The 18 best restaurants in Palm Springs

No one in Palm Springs does Modern American cuisine more beautifully—or in a more stylish setting—than 4 Saints. This seventh-floor rooftop restaurant, located at the Kimpton Rowan Hotel, has a sleek and sultry dining room coupled with incredible mountain views and a show-stopping patio. The menu is a mix of small plates, entrees, and grilled meat that highlight California ingredients—standout dishes include roasted beets with pistachio butter, charred maitake mushrooms with grits, and their 14-day dry-aged steaks. For those who like sauce with their steaks, the house-made mushroom au poivre should not be missed.

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Engin Onural, the restaurant’s chef and owner, blends traditional Japanese techniques with modern global touches. The result is one of Palm Springs’ hottest—and most genre-bending—dining spots. Sashimi, carpaccios, and seasonal goods (shoutout to Sandfish’s stuffed zucchini blossoms) take the form of tostadas, aguachiles, or sushi, and are best enjoyed with cocktails flecked with desert-foraged herbs. Looking for something a little more straightforward? There are classic hand rolls and nigiri, not to mention one of the area’s best whiskey collections.

Looking for Italian food in an oh-so-coveted al fresco setting? There’s no better spot than Birba, a modern eatery that serves pastas, pizzas, and creative cocktails beneath a flowering tree with romantic string lights. Though it’s the ideal outdoor dinner date spot in Palm Springs, Birba’s friendly staff and breezy ambiance make it a great choice for family-friendly dining as well, no matter the weather (the fire pit at the center of the courtyard makes for an especially cozy night). The most popular dish, Nonna’s Meatballs, is a must-order in our book, but Birba has options for everyone’s dietary needs (including cauliflower or gluten-free crust for the pizzas) and a menu that changes every few months to keep you on your toes.

A throwback to tennis and racquet clubs that flourished in Palm Springs in the 50s and 60s, Sands Hotel & Spa's Insta-worthy decor is reason enough to swing by—and if you need an excuse to visit, head to The Pink Cabana, the hotel’s on-site restaurant. Serving up a fresh take on Mediterranean cuisine with bold Moroccan flavors, menu highlights include a lamb shank tagine, harissa chicken, and a shareable mezze platter. Don't skip out on the Mediterranean wines and refreshing seasonal cocktails as you take a break from the desert’s oppressive heat.

The husband-and-husband team, chef Chad Gardner and artist Roly Paz, have doubled down in Palm Springs. While their other restaurant, 533 Viet Fusion, stuffs lobster claw and local dates into Vietnamese spring rolls, this Asian fusion spot fills a major hole in Palm Springs dining: dumplings. Roly China Fusion is a modern space serving up braised short rib fried rice, lobster dumplings in truffle butter sauce, dan dan noodles, pork pot stickers, plus other house-made dim sum delights. But this isn’t strictly a dim sum spot, and don’t expect pushcarts; it’s the type of restaurant that adds marinated flank steak to its pad see ew and lobster with kimchi to its fried rice. This is also a great place for takeout on the nights you feel like staying in. 

There’s everything from pho to pork vermicelli and bánh mì here, but there’s also Thai food, chili-braised osso buco, and lemongrass chicken meatballs that come served in a martini glass—in other words, 533 Viet Fusion has it all. Don’t miss their specialty, a Vietnamese spring roll wrapped in rice paper that’s sliced into pieces like sushi and filled with the likes of spicy tuna, pork belly, and lobster (their take on a BLT). Other signature dishes include herb-poached tiger shrimp, mushroom and soba noodles, and summer-inspired lobster claw salad studded with local dates. The pro move is to stop by during happy hour when select wines, cocktails, and “edible martinis” are only $5.33 a pop.

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What was once a historic movie theater in the ‘20s is now a stark, concrete space with plush booths, minimal lighting, and a spacious courtyard. Called Workshop, this restaurant is actually a James Beard Award winner for best restaurant design—and it’s also a thoughtful and exciting dining experience in the midst of an otherwise touristy stretch of Palm Springs. Serving Modern American small plates made with ingredients from local farms (most of which are within an hour of Palm Springs), dinner is on the fancy side and is undoubtedly the way to go if you’re looking for a perfect date spot.

In a city that loves to brunch, Cheeky’s is a Palm Springs institution. Yes, there’s always a line and yes, it’s always a bit of a scene. But this place has been churning out consistently fresh and inventive brunch fare for years, and there’s a reason it’s a favorite of both visitors and locals alike. Go ahead and put your name down, then start figuring out your order—trust us, it’ll take a bit of time. The place is known for its rotating bacon flight, custard-style scrambled eggs, fresh-corn pancakes, house-made pastries, and its spicy (and stiff) Bloody Mary. The menu’s seasonal selections change weekly, while the classics have been going strong for around a decade—no matter what, don’t leave without a $1 shooter of their house-made frozen yogurt.

