First time coming here and we were so happy with our experience! We ordered The Big Lion, the California Cubano, the Sunrise Burrito, a Nitro Cold Brew, and a Caramel Salted Latte. The Big Lion was a generous portion, and we loved having different bread options to choose from. The California Cubano was probably our least favorite -- the fries were great, but the sandwich itself leaned a little too salty for our taste. It wasn't bad by any means, just not the flavor profile we were expecting. The Sunrise Burrito was the star of the show! The potatoes were perfectly seasoned, and it had some of the most delicious avocado I've ever had. Absolute perfection -- we'd come back just for that burrito alone. The coffees were excellent too -- strong, flavorful, and not overly sweet (no "syrup with a splash of coffee" here!). Overall, we were very satisfied. Our total was around $88 for three people, which is actually a pretty solid deal in Ventura. The service really stood out as well -- they were incredibly accommodating with our stroller and even made sure to keep the door closed since we were seated near the entrance so our baby wouldn't get cold. That level of thoughtfulness meant a lot. We'll definitely be back! read more

Great brunch spot! Beautifully decorated and bigger than it looks from the outside. Their Spanish Benedict was delicious! The saltiness of the chorizo complimented the buttery biscuit and perfectly runny poached egg. Highly recommend the strawberry and cream croissant French toast!! So deng good, not too sweet, light n fluffy- didn't even need to use maple syrup. Wasn't a fan of the Brie Bacon Omelette. The cheese wasn't fully melted and it overloaded with blackberry jam in the middle. Their espresso and Cute as a Cucumber brunch cocktail were both delicious. It took a while to get our order, not sure if it was because we were in a booth that was tucked into a wall and were out of sight, and also took some time for them to come back with our receipt when we paid. Nothing that would stop me from coming back :) read more

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Ambiance: okay. dB: high once busy around 85 dB Service: good. Staff friendly Food: I could not finish my breakfast. Hash browns not well cook, little color and not warm. Spinach and Feta I would not order again. Salty flavors battled each other. Price: $52 for two omelettes, one reg. Coffee and iced tea, ordered nothing special. We were invited to meet up friends but, have no plans to return. read more

Best thing: Our awesome server Danielle! Amazing work, thank you for your service. A very sweet place. Big space with nice light, you wouldn't guess it from outside, standing on the sidewalk of the strip mall. Charming. Pretty big and varied menu. I had a good Benedict and the rest of my group enjoyed their meals. Definitely a good brunch / lunch destination in the area. read more

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I met a friend at The Little Lion for brunch. The place is super cute and the food was really good. Alejandro was our server and did a good job. I ordered the Brie and jam omelet. It was tasty! I also ordered a biscuit on the side which was warm and freshly made (highly recommend). read more

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Brunch, Breakfast, Lunch, Day-drinking and Wine Flights! I would love to call the Little Lion my new favorite Ladies Lunch place but my husband loves it as well. The interior dining room is bright and airy with an air of casual sophistication. It doesn't try too hard but every detail appears to be intentional. The beverage program offers so many options for day- drinking. They feature a well curated wine selection and flights for some afternoon wine tasting with a delightful selection of sharables. The Champagne Cocktail selection impressed me the most because they house make the syrup combinations such as the lovely Lavender Blueberry. That is one of the best cocktails in Ventura County and it tastes as good as it looks. The food and drink options are smart, creative offerings but Danielle, our server, was a primary element in the good experience we had today. She made recommendations and was genuine in her love of flavor and shared her favorite condiments and combinations. The food- hubby ordered biscuits and sage gravy breakfast which passed this Southern boy's authenticity test. The portions are generous and he finished the entire cast iron serving pan portion. I ordered lunch starting with the lavender blueberry cocktail and for food - the California Cubano with side salad. The sandwich was grilled to perfection on sourdough I asked for a side of pesto, mustard and both salad dressings. Salad was fresh and everything flavorful. Next time I definitely want to try the Elote Steak tacos and the wine flights. For breakfast the strawberry croissant French toast sounds fabulous. Don't sleep on the Little Lion in its little neighborhood strip mall because it has earned its spot as a top spot in Ventura. read more

