Marie Shannon’s Confections

Most delicious cookies (especially the ginger and the peanut butter!) I have ever tasted! Ever! Yum! We’ve made a special trip from Thousand Oaks to get cookies!

Draft coffee is amazing! I go here only for their Caribbean Coffee Company Draft Coffee. Yes on tap!
I stop here occasionally as it is very close to my office. I can only speak for this draft coffee but it is very good and something different then any drip coffee or coffee beverages.
The staff is hit and miss. A couple of the baristas that work in the mornings are starting to know me so there is a connection and we do chitchat some. But I do know that when I first started coming in it was hard to even get a hello or a smile. I’ve heard that from others so I think it just depends on the person that waits on you.
Otherwise no complaints. It’s a cute little café with a beautiful patio outside. I’ve never eaten their pastries but they look yummy in the pastry case.

I showed up about three minutes before closing just to grab a slice of chocolate cheesecake and was turned away. Terrible customer service… How hard is it to take some cash and hand me a piece of cheesecake? Never coming back again.

First time here! Absolutely loved it. The staff is friendly, the treats are SO tasty and good coffee! Prices are moderate. They have a perfect patio for enjoying. Huge selection of baked goods, today we had a white chocolate raspberry muffin that was baked to perfection. We will definitely be back!

Usually go there for their quality coffee and tea
Their breakfast is definitely a hidden gem. It’s a basic egg breakfast, but great quality food for a less than $ 8 breakfast. The outside seating is also very pleasant.
The staff is always very friendly and I’d much rather go there for coffee and tea over Starbucks (across the street) any time.

I like to refer to this place as the Calabasas Saddlery of coffee shops… Sometimes the girls can be snooty (more so to others) but the coffee and food is amazing. I work at a breakfast restaurant and can recognize a fresh cracked egg. Love the food! Love the bakery items. The tiramisu, the cookies and pumpkin cheesecake bars are the bomb!

Very poor service and very poor food.
I ordered onion bagle, it was extremely hard to eat.
I gave up and just walk a way. I think I just wast my money. I don’t know how they have good reviews on Unilocal

The best gluten free chocolate dipped macaroons I’ve ever had! Very cute little place. The only downer was that they cleaned their espresso machine 15 minutes before closing, so we couldn’t get a late to go with our macaroon. But we’ll be back!

We ordered a vegan cake for our wedding. Tried the samples they were so good! The cake on the wedding day unfortunately tasted so sweet no one could eat it. One bite made me sick.

