Whether traveling on a winter escape to soak up some warm weather, bearing the heat in the summer plus everywhere else in between, Palm Springs has a restaurant culture where Mexican cuisine, California fresh and a global influence meet on menus. Here’s our guide where you should start and end your day when dining out.
Cheeky’s
The menu changes weekly at this well-known spot with an all day breakfast menu that once featured a Thai omelet and chilaquiles plus homemade pastries – but always on the menu is the bacon sampler with strips flavored with ginger-sesame, jalapeno and apple-cinnamon. Lunch has included a steak salad and a variety of sandwiches.
Birba
Owned by the same husband and wife duo as Cheeky’s, Birba’s Italian menu is surrounded by the wood burning oven that pumps out California-esque inspired pizzas like the braised greens with Serrano chiles, olives and smoked mozzarella, plus homemade pastas.
El Mexicali Café
The family owned restaurant covers all the bases of Mexican cuisine with combination plates of enchiladas, tacos and chile relleno, or opt for one of the specials like the especial del Mexicali.
Rooster and the Pig
The banh mi burger at Chef Tai Spendly’s strip mall restaurant pulls from his Vietnamese and American heritage, which the whole menu echoes with this particular fusion. Other dishes include lemongrass glazed wings to share, pork belly fried rice and a variety of spring rolls.
Purple Palm Restaurant and Bar
The restaurant is located in the Colony Palms Hotel, and was inspired by the original owner and bootlegger Al Wertheimer. Before it served modern Californian cuisine, it was a speakeasy hangout for Al and the members of his gang called, purple. Now you can catch breakfast through dinner and order dishes like goat cheese gnocchi and 12 hour pork short ribs.
El Jefe
Located in the Saguaro hotel, El Jefe is popular during Taco Tuesday with creative re-imaginations like the orange-braised carnitas, fried paddle cactus for the nopales taco, or try the self-titled nachos.
King’s Highway
Occupying what was once a former Denny’s, King’s Highway at the Ace Hotel keeps the retro diner vibes alive all while serving more mature and refined food. In true California fashion, there are healthier options like the daily smoothie and avocado toast but you’ll still find a grilled cheese and tuna melt.
Reservoir
In the boutique hotel The Arrive, Reservoir has Asian-Latin fusion coursing through the menu. Try the fried chicken and churros at breakfast; sweet chili rubbed sea bass at lunch and an achiote chicken ramen bowl, plus over a dozen tacos to choose from at dinner.
Workshop Kitchen and Bar
This sleek, “industrial chic” restaurant serves small plates of local ingredients ranging to larger plates of black cod, mesquite grilled pork chops and a truffle pasta.
