The 5 Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Ojai: My Favorite Places for Coffee in 2026

Heading out in the morning and finding a new coffee shop for my morning fix is literally one of my favorite things to do, especially when I’m traveling. At this point, it’s basically become a little ritual for me.

I’m a huge coffee lover, and after spending so much time traveling around California, I can pretty comfortably say that California has some of the best cafes and coffee shops in the USA. So obviously, when we got to Ojai, I had to go on the hunt for some good coffee here too.

And considering Ojai is such a small town, I was actually pretty impressed by how many good cafes I managed to find.

So, to save you guys from having to do all the trial and error every morning like I did, I put together this guide to the best cafes and coffee shops in Ojai that I tried and liked the most.

What Are the Best Cafes & Coffee Shops in Ojai? I’ve Got the Answers

I genuinely never get tired of trying new coffee shops, especially here in California, because the coffee scene is just so good.

Before I get into my recommendations, though, there’s one thing you should know about my coffee preferences: I’m a specialty coffee guy.

Give me a good espresso-based coffee, a latte, cappuccino, cortado, flat white, you name it, and I’m happy. That’s what I usually order, and that’s also what I’ve based most of my opinions in this guide on.

So if your ideal coffee is a double cold-foam cinnamon-swirl iced latte with approximately 14 different things sprinkled on top, this might not be the list for you!

My favorite cafe in Ojai was definitely Highly Likely Ojai. I had the huevos rancheros here for breakfast, which were delicious, and the coffee was seriously on point too.

My second favorite was Three Birds, which has a really cute little outdoor patio and feels much more like a neighborhood cafe. It’s cozy, relaxed and a little quieter, which I really enjoyed.

1. Highly Likely Ojai // Best Overall Cafe in Ojai

Opening Hours: 8am-9pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★★
Menu & Location

In my opinion, Highly Likely Ojai is the best cafe in Ojai that I visited. And I’m specifically calling it a cafe here rather than a coffee shop because this is much more of a proper sit-down breakfast restaurant than somewhere you just pop in for a quick coffee.

We came here for a full breakfast, and luckily, it was a beautiful blue-sky day, so we got to sit outside on their awesome patio. That was already a big plus for me.

We tried the huevos rancheros and the chicken and waffles, and both were seriously delicious. The coffee was really good too. It wasn’t the best barista coffee I’ve ever had, but definitely good enough that I’d happily order another one.

So if you’re looking for somewhere to have a proper breakfast in Ojai, this would definitely be my first recommendation.

And Highly Likely Ojai is open throughout the day too, so they also have lunch and dinner menus. I didn’t get to try those myself, but if the breakfast is anything to go by, it might be worth checking out.

2. Three Birds // Best Ojai Coffee Shop

Opening Hours: 7am-4pm
Price: $$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Three Birds was my favorite coffee shop/cafe in Ojai when I just wanted to come somewhere for a good cup of coffee, maybe read a book for a while, or even get a little work done.

It’s located off the main road in a quieter residential area, so the whole place feels a lot more peaceful than some of the busier cafes in town. 

The coffee was good, but my favorite part was probably the outdoor patio. It’s just a really beautiful little space where you can sit outside, drink your coffee and take your time.

And Three Birds also perfectly captures how quirky Ojai’s cafes can be because, of course, there’s a little bookshop inside. I always love being able to browse through books or random little things while I’m waiting for my coffee, so this was right up my alley.

3. The Dutchess // Best Brunch in Ojai

Opening Hours: 7am-2pm, 5pm-9pm
Price: $$$
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

How would I describe The Dutchess? Hmm… maybe an upscale breakfast restaurant would fit pretty well.

It’s definitely a cafe, but when we visited, it felt a little more elevated than the other places on this list, and I thought the food matched that vibe.

Everything we had was delicious and definitely felt a little more refined than your average cafe breakfast. We had their breakfast plate and, once again, I went for the chicken and waffles because apparently I just can’t stop ordering that dish.