I’m a writer, so I’m constantly looking for new coffee shops to hole up in. I’m also a coffee fanatic, so finding a place with a decent cup o’ joe is key.
I thought Marie Shannon’s would be perfect. After all, there’s plenty of indoor/​outdoor seating, and it has this cute, charming appeal. Alas, not to be fooled, appearances can be deceiving. I ordered a flat white on my first day, testing this place out. The barista didn’t know what it was! I had to Google how to make a flat white. They were invented in Australia, btw, in case you cared.
The barista, a young brunette, patiently waited while I found the article and then described to her how to make it: three shots espresso, whole milk, and microfoam on top. Pretty straightforward, amiright? She made it for me and charged me $ 4.00. Fine. I liked the drink and the patio, so I decided to come back again. The next day, I ordered the same drink. A different brunette barista told me it would cost $ 5.00! I said that’s too expensive, I’ll just head to Starbucks. She had no retort, so I went to Starbucks instead. The girl there was EXTREMELY helpful, and whipped me up me a really yummy sugar-​free drink she invented herself. I should’ve mentioned that I’m on a very strict diet, and besides meat, some cheese, and a few vegetables, that’s it’s all I can consume. By the way, Marie Shannon’s also only had one sugar-​free drink option. (Vanilla)
I decided to head back to Marie Shannon’s in hopes that maybe I could talk to a manager, or someone would apologize and maybe try to be helpful. I sat on the patio doing some writing. Several of the girls working there saw me, and I guess saw I had a Starbucks cup. One of them made a very snarky comment (very loud, so I could hear) about how rude it was for someone to have a Starbucks cup at Marie Shannon’s. I finally got the attention of one of the baristas on her break outside (I didn’t dare go back inside for fear someone would rip my head off.)
I explained the situation and showed her my bank statement from the previous day and how I had been charged $ 4.00 for the drink. Her explanation was interesting. I will summarize below:
She said, the girl working yesterday was new and made a mistake. The drink price we gave you today is the correct price. Me, and the other girls working today have been here for 2 – 3 years, so we know the prices.“
Okay, that makes sense, and I begin feeling better…
but then she said something strange. She said, «we’re a small business, not a chain like Starbucks. We don’t have set prices for things. One day, if I like a customer, I might give him/​her a special deal, or a couple dollars off.»
She made a «nudge, nudge» motion with her elbow. Then she said, «If you don’t like the way we do things here, you can go somewhere else, like Starbucks.»
I thought hmm, first she tells me the barista was training and made a mistake and that today’s price was the correct price, but then she reverses what she just said and says there aren’t really set prices, and she and her fellow baristas change prices if they really like a customer!
Geez, this place is really making me not want to return! Then, I ask her for her manager’s information. She disappears and returns a few minutes later with a business card and her manager’s name. She semi-​apologizes and tells me that, since I’m not a customer, I shouldn’t be on the patio and I can’t use their wifi since I’m not a customer. (I wasn’t using their wifi) However, she emphasizes that she’s making an exception and tells me it’s okay for me to stay today.
Needless to say, I took my laptop, and left. I don’t think I’ll be returning to Marie Shannon’s. It’s obvious that they don’t like me, or want my business.

I’ve been to downtown Ventura many times, but somehow I missed this cute bakery. It’s right off the Main St., but it feels miles apart. It’s quiet, charming and relaxing. Great place to nurse your coffee at.
I love their indoor area, big, airy, nicely decorated (their restroom is cool, too). But I really enjoyed their patio, big, with many tables and chairs, greenery around. Nice spot to hang out on a sunny afternoon, to enjoy the breeze in the shade. This place has great pastries (savory ones as well), desserts, and coffees. You can enjoy a small meal, too — like a nice piece of quiche.
We got their raspberry/​almond muffins and they were good. Thanks to my fellow Unilocalers, I got the Mexican Mocha (blended) with cinnamon and that was delicious. What a nice treat, so well made, topped with whipped cream and chocolate. Outstanding! I couldn’t have enough.
Great service, very nice girls working here. Moderate prices.
I prefer this place to Palermo, it’s calmer, more relaxing, great place to get away for a few minutes (or longer).

Shannon made our wedding cake and desserts. We had a very specific cake in mind: a semi-​naked, three tier cake with two very different flavors for the tiers — chocolate with salted caramel and nuts & lemon cake with raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries. Not only was the cake so beautiful (see picture), but our guests were all raving that it was the best cake they’ve ever had. I had four pieces on the wedding night, and we decided to eat the top layer with our family a few days after because we didn’t want to wait a year (lol).
Thank you Shannon for the most delicious cake and also for executing our specific vision on it and the desserts — including Lavender macaroons that you’ve not made before. Our tummies are forever grateful! We’ll definitely come see you at the café and eat your delicious treats again soon.
xo Kristall & Jake

My husband got me a birthday cake from Marie’s and it was amazing! It was beautifully, elegantly decorated and tasted even better! Not to mention how big it was, got to continue to enjoy it the next day :-) Dense, flavorful and fresh, can’t beat that!

I’ve shopped here a few times and always been happy with the pastries I’ve gotten. I’ve ordered holiday pies here and they were fantastic. I stopped in the other day hoping to buy a pie or cake but only found small sized pastries in the display cases. The layout was a little changed and they had fewer bakery cases on the floor. I assume they still do special order cakes and pies but didn’t see any available for spur-​of-​the-​moment /​last-​minute purchase. Staff has always been friendly and helpful. Atmosphere is cozy and relaxing. I’d definitely recommend them for a personal treat or selection of treats to bring to your office or to an event.

