A 9-City Itinerary for Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week
There’s a certain kind of travel that revolves around reservations. It’s where your calendar fills with brunch plans, sunset cocktails and dinners you book weeks in advance. Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week, running May 29 through June 7, is exactly that kind of trip. But here’s the twist: it’s not just about where you eat, it’s about how you explore in between. Across nine cities in the Coachella Valley, prix-fixe menus turn everyday dining into an experience. Think three-course dinners, seasonal desert greens, fresh-caught seafood and signature agave cocktails that feel like summer in a glass. “Restaurant Week really reflects the full spectrum of our culinary scene, from casual daytime bites to elevated, chef-driven dinners,” says a representative of Visit Greater Palm Springs. The best part? Every reservation fits seamlessly into a full day of adventure, shopping and sun-soaked wandering.
“You’re not just choosing a restaurant, you’re exploring a range of cuisines, atmospheres and price points across all nine cities,” a representative of Visit Greater Palm Springs adds, highlighting how each destination brings something distinct to the table, from local neighborhood gems to polished resort dining rooms.
Beyond the prix-fixe menus, the experience expands into a full getaway, where spa days, gallery hopping and time spent poolside naturally complement what’s on your plate. As a representative of Visit Greater Palm Springs puts it, “visitors can move seamlessly from wellness and outdoor adventure to arts and culture, all anchored by incredible dining.” This is your cue to stop thinking about one dinner and start planning a full itinerary. Because in Greater Palm Springs, magic happens when a hike turns into brunch, shopping leads to happy hour and dinner becomes the grand finale.
Palm Springs: Start With Style, Stay for the Scene
Palm Springs sets the tone, and it does so with flair. Start your morning at Wilma & Frieda, where brunch feels like a celebration. Order the signature griddled meatloaf and eggs, sip your coffee and ease into the day. For a French twist, Farm serves sweet (Nutella and strawberry) or savory (mushroom and cheese) crepes that’ll make your taste buds happy. You can also get your daily dose of farm-to-table desert greens here with the farm breakfast sandwich. After fueling up for the day, hop on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The shift from desert heat to alpine air is almost instant, and the views stretch endlessly. It’s the kind of contrast that makes this destination unforgettable.
Next, stroll through the Uptown Design District and shop a selection of vintage boutiques, midcentury art and more! By evening, settle into a Restaurant Week special offer dinner at Workshop Kitchen & Bar or a $59 dinner special at Spencer’s. Expect beautifully plated courses and dining rooms that hum with energy. If you’re craving something classic, Le Vallauris delivers French elegance with past menu highlights including veal filet and lobster ravioli. Or Copley’s on Palm Canyon hones its contemporary American offerings with a $59 dinner special. Menu highlights include the peach-scented pork chop, lobster mac-n-cheese, sesame-seared tofu and lavender pound cake.
Trio’s $49 three-course Restaurant Week menu makes the decision easy. Start with crab croquettes, move into wild mushroom pasta or seared ahi tuna, then finish with a brownie or upside-down blueberry cake. Or Lulu California Bistro’s $49 three-course dinner special and $35 three-course lunch offer crowd-pleasing favorites like fish tacos and chicken poblano pasta. This is Palm Springs at its best: glamorous, indulgent and completely irresistible.
Palm Desert: Shop, Sip and Savor
In Palm Desert, start with a morning stroll through The Shops on El Paseo. Designer storefronts, local boutiques and sunshine create the perfect pre-lunch mood. When it’s time to eat, Mitch’s on El Paseo offers steak, sushi and seafood, including shrimp gazpacho and grilled Atlantic salmon. Pacifica Seafood’s $59 dinner special also brings fresh flavors to the forefront. Think baked oysters that taste like they were pulled from the ocean that morning and tropical cocktails. As the sun dips, dinner at Kaiser Grille lets you savor the coconut shrimp, wood-grilled octopus and pistachio-crusted lamb chops. Or Lavender Bistro also feels like a natural next step with bacon-wrapped medjool dates and prime center-cut filet mignon.
