Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 14,583	$ 11,824
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,761	25,217
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	515	449
Straight-line rent adjustment	(1,180)	(1,471)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(6,478)	(4,075)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,651	1,428
Provisions for tenant credit losses	867	323
Other noncash interest expense	301	535
Gain on sale of real estate	(2,638)	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(1,198)	845
Prepaid expenses	1,231	(89)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,334	9,701
Other assets and liabilities, net	(3,559)	(264)
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,190	44,423
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in real estate	0	(19,337)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	16,046	0
Improvements to properties	(10,120)	(8,441)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	5,926	(27,778)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(138)	(10,317)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	22,000	45,000
Payments on credit facility	(36,000)	(29,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,246)	0
Proceeds from the sale of common stock	0	1,508
Registration expenditures	(32)	(48)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(2,247)	(2,277)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(22,722)	(22,066)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(1,986)	(1,400)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,371)	(18,600)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3,745	(1,955)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	7,449	16,965
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	11,194	15,010
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	(2,238)	3,273
Interest rate swap liabilities	873	0
Accrued real estate improvement costs	1,300	2,196
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	9,649	13,012
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	7,449	16,965
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership L.P.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	14,583	11,824
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,761	25,217
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	515	449
Straight-line rent adjustment	(1,180)	(1,471)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(6,478)	(4,075)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,651	1,428
Provisions for tenant credit losses	867	323
Other noncash interest expense	301	535
Gain on sale of real estate	(2,638)	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(1,198)	845
Prepaid expenses	1,231	(89)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	11,334	9,701
Other assets and liabilities, net	(3,559)	(264)
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,190	44,423
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Investments in real estate	0	(19,337)
Proceeds from sale of real estate	16,046	0
Improvements to properties	(10,120)	(8,441)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	5,926	(27,778)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(138)	(10,317)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	22,000	45,000
Payments on credit facility	(36,000)	(29,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,246)	0
Proceeds from the sale of common stock	0	1,508
Registration expenditures	(32)	(48)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(24,969)	(24,343)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(1,986)	(1,400)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,371)	(18,600)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	3,745	(1,955)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	7,449	16,965
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	11,194	15,010
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	(2,238)	3,273
Interest rate swap liabilities	873	0
Accrued real estate improvement costs	1,300	2,196
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	9,649	13,012
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	$ 7,449	$ 16,965