23 Restaurants Worth Every Calorie in the California Desert
Palm Springs has always known how to throw a good time. Somewhere between the midcentury architecture and the mountain views, the downtown dining scene became one of California’s most exciting. The best downtown Palm Springs restaurants include Birba for wood-fired pizza, Ponzu Sushi for fresh rolls and weekend brunch, 4 Saints for rooftop dining, Tac/Quila for Michelin Guide-recognized Mexican and Bar Issi for wood-fired Italian. We cover 23 restaurants for every mood, from tapas at Alana Bar + Tapas to Vietnamese small plates at Rooster and the Pig. This is the downtown Palm Springs dining guide worth bookmarking, sharing and returning to every single time.
1. Tapas and a Tequila Buzz
Alana Bar + Tapas is a downtown Palm Springs restaurant and bar that makes additive-free tequila in-house and serves shareable small plates. The bar operates Tuesday through Sunday from 6–11 p.m., pairing craft cocktails with guacamole and tapas built for lingering. The atmosphere is intimate without feeling crowded, and the bar team brings serious skill to every pour. Alana works beautifully as a pre-dinner stop or as the full anchor of a night out.
Alana Bar + Tapas
370 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.832.7934
T–Su, 6–11 p.m.
2. Sushi That Doesn’t Miss
Ponzu Sushi delivers great sushi in the desert, and then some. The menu covers the classics while making room for bolder rolls, like the Are You Kidding Me, stacked with Hokkaido scallop, snow crab and seared bluefin tuna. The fish is fresh, the pacing is right and the experience delivers reliably, visit after visit. Weekend brunch now runs Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a bento box and an A5 wagyu katsu sando in the mix. Whether you’re building a spread for the table or grabbing a quick bite between pool time and cocktail hour, Ponzu fits the moment.
Ponzu Sushi
100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way Ste 130
Palm Springs
760.699.7001
M–Th, noon–9:30 p.m.; F–Sa, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Su, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
3. Cocktails Under a Desert Moon
Inside the Royal Sun Palm Springs, High Moon was built for desert nights. The drinks are worth talking about, the space earns the word cool and the company rises to meet the occasion. The cocktail menu draws from the desert landscape in ways that go beyond the aesthetic. Look for something mesquite-smoked or date-infused on any given night. The space carries the Royal Sun’s signature midcentury sensibility, but High Moon brings something nocturnal to the property. Stop in for one drink before dinner, and see how long that plan holds. The bar has a momentum to it that makes leaving harder than it should be.
High Moon
1700 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.794.7991
M–W, 8 a.m.–7 p.m.; Th–Su, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
4. Provence, Transplanted
Fresh food done right is harder to pull off than it sounds. FARM makes it look effortless. Tucked into the courtyard of the historic La Plaza, the restaurant’s Provencal, farm-to-table ethos shows up on every plate. Expect seasonal produce, sweet or savory crepes, Spanish migas, roasted pear salads and more. The outdoor patio claims a spot among the city’s most pleasant places to dine, and there’s live music at dinner. Evening service, when the desert air cools and the lighting turns golden, is especially worth lingering over. Because FARM runs breakfast, lunch and a prix fixe dinner, it earns a flexible place in any Palm Springs itinerary.
FARM
6 La Plaza
Palm Springs
760.322.2724
F–T, 8 a.m.–2 p.m. & 5–9 p.m. (5:30 p.m. June–September); W–Th, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.
5. Coastal Italian, Desert Energy
Not every restaurant takes itself this seriously. Bar Issi, inside the Thompson Palm Springs, does, and the city’s dining scene is better for it. The approach here is thoughtful without tipping into pretension. You’ll find housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and raw bar favorites built around seasonal California ingredients and Italian tradition. Bar Issi draws a crowd that appreciates craft for its own sake, creating an atmosphere that feels engaged and easy. It works well for a first date, a catch-up with friends or a solo evening that turns into something unexpected.
Bar Issi
414 N Palm Canyon Dr Ste F
Palm Springs
442.334.2405
Daily, 5–10 p.m.; Sa–Su, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
6. Poolside, Land Meets Sea
Some restaurants earn their reputation through the food alone. The Restaurant at the Palm Springs Surf Club earns it through the full picture. The setting is equal parts resort escape and neighborhood gathering place, with a view of the property’s iconic surf pool. The menu draws on fresh, California-influenced cooking. Every dish is built for unhurried meals. Order the crispy Brussels, the Surf Club Burger or the chicken alfredo and let the table work through the rest from there. The outdoor space draws the real crowds, with afternoons that stretch lazily into evenings without any reason to end.