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The food was very good, I ordered the Lil Lion and my daughter ordered the Big Lion with a side of Biscuits & gravy, and both were delicious. The hash browns were cooked perfectly and tasted so good, We went in on a rainy Saturday for brunch and we were immediately greeted and were told to pick any table we wanted. Immediately were provided our menus and a glass of water. Our server was very kind and gave some great suggestions for food and drinks. The vibes inside are cool and also very safari/lion theme and also a modern country feeling which fits very well for a brunch restaurant. Socks the food, service and ambiance were fantastic, I will definitely be back. They also have monthly wine dinners which I want to try. read more

The Little Lion - The little lion, 2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, avocado, chili paste and drizzled with hot honey served over a sourdough toast. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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Large and unique brunch/lunch menu with unexpectedly delicious shareables like the grilled peach BBQ chicken quesadilla. Great selections of different egg benedict plates. The Tennessee orange comes with fried chicken and your choice of gracy over a housemade biscuit. The salmon florentine comes on a english muffin. The salmon fish and chips were okay, the fries had a bit too much lemon pepper seasoning so they were kinda salty. Sausage and sweet potato fritata was decent and had a lot of sausage. Skip the hot honey chicken sandwich. As you can see, the portions here are pretty big. Full coffee/bar menu and mimosas ofc. Plenty of indoor seating, could accomodate larger parties. It can get busy pretty quick. Service has been good in the times I've visited. read more

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Checked out the happy hour, which is only on Fridays. The Hot to Go beverage was very refreshing. Poke bowl is very filling, lots of goodies in it for a healthy diet choice. The fries that came with The Girl Dinner were so tasty and crispy. Yum! The servers are always super nice! read more

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First timer. The restaurant is amazingly beautiful. Our waitress was awesome and the attention to detail is top notch. The food is sooooo delicious!!! We had the fluffiest pancakes with hash browns and bacon & Brie omelette. I highly recommend this restaurant for any occasion. read more

Yummy food, busy but well decorated place. Overpriced and needed more spice, but a bunch of Cholula helped with the plainness. $70 for three people. Three entrees and a coffee. A good value for times like this, just shocking especially since all the add ons are $6+ each (fruit cup, sausage,etc.) I was interested in a cocktail but it was $12 for 12oz... read more

The Little Lion - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

Stopped in for the new new at Little lion and ended up with the brunch hangover burger and the cowboy steak and eggs. The burger had such an amazing balance of salty, savory and sweet with a maple syrup drizzle on it with crispy hash browns and bacon! The cowboy steak and eggs was a flavor bomb with the chimichurri sauce on top. Always a top tier visit with amazing staff and always delicious food. read more

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What a nice surprise! Would never have gone to a brunch restaurant in a strip mall but it was so good. Service was friendly, and food was great. We got the lox toast with a side of fruit and the breakfast sandwich. Big portions and delicious. Would go back if I lived closer. read more

GETTING HERE: The Little Lion is located in the CVS/Vons shopping center across from Buena HS. REVIEW: This was a really good time with authentic service. This restaurant had been coming up on my Yelp for quite a while, and I finally made it over there. I will be back ASAP to try their other items; you betcha, :-) A PRO TIP: if you're looking for seating with a little more privacy, head to the back, on the other side of the bar. There are a few booths located there. My guest got the breakfast burrito and absolutely loved it. I got their club and it was fresh, the bacon was crispy. The bread was soft and fresh. Since we were first-timers, we asked a lot of questions, but our server went over and above to make it a pleasant dining experience. And she also insured that I will be back ASAP. Absolutely recommend The Little Lion! Thank you for a great experience! read more

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Finally had a chance to check out the Friday happy hour! The staff were nice enough to let me make a reservation for my large party and were so understanding when my party of 10 dwindled down last minute to a party of 5 We all enjoyed the Lavender Haze cocktail but there were several other happy hour drinks that also sounded amazing! I was excited to see my beloved fried goat cheese bites on the happy hour menu and also tried the peach and bbq chicken quesadilla which was so yummy! I have a feeling friday happy hours at Little Lion are going to be a thing for me this summer. Seriously the food and vibes here are everything and all the others I dined with loved their meals as well! read more

