Arts & Culture
Cultural Foods:
Thai
Tipps Thai Cuisine
Tipps Thai Cuisine is a place to come to experience both arts and culture. As soon as you walk into Tipps you feel a part of the Thai culture. There are beautiful pictures, paintings, statues, and other forms of art that bring you closer to their culture and passion. Every item offered at Tipps is delicious authentic Thai food, and they also have a huge selection of drink choices to compliment your cuisine. Come in to Tipps to experience true Thai culture for lunch or dinner.
White Sand Asian Cuisine & Bar
Experience modern Thai cuisine in a vibrant, stylish atmosphere right off Main Street. They have options of salads, appetizers, and entrées ranging from vegetarian or gluten-free selects to tasty BBQ style classics. With food and drinks that will always leave you satisfied, White Sand also offers both inside and outdoor patio seating. Come in and taste some of the modern Thai cuisine.
Rice Thai Cuisine
The environment at Rice Thai Cuisine is peaceful and relaxing. The food is always authentic Thai cuisine made with care for everycustomer. They are known for their delicious specialty classics, including the Yellow Curry, Pad Thai, and Talay. Rice Thai Cuisine brings the social environment and mouthwatering eats of the Thai Culture right to you in Downtown Ventura.
Indian
The Taj Café
The Taj Cafe is a unique family owned restaurant that prides itself on introducing traditional Village Cuisine and their Indian Culture to their patrons. The Santa Barbara Independent and The Los Angeles Times voted them the highest honor with the title for Best Indian Restaurant.
Bollywood
A fine Indian Restaurant named after India’s huge film industry. It is a casual dining Indian restaurant with a full collection ofIndian beers and wines. They strive to prepare your food fresh, healthy and just the way you wanted it; mild, medium, spicy or even very spicy. They bring the Indian food experience to Downtown Ventura.
Japanese
Fuji Sushi Ventura
Fuji Sushi has great service, a great atmosphere, and delicious food. The food is made authentically for every customer. Come in and try some of their unique specialties such as the Halloween roll or classics such as the California roll.
Sushi Marina
There is a reason that Sushi Marina is always filling up with customers. This restaurant has a great vibe and an awesome environment. It’s the food that’s keeps people always coming in for more, as they make genuine sushi and other dishes that are absolutely delicious. With fast and friendly service to top it off, this place is hard to beat.
Mexican
Taqueria Vallarta
Taqueria Vallarta is hole in the wall. The food at the Taqueria is as authentic as it gets. This restaurant uses an order at the counter style service. They will then bring the food out to you. The employees at Taqueria Vallarta are very personable and friendly. It’s the delicious food that is the biggest reason that this place is so great. You are given the choices of so many different entrées and so many different sides for a very reasonable price. Come try authentic Mexican food in its finest.
Maria Bonita
Maria Bonita (“Pretty Maria”) is considered one of the most famous Mexican actresses of the golden era of Mexican Cinema. The Ventura restaurant named after her strives to be the most famous Mexican food of the area. People cannot stop raving about the food. The actress may be gone, but her spirit lives on in the spicy mole sauces of Maria Bonita Restaurant.
Italian
Sicily Pizzeria Trattoria
Following only the real traditional Italian and Sicilian’s recipes, always using the best and freshest ingredients, Sicily by Gino makes authentic Italian cuisine with a true Italian passion. Besides authentic Sicilian style pizza, they feature different “DAILY SPECIALS” such as Risotto, Seafood pasta, Sicilian Arancini and, for lunchtime, the signature Panini made with their homemade bread. This is a true taste of Italy in downtown.
Capriccio
Capriccio is one of the most elegant places to eat dinner in the downtown area. The Italian café serves up a variety of impressive entrées that are perfect to enjoy with a glass of their exclusive wines. Capriccio is located in a mid sized building on the corner of Main and Palm St. The building has large windows with natural lighting during mid-day, and a beautiful view of the street at night. The impeccable food, top-notch service, and exciting environment at Capriccio’s is sure to put a smile on your face.
Art Galleries:
Latitudes Fine Art
This is a must stop for art lovers. Latitudes has a wide selection of gorgeous photography on many different creative mediums. Their pricing could not be more reasonable for the product that they offer. Their photographs are a blend of local shots, and scenery photographed around the globe. You could potentially bring home a piece that could take the beauty of your home to the next level.
Red Brick Gallery
The Red Brick Gallery is located in a historical building right across from Palermo. On average they have roughly 20-25 artists on display with work in ceramics, glass, photography, painting, pastel, mixed media, mosaic, wood, sculpture, and jewelry. The Red Brick Gallery offers classes and twice a month on either a Friday or Sunday they have painting parties. The cultural atmosphere brought by Red Brick will fill you with their passion for art.
Buenaventura Gallery
The Buenaventura Gallery is the home of the Buenaventura Art Association – established in 1954, the oldest art association in the area. The Gallery is housed in a quaint, mission-style building, showcasing an exciting array of traditional and contemporary artwork by local Ventura County artists. An artisan section with handcrafted jewelry, cards, unframed prints, and other gift items, rounds out the fine art for sale. Buenaventura Gallery also offers a unique art rental program for home or office. On the 1st Friday of every month they offer a variety of special entertainment to compliment the collectible artworks on display. Demonstrations, lectures, music, and performance provide an opportunity for everyone to share in this unique Ventura cultural experience.
Fox Fine Jewelry (Art Gallery)
Not only is Fox Fine Jewelry filled with gorgeous jewelry but they also have an impeccable art gallery. In the gallery they show artfrom local artist, including painters and sculptors, from Ventura County and Carpentaria. They also have art shows that include paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography. Set your eyes on both beautiful jewelry and art pieces and Fox Fine Jewelry.
Art Museums:
Museum of Ventura County
The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum offers free admission the 1st Sunday of every month as well.
San Buenaventura Mission Museum & Gift Shop
The Mission San Buenaventura Gift Shop offers a wide variety of Catholic/Christian devotional, gift, seasonal and collectible items for sale. Some of our most popular items are those relating to the history of the Mission and California Missions in general. The Mission itself is absolutely stunning. Being one of the original buildings in the downtown area, the mission dates back to 1749. This is a must see if you are in the area.
Shows:
Ventura Improv Company
Ventura Improv Company (VIC) is a hidden gem in the Downtown, serving up hilarious comedy improv, made up on
the spot — their shows are a fast-paced mix of scenes, games and music. VIC improvisers entertain you, in their
charming historic theatre, every Friday and Saturday night at 8pm. VIC also offers acting and improv workshops,
movement classes and more. There are special events throughout the year, including the summertime Ventura Improv
Fest, New Year’s Eve Gala and more!
The Majestic
The Majestic is a beautiful venue to go listen to incredible music. They feature anywhere from up and coming artists to superstars. Check out which of the artists you love are going to be playing right here in beautiful downtown Ventura.