The Restaurant at the Palm Springs Surf Club
1500 S Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs
760.205.3634
W, 5–9 p.m.; Th–F, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Su, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
7. Wood-Fired and Twinkle-Lit
Birba keeps its focus tight. Expect wood-fired pizzas with crisp, blistered crusts, shareable Italian plates and cocktails that feel just as considered as the food. Start with the spicy meatballs, order a classic pie from the wood-fired oven, and add an Italian Greyhound to the mix. The open-air patio, strung with lights and framed by palms, has become one of the most coveted dinner spots in Palm Springs, especially on warm desert nights. Arrive early if you want a prime table because the courtyard fills quickly.
Birba
622 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.327.5678
Th–M, 6–10 p.m.
8. Rooftop Reset, Southern Twist
4 Saints, the rooftop restaurant at Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, serves modern American cuisine daily from 5–10 p.m. The menu includes dry-aged steaks, corn agnolotti and a date-infused Old Fashioned, all served against San Jacinto Mountain views at golden hour. It’s a setting that photographers and romantics love equally. Good news for return visitors: after a summer closure, the rooftop is back open for the season. Book ahead, dress the part and let 4 Saints set the tone for the night.
4 Saints
100 W Tahquitz Canyon Way, 7th Floor
Palm Springs
760.392.2020
Daily, restaurant: 5–10 p.m.; bar: 4–10 p.m.
9. Jalisco, By Way of Palm Canyon
The name says it all. Tac/Quila‘s lineup is rooted in bold, Jalisco-style Mexican flavors that are built for people who mean business at the table. Menu highlights include calamari tacos, grilled steak fajitas, chicken nachos and a moist, melt-in-your-mouth tres leches cake. Tac/Quila was also named among Palm Springs’ Michelin Guide picks, and the tequila and mezcal program gives the bar real credibility. Bar seats fill fast, and the Pineapple Passion margaritas make very convincing arguments for second rounds. Come for the tacos, stay for the tequila and leave with zero regrets.
Tac/Quila
415 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.417.4471
Daily, 11 a.m.–10 p.m.
10. Vietnamese Flavor, Full Commitment
When it opened, Rooster and the Pig brought something Palm Springs hadn’t quite seen before. The Vietnamese-inspired menu takes familiar flavors and elevates them thoughtfully. You’ll find pork belly fried rice, chicken dumplings, red curry duck and combinations that keep the table satisfied. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, which is exactly the right fit for food this good. Try the vodka-forward The Lover or the bourbon-based The Raven from the cocktail list. With food this memorable, it’s a must-eat on any Palm Springs visit.
Rooster and the Pig
356 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.832.6691
W–Su, 5–9 p.m.
11. Precision Plating, Uptown Cool
Some restaurants are worth planning your entire trip around. Workshop Kitchen + Bar, inside a converted historic building on Palm Canyon Drive, earns that status. The menu features lamb kefta, ricotta gnocchi and bone-in pork chops in a kitchen that thrives on getting every dish right. The bar program brings the same precision with an extensive wine list and design-forward cocktails. Dinner here recalibrates all expectations of downtown Palm Springs dining, and the city is better for having it.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
800 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.459.3451
Daily, 5–10 p.m.; Su, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. & 5–10 p.m.
12. Dog-Friendly, Pan-Asian and Proud of It
The best bars don’t ask anything of you except showing up, and Boozehounds lives by that rule. Under Chef Corey Baker, the kitchen has leaned into a pan-Asian menu with Japanese, Korean and Filipino influences. Cold drinks, a welcoming patio and an atmosphere that requires nothing except your presence. Boozehounds works for a mid-afternoon coffee-and-coworking session, a post-hike debrief or a casual evening when the formal reservation can wait. It’s also one of the best dog-friendly restaurants in Palm Springs, which earns it permanent status in this guide.
Boozehounds
2080 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.656.0067
M & Th, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.; T & W, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.; F, 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; Sa, 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; Su, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. (Summer hours; subject to change)
13. Crepes Worth the Alley Detour
At Gabino’s Creperie, you’ll find the kind of lunch that ruins all others. This South American-inspired spot, featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” brings something charming and exceptional to the downtown food scene. The menu moves between a satisfying range of savory crepe options with equal grace. Think chicken pesto or BBQ chicken, finished with a signature Parmesan crust. Gabino’s works beautifully as a casual midday stop, and the crepes reward close attention. Add it to your list, then plan a return visit because you absolutely will want to.
