Bernadette’s On Main

After 12 years Bernadette was forced to close the doors due to the new landlord who did not renew her lease. The live music was awesome and the food was great. Hope to see her reopen in another location soon.

CLOSED!
Out of business!
Although I was looking forward to a positive review; they have shut their doors for good.
CLOSED!

This review is based solely on the the people who served us on the stop we made here. We got the last fresh baked croissant with jam that was made fresh that day. Awesome. The lady, who I assume, baked it that day was as sweet as could be. Great place to find by chance. We’ll be back again and again. The beer on tap was from a local micro brew and also added to the experience.

Save Bernadettes! They are closing in November due to a landlord that wants them out, do what you can to save this lovely Ventura landmark that has been around for over a decade.

AMAZING croissants and a very lovely proprietor! We will definitely visit here again!

You could sneeze and miss this little place. A tiny indoors with a low ceiling, one round dining table and two chairs, two highbacked armchairs, a twosome settee, and 10 bar stools. Bistro seating outside can accommodate maybe 25 to 30 people max. and is dog friendly. They feature live entertainment in the evening, but not sure which nights.
Small and simple, their menu features sandwiches, salads, and several homemade soups that vary by the day. Also gourmet coffee, juice, sodas, wine (they do a VERY generous pour for $ 3), and beer. And freshly baked croissants.
You order at the counter, find a place to sit, and they bring your food to you.
The soups on today’s menu included vegan lentil, French onion, clam and mushroom chowder (today was a Friday), tomato basil, and mushroom brie. They come with a fresh hot baguette and butter and run about $ 6 for a large bowl. My lentil was flavorful from herbs and cumin and added vegetables like carrots and red bell pepper. The mushroom brie was elegant and creamy. Big servings. Based on ours, I would highly recommend trying any soup!
We each got a combo ($ 8) so we could have a small, baby greens salad with our soup. Dressings included choices like raspberry vinaigrette, blue cheese, Italian, honey mustard. I suspect they were made from scratch because ours were so good.
We also split a sandwich. The Alex Schneider Schlider (yes, that is how they spell it) is a crab cake sandwich on baguette with a chipotle mayo. Delicious tasting but a little lean on the delicious crab cake. Still, a good choice.
This place is slightly off the beaten path for tourists, and parking is only along the street. But I can assure you, we will return when in Ventura, and encourage you to give it a try. They are super friendly. This is a great place to have a laid back, delicious experience.

I’m still finding my way around Ventura after moving a year ago, and a local foodie told me, «If you haven’t tried one of Bernadette’s croissants, you haven’t lived in Ventura yet.»
So the BF and I were walking back to the car down Main St. around 10 pm after seeing a movie, and the aroma of fresh baked croissants wafting out of Bernadette’s on Main almost knocked us down. We were sure the place was closed, but when we poked our heads in, the nicest lady in the world invited us in for a late-​night bite even though we were pretty sure she would’ve liked to have cleaned up and gone home. The lovely and generous Bernadette then served us delicious beer on tap and 2 huge, gorgeous croissants while treating us like we were old friends, hanging out, watching soccer on «the telly.»
The next morning we returned for her breakfast croissants: one w/​ham and cheddar, another w/​turkey and brie, and for dessert we devoured chocolate w/​raspberry jam.
Tomorrow’s another day…

We found this place through Unilocal while on vacation. It is such a great find! The casual atmosphere was wonderful. We had a delicious meal on the patio and listened to live music. Bernadette is a delight! And the croissants! OMG! We love this place!

Cute place and a wonderful Lady! We ate there for lunch while visiting Ventura. We had the chicken artichoke pesto on a toasted baguette and the Walnut chicken salad with Dijon vinaigrette. Delicious. Next time I am trying the croissants. They looked amazing and were being made right before our eyes. Definite gem!

My love is so far away,
I fear I shant return,
The blackest sea between us,
Still my hunger burns.
Bernadette I miss you,
More than you can know
Bernadette I miss you
A pint would sooth my soul

Great location and friendly staff! We enjoy the new soup menu that Bernie has rolled out! Great and unique combos — Brie and Mushroom! Sometimes you can combine them — tomato basil and lentil — yummy! Wine is always tasty!
Also, for Euro Footballers great place to catch the matches with breakfast

No matter what time of day, a.m. coffee and lovely flaky croissant, or lunch in the afternoon. Beer and munchies or dinner in the p.m., slight breeze making you glad to be in Ventura ~ all is fantastic!
We love you Bernadette, and your mum too!
Lynn, Rose and Jennie

Great local spot for drinking and enjoying life. Walked by this place on St Paddys and had to go in as the music was too good to pass up. Sat at the bar and go served by Bernadette herself the whole night. Great time for sure!

Super casual, super nice staff, friendly atmosphere, and really nice live music. Also, their soups are THE BOMB. Flat out awesome. ½ a point subtracted due to a very small menu and you can wait a while when it’s crowded there, but a ½ point added for the great, super friendly staff. Come for the music, stay for the soup!

I’ve been to «Bernie’s» dozens of times, enjoyed gallons of Strongbow cider & homemade sangria, participated in the Thursday night Pub Quiz, consumed delicious sandwiches, and even gotten sunburned while drinking in her courtyard.
What I haven’t done yet is participate in the annual (drunken) Christmas Caroling on Main Street event which is slated for tonight. Frankly, I wish Bernadette’s sold hard alcohol because I’m not sure I can go caroling without that extra liquid courage.

Go here on Thursdays at 7:30pm for Trivia Night! This is a cute, small place with outdoor seating and the food is delish!

My local watering hole and favorite place to watch the English Première League (Sat and Sunday morning), as well as play Pub Quiz on Thursday nights. Good outdoor patio.

Great stop for some live music and a drink on a hot summer afternoon! The outside patio offers plenty of seating and you can relax while people-​watching the passer-by’s on the street. There’s always a great crowd and friendly staff who treat you like family.

Watching the English Premier League games here early mornings on Saturday and Sunday. If you are a Chelsea fan, stay away. Seriously dude. Serious.

I live up the street, and I’ll typically drive by and see peeps sitting outside, having a drink, or on Sundays I’ll see a live band playing on the patio in the afternoon, or I’ll walk by and smell the pink Jasmine growing on the trellis…
Last night was the first time I’ve ever gone *in* Bernadette’s. It’s everything everyone said – they treat you like you’re an old friend who they see on a daily basis, and who just came into their house for a visit.
Thursday Night Trivia, my babies, is where it’s at on Thursdays in Ventura. What is *it*?
An eclectic blend of super nerds with team names like Dolph Lungren Fan Club (that’s the team that adopted me last night) that fight for top spot on the nerd heap.
Imported beers = 5 bucks a pop, so you might want to pre-​game. .in fact, get so wasted that you can’t answer questions correctly, okay?
They’re open at 6am if you want some fresh baked bread and coffee.