Vegan
American
International
Organic
Take-out
Gourmet
Vegan restaurant/bistro in downtown Ventura serving internationally-inspired cuisine. The varied menu features many raw smoothies, a soup of-the-day, raw food appetizers and main entrees, sandwiches, vegan cake and desserts, raw ice cream made in-house, and more. Colorful and cozy. Street parking in front. LAST DAY OCT 3, 2015 PER OWNER.
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100 S Fir St (at Santa Clara, downtown Ventura), Ventura, California, USA, 93001
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Last update on 05 Oct 2015 by Guest
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Added by eric on 16 Apr 2009
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19 Reviews
First Review by veegn
philjdomm
Points +945
tasteful - Edit
my raw tostatos was full of spice.
Read morethe burger was pretty good too.
quaint location.
Pros: location, raw, tasty
Cons: expensive
Guest
heathera75
Points +322
Yummy- all organic, all vegan! - Edit
This place is really good! I got the Mary's Secret burger and salad. The brownie/cake I got was good also as dessert- but a little pricey. I thought the burger entree was a great price (about 12 and came with side) YUMMY! Also Mary the owner was there- educated vegan and so thankful she is bringing this to a town with not enough vegan options! KUDOS to Mary!!
Read morePros: Yummmy, Organic, All Vegan,(raw options too)
Cons: Price, Small building
Guest
TomForde
Points +60
Ultimate Vegan Restaurant - Edit
If you're a Vegan in Ventura County.. Then you must be aware that Mary's is "THE" place. As mindful beings, we vegans know the type of food our bodies need to arrive in a state of equanimity. Foods that nourish the body and raise the vibration of our soul.
Read moreMary's menu is a beautiful tribute, to food as nature intended. It's kind, fresh, nourishing and loaded with flavor. With every bite, I find myself closing my eyes, shutting off my other senses and fully absorbing into the aliveness of every morsel. A truly mindful eating experience.
Accompanying the cuisine, is a warm, spiritual, cozy atmosphere. Nestled in with fellow compassionately-intentioned humans, I eat, converse and experience peace.. Feeling gratitude, that this perfect piece of heaven exists right here in Ventura County. Serving as a beacon of hope. Nourishing.. body, mind and soul.
Thank you Mary.. And to everyone who works to bring this unique experience to a world so hungry for it.
Peace ✌️
Guest
MicheletheTrainer
Points +936
Mary's 5 Wow Review_Savories/Entrees/Holiday - Edit
Mary has really outdone herself this LOVE season. The restaurant is always warm and cozy but was decorated with beautiful red tulips and purple iris, with red balloons to greet you outside. The love was detailed down to the red napkins and even the musical selections were handpicked, by Mary. The menu was visually stunning as were the selections and the back of the menu boasted several quotes about LOVE. Wow. The first wow was the blood orange juice served in champagne glasses.
Read moreThe salad's were amazing...her Olive Tapanade Dressing made me feel like that reviewer in the movie Ratatouille, when he flashed back to his mom cooking for him. I'm Italian and that was the most Italian rich flavor dressing I've had in years, and it was not garlic overdone. ((I'm never moved by chefs that only use garlic as a flavor...--to me it's very boring))
Her raw cheeses from pistachio to macadamia are unbelievable. She has an flavor rich sun dried tomato nut cheese that is used in her raw ravioli's that's bangup, as well as the Eat Me Raw salad dressing, a long time fav of ours.
Her pistachio cheese dish "Raw Savory Pistachio Cheese Tart" included Sweet Papaya Chutney (chutney-ish fruit salsa side)...had the flavors of SAMOSAS with the chutneys, especially with the Spicy Mint Leaf pesto.....but very light and LIVE. Very very well done. ((I won't touch a fried samosa with a 10 foot fork....ew....so this was a really nice add))
We went from the Italian salad, to the Indian appetizer, then onto my Gourmet Raw Pizza....wow wow wow wow (the fourth Wow).
My entree, the raw pizza that was gone so fast I was almost embarrassed by my quickly empty plate. The quality of her ingredients and flavors really shine through in all of her dishes. Her raw crust was nice and moist, not like those dehydrated sandpapers of flax that most try to pass off as "raw bread". (anyone need some paint removed?)
The Risotto, the Menage a Trois... wow again. The portion was huge and it had some amazing string beans and amazing triple mushroom madness. Beautiful sage aroma with sage leaf decoration.