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Friendly and nice staff Plenty of seats but they can get busy, so plan ahead. Cute place. Clean. Parking is available. Great food and drinks choices. They have happy hour (I have to come back for that) read more

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My second time in and made me want to visit way more often. We got there at opening. No pictures of the coffees - Lavendar latte (hot) & Salted Caramel latte (iced). Both on point. For breakfast we both went with a Benedict. I personally had the Tennessee Orange and went with the sage sausage gravy. Lots of food yet still didn't feel too heavy. Must be due to the good oils they cook with. We had to try a French toast as well so we went with one of the seasonal dishes (apple) since it would be going away soon. Tasted like dessert. Very nice service and helpful. From the last time I was in there they now have a changing table in bathroom, yay! That right there is a huge deal, in my opinion. Family friendly and delicious food. Doesn't get better than that. read more

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I wasn't blown away by the food but it was tasty except for my hash browns. The hash browns tasted like old oil and weren't crispy but I am happy I finally tried their food. We sat in the back for privacy as the front of the restaurant was noisier and busy. No wait on a Sunday at 10am but it got a lot busier after that. I had The Morning After Brunch Burger, which I loved. I could only eat half of my burger. The burger was huge and cooked to my liking, medium rare . It had a runny egg, absolutely perfect! I asked for a side of chili oil for my burger. My friend got the Frittata with a side of bacon but she didn't eat her meal. She stated it was not good at all. She said the frittata was dry and lacked flavor. She could not eat it. She may have just chosen something her taste buds didn't agree with. Service was friendly and attentive. Beautiful restaurant, since we sat in the back - I didn't get to capture all the gorgeous details/ aesthetic but I'll be back to try . Top 25 Places to eat in Central Coast -South, so def a community favorite. Plus... plus there is plenty of parking! I would stop in again. Super cute spot! Check them out. read more

We came to this restaurant on a Friday around mid-morning. The place was not particularly busy and had a few other seated tables. The decor inside is similar to boho-chic, quaint, and enjoyable. Our server was a nice gentlemen who provided good service. We decided on strawberry cream cheese French toast, cowboy steak & eggs, and two salted caramel lattes. The coffee is definitely pricey, however, we thoroughly enjoyed the drinks. It was flavorful, and delicious. We choose iced for the lattes and highly recommend them. The presentation of the food is commendable. It looks quite good plated. My fiancée liked the French toast and thought it was decent. The steak I ordered was alright. It was prepared with cowboy espresso rub which I thought tasted good. The menu states it is flank steak however it came out quite thick and oblong. I had ordered the steak medium rare. In my opinion I believe the steak was closer to medium/medium well. I decided on sweet potato hash, and I thought that side was delectable and immaculate. Overall, it was a passable experience. I enjoyed the service, the coffee, and the food was decent. We might come back to try different entree options, coffee choices, and brunch cocktails. read more

The Little Lion - Cowboy Steak - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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I can't say enough about The Little Lion. The dishes we ordered came out hot, and fresh. That Brie omelette is something to write home about. The Brie and jam combo simply delish! Can't wait to have it again! read more

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This is a wonderful, local place, BUT it definitely has its drawbacks. The Little Lion is more expensive than it should be and we'd normally be okay with paying a bit more, but, strike two, they simply do not have enough vegetarian or vegan options to make us want to return. It's too bad because we are local and this would be the perfect place to get some good food on an off week night. The service is pretty typically. On our first visit, we had a great server but the two times we have been back the server was overworked and service was average at best, despite the best efforts of the server. As I complete this review, I find myself coming to a thematic conclusion about the Little lion: they are in it for the money. They keep a small menu that serves typical food prepared well. The breads are store-bought, which lowers the quality, and the lack of variety keeps us away and keeps us taking our friends to other restaurants in the area instead of what could be a great little place. Best of luck little lion. Will keep an eye out on your menu to see if you add more vegan vegetarian items. Maybe we'll be back then. read more

