Cafe Fiore
Italian restaurant · Ventura ·

Cafe Fiore

Italian restaurant · Ventura ·

Intimate yet bustling trattoria with live music & patio dining

homemade pasta
great service
delicious food
amazing food
cozy atmosphere
friendly service
romantic atmosphere
bread
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null
Cafe Fiore by null

Information

66 S California St, Ventura, CA 93001 Get directions

$30–50

Order delivery
See Menu
Restroom
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Dinner reservations recommended
Cozy

Information

Static Map

66 S California St, Ventura, CA 93001 Get directions

+1 805 653 1266
cafefiore.net
@cafefiorevta
𝕏
@cafefiorevta

$30–50 · Menu

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Popular for dinner
•Dinner reservations recommended
•Cozy
•Romantic
•Trendy

Last updated

Jan 22, 2026

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The 19 Best Restaurants Near Lake Tahoe - Tahoe - The Infatuation

"Cafe Fiore is South Lake Tahoe’s long-standing date-night staple, so if you’re looking to actually bring the romance your lakeside summer getaway, call and book a table here. The small cafe is tucked away inside a decades-old log cabin and serves some of the best pasta and Italian classics in the area. The eggplant crepes stuffed with smoked salmon and sherry cream are a must-order, and the veal scaloppine with wild mushrooms, garlic, and tarragon is a decadent third or fourth course. When we say make a reservation, we mean it—they only take them by phone and should be made as far in advance as possible." - suzie dundas

https://www.theinfatuation.com/tahoe/guides/best-restaurants-near-lake-tahoe-nevada-california
Cafe Fiore

Ishan K.

Google
Me and my family (party of 4) went to Cafe Fiore and had a decent time. To start off, the atmosphere was lovely with nice lighting. The waitress was very polite and the food came with only a little wait. They also gave us some delicious complementary bread. We ordered the Shirley temple, gnocchi, the Pasta Integrale, and the Pollo Parmigiana. The Shirley temples tasted a bit too artificial. I would give the food a higher rating but I think my family just made the wrong choices in terms of what we liked, so can’t really rate it properly. But we really liked the pasta intergale. It had a really nice pesto flavor.

Alexander M.

Google
Just as a fish rots from the head down so does a rancid attitude descend from owner Maria F. to her servers Cyndi G. who sent an unprofessional and condescending private message to me in response to my original 3 star review and our main server of the night who’s name I never got and prompted me create this review in the first place. I have never had such bad service that I felt a responsibly to not only post an honest review of their service but also go in at a later date to ensure management knew how poor their service was for a larger party. I was not there to get anything for free or a reduction or refund on $123 included tip. I was just there to share my experience at their restaurant a few nights prior. One of the first things Maria F. (the owner according to yelp) says to me is that Cyndi G. tells us everything she responds to. That alone told me she couldn’t care less about anything I had to say because she already knew. So I asked her if she thought the response I got from Cyndi G. was in anyway condescending or unprofessional and she said no. The conversation went on a bit longer but I mainly wanted to give her our parties perspective on what happened even though I could tell that it was going nowhere. The food was not great enough as to tolerate this unfortunate level of customer service. My original review is below. It was 3 stars because the food was good but I had to change it the following my interactions with Cyndi G. and Maria F. Now Cyndi G. has begun like and comment on this post as I update it to taunt or try to kill me with fake kindness. I approve of her continued abysmal customer service. Let everyone know who you are girly I'm having fun too!! Food was amazing!! Service however was not. Server Cyndi G brought us something we did not order and then gave an attitude when we asked to have it removed from the bill. Unfortunately had to ask for a manager to get a 6 dollar item removed from a $790 check. Far from ideal service from the server Cyndi G but we really appreciated the manager who took the item off without question.

Behnaz P.

Google
Awful food and place to have a good dinning experience. They ask you how you want your steak medium or well done as if they are going to make it fresh, then they take a refrigerated cold meat and serve it cold. Not sure what the hell the cook was thinking. This was after I had to return the chicken soup to be heated because it was cold. Avoid by all means to dine there because it leaves you disgusted and angry.

