Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 13,136	$ 14,583
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,278	24,761
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	526	515
Straight-line rent adjustment	89	(1,180)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(5,478)	(6,478)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,856	1,651
Provisions for tenant credit losses	715	867
Other noncash interest expense	73	301
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(2,638)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(2,399)	(1,198)
Prepaid expenses	103	1,231
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	10,455	11,334
Other assets and liabilities, net	(2,647)	(3,559)
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,707	40,190
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	16,046
Improvements to properties	(11,555)	(10,120)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(11,555)	5,926
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(142)	(138)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	80,000	22,000
Payments on credit facility	(10,500)	(36,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(1,246)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(2,187)	(2,247)
Deferred financing and other costs	(5)	0
Repurchase of common stock	(8,846)	0
Registration expenditures	(333)	(32)
Dividends paid to common shareholders	(23,398)	(22,722)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,318	(42,371)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	59,470	3,745
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	64,928	11,194
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(2,238)
Interest rate swap liabilities	8,791	873
Accrued real estate improvement costs	3,881	3,500
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	63,077	9,649
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	64,928	11,194
Retail Opportunity Investments Partnership L.P.
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	13,136	14,583
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	24,278	24,761
Amortization of deferred financing costs and mortgage premiums, net	526	515
Straight-line rent adjustment	89	(1,180)
Amortization of above and below market rent	(5,478)	(6,478)
Amortization relating to stock based compensation	1,856	1,651
Provisions for tenant credit losses	715	867
Other noncash interest expense	73	301
Gain on sale of real estate	0	(2,638)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Tenant and other receivables	(2,399)	(1,198)
Prepaid expenses	103	1,231
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	10,455	11,334
Other assets and liabilities, net	(2,647)	(3,559)
Net cash provided by operating activities	40,707	40,190
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from sale of real estate	0	16,046
Improvements to properties	(11,555)	(10,120)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(11,555)	5,926
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments on mortgages	(142)	(138)
Proceeds from draws on credit facility	80,000	22,000
Payments on credit facility	(10,500)	(36,000)
Redemption of OP Units	(1,999)	(1,246)
Distributions to OP Unitholders	(25,585)	(24,969)
Deferred financing and other costs	(5)	0
Registration expenditures	(333)	(32)
Shares withheld for employee taxes	(2,272)	(1,986)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	30,318	(42,371)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	59,470	3,745
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	5,458	7,449
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	64,928	11,194
Other non-cash investing and financing activities increase (decrease):
Interest rate swap asset	0	(2,238)
Interest rate swap liabilities	8,791	873
Accrued real estate improvement costs	3,881	3,500
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	63,077	9,649
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in Statements of Cash Flows	$ 64,928	$ 11,194