The little lion is a great spot for breakfast and lunch. I've even a handful of times now and they never disappoint. The staff here are super nice and friendly. I've always had good service here, even when they are busy. And boy does this spot get packed. I've only come here on weekdays and even then they draw a good crowd. For that reason I've avoided weekends unless I could get here early enough. With how busy they are though it shows you everyone is a fan of the food and service. I haven't tried any of their cocktails here yet but their mocktails were fabulous! I got their lavender mocktail and it was refreshing and pretty. For my mains I've tried their breakfast and lunch. For breakfast I really liked their salmon Benedict. The salmon was cooked to perfection and it was a generous portion. For lunch I've had their lemon pepper chicken avocado salad and I'd highly recommend this. One of the better salads I've had in a long time. My friend and I split the seasoned skinny fries and those were bomb. All in all the food has always been super good. I love that they hold dinner and wine tastings and some fun drag events. This place definitely has great events and concepts that I'll be back soon. read more

Finally made it to The Little Lion & brought a friend! Absolutely loved the decor. It's very welcoming & provides a great ambiance! Our server Ale was friendly & attentive throughout our visit. There's plenty of tempting choices on the menu! We started with a honey lavender latte & and an Americano! They weren't picture perfect as expected but they were delicious! The sweet potato sausage frittata was amazing! We shared the fluffy pancakes with the tastiest vanilla cream syrup! The Little Lion on sourdough was also so good! I'm looking forward to enjoying so many more items from the extensive menu on my next visit! read more

The Little Lion - Classic Fluffy Pancakes topped with vanilla cream syrup! Absolutely delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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Looking for a change up from my local breakfast spots, I stumbled across this little gem of a restaurant! Located just off the 126 freeway (Victoria exit) and situated within the Victoria Plaza, it seems a bit of a hidden local treasure. From the front it looked like it would be small inside, however, its deceivingly quite spacious with seated bar area, as well as additional seating towards the back. There is a warm charm to the place with its lighting and decor. Getting there at 10am on a Sunday, the place was busy, however, we could sit straight away just walking in. Compare this to our usual expectations of waiting an hour for comparable places in Westlake/Agoura area. Service was excellent and the menu all looked good so very hard to make a choice! Settled on a seasonal item...APPLE CIDER BRÛLÉE FRENCH TOAST which thick-cut sourdough soaked in apple cider custard, brûléed sugar, topped with warm cinnamon apples & organic maple butter. Delicious! My companion had THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (not pictured): sourdough. housemade beet hummus. avocado pickled red onion, & microgreens (also very good though the bread is proportionally a little bit too thick for my personal liking). They have a great drinks menu and the standard drip coffee was on point! Highly recommend "The Little Lion" and selfishly I hope it doesnt become too popular, however, I think it will be quite difficult to keep this establishment under wraps for long ;) read more

The Little Lion - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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I had a great brunch at the little lion! The staff was very friendly & I loved the decor & interior of this spot! We tried: * Biscuits and gravy (6/10) a little on the dry side but the gravy had lots of flavor. * Brie omelette (4/10) interesting combo of flavors but not my fave. I did really like the sweet potato side dish I give that an (8/10) very tasty! * Smash chorizo tacos (10/10) these were so delicious & had lots of good flavor a little spice kick but I really enjoyed these! Little lion was a really great spot! Definitely return when I'm back in town! read more

The Little Lion - Brunch - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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It's always a pleasure coming here, this will be our fifth time here with my father in law. He had the lemon pepper wings with sweet potato fries and I had the after brunch burger with sweet potato fries and everything was delicious. We try to get something different every time we are here. And everything is always good and delicious. The staff is always friendly and welcoming the atmosphere is hip and welcoming. We love coming back, it's kinda our getaway from all the hustle and bustle of things going on in our lives. It's a special place for me and my father in law to share and hang out together. I love this place and the people. read more

