EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

(1)   Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-163866), and in the related Prospectus, of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.,

(2)   Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-170692) pertaining to the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp., and

(3)   Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-1/MEF on Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-146777), and in the related Prospectus, of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp.

of our reports dated February 27, 2013, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) of Retail Opportunity Investments Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2012.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

February 27, 2013