Lisa S.

Google
We absolutely love Cafe Fiore! Starting with the most delicious homemade bread served with a bruschetta sauce. We’ve enjoyed lunch and dinners here the last three weeks in a row and Edwin has been the Best Server on the patio. Pastas made in house, pizza was insane, fresh delicious toppings and yummy crust!

Miv

Google
Date night, fun night! Great ambience, wonderful food. Went there with my partner and sat at one of the booths near the bar. It wasn't too loud or crowded for a Sunday night, so it was perfect. We had the burrata salad as an appetizer. It was very delicious. One of the best I've had. For our entree, I had the pasta al forno, while my girl had the cioppino. They do make all their sauces and pasta in-house, and I gotta say, they knock it out of the park. I highly recommend this place if you're in the area. Let's not forget their waiting area with a warm hearth, which created a cozy and inviting space where you can share a glass of wine while you wait for a table.

Rosie

Google
Great food, ambiance and location. Wine list was also a big plus. Great portion sizes! Ordered two salads and a main for two people and had plenty of leftovers.

Neen C.

Google
Had a wonderful evening at Café Fiore in downtown Ventura. We sat outside — it was a little chilly, but the heaters kept us comfortable. The inside atmosphere looked cozy and romantic, perfect for a date night. Bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. We weren’t very hungry, so my husband and I shared the Cozze e Vongole along with a half bottle of Chianti — both were excellent. But the best part? The bread! Hands down, the best free bread we’ve ever had — a mix of French bread and focaccia served with garlic marinara. Absolutely delicious! Great service, great vibe, and amazing food. We’d definitely come back next time we’re in Ventura.

Roger F.

Google
Everything was great. I had a pear salad and cheese ravioli. Good stuff! Roy Rogers drinks were overpriced though.
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Kris P.

Yelp
I'm honestly surprised this place only has a 3.5-star rating because the food was amazing!!! Portions are generous and the food if flavorful. I would have given it five stars if the service matched the quality of the food. There's definitely room for improvement in staff training, starting with the hostess and extending to the servers. Understanding proper dining timing would make a big difference. We also didn't receive utensils until after our food arrived and we had to ask for them. Of course, this is just my personal opinion and experience, but with better service, this place could easily be a five-star spot. This was my first time here and I will definitely be coming back and recommending this place to friends and family.
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Spencer J.

Yelp
We were visiting downtown Ventura for the first time and decided to walk around to check things out. After a long day of driving a motorhome, we were tired and hungry. As we passed by Cafe Fiore, we scoped out the menu and inside, then decided to keep walking. The hunger got the best of us and we decided up head back to Cafe Fiore. We seated in the back in what they referred to as the "treehouse" area. The ambience throughout was so cozy and warm...definitely impressed. Then there was the food and out was delicious! The best cioppino broth I've ever had. To top off the evening, we had the best service. Mo, our waitress was super friendly as well as her team. They made the experience a wonderful evening for two very tired travelers. Highly recommended the restaurant!
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TY Y.

Yelp
One of the best Italian eateries i've eaten at in Ventura, amazingly delicious spot! Enjoy the patio on a nice day, or make reservations for indoor dining in a quaint, rustic atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient, food was great, drinks plentiful from wines to beers to specialty cocktails! Overall, 4.5+ experience for me for ambience, excellent food quality, and great service! Expect to pay $25-40pp for main entrees; starters and salads range $15-25, but plenty of shareables. For starter, we opted to share a Parma E Burrata - outstanding presentation and tasty in every aspect, plenty for 2-3. Fresh warm bread was also served to the table - perfect to dip in some Olive Oil and Balsamic. For dinner, I enjoyed one of the BEST LASAGNA's I've eaten; a generous portion baked in its own skillet, this is heavenly cheesy and hearty, very filling and really hits the spot if you love a Lasagna that's thick with noodles, flavorful Bolognese ragu sauce and melted Besciamella and Parmesan cheeses - YUM!!! Others ordered the Grilled Italian Sausages dinner, Fettuccine (GF option) with Filet Tips and Mushrooms, and Linguine al Frutti di Mare (Clams, Calamari, Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels). Each were delicious, plentiful and enjoyed! Truly think you can't go wrong with anything on their menu, so order what you crave! Unfortunately we didn't have room for dessert, but will definitely come back to try next time! Cafe Fiore is wonderful! Suggest making reservations, come for a great meal and place to celebrate Italian style! Cheers, ENJOY!!!
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Delta C.

