so good..we had the beef satay with rice, it was already so good but the manager Peter brought us some yogurt sauce with cabbage and cucumber and the dish was even more magical! This is what I love about this place, not only is the food so good but the staff is always so incredibly attentive and bring you things to try out of nowhere! Just so thoughtful! Peter was the highlight of our night and so was the delicious food/atmosphere and always the loveliest vibes!!! Thank you Peter and the dutchess!!! read more

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Food: 3.5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5 Sweet service & charming ambiance-very fitting & consistent for Ojai! Hubby asked if I wanted Burmese, Indian, or Italian so I chose Burmese for our lunch :) I was hoping to try their version of tea leaf salad but that was only served during dinner unfortunately. We were coming from an olive oil tasting so I wasn't super hungry but I wanted to try their specialty. Per the waiter's rec, I tried their duck toast that was totally new on their menu that day. It was a bit of a risk but I ordered it anyways and it was just okay for me. The dry aged duck didn't really shine as the Chinese broccolini overpowered it and I'd say the sourdough was my favorite part. I ate two bites and gave the rest to my hubby. He ordered their famous fried chicken sando and it was surprisingly delicious for me too (considering I don't even like chicken)! The scallion slaw was really good. I'd come back to try their dinner menu as their specialty is dry aged meat & seafood, both of which I'm really into these days. Their bakery also seemed really extensive so I want to come back to try their dinner and dessert menu. The restaurant is really big, having both outdoor and indoor seating area and it has a unique old-school bar/pool table vibe to it towards the back. Recommend walking around afterwards! read more

The Dutchess - Duck toast - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

I originally gave The Dutchess 4 stars, but I realized that I'm STILL thinking about how good everything was. Decided that it deserves 5 stars! read more

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Went last Saturday. Sat on patio which was nice (didn't see heaters though). Four of us, we ordered crispy rice salad, tandoori chicken and amazing noodles. Everything was fantastic. And our server was very good. Plus, we ordered old fashioneds and while they use the big ice cube which is always a bit of a ripoff, they fill the old fashioneds to 3/4s, unlike most most places that fill to only half. So thumbs up to Duchess' mgmt. read more

Both food and cocktail menus are inventive, may be a bit too ambitious for The Dutchess. High points: Crispy Rice Salad - Perfection 2nd Sucks - So subtle and perfect Puri - solo just the bread - incredible Middle Points: Chick pea curry - excellent flavor, but the chickpeas were undercooked Low points: Corn & Okra - a little too much tamarind/too sweet Puri with duck liver mousse - too much jamp on the mousse Lowest point: The bartender was so unbelievably scattered and then when asked any question was beyond rude. Refused to make eye contact and just really made the overall experience uncomfortable. If you can't handle a late rush on a Friday night, perhaps bartending isn't for you, Brianna. read more

We came by for a weekend brunch and were so glad we stopped by here! Parking was a little hard to find (street parking or free public lots nearby. We came in and were immediately greeted by the sight of delicious pastries. We thought there were only a few tables at first, but there are actually a ton of seats in the back. The decorations inside were nice - there's a cute skylight decorated with plants and gorgeous paintings and wallpaper. I got a lavender macchiato and my friend got a caramel cappuccino. To be honest, I'm not really a fan of the coffee. I hardly tasted my lavender flavoring and the coffee flavor itself wasn't my favorite. I love concentrated coffee flavor, but my macchiato tasted almost burnt to me. My friend is also just OK with her coffee. My friend got the BLT and I got their Dutchess breakfast plate. Food took a while to come out, but when it did, wow it was great! I almost never fully eat the toast with my breakfasts (not really a toast fan), but this sourdough was different. It was so thick, crunchy, and delicious. My friend felt similar about her BLT's bread. My plate was seasoned and cooked well. It may be a little salty for some, but it was at a good level for me. My friend said the BLT was probably the best she's ever had. Service is exceptional. I was a bit fussed about how long the food took to come out, especially after watching the tables around us who ordered after us get their food first, even though I saw the same things we ordered on their tables. I wasn't going to say anything, but our server apologized to us for the wait and offered to comp a pastry for each of us. I had no idea what was in the pastry shelf, and our server asked what we usually like. We both replied and she came back with the perfect things for both of us! That was really sweet of her to do, and we both appreciated it a lot. The pastries are super good here too! The next time I'm in Ojai, you bet I'm coming back! read more

