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Since this posh bistro sprung to colorful wallpapered life just beyond downtown in the spring of 2021, it has been the toughest ticket in town to score—and Michelin agrees that it's worth the hype. Hoping to be the culinary manifestation of British photographer, artist, and Renaissance man, Cecil Beaton, the meaty menu is rich, flavorful, and full of financial and caloric splurges (caviar-topped deviled eggs, Wagyu tomahawk steaks), as well as fundamentally familiar dishes (roast chicken, steak frites, Bibb-lettuce salad, lemon tarts), but chef Gabe Woo adds unexpected touches like seasonal chutney atop a smoked pork chop. There's also a wild visual feast to be consumed (even in the bathrooms!). The look is splashy yet chic, centered on a marble and wooden bar, an enviable art collection that includes Calder and Warhol, and a showpiece custom light fixture. Start the reservation hunt early, and, if unsuccessful, show up before the restaurant opens,and pray for a cancellation or that one of the bar's grommeted, electric-blue, stool-chair hybrids, reserved for walk-ins, is available.
1555 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92264, USA
Known For
- Charming patio where you might spy celebrities
- Perfect vegetable accompaniments
- Complex and elegant cocktails, including a $50 martini
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Reservations essentials, Cash only; only serves parties of 6 or less
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At her colorful flagship eatery and market, vegan chef Tanya Petrovna—who founded the first national plant-based chain, Native Foods, in the early '90s—pumps out filling, well-seasoned, and meat-free sandwiches and burgers, as well as salads, fries, and popular deli items. Dedicated to living cruelty-free, she prides herself on making all the "meat" (e.g., cultured tempeh, seitan, and tofu facon) in-house and also uses personal recipes to create the agua fresca, chai, and desserts—including what is easily the tastiest, least-grainy, vegan, soft-serve ice cream to have ever been swirled.
72695 Hwy. 111, Palm Desert, California, 92260, USA
Known For
- Communal tables and friendly devoted patrons
- Hearty vegan comfort food
- The zingy Chupacabra
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At this charmer of a bistro in downtown’s historic La Plaza, you can cross the pond without a passport by tucking into Provençal-style staples like sweet or savory crepes, bouillabaisse, croque-monsieur sandwiches, and omelets—all made from scratch using true-to-the-name ingredients, plenty of dairy products, and amour. Savor breakfast and lunch daily as the sun warms your skin; the setting becomes even more magical after dark thanks to string lights, clinking wine glasses, a gurgling fountain, and a five-course prix-fixe dinner offering.
6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Seating in a fragrant, flower-filled courtyard
- House-made jams, French press coffee, baked-Brie board
- Boozy brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Wed. and Thurs.
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Tac/Quila is what happens when two lawyers dare to dream out loud and switch gears mid-career—judging from the crowds at this always humming joint, they made the right decision. The setting features flower-laden "living" walls and a blend of mid-century modern and classic-Mexican design elements, but the menu is all Mexican, with Jalisco-style appetizers, tacos, ceviches, and meat dishes, as well as a surprising number vegetarian and vegan copycats. And, like any Mexican restaurant worth its margarita salt, this one has a bar that's well stocked with a variety of tequilas and mezcals. For similar bites and booze in a quieter, less-crowded space, head over to sister eatery Clandestino.
415 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Flavored margarita and craft-beer flights
- Fun, sharable appetizers like aqua chile oysters and tempura avocado nuggets
- Convenient location
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Chef Michael Beckman's Uptown Design District hot spot pairs high-quality California cuisine and classic and creative cocktails with sleek, utilitarian, concrete-and-leather design inside a repurposed historical theater and outside on a lively patio. Everything is delicious, but this team particularly excels at anything involving duck, from duck fried rice to duck breast with beet and blood orange jus.
800 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Most ingredients sourced from within a 100-mile radius
- House-made ice cream and sorbet
- Communal seating options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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Perched on the seventh-floor rooftop of The Rowan hotel, where stunning mountain and city views unfold from nearly every table, 4 Saints serves modern American farm-to-table dishes in a distinguished dining room crafted from leather, wood, and metal and on the outdoor patio. The menu features hearty, sophisticated steak, seafood, and pasta dishes made with global flair and fresh-daily produce.