Yelp
We had an excellent experience. Our server was warm, welcoming, and offered great recommendations for the evening. My prawns and pasta were cooked perfectly, and my husband absolutely loved the snapper. The atmosphere was wonderful dimly lit, comfortable, and not too loud. The drink menu was fantastic, and my son really enjoyed the chicken parmigiana.
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Jennifer S.

Yelp
I went here for my 12 birthday and I had an enjoyable time at Cafe Fiore.This Italian restaurant has the most amazing food, it has foods with spice, sweetness and everything else. Cafe Fiore has a brilliant ambiance from the photos to the decor it has an overall dazzling vibe. My waiter was so kind he came to our table multiple times to refill our glasses throughout the night he was amazing kind.

Alex M.

Yelp
Just as a fish rots from the head down so does a rancid attitude descend from owner Maria F. to her servers Cyndi G. who sent an unprofessional and condescending private message to me in response to my original 3 star review and our main server of the night who's name I never got and prompted me create this review in the first place. I have never had such bad service that I felt a responsibly to not only post an honest review of their service but also go in at a later date to ensure management knew how poor their service was for a larger party. I was not there to get anything for free or a reduction or refund on $123 included tip. I was just there to share my experience at their restaurant a few nights prior. One of the first things Maria F. (the owner according to yelp) says to me is that Cyndi G. tells us everything she responds to. That alone told me she couldn't care less about anything I had to say because she already knew. So I asked her if she thought the response I got from Cyndi G. was in anyway condescending or unprofessional and she said no. The conversation went on a bit longer but I mainly wanted to give her our parties perspective on what happened even though I could tell that it was going nowhere. The food was not great enough as to tolerate this unfortunate level of customer service. My original review is below. It was 3 stars because the food was good but I had to change it the following my interactions with Cyndi G. and Maria F. Now Cyndi G. has begun like and comment on this post as I update it to taunt or try to kill me with fake kindness. I approve of her continued abysmal customer service. Let everyone know who you are girly I'm having fun too!! Food was amazing!! Service however was not. Server Cyndi G brought us something we did not order and then gave an attitude when we asked to have it removed from the bill. Unfortunately had to ask for a manager to get a 6 dollar item removed from a $790 check. Far from ideal service from the server Cyndi G but we really appreciated the manager who took the item off without question.
google avatar

Neen C.

Yelp
Had a wonderful evening at Café Fiore in downtown Ventura. We sat outside -- it was a little chilly, but the heaters kept us comfortable. The inside atmosphere looked cozy and romantic, perfect for a date night. Bathrooms were clean, which is always a plus. We weren't very hungry, so my husband and I shared the Cozze e Vongole along with a half bottle of Chianti -- both were excellent. But the best part? The bread! Hands down, the best free bread we've ever had -- a mix of French bread and focaccia served with garlic marinara. Absolutely delicious! Great service, great vibe, and amazing food. We'd definitely come back next time we're in Ventura.
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Lea M.

Yelp
Food and service is consistently good! Love the movie music and fun ambience. It's loud but always a great time! Highly recommend their gnocchi, kid's chicken ravioli , black miso cod (new special!), and house salad!
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Nijole T.

Yelp
This is our favorite restaurant inventory! It is not only a vibe, but the food is outstanding! They have the best happy hour in the area, overtime. We have ordered all of their dishes and enjoyed all of them immensely. Service is wonderful, they are so friendly and hard-working here. There is plenty of indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio, very beautifully done! Highly recommended if you're looking for a great place to eat downtown Ventura! You simply can't go wrong with any of the dishes in their menu, highly recommended!
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Diana L.

