Olivella

Should You Book Olivella?

Booking Olivella is easy relative to its quality tier — this is a Pearl Recommended restaurant for 2025, and reservations at resort restaurants of this calibre in Southern California typically require a week or two of lead time rather than months of planning. That makes it a realistic choice for a trip to Ojai rather than a trip-defining gamble. The harder question is whether it earns its $$$ price point, and for most visitors staying at or near Ojai Valley Inn, the answer is yes — though you should go in knowing exactly what it offers.

The Restaurant

Olivella is the signature dining room at Ojai Valley Inn, a resort that draws a consistent crowd of Hollywood figures, politicians, and well-off families. The restaurant opened in 2015 and sits within a property that has its own gravitational pull in Southern California resort travel. For first-time visitors, that setting is part of the value calculation: the dual patios face the Ojai Valley and on clear evenings offer views of the valley's well-documented "pink moment" at sunset. The physical layout gives you a choice between indoor dining and alfresco seating, which matters more here than at a city restaurant , if the weather cooperates, request a patio table when you book.

The dining room itself is resort-scale but not overwhelming. If you are returning after a first visit, the bar area is worth considering as an alternative to a full table. The cocktail list runs to things like A Clockwork Orange (gin, Campari, vermouth, basil, balsamic), and the spirits selection covers top-shelf whiskeys and tequilas in depth. Sitting at the bar gives you access to the full menu while watching the kitchen's rhythm , a better experience than a table in the middle of the room if you are dining as a couple or solo.

Chef Andrew Foskey works a Californian French format with a strong Italian thread. The inspector highlights include TransparentSea Farm king prawns with prawn butter, fennel, prosciutto and cherry peppers; Channel Islands swordfish with endive, sea bean, caper and white wine sauce; and a rigatoni Bolognese that has been on the menu since opening in 2015. That longevity on the Bolognese matters: dishes that survive decade-long menu rotations at ambitious restaurants tend to be genuinely good rather than just crowd-pleasing. Desserts include an Ojai olive oil cake with candied fennel, olive oil curd, pistachio, basil meringue and Greek yogurt sorbet, and an almond and cherry semifreddo with pomegranate, Luxardo cherries and almond crumble.

The wine program is substantial: 1,375 selections and an inventory of 16,000 bottles, with particular depth in Burgundy, Bordeaux, California, Piedmont, and broader France and Italy. Pricing sits at $$$ on Pearl's scale, meaning the list has significant $100-plus bottle representation. Corkage is $35 if you bring your own. A four-course wine-pairing dinner option is available for those who want the full format. Wine Director Melissa Lamb and her team are on hand to guide selections , the inspector notes service that is attentive without hovering, which is harder to achieve than it sounds at a resort restaurant of this size.

The sourcing program draws from local Ojai Valley farms, ranches, orchards and the California Central Coast, with the menu shifting to follow seasonal availability. For a returning visitor, that means the menu you ate on a first trip will not be identical to what you find now , worth checking what is current before you go rather than assuming your previous order is still available.

For comparable Californian French dining in the region, La Bicyclette in Carmel-by-the-Sea operates in a similar price tier with a different coastal register, while Bistro Napa in Reno covers the same cuisine category at a different price position. Within Ojai itself, Rory's Place offers Californian coastal cooking at a lower price point, and The Dutchess brings a Burmese alternative for those who want something outside the European-Californian format. See our full Ojai restaurants guide for the complete picture.

Practical Details

Olivella serves dinner. Private dining is available for groups. The address is 905 Country Club Road, Ojai, CA 93023. For broader trip planning, see our guides to Ojai hotels, Ojai bars, Ojai wineries, and Ojai experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far ahead should I book Olivella?

• One to two weeks out is generally sufficient. Olivella sits in the easy-to-book category for a Pearl Recommended $$$ restaurant, which is useful for visitors planning a trip to Ojai with some flexibility in their schedule. Weekend dinner slots at the resort will fill faster than midweek, so if you have a specific date, book as soon as your plans are confirmed.

Can I eat at the bar at Olivella?

• Yes, and for couples or solo diners it is a better option than a mid-room table. The full menu is available, the cocktail program is worth exploring (the spirits list runs deep on whiskey and tequila), and the bar format suits the Californian French menu well. Go early if you want a specific seat.

What should I order at Olivella?

• The inspector highlights three dishes with confidence: the TransparentSea Farm king prawns with prawn butter, fennel, prosciutto and cherry peppers; the Channel Islands swordfish with endive, sea bean, caper and white wine sauce; and the rigatoni Bolognese, which has been on the menu since 2015. On desserts, the Ojai olive oil cake and the almond and cherry semifreddo are both named by the inspector. If you are a returning visitor, note that seasonal sourcing means the broader menu rotates , check what is current before you arrive.

Is Olivella good for a special occasion?

• Yes, with the right expectations. The $$$ price point, the wine program (1,375 selections, sommelier service, four-course pairing option), and the patio views make it a solid choice for a birthday or anniversary dinner. It is a resort restaurant rather than a standalone destination, so the experience includes the Ojai Valley Inn setting , which is an asset if you are already staying there, and still worth the visit if you are not. Private dining is available for groups wanting a more enclosed celebration.

Can Olivella accommodate groups?

• Yes. Private dining is listed as an amenity. For larger parties, calling ahead to discuss the private room is the practical move , the main dining room and patios work for small groups, but a dedicated private space gives you more control over the evening for celebrations or business dinners.

What are alternatives to Olivella in Ojai?

• Within Ojai, Rory's Place is the main alternative for Californian cooking at a lower price point. The Dutchess offers Burmese cuisine if you want something outside the European-Californian format entirely. For the same Californian French category in a different California setting, La Bicyclette in Carmel-by-the-Sea is the closest stylistic peer. See our full Ojai restaurants guide for the complete local picture.