Where Flavor Meets the Sun: Palm Springsā New Dining Hotspots Turn Up the Heat
Just when you thought youād tried it all, a fresh wave of new restaurants in Palm Springs is shaking up the desert dining scene. Picture coastal Italian plates under pink chandeliers, smoky barbecue with deep family roots and seafood so fresh youāll forget youāre surrounded by sand. From moody cocktail lounges to revamped local favorites, these new spots are bringing mouthwatering flavor and serious vibes. Craving a dazzling dinner, a brunch that hits just right or your next late-night obsession? Here are six of the best restaurants in Palm Springs, giving you every reason to eat your way through the desert.
The Bar Issi at The Thompson Hotel
Step into Bar Issi inside the Thompson Hotel and feel like youāve teleported to an Italian beach town. With pink pineapple chandeliers, bold maximalist dĆ©cor and a menu rooted in coastal Italian flavors, itās a place that flirts with your senses. Expect wood oven pizzas, al dente pastas (radiatori with lamb bolognese is a standout) and cocktails as colorful as the wallpaper. Here, mixology is a full-blown art form with the vibes to match . Theyāre open nightly for dinner and brunch on weekends with a wine list that leans both Californian and Italian. Bring your appetite, your date and your most dramatic entrance because this downtown Palm Springs restaurant will make you want to linger.
Location: Palm Springs
Ash & Vine
Ash & Vine sets itself apart with unpretentious elegance, making it one of the most charming Palm Springs restaurants. Chef Matthew Reslerās vision blends comfort and creativity. Youāll find thoughtfully sourced ingredients, playful flavor riffs and an intimate space where conversation lingers. Plates like the grilled cheese dumplings and the filet with caramelized cauliflower feel familiar but strike you with āwowā moments. Come for dinner or a glass of Raeburn Pinot Noir now, and keep an eye out because brunch service is launching soon! Itās a place you want to return to, not just to check off a trend, but because your palate is hooked.
Location: Palm Springs
Babeās Smokehouse & Tavern
After closing its longtime spot in Rancho Mirage, Babeās made a bold resurrection in Indio with Babeās Smokehouse & Tavern at the Canopy at Citrus. The team preserved beloved recipes (slow-smoked ribs, handmade sausage and coleslaw) while giving the space a refresh for 2025ās crowd. Owned now by Lucky Callender (son of the original founder, Don), it balances tradition and reinvention with ease. Expect cozy patio evenings, hearty barbecue hits and that soulful sense of desert hospitality. If you ever wondered where comfort food meets legacy, this Greater Palm Springs restaurant is your place.
Location: Indio
Oceana Seafood Restaurant
Seafood cravings meet coastal flair at Oceana. Youāll find wild-caught Spanish octopus, shrimp sauteed with sweet & spicy sauce and salmon bruschetta thatās pulled from seaside dreams. But itās not all fish. The kitchen blends surf and turf so deftly that even steak lovers will be seduced. The menu tempts with lamb chops glazed in pomegranate mezcal and a tomahawk steak served with creamy mashed potatoes and fresh veggies. Dine indoors under soft lighting or out where the desert air nudges your senses. Itās the kind of Palm Springs restaurant you take someone to impress but also somewhere youāll secretly revisit solo.
Location: Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert
Red Barn
This Palm Desert staple reopened in 2025 with a fresh design that still honors its rough-around-the-edges heart. At Red Barn, youāll be surrounded by pool tables, shuffleboard and a bar buzzing with locals and new fans. Theyāve doubled down on cocktails with signature drinks like Marcieās Magic, made with mezcal, coconut, lime and banana, and the vodka-forward Easy Rider. Plus, the live DJs and music that play everything from Americana to techno keep the energy raw, late nights alive and the spirit of community pulsing. Itās a place that remembers its past but dances toward the future.
Location: Palm Desert
Cowboy Cantina
Get ready to put on your boots! Cowboy Cantinaās vibe leans into Southwestern flavor with bold twists. Located at The River in Rancho Mirage, this newcomer joins the growing lineup of new restaurants in Palm Springs that mix rustic cooking with modern fun. Youāll find smoked brisket and bleu cheese smash burgers, pulled pork taquitos, chicken sandwiches and margarita flights that are guaranteed to make you smile. The space invites both dinner dates and dance nights alike, and yes, boots are absolutely allowed. Want an evening thatās part dinner, part party? Youāll find it here.
Location: Rancho Mirage
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