Palm Springs Dining Scene Guide: 12 Must-Try Restaurants

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Palm Springs Dining Scene Guide

One of the best places to spend a weekend in southern California is Palm Springs. It’s a fun weekend away for friends and family. Discover the vibrant Palm Springs dining scene with our curated guide to 12 top restaurants. From charming breakfast spots to upscale fine dining establishments and lively bars, this desert oasis offers a culinary experience to savor with every bite.

The Coachella Valley, Old Town Yucca Valley, and Pioneertown offer something for every kind of person to enjoy, from date farm tours to rock climbing in Joshua Tree National Park and outdoor art installations. 

No matter what the activity, it’s probably going to require some food and drinks.

Are you trying to find the Palm Springs Dining or best restaurants in Palm Springs? We’ve been visiting Palm Springs for years, and I can’t wait to share our top locations with you! 

Palm Springs has it all: upscale dining establishments, roadside eateries, and pubs by the pool. You should bookmark them for your upcoming fun vacation. 

Best Palm Springs Breakfast Spots & Brunch Destinations

You can never go wrong with breakfast and brunch in Greater Palm Springs. Picture yourself with salads and fresh fruit from the farm served on outside terraces. 

There’s no better way to start the day than with views of the mountains, sunny-side-up eggs, and bottomless mimosas enjoyed under unending blue skies.

  1. Wilma & Frieda Palm Springs: Comfort Cuisine with a Vintage Charm

Wilma & Frieda, named for the owner’s two grandmothers, serves you the greatest comfort cuisine. Located on a second-story bistro balcony with a view of Palm Canyon Drive. 

It has cozy, vintage-inspired decor and a friendly, welcoming staff.

You must try the tarragon chicken salad sandwich, Kim’s banana caramel French toast, and Benny’s Bennie. 

A variety of flavorful selections are available, such as their famous meatloaf that is served with two eggs of any kind. You won’t want to leave without eating one of their renowned handcrafted pop tarts, even though there are lots of vegan and gluten-free options!

This restaurant’s dedication to serving high-quality food is evident in every mouthful, making it the ideal place for a substantial breakfast and brunch. Additionally, the excellent service will make you feel like a family member.

Essential Information

Opening HoursMonday to Sunday
Time: 8 am to 2 pm
Price: $40 and underMenu
Location:Palm Springs and Palm DesertGet Directions
  1. Cheeky’s is a Must-Try Palm Springs Brunch Spot

Cheeky’s has been the preferred spot for decadent breakfasts because of its inventive, seasonal cuisine that highlights fresh ingredients. 

This restaurant promises a lovely start to your day, whether your craving is for the famed house-cured bacon flight, the chilaquiles, or the buttermilk and corn pancakes. 

All set to play around? Get a spiked lemonade or a morning margarita, and end with a house-made dessert like the plum clafouti. 

Cheeky’s is a well-liked breakfast and brunch establishment that has won over residents and tourists. You won’t regret waiting—the cuisine is delicious!

Essential Information

Opening HoursMonday to Sunday
Time: 8 am to 2 pm
CuisineAmerican
Price: $15 to $30Menu
Location:622 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262Get Directions
  1. Gabino’s Creperie Palm Springs

Gabino’s Creperie, located on Palm Canyon Drive, is a pretty pink establishment that offers a tasty, adaptable, French-inspired way to liven up your day. 

Made to order with premium, fresh ingredients, this quaint creperie offers both savory and sweet crepes. 

The robust crepes, which come in flavors including chicken pesto, BBQ chicken, buffalo chicken ranch, and vegetable, are among Gabino’s best-selling menu items. Go for a classic banana and Nutella crepe if you’re craving something sweet. 

In our opinion, Gabino’s Creperie is the best place to go when you’re in a hurry but still want to eat something tasty for breakfast, brunch, or a midday snack.

