Bungalows and Bites Abound at These Poolside Dining Destinations
Every well-rounded West Coaster knows that a weekend jaunt to Greater Palm Springs is always a must, no matter what time of year. The most seasoned of jetsetters—from the insiders and influencers to the glamorous glitterati—all look at this dazzling desert destination as the ultimate retreat. It’s the perfect place to relax and recharge at resplendent resorts and boutique bungalows. Best of all, it’s just a hop, skip and a jump from coastal beach cities, like Santa Monica, Newport Beach and La Jolla.
But one thing’s for sure: to beat the desert heat, you’re going to need a pool. And lucky for you, we’ve found 12 of the best in town with restaurants attached! Read on to discover the best poolside restaurants in Palm Springs and beyond for an alfresco meal.
The Colony Club at The Colony Palms
For an elegant and elevated experience, look no further than The Colony Club at The Colony Palms Hotel & Bungalows. Brimming with old money vibes, California country club charm and a hint of swinging sixties sophistication, this luxurious retreat is the place to see and be seen. Like the Beverly Hills Hotel of the Coachella Valley—with its familiar cursive type scroll, signature banana plants and prints, and glamorous striped cabana awnings—get ready to unwind and dine in style. Don your chicest poolside attire and sip on a spritz before sampling the Mediterranean menu, influenced by flavors of the most adored European summer destinations.
Azúcar at La Serena Villas
Perfectly placed along the sun-drenched poolside patio at La Serena Villas—one of the first hotels to receive a Michelin Key for its uniquely outstanding stays—Azúcar boasts a ‘Gram-worthy culinary experience, featuring contemporary cuisine and a cheerful Latin American feel. Inside, colorful portraits of Frida Kahlo grace the walls, and a welcoming bar serves up cocktails and margs, while the stately pool is framed by bountiful bougainvillea and offers front row seats to views of the majestic mountains. Stop in for a boozy brunch and indulge in everything from Spanish French toast to pork belly tacos, or enjoy some seafood before heading up to Sugar High rooftop for some seriously satisfying sunset sips.
High Bar at The Rowan Palm Springs
Perched seven stories above the dreamy desert landscape is High Bar, The Rowan Palm Springs’ answer to a poolside oasis. Enjoy the endless summer vibes on the sprawling rooftop pool deck, and take a daytime dip before tucking into some snacks and sustenance. Soak in the sleek rooftop style and al fresco atmosphere while admiring the vibrant valley vistas. Chomp on steak skewers, Baja tacos and poke nachos while soaking up the sun, then cool down with an ice-cold cocktail, like the Trader Vic’s Mai Tai or Coco Loco. Stick around until the stars come out and clink glasses by the glow of the pristine pool.
Air Pool Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage
Get your cabana resy locked in and head over to The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage for an afternoon of VIP poolside pampering at Air Pool Bar. This poolside restaurant is the perfect place to serve some major main character energy, combining postcard-worthy desert views with a chic, contemporary ambiance. Sip on a flute of bubbly or a handcrafted cocktail while enjoying made-to-order custom burgers and a curated selection of small bites. Bask in the sun as you sip and savor before heading to the hotel’s cliffside evening eatery, The Edge Steakhouse, for a more formal supper.
12/8
King’s Highway at Ace Hotel & Swim Club Palm Springs
If you’ve ever been influenced by the dream of stepping into a Wes Anderson movie, look no further than Ace Hotel & Swim Club in Palm Springs. Known for its retro design and bohemian aesthetic, this mid mod lodge has all the kitsch and curated charm of an indie film, packed with poolside pizazz to match. Stop into King’s Highway, the hotel’s signature lunchtime locale, designed to pay homage to the retro roadside diner—a familiar backdrop for a rom-com rendezvous or a family road trip flick. Have your mid-day meal delivered to the patio for you to enjoy poolside, no doubt with a boozy beverage in hand.
5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar at Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs
Get into the island spirit and head on down to the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar—a little slice of paradise brought to life (and to Palm Springs) by the magical Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts brand. Designed and named in honor of the mythical destination of lore, as manifested by the one and only Jimmy Buffett, this margarita mecca is the perfect place to pal around by the pool while searching for your lost shaker of salt. Head inside to Jimmy’s namesake eatery, JWB Grill, for a more formal setting where you can enjoy burgers and casual American fare with island flair.
