Palm Springs Guide – Where to Eat
Palm Springs has many choices now in the last few years of great places to eat from breakfast to dinner. In the last year, quite a few new restaurants have opened, giving visitors and residents a lot better options to dine out. Below are my favourites.
Breakfast
Cheeky’s – Fresh, flavourful food located in the Uptown Design District. Menu changes weekly to accommodate seasonal produce and fruit. They have a bacon flight! And the smoothies and juices are the bomb. They only serve breakfast and lunch.
Norma’s at the Parker – Norma’s offers a large variety of decadent options from crème brulee waffles to egg bennies. There is even a $1,000 lobster frittata with caviar you can order. You cannot go wrong with their daily smoothies. Stroll around the grounds after brunch and explore the Parker hotel.
Ruby’s Diner – A chain of diners, can’t go wrong and if you go there for lunch or dinner be sure to order a milkshake
Kings Highway – This casual restaurant is a part of the Ace Hotel. The menu changes for the season too. If you are not staying at the Ace, you can pay $25 and swim and use the facilities for the day after breakfast.
Lunch
Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar – This restaurant is located in El Paseo above the Tommy Bahama store. The decor is tropical and the drinks go down smooth. It is a must to order the coconut shrimp!
In & Out Burger – A must do if you are a meat person and a burger fan (sorry vegetarians). Ask for animal style.
Jackalope Ranch – A great bbq joint, it’s a little far off down the 111, but worth it. if it is nice out (who are we kidding, isn’t it always) sit outside, they have a bar and 6.5 acres of lush gardens. The decor is cool and it is a lodge type building.
Jake’s – A new place in the Uptown Design District that serves gourmet comfort food, also check them out for brunch and dinner.
Dinner
Kings Highway – See above, dinner options are always good. Go for bingo night if you can and order a pie a la mode. After you can go to the amigo room and have some drinks inside or by the pool
Workshop Kitchen & Bar – An amazing place located in a historic building in the Uptown Design District. They change their menu seasonally and you can’t go wrong sitting inside or out in their gorgeous courtyard. Cocktails are also really good.
Tinto – Iron Chef Jose Garce’s restaurant at The Saguaro. Features food and drinks from the Basque region of Spain.
Birba – Italian/pizza joint located in the Uptown Design District that is also part of Cheeky’s and the Alcazar hotel on the strip. Great food and even just a great place to enjoy some drinks outside (I recommend the Ricki Ticki Tavi).
Trio – Another place in the Uptown Design District that serves great midwest comfort food. It is always bumping all year round.
Blue Coyote Grill – A Southwestern restaurant that is casual and we always a good meal there.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant and Bar – See above, solid choice for dinner too.
Il Corso – A new Italian restaurant on El Paseo. The décor is cool, food is sicilian influenced with a wood fire pizza oven
Mister Parker’s – A dark, fun and funky restaurant that serves dinner at the Parker. It features a grand piano where live music is played nightly.
Copleys – Located on the Cary Grant estate, this restaurant has a great patio that gives you amazing views of the mountains while you dine. The food is excellent with American and European influences.
Casual/Late Nights
El Jefe – This is a part of the Saguaro, serving Mexican street food. Try the Esquites, it is addicting.
Birba– See above, just a great place to have drinks.
Sherman’s Deli and Bakery – A bit of New York in Palm Springs. Great casual place, always busy serving NY style deli and bakery items.
Cocktails/Drinks
Tonga Hut – Cool tiki bar off the main strip. The drinks are great and the decor is a throwback to the good old days.
Bootlegger Tiki – Located in the historical Don the Beachcomber space, neat little tiki bar that just opened.
Amigo Room – Bar/lounge in the Ace Hotel, you can drink inside the cool space or bring the party outside by the pool.
Hardrock Hotel – Karaoke night is a must, good people watching and they also play great music.
Coffee, Desserts and Pastries
Koffi – Small chain in Palm Springs. They brew great coffee and their pastries and small bites are tasty.
Il Sogno – Small cafe and bakery located on El Paseo. The pastries and cakes are delicious and the owners are there everyday.
Frankie’s Old World Italian Bakery – Italian bakery that bakes Calabrian style.
Palm Springs is a great place, and I’m happy to see the food scene grow over the last few years.
Enjoy! xo