Gabino’s Creperie
170 E Palm Canyon Dr Ste 4
Palm Springs
760.808.8150
Daily, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
14. Modern Mexican, Poolside Ease
Few restaurants arrive in Palm Springs and make an immediate, lasting impression. Enter Maleza, housed inside the Drift Hotel. Now under Executive Chef Ysaac Ramirez, the modern Mexican menu wows with shareable classics like half a dozen oysters, sweet potato street tacos and Wagyu skirt steak. At the bar, explore a rare collection of mezcals and tequilas alongside inventive cocktails. Maleza is open all day for every occasion, from laid-back patio hangs to intimate dinners for two. Order a margarita first, commit to the dining experience and let Maleza show you what it’s working with.
Maleza
284 S Indian Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.549.9528
M–F, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sa–Su, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
15. Tac/Quila’s Moody Sister
Clandestino, Tac/Quila’s sister restaurant helmed by Chef Gustavo Carreon, balances intimacy with an electric energy that builds with the evening. The cocktail program is serious without being intimidating. Order a Moody Sister cocktail (gin, lemon, honey-thyme syrup, red wine float) and the stuffed squash blossoms, and make a regular habit of it. Come for a pre-dinner drink, make it the main event or arrive on a whim when the night needs direction. Clandestino delivers what every great bar should, every single time.
Clandestino
175 N Palm Canyon Dr Ste 160
Palm Springs
760.699.6222
Su–Th, noon–10 p.m.; F–Sa, noon–11 p.m.
16. Craft Cocktails, No Lecture Required
Good craft cocktails in a great room shouldn’t be this easy to find. At Bar Cecil, they are. The drink menu is approachable and well-executed, while the space gives you plenty to appreciate between sips. The restaurant is stylish and accessible, drawing a crowd that loves a smoked bone-in pork chop and a well-built French 75 without a lecture. Beaton’s, the intimate salon and patio adjacent to Bar Cecil, adds savory bites and its own reservation-adjacent charm to the mix. The atmosphere is convivial and easy, making it perfect for evening drinks or a longer stay when the night isn’t ready to end.
Bar Cecil
1555 S Palm Canyon Dr Ste H-104
Palm Springs
442.332.3800
Daily, 5–10 p.m.
17. Rooftop Sugar Rush
Authentic Latin American cuisine has a way of transporting you completely. Azúcar, inside La Serena Villas, does exactly that with a vibrant menu rooted in tradition. The Pollo Rojo Mole alone justifies showing up, and the atmosphere is colorful and full of life to match. Azúcar is also one of only two rooftop restaurant-and-bars in Palm Springs, so the view comes standard. Come for brunch, come for dinner or just come for the blueberry muffins in the morning. Whatever time of day, you’ll leave with a smile on your face.
Azúcar
339 S Belardo Rd
Palm Springs
844.932.8044
Brunch daily, 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.; M–F, 5–9 p.m.; Sa–Su, 5–10 p.m.
18. Sushi Meets Single Malt
The combination of precise Japanese cuisine and a serious whiskey program sounds ambitious. At Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey, it feels natural. The omakase-style approach puts the kitchen in control, with fresh oysters and A5 Wagyu that are clean and exceptional. Meanwhile, the whiskey list adds a dimension that elevates the whole experience. The space is intimate and considered, matching the precision of everything coming out of the kitchen. Book well ahead, and arrive ready to be surprised by how well these two things belong together.
Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey
1556 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs
760.537.1022
Dinner: Su–Th, 4:30–10 p.m.; F–Sa, 4:30–11 p.m.; Lunch: F–Su, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
19. Old Hollywood, New Menu
Named after the legendary midcentury Chi-Chi Club, where Hollywood came to play, Chi Chi Restaurant wears its legacy with style. The menu draws from California-inspired cuisine with a focus on wellness and clean eating, all set inside the Avalon Hotel. The pool-adjacent setting adds a cinematic quality that makes every meal feel like a scene worth being cast in. If you want the full Palm Springs experience, one that lives up to the myths, dinner (or lunch) at Chi Chi is where that story begins.
