13 of the Best Dinner Spots in Greater Palm Springs

Whether a Night Out With Friends, or a Casual Family Dinner—We Got You Covered

Written By: Sara Hyland 12 of the Best Dinner Spots in Greater Palm Springs

Dining out at the same ol’ place every weekend can get tiresome, especially if there’s nothing particularly unique about your regular spot. Thankfully, the Desert offers an array of unconventional restaurants for everyone’s dining pleasure. Each of these establishments has their own take on what a night out is supposed to be, whether it’s with friends or family. Bistros, lounges, bars and converted historical buildings are all available to locals and tourists alike. At these locations, no one should leave without experiencing an extraordinary dining experience.

Jake’s Palm Springs

With misters in place to relieve you from the summer heat and beautiful desert views, it’s always a lovely dining experience at Jake’s Palm Springs. And the lush 20-foot ficus in the courtyard is a sight almost as welcoming as their Acai Basil Gimlet, which boasts Veev Acai vodka, fresh lime juice and flavorful basil leaves. For the main course, we recommend one of Chef Mario’s signature dishes–the Chilean Sea Bass. Misoyaki sauce, ponzu beurre blanc, garlic smashed potatoes and a vegetable medley complement the fish beautifully and make for a perfect meal in The Desert.

664 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.327.4400

 

Lulu California Bistro

In a pastel-adorned palace decorated with portraits of the faces of Old Hollywood like Lucille Ball and Marilyn Monroe, and heavily stocked bar, Lulu serves up the tastiest of drinks. Begin with the Lulu Big Chips, perfectly crispy scalloped potatoes with beautiful herbs served up with a lovely housemade ketchup. End the night with the unbelievably whimsical cotton candy presented in a giant class dotted with melt-in-your-mouth semi-sweet chocolate chips.

200 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.327.5858

 

The Cork Tree

Ingredients like dates, lettuce, and avocados show up in many dishes, each with their own twist, at The Cork Tree. One of the Cork Tree-esque menu items is the Banana Split containing a chocolate hazelnut bar, banana gelato, caramelized banana and a cabernet and black cherry syrup. This spot offers intimate dining with an old school feel sans the modernistic use of iPads.

74950 Country Club Dr
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.779.0123

 

The Tropicale Restaurant and Coral Seas Lounge

Take the Live Jazz Tuesdays and Thursdays that include a jazz duo and a kickass pianist and bassist. The inside of the restaurant matches the décor of old Palm Springs meets Miami supper club, while the dining patio resembles a tropical setting including lush vegetation, soft light, and a lovely fountain. Because the words “coral seas” is in their name, it is no surprise the menu is ripe with seafood. All of the fish is wild or sustainable, meaning line caught or sustainably raised in water pens. Enjoy some ahi tuna or the Seared Miso Salmon Salad and Japanese Pickled Vegetables.

330 E Amado Rd
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.866.1952

 

Eureka!

Embodying an all-American ethos, Eureka! has created a gathering place where locals can get good food without breaking the bank. The dining room is filled with anyone from young professionals to families, both with the opportunity to enjoy live music every Thursday where new and upcoming artists are featured. Don’t miss out on the truffle cheese fries consisting of truffle salt, parmesan, green onion and a white truffle cheese sauce. Top it all off with a craft beer and enjoy the escape.

74985 CA-111
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.834.7700

 

Workshop Kitchen + Bar

Designated a Class 1 historic site, Workshop Kitchen + Bar rests inside a remarkable El Paseo building from 1962, including the original eclectic Spanish patio complete with umbrellas, cacti and a fountain. With beautiful light bulbs dangling from the ceiling and angular furniture to compliment the dim romantic lighting, there isn’t a bad seat in the house. With the perfect amount of sea salt and herbs de provence, the duck fat fries are the perfect side to any entrée on the menu, and finish the night off with one of Workshop Kitchen + Bar’s assorted cakes and cheesecakes.

