The best restaurants in Thousand Oaks cover more ground than most people expect from a suburb. TripAdvisor lists 291 restaurants here, and this Ventura County city offers everything from upscale steakhouses like Mastro's to Peruvian cooking at Mouthful Eatery. After 500+ transactions in this area since 2009, I can tell you the restaurant scene comes up often when clients explain why they want to stay.
Two of the newer arrivals show where things are headed: Sette Sorelle, an Italian Mediterranean restaurant that opened in January 2026, and RED O, which opened at The Promenade at Westlake in August 2025. Below are the places I actually recommend when clients ask, grouped by occasion and price.
Key Takeaways
- Thousand Oaks has 291 restaurants listed on TripAdvisor, with over 85 Italian/American establishments leading the cuisine categories.
- Mastro's Steakhouse maintains a 4.7-star rating from over 5,200 OpenTable diners and won OpenTable Diners' Choice recognition for 2025.
- Sette Sorelle opened January 21, 2026 at 495 N Ventu Park Road, led by Jacopo Falleni who previously managed Firenze Osteria in Toluca Lake.
- RED O launched in August 2025 at The Promenade at Westlake, offering contemporary Mexican cuisine with prices ranging from $25 to $45.
- Mouthful Eatery serves Peruvian fusion cuisine including lomo saltado and aji de gallina, created by Peruvian-born Chef Luis Sanchez.
Thousand Oaks offers 291 restaurants across categories including over 85 Italian and American establishments, 62 Mexican and Latin eateries, and 35 steakhouses. Top rated options include Mastro's Steakhouse, with a 4.7 star OpenTable rating from 5,200 diners, plus newer additions like Sette Sorelle, an Italian restaurant that opened January 2026, and RED O, a contemporary Mexican restaurant opened August 2025.
What Makes Dining in Thousand Oaks Special?
Thousand Oaks sits in the middle of the Conejo Valley, between the Los Angeles restaurant talent pool and Ventura County farmland. That position gives local kitchens easy access to fresh produce and keeps quality higher than you would expect from a city this size.
The dining quality here consistently surprises visitors from larger metropolitan areas. Service tends to be personal rather than corporate, and many of these restaurants are small enough that staff recognize regulars. Add nearby wine country and Pacific seafood, and the ingredients are rarely the weak link.
Source: TripAdvisor and Yelp restaurant counts, April 2026
What Are the Finest Upscale Dining Options in Thousand Oaks?
Mastro's Steakhouse at 2087 E Thousand Oaks Blvd remains the gold standard, consistently rated 4.7 stars by over 5,200 OpenTable diners and recognized as an OpenTable Diners' Choice winner for 2025. There is live music every night, so expect a lively room rather than a hushed one.
Sette Sorelle, which opened January 21, 2026, at 495 N Ventu Park Road, serves shareable plates, house-made pastas and seasonal Italian dishes. Jacopo Falleni, who previously managed Firenze Osteria in Toluca Lake and Café Firenze in Moorpark, leads the restaurant.
For contemporary Mexican, RED O at 120 Promenade Way in The Promenade at Westlake pairs an upscale menu with a Tulum-inspired, resort-style room. It lands between casual and fine dining on price, so it works for a date as well as a group dinner.
Which Restaurants Offer the Best International Cuisine in Thousand Oaks?
Mouthful Eatery at 2626 E Thousand Oaks Blvd builds its menu around Peruvian cooking with detours into other cuisines. Chef Luis Sanchez, born in Peru and raised in California from his teens, turns out dishes like aji de gallina and lomo saltado. The Peruvian skirt steak over rice, with charred onions, tomatoes and a house aioli, is the order regulars keep coming back for.
The Oaks Thai Cafe at 450 N Moorpark Rd is the neighborhood Thai option. Pad Thai and Pad Kra Pao get the most mentions in recent reviews, along with quick, attentive service.