Amala at Palm Springs Surf Club
If you love those dry desert days, yet also miss an ocean breeze, then the Palm Springs Surf Club is the place for you. With the atmosphere of an elevated resort and the sprawling panorama of a pool befitting a whimsical waterpark, there’s a panoply of poolside places to enjoy a libation or two here. Head over to Amala for the ultimate alfresco dining experience—where valley views vie with surfside scenery and an array of flatscreens at the bar for your viewing pleasure. Slice into a steak or simply snack on sandwiches, salads and seafood. Kick back with a glass of crisp white from the extensive wine list or linger over a craft cocktail before riding the waves.
Pink Cabana at Sands Hotel & Spa
Step into your very own pink paradise—officially known as the Pink Cabana—at the fresh and fabulous Sands Hotel & Spa. Designed as a modern take on the tennis and racquet clubs of yore, this cheery, colorful space is giving Palm Beach meets Palm Springs. With its signature flamingo-pink booths, gold fixtures and mashup of pretty patterns, it’s the Barbie’s Dreamhouse of Palm Springs restaurants. Fair warning: you may never want to leave. Enjoy an elevated menu, featuring an array of classics with a proclaimed Mediterranean meets Moroccan slant. Slurp down raw oysters before moving onto steak frites, mushroom tagliatelle or green chile chicken tacos. Peruse a list of cocktail concoctions or sip on seasonal spirits influenced by old spice routes before laying your towel down on one of the poolside loungers.
Chiki Palm at Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa
Plan your escape and book your getaway to the newly rebranded Tommy Bahama Miramonte Resort & Spa, where you can enjoy lounge chair libations in the poolside privacy of Chiki Palm. Snack on a selection of small bites and lunchtime favorites, like the fig and prosciutto flatbread, and be the king or queen of the castle when it comes to commandeering your very own cabana. Lay back and leave your cares behind while pouring from your personal pitcher of margarita or beer, along with unlimited soft drinks and a complimentary sun care kit. Your skin will thank you later.
Palm Canyon Swim & Social at ARRIVE Palm Springs
Feeling social? Make your way to Palm Canyon Swim & Social at ARRIVE Palm Springs for your own personal pool party. Adults will enjoy the chic vibes of this poolside restaurant in Palm Springs (no kids allowed) along with an all-day brunch menu. Chow down on churro French toast and hashbrown chilaquiles, or snack on classic avocado toast or a fried chicken sandwich with a round of mimosas—no matter the time of day. If you’re still feeling peckish come happy hour, fill up on $10 small plates and frozen cocktails before calling it a day.
Conchilla Valley Pool Bar & Grill at OMNI Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Clear your calendar and make a date with yourself for a little rest and relaxation at the Conchilla Valley Pool Bar & Grill at OMNI Rancho Las Palmas. Get mellow with the yellow motif that encompasses the patio, people-watch from under your pretty poolside parasol, and seek refreshment from the cheerful bar, where you can savor spectacular salads, Latin classics like empanadas, Baja guacamole and carne asada, and an array of sushi rolls, classic wraps and summer sandwiches. Once satiated, head to Splashtopia, the resort’s rollicking water park, and belly up to Splash Grill for a bubbly beverage in between turns down the 100-foot waterslides.
Sunset Bar & Grill at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa
If you’re feeling lucky, place your bets and toss the dice at Morongo Casino, Resort & Spa in Cabazon. Try your hand at Blackjack or settle in at the slots, and get ready to score big. After hitting the jackpot, take your winnings down to the Sunset Bar & Grill, the resort’s poolside restaurant, and celebrate with a round of piña coladas or poolside palomas for all. Hop in a tube and float along the lazy river with a tropical drink in hand, or find a shady spot to enjoy an array of quick eats and bar bites like nachos, quesadillas and fries—all in the privacy of your proper poolside cabana. Ka-Ching!
Based in Los Angeles, Kandace has spent the past ten years in the fashion and lifestyle space, and recently in entertainment at Sony Pictures Studios. She has a Masters in Journalism from Emerson College and has studied in Paris, Firenze, and Washington DC, beginning her career as a style editor and tastemaker for NBC. She is an internationally award-winning filmmaker, having studied screenwriting for film and television at UCLA, and her work has been celebrated around the world, in cities like London, Nice, New York, and Montréal. Paying homage to her French heritage, she is also the creator of The Chic American--a style and culture editorial destination for Francophiles, dedicated to the art of living an elevated, French-inspired lifestyle.
