35 Best American Restaurants in Ventura

“I had a another great experience at Immigrant Son! Cortni was incredibly informative and engaging--she really listened to what I wanted and offered some great suggestions. I mentioned I was looking for something keto-friendly and protein-packed, and she recommended a side of chicken and a side of avocado. Simple, healthy, and surprisingly delicious! To top it off, I treated myself to their strawberry sourdough scone--absolutely amazing, especially paired with a good cup of coffee! Ronan, the manager, was exceptional as well. The positive energy in this place is always contagious--it's the kind of vibe that makes you want to come back. Great people, great food, great atmosphere!“

“Today was my first time giving Happy Place Eatery Food Truck a try, Great fast service, super friendly staff. I gotta say the smash burgers are rich, juicy, and full of delicious flavor and the fries are so crispy and yummy with ranch. Hands Down!!! Follow Your Tastebuds“

“If you're searching for a quiet meal on the beach, this place has few rivals. We came here for our anniversary, and LOVED the rooms, the peace and quiet, the row of chaise lounges at water's edge, the restaurant on site, and the gracious continental breakfast. The management was chill, and we couldn't ask for more.“

“With patio, street, and inside dining. Great view of downtown to people watch during you lunch or dinner. Had the 50-50 burger which tasted ok, but combining the bacon with the beef diluted both tastes, "Dukes Favorite" is a bacon burger with a fried egg and this was great. The Gluten free bread instead of a bun tasted great as well. Fries in their own fryer makes them safe to eat. Paid parking on the streets to the north and south.“

“Great live music with local musicians“

“Our group of 6 ordered three pastas, 2 salads, 2 apps (all to eat family style), and had a few cocktails. I forgot to take photos because we were having a great time and conversation. They have $10 cocktails on the happy hour menu and we went on a Saturday around 4:45 (reserved the time) - pleasant surprise to see happy hour on a weekend! Overall, I thought the food was delicious and the cocktails are strong and tasty. The service was also fast and friendly - loved the timing of how each course was brought out. It is on the pricier side and the portions are not super large but if you want a nice treat in a very cute space, it's worth a try!“

“great service, delicious large portions, very fresh n hot coffee“

“is really good for the family“

“As always the food, and service was outstanding ! 5 ⭐️“

“Spendy, but isn’t everything these days? Favorites are the breakfast burritos (huge!) and the chicken fried steak. Beautiful view, friendly staff. Linger a little in the parking lot and soon you will see the Great Blue Heron and white heron activity in the eucalyptus grove across the way. That’s worth a few of those dollars right there - what a treat!“

“I gotta say it's was my first time being there to experience the breakfast on the cozy patio. I order the pecan pancakes with crispy bacon and their special syrup so deelish. The beignets are magnificent. The staff super Friendly!!! I highly recommend you try this French restaurant out . Follow Your Taste Buds!!!“

“I love Stonefire Grill. Their portions are pretty good size.“

“We all loved Paradise Pantry , the food, the presentation, and the service were all fantastic The attached gourmet wine and cheese store is not to be missed. This place is a real gem in Ventura Ca.“

“Thank you Samantha for a nice early dinner tonight 10/7/22 You did a great job considering you could have been issued a bus person to help . Wasn’t thrilled to hear the manager lady reprimand you in the middle of your shift as that can throw anyone off . All in all beautiful young lady giving her all so thank you ?“

“We enjoyed the fried pickles and sandwiches. Fish tacos were also delicious.“

“Great food great staff great all around fun place“

“Ventura is filled with God breakfast restaurants, but this place is the OG of great breakfast. I've been coming here about 40 years, and never disappoints. Complimentary Swedish pancake is a great touch. Plus, Pepper plant on the table - nobody else does this. Don't know what it is? You don't know what you're missing.“

“Let's start with the obvious: you can drive right past this place and not even see it. It is a converted house with minimal signage, and I think that adds to the charm. Reservations highly recommended.

Now to the good and bad ... it's worth the visit but it comes at price. I had their crab cake appetizer (superb) and wild boar shank (you'll have to wait 30 minutes for this to cook), a glass of wine and their flourless chocolate cake. It set me back over $100. I WOULD GO AGAIN. Every bite was top notch. I sat indoors, but there is a small nice patio in back. Next time I'm trying their duck.“

“Great food and great fun for music bingo Thursday!“

“We had the best pizza ever! This little hidden gem has the best mushroom pizza I’ve ever had in my life! And we had the best server, Megan! She is the best server we’ve ever had and this is what keeps me coming back over and over and over again! We love this place and we love Megan! 💯🙌🏻“

“Great food the Bangers and mashers were delicious!!“

“Everything is perfect 😍 Always I go to the Finney’s in Westlake for dinner 🍲 I love this restaurant 🤩“

“Love this place and have been coming for years specifically for their parmesan crusted tacos, think Taco Bell on steroids! They have a lovely patio, you can bring your pups, and the service is outstanding! 👍🏻👍🏻🌮❤️“