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Loved it went for lunch during work break ordered harvest salad yum! Also ordered strawberry matcha latte delish! Service was great ! I recommend this place ambiance was so cozy too ! read more

Such a gem. I went this morning to have brunch all by myself. I was greeted immediately and told I could sit wherever I was comfortable which I appreciated since I was by myself. I chose a spot near the back and the helpful waiter took me through the drink options. I decided on the salted Carmel latte and he suggested it iced. It was perfect. Then the menu. Oh my goodness. Trying to decide on one thing was so hard. The options were amazing and again, my poor waiter had to answer 843 questions but he was so patient and I really appreciate that when you ask for someone's opinion, that they give it! He explained why my choices might be a good idea or why it might be better to save that option for when I come with a friend to share. It made total sense and I decided on the Royale.. the Eggs Benedict. It was so impressive. I almost asked for the hollandaise on the side because I was nervous but I didn't want to be "extra" so I just went for it. I am so glad I did!! It was amazing. It was hard for me to trust that a sauce poured all over my dish would not ruin it. It was a big step for me if I'm being honest and I am truly so glad I did. It was just perfect. Not overwhelming. Not underwhelming. It was just right. I finished the whole thing. The lighting and the decor of the restaurant was so inviting. Congrats to the owner. She should be proud of her beautiful establishment and proud of her staff that represents her so well even when she isn't there to over see them. I know how hard it is so be an owner and this place truly shows how much love and attention has gone into it. Kudos to you all. read more

The Little Lion - The Royale Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

Great food, but the service is a little lacking! It was super busy so I will not shame them for that, but we waited a while for service. I have to say that other than their Tennessee benedict and their goat cheese balls, the food, especially the frittata, lacked flavor and was lackluster. I would only come here for the frittata! The cafe au lait was also incredibly watered down and not great at all. If you are to get coffee, get a latte instead. read more

Now that I'm retired, I have made it a point to try new places and rarely eat at the same place often. Today my wife and I had lunch at The Little Lion, and I quickly realized this will be an exception to the rule as I am already looking forward to returning. My wife ordered the Cowboy Burger, and I had the Chicken Club sandwich and iced coffee. Everything was fantastic, and the service was prompt and friendly, and the decor is bright and fits the mood perfectly. I rarely take the time to leave Yelp reviews unless I am really happy with an experience. My only complaint was that with this place being just a couple of blocks from where I live and easily within walking distance, why did I wait so long to try it out? 5/5 read more

Service was wonderful, everyone that works there is very friendly and efficient. The food was very good. The design of the restaurant is comfortable and uses the space very well. read more

This place popped up in my Yelp feed a few weeks ago, and it quickly gained a lot of positive reviews and feedback, so I added it to my list of places to try. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of going in with high expectations, and the food was a big disappointment. The concept was great, new dishes, interesting combinations, and unique flavor profiles, but sadly, everything was just too salty. The biscuits, which were a big reason I wanted to try this place, were dry and bland. The service and coffee were good, but when it came to the food, The Little Lion really let me down. My wife and I ordered both a savory and a sweet dish to compare, and honestly, the fruit on the side was the best part of the meal. I'm not sure if we'll visit again. Maybe I'll try the dinner service, but I want to see if they make it past the one-year mark before I do. read more

This new place popped up as I was deciding where to go for lunch. When we arrived it was busy but not packed so we got seated right away. The Poke Nachos was yummy, the flavors of all the ingredients blended very well. The Elote Steak Tacos came with three tacos, each filled with thick medium rare cubes of steak. Meat was tender, sauce was creamy, it was delicious. My friend had the Hot Honey Chicken which he enjoyed very much. Service was good, food came out pretty fast and our server checked on us frequently. Since we had to go back to work we couldn't partake in any alcohol so I'm definitely coming back on the weekend to try their mimosa flight as well as other items on the menu. read more