Essential Information

Opening HoursTuesday to SundayClosed: Monday
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
CuisineFrench
Price: $10 to $20Menu
Location:170 E Palm Canyon Dr #4, Palm Springs, CA 92264 Get Directions

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Fine Dining Restaurants in Palm Springs

  1. 4 Saints Palm Springs: Elevated Fine Dining with Stunning Views

Making a reservation at the sophisticated and wonderful 4 Saints is highly recommended for an exceptional fine-dining experience in Downtown Palm Springs. 

4 Saints, located atop the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, offers a dining experience that is as bit as stunning as the surrounding scenery from its seven-story perch. 

This rooftop restaurant, which combines culinary creativity with breathtaking views of the San Jacinto Mountains and the desert, is breathtaking both inside and out. 

An excellent range of whiskeys and carefully mixed drinks complement the cuisine, which features dishes like bone-in filet, grilled Spanish octopus, lobster ceviche, and Icelandic salmon.

Essential Information

Opening HoursBARMonday to Sunday: 4 pm to 10 pm
HAPPY HOURSunday to Thursday: 4 pm to 6 pm
RESTAURANT HOURSSunday to Thursday: 5 pm to 9 pmFriday to Saturday: 5 pm to 10 pm
CuisineContemporary American
Price: $50 and overMenu
Location:100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262Get Directions
  1. Le Vallauris Palm Springs: Historic Fine Dining with a French Flair

Le Vallauris—located in the center of Palm Springs at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains—has garnered some of the top reviews in the Coachella Valley. 

Executive Chef Jean-Paul Lair, who has over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, creates the delicious food at Le Vallauris. 

The beef filet, ravioli with Maine lobster, and escargot are highly recommended. 

Built in 1927, the Historic Landmark served as the Roberson family’s residence while they oversaw The Desert Inn, Palm Springs’ first hotel. 

The home hosted numerous lavish parties for visitors like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Nat King Cole, and many others. 

Once the restaurant opened, local socialites, presidents, and members of Hollywood’s elite made its list of frequent visitors. 

Essential Information

Opening HoursMonday to Saturday: 5 pm to 9 pmSunday: Brunch: 1 am to 2 pm               Dinner: 5 pm to 9 pm
CuisineFrench
Price: $55 to $90Menu
Location:385 West Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262, USAGet Directions
  1. Trio Restaurant Palm Springs

This culinary gem in Palm Springs’ Uptown Design District combines cool, sophisticated elegance with modern California food. 

The eatery is celebrating 14 years of serving seasonal food from the area by updating its look to better fit Palm Springs’ changing urban landscape. 

Founder Tony Marchese oversaw the transition from exuberant tones to a more sleek and attractive interior with warm wood tones, light gray walls, and modern lighting fixtures. Trio never wavers from its commitment to serving fresh, local food. 

Start the meal with warm white cheddar biscuits to pass around the table, then go on to pasta prepared in-house, fresh veggies, and main courses like diver scallops and Tomahawk pork chop. 

Choose a standout wine to pair with any of Trio’s entrees, then choose from a variety of inventively blended spirits for your cocktail selection, such as Uptown Lemonade or Goodnight Out.

Essential Information

Opening HoursSunday to Thursday: 4 pm to 9 pmFriday to Saturday: 4 pm to 10 pmHappy Hour daily: 4 to 6 pm Tuesday All Day Happy Hour
CuisineAmerican, Contemporary American
Price: $31 to $50Menu
Location:707 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262Get Directions

Check: Top Palm Springs California Attractions You Can’t Miss in 2024!

Casual Dining in Palm Springs: Top Spots for Relaxed Meals

  1. Farm Palm Springs: A Taste of Provence with Organic, Local Flavors

The farm is a Provençal-style restaurant situated in La Plaza de California, renowned for its use of organic, locally produced products. 

As customers enter the Farm, they are treated with a sensual experience that surpasses their taste buds, set against a patio decorated with blossoming flowers. 

Your mouth will be watering and your thoughts will be fantasizing about an afternoon spent in the south of France as the fragrances from dishes pass by. 

Although Farm is a great place for lunch and dinner (don’t miss the croque madame), we love how this rustic patio is transformed for supper in the evening.