This beloved Vietnamese American spot takes no reservations and almost always draws a crowd. It’s worth the wait, though, for snacky small plates (like crispy wood ear mushroom spring rolls) and shareables (like lemongrass pork and shrimp rice noodles) that rotate to keep things fresh. As for refreshments, cool down in the desert heat with Vietnamese iced coffee, fruit-forward cocktails, and sparkling wines.

All-day breakfast? Count us in. Located inside the stunningly designed Parker hotel, Norma's is an open-air patio restaurant serving a large menu of brunch staples with cheeky names. Think omelets, frittatas, benedicts, pancakes, French toast, sandwiches, salads, and more. Huevos rancheros is arguably their most popular dish, topped off with a breakfast cocktail, juice, coffee, or wine. Sit and stay awhile since breakfast is served here daily until 10pm. 

Grab a seat on the patio (yes, there are water misters to keep you cool) at the always buzzing TRIO restaurant, serving modern American cuisine including pork chops, skirt steak, and short rib. The prime rib special on Fridays always draws a big crowd at this Palm Springs staple that has been around for more than 12 years. TRIO offers a daily happy hour, dinner, weekend brunch, and a three-course prix fixe menu. If you're here during happy hour, be sure to get an order of bacon-wrapped Coachella Valley dates with gorgonzola, served with a jalapeno aioli. 

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Seventy-five years in and this swanky spot is still at the top of the city’s food chain. Despite a few modern touches to the 1945 original, Mr. Lyons feels like the classy steakhouses of yore—one that wined and dined long-ago locals like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope and frequent visitors like Marilyn Monroe. Today, it still boasts the classics (think steak frites, prime rib, mac and cheese, shrimp cocktails, and wedge salads) while its new chef, Shad Newton, offers a lighter touch with vegetable-forward options like vegan chopped salad and honey nut squash. It’s all the glamour and vintage charm of a steakhouse during Palm Springs’ heyday with enough of a twist to keep things fresh. Just here for drinks? Don’t miss Seymour’s, a well-designed speakeasy hidden behind a curtain near the entrance.

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This gorgeous, breezy restaurant at L'Horizon serves up continent-crossing fare. We’re talking prawn croquettes with XO sauce, market salad with Korean cucumbers, confit duck leg with maple and scotch egg, and scallops with jicama, chili oil and saffron cream. If you’re looking for a bright and chipper breakfast or some upscale outdoor dining, this spot ticks all the boxes.

Everything the Ace Hotel does is unnervingly cool, so it’s no surprise that their Palm Springs diner is one of the city’s most photographed (and beloved) hangouts. Formerly a Denny’s, the retro-style diner got a full makeover, including the food. The menu hits the spot whether you’re looking for a full meal (double cheeseburger, fried chicken sandwich) or a snack (grilled eggplant spread, date shakes) between pool lounging and a night on the town. If you’re in town on a Monday, stop by for Fabulous Bingo with the always-fabulous host with the most, Shirley Claire.

Believe it: There’s a full-service OG kosher deli in the middle of the desert. Sherman’s is an old-school originator that serves all the traditional favorites, including thick-cut pastrami and a matzo ball soup so good you’ll even be tempted to order it on 90-degree days. There’s always a line (if you’re unlucky, you might be waiting outside in the sun), so try to hit this spot early in the morning or just before closing.

Aspen Mills is known for its bread, but good luck walking out without one of its deli sandwiches, too. This local favorite has been baking with stone-ground wheat flour for more than 20 years, and now you can find their pillowy loaves in more than 30 flavors at around $5 each. Their sandwiches, which of course come between slices of their just-baked bread, include options like the Aspen (turkey with lettuce and onion on cranberry loaf) and the Coachella (a veggie option on nine-grain), while the pastry case of fresh-from-the-oven muffins and cookies provide even more of an obstacle for those who just walked in for some sourdough.

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Tucked into the lovely little Sparrows Lodge, The Barn Kitchen is a casual American eatery that offers daily lunch and dinner. Choose from easy-but-elevated options like cauliflower steak, avocado toast, burgers, or a charcuterie and cheese plate. You can dine at the communal table or in an oversized patio chair—take your pick. This place feels like a true hidden oasis, away from the bustle of downtown and perfect for relaxing with a cold drink on triple-digit days.