I am a local and have been going to The Dutchess on and off since they opened to hang out and have coffee. This morning, as usual, I ordered coffee and a pastry and was informed--in a somewhat rude way--that we would not be able to sit at a table because they were reserved for people having brunch. There were no other tables available, and we were directed to a small table in the corner facing the wall by the door. With a constant stream of people coming in and out, it was difficult to stay warm or have an uninterrupted conversation. As we were leaving, there were still several empty tables, and I noticed customers sitting at the "reserved" tables just having coffee. I have lived in this area for 30 years and make an effort to support local businesses. Unfortunately, I will not be returning. read more

Pretty good cafe food! We ordered a breakfast plate, a chicken sandwich, and their garden salad. i would say that the food is pretty pricey so i would have expected a little more. the salad was to come with fruit, but it was pretty much one strawberry cut up into very tiny pieces and a couple pieces of the other fruit, so it's mainly lettuce. the dressing was also just okay, sweet, citrusy but had a bit of sesame. there was a strange papery stale undertone to it that made it hard to keep eating. the chili oil was also extremely cinnamony bc they left a stick in there, so it didn't taste like much else except oily spicy cinnamon. the breakfast plate was pretty standard along with the sandwich. but it was really pretty inside! read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

Ojai continues to deliver some of the best food! Geez. So good. This place is no joke. The breakfast plate was unreal. read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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The best food I've had in a long time! Everything was incredible. The decor is beautiful but the star of the evening was our waiter Gabriel. What a lovely person. He really made our night. Amazing suggestions for what to eat, great vibe, and so well versed in wine! Impressed the table for sure. My parents were ready to adopt him into the family. Will recommend the dutchess to all of our friends who come visit! read more

First time in Ojai and had The Dutchess bookmarked since they open! Dinner was enjoyed but the pastries was their stronger point ! The hazelnut bun was amazing The cocktail we order was good , the lamb was overly salty while the chicken was a bit under seasoned ! I usually enjoyed tandoori chicken but not quite this time !!The dessert- passionfruit lime pie was delicious ! Staff were attentive and the decor and ambiance was great ! Their pastries are definetly worth trying again if I were vacationing in Ojai again read more

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We've visited on at least a dozen times, for brunch or lunch or breakfast, and a few times in the afternoon for snacks or pasties, and this review is based on those visits. The Dutchess has the best Croque Madame I've had in California. They use their house made bread as a base, and every layer is perfection, including the salad and the egg. Breads are outstanding. Their other baked goods are somewhat hit or miss, with many being a little overcooked or dry. The chocolate croissant was good. We read that they are known for their chicken sandwich, so we obviously had to order that, as well. It was good. It's a popular spot, so expect a line and a wait on weekend mornings. Service is good. There is ample indoor and outdoor seating across three fairly large rooms with plenty of tables and chairs and benches and long picnic style tables, but they also have a lot of fans. Rightfully. Bathrooms are clean and well appointed. If they have strawberry rose jelly near the counter, get it. The same goes for their chili oil. I regret not buying more (but I'll be back again soon!). read more

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

The Tuna appetizer is a MUST!!! Woww!!!!!!! I got the pea curry for the main dish. It was great as well but still craving that tuna appetizer . It won my heart . read more

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Wasn't much on the menu to choose from for breakfast but the coffee and service was great. Glad they have outdoor seating to hang with your pets while hangout out. read more

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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

The Dutchess was a recommended must stop when in Ojai by a friend. Came down to try their pastries/breakfast options. First sign that I got that I knew it was going to be good was that it was very busy for a Thursday. I love the open seating concept where you order and find any open table. To my surprise their layout went pretty far back. Their display of pastries was amazing. Honestly hard to choose what we wanted. I ended up getting one of their loafs ($7+) and every single bite was great. They hit the aesthetics and quality! I would love to come again and try their lunch menu. read more

We happened upon The Dutchess during our quick little getaway to Ojai for a night, and couldn't have had a better experience! The restaurant is beautiful... rustic and so cozy with a great bar area and plenty of tables. Our server, Sophia, was so sweet and wonderful, and was really on it with anything that we needed... The food was DELICIOUS! We had the crispy potatoes with the herb aioli, the chick pea fritters, and the pork belly noodles, which were amazing! To top it all off, when we lingered a bit too long and couldn't get an Uber back to our hotel, Sophia ended up driving us back herself! If you want an amazing meal with equally great drinks (best espresso martini I've ever had) and service, I would 100% recommend The Dutchess! read more