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Let me start by saying the food was solid. The people were nice that worked there. I have an issue with the price more than anything. It was $90 for a sandwich, breakfast plate, two lattes and a cookie. That is insane, especially for the portions. The tiny chicken sandwich was $22. read more

The Dutchess - Breakfast platter and chicken sandwich - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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One of the best meals we've had in a while. We ordered: -the nan -crispy rice salad -pork belly noodles -sticky rice donuts All highly recommended. Our server Sofia was great and steered us well. Good vibes and decor too. read more

My family had dinner here last night. We were able to make a reservation online and got there early and was seated early. Very cute ambience and kid friendly which is a plus. Our server Stephanie was so sweet and helpful. We ordered off the kids menu for the kids the butter noodles, chicken tenders and potatoes. They loved all of it. For the parents, we got the naan, chickpea fritters, pork belly and melon salad. Everything was delicious, came out fast and hot. Portions were a nice size and the melon and pork belly definitely had a little kick to it so we did not share these with the kids! Next time we are in the area, we will definitely come back. read more

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Went to dinner here. We didn't make reservations but they were able to accommodate us at the bar. Very friendly and accommodating waitstaff. They have a fun mixed drinks selection. The appetizers were amazing. We had crispy rice salad and the potatoes. Potatoes are amazing. Had the lamb masala...amazing flavor and it was so delicious and perfect. cant wait to go back again. highly recommend this place. read more

This was our first time visiting Ojai and we kept seeing reviews saying this spot was a must-try, and it definitely didn't disappoint! The service was amazing from start to finish. Peter and another server (whose name we didn't catch) took such great care of us. Very attentive, friendly, and very hands-on in the best way. It made the whole experience feel welcoming and special. The food was equally impressive. We ordered the naan bread, pork belly noodles, and the coconut curry. Each dish was packed with flavor and beautifully balanced. The pork belly noodles in particular were rich and comforting, while the coconut curry had the perfect mix of spice and creaminess. The naan was the perfect starter to share. Overall, such a memorable first meal in Ojai. We'll definitely be back next time we're in town! read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

NO DOGS! It's a health violation I wish they would enforce. 3 dogs inside the restraurant. Gross They should be made to wait outside. Also, with 4 people sitting at outside tables makes it difficult to get by with a wheelchair. Tables and chairs take up a lot of the sidewalk. I've even had to walk around obstacles to get by. read more

Ambiance: quaint space and kind energy flowing from the front to the back. Service: efficient! Our server was patient, informative and just a really kind man. He even gifted us desserts for the road. The owner came out at the end of our meal to check on our experience and share the history of th Food: Delicious, especially the crispy rice salad. They even had non-alcoholic rosé for me to enjoy with my entree! My boyfriend loved his chicken, it was a huge serving even for a man with an appetite! We recommend going if you're in Ojai! read more

The Dutchess - Smashed Potatoes - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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During my visit to Ojai, the Dutchess was one of the places that I wanted to visit. After trying it out during the morning and later for dinner, I was impressed! It's hard for me to turn down a breakfast pastry, and the restaurant offers a wide selection to choose from. Everything I tried was well-made, and I even took some baked goods back home for later. I decided to have an early dinner before heading out of town, and service was excellent throughout my meal. It was fun to see the contrast between the daytime and evening menu, with dinner leaning towards Burmese influences. This is definitely a restaurant I would want to revisit when I'm in Ojai again. read more

The Dutchess - Interior shot - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

Made a reservation, they had a power outage the night before and canceled all of the reservations, the staff was so wonderful and accommodating we sat at the bar, and watched pastry after pastry come off the baking trays, the pistachio danish was first and we had so delicious, I drank the nitro cold brew, I don't like outside cold brew as I've been accustom to drinking my own for the past 20 years, this was the best I've ever had, no aftertaste and very smooth and fresh the salad was exquisite and the spicy chicken so fresh and gave such great counterbalance to the plums and appropriately dressed salad (you know what I'm talking about), I've got to return to try more and more of the menu. Shout out to all of the staff from front of house for making us feel like we were eating at their house, to the back of house, for executing such picture perfect deliciousness - we will return! read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

