Fully vegan/organic casual cafe serving soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, quiche, raw food, baked & raw desserts, smoothies and date shakes. Majority of the menu is clearly labeled gluten free and soy free. Open daily for dine in, curbside, and pick-up. Recommended to try the fries and ask for the aioli dipping sauce. Has a spacious outdoor dining area in amongst large shade trees. Also known as HIP VGN. Open Mon-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm.
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201 N Montgomery St (at E Matillija St), Ojai, California, USA, 93023
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 23 Jul 2024 by Passittowill
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71 Reviews
First Review by Veganopoly
CaleyMcCready
Points +63
Love this spot - Edit
food was delicious, service was friendly, atmosphere was excellent
Read morePros: self service station was surprisingly cool, ojai hippie flyers, outdoor seating with shade trees
Guest
georgiegirl626
Points +154
THOSE FRIES! - Edit
Great vibe the minute you walk in the door of this cute cafe!
Read moreThe fries with homemade dipping sauce were some of the best we’ve ever had! We were too scared to try the “Gunpowder Fries” but for folks who like spicy I bet they are amazing. We also had the Tiger Bowl, which was a delightfully unique combination. Everything was priced reasonably.
Updated from previous review on 2025-05-07
Pros: Friendly staff, Unique selections , Cute merch
Guest
JennSchindler
Points +122
Just meh… - Edit
Best part was the atmosphere, loved this! Such good vibes.
Read moreThe food honestly wasn’t great, not bad. Part of the issue was not listing all the ingredients on the menu. Example: on the menu there weren’t tomatoes listed but there they were, same with the salad only with cucumbers instead of peppers… I loathe cucumbers. If I’m able to return I’ll order something different and see if that works. After we ate, a local recommended the veggie burgers, so try that.
Pros: Atmosphere , Lots of food for the price, Really good kombucha
Cons: Mystery ingredients , Not a good greens to toppings ratio in salad
Guest
maxwalter1019
Points +44
Get the WagaMama Bowl! - Edit
Got the wagamama bowl…it is probably/arguably the best bowl I have ever had - vegan OR not.
Read moreNo, it’s not cheap at its $18 price tag, but with the flavor it has WHO CARES. This bowl is absolutely AMAZING. Should I be rating an entire restaurant based off 1 dish? Maybe not. But between the flavors of the meal and the peripheral considerations (the speedy service, the serene outdoor patio, the well kept tables, etc.), I feel no reservations doing so.
Pros: Flavors, Location, Speedy service
Guest
Christmas11
Points +250
Super Good - Edit
Visiting from out of town so ate here 2 nights in a row. Last nights spicy noodle special was super flavorful but a little too spicy for my teenage kid. Bahn Mi Sando was amazing- loved the crisp bread. Arugula Avocado salad was perfect with a generous portion of Avocado.
Read moreGreat beer selection. Highly recommend
Guest
Alicialovesyou
Points +92
Great plant based spot - Edit
Perfect cafe to eat your vegan heart’s desire after a day of exploring the town. Had hard kombucha and local beers as well as yummy desserts. Grateful for this gem in town.
Read morePros: Flavorful bowls, Hard Kombucha and beer options, Large vegan menu
Guest
missfury
Points +285
nice surprise - Edit
We were driving through the area for the first time, and are so glad we stopped here. Absolutely everything was delicious,
Read moreGuest
JeremyJacob
Points +32
Next level - Edit
The meals were inspired. We got the Spicy noodles and Crispy tofu ‘sando’. The spicy noodles had the perfect level of heat and were creamy but still defined. They had plenty of fresh garnishes. The crispy tofu was made with great ciabatta bread and delish spicy mayo. The meal came with a side of great thinly sliced fermented veggies.
Read moreThe outdoor seating is nice and has a cozy atmosphere.
Guest
NMR10
Points +52
So good I came back 2 nights in a row - Edit
Everything is vegan. Had the Wagamama bowl the first night with a local beer and one of the specials, a lime-coconut curry salad (or similar name) with a glass of wine. Both were very flavorful with complex flavors in each bite.
Read morePros: Every dinner item was delicious , Chill vibe - ate inside - was a single diner , Quick to order, quick to receive drinks first
Cons: Baked goods not as awesome as the rest, Not a lot of diners Sun, Mon night
Guest
Melinda831
Points +21
Amazing fresh flavors! - Edit
I had the Wagamama bowl because of the previous reviews— was not disappointed! Delicious Japanese flavors combined in a fresh mix— lettuce, marinated tofu, spinach/sesame, fresh crunchy seaweed, baked Japanese yam…… amazing! I could eat this everyday!!
Read morePros: Fresh flavors, All vegan, Creative dishes
Guest
SarahS88
Points +2631
Would give 6 stars if I could - Edit
One of the best vegan places I’ve been to! So delicious! We drove 25 min out of our way to check out and would definitely do so again! So delicious and the patio is gorgeous with beautiful mountain views.
Read moreGuest
JeffreyLeach
Points +54
Hip Vegan for the win!!! - Edit
Perfect lunch for vegans and non vegans. The Oreo shake is to die for. They have something for everyone. Couldn’t recommend it enough!