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The Little Lion is a pleasant surprise I didn't know I needed. For this place to be known as the new IT brunch spot, I love (and appreciate) that they host these special Wine Dinners. You can tell the love and care that goes into the curation of these special pairings. While this was my first dinner in attendance, I have already signed up for the January dinner. I'm eager to see what wonderful food and local wine picks that Jade and Nicole and their team put together. The food was amazing and literally everything complimented each other very well. The wine was flowing and the food was plentiful. At the end of the night, I was completely and utterly satiated. Everyone I came into contact with, were pleasant and accommodating. I loved Jeanette who was busting her butt behind the bar. I wished I could remember everyone's names because they made not only me feel special but also all the other customers that I noticed surrounding me as well. The place was clean and well lit and filled with cozy muted colors. But also had the holiday touches to add the Christmas magic. I loved the addition of the neon lights in the hallway to capture your Instagram moment in the mirror. I had the pleasure of meeting Mama Lion too (Jade's mom) who is a lovely inspiration behind what I hope to be a true success story of this amazing and special restaurant. It truly is a shining star in this unassuming strip mall location. I also have to thank Jade and Nicole for accommodating me in my messy loss of my wallet just days before the event. I'm super grateful for Apple Pay! read more

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Every time we go to Little Lion it is amazing. The food, the service, the general hospitality is always above and beyond. The owner Jade and her whole team (shoutout Nicole and Shaeleigh) always make it an experience to remember. We love doing the Wine Dinners and experiencing new local wineries, meeting the winemakers, and always enjoy the delicious food paired along side! We will be long time return customers. Highly recommend! read more

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~ IT'S GIVING CHARMING & PERFECT BRUNCH ~ The Little Lion is an adorable new spot in Ventura with a cozy and stylish vibe, making it a perfect place for brunch or a casual meal. I've been wanting to check it out for a while but there's usually a long wait. I finally had the chance to visit when meeting a friend for brunch. It was tough choosing what to order since everything on the menu looked delicious--huge thanks to our server for being so patient with us. We went with "The Spanish" and "The Burrata." The chorizo on "The Spanish" was super flavorful, and the combination of flavors in the Burrata was divine. We had no idea the drinks were Taylor Swift themed, but we were all about it. They were beautifully presented, and we especially loved the 'All too well' and 'The Archer.' The Little Lion does some amazing things with figs. The service is friendly, though a little slow during busy times. Prices are reasonable, though some may find them a bit high for the area. Overall, it's a great spot, especially if you get there early. I'll definitely be back to explore more of the menu! read more

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Food was okay, same with the drinks Cute little restaurant & I liked the vibe and set up Our waiter was nice and helped us decide what to get read more

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First thing I noticed is the inviting and modern spacious interior. Whoever designed the restaurant has a great eye for light and space. The bar area is gorgeous, however I was with kiddo so I did not imbibe. The menu is great with breakfast, lunch and brunch options. My child ordered the steak tacos and I ordered the avocado chorizo tacos. Unfortunately my kiddo didn't like all the cotija cheese but that's a reading and communication issue he will learn with time to ask for it the way he likes. I happen to love cotija and I enjoyed my tacos v much! The service was very friendly and helpful. Food came fast and was hot which I appreciate. I will definitely return for an adult experience and try to various drinks. A great addition to the ventura brunch scene!!! read more

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Love The Little Lion! The food, drinks (coffee and cocktails), vibes and general hospitality are always above and beyond. Brunch here is a must - the breakfast tacos are loaded with flavor, brunch cocktails are delicious (don't sleep on the mimosa flights) and the monthly wine pairing dinners are such a fun, local treat. The owner, Jade, and her team always make it an experience to remember. Highly recommend! read more

The Little Lion - East Side Omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ventura, California

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This restaurant was so cute. We decided to come in after a hike, cause I looked a little bunny. I think that is definitely a place where you should look a little better than usual. Some of the patrons gave me some dirty. Looks which I didn't like it very much gave White people only. However, the staff was very friendly and inviting the food was really good. I got the wine slice my daughter enjoyed the food. My mom enjoyed the food. It was a really good time. I definitely will double back for the monthly event that they have where you can try some chef specials as well as some craft wine however caution to the BIPOC community the patrons are very caucasian. I got more looks then I wanted read more