Yelp
We had come for drinks and the live music. Upon entering the bar is right in front of you, and table seating was available behind the bar. The band was set up at the corner and there was a small dance floor. The music was good and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Good place for a night out with friends. I did notice that majority of the clientele that night seemed to be of an older crowd so may not be a fit for the younger ones. Although we didn't eat there I did look at the Specials menu and is already planning to come back soon!
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Leigh M.

Yelp
What a cute restaurant this is! I love the garden patio. The bruschetta was amazing with lots of cherry tomatoes and arugula. The pizza was delicious too. Service was a little slow and took about 10 minutes before a waiter came to our table - and that was after another patron went inside to ask if someone was going to take our orders. Once our waiter came, the service was great. The food was delicious and I love the ambiance of the place. Amazing food made from scratch and top notch products.
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Yesenia G.

Yelp
Amazing food, fantastic service, and perfect ambiance! The food was DELICIOUS and reasonably priced. Every food item we tried was so rich with flavor, we left nothing behind! Do yourself a favor and get the tiramisu (you'll thank me later.) We will for sure be coming back to try different food items.
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Cheryl R.

Yelp
This wasn't the best visit to one of my favorite restaurants in Ventura, but I'll cut them some slack. The usually perfect Sangria didn't have its sparkle. Pizza was crisp thin crust with fontina cheese and no tomato sauce. Out of the oven it was topped with arugula and fine prosciutto and cherry tomatoes. Delish! Lentil soup was ok. Dessert was less successful. A nectarine tarte tatin with lots of chunky fruit but hardly any pastry. Yes, I'll be back. Nobody's perfect.

Karen M.

Yelp
Good food. Was very busy. Nice server, was a bit flustered from how busy the night was
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Amy D.

Yelp
An absolute gem in Ventura downtown area close to the marina! The decoration inside the restaurant felt very unique, not your typical industrial type of vibe. Served complimentary focaccia bread with a cold sauce with capers and olives - not my favorite, but I am sure others may enjoy. Wish they offered GF bread for those that require it. Food was spectacular! Started with a pear and Gorgonzola salad that we shared. The portion was very large, fresh and delicious! Dinner we ordered 2 pasta dishes - one similar to ravioli with squash filling, came with a sage butter cream sauce (lots of nutmeg), and we ordered a second pasta that was gluten free with steak tips! Both dishes were absolute heaven to eat! Servers were very attentive bringing lots of water and wine as needed! Highly recommend! But make a reservation, this place was packed!
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Monica Y.

Yelp
Cute place, bigger than it looks for the outside. It has private rooms where you can hold your event. Service was good. The drinks were amazing. The food was blah, nothing special about it
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Terry M.

Yelp
Fiore is so, so close to 5 stars but just missing a few little things. The atmosphere is excellent. Warm, comfortable, Mom's kitchen kind of vibe. The service is above average with good recommendations by our waiter on both food and pairings. The food quality is good, but not lights out. We had the artichoke appetizer which was good. The lobster bisque tasted great, but was missing a key ingredient--lobster. I asked the waither and the chef said it was pureed. Seemed like some creative liberty was taken there. The steak special was very good, but the filet bits were way overcooked. The waiter replaced it but the 10 minute wait while the rest of us had our plates was a buzz kill. Make a few minor tweaks in the kitchen and Fiore would be top 5 in Vemtura. It's close enoigh now for a great night out for a date or family dinner.

Tom

Yelp
Everything we ordered had WAY too much salt. I'm heavy handed with salt but this place uses too much, even for me. Based on other reviews this is nothing new. Hopefully the owner reads the reviews and cuts the salt by about 2 cups.
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Kenny L.

Yelp
My wife and I have been here several times over the years and have never had a bad meal. Last night we arrived at 6 ,which was our reservation time, and were seated immediately. Our server was Amy and she was excellent. We started off with the calamari appetizer . It had broccoli and zucchini lightly dusted with parmigiana. It was great. My wife had the swordfish special, and I had the chicken parmigiana salad. The atmosphere is wonderful, and the food exceptional. Cafe Fiore just keeps getting better!
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Reta B.

