Insider Tips

9 Best Holiday Treats in Conejo Valley

Posted on December 12, 2022 by Conejo Valley

If Santa gets cookies and milk on Christmas, then we all deserve holiday treats too. Now’s the time to get your holiday cocktails, hot chocolate, gingerbread, toffee and anything else your holiday heart desires. We’re pretty sure calories don’t count during the holidays anyway. Here are our picks for the best holiday treats and drinks in Conejo Valley.  

HOLIDAY EATS 

Photo: @flowerhillcookiefactory

FLOWER HILL COOKIE FACTORY – GINGERBREAD HOUSES 

The beauty of this place is that you get to eat the treats AND they’ll teach you how to make them too. They also sell things like gingerbread cookie kits and decorate your own or build your own gingerbread kits you can take home. They offer baking parties with master bakers and everyone gets an apron, chef hat, gloves and take-home bakery boxes too.  

Our Menu Item Pick: Three words – custom gingerbread houses. Yes, this is a very real thing and they are SOOOO good at it. It tastes amazing and will make your holiday magical. See the full menu here. 

Photo: @NewberryCandy

NEWBERRY CANDY – TOFFEE, FUDGE, & MORE 

This is the kind of candy that’s almost too good to share. We’re talking insanely good toffee, fudge, caramel apples, and all kinds of chocolate-dipped treats like strawberries and nutter butters. You can pick out your treats in-store and they ship too. You can even schedule a caramel-apple-making party or a chocolate-dipped party for a fun and delicious holiday party. 

Our Menu Item Pick: Their holiday chocolate-dipped oreos are so festive and almost too cute to eat, and we’d never turn down their candy apples, either. See the full menu here. 

Photo: Emil’s Bake House

EMIL’S BAKE HOUSE – European Treats 

Head here for Christmas around the world at this European artisanal bakery. They make traditional treats like gingerbread houses and fancier ones like Croque en Bouche, Bavarian Napoleons, fresh fruit tarts and decadent cakes and pastries. They import the finest ingredients from France, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, so their treats are uniquely authentic. 

Our Menu Item Pick: You really can’t go wrong at Emil’s, but if we had to pick just one, it’s the Bavarian Napoleon all day long. We’d also go for their cream puffs. Their Alpen quiche is another favorite with asiago and gorgonzola cheese, tomato and mushrooms. See the full menu here. 

Photo: @SweetArleens

SWEET ARLENE’S – CUPCAKES & BREAD PUDDING 

We had to mention this 3-time champion on Cupcake Wars, who was also featured on Cooking Channel’s Unique Sweets as a bread pudding favorite. They’re all about seasonal fruits and seasonings, so you know they’re going to have some amazing holiday treats. While their cupcakes are exceptional, their bread puddings are next level. You’ve honestly never seen bread pudding like this before. 

Our Menu Item Pick: Their bananas foster bread pudding with fresh bananas flambeed in dark rum and caramel sauce is AH-mazing. You had us at flambe. Their cutely decorated cupcakes are also a sight to be seen. See the full menu here. 

Photo: @PaulMartinsAmericanGrillWestlake

PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN GRILL – HOLIDAY MENU 

If savory fits your palate more, this restaurant is featuring three brand-new dishes in time for the holidays. Diners can choose from bacon-wrapped scallops or a sesame-crusted tuna. The restaurant recommends pairing these items with Paul Martin’s signature Holiday Sparkler. Enjoy until December 31.   

Our Menu Item Pick: Salivate over a crab-topped Filet Oscar, the perfect surf and turf option for Christmas time cravings. See the full menu here.  

HOLIDAY DRINKS 

OAK & IRON – COCKTAILS 

They’ve turned cocktails into an art form. Oak & Iron specializes in inventive garden-to-glass cocktails using local ingredients while paying close attention to the seasons. Their festive holiday menu is inspiring to say the least and includes red, white, and sparkling wine options as well as cocktails and curated tasting experiences. 

Our Menu Item Pick: A holiday fun favorite is the “Santa Tell Me” – filled with goodness made of pomegranate infused Cimarron Tequila, lime and pomegranate seeds. See their full menu here. 

Photo: @NPBCbeer

NAUGHTY PINE – MICROBREWERY 

The name alone is festive and their brews are well worth a visit. This popular spot came on the scene in 2020 and focuses on classic and contemporary beers with an emphasis on European-style lagers and ales. Hit up their ugly sweater party on Dec 23 for a festive fix with live music and tasty eats from Aztlan Mex. 

Our Menu Item Pick: You gotta go with something off their Naughty List (actual name) and our pick is the Huskless Gem, a single hop American wheat ale known for its citrus and berry/currant notes. See their full menu here. 

Photo: Cork Dork

CORK DORK – WINES & HOLIDAY SPIRITS

This boutique wine bar is big on pairings, which makes this a very festive spot for gourmands and oenophiles looking for seasonal fare. The atmosphere is relaxed and they’re always ready to share some geeky details about their harmoniously united wine and food. They source everything locally they can and pair their eats with the best local beers and over 40 different wines.   

Our Menu Item Pick: We’re fond of their Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec wine. It sounds impressive when you order it and the cocoa powder and violet notes are wonderful. They also have a number of innovative cocktails. See their full menu here.  

Photo: @TheFive07

FIVE 07 COFFEE BAR & EATERY – WARM HOLIDAY SIPS 

Picture your favorite warm drink and Five 07 can whip it up for you. They’re especially good at healthy alternatives like macadamia nut milk and organic, vegan and GF options. For more festive flavors, we recommend peppermint rose tea or cinnamon chai latte. If you’re hungry, they have excellent toasts, smoothies, smoothie bowls, and paninis too.  

Our Menu Item Pick: Their We Taste coffee with hazelnut, nectarine, graham cracker, and milk chocolate is perhaps their tastiest and most unique coffee. We also love their blueberry lavender toast with multigrain bread, goat cheese, organic blueberry, lavender and local honey. See the full menu here. 

MAKE YOUR SPIRITS BRIGHT

It’s intriguing how tastes and smells trigger memories and that’s especially true during the holidays. We hope your Christmas season is filled with your happiest memories and that your holiday vacay is a merry one. Be sure to check out our full list of hotels, attractions, and travel tips for your stay.