The Dutchess - Amazing espresso martini! - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

Super mega cute restaurant! From the outside walking in, you don't see how big this place actually is. They have a few different dining rooms, including outdoor patio seating all the way in the back. Services was very friendly and the ambiance was perfect for brunch. The food was delicious, except we waited mega long for our food, which is why I took off 1 star. I understand a restaurant gets busy, but waiting nearly an hour for our food is way too long. We did go back the next morning to buy some pastries. Everything we had was delicious! Gotta get there early though because they can sell out pretty quick. read more

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As a cafe and a place to eat? This place was a 8/10. Fried chicken and breakfast plate were a twist on something that is common in brunch places now. Chicken and Waffle had a very southeast asian - Indian flavor to it. Breakfast plate was in general good because of the potatoes. As a bakery, this place was also a 8/10. I think the very popular morning bun isn't my favorite, but instead I asked the server what their favorite was and it ended up being our favorite as well. It was bearclaw like and carried the same sweetness and density. read more

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Such a cute spot! The line was long but it was the day after Thanksgiving and a long line is the sign of a good spot right?! Our favorites were the plain croissant (it's more on the dense, very buttery side but it still has that flakiness and crunch which I'm a fan of), the samosa hand pie...the flavors packed into that little pouch were phenomenal, and my brother couldn't shut up about the almond croissant (it's by far the best one he's had) The morning bun was pretty dense and crunchy which I personally liked but other people weren't fans The ham and cheese croissant was good but heads up there's mustard in it Overall such a cute vibe and really amazing pastries and coffee, we'll definitely be back read more

From the people who gave us: Rustic Canyon, Milo + Olive, and now closed Tallula's, comes the Dutchess. Drink: The Juicy Food: Naan Crispy potatoes Crispy Rice Salad Rosie's Organic Tandoori Half Chicken All these dishes are delicious on their own and very complimentary when eaten together. Get the crispy potatoes, and smother it in the Chicken tandoori sauce. Yummy! Take the naan fill it with the crispy rice salad and/or chicken tandoori and dip it in the tandoori sauce or the sauce that comes with the potatoes. So good. When you enter, the place looks quaint and homey, but when you head to the restrooms, the restaurant is pretty extensive than it appears. Would definitely come back here or recommend others when in Ojai. read more

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We came to Ojai for a girls' trip, and The Dutchess was all over my TikTok, so we all knew we just had to try it out for brunch! The entrance has a lot of baked good options to buy at the counter, and the restaurant seating is in the back. Our server was extremely helpful and gave great recommendations. Love the ambiance and vibes here, and the only complaint that I have is that there are only 2 bathroom stalls (and located far away from each other, so you can't tell if the other side has a shorter line). I ended up getting stuck in a line for 20 minutes and got the table behind since it was right when we got seated. Other than that, the place is such a vibe, and the dishes are unique. Don't pass up coming here! read more

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Came here for brunch after hearing all the good reviews for it. While the food itself was pretty good, it was definitely overpriced, and the service was slow. We paid over $80 for a meal and drink for 2, and we had to wait over half an hour just to order. As I said, food was pretty good. The Burmese Fried Chicken Sando was delicious, but the egg sando was a bit bland and left some to be desired. Great selection of fresh pastry items as well as a decent drink menu. While the food is good, I feel like a portion of what you're paying for here is the location as it's right in the heart of DT Ojai. Wouldn't be my first pick for food in Ojai, but I would still return again. read more