The coffee was really good too, but personally, I’d come here more for the full breakfast experience than just to grab a coffee.

And then there’s the real highlight: The Dutchess has its own in-house bakery. Their pastries, especially the croissants, were seriously good. I had one while we were there and then literally bought another one to take home for later.

That should tell you everything you need to know.

4. Rory’s Other Place

Opening Hours: 7:30am-3:30pm
Price: $
My Rating: ★★★★
Menu & Location

Rory’s Other Place is for sure one of the most popular cafes in Ojai. It’s right in the middle of town, and I’d say it’s one of the most solid places to come for breakfast or lunch.

The whole place is super cozy and feels very Ojai, and they also make some really good coffee. My favorite thing I had here was their breakfast burrito, which was awesome. And yes, you absolutely have to add the chorizo!

They also have a cute little outdoor patio, which makes it a really nice place to come for a casual breakfast and coffee. It feels much more relaxed than somewhere like The Dutchess, but it’s still more than just a coffee shop, if that makes sense. I’d say it’s just your classic, really good neighborhood cafe.

5. Coffee Connection

Opening Hours: 6am-1pm
Price: $
Menu & Location

Coffee Connection is the only place on this list that isn’t actually in the Ojai center. It’s a little further outside town, and I think it’s the perfect place to grab a really good coffee on your way into or out of Ojai.

Let’s say you’re leaving Ojai early in the morning and want to grab a coffee without having to deal with finding parking in the middle of town. That’s exactly when I’d come here.

They make a really good espresso, and there’s nothing overly complicated about it. It’s just good coffee, easy parking and no fuss, which honestly is sometimes exactly what I need.

FAQs About the Best Ojai Coffee Shops

Where Can I Get a Good Breakfast in Ojai?

For a proper breakfast in Ojai, I’d highly recommend The Dutchess and Highly Likely Ojai. They were both my favorite places for a really good breakfast while I was here.

What Is the Best Cafe in Ojai?

Overall, I’d say Three Birds or Highly Likely Ojai. Both have really good coffee and really nice outdoor patios, although they have slightly different vibes depending on what you’re looking for.

Is Ojai Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! I loved Ojai, especially because it’s so much less touristy and crowded than many other places in California. I think it’s the perfect one-night weekend getaway.

Should I Stay the Night in Ojai?

I’d say yes, mainly because there are so many awesome boutique hotels in Ojai, and I think they’re definitely part of the experience. But you don’t have to stay overnight either. Ojai is totally doable as a day trip if you’re short on time.

What Is There to Do in Ojai?

Ojai has some great hiking, shopping, super cool cafes and restaurants, amazing spas and some really fun wine tasting. For me, it felt much more like a relaxing, treat-yourself kind of weekend than a trip where you’re running around checking off attractions.

Final Thoughts on the Best Cafes in Ojai

Compared to somewhere like Santa Barbara, Ojai definitely has a smaller coffee and cafe scene simply because Ojai itself is so much smaller. But I still managed to find some really great cafes and coffee shops here, and honestly, if you’re only coming for a weekend or even just one night, I think these five recommendations are all you really need.

If I only had one morning in Ojai, I’d probably go to Highly Likely Ojai for breakfast. And if I was in more of a lazy brunch mood, I’d probably head to The Dutchess instead.

Either way, you really can’t go too wrong. Grab a coffee, find a nice patio, take your time and enjoy the morning.

I hope this little guide on the best cafes and coffee shops in Ojai gave you a good idea of where to head tomorrow morning!

Check Out My Other Ojai Guides

Is Ojai Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

Where to Stay in Ojai California: My Favorite Hotels & Areas

Things to Do in Ojai: The Best Activities I Did

The Best Time to Visit Ojai: My Seasonal Guide

The Best Restaurants in Ojai: My Top Foodie Spots

The Best Coffee Shops in Ojai: My Absolute Favorite Cafes

Day Trip to Ojai: How I Spent 24 Hours in Ojai