Palm Springs and the Desert Resorts Restaurants

During the season, restaurants can be busy, as many locals and visitors dine out every night, and some for every meal. An influx of talented chefs has expanded the dining possibilities of a formerly staid scene. The meat-and-potatoes crowd still has plenty of options, but you'll also find fresh seafood superbly prepared and contemporary Californian, Asian, Indian, and vegetarian cuisine, and Mexican food abounds. Most restaurants have early-evening happy hours, with discounted drinks and small-plate menus. Restaurants that remain open in July and August frequently discount deeply; others close in July and August or offer limited service.

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  • 1. Café La Jefa

    $

    Thanks to its misted patio, fast Internet connection, plethora of seating, and, most importantly, fine selection of caffeinated hot and cold drinks, this is a great work-from-café option on the main drag in uptown. The colorful, independently owned, Latina-influenced coffeehouse serves Sisters Coffee out of Oregon, local Townie bagels, Lotus Energy elixirs, fresh-daily pastries, and filling breakfast plates, including smoked salmon toast and chorizo con papas. There's also a vast assortment of chilled and canned beverages alongside healthy grab-and-go nibbles and prepackaged snacks by local makers for those in even more of a hurry.

    750 N. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, California, 92262, USA
    760-673--7456

    Known For

    • Chai chatas and chagaccinos
    • Wraparound patio with shaded section
    • Healthy grab-and-go nibbles and locally made snacks

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner
  • 2. Perfect Pint

    $

    A chef and a sommelier turned losing their jobs during the COVID shutdown into a pandemic silver lining by starting this French-style frozen-custard company out of an adorable chrome trailer. Not only do they collaborate with local coffee, toffee, honey, and date purveyors, but they also offer unique flavors like lemon-blackberry streusel, kaffir-lime piña colada, and peppermint cookies-n-cream—all served by the pint and half-pint out.

    73545 El Paseo, Palm Desert, California, 92260, USA
    760-218–9458

    Known For

    • No artificial colors or emulsifiers
    • High-quality ingredients
    • Gluten-free options
  • 3. Crossroads Cafe

    $

    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
    760-366–5414

    Known For

    • Great people-watching and eavesdropping
    • Hearty and affordable meals
    • Vegetarian and vegan dishes that use tofu, fake meat, or JUST Egg
  • 4. Luchador Brewing Company

    $

    In addition to strong cervezas, which are brewed on-site (or at the larger, Chino Hills flagship) in four 10-barrel tanks, this taproom serves up Tijuana-style street food (tacos, tortas, churros, esquites) from a built-in, vintage food truck.

    68510 E. Palm Canyon Dr., Cathedral City, California, 92234, USA
    760-797–2337

    Known For

    • Beer cocktails and adult slushies
    • Crowlers to go
    • Mexican brunch on weekends
  • 5. Townie Bagels

    $

    Tucked into the Warm Sands neighborhood is the brick-and-mortar realization of a bagel dream for two dudes who started selling baked goods out of their home and at the weekend farmers' market. Using nonadditive flours and old-school methods like boiling in malted water, they create their round mounds of goodness daily in 22 rotating flavors, from the expected poppy and cinnamon raisin to the less common like the black Russian. The location is nothing to write home about, but it's clean and comfortable and has a few tables outside to enjoy your bagel toasted, slathered in spreads like red pepper hummus or chive cream cheese, or piled high with proteins or veggies. There's also fresh bread and crackers to take home. 

    650 E. Sunny Dunes Rd., Palm Springs, California, 92264, USA
    760-459–4555

    Known For

    • Basic but comfortable location
    • Takeaway fresh bread and crackers
    • Special weekend-only bagel flavors (like olive fennel or pretzel)

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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