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Best pastries in Ojai. They are so creative with the types of pastries they have. We also got a latte and a mocha and both coffee were so deep in flavor and delicious. Line may be long but moves fast! A must stop in Ojai. read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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SUCH A NICE RESTAURANT. I feel like this place can def be a speakeasy in it's mysterious and unassuming appearance from the outside, versus what it looks like in the inside. Each dining room has like it's own personality, and when you get to the room adjacent to the patio, there's a billiard table and piano. like WUT. if I were super into vintage and antiques, i would want to live here lol. Food seems promising too, but since we came around noon, we were limited to the lunch menu. We weren't that hungry so SO and I split the following: - Coconut Chicken Noodles (Ohn No Khao Swe) $25: Light coconut curry flavor, with ripped pieces of chicken. Chicken didn't seem to be marinaded and lacked flavor. There was also two flat pieces of battered something, but they were a stale kind of crunchy and were tasteless. Noodles were like spaghetti texture. Best of this entree as the soup and the soft boiled eggs ); - Matcha $6.50: bland, and slightly bitter. Didn't have a strong matcha flavor ): Definitely overpriced, but honestly I think this place is promising, despite the lackluster flavor. I may be biased since Burmese restaurants are hard to come by, but I would come back to give it another try, esp for their dinner menu read more

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We loved the array of pastries and beverages we sampled during a family trip to Ojai. The samosa was a stand out as well as the vegan muffins, which our dairy free family members raved about. Super cute ambiance with plenty of seating available inside along with friendly bussers who were helpful in clearing out our tables as we finished up our meals. Very friendly and welcoming attendants at the cashier, who took our long order with patience and kindness. read more

Such a cool place! We came for brunch on a thursday. So many different seating options. They have a full bar and pool tables for some evening fun. Their chicken sandwich was DELICIOUS, we got ours not spicy and there was still so much flavor. But if you like spicy GET it spicy. The breakfast meal was classic and their congee was very comforting and flavorful ! read more

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Ambiance is nice. Servers nice. Food was not as amazing as I expected. I liked the lamb and potatoes but not my favorite. Maybe there was too much hype read more

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The Dutchess was truly a highlight of the Ojai trip. I'm visiting from the Bay Area and my friend recommended I try this bakery. It didn't disappoint. From the super sweet employees, the girl who remembered me from yesterday, to the beautiful and creative pastry creations, I love it all. The pink guava passion fruit pasty literally is a game changer. The coffee is also perfect. If you're looking for real delicious cold brew or a not overly milky cappuccino, this is the spot! read more

Cute ambience. We made rezzies so no wait for us! Service was good and the food was tasty. read more

The Dutchess - Lemon drop - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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The Dutchess Ojai completely stole the show at the Family Style food festival. Their passionfruit lime pie was hands down the best thing I had at the entire event. It absolutely blew me away with its perfect balance of sweet and sour from the passionfruit, paired with a base that was rich, flavorful, and absolutely flawless. This pie was so good I would honestly drive all the way from Los Angeles to Ojai just to have it again. It is without a doubt the best pie I have ever had, truly out of this world and unforgettable. read more

The Dutchess - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

I don't really have time to do an in-depth review, but this was one of the best dinners I have had in ages. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. The tea leaf salad was amazing and the Waat Tha Khao Swe was one of the best entrees I have had in the last couple of years. The atmosphere was great, and so was out server. read more

I didn't come here for the food. No, this review is for their five star bakery that I waited in line for and yes, it was worth the wait! I consider myself to be somewhat of a connoisseur of morning buns. I literally seek them out and almost every city I go to when visiting. I also really love another version of a morning bun, which is the buttery, flaky sugary Kouign Amann. I'm here to tell you that the Duchess morning bun is almost like these two pastries got married and had a baby. It's absolutely fabulous! You can't eat just one, the bakery case even states it's their homage to the famous Tartine bakery in San Francisco. Oh, and I also had to get a couple of their almond croissants and an Herby cheesy twist. Also, did I mention how adorable the Duchess is? I bet the food is good too. Trust me, just GO! that with a cup of their delicious coffee and you know it's gonna be a good day. read more

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We recently visited Ojai, and this place came highly recommended by the host of the Airstream we rented. We didn't know what to expect going in, but we're so glad we made the trip,The Duchess is absolutely to die for. We literally joke about driving two hours back to Ojai just for the food... but we're totally serious. It's hard to put into words,the flavors are impeccable, unlike anything we've ever tasted. The staff was amazing, the service was excellent, and the ambience made the experience even better. Huge thank you to everyone who took the time to explain each dish, where the inspiration came from, and how all the vegetables are locally sourced from nearby farms. That personal touch made it even more special. If you're on the fence about going, don't be. Just go. You will not regret it. read more