Yelp
Came here for a dinner with a company. Seating area is private, really nice and great service. However, food was mediocre in my opinion. I believe the appetizers were better than the steak itself. The mushroom stuffing was good, the bruschetta was good, green beans appetizer was good. Drinks were really good but dinner itself and dessert were not. I may consider them again!
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CHRIS V.

Yelp
Ordered some online for delivery and never got any food ! After 2 calls to the restaurant they don't have any idea were the delivery is at and the delivery website says it has been delivered ! But wait they then charge me again for my food and still no food ! Don't do business with them !! Don't order delivery from them, You will never see your food ! And after talking with them there's nothing they will do ! Have to go through my bank and stop payment that sucks because it will take 7 to 10 working days to get my money back !
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Veronica A.

Yelp
it was going well it was a honest mistake that we where figuring are bill out they gave us one ticket bill it's hard when there are 4 separate transactions and to calculate our bill when i had 3 margaritas. We didn't tip accordingly to our waitress she came back threw plate and ticket and money on the table and says was my service not good enough. There is a proper way to handling the situation, how do you want me to correct it when you could of put the money on the table and approached us nicely and not rude, we would of correct the tip amount, but when you come back rude that's not right. it doesn't say there's a 15% tip is mandatory yet you forgot the butter a couple of drinks and we where not basing a tip on that and we where patient and nice to her and our tip calculation where off by $10. I won't be going back if you have to act in that manor and the tip is optional not mandatory
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Laura V.

Yelp
Cafe Fiore has delicious Italian food! A more unique menu than your average American Italian restaurant. They make their own pasta fresh using ITALIAN FLOUR. So if you are normally gluten sensitive, you MIGHT not have an issue with their pasta. They also offer corn based gluten free pasta, too. The focaccia bread is fresh and is served with the most amazing garlicky tomato-olive tapenade. I could make a meal of just that, but don't do it! You'd miss out on tender fried calamari and fresh veggie appetizer or the delectable beef carpaccio with arugula. The Caesar salad dressing is so good that I wished I hadn't shared one! I ordered a flat noodle with pork sausage. I don't remember the name, but OMG, get this! I'm actually drooling now while I think about it! The service is friendly and prompt. Every day and most nights the sister owners Anna and Maria are there greeting everyone and keeping everybody happy! Ambiance is warm and cozy. Some evenings they have jazz bands or other nice entertainment. We sat inside but they also have a "treehouse" patio that is great for parties and an outside patio for smaller groups. Don't miss this gem in downtown Ventura. Parking garage directly behind the restaurant is free parking.
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Nichole G.

Yelp
I've been here a few times in the recent months and every time it has been so delicious. I used to frequent this place when it first opened and always enjoyed the food. It's worth going back if you've been before Oso Boco is amazing.
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Christopher C.

Yelp
The food here is some of the best Italian food I've tasted. The service is outstanding because each server shows an amazing attention to detail that shows me they care very much about each customer. The inside has a traditional feel with a nice bar in the middle of it all. A wonderful place for special occasions or casual get togethers. Definitely worth a visit!
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Kristine H.

