Patio Dining in the Desert Has Never Been Better
Written By: Lynne Eodice
The weather is finally cooling off, so it’s time to grab a few of your besties and head to a restaurant with an outdoor patio. Between great views, beautiful décor and bars where you can meet friends for happy hour, there’s something for everyone! In addition to having picturesque patios, these restaurants offer great food ranging from classic American grub to James Beard award-winning cuisine. There are a ton of outdoor dining options in the greater Palm Springs area, but here are seven of our faves.
Dining with a View
Lantana at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
This restaurant serves up a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as a breakfast buffet on Sundays. Lantana has a shaded outdoor patio with ceiling fans and fire pits. “It also has great views of the golf course,” says Vanja Elkner, assistant director of operations at Lantana. The outdoor patio at Lantana is pet-friendly, as is the entire Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort.
Lantana at Indian Wells Resort & Spa
44600 Indian Wells Ln
Indian Wells, CA 92210
760.674.4165
Spicy Bites
Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant
If tapas and sangria are what you’re after, then give Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant a try. You can indulge in delicious Spanish-infused dishes in Catalan’s beautiful open-air courtyard. Sit back and relax as Chef Drew Davis cooks up seasonal menus made with fresh ingredients and a Mediterranean flair.
Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant
70026 Hwy 111
Rancho Mirage, CA 92270
760.770.9508
Where the Tropics & Desert Meet
This desert-chic restaurant has a second-story patio with incredible mountain and desert views. You can sit by a fireplace or at a banquette that runs along the perimeter of the patio. The restaurant is connected to the Tommy Bahama store on El Paseo, so you can easily grab a bite after shopping for one of their signature tropical shirts or a new pair of flip-flops.
Tommy Bahama Restaurant & Bar
73595 El Paseo, Ste B1212
Palm Desert, CA 92260
760.836.0188
All Day Breakfast
Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs
This restaurant has a very bright, colorful outdoor terrace, which is serving up “Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch” all the way until 10 p.m. It’s great for special occasions like a birthday or girls’ night out, and if the evening gets a little chilly, the staff will even bring you a blanket.
Norma’s at the Parker Palm Springs
4200 E Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92264
760.770.5000
Love Is in the Air
French doors open onto a beautiful courtyard patio with hundreds of twinkly lights and live music. “Year after year, we’ve won awards for our outdoor patio,” says Renee Woodward, marketing manager. “We have lush trees that are all strung with lights.” The romantic Lavender Bistro is perfect for an anniversary or date night.
Lavender Bistro
78-073 Calle Barcelona
La Quinta, CA 92253
760.564.5353
Comfort Food with a Twist
Fortun’s Kitchen + Bar is known for offering up American classics with a gourmet twist, like their Fried Chick Biscuits and Gravy or Kobe Beef Chili. “Dine on our temperature-controlled patio with amazing views—and where every night is date night,” says Restaurant Manager Jennifer Thill. And with a pet-friendly patio, you can even bring your pup along for the evening.
Fortun’s Kitchen + Bar
78085 Avenida La Fonda
La Quinta, CA 92253
760.564.8744
Design Meets Haute Cuisine
Converted from a 90-year-old theater, Workshop Kitchen + Bar is a James Beard award-winning restaurant known for its interior design and seasonally-driven menu that highlights local ingredients and offerings. Found in the middle of Palm Springs’ chic Uptown Design District, it and has a beautiful outdoor dining space with misters that will cool you off on hot days.
Workshop Kitchen + Bar
800 N Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760.459.3451
Lynne Eodice is an accomplished writer & photographer. She is the former Features Editor for Petersen’s PHOTOgraphic magazine, and has contributed her writing and/or editorial expertise to Photographer’s Forum, Rangefinder, DoubleExposure.com, California Tour & Travel, Family Photo and Adorama’s Learning Center. She is also the author of Photos That Inspire: Photo Workshop, an instructional book that’s illustrated with more than 200 images by various photographers, published by Wiley & Sons.