Indian Wells: Elevated and Effortless
When you need to take things slow, Indian Wells calls your name. Spend the afternoon poolside at a resort or sneak in a little relaxation before dinner. Then, step into LG’s Prime Steakhouse for a classic steakhouse experience done right. Crispy calamari, Atlantic black mussels, habanero BBQ ribs and a polished setting make it a standout during Restaurant Week. For something more whimsical, The Pink Cabana blends playful design with Mediterranean-inspired dishes that feel fresh and vibrant. Their special offer lunch can feature any of their crowd favorites: wagyu pastrami reuben, roasted turkey club or fritto misto.
La Quinta: Old Town Charm Meets Desert Luxury
Every GPS trip needs a visit to Old Town La Quinta, where boutique shops and colorful storefronts invite a slow wander. Head to the iconic Adobe Grill at La Quinta Resort & Club for steak tacos, flautas and Cadillac margaritas that set the mood for a festive evening. If you’re not ready to call it a night, slip into one of the resort’s 42 pools, and let the day melt away. It’s the kind of reset that makes dinner feel even better.
Rancho Mirage: Polished, Playful and Worth the Drive
In a nutshell, Rancho Mirage brings a mix of sophistication and fun. Book a $59 dinner at Wally’s Desert Turtle that can include jumbo shrimp cocktails, roasted half chicken and sweet potato casserole. For something more modern, Alice B. offers a stylish setting with a $49 dinner special for Restaurant Week. Popular favorites include: pasta bolognese, grilled black tiger prawns, cheddar buttermilk biscuits and brownies served with caramel sauce. Elevated dining becomes accessible, and every course feels like a treat.
Cathedral City: Casual Meets Elevated
Laid-back energy meets standout flavor in Cathedral City. Grab a table at Café One Eleven at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City, where the Restaurant Week menus feel generous and satisfying. Their $55 pre-fix three-course dinner lets you choose between a Caesar salad or crispy coconut shrimp to start and steak frites or grilled salmon as your main. Then, indulge your sweet tooth with Basque cheesecake or chocolate brownies. It’s an easy stop that fits between adventures if you’re exploring nearby neighborhoods or heading out for the evening.
Indio: Flavor With a Local Twist
For a grounded, authentic feel to the itinerary, head to Indio. The $59 dinner at The Grill on Main offers comfort dishes with a polished edge. Expect anything from buttermilk fried chicken to fish and chips to a full Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner (yes, seriously!) It’s the kind of place where flavors feel familiar but elevated, making it a must-stop during your culinary tour. On your way back, swing by Shields Date Garden for a local date shake that feels like a desert rite of passage.
Coachella: A Taste of Culture
Coachella delivers bold flavors and vibrant energy. During Restaurant Week, stop by Coachella Firehouse Bar & Grill for a lunch or dinner special that feels rooted in the community. It’s known for treat-yourself meals like the Calle 6 burger, stacked with bacon, jalapeños and onion rings between a brioche bun.
Desert Hot Springs & Beyond: Reset and Recharge
Round out your itinerary with a little adventure. Head to Indian Canyons for a scenic hike to work up an appetite. Or ease into relaxation at Azure Palm Hot Springs, where a soak + food special is set to make desert wellness more indulgent. Think mineral-rich hot springs and serene mountain views that pair perfectly with a delicious bite after a day outdoors. And if sunbathing is calling, a pool day at La Quinta Resort & Club is always the right answer.
“Visitors can build an entire itinerary around their reservations, pairing outdoor exploration, shopping and resort experiences with standout meals across the valley,” says a representative of Visit Greater Palm Springs. Locals, too, can rediscover the destination in a new way, turning a night out into something that feels like a true escape.
Make your reservations, map out your route and let your appetite lead the way. Greater Palm Springs Restaurant Week is more than a series of meals; it is a chance to experience the valley one unforgettable bite at a time. From city to city, each stop adds something new to the story, turning a simple getaway into a full-sensory escape. The only question left is how many reservations you can fit in.
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!