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We were super new to Ventura, still unpacking. I needed to book dinner for my husbands's upcoming birthday. We started this thing about always surprising each other on where we'd go. My husband's a lifelong vegetarian, and I'm mostly plant-based. I'd heard amazing things about The Duchess. I'm sort of shocked why more fine dining places only offer a couple of lame hereyago meatless dishes. The Duchess' menu had a bevy of options, and I was stoked to go! Of course, come that day I fell really ill. So my son took my husband. They came back home and didn't shut up about each dish - literally FOR DAYS. Incredibly annoying for me, but I was dying to go there myself. Finally did and let me say - there's no hyperbole when you hear people going on for days about what they ate at The Duchess. Service is always spot on, and servers know of which they speak. Speaking of mouthwatering, I gotta go make that resy. Hub's bday. Year Four. Why would we go anywhere else? Yeah, it's that good. read more

First time at The Dutchess I got a breakfast sandwich and a pastry 10/10. Would recommend getting there early they run out of pastries pretty fast! Service was super fast. read more

The Dutchess - Cranberry cheese danish 10/10 - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

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The kale salad unto itself was a winner, especially since the restaurant was able to hold the chicken, but the overall experience was so frenzied that it's hard to be excited about going back. The line took about twenty minutes despite only three or so parties in front of us (making me imagine there was some systemic issue), the woman at the register couldn't answer basic questions about the menu, and our food took a half hour to arrive (one salad and one sandwich). Overall, being in that space is chaos. But I'd have the salad again if it was a hair less frustrating. Note to the owners: make a "no chicken" option for the kale salad available on delivery apps! I'd get it all the time. read more

The Dutchess - Kale Chicken Salad minus the chicken - Cafes Near Me - Ojai, California

This was a great lunch spot. We locked our bikes outside and there was plenty of seating. They have three rooms and Ian outdoor space in front and back. I highly recommend the roast beef sandwich. They make their bread in house. Also, the peach and berry crumble was incredible! Everything was fresh and the ambience was beautiful! Good for large parties and plenty of street parking. read more

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We came to visit Ojai from LA and decided to give this spot a try for dinner on a Thursday night. I didn't make a reservation since it said on the site they didn't have any left for the day but I called and she was able to accommodate us outside since we had our dog with us. Patio seating is dog friendly! We parked on the side and sat at one of the tables right outside the restaurant. Service was excellent and attentive. Based on their recos, we ordered: - Tuna Crudo (4/5) aguachile and slices of fruit/veg on top of the tuna complimented it perfectly but kind of wish it was colder? - crispy rice (4/5) can def taste more of the Burmese flavor and inspo in this one. Textures were good - Puri (6/5!!!!) we would absolutely come back for this. The fried naan is to die for with the pate. It reminded me of Chinese fried dough or sesame bread. So light and fluffy with a pate that wasn't too strong that had chile jam and shallots. - chickpea curry (5/5) comforting and felt like I was eating at someone's house. Filling - Falooda (3/5) it was like their version of a sundae with some crispies on top. Lots of different flavors not sure if I'd get it again Great little spot in Ojai, we'll be back for breakfast or lunch next time! read more

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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

Arrived here a little after 10 on a Saturday morning. No lines and was not busy on the first weekend of September. We had the breakfast plate which was very tasty. The sourdough bread with eggs and bacon were delicious. I was going to get another dish but the wife wasn't too hungry and I didnt want to carry food around in the heat. The servers were great. We sat at the bar area since there was a wait. I asked if I could order pastries or if I had to stand in line and the hostess kindly obliged to bring the pastry to us. I chose the morning bun which was great (4.5/5) and the wife had a chocolate something pastry. From her expression (5/5). I had a Caffe Latte to go along with breakfast with an extra shot of espresso. That tasted normal, nothing to write home about. The roast they used wasn't too strong so even with the extra shot, it was still creamy. There was plenty of seating inside and a few outside. The tables were set up to be very spacious between each other. I ordered an old fashioned before we left and it was probably one of the better versions I've had in a while. Great sweet and bitters balance. The only complaint I have was that it took at least 10 minutes for the drink to be made. It looked like there was no assigned bartender. I would recommend this place if its not crowded. read more

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I got their crispy rice salad. I thought the overall flavor was a bit one note. The textures are great but nothing super interesting happening other than some crunch. Would've loved a protein component to this read more

The Dutchess - Crispy Rice Salad (Htamin Thoke) - 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

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

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