If you’ve read any of our other blogs, you would know that I (Kelsey) am a coffee shop obsessive. Anywhere we go, I need to find the best cafe or coffee shop. After living in Ojai for 6 months, I can confidently recommend the best Ojai Coffee Shops to visit if you’re ever in town. ☕️
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The Best Ojai Coffee Shops
Ojai Coffee Roasters – for small town cozy vibes
Located right on the main street, Ojai Coffee Roasters is a quaint and small cafe that will not disappoint. I would probably consider this my personal favorite of the Ojai Coffee Shops. They have a large selection of drink options and pretty much every flavor (like Vanilla Caramel or even Rose and Lavender) you could think of! I really enjoyed their Iced and Hot Lattes, and if you aren’t into coffee, their house made Lavender Lemonade is delicious!
I’ve found that since it is a smaller shop, it is sometimes harder to get a table, but if you manage to get a table near the wall, there are plenty of outlets for you to park and get some work done. The baristas are super kind and make an effort to remember regulars. If you think you will come to Ojai Coffee Roaster more than once, make sure you grab a punch card for a free drink after you buy 10!
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The Dutchess – for aesthetic rustic yummy bakery vibes
This is probably the most popular cafe/coffee shop in Ojai. Out of the Ojai Coffee Shops on this list, The Dutchess probably has the best overall vibe if you also want to have a good meal! An extremely aesthetic and rustic vibe, The Dutchess is THE place to go for not just a cup of coffee, but also a delicious breakfast/brunch. In my opinion, the food is better than the coffee but everything at this store is definitely California priced so if you want a cheaper option, I would suggest the other two places on this list.
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Since it is more of a food/coffee place rather than a typical coffee shop, I found that sitting at a table and working to be a bit more awkward depending on the day. Some days, there were multiple people sitting on their laptops and getting work done. Other days, I was the only person with my computer out and everyone around me were families grabbing a nice brunch together. I didn’t mind too much, but since The Dutchess is a bigger place, the vibe really changed depending on the day. There are more outlets in the middle room behind the counter and the very back room and pretty much no outlets at the front of the shop by the pastry case and the register.
All that being said, the food at The Dutchess is amazing, the coffee is still delicious and their bakery is next level.
Side note: The Dutchess turns into a full Burmese/American style restaurant at night, so be sure to plan to come back for an equally spectacular dinner!
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Java and Joe – for quick delicious coffee on the go
The coffee at Java and Joe is probably the cheapest (although still a bit pricey, but hey, we’re in Ojai California) but still extremely high quality. They have a large assortment of drinks and because they are located off the main street, I found it to be a lot more calm. Also, if you are ever in need of a coffee maker or gift for a loved one, Java and Joe is THE PLACE to buy any sort of coffee gift imaginable.
The one problem I had with Java and Joe is that there is no indoor seating making it impossible to find a place where I could work on my laptop. They do have three or four tables with chairs right outside the shop on the sidewalk, but I wouldn’t want to do work there.
Overall, I would recommend Java and Joe if you are looking for a drink to grab and go!
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Kalorama Coffee Cart – secret tip for those who go to the Sunday Farmer’s Market
If you happen to find yourself in Ojai on the weekend, make sure you head to the Ojai Farmer’s Market on Sunday and grab a cup of coffee from the Kalorama Coffee Cart! Their latte’s are super delicious and I love grabbing an Iced Honey Lavender Latte and walking around the different produce stands. A hidden gem and it is a shame they don’t have an permanent physical shop! You don’t want to miss this one!
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Summary – Coffee Shops in Ojai
There are also a few other great spots that I wouldn’t necessarily classify as a traditional cafe, but I would still highly recommend! They are:
- Café Boku: health cafe with many vegan options for lunch
- Revel Kombucha Bar & Acai: really cool kombucha on tap bar that also serves really yummy acai
If you are able to drive a bit farther to the nearby beach town of Ventura, there are also a ton of great coffee shops here! Make sure to checkout our Top Things to Do in Ojai, as well as our guide to a Day Trip to Santa Barbara.
