A Perfect Day of Eating and Drinking Through Westlake Village

Stop 1: Morning Fuel at The Espresso Bar

Every good trail starts with caffeine, and The Espresso Bar is where Westlake Village actually wakes up. I've whiled away many mornings at the window counter here, watching the neighborhood shuffle past with dogs and golf clubs. Order a flat white — they pull a proper shot here, not the burnt stuff — and add one of their pastries if the case looks fresh. The Wi-Fi is solid and the pace is unhurried before 8 AM, so arrive early if you want a quiet start. By 9, it fills with laptop campers and stroller crews.

The Espresso Bar — Get there before 8 AM for a seat by the window and the fastest service of the day.

Stop 2: Mid-Morning Wine at The Stonehaus

Yes, wine before noon — this is Westlake Village, and The Stonehaus makes an 11 AM pour feel entirely civilized. The Mediterranean-style property sits above vineyard rows with views toward Westlake Lake, and the patio is genuinely one of the best morning seats in the Conejo Valley. Order a glass of their house rosé and a cheese board from the market counter, then claim a shady table near the olive trees. On weekends it gets busy with brunch crowds by noon, so your early arrival pays off twice. Walk the grounds a bit before you leave; the landscaping alone is worth ten minutes.

The Stonehaus — Ask for a patio table on the west side for the vineyard view, and grab a bottle from the market to take home.

Tip: Park in the main lot off the driveway entrance — the upper spots near the patio fill first on weekends.

Stop 3: Lunch at Mediterraneo

By 1 PM you'll want real food, and Mediterraneo delivers exactly the kind of coastal European lunch this town does best. I always go with the Greek salad to start and then whatever grilled fish is on the specials board — the kitchen here treats seafood with a light hand, lots of lemon and olive oil. If you're dining with a group, add the mezze spread and let everyone graze. Portions are generous without being heavy, which matters when you've got two more stops ahead. The dining room is comfortable and quiet at lunch, a nice reset from the Stonehaus bustle.

Mediterraneo — Ask your server about the daily fish special — it's usually the best thing on the menu.

Stop 4: Afternoon Tasting at Aldabella Winery

For the afternoon wine hour, skip the big-production tasting rooms and head to Aldabella Winery, a family-run operation pouring small-lot Rhône and Bordeaux-style wines from Central Coast fruit. The tasting room is relaxed and personal — on my last visit, the person behind the bar walked me through each pour's vineyard origin without a script in sight. Work through the red flight; their Syrah-based pours are the standout. Pace yourself with four tastings, not six. You've got beer ahead.

Aldabella Winery — Ask for the red flight — the Central Coast Syrah pours are the ones worth savoring slowly.

Stop 5: Late-Afternoon Pints at Westlake Brewery

Around 4 PM, switch gears at Westlake Brewery, the local taproom where the after-work crowd trickles in and the mood stays easy. Order a flight first so you can sample across the range, then settle on a full pour of whatever IPA suits you — the tap list rotates enough that regulars always have something new to argue about. Split a soft pretzel if anyone's hungry; you'll want a base for dinner. The taproom is welcoming to newcomers, and the bartenders genuinely know their beer, so ask questions.

Westlake Brewery — Start with a flight before committing to a pint — the tap list rotates weekly.

Tip: Drink water between the winery and the brewery. Your dinner self will thank you.

Stop 6: Dinner at 101 North

For the finale, 101 North is Westlake Village's most polished dinner plate — contemporary American cooking, seasonal menus, and a wine list that rewards actually reading it. Come hungry and order the short rib if it's offered; otherwise, let the seasonal mains guide you. The service is the kind that anticipates rather than hovers, which makes it just as right for a date night as a celebration. Make a reservation for 7:30 or 8 PM so you arrive with an appetite built over a full day on the trail. Dress a notch above casual.

101 North — Book ahead for a 7:30 PM table and ask the server for a wine pairing from their extensive list.

Stop 7: Nightcap (or Dessert) at Lady C's Salt & Pepper... Sugar & Cream

If you've got anything left, end the night at Lady C's Salt & Pepper... Sugar & Cream on Russell Ranch Road, where the menu is as eclectic as the name promises. It's the kind of place that doesn't fit a category, which is exactly why it makes a last stop — no expectations, just whatever creative thing the kitchen is doing that evening. Order dessert, obviously. The whole day has built to this: a slow sweet finish and a short drive home.

Lady C's Salt & Pepper... Sugar & Cream — Save room — dessert here is the whole point of the final stop.

If You Want to Extend the Trail

With a second day or a car and some ambition, the Malibu entries on this list make a worthwhile detour. Gravina on Pacific Coast Highway does elegant Italian with ocean views, The Sunset Restaurant at Westward Beach serves fresh seafood against panoramic water, and Paradise Cove Beach Cafe puts your toes practically in the sand. Closer in, The Old Place offers rustic, wood-fired American fare in a historic building that feels a world away from the planned streets of Westlake Village, and Cornell Wine Co. pours a curated list worth an evening on its own. Bogies is the reliable pub-style fallback when you just want a burger and a friendly bar. But for one perfect single day? The seven stops above are the route.

The Old Place — Reserve ahead for dinner — the cozy historic dining room is small and fills on weekends.

Tip: Designate a driver or use rideshare between Aldabella, Westlake Brewery, and dinner — the stops are close but the pours add up.