Essential Information

Opening HoursBreakfast And Lunch: Daily: 8 am to 2 pmWalk-ins onlyDinner: Friday to Tuesday5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
CuisineFrench
Price: $50 and aboveMenu
Location:6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA, 92262Get Directions
  1.  Tac/Quila Palm Springs: Savor Authentic Jalisco Flavors and Craft Cocktails

Tac/Quila is committed to delivering amazing, real flavors and giving customers delightfully unforgettable experiences. 

It combines classic Jalisco flavors with contemporary culinary inventiveness, and is a downtown favorite because of its warm ambiance, which is perfect for both locals and tourists. 

Enjoying mezcal or tequila while sheltering from the Palm Springs heat is the best vacation one can imagine. 

Tac/Quila is a great spot to discover the wide world of Mexican spirits while savoring delectable dishes like aguachile, tacos, and fajitas, and perhaps closing with a bowl of arroz con leche thanks to its large menu and bottle collection.

Essential Information

Opening HoursMonday to Sunday
Time12 pm to 9 pm
CuisineMexican
Food OptionsVegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price: $31 to $50 Menu
Location:415 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA, 92262Get Directions
  1. Rooster & the Pig Palm Springs: Discover Delicious Vietnamese-American Fusion

Rooster & the Pig is a Vietnamese-American restaurant on Indian Canyon Drive that offers a mouthwatering fusion of flavors and culinary inspirations in a warm, lively setting. 

One kind of hidden gem restaurant in the area is Rooster and the Pig. Additionally, it’s first-come, first-served, so we advise arriving early.

Every dish on the menu, from the crunchy rolls to the sticky lemongrass chicken and sauteed eggplant to the pork belly fried rice, is as wonderful and enticing as the last, which is why you’ll find a long line of ravenous patrons forming outside.

Essential Information

Opening HoursWednesday to SundayClosed: Monday and Tuesday
Time5 pm to 9 pm
CuisineVietnamese
Food OptionsVegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Price: $20 to $40Menu
Location:356 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm SpringsGet Directions

Bars and Nightclubs in Palm Springs

  1. Copa Nightclub Palm Springs: Experience Vibrant Nightlife and Stunning Dance Floors

The Copa Nightclub is designed to tribute to vintage Palm Springs nightclubs, with an elevated stage and a gorgeous U-shaped bar surrounded by gilded cocktail tables, velvet booths, and leather barstools. 

Enjoy a cocktail in the stylish lounge while taking in the entertainment schedule featuring both local and visiting acts.

Copa becomes the sexiest dance floor in the valley after the amazing performers, with colorful lasers shooting through the air and shifting lighting flashing beneath your feet. 

Every night of the week, as you dance the night away, the resident DJ mixes themed music on a cutting-edge sound system to enhance your senses. 

Essential Information

Opening HoursFriday and Saturday
Time9 pm to 2 am
Location:244 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA, 92262Get Directions
  1. Toucans Tiki Lounge Palm Springs: Iconic Drag Shows and Exotic Nightlife

Toucans Tiki Lounge is a must visit place if you want to enjoy the nightlife in Palm Springs.

Watch the Playgirls’ and Tommi Rose’s incredible performance.  Thanks to their amazing energy and talent, this legendary drag show has become a must-see occasion. Visitors are astounded and delighted by it. It’s been the longest running drag event in Palm Springs for almost 20 years.

With palm trees and exotic cocktails, the venue’s beautiful tiki-inspired décor transports you to a paradise where problems are left at the door. 

Although it is mostly recognized as a gay club, it also hosts a lot of girls’ night out gatherings.

Essential Information

Opening HoursThursday to Monday
Time6 pm to 2 am
Location:2100 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262Get Directions
  1. Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey Palm Springs: Premier Sushi and Whiskey Experience

Sushi fans and whiskey enthusiasts will find an intimate culinary experience set against a gorgeous backdrop of industrial and sleek décor. 

The crew at Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey creates an incredible culinary masterpiece by fusing two of their most cherished culinary disciplines. 