Read morePros: Oreo milkshake , Banh mi , Casa burrito
Guest
domolivo
Points +255
Amazing Ojai Vegan - Edit
So many options completely vegan and such a wonderful outdoor area as well. Will definitely come back!! 
Read moreGuest
paul_g
Points +125
Great burger - Edit
It’s a good spot. Secluded, off the main path in town. It’s expensive enough to not be a regular stop but it’s nice on occasion (and if you’re in Ojai, it’s probably an occasion, more or less, so this all tracks). Attentive staff, decent beer list, loaded veggie burgers.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2024-02-20
Guest
j1308
Points +102
Great food and service - Edit
The food was really good and the menu choices excellent. Made it difficult to pick!
Read moreGuest
happiercow76
Points +128
Great Vegan Food - Edit
We had the spring roll, burrito and a salad. Everything was delicious. The outdoor patio was large and dog friendly. We had cookies and coffee to finish. Highly recommend
Read moreGuest
BlytheO
Points +61
Love, love this place - Edit
Wagamama bowl was sooo yummy! And service was the best!
Read morePros: ALL vegan menu, Quality and taste, Location and decor
Guest
Amber-RainMontervino
Points +51
Incredible! - Edit
I loved this little hidden gem. Great food and atmosphere. The service was great. Customers left with a smile.
Read moreGuest
Neil_G
Points +228
Wide selection of tasty food - Edit
Choices from burgers to salads plus desserts. Consistently excellent.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-07-04
Guest
EsraRice
Points +767
Deliciousness - Edit
Their bahn mi sandwich is ruin-all-bahn-mi-sandwiches-for-the-rest-of-your-life good. My mind was blown.
Read moreGuest
MagdalenaT
Points +97
Great vegan spot! - Edit
Cute spot.
Read moreDog and kid friendly.
Amazing vegan food.
I will absolutely come back.
Pros: 100 % vegan, Kid friendly , Kombucha on tap
Guest
SprVgn
Points +16
Supreme deliciousness (I'm not even Vegan) - Edit
I love this place so much that I want to go back right now. By far the best place in Ventura County. Period. You know after, you're gonna feel good. It's like smoking crack, if crack was healthy, but just as addictive. I literally go through hip vegan withdrawals. I seriously wonder if they put crack in their food because it's so good. I give it 6 stars, five is not enough.
Read morePros: Totally Vegan, Really good Baked goods, Non vegan approved
Cons: I don't live at hip vegan, You get withdrawals when you don't eat there, Hip Vegan short for hippies (I don't like them)
Guest
Veganomad
Points +377
Umm... - Edit
I think maybe I should have ordered something else. The torta was super messy and overly salty. The place was cozy though, and I'm glad it's there. Someday I'd love to go back and try something different...
Read moreCons: Expensive
Guest
AlwaysForAnimals
Points +295
Banh Mi bowl BAYBEEE - Edit
Delicious easy spot with something for everyone
Read morePros: Customizable (will make it not spicy), Easy environment , Shaded patio
Guest
FireMapGirl
Points +83
Food was terrific - Edit
We both had the old fashioned burger and fries. Really good ketchup (some curry spices added) and a unique mustard style dip.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-08-31
Pros: Lots of vegan options
Cons: Expensive, Service was a little slow but could be staffing
Guest
dancingvegan
Points +869
Adding update about their new location on N. Montgomery - Edit
I went to their 'relatively new', large & spacious location on N. Montgomery yesterday (7/2/20). They are physically distancing, plus requiring masks for everyone that goes inside the building to either pick up their orders or place their order - that makes me feel even more welcome & relaxed!! Outside seating accommodates many, even with physical distancing, if it's not too busy, like yesterday.
Read moreThe Warung burger was SO tasty, as were the original fries; however, just a couple things: the battered & fried tempeh patty was too small for the large burger bun and there was too much salt on the fries. I am not complaining, just noting for others.
It was such a pleasure to visit this location and try their food, as I loved their other location. Speaking of which, here is my previous review from Jan 2012:
"Opening the gate off the main street in Ojai onto HIP's property is like walking into the 1960s or 1970s; groovy, funky & HIP!!
On their outside dining area, they had an acoustic guitarist singing mellow songs on the Saturday we went.
Owner is very friendly and the food very good. I had the ultimate burger which was tempeh with a BOWL of delish split pea soup and my friend had the bbq burger with a large, absolutely beautiful salad. Seriously good food.
Word of warning: Try not to go during the height of the lunch hour like we did. We waited around 40 minutes for our food, so thankfully the food was superb!! Just a bit pricey for lunch: spent $29 for two people with no drinks.
Updated from previous review on Sunday January 08, 2012"
Updated from previous review on 2020-07-04
Pros: Excellent food, Groovy, Ojai
Guest
Passittowill
Points +3581
Hip To Be Vegan - Edit
Hidden in plain site, Hip Vegan is an awesome food experience. Please treat your tastebuds to this wonderful food. Burgers and shakes were incredible. Can’t wait to go back. Downsides are parking and seating arrangement inside is a bit uncomfortably close.
Read morePros: Vegan, Great food
Cons: Parking, Seating is too close
Guest
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