Chi Chi Restaurant
415 S Belardo Rd
Palm Springs
760.318.3005
Daily: Breakfast 8–11 a.m.; Lunch 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; Dinner 4–9 p.m.
20. The New Special-Occasion Table
There’s a reason Ash & Vine has become the name locals drop for anniversaries and first dates. Set inside a 1936 bungalow shaded by bougainvillea, the restaurant pairs Italian technique with an Asian-inspired edge from Chef Matthew Resler. The scallop risotto, made with Hokkaido scallops, has become something of a signature. With only a handful of tables, the room feels intimate, and the staff’s habit of sending handwritten notes for special occasions has not gone unnoticed by regulars. It’s earned a 4.9-star reputation for a reason. Reserve ahead, and let this one carry the whole evening.
Note: The equally delicious brunch offerings will resume in September or October.
Ash & Vine
19 La Plaza
Palm Springs
760.699.7730
Daily, 5–9 p.m.
21. FARM’s Casual Little Sibling
Right across the courtyard from FARM sits The Front Porch, currently ranked the number one downtown Palm Springs restaurant on Yelp. French-inspired small plates and craft cocktails headline the menu, with vegan and vegetarian options built in rather than bolted on. The patio setting keeps things low-key, which makes The Front Porch the move when you want FARM’s polish without the reservation stress. Live music and happy hour specials round things out. Swing by any time of day. The kitchen keeps unusually long hours for a spot this size.
The Front Porch
117 La Plaza
Palm Springs
760.322.2724
Daily, 9 a.m.–10 p.m. (Summer hours: 10 a.m.–10 p.m., June–September)
22. Ceviche in the Heart of Downtown
For something lighter and brighter, Crudo Cervicheria has built a loyal following on fresh, handcrafted ceviche and a well-curated beer list. The Latin American menu keeps things simple and vibrant. Plus, the downtown Palm Canyon Drive location makes it an easy add-on before or after a night out elsewhere on this list. It’s a smaller, more casual affair than most of the restaurants here, which is exactly the point. Come hungry for something cold, citrusy and a little different from the desert’s usual Mexican and Italian staples.
Crudo Cervicheria
515 N Palm Canyon Dr Ste B8
Palm Springs
442.268.9389
M–Sa, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
23. The One Worth Waiting For
Alice B. is the New American restaurant from James Beard and Julia Child Award-winning chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken, tucked inside the Living Out community. Expect Mediterranean-leaning California cuisine with a menu that’s earned MICHELIN Guide recognition and a spot on the Los Angeles Times’ 101 Best Restaurants in California. It’s currently closed for its seasonal summer break with no posted reopening date, so keep an eye on aliceb.com for the fall relaunch.
Alice B.
1122 E Tahquitz Canyon Way
Palm Springs
760.537.4311
Closed for summer; visit aliceb.com for fall reopening dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best restaurant in downtown Palm Springs right now?
The Front Porch has recently topped Yelp rankings for downtown Palm Springs restaurants, though Workshop Kitchen + Bar, Ash & Vine and 4 Saints all draw strong followings for more formal nights out.
Q: Where should I go for a rooftop dinner in Palm Springs?
4 Saints, atop the Kimpton Rowan Palm Springs, and Azúcar at La Serena Villas, are the city’s two rooftop restaurant-and-bar combinations, both offering mountain views at golden hour.
Q: What’s a good dog-friendly restaurant in downtown Palm Springs?
Boozehounds was built around a dog-friendly patio and lounge, and its tagline says it all: ‘Where Dogs Bring Their Humans.’ It’s the clearest choice for a pup-friendly outing in downtown Palm Springs.
Q: Where can I get sushi in downtown Palm Springs?
Ponzu Sushi and Sandfish Sushi & Whiskey both serve strong sushi programs downtown, with Sandfish leaning into an omakase-style, whiskey-paired experience and Ponzu offering a more classic roll-forward menu.
Q: Is brunch a big deal in Palm Springs?
Yes. FARM serves breakfast and lunch daily, while Azúcar, Bar Issi and Ponzu Sushi all offer dedicated weekend brunch service, with highlights ranging from Wagyu katsu sandos to rooftop chilaquiles. Reservations are worth making ahead on Saturdays and Sundays.
This article is brought to you by one of the many talented writers associated with Locale Magazine! We are a group of locals (whether born and raised or transplanted) who love this county we now call home!
