Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Ventura County

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Ventura County? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

West Tasting Room

4.8

4.8 (121)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Voted an OpenTable Diner’s Choice, West Tasting Room believes the best moments happen when great food and wine meet. Enjoy curated boards and rustic pizzas paired with wines worth lingering over — no fancy menus, no pretense. Proudly women-owned, we invite you to join the wine club, drop in for monthly events, or plan a private party — we’ll bring the perfect pairing, you bring the company.

Guests of all ages are welcome in the tasting room.

Top review

TammyGold

Dined on May 12, 2026

I brought my friend who has just finished her cancer treatment out to celebrate. When we walked in, the owner Lindsay greeted us with her warm smile. She chatted with us about the different wines and even gave us a few extra samples when we asked about different wines. The pizza we had was very flavorful! The afternoon was perfect. Thank you!

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Experience

Happy Hour All Day: $10 glasses from 12 - 4 PM

Holdren's Newbury Park

4.7

4.7 (1318)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Holdren’s in Newbury Park offers you the sensational taste that you would only find at a steak and seafood restaurant like this one. With such spectacular meal options and an equally spectacular interior, you are sure to enjoy your dining experience. The interior of Holdren’s appears upscale whether you opt for indoor or outdoor dining, but the atmosphere is inviting and rather laidback.

Perhaps one of the most sought after dishes is the beef wellington, which is a delectable 6-ounce filet combined with mushrooms and cheese and wrapped in a delicate puff pastry that is then coated with a Merlot demi glaze. Other meal options include center cut pork chops and rack of lamb. Grab your friends and family and head into Holdren’s for you next delicious dinner.

Top review

Monte

Dined 6 days ago

It's a gem of a steak house. Can't wait to go back.

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar - Thousand Oaks

4.7

4.7 (68)

$30 and under

American

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Lazy Dog serves handcrafted American food and drink with seasonally-inspired ingredients. When you walk in, you get a small mountain town vibe from the warm, caring service and the rustic social setting. It's a great place to get together with friends and family.

Top review

Edward

Dined on May 12, 2026

Mom loved her birthday, and we all really loved the food, I tried for the first time the fried chicken, cucumber salad and of course had the bacon candy and crispy devil eggs. We can't wait to do this again this summer. We are regulars at AMC theater, so easy to grab a meal. Thank you again for Kelsey's great service (I hope I spelled her name right?). Sincerely Ed.

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Experience

$15 Fireside Favorites™

Experience

$25 Beers + Bites with Dad

Rumfish y Vino - Ventura, CA

4.7

4.7 (2184)

$30 and under

American

Ventura

About the restaurant

Spectacular outdoor dining in Downtown Ventura, a Central American Cuisine + Gastro-Bar, Rumfish y Vino. The second location outside of the original in Belize.

Top review

KerriGold

Dined 1 day ago

Food and wine were amazing! Kelly our waitress was very friendly and offered some great suggestions! Definitely coming back again

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4.7

4.7 (141)

$30 and under

Italian

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Born from the soul of a beloved Italian classic, Nonna in Westlake Village, this modern sister restaurant reimagines tradition through a contemporary lens. Warm woods, natural stone, soft velvet, and lush greenery set the stage for a space that feels effortlessly elegant—where old-world Italian hospitality meets modern, classy, swanky energy.

The menu celebrates Italy with a fresh point of view: familiar flavors refined, elevated, and presented with intention. It’s a place where handcrafted cocktails sparkle at the bar, conversations linger over beautifully plated dishes, and every detail—from the lighting to the live music—invites you to slow down and savor the moment.

Whether you’re joining us for an intimate dinner, a stylish night out, or a celebratory gathering, this is where timeless Italian comfort meets modern sophistication. Familiar, yet exciting. Refined, yet welcoming. A new chapter—rooted in tradition, designed for today. Sette Sorelle - Open for reservations now.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 1 day ago

Door opened for us when walking in, checked in for 6:15 pm reservation for 2. Table ready. Water glasses filled. Jackson was a fantastic waiter. Everything perfect from cocktails, appetizer, salad, main course & dessert! Manager stopped by to acknowledge us & make sure we were pleased with our meal & service. Will definitely be back.