For Italian, Basta at 299 E Thousand Oaks Blvd (there is a second location in Agoura Hills) is the established choice. Reviews consistently single out the service as much as the food.
| Restaurant | Cuisine Type | Price Range | Signature Dish | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mastro's Steakhouse | American Steakhouse | $60-100+ | Filet Mignon with Truffle Mash | 4.7/5 |
| Sette Sorelle | Modern Italian | $35-65 | House-made Tortelloni | 4.8/5 |
| RED O | Contemporary Mexican | $25-45 | Duck Taquitos | 4.6/5 |
| Mouthful Eatery | Peruvian Fusion | $15-28 | Lomo Saltado | 4.7/5 |
| The Oaks Thai Cafe | Thai | $12-22 | Pad Kra Pao | 4.5/5 |
Where Can You Find the Best Family and Casual Dining Experiences?
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at 172 W Hillcrest Dr in The Oaks Mall serves American comfort food in a rustic, lodge-style room, which makes it one of the best birthday restaurants in Thousand Oaks. Popular dishes include the deconstructed Chicken Pot Pie with housemade filling of roasted chicken and slow-cooked vegetables, and Thai Noodles with shrimp, ground chicken, tofu, peanuts and pad thai sauce.
Twisted Meats is the casual pick for big portions and a late-night kitchen, with beer and wine, music and a staff that will walk you through the menu if you are new. It is less a destination than a reliable place to hang out over a good meal.
For those seeking elevated casual dining, Bazille, located on Nordstrom's second floor at 346 W Hillcrest Dr, serves bistro fare with a full bar in a casually elegant room, and it is one of the better lunch options in town, especially if you are already at The Oaks.
What Are the Best Neighborhoods for Restaurant Concentration?
The Promenade at Westlake is the area's main dining cluster, with RED O at 120 Promenade Way alongside a mix of casual spots and busier bar-forward rooms for a night out.
The Hillcrest Drive corridor, particularly around The Oaks Mall, provides exceptional convenience with Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar at 172 W Hillcrest Dr and Bazille at 346 W Hillcrest Dr. Parking is easy and the crowd skews families.
East Thousand Oaks Boulevard holds Mastro's Steakhouse at 2087 E Thousand Oaks Blvd and Mouthful Eatery at 2626 E Thousand Oaks Blvd. The stretch has quick freeway access but still feels like a neighborhood strip rather than a mall. For professionals working at Amgen's Thousand Oaks headquarters, this corridor offers convenient dining options.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Restaurants in Thousand Oaks
Which restaurants require reservations in Thousand Oaks?
Mastro's Steakhouse takes reservations through its website or by phone at (805) 418-1811, and you will want one. Sette Sorelle books through OpenTable or at (805) 864-1164. RED O also uses OpenTable. For casual spots like Mouthful Eatery, reservations aren't required but calling ahead during peak hours is recommended.
What are the average dinner prices at top Thousand Oaks restaurants?
Entrees at Mastro's typically run $60 to $100+, and Sette Sorelle sits roughly in the $35 to $65 range. RED O averages $25 to $45 per dish, and Mouthful Eatery is the value play at $15 to $28 per entree.
Which restaurants offer the best outdoor dining experiences?
Sette Sorelle has a quiet patio with good ambience, and Mouthful Eatery has a front patio on Thousand Oaks Blvd that you can spot by the red umbrellas. Many patios in town run heaters, so outdoor seating works most of the year.
Are there restaurants suitable for large groups and celebrations?
Sette Sorelle offers over 14,000 square feet of event space and can host events from 8 to 250 guests. Mastro's Thousand Oaks has private and semi-private dining, including the Plaza room and a fireplace/back room. Most of the upscale rooms will handle a birthday or anniversary with some advance notice.
Thinking About Buying or Selling in Thousand Oaks?
Davis Bartels and the DB Real Estate Group have worked on 500+ transactions in the area since 2009, including many first-time buyers coming from LA. If you are weighing a move, or just want a read on Thousand Oaks neighborhoods by price, happy to discuss if it applies to you.
Contact Davis: davisbartels.com