Yelp
Horrible experience at Cafe Fiore! June 27, 2024 @ 5:00pm. And please note, we are locals and have frequented this restaurant for years. For this evening, we had a friend visiting who wanted to come to this restaurant. Reservations were booked for 5:00pm days in advance (and noted for patio as she was traveling with a dog). We arrive at the hostess station on time and stand and stand. A young man was back and forth but no acknowledgment. None! Nobody waited on us, even though he was right at the counter. Seriously all we needed was a smile, a hello and be with you in a moment! We all totally understand when things get busy (but it was NOT busy). Finally, a young woman with short black hair comes to the hostess station only because the telephone was ringing and AGAIN...NOT EVEN EYE CONTACT with us or a smile and instead of putting the telephone on hold, she continues to talk on the phone. At length! At this point we discuss leaving but I said loudly that I guess the phone call was much more important than the guests - whom had reservations - and were standing here in person right in front of her! Seriously this was appalling. She acted like it was such a bother to greet us let alone take us to our table. She finally, with a huff, shows us to the table in the rear patio. The last table in the back. We were seated next to an extremely drunk obnoxious man located directly next to us against the brick wall. He had a sweet old dog with him that we all felt sorry for as this man had no ability to care for the dog. The man was so drunk. From the moment we sat down. He would not stop shouting at us. We were polite at first then decided to ignore him. This is one of our biggest issues, the server kept giving him additional alcohol when he requested!! Where is the protocol for stopping this excessive behavior?? Talk about feeding fuel to the fire. Part way through our dining experience, this drink man tried to get up and fell. Hard. Crashed against his table and caused all the glass to crash to the ground. Only one other two-top table was occupied, and the two of them and the three of us were just appalled and shocked at this was happening as we are trying to spend a nice evening having dinner. Back to us. From the start, service was horrid! This was a Thursday early evening and not busy! We had to ask for waters. Twice! My husband had to get up and go into restaurant to find a server to ask for Parmesan cheese, we had to go in and ask for another drink, on and on. No bread basket and bruschetta spread was ever served, really. None! In all the commotion we forgot about it until the meal was done. This should not have been on us. They should've served it at the top of the meal. Food was mediocre at best. My friend ordered the Risotto con Pollo e Finghi . It was watery and not creamy. Looked like out of a box! My penne All'Arrabiatta was just blah. Not dressed with any presentation. Food is simply not up to a level for these prices. I swear they are serving boxed or premade frozen foods. All in all. Simple not acceptable! Trust me. We will not be back. And we will spread the word. We gave them chances. We had another horrid treatment about 3 years ago with rude treatment by the owner - an older woman with dark hair - when she treated us with bad manners from the start. But because we enjoy the patio and the foods we've giving them more chances. We sure miss the days of Ursula and kind servers. We're Thomas Fire survivors, we love this town. But we do not want to be treated like crap especially when prices are so high to go out to dinner. We spent $103 NOT including tip. And hated the entire evening. It's just not right.
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Silas B.

Yelp
I had the veal shank. I have eaten a lot of those in my life at a lot of different places. This one was by far the best. We had an excellent server. Heathers on Fire were really good.
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Shannon Y.

Yelp
The best Italian food in Ventura County. Anthony, our server was amazing. Service is great. Prices are wonderful and the atmosphere is incredible!
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Brad W.

Yelp
We had one of the coolest servers we've ever met at Café Fiore -- Evan! He was super easy to talk to, had great energy, and made our experience truly enjoyable. His friendly vibe and great service really stood out. We're definitely looking forward to coming back!
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Dawna Y.

Yelp
This place was fabulous with delicious food and huge portions. The Pasta Integral was a unique dish that I just loved. All the ingredients worked so well together and it was healthy on top of it with the whole wheat pasta. We'll definitely be back when I'm town!
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Robyn W.

Yelp
My husband son and I all went to this Jem of a restaurant. We had Cindy as are server . She was excellent, sweet kind, and patient with us . Her recommendations for the specials were super good, my ceaser Salad with the shrimp was delicious , my son had the pasta special and my husband had the eggplant . I also loved my mocktail I had two.We were so full but Cindy still asked us if we would love one of there delicious deserts . We just couldn't eat anymore.We were in Ventura visiting my son it was are second time in two days going to Cafe Fiore. The beautiful ambiance and the music and especially having Cindy as are server was a real delight . Thanks Cindy for making are trip and are meal extra special. You made are nite. Robyn and Steve Talian
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Alyssa A.