I ordered Biryani, a classic rice dish with lamb. It came inside a gummy pastry crust, no one puts biryani in a pastry crust and this one had been heated in the microwave so the whole thing was a soggy mess. Then they add 4 % to the check, which they claim is for the employees health insurance, instead of paying their employees a living wage and publishing honest prices! read more

SERVICE AND FOOD IS SUPER SLOW! We got seated for breakfast within 10 min of our walk in. That's when things took a turn. We ordered our food at 11:09 (took a photo of the menu for this review right before we placed our order). Food did. It come out until 12:05pm - almost an hour of waiting for 2 entrees and 2 sides. Our server seeing us waiting did say twice during this nearly hour-long wait that our food was coming "soon". It also took us asking after 30 min for our drinks. With kids at our table, an hour felt like days. To make matters worse, the server didn't apologize for the absurdly long wait or bother to comp us a free cookie or pastry while we waited or at the end of the meal. While the food was pretty good and the ambiance is nice, it's just simply not worth the bad service and SUPER SLOWWWW wait between ordering and receiving the food. Will likely not come back. read more

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Amazing food, gorgeous inside, such a fun vibe and outstanding service. Truly a gem, you should check it out for sure!!

The pastries were really good that we went back twice. They have a wide variety of different flavor with gluten free options, as well as sweet and savory items. We got the ham and cheese croissants and the chocolate croissants. The croissants were babes to perfect and it was very flakey. The cashiers were nice and patient even though the lines were long in the morning. The restaurant was charming with ample seating inside and out. There were fresh flowers too that added to the ambiance. read more

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We visited the restaurant for breakfast on Friday. Bakery items are great and there are many seats in the restaurant. Staffs are friendly. I think the potato in breakfast plate was a little too salty to my taste but bakery items are good. I do not love crispy bacon either but it is just me. (I like my bacon a little softer.) It is a cute and nice place. I will visit for dinner in the future if I am around again. read more

Seemed to be a locals spot. Lots of choices. Enjoyed the cherry Danish and apricot pastry. The coconut macaroon is filled with coconut. read more

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Ojai has more incredible restaurants per square mile, possibly per square foot, than anywhere I've been. Point is, to stand out you have to be good. Exceptionally good. Amazingly good. The Dutchess stands out. The vibe is cool, mildly pretentious because it's "the place", yet warm and comfortable. The service was like Goldilocks--not too much, so you were interrupted by a zealous server; not too little so you had to flag your server down because it was a packed house; but just right. Our server was passionate about every dish, and knew every wine and cocktail like he invented them. He did spend a little too much time selling us on the amazing bakery, which was odd for a dinner. Save that for morning. The food is amazing. I've never had Burmese cuisine, and doubt I ever will again because there is no way it would be better than this. We started with the sprouts and shrooms. It was like your first real kiss. I've had plenty of sprouts, served plenty of ways, but none have been as fresh, perfectly balanced, and savory as these. My wife had the duck breast and shared it. Some restaurants go light on portions of duck, but not the Dutchess. It was "if this were my last meal" incredible. I had the yogurt braised goat masala. I'm not a huge goat fan, but ordered it based on the server's recommendation. Well done my loquacious, insightful friend. The goat comes with Naan. Light, crisp, soft never before Naan. We didn't try the desserts. I have a big appetite and the combination of rich, savory, and balanced entrees were plenty without making me feel full. It's a "just right" kind of place. The only catch to dinner at the Dutchess is the cost. It's pricey in the "very" kind of way. Yet, there are more expensive places we have eaten in Ojai and they haven't come close to the value of the Dutchess. It's worth it, yet you may want to try the more reasonable breakfast or brunch. read more