Where do I start is the place to get the best snacks that are not what you find at most treat shops. I never knew they served coffee or I would have been here along time ago. I loved all 4 treats I got from there and my double shot. I thought it would be very colorful inside because the outside looks cool but it’s still looks like a fun place to have and have a cup of joe, I’m a fan I’ll be back. Great location too right across from the theatre and park in the heart of downtown.

I am still looking for THE café/​bakery in town that provides awesome cappuccinos and amazing baked goods. This is the closest I have found in Ventura since Savory bakery and the bread bakery associated with MY Florist went out of business a few years back. Still I hope.
Pros: Awesome place to go and chill,-especially the outdoor patio. Really good baked goods. I especially like the breakfast breads toasted with butter and breakfast of egg, bacon and fresh bread toast. My kids love the muffins-​although they are a little too sweet for me.
Cons: depending on the barista the cappuccinos/​lattes can be really good, or two watered down for my taste. They need to work on consistency. I like the home made bagels, but they are not as chewy as a Noah’s bagel.
I think this place is definitely worth a visit

Wonderful pastries, I haven’t special ordered anything as of yet… But simply walking into this quaint shop, they have a case full of delightful baked goodies. From cupcakes, to pastries, to cookies or whoopie pies, it’s a sweet lovers dream come true.
Try them out soon, I can guarantee you will be back for more.

This is my favorite stop for coffee in Ventura. They have organic coffee and great ambiance. Get the mexican mocha — the cinnamon in it gives it the perfect kick.
They also have white & dark chocolates for lattes. One of the most important things for me when rating a coffee shop is the availability of a dark chocolate mocha. They have this perfected.
The cookies and other pastries are pretty good and the staff is very friendly. My husband had one of their empanadas here and I will say, they should stick to sweet pastries because it wasn’t good. So stick to the sweets and the coffee and you’ll be very glad you came.

Been around since February 2012… I would never have found this place or known of it’s existence if it wasn’t for my coworker, Tony.
After lunch at the park, a small group of us took a stroll for some dessert. The place is actually a lot bigger than it appears. There’s an extension outside with tables and seating.
We tried the following:
Chocolate Chip Cookie
Snickerdoodle Cookie
Key Lime Tart
Cheese Cake
German Chocolate Cake
Ice Blended Coffee
All of us enjoyed our items. The German Chocolate Cake was super rich and they Key Lime Tart was tangy.
They offer organic and Vegan options through special order only.
They also have a Breakfast Menu and Savory items such as savory tarts, breads, Spanakopita etc.
I also have to mention that they do have an individual unisex restroom and it was spotless in there.
Yep, we all got our sugar fix.
¹⁹⁷⁄₁₀₀ Reviews for 2014

Near the Main Street Ventura.
I visited for breakfast before heading out of town.
Shop was not incredibly busy. Staff was attentive and friendly as I reviewed over the bakery case and menu. I elected for an empanada which asked if I wanted heated up and some ultimate cookies.
Staff was prompt to getting the empanada warmed and cookies pulled from the case. I waited intently for the empanada as I watched people around me.
Staff was personal to other patrons. My empanada was brought to me and I left the shop. I proceeded to consume the empanada back to the hotel I was staying at. Filled healthy with sausage, jalapeño, and some vegetables. The crust was not overly toasted. Spice was on. Food temperature remained a pinch cold but not to ruin.
After consuming the food, I tried the ultimate cookie. Oh my goodness. By far one of the best cookies ever tried (I am a baker). Full of all goodness you could imagine in a cookie.
Good: cookie, reasonably priced, seasoned empanada.
Bad: a bit cold on empanada.
Overall cookies are awesome. Four stars. I should come back for the cookies.