“One word, Mimosas! Owned by the same family that owns LoRu's at the Camarillo Outlets. Good food and good service. The (chorizo) breakfast tacos were very good.“

“😊Great healthy lunches. 😀😀“

“Big ole BRC w/Avocado Burrito $10 includes chips/salsa 👌🏾“

“The busy bee café is a place to go eat you could eat indoor or outdoor. They wait on you as soon as you get in they are so nice it’s clean services top-of-the-line, and the food is more than top-of-the-line. Great food come in and get it I live in Santa Barbara and I go to eat there each time, I’m there in Ventura.“

“Awesome Smokey juicy meaty heaven, get you some now!“

“I have been here many times in the past, The service seems to be slipping no longer as friendly of an environment as it used to be.

I am making this comment over my last three experiences, to be fair in the past It's always been great.“

“I have visited The Cave twice, a week apart. The first time was for a wine pairing dinner, which we did with another couple. There were 5 courses (appetizer, salad, two entree courses, and dessert) and each dish was delicious. We decided to return a week later to see if it would be as good for just an ordinary night out. The restaurant was not too busy (it was a Tuesday) but each of the dishes we enjoyed was well prepared and very good. We ordered the Macadamia Crusted Salmon, a chicken special stuffed with goat cheese and spinach, and another chicken dish. The restaurant is attached to a wine shop, and if you don't want to sample wines by the ounce or order wine off the restaurant list, you can go into the shop and choose from literally hundreds of wines at all price points and then bring the bottle into the restaurant where they will serve the wine for a very minimal ($10) corkage fee. Done be put off by its location in an industrial park. This place is a gem! Inside it looks like a wine cave and they usually have some quiet live music at dinner time. This is definitely one of the better dinner spots in Ventura!“

“When Ventura first opened up my wife and I ordered meals to go unfortunately things were a little shaky at the time and the meals were short certain items and some things were correct. After calling Ventura and talking to the manager they agreed that next time we come in the meals would be on them. Well as time goes along some things get lost and today the wife found the receipt and called up the restaurant and talk to the manager his name is Nicholas. Well he did a great job he not only provided the meals for us but he was Very very cordial about it and thoroughly understanding he did a great job he made a lifetime customer with my wife and I and I appreciate his hard work and the good food that comes out of this restaurant thank you“

“What can you say about this place? There is no better Sports Restaurant around. Great food, people, and sports.“

“I absolutely love IHOP! We came here on our last day in California before heading home, and as soon as we walked in, I knew we were going to enjoy it. The menu has a great variety, and we ordered omelettes, pancakes, and waffles. I especially appreciated that each coffee order came with its own jug, so convenient, and they were generous with the milk too.

The pancakes were honestly the best I’ve ever had. It was sooo fluffy and moist, I finished the whole plate. The omelettes were delicious as well. I was genuinely happy dining here. Service was excellent. Well done to the team, amazing job!“

“Red Robin earns a solid 4 stars in my book — it’s a consistently fun, casual place to eat with good food, friendly service, and a family-friendly atmosphere that still works well for teens and adults who just want a laid-back meal. The moment you walk in, you’re greeted with that classic diner-meets-modern-sports-bar vibe, with bright red booths, TVs playing sports or random trivia, and the smell of burgers in the air that kind of makes you hungrier than you thought you were. The menu is big, with lots of burger options, from classic to wild (pineapple and teriyaki, anyone?), and everything feels customizable — you can swap patties, remove toppings, or go with a lettuce wrap if you’re trying to be healthier, which I appreciate.

The bottomless fries are a huge win — crispy, well-seasoned, and super addicting, and if you ask, they’ll bring you more without hesitation. Their milkshakes are thick and indulgent, and the freckled lemonade is still a fan favorite. It’s not exactly “gourmet” food, but it’s good quality for the price, and portions are generous. They also have options beyond burgers — like salads, chicken sandwiches, and even vegetarian and gluten-free dishes — so there’s usually something for everyone.

Service tends to be friendly and pretty quick, though depending on how busy it is, you might have to wait a bit for refills or extra fries — nothing major, but it’s worth noting if you’re on a tight schedule. The restaurant is also family-oriented, so you’ll often hear kids laughing or the occasional birthday song from across the dining room, which is fun for some people and a bit much for others depending on the mood. Still, it doesn’t take away from the experience — it just adds to that casual, all-ages vibe they’re going for.

Overall, Red Robin isn’t trying to be super fancy, and that’s exactly why it works — it’s comfortable, tasty, and dependable, especially when you’re craving a big burger and fries in a setting where you don’t have to dress up or feel rushed. A few minor things (like noise or wait times during rush hours) keep it from being five stars, but I’d still definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a chill, satisfying meal with friends or family.“

“It’s always a favorite. Beautiful classy interior and exterior. The best food and drinks are the best.“