800 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.459.3451

Copely’s

Dine in the footsteps of Hollywood legend Cary Grant at Copley’s, a fine dining restaurant located on part of his former Palm Springs estate. Patrons have the opportunity to dine in view of the beautiful Desert mountains on the patio and sit around the glorious fire pit at night. Namesake Chef Andrew Copley offers his twenty years of culinary knowledge through exquisite dinners. Top your meal off with the surprising basil ice cream. Uncommon, but amazing.

621 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.327.9555

 

Johannes Restaurant

Serving up contemporary continental cuisine, Johannes Restaurant offers eclectic menu choices, exotic martinis and the chance to enjoy food with Chef/Owner Johannes Bacher’s Austrian flair. Feel confident about menu choices because of their health conscious nature; for example, the lack of zero trans-fat oils and the menu items are organic and prepared fresh daily. For the true Austrian experience, there is a dish that simply cannot be missed: the Wiener Schnitzel. The schnitzel is served with roasted parsley fingerling potatoes, cranberries, lemon and cucumber in a dill sour cream dressing. Forget the flight to Austria–just take a drive down Indian Canyon.

196 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.778.0017

 

Circa 59

Never was there a restaurant with more bling than Circa 59. Complete with mirrored walls, humongous crystal chandeliers and shining firepots outdoors, everything screams Hollywood glamour. Furnished with red leather upholstered booths and chairs, this establishment accentuates the growing popularity of Palm Springs mid-century Modernism architecture. The dedication of the chefs to buying fresh products locally from SoCal farms is seen in the pork tenderloin served with braised fennel, peach-black truffle preserve, wild arugula, mashed potatoes, and calvados sauce.

1600 N Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.778.6659

 

Rooster and the Pig

With the culinary influences of French techniques, Owner/Chef Tai Spendley’s Asian heritage, and “bi-coastal gallivanting, ” this place is anything but ordinary. Its industrial chic décor is accentuated by the coffee cans on each table holding an assortment of chopsticks and, possibly, a fork. Menus are broken up into four sections: You Begin, You Eat Fresh, Best You Share, and You Likey My Summer Roll. Share the crispy whole red snapper with pineapple, tomato, ginger, and lotus stem, and when picking a summer roll, choose the shrimp, persimmon, glass noodle, basil and mint.

356 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.832.6691

 

Cork & Fork

Presenting a menu of small plates ranging from classic comfort to exotic fusion, this restaurant is dedicated to serving the highest quality ingredients shopped locally, organically and sustainably. Every dish is meant to mix, match, share and enjoy, which is easy to do with a selection full of delectable dishes and an abundant wine list. Begin the evening with the Goat Cheese Bruschetta served on grilled bread and topped with truffle honey, roasted tomatoes, balsamic, and pistachio nuts. Finish off the evening with the King’s Hawaiian Bread Pudding served with fresh banana, white chocolate chips, ’99 bananas’ and whiskey caramel.

47875 Caleo Bay Dr., Suite A106
La Quinta, CA 92253
760.777.7555

 

Eight4Nine Restaurant and Lounge

This restaurant and lounge hotspot boasts a crisp white interior with a minimalist yet elegant charm. Owned by by restauranter Willie Rhine and photographer John Paschal, the two have invested a great deal in putting forward a menu with diverse culinary creations. This is a great spot to bring a date (or meet one) with a unique selection of cocktails to choose from. Take The Seducer, for example—with Hangar 1 buddha’s hand citron vodka, domaine de canton liqueur, pama, pom juice and fresh lime juice. The Grilled Scallops is a dish worth ordering, flavor packed with basil and mint.

849 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, California 92262
760.325.8490

 

The Venue Sushi Bar and Sake Lounge

From its ever-evolving menu to its chic and sleek design, the ambiance at The Venue will never disappoint. The signature roll, The Venue, defies the standard for a spicy tuna roll in the best way imaginable. It is topped with salmon, seared with a blowtorch, with a light sauce, micro greens and tabiko. Indulge yourself! And to top it all off, you and your pals can sample a large variety of sakes, either with your meal or as a nightcap.

73-111 El Paseo Ste 103
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.346.1500

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