Yelp
Haven't had dinner here in years so finally came back for a night with friends. Ambiance is good - super lively, fun for a group of people. But that's where it ends. Cafe Fiore has definitely gone downhill since we were last here. Service is extremely slow in all aspects. When our food finally came to the table, one dish was missing. When it finally came more than 10 minutes later, it was cold as if it had been sitting out the entire time. I ordered the Fettuccine Al Filetto - for $26, definitely would not get this again. Everything about the dish was bland - steak had no seasoning, sauce was flavorless, and the pasta was served luke warm. Overall, not that enjoyable. Drinks were average. Their red sangria was decent. For the price you pay, the quality and flavor or the food was subpar. Don't think I'll be returning unless the food and services goes back to its prior glory.
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Cecile G.

Yelp
My sister recommended Cafe Fiore for a family dinner. Highly recommend reservations if you have a big party. If you're having dinner outside, bring a jacket as it can get chilly. Our server was friendly and attentive. We got served bread but on the menu, it stated that refills are $3 per plate so heads up to the bread lovers out there. Here's another tip, if you're a Yelp user, check in and you'll get a free dessert during dinner. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered. My salad didn't get delivered but my server made it right by comping my dessert. Our party had children as well as vegans - there was something for everyone. Cafe Fiore is great for intimate dinners and celebrations. I would come back again!
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Meghan M.

Yelp
This is a beautiful spot in a great downtown Ventura location, but the ambience was the only positive thing to note unfortunately. Went here on a Saturday night. Though the place was busy, it was in no way packed. There were plenty of servers and we ended up waiting 30 minutes to order. We had to flag down bussers and runners for most of the night and ended up seeing our waiter only twice. For the food order and the bill. Drinks took forever and so did the food. Unfortunately the food was very lack luster. Bland and not worth the wait or prices. The shining star of the night was the bread which is super yummy and served with a bruschetta type sauce. We requested more bread during the long wait for our food and it was provided. I don't believe I'd return here.
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Sarah M.

Yelp
Amazing dinner, service and live music. From the host to the server and bartender and even the other customers, we felt welcome. We will be back !
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Erica G.

Yelp
Had not been here in awhile and wanted to check them out again. I had the FETTUCCINE AL FILETTO and it was ok. Not blown away. It was missing flavor for me. The house salad was good. My friend really enjoyed her meal. Service was good. This restaurant feels like walking into someone's home which is cool. It was busy and there was live music on a Wednesday which was cool. I'd perhaps come back and try another dish. People were having a blast dancing so that was great. Overall 3.5 because .. I loved the vibe they created were people can really enjoy themselves. I always appreciate feeling welcomed in downtown Ventura. Lately, I've received really cold bad service in downtown so this place is a breath of fresh :) despite the food not being my favorite. I may have chosen the wrong dish.
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Joanna R.

Yelp
My first time at the restaurant and surley not my last. The ambiance walking into the restaurant was beautiful and a great menu from the drinks list to the wine list and the food. I had a HUGE and delicious cesar salad, after the tortellini butternut squash for my main course which was good rich n creamy. The crumbrulee for dessert was a finishing show stopper. Our server Edwin was very kind and attentive. I cannot wait to be back.

Don X.

Yelp
Ambiance is ok with many tables -you can watch games. Food quality is also more like from a sports bar than a family Italian restaurant. The pastas are over cooked , lamb shank tastes like boiled and with a sauce poured over it.
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Lea R.

Yelp
Just okay! The first thing is that the parking is very very difficult. The parking structure was full and we tried to find some street parking and finally found some but the meter was broken so we had to risk getting a ticket. We went with some friends and the ambience is great, but the service was very slow and unattended. We had to wave down our waiter several times to get water, ask to order, refills and our check. And there was just two other groups so it was a very slow night. I don't know why we had to wave our waiter down for every single thing we needed! The food was just OK. We've been to some very amazing Italian restaurants so our expectations were high. Everything felt very heavy and greasy. In fact when I took our leftovers home the next day I pulled them out of the fridge and there was an entire layer of orange grease on the pasta so I ended up throwing it out instead of heating it up for lunch the next day. Not sure we will be back.
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Joseph A.

Yelp
Amazing food the lasagna was out of this world we were supposed to share and I hogged all of it oh and delicious desserts!!!!!
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John G.