Mary's has full spectrum FLAVOR. If you have never been, it's a MUST DO. She's mastered the use of herbs for flavor.
Updated from previous review on Friday February 15, 2008
Pros: Awesome Staff, Warm Atmosphere, All Organic
Shelley
I was there for Valentine's Day, too. It was incredible. The vibe was amazing as well. My carnivore boyfriend agreed that it was better than any of the expensive, high-end restaurants we've ever gone to. It was simply the best dining experience I have ever had. Loved the quotations of love on the back of the special menu. Mary definitely outdid herself. We are so lucky to have a talented chef like her in Ventura.
Read moreGuest
cat1
Points +76
Too good! - Edit
This is by far my favourite raw/vegan restaurant ever, and I have been to a lot! I had the cheese platter to start (amazing), the secret burger for the main and a raw chocolate cheese cake for desert, all incredible. The guy who was serving us was cool and helped us choose, good vibe..
Read moreUpdated from previous review on Friday July 26, 2013
Pros: food , service , vibe
Guest
QuerusAbuttu
Points +15
The BEST Food I've had in Forever! - Edit
This restaurant is the best kept secret in Ventura County. Mary's Secret Garden is a treasure of a place to eat. It serves an all vegan menu, and the food is AMAZING! My daughter took me to eat there for a late lunch today, and my palate was thankful for the delicious grilled veg protien/wrap sandwich and the curry soup. The pistachio/mint smoothie was bomb, and the finale', a dessert my daughter and I shared, was a vegan raw brownie with vegan ice cream. Rich, but in a portion that was JUST right! My new favorite restaurant in Ventura!!
Read morePros: Excellent Food and presentation!, Fantastic Service, kind wait-staff!!, Lovely Bistro Atmosphere!
Cons: A little pricey, but still fair range., The restaurant is a little small. , There should be more of these places!
Guest
Chia
Points +3635
Excellent, I loved it - Edit
I had read about this place on happycow, and here's my Mary's Secret Garden review.
Read moreA friend and I made time to drive to downtown Ventura from LA to experience what all the buzz is about. We were impressed.
The restaurant is small but very comfortable and pleasantly decorated. Could be suitable for a casual meal, a romantic dinner, or meeting with friends. We chose a little table outside on the sidewalk and enjoyed our meal in the sun while looking at the park across the street and glancing at the Pacific Ocean just a block away.
The menu was very impressive and offered a good and varied range of dishes. We would have tried everything if we could (...I will just have to return again to try the other stuff).
My friend and I shared a raw pistachio mint shake made with sprouted almond mylk, and it was awesome. Smoothies are priced at $6.00-7.00 each. We also enjoyed the raw ravioli, and they were delicious. I especially liked the unique sauces and dressings. The raw tacos were also outstanding. Their signature burger with the works was very tasty. Cooked and raw main entrees ranged from $10.50-16.00.
We also ordered the Thai coconut curry stew, at our waitresse's recommendation. It was very hearty, sweet yet spiced. Packed it home cuz we just couldn't eat all of that food in one sitting. Made for great left-over.
Finally, we ended our meal with incredible raw vegan ice cream made by Mary. A cherry one drizzled with chocolate ganache sauce and a mint cacao one drizzled with a gooey mint sauce. The raw ice cream were out-of-this-world better than any dairy version or other vegan ice cream I've had in a long time!
Cudos to Mary. She is very passionate about her restaurant and the food she serves, and it shows. I highly recommend coming here when you are anywhere near Ventura or driving by. It's a special place.
Pros: beautiful presentation, delicious and healthy, good service
Guest
Delmar831
Points +40
A-mazing - Edit
I was traveling through and this place is so worth the stop. I loved the amazing menu choices and decided to go with the light Spring Rolls in Peanut Sauce, a lovely blueberry/mint smoothie, and a to-go order (for dinner that night) of Sun-dried Tomato Mushroom Pasta and a slice of their Chocolate Cake. Everything was PERFECTION and well worth the price.