100 W. Tahquitz Cyn. Way, Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Creative and classic cocktails
- See-and-be-seen scene
- Attentive service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch
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From the photos, trophies, and other memorabilia to a menu filled with The King's favorite dishes like meatloaf and Latrobe banana splits, golf champ and restaurant namesake Arnold Palmer's essence infuses the spacious dining room and pub where families gather for new American cuisine and good times. It does brisk birthday and Sunday dinner business yet the service is always attentive.
78164 Ave. 52, La Quinta, California, 92253, USA
Known For
- Chopped BLT salad, double-cut pork chops, baked mac and cheese
- Top-notch wine list
- Entertainment most nights
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential, Closed Sun. and late May–mid-Sept.
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Though the late founder Donald Callender made his name as a purveyor of pie with the Marie Callender's chain, he also built a solid smoked-meats-and-suds rep with this barbecue–microbrewery. Carnivores show up in droves for fall-off-the-bone racks of ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket-topped salads, and chops that are marinated overnight—all of which pair well with the IPAs, ales, and lagers brewed on site. He also smartly carried over cornbread, tamales, and pie recipes from Callender's.
71800 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, USA
Known For
- Coachella Valley's oldest and most-acclaimed microbrewery
- Pinup girl art and bronze pigs
- Ribs smoked over hickory and pecan wood
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People love traveling with their pups, and at this inventive uptown bar–restaurant, Fido is welcome to join you at tables on the big enclosed patio, which is accessed via the doggy door, naturally! You can savor spirits, snacks, and more substantial plates—many with Asian/Filipino leanings, like blistered shishitos, garlic noodles with galbi (Korean short ribs), or chicken adobo—while your dog can chow-chow down on a gourmet selection from the canine menu. If you aren't accompanied by a furry friend or you want to chill in the air-conditioning, head inside to the cute, trendy, and mutt-free main dining room.
2080 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Freshly baked cookies and milk (or milk punch)
- Happy hour daily in high season and Friday–Sunday in summer
- Instagram-worthy design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed. in summer
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Sooner or later most visitors to Borrego Springs wind up at Carlee's Place for a drink and a bite to eat, drawn by an extra-long menu with everything from burgers, salads, and sandwiches to seafood dishes and prime rib. It's an all-American place, where your server might call you "honey" while setting a huge steak in front of you, and fellow diners might play pool and dance to jukebox music.
660 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Down-home atmosphere
- Martinis and classic cocktails
- Everything made from scratch
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A friendly, family-run eatery tucked into a back corner of what is called "The Mall," Carmelita's draws diners all day, whether it's for a hearty breakfast, a cooked-to-order enchilada or burrito, or just a brew or margarita at the bar. The menu lists typical combination plates (enchiladas, burritos, tamales, and tacos).
575 Palm Canyon Dr., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Dog-friendly patio
- House-made masa dough and salsas
- Full bar with sports TVs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted
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At this restaurant, known for its beautifully prepared Mediterranean cuisine, you can dine inside or under the stars in the atrium. The service here is attentive, and the menu roams Spain, Italy, California, and beyond.
70026 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, USA
Known For
- House-made limoncello that stews for three months
- Cheese and charcuterie boards
- Tons of desert choices
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Since the 1960s, this Coachella Valley classic has served pizza, pasta, chicken parmigiana, and other entrées commonly ordered by mobsters in the movies. The booths are big; the lights are low; the soundtrack is soft rock; and the kitchen isn't stingy with cheese, salad dressing, or red sauce. There are a few surprises on the pie side, including one with ham and honey mustard and another feauring sesame teriyaki chicken with peanuts and carrots.
81963 Hwy. 111, Indio, California, 92201, USA
Known For
- Wallet-friendly lunch combos
- Old-school Italian dishes
- House-made, hand-tossed pizza dough
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Chef Andrew Manion Copley prepares decadent dishes with flavors and techniques he picked up at past posts in Europe, Australia, and Hawaii in a setting that's straight out of Hollywood—a hacienda once owned by Cary Grant. Dine in the clubby house or in the garden under the stars and with mountain views.