Yelp
4 of us stopped in for a late lunch! Appetizers were Calamari E Zucchine Fritti Tempura calamari, broccoli, zucchini, & fennel. Mamma Tina's marinara. and Minestrone Soup Dinners we chose 2 Butternut Squash Tortellacci Homemade Butternut Squash filled Tortellacci in a Brown Butter, Sage Cream Sauce Linguine E Vongole Linguine pasta tossed with Manila clams in a garlic white wine herb sauce Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich Slaw, hot pepper aioli, melted provolone, brioche bun Emma our server was very friendly, efficient & attentive The Dinning room was Uniquely upscale Italian comfortable with wood tables and booths with colorful cushions the bar is very unique. All pastas are handmade a unique trait in today's restaurants. All our meals were delicious and very filling

Paul M.

Yelp
Ambiance for happy hour was very cool. Drinks and happy hour food awesome! Dinner ambiance was pretty good. Wasn't too impressed with my dinner nor was my wife. With that said I'm very picky with my Italian food because I'm Italian. Portions were good. I will go back for happy hour 100%.

Gerri M.

Yelp
Food: salads were outstanding. Main course was disappointing. No flavor. Service: waited 45 minutes to get order placed-waitress forgot she had not taken our meal order. We come here every time we come to Ventura but our latest meal experience was completely disappointing. We will likely skip the next time.
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Mari I.

Yelp
This is a great restaurant with lots of holiday decorations. They do have holiday drinks but they were out of one of their holiday drinks due to them not having eggnog. They however did not let us know right away only until after the order had been placed. I ordered the seafood pasta and the poinsettia spritz. We did have to wait more than 45 min for our food to come out so that was a bummer because service was slow as well. We were already eating when they offered fresh parmesan as well so it would have better for them to bring it out with the food. I did enjoy my drink but my pasta did seem to be missing some flavor. It was good but it just needed a little more seasoning for flavor.
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Nikki M.

Yelp
Had the best double date here. We all left feeling groovy and uplifted. The food was so delicious that we got an additional to-go order for weekend noshing. Our helpful server was Anthony, top notch good human, plus we chatted with server Amy who is a total delight. We'll be back! So much goodness I want to try on their menu. Also the music playlist ruled - found ourselves swaying in our seats and softly singing to ourselves while munching - well done CF.
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Anthony P.

Yelp
My familly loves this place. My 6 year old daughter feels comfortable dining here and loves the pizza. The lasagna is one of my favorite dishes. Service is great and made us feel comfortable. We love that they have live music as it really adds to the experience. It's more than just a place to eat, you can enjoy drinks, dance and listen to great music.

Mookie M.

Yelp
Went for lunch, sat inside. The calamari and blue crab salad was good! My friend got the club sandwich, it looked good too. Overall I think the inside could be updated, to catch up With all the new restaurants and cafes, but it a stable staple in DT Ventura.
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Liza K.

Yelp
Such a shame how bad service can ruin your perception of a business. I'm posting this because I think management should be aware of their employees and being a veteran service industry employee myself, I feel the need to speak up here. I'll keep it short, but I came here with my husband and family for a special occasion and our server made our experience pretty unwelcoming and not enjoyable. After waiting upwards of 10 minutes to be greeted by anyone, our server came over to take orders and didn't acknowledge how long we'd waited. When we asked about a pasta on the menu she replied condescendingly to my family member that she had no idea what that pasta was and we ended up having to google it for an answer because she would not help us. I ordered a drink when our appetizers came out and had to ask where it was after I was finishing my entree. Again, no acknowledgement of the abnormal wait time for our normal asks as a restaurant patron. Overall, we were treated like a nuisance and felt as if we were being bothersome to our server. If we do come back, we will only sit at the bar.
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Kay S.

Yelp
We always visit this spot when we're in Ventura and it never disappoints. First time having Ernesto as our server--he was friendly, attentive, and gave great recommendations. The Fettuccine al Filetto was absolutely outstanding. Quaint atmosphere and consistently excellent food. We'll be back!