Read morePros: Raw options, Good quality, Perfect flavor
Cons: Pricey
Guest
marilyn nowak
Points +29
UNBELIEVABLE!!!! - Edit
OMG....so my husband surprised me with a romantic weekend getaway in Carmel. We left Orange County and decided to drive the coastline up. While driving, I logged onto Happy Cow :)) and searched for somewhere we could stop and eat lunch along the way. I being a vegetarian for over 25 years and my husband who eats meat occasionally, recently heading Vegan and Raw, looking for somewhere to go. Mary's Secret Garden is so secret that had it not been for Happy Cow, I never would have found it. What an unbelievable surprise. The food was beyond amazing, seriously!! My husband ordered the Curry Stew and I the RawViolis. Honestly, I couldn't tell you which plate was better. The presentation of the RawViolis was superb and the taste, fantastic! OK, now that i think about it, I would have to say the Curry Stew was to die for. Really. My husband (jokingly) picked up the bowl when he was done and began licking it clean. We both enjoyed our food immensely, we left full but not stuffed or bloated. We drove all the way to Carmel without eating another thing and all we could do was talk about how wonderful it was. There was one thing I must say we were very disappointed about and that was on our way back home, they weren't open on Sunday. We so badly would have loved to eat there again but have vowed next time we drive up north, Mary's Secret Garden will be our first stop!!!
Read morePros: Excellent Food, Excellent Food, Excellent Food
Cons: Absolutely no cons
Guest
ScoobyDoo
Points +83
The Secret's Out!! - Edit
On holiday from the UK and looked on Happy Cow for somewhere to have brunch. Found Mary's Secret Garden and oh my goodness how amazing it was. It cost slightly more than we intended but it was worth it. Had never had the chance to eat raw either so this was a great opportunity to try it. It was gorgeous!! I nearly cried when I saw the dessert too as it looked so lovely and tasted even better!! I would be poor if I lived anywhere near this place but no doubt I would be a lot healthier too!!
Read morePros: All vegan!, Healthy, Tasty
Cons: Price, Small inside
Guest
creativesoul53
Points +18
Awesome in all ways - Edit
Taking a date to a vegetarian restaurant was the first order of business when I chose Mary's Secret Garden Organic Restaurant, as I know I will dine like a royal taste bud regardless of the outcome of the date.
Read moreFrom the intimate atmosphere, to the words on the ceiling, you can shop, dine, talk, share and feel good when you leave.
The food is excellent. The lentil soup was most delicious, so flavorful, it could have been a meal unto itself. I have already made plans to return to try more selections from the menu. The night I attended Mary's place, I was coming off of a tooth pull, so I opted for the soft food world of the humus plate with a grape leaf wrap of rice, warm and delightful. My partner that evening dined on the soup and burger. He managed to clean his plate with a smile. I had a few spoonfuls of the soup, so I speak from experience! Get the soup!
Located across from a park, near the Ventura Post Office in California, Mary's place is a delightful find. I am glad I finally went in, having the excuse of going there on a date, is no longer a reason for me to wait to go again.
I will edit more when I come back from my next visit there.
Pros: Excellent Cuisine, Good Value, Friendly staff
Guest
stevensinger
Points +23
*DELICIOUS* Raw Food experience - Edit
I've been to many Raw Food restaurants in Southern California and Mary's Secret Garden rates favorably to all of them.
Read moreThe setting is quaint, intimate, and charming. What makes this experience truly special is that it avoids the big city environment that you get at Raw Food restaurants in Los Angeles or Santa Monica. The hostesses and waitresses have always greeted me with a smile and been very helpful in answering any questions that my guests had. I have taken many friends to experience their first raw food meal at Mary's and in every instance they were amazed that uncooked food could have so much flavor. I recommend the trying the desert offerings.
One caveat: It is small and if you don't find that charming you may not appreciate the ambiance.