Market Broiler’s - MB Grille - Simi Valley

4.6

4.6 (1272)

$30 and under

Seafood

Simi Valley

About the restaurant

OUR FRESH NEW CONCEPT
Along with a new upgraded Dock-to-Dish menu, we have extended the Bar area, added 16 Draft Beer handles, elevated the Wine List, modernized our hand-crafted Cocktails, and enclosed an area for large parties to reserve for Private Dining.

Additionally, we have enhanced our Happy Hour, and Late Night Bar offerings, created new made-in-house scrumptious Desserts, and retrained our staff to perfect our Polished Casual Service.

Top review

marioGold

Dined 6 days ago

Xenia our waitress was amazing on time with our food and drinks and BJ our bartender was fantastic with making our cocktails

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Westlake Village

4.5

4.5 (66)

$30 and under

American

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Time counts at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse. Since our humble beginnings back in 1978, we've continued to refine our brewhouse experience to make BJ's a place where you can make the most of any meal. We want BJ's to be a place where the moment you leave is the moment you plan on coming back. We pride ourselves in our craft and attention to detail. Our guests come here for our award-winning handcrafted beer. They come here for the Southern California twist we've put on the Chicago-style deep dish pizza. And they come here for our Pizookies®, our world-renowned dessert. But above all we know people come here to make their good times better. So in many ways we haven't just crafted a brand, but a mindset. And our guests are the reason for this. And it's because of them we're continually striving to make sure every moment they choose to spend with us counts. Welcome to BJ's, a restaurant with a Brewhouse soul.

Top review

lynda

Dined on Apr 17, 2026

I frequent the restaurant weekly and have never had a bad meal or poor service.

Black Angus Steakhouse - Ventura

4.3

4.3 (1258)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Ventura

About the restaurant

Indoor dining is now available. Reservations Recommended, Walk-Ins Accepted.

WE’VE BEEN MASTERING OUR CRAFT SINCE 1964, so you could say we know a thing or two. Our cuts are aged at least 21 days, seasoned to excellence, expertly flame-grilled and served up just the way you like it. You’ve earned it. Whether you’re here to throw back a couple with old friends or trying to finish off the High Noon Feast on your own, there’s always a seat for you. So here’s to the nights you can’t remember and the steaks you won’t forget. To learn more visit www.blackangus.com

Top review

ArleneGold

Dined 5 days ago

This is the best "treasure" that Ventura has to offer. It is consistently good food, good atmosphere and a wonderful staff that remembers you after their incredible service. Always a joy to entertain in this restaurant!

Casa Bella Prime Steak & Seafood

4.2

4.2 (621)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Ventura

About the restaurant

Welcome to Casa Bella. Located in historic Downtown Ventura. Traditional steakhouse cuisine with innovative twists. We specialize in USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, and familiar but unique dishes that will keep you coming back for more. Romantic indoor and outdoor dining on our beautiful heated patio.
Our "Filet Mignon Chile Relleno" whole poblano pepper stuffed with prime steak, sautéed mushrooms, spinach, onion, jack cheese, topped with avocado, & crema.
"Chef's Chateau" our 8oz prime center cut steak served over parmesan risotto, topped with blackened grilled shrimp. Pair it with our "Green Chile Twice Baked Potato," "Jalapeño Roasted Mac & Cheese" or "Balsamic Brussels Sprouts."
We offer a full bar with premium craft cocktails, 20oz local draft beer, & an incredible Wine Spectator Award-Winning wine list with competitive pricing. Enjoy the Casa Bella experience, the ultimate ambeince & become our newest regular. We can't wait to see you!

Top review

Sherry

Dined on May 13, 2026

Lovely evening. Great food. My son said better than Mastros. Will be back for sure. Calm beautiful comfortable and delicious.

Crawford's Social

4.2

4.2 (810)

$30 and under

American

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

Crawford’s Social is a unique, social gathering place in the heart of Westlake Village. Created by local residents, Crawford’s Social offers guests expertly crafted cocktails, boutique wines and locally brewed beers, along with an inventive, California-inspired shareable menu – housed in a stunning, lounge-like, indoor-outdoor environment. Crawford Social is dedicated to delivering a service experience that is the industry gold standard while creating a casual, social atmosphere perfect for friends and family to gather.

Top review

Ron

Dined 4 days ago

Our server, William was awesome. His recommendations were spot on. Service & food was exceptional.

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Popular dish

CRISPY BRUSSEL SPROUTS

Popular dish

CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Popular dish

TUNA AVOCADO

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