Unquestionably the highlight of Downtown Palm Springs dining, this chic, upmarket eatery serves a wide selection of freshly made, precisely constructed sushi and sashimi in addition to brown spirits and rice wine. 

In addition, Sandfish’s menu offers opulent and inventive main courses that are guaranteed to impress a crowd. Go big and choose the omakase for the ultimate experience—a chef’s tasting menu unlike any other.

Essential Information

Opening HoursMonday, Thursday, and Sunday: 4:30 pm to 10 pm Friday and Saturday: 4:30 pm to 11 pm
CuisineJapanese
Price: $30 and underMenu
Location:1556 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262Get Directions

Palm Springs Dining Guide | FAQs

1. Is it expensive to eat out in Palm Springs?

Dining out in Palm Springs can vary widely in cost. You can find budget-friendly options at casual eateries and roadside diners, with prices typically ranging from $10 to $20 per meal. Mid-range restaurants and brunch spots might cost between $15 and $50 per person, depending on the type of meal and the establishment. For high-end dining experiences at upscale restaurants, you can expect to spend $50 or more per person. Overall, Palm Springs offers a range of dining options to fit different budgets.

2. Does Palm Springs have a nightlife?

Yes, Palm Springs has a vibrant nightlife scene. The city offers a mix of lively bars, stylish nightclubs, and entertainment venues. Popular spots include Copa Nightclub, known for its chic atmosphere and energetic dance floor, and Toucans Tiki Lounge, which features legendary drag performances and a tiki-inspired decor. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away, enjoy live performances, or sip on creative cocktails, Palm Springs has something to offer for a fun night out.

3. Where did Selling Sunset eat in Palm Springs?

In an episode of “Selling Sunset,” the cast dined at the iconic restaurant, Farm Palm Springs. This Provençal-style restaurant is celebrated for its organic, locally-sourced ingredients and charming, rustic ambiance. It’s a popular spot for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable dining experience in Palm Springs.

4. What are the best breakfast and brunch spots in Palm Springs?

  • Wilma & Frieda: Enjoy comfort cuisine with vintage charm. Favorites include the tarragon chicken salad sandwich and Kim’s banana caramel French toast. [Location: Palm Springs and Palm Desert]
  • Cheeky’s: Known for its inventive, seasonal cuisine like the house-cured bacon flight and buttermilk and corn pancakes. [622 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262]
  • Gabino’s Creperie: Offers a variety of sweet and savory crepes, including classics like banana and Nutella. [170 E Palm Canyon Dr #4, Palm Springs, CA 92264]

5. What are some fine dining restaurants in Palm Springs?

  • 4 Saints: Located atop the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs Hotel, it features contemporary American cuisine with breathtaking views. [100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262]
  • Le Vallauris: Offers historic French fine dining with dishes like beef filet and ravioli with Maine lobster. [385 West Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262]
  • Trio Restaurant: Celebrated for its modern California food and stylish, updated interior. [707 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262]

6. Where can I find casual dining in Palm Springs?

  • Farm Palm Springs: Enjoy Provençal-style dining with organic, locally-produced ingredients. [6 La Plaza, Palm Springs, CA, 92262]
  • Tac/Quila: Offers authentic Jalisco flavors and craft cocktails, including aguachile and tacos. [415 North Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA, 92262]
  • Rooster & the Pig: A Vietnamese-American restaurant serving dishes like sticky lemongrass chicken and pork belly fried rice. [356 S Indian Canyon Dr, Palm Springs]

7. What are some popular bars and nightclubs in Palm Springs?

  • Copa Nightclub: A vibrant nightlife spot with a stylish lounge, entertainment, and a lively dance floor. [244 E Amado Rd, Palm Springs, CA, 92262]
  • Toucans Tiki Lounge: Known for its iconic drag shows and tiki-inspired décor. [2100 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262]
  • Sandfish Sushi and Whiskey: Combines sushi and whiskey in an intimate setting with a chic atmosphere. [1556 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262]
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