Pros: Great tasting food, Healthy Options, Very Friendly Staff
Guest
spiceislandvegan
Points +1320
1 n only 100% Organic Vegan Rest. in 2 counties! - Edit
We visited Mary's Secret Garden the 2nd time. We were both pleased and satisfied with the dishes. They are tasty and flavorful. We went up as far as Cambria/San Simeon and didn't find any veg. restaurant (that has a vegan option) as delicious as Mary's. This is truly the only 100% vegan restaurant in 2 counties. We splurged. We ordered Mushroom Bakin Burger, Vegan Shrymp Pad Thai, Bluberries/Pineapple/Coconut smoothie, Mock Salmon Raw Sushi, Vegan Chicken Cilantro salad, Middle Eastern Plate, and Coconut Cream Chocolate Cake. We went 2 times for 2 lunches in 2 days. We filled up before we went to the Ventura County Fair (knowing that there is no vegan item in the Fair but roasted corn). The service was pleasurable and we even met Chef Mary. The menu has half vegan raw and half vegan cooked items. I thought that each item has a lot of umami in it (especially the Mushroom burger). The waitress, Rose, suggested the Stuffed Grape Leaves filled with rice and garbanzo beans. It was delicious. The smoothie was very colorful and yummy. The coconut chocolate cake will satisfy vegan and non-vegan alike. Mary has 'specials' all the time so even if you come back often you'll not be disappointed with eating the same thing all the time. Who knows what you'll get when you come to this restaurant. But it will be a nice surprise! Unfortunately, we live about 1.5 hours with no traffic and 3 hours with traffic from this restaurant. We will only be able to dine here when we travel up the coast. But the secret is out. Mary's Secret Garden is not a secret anymore. We'll stop by Ventura when we drive up there. This restaurant stays permanently in my Garmin GPS. Hail Mary!
Read morePros: Flavorful, 100% Vegan organic, Colorful and tasty
Cons: Far from home , Heavy Traffic in 101 FWY
Guest
irlandaise
Points +149
Cute! - Edit
A very cute little vegan place, but the menu is pretty limited (seemed to be mostly faux chicken sandwiches). A bit expensive for what you get, and I have to admit my chocolate cake (though it looked beautiful) was pretty dry. They forgot the chipotle sauce on my husbands chipotle sandwich. Oh well!
Read morePros: Vegan, Cute , Friendly Staff
Cons: Small / Limited Seating, Expensive, Limited Menu / Selection
Guest
Hugo
Points +53
Mary's Secret Garden Website - Edit
http://www.MarysSecretGarden.Net
Read morePros: The only TRULLY Vegan restaurant in VC!, Wonderfull wait staff, Food par Excellence!
Cons: None
Guest
Elizabeth
Points +207
Yum! - Edit
We went down to Ventura for the weekend and were excited that there was a vegan restaurant. We just made it in, traffic coming up from San Diego was HORRIBLE! We got in and the waitress was really nice and when she asked if we were veg or vegan and we said vegan she told us we HAD to try the chocolate cake. We ordered burgers with raw slaw. My husband got the mushroom burger and I got the regular burger w/ cheese. Yummy! We also had the soup-spicy tomato...yum! We didn't have room for the cake but we felt bad if we didn't have it. So, she brought it to us and OH MY! It was awesome! I'm not a big cake person but this was absolutely fantastic! They have organic beer, soda, and tea. The restaurant is cozy and definitely a date place. The prices are a little pricey. The mushroom burger was 12.00. For two people we had two beers, ice tea, two soups, two burgers, and a slice of cake for over 70.00. It is overpriced but if we go back to Ventura we will go back.
Read morePros: cozy, friendly, good selection
Cons: pricey
Guest
sandee
Points +41
charming/good food - Edit
This is a cozy little restaurant. The service was great and really friendly. The food was good but quite expensive for what we got.
Read moreThe icecream sunday was not to my liking but the chicken burger I had was great with a tasty barbeque sauce. Unfortunately we could not afford to keep going there to eat. I would like to have tried some of the other items.
Pros: Good sandwiches, cozy, friendly
Cons: pricey, crowded
Guest
Chandra
Points +60
The best Vegan/Raw Restaurant I've Ever Visited - Edit
I've been many places and tried many veggie restaurants and this one takes the top billing organic, vegan, and raw. Their raw dessert is fabulous!!!!! The fresh juices are out of this world and the food will turn you to veganism. It was a little pricey. I spent $50 for two for lunch, although that did include a shared dessert.
Read morePros: BEST VEGAN/RAW FOOD EVER
Cons: Pricey
Guest
veegn
Points +16
NEVER DISAPPOINTS!!! - Edit
We've been to Mary's at least 10 times by now and it's always a superb experience in every way! The food is delicious, beautifully presented and served promptly & cheerfully by well-informed, dedicated, friendly servers. Atmosphere is cozy, inviting & original. The BBQ sandwich is my favorite, and the desserts are delicious. The new special "cake-of-the-day" is a virtual showpiece of vegan baking!! Even though we have to drive 30 minutes to get there, we pretty much make eating at Mary's a weekly event.
Read morePros: great food, warm & friendly service, all vegan!!! : )
Cons: not open every day : (
Guest
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