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visited Ojai for the first time and was looking forward to the Dutchess due to all the good reviews but the experience turned out some how disappointing. We arrived around 6pm and was told the earliest table would be 7pm so we came back 7:03 checked in with host and ended up waiting for another 15mins for a table for two, the two parties arrived after we did both got seated so i had to ask if our table was ready. Two hosts clearly didnt communicate enough, because the lady seems very confused then the male host rushed over and brought us to our table. we ordered Naan, a salad and two entrees, one of the entree were sold out so i had to change, the salad arrived quickly and we waited another twenty minutes to find out that they were also out of naan, naan is a very big part of Burmese diet so it's almost like opening a Chinese restaurant but don't have enough rice. our server offer an appetizer on the house, we accepted, and later found out that it was on our check, had to ask her to remove it. The food, the salad is not bad, but not impressive. both of our entrees are very salty, very, very salty. The ambiance is very nice, fine dinning style. read more

The Dutchess totally reminded me of my favorite food stops in upstate NY road trips. In all likelihood, I will come here each time I visit Ojai. Between the fantastic food offerings - a California farm to table meets Burmese and Asian flavors, and the FOMO inducing pastry/cake counter and the beautiful interior, it's easy to understand why this restaurant has often landed on many a food writer's list. And it does not disappoint! I want to keep coming back so I can eat through their menu! read more

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The Dutchess is a classy, moody bar and restaurant in Ojai with absolutely divine food!! We ordered the lamb biryani, the beef masala (not pictured), and the naan. You know this food was great when I forgot to take a picture of one of the dishes!!!! Lamb biryani: Rich with spices (but not spicy), this dish was comforting and flavorful. The rice and lamb alone were stars but the puff pastry added a buttery goodness to the entire dish. The pickled carrots and yogurt sides were nice additions to add a different flavor. I almost liked it more by itself but fun to try it with different toppings that add a crunch and tangy flavor. $35 Beef masala: Huge chunks of fall apart, slow braised beef in a delicious tomato sauce with a side of basmati rice. Perfectly cooked! Less sauce than expected. Not spicy but flavorful. I wouldn't have minded more of a spicy kick to this dish but it was still yummy!! $32 Naan: Similar to the biryani, I loved the naan by itself more than with the garlic butter!! I liked using it as a vessel to soak up the remaining sauce in my other dishes. I thought the garlic butter had an oily flavor closer to margarine than salted butter, which is why I didn't love it. $11.5 I shared all of these with a friend and it was more than enough food for the both of us. The meal was around $60 per person, so be prepared to splurge! Prices are higher than I expected, but I have no idea what it costs to make these dishes with so many locally sourced ingredients (probably $$$). This spot is definitely for special occasions. It says a portion of the costs for the naan goes to a local animal charity, which I have never seen at a restaurant. The servers were very friendly. Bathrooms onsite. Street parking in the area and close to other shops so you can park further away and stroll for a bit. I recommend making a reservation if you want a table guaranteed. I believe bar seating is first come first served. We got there around 5 pm on a Saturday and just missed the dinner crowd by a few minutes. There's ample indoor and outdoor seating. It's quite a large space, with a back patio and a pool table inside! Would be a perfect spot for a date night!! Overall I am glad I tried it!! It's my friend's favorite spot! The meal was very filling without making you feel too full. It's not heavy or greasy. We left feeling happy!!! Thank you! read more

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Centrally located in the heart of Ojai's popular town and the cutest spot for a romantic date or to just gather with friends for some great Burmese inspired bites. The flavor was fantastic although note they are a bit small proportions if you intend to share with the table. Our waitress was accommodating and was kind enough to let us taste wines before deciding. The naan bread was great although the simple garlic butter was a stand out here. Our table split the Biryani and although it has great flavor, they felt it was lacking on the amount of meat. Highly recommend getting the Ohn No Khao Swe soup as it was impeccable flavor!! Cannot recommend this enough. A smaller portion but still enough for one. read more

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We came here for brunch on a Sunday. It's really like 2 restaurants in one. They have an incredible pastry section, that is wonderful to have as you wait for brunch. It does get busy so I suggest if you want to sit down to book via open table. Brunch was great, they have traditional type items and then some Burmese selections which makes for a fun choice. Food was excellent. The service outstanding! And we just loved the vibe. read more

