Cafe Fiore

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.

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.

Cafe Fiore - Our New Favorite Italian Dining Spot! We recently celebrated my wife's birthday at Cafe Fiore in Ventura, and it was an unforgettable experience! We had dinner on Wednesday evening at 8 PM, and from the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was warm and inviting. The service was excellent--attentive without being intrusive--and the food was absolutely delicious. The standout dish of the night? The lasagna. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly layered with fresh ingredients. It was so good that we found ourselves craving it again and made a special trip back Saturday morning just to have it again! Cafe Fiore has officially become our new favorite Italian dining spot. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or just looking for a great meal, this place is a must-visit. We look forward to coming back!

We can't believe how good the food is at this restaurant. It's unbelievably delicious...fresh ingredients, homemade pasta and even the gluten free pasta was so good, same consistency and flavor as wheat pasta. The tomato-based sauces are flavorful and not overpowered by garlic, as some restaurants tend to do, and all you get is heartburn. The cream sauces are going to make you think you died and went to heaven. You can taste the butter and the real cream. Pizza? We always order one to go when we go for dinner because it's that good. If you're in town, this is definitely a must eat place.

Great Martini. Delicious Cesar with ahi. Greasy but tasty pasta.

I had the prickly pear martini which was fabulous. The second time I ordered it, I asked for a sugar rim and it was absolutely perfect! My lasagna was a little burnt and there was no special treat for our 20th anniversary even though they knew. The atmosphere was one of the nicer ones for such a celebration in Ventura.

Highly recommended for cocktails, dinner, and desserts! 😋 For starters: Aperol spritz, bread & marinara sauce, Caesar salad Salad dressing is made from scratch which isn’t very common, but tastes delicious 😋. Dinner: lasagna, bolognese Lasagna perfectly crispy on top! Bolognese is a crowd favorite and for good reason 😍 I really enjoyed the sauce on the bolognese 👏 Dessert: cannolis, chocolate torte Definitely order dessert. No questions. Love the open kitchen concept, where you can see the food being prepared and plated. 🍝 It gives more upper scale feeling. 💎 Very unique theme and decor. Nothing else much like Cafe Fiore in Ventura! Outdoor dining is slightly hidden, which makes it feel more private! 🪴

Cafe Fiore is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in Ventura. Whenever I have guests in town I ask them if they want to eat here! We went here for lunch and had some pasta. The complementary appetizer bread and sauce is very tasty. The food is delicious, they have a variety of drinks, and great desserts. They have plenty of space inside or outside for seating. Also they have a nice bar area with live music some nights. This is a go to place to eat in Ventura, you won’t regret it!

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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 !

The food is absolutely delicious. Everything tastes very authentic Italian. Great friendly and fast service. Ambiance is cozy. The restaurant is nicely and warmly decorated. It's a great place to meet friends and family.

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

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!

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.

We've been coming to Cafe Fiore for years and we've always loved this beautiful local gem, but the last few times weve come we've thought, "Is it our imagination or is this place getting even better?" It is! We don't know what's changed but everything is getting steadily even better than it's always been: the food is so very fresh and homemade and so well-done. The atmosphere continues to feel warm and inviting and we always feel like family coming in. Our server Cindy provided impeccable service tonight like everyone here always does. We feel so fortunate to have Cafe Fiore here locally. Food, service, cocktails: amazing! Definitely recommend this local gem.

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!

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.

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.

The food was mediocre at best, the service took a while for them to even come up to us, and the entire vibe was a little off. They said they didn't have any good seating, and then a woman walked in there and started to harass us to buy these neon dyed flowers. In general there weren't many sit down restaurants in the area, and all i can say is that i would much rather get something from a take out place and eat at home than eat at this restaurant

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!

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.

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 !

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Wasn't impressed with the food. Ambiance was spot on. Unfortunately very mediocre food. The risotto was like steamed rice and the fettuccine had zero flavor. The gnocchi was good. Wished it was better. Went with a party of 7 and no one really liked their dishes.

I'd give this restaurant a solid 4-4.5 stars! It's criminal that they currently have 3.6 stars on yelp??? I would've never tried this place if it wasn't for word of mouth recommendation, and I am so glad that we did!!! Our food was absolutely delicious. We got the burrata/beet salad to share which was amazing. I ordered the chicken parmesan with spaghetti - huge portion size and very tasty; highly recommend. Husb got some fettuccini pork dish which I personally found average/lacking flavor. And we got an order of kids chicken ravioli for our toddler which he was a major fan of (I couldn't even taste the veggies in it - score!) Overall we loved our dinner and will certainly be coming back!!!

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!

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

They are serving boxed pasta labeled as homemade. It was gross. Our server was great. I don't understand the servers having their hair down. And some of them constantly touching their hair. Gross. We were also swarmed by fruit flies.

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.

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.

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

Incredible service and incredible food! The shrimp arrabiata was exceptional. The cantalouper drink is a new fav and the lasagna was soooo good!

Food was not good. Left it untouched. Ordered the lasagna and the noodles were super overcooked and it was more like cheese soup than lasagna. No flavor, just mush. It felt like eating glue. Service was mid--not bad, not exceptional, just okay. We did have to wait a while to be helped to get the check after we were ready to leave. The busser acknowledged us before our server since we were waiting so long. It was not busy. The staff were all polite though when they did interact with us. My partner got sick from his dish. The dishes were also broken and partially dirty. Wouldn't recommend.

Great food. Johnny is a nice guy but horrible server. Please Johnny work on your service. Been here a handful times and he happens to be our server and the worst service. Check in with your table sometimes.

Food was amazing and the service a plus. The ambiance has really a cool relaxing Italian cafe vibe. Many dishes I hope to return for.

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.

A loud venue for a relaxing meal with five other work colleagues. Separate checks were allowed which was a plus. The food isn't exactly as described on the menu but was tasty. Wine selections were sparse due to a missing shipment. The waitstaff could have been more attentive and had to be asked to speak up several times due to the loud live music. I think there are better venues if you are looking to be heard and have a conversation with your dining companions in downtown Ventura.

This is hands down my favorite restaurant. The pasta is always fresh, the drinks are fantastic, and the staff truly make the experience special. I absolutely love this place and have been coming here for years. The tree house has ambiance too.

Service Made a reservation for outside table, confirmed our reservation at the front and sat us inside. Took 20 minutes for a server to greet us, finished our plates and drinks without server asking us if we wanted another drink or dessert. Ambiance Sat at a table with over grown landscape, had to move our table to have a conversation without drooping down plants in our face. Food Average Italian food with high price, will not return.

Took my daughter on a daddy daughter date and Fiore did NOT disappoint! Everything ordered was amazing, even the bread and tapenade delivered to the table at the beginning of the meal!

Great vibes, great food. Yves was a fantastic waiter. He was super helpful and friendly, couldn't ask for better service. Thank you Yves and thanks you Cafe Fiore!!