Chris Bakes

Had a wonderful dinner here last night featuring schnitzels, braised red cabbage, Austrian potato salad and homemade sourdough rolls. This is their standing Wednesday offering and it’s not to be missed!

We had a delightful meal there last night! I had the berry-Brie burger that was very tasty and the bun was out of this world. My wife had cioppino with halibut, shrimp and scallops that was excellent. The restaurant feels warm and homey and the server was perfect. Highly recommend this little gem!

As an Ojai local, finding a place like Chris Bakes is a real treat. You'll definitely want to go on a Wednesday night, because that's when Chef Andre, who is from Germany, makes a truly authentic German Schnitzel meal. It's the real deal—frankly, something I wouldn't expect to find anywhere else, let alone here in town. ​But it's not just about the Schnitzel. The owner, Chris, creates pastries that you just won't find anywhere else. (He makes a homemade gourmet pop-tart that you just have to try.) I've also been for their Sunday breakfast, and the waffles are absolutely fantastic. ​And on top of the great food, the operation itself is excellent. Every single time I've eaten there, the wait staff has been incredibly attentive and warm. You can tell they've built a great team. ​This place is a true gem. We're lucky to have them in Ojai.

Great new restaurant in Meiner Oaks. Small interior with a few tables and bar seats. One table is a the center piece of the restaurant. There is also a heated seating area on the patio. A selection of great cocktails and food. The food was excellent with a small variety of entreee and appetizers. A small selection of cocktails and desserts. The service is excellent and a great local feel. The wines by the glass are limited and definitely the only area of caution. Try a cocktail or beer. Parking is easy on the street but make sure to get a reservation. It fills up quickly!

Amazing. What a sweet find in Ojai but not downtown. We wanted to eat outside and the shaded patio was so inviting and cool. We got the sea bass special. It was served with puff pastry atop a fresh tomato sauce. We also split the Mac and cheese. Both were extremely yummy. We will be back. Thank you chef for also visiting our table to check on us.

Enjoyed live music while eating delicious food in their cozy outdoor seating area. Everything we ordered was fresh and flavorful.

Absolutely delicious 🤤! Today Frank showed us the plates he was offering for lunch, explaining each ‘to a T’ so we’d make a fully educated choice😍. I had a chai latè that was beautiful and yummy, and we both chose the vegetarian option w/ egg prepared however we chose. Every bite was fantastic, just like the last time we ate here. The textures and flavors and presentation was top notch. I rarely take pic of my food but this was an exception for sure. A “must visit”.

This is a phenomenal space!! Chelsea, the owner, could not have been more welcoming. The food and the atmosphere were absolutely amazing.

It is a very sweet space with a lovely outdoor patio and honestly the best sourdough bread I've ever had. The Caprese sandwich was delicious but way too small for the price of $16. Half a sandwich is more like it. If the Caprese was double the size, I would come again. I like to feel sated after a meal and the bread was so delicious, it was a bit of a tease . . . I wanted more. I am also a vegan who cheats with cheese once in a while and again, the sandwich was delicious, the size left a lot to be desired.

The food and service was excellent. Yummy sourdough baguette and brioche. Each meal came with fresh spring mix. I'm coming back to try different meals on the menu. I highly recommend it.

Back again for brunch! Not disappointed. Amazing sourdough waffle with cinnamon butter, crispy bacon and fruit cup. Husband had the decadent cheeseburger with a nicely dressed salad for a little balance. We don't drink, but their drinks look really fun. What I love about Chris is he seasons everything perfectly and his sour dough breads, bagels, and waffles are top notch!

Really yummy! Everything hand made! Triple fermented sourdough bread toasted to perfection for our caprese sandwich at brunch midweek. Homemade basil "pesto" on there was sooo good. Perfect little granules of salt. We also had the smash burger on a house made bun with super yummy cartelized onions. wow. Each came with super fresh and yummy salad with a great dressing, more awesome onions (maybe slightly pickled?). Biscotti & scones were one of a kind too! Go! Enjoy Wish I took photos--beautiful space and nice presentation.

5 Stars. Chris ABSOLUTELY Bakes! The burger bun! The Bratwurst bun! The pop tart! Home made meets professional baker. We stumbled upon this place from yelp. The burger was spectacular awesome delicious. The brat was really yumyum and had the best sauerkraut outside of Germany. The juices are so fresh. The staff sweet kind nice and charming. A must try spot in the corner of this world.

Went for brunch. Delicious and beautiful food and cocktails. Cute patio. Chris the owner, and Sam our server, took care of us. We'll be back!

They just opened the beginning of April and the food, service and vibes were all great! The menu changes depending on what they have fresh and what they want to make. My friend got the "house salad" and it was incredibly fresh and flavorful. My sandwhich came with a small salad, fruit and cookies. It was a lovely meal and I will definitely be back!

Same as JK: I tasted a "to go" scone in late August '25 & was highly disappointed It was gummy,stale & flat like a hockey puck It actually shocked me @ how horrible it was.%100 would not recommend Chris Bakes.

Best food I've ever had in Ojai! Go immediately, be open to whatever they have cooking up in the kitchen and be prepared to be impressed. Delicious and complex flavors. You can't go wrong. Thank you for such a special experience!

Went here last weekend and had the most delicious bagel of my entire life. Everything we had was delicious, the patio is darling and our service was fantastic. This is a hidden gem for sure and we cannot wait to go back!

I bought a scone for five dollars yesterday and it was awful. It didn't even taste good. I would not go here again.

We tried the Salmon platter and a BLTA sandwich, & a DirtyChai Latté. Like other reviewers, I was surprised and delighted, that the sandwich came with a delicious side salad (artichoke hearts included), and a small cookie. It was your typically, blazing hot, Ojai afternoon, but the shaded patio provided impressively cool relief, as did the carafe of water. The wait staff was efficient, kind and polite, and yet nothing felt rushed. All in all, this is a peaceful environment, offering an original, tasty, and healthy repast. Try it! You'll like it.

One of my faves! What I really love is that the menu's never fixed, so it always feels new. The food is outstanding and full of flavor. I've gone on Schnitzel Wednesdays a few times and it's seriously the best. Authentic, perfectly cooked, just fabulous. The patio is gorgeous and makes the whole place feel special, and the drinks are always on point. Friendly vibes, great food, and something different every time.

Hidden little piece of heaven in Meiners Oaks with fresh food and awesome local vibe I try to pop in at least once a week. Gravlax w/fresh baked sourdough bagel plate and Wed Schnitzel night are my favorite.

absolutely delicious! everything is made from scratch, fresh fruits/veggies from the farmers market, and lots of sourdough pastry options. the sourdough waffles were the best we have ever had! staff is so kind and friendly, lots of live music, kid friendly (they even had coloring!), and overall a 10/10 from us!

What's not to like? Just go eat there and see(taste) for yourself! Homemade style and delicious!

Food is terrific! Service perfect. Atmosphere wonderful. Wine is great. Mixed drinks available. Go there!

Came for Schnitzel night on Wednesday and the food was amazing, flavorful and the portions were generous. This place felt less like a restaurant and more like a social club, good place to unwind.

I'm all about this place. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is great. I had the fried egg sandwich and it was so yummy! I like Chris, too. The staff there was really nice and friendly, as well. Highly recommend.