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I absolutely adore the ambiance of this place! It had a cozy vibe with many plants and decor. The service was very friendly and helpful. It was an estimated 30 min wait but only waited 10 mins. The food was a reasonable wait and definitely worth it. It was fresh and tasty. read more

The Dutchess - breakfast plate - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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The Dutchess changed my life! Last year, I decided to come here with a friend and get some job applications done while enjoying the pastries, coffee, and good vibes. We decided that we were not allowed to leave until we finished both of our applications. We ended up staying through breakfast AND lunch, and the staff were very patient with us and let us hang out for as long as we needed. We both ended up getting accepted to our jobs! All thanks to the wonderful service and food at the Dutchess!! Another time, I was ordering at the counter when I got a notification that Queen Elizabeth II died! I shared a solemn moment of shock and sadness with the cashier before we moved on to payment. I genuinely love this place, and it's my go-to spot to take friends for ANY meal in Ojai. From the seriously breathtaking bakery, to the homey yet sophisticated bar, to great Burmese food, The Dutchess has everything covered. On my most recent visit we tried the following: Burmese chicken sando: Spicy! Punches you in the face with flavor in a really good way. Explores a flavor profile not commonly associated with chicken sandwiches. My friend (a chicken sandwich connoisseur) really liked it. Egg sando: subtle flavors which serve to highlight the best of each ingredient- the richness of the egg is lightened by the freshness of the herbs. However, a little underwhelming tbh. MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES: Morning bun: sugary and slightly citrusy The bagel with cream cheese and toppings!! -- No other place does a bagel like this! Lamb biryani Seasonal fruit Lassi pie!! Ambiance: walking through the four distinct dining areas is like walking through different scenes in a movie with entirely different vibes. "The unique decor, perfectly curated music, and joyful chatter of well fed guests makes dining here feel like attending the perfect dinner party thrown by your most stylish friend." - Cian M. Service: the staff is incredibly welcoming The Dutchess would certainly stand out as just a bakery/brunch spot OR as a trendy Burmese restaurant alone, but combine the two, and you have the best of both worlds. As a powerhouse of an establishment, it stands out because it perfectly executes several vastly different elements -- baked goods, cocktails, Burmese food, ambiance(s) -- and it is the best at all of the above. **This is one of only two restaurants in Ojai in the Michelin guide! read more

The Dutchess - Pastries (passion fruit cream cheese danish was amazing) - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

I always recommend that friends come here when they visit Ojai! (I've only been for breakfast and wine - so can't speak on dinner) They have an amazing selection of pastries in the AM - I have gotten quite a few different ones and all of them are amazing! Good lattes and ceremonial grade matcha! There is plenty of seating, both indoor & outdoor - and it's very cute and cozy. Lovely staff too! read more

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Picked up a tea leaf salad and crispy rice salad - both were very fresh with great flavors. I need to wait about 20-30 additional minutes past predicted pick up time which was fine and understandable given how busy they were. Really impressed with the kitchen's efficiency and how good all of the dishes looked coming out. They were all booked up on a Tuesday night, so recommend getting reservation well in advance. Will definitely come here again if in the area, not enough burmese places like this around! read more

The Dutchess - Tea leaf salad - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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Went here for dinner and the crispy rice salad was SO good. The tandoori chicken was my partner's favorite. The waiter was really awesome. He took time to explain everything to us and was very attentive. I'd definitely go again. read more

The Dutchess has a great vibe. The pastry case looked amazing, but I was only there for a beverage and to work on my laptop for a bit. I had a chai latte. It was good. Maybe not my favorite ever, but tasty nonetheless. Baristas were friendly and efficient. I would definitely go back. read more

I loved the Asian notes and fusion on a lot of this food. This was my first time ever having a savory waffle and I think I liked it for the most part? I'm still deciding lol the pastries and drinks were phenomenal Service was okay. A bit slow but we did go during the brunch rush. Atmosphere is gorgeous read more

The Dutchess - Rhubarb tart, morning bun, and almond croissant - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California