621 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Romantic patio dining
- Fresh seafood and meats bathed in rich sauces
- Sweet and savory herb ice creams
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed July and Aug. No lunch, Reservations essential
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Set on a corner lot of a crisp new strip mall, this woman-owned restaurant is a popular local hangout that focuses on matching wines and cocktails with its array of small and large plates meant to be shared. The globe-trotting menu changes with the seasons, but you might feast on tequila lime shrimp tacos, poke wonton nachos, veggie kale dumplings, Korean barbecue pork belly sliders, or Neapolitan-style pizzas.
49890 Jefferson St., Indio, California, 92201, USA
Known For
- Separate vegan menu (and many gluten-free options)
- Eclectic list of affordable wines by the glass and bottle
- Casual fine dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
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This upscale restaurant at the Palms at Indian Head hotel caters to those who want a fancy dinner, particularly hunks of filet mignon or rack of lamb served at candlelit tables with white tablecloths overlooking the pool. Pet owners will appreciate the canine menu, whose treats include house-made peanut-butter dog cookies.
2220 Hoberg Rd., Borrego Springs, California, 92004, USA
Known For
- Romantic candlelit dining room
- Pork tenderloin and prime rib
- Classic mid-century setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No breakfast or lunch., Reservations essential
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Egg dishes, griddle items, and hearty Mexican breakfasts like huevos rancheros are the morning draw at this Joshua Tree institution, but plenty of people sing the praises of its sandwiches, burgers, salads, and tacos for lunch or early dinner. Taxidermy animals, framed newspaper clippings, old photos, and beer-can lights decorate the interior, and tattooed waitresses and the quirky regulars make it clear that the high desert is unlike anywhere else in San Bernardino County.
61715 Twentynine Palms Hwy., Joshua Tree, California, 92252, USA
Known For
- Great people-watching and eavesdropping
- Hearty and affordable meals
- Vegetarian and vegan dishes that use tofu, fake meat, or JUST Egg
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This is, and has been since 1981, exactly what most people look for in a casual, go-any-day-of-the-week, Mexican-American restaurant—big portions, reasonable prices, a variety of margaritas, and a massive menu with all the basics (tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas) and some fancier dishes like chile rellenos (stuffed roasted peppers) or carne asada (marinated grilled steak). What's more, the waiters are friendly, and the atmosphere is festive yet still relaxed enough for kids and fur babies (the latter are welcome on the patio).
74969 Hwy. 111, Indian Wells, California, 92210, USA
Known For
- Strong margaritas and The Tower of Tequila
- Fried desserts including the original Peachorito
- Four kinds of fajitas (the house specialty)
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No matter what time or day it is, this swanky restaurant in the Uptown Design District buzzes with pals toasting promotions and celebrating birthdays, couples on dates sharing beet carpaccio and oysters, singles mingling in the lounge, and tourists who were lured from the street by the jovial sounds and tantalizing smells wafting out of the polished white (with pops of Barbie pink) rooms and expansive patio. The look may be a little late-'90s, early-aughts Miami, but the menu is pure Pacific Coast with favorites like ahi tuna poke with house-made kimchi, steelhead niçoise salad, mesquite-smoked carne asada, and curried-cauliflower steak.
849 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
Known For
- Colorful plates made from scratch
- Energetic scene
- Brandini toffee s'mores fondue will knock your socks off
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Using his grandmother's passed-down family recipes from Mazatlán, Mexico, Florencio Delgado and his wife opened their original restaurant in 1973. Five decades later, the Delgado descendants are still pumping out hearty and traditional plates of fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, and harder-to-find stuffed-pepper dishes like chile en nogada. Imported art and crafts lend festive charm to this casual but crowded culinary institution, which has an expansive garden patio.
70–050 Hwy. 111, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270, USA
Known For
- Vast margarita menu
- Table-side guacamole presentation
- Lively happy hour
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Dinner reservations essential, Closed Tues.
